Do you love being a Christian or do you love Jesus?

In marriage counseling I sometimes meet with couples who are more attached to their marriage than their mate! There is no spark of love between them, yet they profess to love each other.  What I see as they talk is that they love is the house they own together, or their children, or having a place to call home.  Are those bad things? Not at all.  But, when the relationship is not kept alive, unhappiness will inevitably follow.  Why?  Because the core of marriage is the love of a man and woman for each other.

In the Revelation, the Lord inspired John to write to the seven churches in Asia Minor. He commended the church in Ephesus for her hard work, her faithfulness, her purity in practice and doctrine.  Then He said, "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." (Revelation 2:4-5, NIV)  It is a shocking statement. "You love the things about Me, more than you actually love Me!" 

 Is this a problem unique to the Ephesian Christians? No!  When Jesus visited the Temple in Jerusalem, He grew angry Mark says.  As He tipped over money-changer’s tables and rebuked those who were carrying merchandise through the courtyards of the Temple, He said “this is supposed to be a house of prayer.”  This story is often seen as a rebuke of the corruption of the priests, which it is – in part!  But the context of the account, reveals that Jesus was more angered by their love of the Temple life more than the God for Whom it was built! 

Do you truly love the Lord? Do you adore and worship Him or just participate in the religious acts that bring comfort to you?  If all the Christian things you do were suddenly taken away, would you still know how to love Him, to bring yourself – heart, soul, mind, and strength – to adoration?

Over the last month, my life has slowed down considerably as I focus on caring for my wife. Temporarily I am less engaged in the business of the church. There is more time to meditate, to reflect, to pray. In that quietness, I am discovering a renewed inner devotion.  Perhaps this is what Paul meant when he told us to “pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)  I am learning, anew, to love Jesus more than serving Jesus.

Paul challenged the church to distinguish between shadow and substance.  Some in the church in Colossae were very religious but they had ‘lost connection’ to Jesus Himself!  "And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow." (Colossians 2:15-19, NIV)  

Stay connected to Jesus! If you have confused church work with devotion, religious acts with worship, look deeper!  Like the Ephesians, may the Lord commend us for our faithfulness in doing His work, but may He also find our hearts devoted to Him, with no confusion of shadow and substance.

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Majesty

(Ron Kenoly sings)

Majesty! Worship His majesty.

Unto Jesus be all glory,

Honor, and praise.

Majesty! Kingdom authority,

Flow from His throne,

Unto His own, His anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high,

The name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify,

Christ Jesus, the King!

Majesty! Worship His majesty.

Jesus who died, now glorified,

King of all kings.

Jack Hayford

© 1981 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

Looking in the rear-view mirror?

A few days ago, I found myself singing an old song I learned in high school chorus (45 years ago!) - “Once upon a time the world was sweeter than we knew, Everything was ours, how happy we were then!”  Can you say, ‘nostalgia?’   Prayerfully, Bev and I were remembering blessings from our past, times of fruitful ministry, people from other times in our ministry whom we still love and who love us. We gave thanks for all that.  But, we can’t live there.

Attempting to navigate life now while staring into the rear-view mirror is a sure way to crash!  We will miss the opportunities exist today if we spend too much time remembering the happiness of another time. Memory is highly selective. We all rewrite history to fit our perceptions, our needs. So, as we remember the 'good old days,' we tend to forget the difficulties and recall the moments of joy. Try to remember what you were experiencing 20 years ago today. Unless you’re one of those extremely rare people with perfect recall, the stuff you were dealing with then is forgotten. You only recall the big moments - birthday celebrations, Christmas, family vacations; or deaths, divorce, or disaster. The ordinary stuff that fills our days- including the broken appliances, frustrations, arguments, shared dinners, sweet caresses - have disappeared into the mist of memory recalled only with great effort!

Has the trap of nostalgia taken over your relationship with the Lord? Are you bemoaning the state of the church, criticizing the youth program, or long for the preaching of some pastor you knew years ago?  "It's not the way it used to be."  Of course it isn’t! Change is inevitable!  Christians who stop growing and learning fall into a rut that soon becomes a grave!  So, too, with churches that fall in love with tradition. Over time, those once vibrant fellowships will become ingrown, inbred, and irrelevant.  You may be thinking, "But, Jerry, Christianity is ancient. Traditions are important."   Yes, it is true. The Bible assures us that "Jesus Christ is the same; yesterday, today, and forever." The celebrations of Communion, baptism, and holy days in our calendar are valuable traditions that preserve continuity in the Christian community.  There is change that is just novelty, too.  It’s not about marrying the eternal Gospel to the present world. It is change for change’s sake, a vain attempt to capture the attention of the bored people in the church.

How the Gospel is communicated; the ways that we worship, the methods we use to observe the traditions and rites of our faith - will all change over time. Songs that moved us, that shaped our expressions, will be replaced by the songs of new artists who are expressing their love for Christ with new rhythms and melodies. Preachers whose methods were inspired by the Spirit for a generation will pass on to their reward.  New servants will emerge bringing innovative ways to share the authentic Message of Christ.

Let’s make it personal before closing this thought today. Are you missing out on what God wants to do in your life TODAY?

Do you fondly remember a decade when God seemed so close to you? Rejoice in that! Don't try to erase yesterday.  Great memories strengthen bonds bringing families, churches, and even nations together.  We learn from the terrible memories of poor choices, sinful decisions, or simple folly!   But, we must not sing ‘once upon a time,’ too fondly, so as to miss God’s work, right here, right now!  Pray that the Spirit will renew your vision.  Give thanks for this day. If you think the Church has gone a little 'off the rails,' pray for those who lead, asking the Spirit to make His Presence known - and be ready for God to do a new thing - in you, in your church, in this world! Consider Jesus' parable - “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be torn, and the patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would burst the old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins." (Luke 5:36-37, NLT)

Here’s a word from the Word. Do you know what time it is?

"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, NIV)

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This Is The Day

This is the day,

This is the day,

That the Lord hath made,

That the Lord hath made!

We will rejoice,

We will rejoice,

And be glad in it,

And be glad in it!

This is the day,

That the Lord hath made!

We will rejoice and be glad in it!

This is the day,

This is the day,

That the Lord hath made.

Les Garrett

© 1967, 1980 Scripture In Song (Admin. by Maranatha! Music (Capitol CMG))

CCLI License # 810055

God, I don't deserve this!

Bev and I are walking through the deepest valley we have ever experienced together. Despite knowing better, I let myself wonder what we did to deserve this awful circumstance. The next stop on that ride is - ‘this is so unfair!’  When I take my eyes from my Father and start looking at myself a kind of pride takes over that and I think, wrongly, “We’re the good guys, Lord. Why are You letting this happen to us?”  With that thought, I play right into the schemes of the Devil.

Our Adversary wants us focus on being 'good enough' for God. He cheers our religiosity, but fears our relationship with our Abba. He wants us to believe that our goodness is producing the blessing of God, or conversely, that our hard times are the direct result of His anger.  From personal experience, I will tell that that if you go there – you will lose the assurance of faith. Yes, of course,  we suffer when we sin, because of the ancient law of the harvest. We reap what we sow! If we plant rebellion, resistance to God's will, and selfishness; we will create situations where we will find misery. If we plant seeds to produce spiritual fruit, we will find love, joy, and peace. The Word says, "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:8, NIV)

However, there is a mystery in the purposes of the Father that demands faith which is His gift, too.  We glimpse this in the story of a blind man. "His disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?”  (John 9:2, The Message) Jesus answer surprised them and challenges us to greater faith. "Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do." … "He said this and then spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man’s eyes, and said, “Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “Sent”). The man went and washed—and saw. Soon the town was buzzing." (John 9:3, 6-8, The Message)  As ‘unfair’ as it may seem to us, God chose to glorify His Son through the man’s blindness.  Frankly, I don’t like the story, but I get the principle.

Our Father asks humble obedience and reliance.  We live for His glory and therefore, it’s not about us!  Every day we simply present ourselves to the Lord, thanking Him for His love, and asking the Spirit to guide us, to help us say a ready 'yes, Lord!' when He speaks to us. And, He will! The Bible says, "For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." (1 Corinthians 1:5-7, NIV) Yes, we must recognize that the 'you' that is the subject of this verse is a collective describing the Church. But, you and I am 'in the Church' and we can claim the promise of being empowered for a life of wholeness and holiness personally! Do you?

Like most Christians, unconsciously I try to make God my servant, praying that He will do my will, relieve my suffering, give me blue skies and bright sunshine.  Like it or not, that is not His promise!  There is peace and joy but it is in knowing that we are centered in Him, glorifying HIM.  True prayer aligns us with His purposes, opens our heart to His Presence, and strengthens us to live for His glory.  He has called us and He declares, "I will enrich you in every way!" That is why we must confess our weakness and claim His strength.  These days, when overwhelmed by my fears,  there is serenity for my soul. It rests on the assurance of the Scripture that "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6, NLT)

Here's a Word to take with you today...

“God "chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"?
That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God.
Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.
That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." (1 Corinthians 1:28-31, The Message)

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Make My Life a Prayer to You

by Keith Green

           

Make my life a Prayer to You,

I want to do what You want me to.

No empty words and no white lies,

No token Prayers, No Compromise.

I want to shine the light You gave,

through Your Son, You Sent to Save us

from ourselves and our despair.

It comforts me

to know You're really there.

Well, I want to Thank You Now,
for being patient with me,

Oh it's so hard to see,

when my eyes are on me.

I guess I'll have to trust and
just believe what You say...

Oh You're coming again,
coming to take me away.

I want to die, and let you give,

Your life to me, that I might live.

and share the hope You gave to me,

the Love that's set me Free.

I want to tell the world out there,

You're not some fable or fairy tale,

that I've made up, inside my head,

You're God the Son,

You've Risen from the Dead.

The GIFT of Waiting

It is said that ‘seeing is believing,’ but that was not the experience of the disciples after the Resurrection. They struggled to make sense of it all for weeks. Luke says that even when Jesus stood among them, “They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish." (Luke 24:36-42, NIV)   Before you criticize them too harshly, remember the times in your own life when it was hard to trust His promises. Breaking out of the boundaries of what we think we know, of trusting our senses, is never easy. Faith does not arrive in our lives fully mature. God develops it in us.

Before His friends could take on Jesus’ command to ‘go in all the world and preach the Good News,’ they had to grow up in faith. In the natural, they just were not ready or even capable.  I understand! Even after 40 years of ministry work, representing Christ is a high calling that is daunting to me. I love that even Paul wonders out loud "who is equal to such a task?" (2 Cor. 2:16) How can I even think of accepting the privileged responsibility to stand before a congregation to teach God's truths?  But, I also know this: When we come to the end of ourselves and acknowledge the persistent power of sin at work in us, we are in the place where God can use us. Yes, the Word says 'when we are weak, He is strong!'

Just before He ascended to Heaven, leaving a little group of all-too-ordinary people to carry on the work of the Kingdom, Jesus promised, "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49, NIV) Luke continues the story (Acts 2) telling us that a few days later, the Holy Spirit flowed into that Upper Room and rested on those men and women in a life-transforming way. Were they made perfect in that instant? Hardly.  In Acts, which tells the story of the first generation of Christians, we read of their disagreements, watch them work through misunderstandings, and cringe as they deal with sin. Through it all, we see them filled with God's power, again and again.  Because of the Spirit's power, they turned the world upside down in a generation!

Christianity has not survived for 2000 years because of the greatness of Christians, but because of the faithfulness of God.

After the high moments of the Resurrection celebrations, are you feeling overwhelmed by life?

Now that ordinary life has resumed, do you find yourself wondering if you're up to doing anything useful for the Lord?
Have you failed Him in some way?

Take heart! Those first disciples felt all the same things!  They wondered and wandered for several weeks, processing what they had seen and heard.  Even when Jesus showed up, they struggled to believe.  So, God gave them the gift of waiting.  When we read about that time, it looks like they’re stalled – going home to Galilee, doing nothing. But, God was doing something inside their hearts. Gradually they came to a place where they were totally dependent on His power.  That is where He can use us most effectively.  

Before you give in to that temptation to quit, find some time to get alone with the Word and wait on the Lord.  Those first disciples had to wait in the Upper Room for days. God, the Holy Spirit, came in HIS time, not theirs!

Here's a word from the Word to keep in your mind today:
 "Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know-
far more than you could ever imagine or guess
or request in your wildest dreams!
He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit
deeply and gently within us.
 
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! " (Ephesians 3:19-21, The Message)

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Deeper

Deeper, deeper,
in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go!

Higher, higher,
in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Deeper, deeper
blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still.

Till my life is wholly

lost in Jesus

And His perfect will.

Deeper, deeper,

though it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go.

Rooted in the holy

love of Jesus

Let me fruitful grow.

Deeper, higher

ev'ry day in Jesus

‘Till all conflict past;

Finds me conqu'ror

and in His own image

Perfected at last.

O deeper yet I pray,

And higher ev'ry day.

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious holy Word.

Charles P. Jones

Public Domain

_________________

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

Faith Discovery Church

Washington, NJ  07882

http://www.FaithDiscovery.com