Blow up the Dam!

In the land of the Bible, there are two inland bodies of water,  connected by the Jordan River, just 30 miles apart. The Sea of Galilee is a sparkling gem, full of life. The Dead Sea is a mineral laden lake surrounded by barren desert and crusty salts. Why? The Sea of Galilee receives fresh water from the mountains and overflows into the river, constantly replenished. The Dead Sea has no outlet. The inflow only escapes by evaporation leaving the minerals behind, accumulating to such an extent that all life was choked from the water long ago.

Are you big-hearted and generous OR does the heart of the Grinch (“2 sizes too small”) beat in your chest?  Another way to ask this question: do you measure your happiness by what flows into your life or what flows out of it?  If you’re only receiving, but not giving, you will develop toxic levels of selfishness that will choke all life from you.

Our Father promises to care for our needs `according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.' (Phil. 4.19) A pinched, mean spirit is totally at odds with a genuine experience of renewal in the Spirit of God. Why, then, are so many of us, people who are given ALL things by our Father, so selfish, so protective of our stuff, our time, our privacy?  We are blessed to be a blessing!  I love the wisdom of the Proverbs! Take a look: "It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT  That principle is far greater than money. It is about a way of life that invests in the joys and sorrows of the people around us, that overflows with gentle forgiveness, and that liberally recognizes the individual contribution that others make to the well-being of the whole!

Paul, as he was leaving for Jerusalem where he would face arrest and long imprisonment, reminded the Ephesian Believers: "You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (Acts 20:35 NLT)  Early in his life, he was a man focused on self-improvement, on protecting his own traditions, on gaining power.  Then, he met the Lord and was knocked off his high horse. Grace flowed into his life and Paul opened the spigot to let it flow back out! He gave up everything – comfort, treasure, time, reputation – to take the good news of God’s acceptance to the wide world.

He lived what he taught about generosity. "Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out." (2 Corinthians 9:6-9, The Message)

Let me encourage you to practice magnanimity today!  Give yourself away. Do it in the smallest of ways… letting someone go before you in the checkout line, slowing down for the driver who wants to get into your lane of traffic. Do it in a bigger way… when someone you know falls down, reach out to help them up. When a `juicy tale' falls into your hands, bury it and never repeat it no matter how much fun it might be to share! Write a check to someone in need or better, put some cash in an envelope and give it to them without disclosing the source.  Do it in the biggest way… pray for God's blessings to rest on your worst enemy. Pray for them to experience the LOVE of the Father! (and mean it!)

Here’s a word from the Word. It’s familiar, so take care that familiarity does not breed contempt. Read it slowly and prayerfully, asking that the Spirit will bring the full truth to fruitfulness in your life today. "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" (Luke 9:24-25, NLT)

Blow up the dam that Self insists is necessary. Let your life overflow and God will ‘pour on the blessings in astonishing ways.’

(CWTW will not be sent again until next week.)

When Sennacherib sends his letter

Monday is often the “preacher’s day off” and it’s my day to catch up on yard work, have a late breakfast with Bev, and try to practice a bit of “Sabbath” rest. Yesterday, I did not do so well at that. Even while Bev and I enjoyed a cup of coffee at the diner, my mind was churning. “What should I do? How can I make that work? What if that person does not respond as I had hoped?”  I was not supposed to be working, but I could not turn it off.  I went off to bed with a headache from the tension.  What makes your muscles tense, steals sleep from you in the middle of night, and causes you to sigh under a burden that weighs heavily on your mind? 

The late Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, a ministry that has been a major force in the work of the Lord around the world for the last 50 years, had many reasons to be stressed.    He was head of an organization that was huge, that was always in need of funds, and that had thousands of associates on hundreds of campuses around the world.   But, Dr. Bright was consistently a man of cheerful temperament, relaxed, and apparently beyond worry. His son reports on the moment when he came to understand why his Dad was this way, even under pressure.    It was an interview with a reporter from a Christian magazine.  

"Dr. Bright," the reporter asked, "share with us a problem from your life that the average Christian could relate to."    
"I don't have any problems" Bright replied.  
The reporter pressed,  "Don't over-spiritualize this.   We all have problems."  

"Young man," Bright replied, "you need to understand that I understand that I am a slave of Jesus.  A slave doesn't have any problems.  The only thing a slave has to do is what his master tells him to do.   He doesn't have to be successful.  When you really understand that, all the of the sudden, you don't have any problems anymore.  All you have are opportunities to see God work."   -   quoted in REV. Magazine, July/August, 2007

This morning I had to repent for my lack of faith yesterday.  My worry was rooted deeply in my own ego, in my sense that I am 'in charge.'  But, I am not, nor are you. Oh yes, there are decisions we must make. We have work to do.  However, I needed to remember that familiar Psalm that declares: "Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones." (Psalm 127:1-3, NLT)  James asks us to remember that we " do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14, NIV)  That is not a statement of resignation. It is a profound faith declaration.

Faith like that helps us to surrender those illusions of mastery and to live at peace in the Presence of God.  Now, we must be consistent in that faith. If we run ahead of the Lord and make decisions in our own wisdom: creating debt, taking on too much responsibility, etc. -  it is immature and irresponsible to decide, only after the fact, to throw it all on the Lord and expect that He should painlessly lead us out of the problems that we created for ourselves!  The kind of faith that allowed Dr. Bright to live with serenity started before he made decisions. He let God lead - from the beginning.  

Does that mean we can't ask the Lord to help us with situations we created in ignorance or through willful expression of ego?   No, of course not. He loves us even when we're willfully trusting our own wisdom, when we have made stupidly short-sighted choices, and even when we are sinful.  But, He seldom keeps on blessing us with the peace of His Presence until we start to acknowledge our presumptuous egotism.

Are you anxious?  Let’s change perspective right now.  Say this out loud - "Lord God, I am your servant.  I exist to do Your will, to fulfill your expectations, to carry out your purposes."   Take all those things that are making you impatient, that are keeping you awake at night, that make you weary - write the list down. Now make the Hezekiah choice. Take your list and present it to the Lord with this faith-filled prayer:  "Lord, I thought these were my concerns.  I am your slave. Forgive me for the messes I have created. Help me to be quickly responsive to Your direction. Today I will trust You, serve You, and let peace flourish while I wait. You know all my tomorrows, and You know what is best for me in the light of eternity."  

Here's a word from the Word. It comes from a time when King Hezekiah was threatened with annihilation by the Assyrians. He had no resources in himself to meet the threat, so look at what he did. Make it a model for your worry today. May the same humility fill us with faith.

"Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.

And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. “It is true, O Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by men’s hands. Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” (2 Kings 19:14-19, NIV)

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Critic or Coach?

“You’re just going to fail!”  That's what I heard, and it stuck like glue. The words pulled me down for days. Criticism is tough to endure. It’s everywhere. Early in life, kids learn the ‘art’ of the put-down; how to use just the right word, tone, and gesture to make another feel the sting of shame. We adults do it, too, all though we are a bit more sophisticated.  When we feel that we are being backed into a corner, we fire back with wounding words. Spouses do it to one another. Friends sabotage, yes and even Christians do it to the family of God. But, anybody can be a critic!

I enjoy watching a good coach in action. He knows how to push the players on his team to maximum performance. He will challenge them by pointing out where they are missing the mark. He will wake up an unfocused player with confrontation. He will correct, teach, and motivate with affirmation. A great coach calls the individuals on his team to a higher level than they even believe they can achieve. Coaching is a skill that requires courage, vision, and patience.

Are you a critic or a coach?
Are you just pointing out failures, expressing your own insecurities by tearing others down?
Are you coaching others to better things in life?

The Christian church needs fewer critics and more coaches. In the book of Acts, one of the early leaders was named Joseph. Over time, we learn that he got a new name, Barnabas. He lifted others up, gave generously, and made every situation better by just being a part of it. So, the apostles called him, Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement.’  Joe became Barney! As we aspire to his calling, let’s not confuse empty praise with true encouragement. I have real issues with the current ideals about self-esteem that appear to block the truth. Real encouragement may include correction, helping another see where he is falling far short of his true abilities. However, a genuine encourager is always hopeful, looking for the way to reach higher. Encouragers develop empathy, too. They know when to push and when to pull, when to confront and when to console.

The Scripture tells us to "encourage one another daily." (Hebrews 3:13, NIV) Let’s do it. When we feel the urge to criticize, let’s pause, pray, and think about how to turn it into a coaching moment that ultimately infuses another with hope. When we want to rip into another person for their failure to do what they need to do, let’s take time to think about the best way to match truth and love. Demolishing a structure is easy when compared to building one!

Here’s a word from the Word. I encourage you to own it and live it out today.
"We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us.
And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:1-5, NLT)

_________

I was sinking deep in sin,

Far from the peaceful shore,

Very deeply stained within,

Sinking to rise no more.

But the Master of the sea

Heard my despairing cry,

From the waters lifted me;

Now safe am I.

Love lifted me!

Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me.

Love lifted me.

All my heart to Him I give;

Ever to Him I'll cling,

In His blessed presence live,

Ever His praises sing.

Love so mighty and so true

Merits my soul's best songs;

Faithful, loving service, too,

To Him belongs.

Love Lifted Me

Rowe, James / Smith, Howard E.

© Public Domain