A Simpler Faith for a Complex World

A Simpler Faith for a Complex World

My life is organized around one great principle:  God, the Creator, is King and Lord.  He is not remote, a distant deity.  Through Jesus Christ, His Son, I know Him, living as His child.  His Holy Spirit lives in me, empowering me to serve His purposes.  Each Sunday I join the congregation in the confession that forms the foundation of life; “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth….”   The complexity of life challenges my faith almost daily.  Disappointment, illness, sin,  and human cruelty in all its various forms,  tear at the borders of my faith.  I am not above wondering why the God I love allows sin and suffering to continue to extract such a heavy toll on humanity. But, the choice is made - I belong to God and, by His grace, I will continue to love and serve Him for the rest of my days.

In days past, my faith involved many clauses and reservations.  It was more like a complicated contract than a simple statement! I worked at making faith 'fit' the complexity of the world around me. Many prayers were offered up around the question - 'why?'  Some found answers over time. Many remain and others have arisen. But, I now live with a deep abiding sense of God's Presence.  No, my life is not simpler! If anything, it is even more complex now than ever. I carry a greater load of responsibility for more people and a larger organization than I have at any time in life. Decisions that I make or in which I am a participant have a direct effect on the lives of others. That is, at least partially, why I have come to a faith that is more distilled around this core truth- Jesus cares and loves me, therefore, I can love and care for others.

I feel no need to negotiate with God, to beg His favor. I am more convinced that "God is for me, not against me." I convinced that nothing that comes my way is too big for Him, surprises Him, or is able to overcome His gracious love for me.  You might wonder if I choose to ignore reality, or if I have retreated into a denial of the pain or disappointment that exists all around me.  Not at all. I feel the pain, cry real tears, and do battle with sin, self, and Satan.  Indeed, Luther is right that this is a world with ‘devils filled and threatens to undo us!'   

The greater truth for me is that I am a subject of the King whose power has triumphed over sin, Hell, and death. So I set my hope in Christ Jesus. This is my confession: "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (2 Timothy 1:12-14, NIV)

Choose simple faith that allows for mystery, that accepts that He is God, that He is good, that He is love.  Learn the Word. Understand the core Truth of God's eternal nature, of the triumph of Christ, and of the Spirit's power.  Make the choice – daily – to put those things at the center of your life. Pry for the Sprit’s help in creating a faith that  does not change with the weather.  You will find rock-like stability in a confusing, complex world!

James reminds us of the importance of simple faith. "If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." (James 1:5-8, The Message)

There are still many complex questions around the 'what, when, where, why, and how' of life!  Here’s our word from the Word,  "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4, NIV)

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Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
(click to listen)

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sov'reign hand will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

Oh and You are mine oh

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Saviour

I will call upon Your name

Keep my eyes above the waves

My soul will rest in Your embrace

I am Yours and You are mine

Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm

© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Love those dollars?

Is my life shaped around true things of value?  In Mark 10, we learn about a good, moral young man who came to Jesus asking about gaining eternal life. He was not only good, he was also rich. The tone of his question leads me to believe that he expected Jesus to say something like, "You're doing just fine. Keep up the good work!"  He had scrupulously observed the commandments, after all.  But, he got a real surprise.  "Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."(Mark 10:20-22, NIV)  Despite his morality, he did not truly love God. He loved his wealth. The only cure for him was radical. "Give it all away!"  It was not the fact that he was wealthy that was a problem. It was that he loved the security he derived from having it. Again, let me ask, what do you love? What fills your imagination, shapes your prayers, forms your purpose?  It that thing (money, status, reputation, skill, pleasure, work, church) keeping you from the one thing that is most important for a person who would find eternal life? Jesus said that there are just two commandments that encompass all the rest:  "Love God with your whole being; and love others as you love yourself."  When others review the story of your life, will they see that you pursued God's reign and purposes, that you entered His Kingdom?  Or, will they see some folly that kept your heart and mind from knowing Him completely? Annie Dillard writes about the Franklin Expedition that set out to explore the Arctic in 1845 from England. On the ships, there was an organ, china place settings, fine wine glasses, and silver flatware, along with full dress uniforms for the officers.  These things replaced extra coal and rations. In 1848, a rescue expedition went in search of the missing party. All 128 men had perished. Skeletons were found a distance from the ships along with silks, scented soaps, and officers in full dress. How foolish!  But Dillard observes that when we hang onto things that are ultimately useless we will look no less foolish. The rest of the story in Mark 10 gives us great hope.  When the disciples saw that this good, moral man did not make the right choice, they were dismayed and wondered who could, if he could not! God's grace shines brightly at that moment.  Take this word from the Word with you today. Trust the work of the Spirit and when He draws you away from trinkets to the true riches of Heaven, respond with a ready yes! "Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”  The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.  Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”"(Mark 10:24-27, NLT)  __________ Draw Me Close Draw me close to You,  never let me go. I lay it all down again, To hear You say  that I'm Your friend. You are my desire,  no one else will do, 'Cause nothing else  could take Your place, To feel the warmth  of Your embrace, Help me find the way,  bring me back to You. You're all I want! You're all I've ever needed! You're all I want! Help me know You are near. Kelly Carpenter © 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Vineyard Music USA) CCLI License # 810055

Keeping an eye on heaven

Keeping an eye on Heaven

James never was a ‘bad boy,’ never was wildly sinful, certainly not evil. He grew up in a middle class home. Religion was  a holiday thing; Christmas, Easter only.  He found the path to success, went to college, graduated, got a job, married, and had a couple of kids.  But, there was this emptiness, a lack of meaning. So, he started looking for answers.  He found them when a man he worked with talked about Jesus Christ. He responded to the Spirit and received the Gospel of Christ.  Christianity became more than going to a church down the street on those special days. 

For several years, he worshipped regularly, read his Bible, prayed, and to all appearances; he looked like a man whose faith was rock solid. Then; his marriage grew stale, one of his parents died, a close friend developed a serious illness. His 45^th birthday came and went, along with a growing awareness of his mortality. The thought came to James, again and again; “you have to live now!”  A woman at work flirted openly with him and it was just fun, “harmless,” he insisted. A couple of guys invited him to go along on trips over the weekends, without their wives.  There was often too much drinking and choices best forgotten on Monday morning.  “Just having some fun,” he told himself to stifle his conscience. That was five years ago.  Today, James is divorced, has left his church, and though he still says he is a Christian, there is no evidence of living faith. 
(Though there is not a real James, the story is all too true.)

Why do stories like that happen? 

There is a gradual spiritual drift that is inevitable if we lower our sight from Heaven to things of this present world! Christians must keep an eye on heaven!  "It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off." (Hebrews 2:1, The Message)  " Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." (Hebrews 12:1-2, The Message)  

Sacrifice, service, and self-denial just stop making sense if we lose sight of eternity. In an eloquent defense of our hope in Christ, in the 15^th chapter of 1^st Corinthians, Paul turns our attention to the Resurrection. He starkly says, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (1 Corinthians 15:19, NIV)  However, he is convinced, as am I, that Christ died and rose again.  We are more than a body, our existence extends past the grave. Our richest reward is not found this side of Heaven!  The philosophy of the rich man should be our guide if there is no heaven to be gained. What did he say? “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’  (Luke 12:19, NIV)

Take inspiration from Paul’s affirmation of hope.  After giving his all, serving faithfully, enduring disappointment, finding both success and failure in life, he writes this to his friend, Timothy. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NLT)  That’s no sigh of resignation! That’s a shout of triumph – “I made it, the finish line in sight, the reward waiting!”

Are you drifting in your faith?  Have you allowed the “worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things (to) come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful?”  (Mark 4:19)  Look up, higher, longer than tomorrow.  Pray for a new view of Heaven. "Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, “I don’t enjoy life anymore.”  (Ecclesiastes 12:1, CEV)  "Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about." (Ecclesiastes 12:13, CEV) "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward." (1 Corinthians 3:11-14, NIV)

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Farther Along

Tempted and tried, we're oft made to wonder,

Why it should be thus all the day long?

While there are others living about us,

Never molested tho in the wrong.

“Faithful ‘till death,” said our loving Master.

A few more days to labor and wait,

Toils of the road will then seem as nothing,

As we sweep thru the beautiful gate.

When we see Jesus coming in glory,

When He comes from His home in the sky.

Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,

We'll understand it all by and by.

Farther along, we'll know all about it.

Farther along, we'll understand why,

Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine!

We'll understand it all by and by!

Jesse Randal Baxter Jr. | W. B. Stevens

© 1937 Stamps - Baxter Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

You'd better believe it!

“And they lived happily ever after,” is the famed end to many tales.  The prince finds his princess, Dorothy goes home to Kansas.  My favorite present TV drama, “Blue Bloods,” about a family in NYC law enforcement, wraps up each episode with the bad guy in custody, with a wise word from Dad, and the extended family around the dinner table saying a prayer.  I love the emphasis on faith and family.  But, I do not build my life on fairy tale ending or nice and neat plot line resolution.  Real life is much more complicated!

So where do I go for inspiration, for wisdom to make sense of my world?  The Word of God! 

Peter boldly assures us "we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God." (2 Peter 1:16-21, NLT)

The Word tells us that we are created by a loving God who is our Father. He designed the world for us, gave us freedom to choose to love or reject Him, offers us life in Christ, and promises to receive us into His home when life is over. Sounds like a fairy tale to some, but not to me! These are the words of life.  If I fall for the fables that insist I can only find real happiness in Self, I will sow the seeds that produce destruction. If I allow my mind to be captivated by the lie that I should give myself to accumulating treasure or power, I will die in disappointment, separated at the moment of death from my gods.

Can you sing with the Psalmist, "Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide." (Psalm 119:97-98, NLT)?  Do you apply yourself to receiving the wisdom of God, praying for the Spirit to unfold the principles for life that lead to eternal life? 

What we believe matters.  How we live grows out of what we think. What we think grows from what we believe to be the truth! There are many beliefs, but there is only one Truth. I write that with the deepest sense of humility, understanding that truth is revealed by the Spirit.  God’s Truth can be grasped by a child who responds to the invitation of the Savior and at the same time holds the mind of the scholar enthralled.

Here is the word

“How can a young person live a clean life?  By carefully reading the map of your Word.

 I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;  don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.

 I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.

 Be blessed, God;  train me in your ways of wise living.

 I’ll transfer to my lips  all the counsel that comes from your mouth;

 I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.

 I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,  I attentively watch how you’ve done it.

 I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it.”

The Message -Psalm 119:8-16

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Word Of God Speak

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is, it's okay.

The last thing I need is to be heard,

But to hear what You would say.

Word of God, speak.

Would You pour down like rain,

Washing my eyes to see Your majesty?

To be still and know,

That You're in this place,

Please let me stay and rest

In Your holiness.

I'm finding myself in the midst of You,

Beyond the music, beyond the noise.

All that I need is to be with You,

And in the quiet hear Your voice,

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

Bart Millard | Pete Kipley

© 2002 Wordspring Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

Simpleville Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

PURE Gold!

Pure gold is highly valued. There’s only way to produce it- heat!  When mined gold is mixed with other metals. It must be placed in a crucible where it is heated to extremely high temperatures. This allows impurities to be drawn off. The process is hard but the result is great! Do you desire a pure heart?  Do you want a faith that is strong, more than words, of real value?  Prepare for God’s crucible.  The Word speaks of God as the Refiner who heats us in the crucible of life; not for our destruction, but to make us holy.  "Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness." (Malachi 3:2-3, NIV)

At what moments did you dig into your faith most deeply?  When have you understood yourself best? Most likely it was not when you were sailing along on smooth seas! If you look back, you learned most about the stuff of which you are made and the God you serve when you were tossed by winds that drove you to prayer.

Jesus allowed his disciples to get into tough spots. He didn't always protect them from failure or from pain. Had he done so, they would have remained dependent, childish men, incapable of making hard choices, without the faith that caused them to take the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world after He returned to Heaven. One stormy night on the Galilee Sea (Mark 6), the men who had just witnessed the miracle of the feeding of thousands were bending their backs trying to overcome the wind to get to the other side of the lake, but they couldn't make any headway. Out of the mists of rain, through the darkness, Jesus came walking across the water. They were terrified until he climbed into the boat with them. Another time they were crossing the lake when a storm kicked up and they thought they would drown.... "Master, don't you care that we're about to die?" they screamed. He awakened to say, "Peace, be still." to the storm and they learned to trust Him a little more that day! Both of these experiences produced awe and deep questions about who Jesus really was. Those questions became fertile soil which nourished the growth of deeper faith!

James 1 is familiar. "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides." (The Message) One might ask, "Is God serious? Why would I welcome tough times as a gift, or as an "opportunity for joy?" (NLT) The short answer is that trauma produces transformation.

Are you in the crucible of life?

Pray for insight. Reflect, with the help of the Spirit and faithful counselors. Sometimes we stupidly, sinfully, or short-sightedly bring pain into our own lives! If that is why you’re in a tough time, change your ways. Turn to God in humble repentance. Peter practically reminds us that "It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad." (1 Peter 3:17, The Message) 

There are those circumstances where we find ourselves in the storm that we did not create. God allows it.  Peter reminds us that when "you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it." (1 Peter 4:19, The Message) It is hard not to complain when we’re feeling the heat, isn’t it?  We instinctively cry for relief.  The better prayer is for courage.  “Lord, by your Spirit, help me to endure, to walk through the fire, to emerge more beautiful in character and faith.” 

The word from the Word urges us to a response of faith. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4, NIV) "“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold." (Job 23:10, NLT)

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All things work for our good,
Though sometimes
we can't see how they could.
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth,
Our Father knows what's best for us;
His ways are not our own.
So when your pathway grows dim,
And you just can't see Him,
Remember, you're never alone,

He sees the master plan.
He holds the future in His hands.
So don't live as those who have no hope;
All our hope is found in Him.
We see the present clearly,
But He sees the first and the last.
And like a tapestry,
He's weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don't understand,
When you don't see His plan,
When you can't trace His hand,
Trust His heart.

When you don't understand,
When you don't see His plan,
When you can't trace His hand,
Trust His heart.

Trust His Heart

Carswell, Eddie / Mason, Babbie
Word Music Group, Inc. / Word Music Group, Inc.
© 1989 Dayspring Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) / May Sun Music (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) / Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) / Causing Change Music (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.)