A Trustfund Baby?

Vast wealth can open up all kinds of opportunities. I think of Bill and Melinda Gates who are using their $billions to fight disease and illiteracy in dozens of places on the globe. That same wealth can cripple. There is a stereotype of the second generation in families of wealth. They are sometimes called ‘trust fund babies.’  They do not have to work or achieve, knowing that their needs will be met for the rest of their lives.

My kids did not have to deal with that challenge. There was barely enough money for the present, never mind a ‘trust fund.' Knowing how critical it is to understand good financial principles, I created ways for them to control small sums early in their lives. I provided a regular clothing allowance, leaving the choice of how they spent it up to them.  They could spend it all immediately or let it accumulate to buy the things they needed. They could buy a lot of cheap things or fewer more expensive items. They learned to appreciate the value of a dollar and to discern more clearly between ‘want’ and ‘need.’  I knew what I was doing was hard, and sometimes my heart ached when they had to live with the consequences of less than wise choices. I wanted so badly to tell them, “Here’s the money you need to do that.” Or, “just go enjoy yourself.”  But, I would not because I had a higher purpose in mind than their happiness at the time. I was trying, as best I knew how as a fallible human being, to prepare them to be godly, productive adults.

Do you know that God subjects you and me to testing, too?
He is not sadistic. He is not just playing with us as some have suggested. He allows us to go through difficult situations in order to refine and strengthen our character and faith. Sometimes we wish He would treat us like a trust fund baby, giving us all we want, when we want it. He doesn’t! The Bible says, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." (1 Peter 1:6-8, NIV) 

Going through a tough time?  Me, too! “Why must I endure this?” we ask. I have lived, as a first person experience, what the Psalmist describes. I watch some people who live without a thought of God or eternity wonder, "They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong." (Psalm 73:4, NLT) "Look at these arrogant people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong?" (Psalm 73:12-13, NLT)  But, I refuse to remain in that doubtful state. I quiet my heart in worship, focus my mind on eternity, and choose to wait for the fullness of His revelation.  After realizing that God was shaping him by the trials, the Psalmist offers this praise. "Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny." (Psalm 73:23-24, NLT) I share that hope. Do you?

Here’s a word from the Word.  I urge you to receive joyfully, not with grim determination.  Don’t give up before God. Instead, give in and accept the grace He can provide for this day.  "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 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." (James 1:2-5, The Message)

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Father, I am limited in my grasp of tomorrow.
Sometimes the way that You lead seems pointlessly difficult.
The pain looks meaningless and I am tempted to think that
You either don’t care or have forgotten about me.

Renew my faith. Whisper the assurance of Your plans,
Your purpose to me once again.
Help me to trust You until the test is over and then,
To let You shine through the refined character and faith
You have developed in me.
Jesus, my Savior, my Friend –
keep me near your heart this day. Amen.

Bloom where you are planted!

She is a quiet person of a gentle spirit who also serves faithfully, keeps her commitments, and loves her family. Yet, she wondered … aloud to me, with sadness, "Why doesn't God use me?"  Her conclusion was mistaken. Somehow she had started to think that a real call of God will require going to a mission on the other side of the globe, starting a brand new ministry supported by hundreds, or doing some great and notable thing. I did not discern pride, just an earnest desire to know and live in God’s will. 

In our conversation, I tried to help her to change her understanding about the ‘will of God.’  It was clear to me that the Lord was using her, that she was His servant. She needed to know that God's plans and purposes will always start right where we are, in the life we are presently living. My goal was to urge her to contentment without complacency, to do what she could right now, and leave tomorrow to His sovereign will.

This much is clear to me - If God cannot trust us to faithfully serve Him in our home, around the friends we have now, why would He call us to greater responsibilities? If He cannot capture our attention when we practice our daily spiritual disciplines, why would He entrust us with a wider call that brings even more distractions into our lives?  Jesus said it like this - "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?" (Luke 16:10-11, NLT)

When I was a very young minister, I prayed that the Lord would let me do something of “real importance for Him, that I might speak and teach before many people.”  At the time I believed that big was best, that numbers validated the service. My immaturity robbed me of the joy found in humble service, in knowing the approval of the One. I clearly remember in my time of prayer in a small chapel when I He spoke to me so clearly - "Jerry, do you want to speak to many because you have something to say, or just because you want to be heard?" What a rebuke. I have never forgotten it. Service that is done with an eye on the audience, service that is measuring the applause, service that seeks reward other than God's approval - is soon corrupt and insincere.

Christian, are you waiting for some special set of circumstances to develop in order to feel that you are be used of God?

Do you think that your place is too small, your gifts insignificant, your service unnoticed?

I urge you to be faithful today. Let God use you in the small ways, the hidden places. Leave the results and rewards to Him. The truth is that you may have more impact for the Kingdom in your own home and/or family or among your immediate circle of friends than in any other place in the world. God uses us all - if we make ourselves available and obey today.  When Jesus’ disciples fought among themselves over rank and status, He taught them about true greatness: “Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.”  (Lk 22:25-26)

Here is a word from the Word.
"Stop bragging! Quit telling me how great you are.”
Our Lord and our God, victory doesn’t come from the east or the west or from the desert.
You are the one who judges.
You can take away power and give it to others." (Psalm 75:5-7, CEV)

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Make Me A Servant

Make me a servant, humble and meek.

Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart always be,

“Make me a servant, make me a servant,

Make me a servant today.”

Kelly Willard © 1982 CCCM Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

When Jericho Stands in the Way

I had only been the pastor of a church for 3 months when the agent visited my office. There was an outstanding balance due the IRS for unpaid payroll taxes, a substantial sum accumulated before I was called to the church. She served notice that the church had 5 business days to settle with the government. If we did not, our assets would be seized and our accounts frozen. After she left, I sat stunned. It was another problem among a dozen other crises of leadership. I knew the story of Joshua and Jericho.  He was charged with leading God’s people into the Promised Land but a fortified city stood in the way, one that the Israelites were unequipped to conquer. That day I felt a little like him, confronted with a problem for which I had no solution.

But God had a plan! It seemed like a silly one. "But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” (Joshua 6:2-5, NLT)  March around the city? Not once, but for 7 days?  I can only imagine the kind of faith it required in Joshua to issue that command.  I wonder if his generals laughed at him? 

Obedience brought victory, releasing the power of God!  Seven days later, after the seventh circuit of the city, the priests blew their trumpets. "When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it." (Joshua 6:20, NLT)

After prayer, long and earnest, I invited the IRS agent to return the following day and opened the church’s books to her, honestly explaining my dilemma. It seemed foolish to me to tell her that we had no money, no way to pay the thousands owed. Wouldn’t it better to stall, to try to find funds somewhere?  But, I felt the Spirit urging me to be transparent, to trust Him like a child.  That day, as we talked, God turned an IRS agent into our ally. A year later that church was solvent again and, in the faithfulness of the Lord, the IRS forgave thousands of dollars in penalties.  All these years later whenever I remember that miracle my faith is renewed for the challenges of the day.  It was a Jericho experience for me.

Are you facing an impossible situation?

Has your life stalled, a ‘Jericho’ standing in the way of forward progress?

Jesus reminded His disciples of a principle that all pilgrims on the heavenly way must not forget - “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”  The context of that statement regards salvation. “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!  Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Jesus told them that the only way to enter into the Kingdom of God was with complete dependence on faith. As long as a person holds onto an illusion of saving himself, he cannot fully experience the transforming work of the Spirit! 

Are you radically dependent on God’s Spirit, readily obedient to His directive?  That kind of life demands daily communication.  We are invited to counsel with Jesus! From His wisdom, we gain insight and are led to overcome our Jerichos.  He says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne." (Revelation 3:20-21, NIV)

Before you panic, before you do something stupid just because you think you have to act now, sit down with Jesus. Tell Him about that thing- whatever it is.  Does He already know? Of course He does, but He asks us to pray, to commune with Him.  Listen for His direction, then obey.

Here is a word from the Word, a song of David. 

Meditate and go march on your Jericho.

"With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.

He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me;

you stoop down to make me great.

You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet.
You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet."

(Psalm 18:25-39, NIV)

_____________

By My Spirit

Is there a mountain in your way?

Do doubts and fears abound?

“Press on” Oh hear the Spirit say,

“This mountain shall come down.”

Is there a river in your path,

A river deep and wide?

Step in, the waters will roll back,

You'll reach the other side.

Is there a fiery furnace trial,

Far more than you can bear?

Behold the blessed Son of God

Is walking with you there.

Then trust alone the mighty God

He speaks the winds obey.

Take courage then, Oh fainting heart,

For you He'll make a way.

“Not by might, not by pow'r,

By My Spirit” saith the Lord of Hosts.

“Not by might, not by pow'r,

By My Spirit” saith the Lord.

This mountain shall be removed,

This mountain shall be removed,

This mountain shall be removed,

“By My Spirit,” saith the Lord.

Almeda Herrick | Cyril McLellan

© 1957. Renewed 1985 Gospel Publishing House (Admin. by Lorenz Corporation)

CCLI License # 810055

It’s too good to be true, except it is not!

Diane Staudte was quietly respectable; the organist for her church, a registered nurse – and she is a murderer!  First, she killed her husband, then her son, and finally attempted to murder her daughter.  The story is stunning, shocking, evil dressed in middle American clothing.  This woman’s self-professed motive left me amazed in the worse kind of way.  She just got tired of caring for those in her family that she felt were ‘pests.’  That is depravity. Even as we shake our heads at her sin, let remember that temptation is common to us all. I have heard all kinds of confessions over the years. And yes, I know the lure of temptation, too.  

Paul reminds us that "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.”  Tempted by doubt? Others have experienced it.  Feeling the grip of greed? That is as common as a cold.  Tugged toward selfishness?  Yes, that is an ordinary kind of temptation, too.  Some people conclude that since temptation is ‘normal,’ that is, a common human experience, we need not fight it, unless is one of the so-called ‘big sins.’  But, the passage I quoted a few lines ago completes the thought: “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT)

Our natural response to temptation is usually two-fold – “I must be a terrible person,” and “I will redouble my efforts to resist this thing.”  Tell me, how is that working out for you?  Have you succeeded in eliminating temptation by focusing on it?  I doubt it. More likely, you have a track record of broken promises and prayers of remorse and repentance.  In the seventh chapter of Romans, Paul describes the frustration of knowing about a better way to live without being able to actually achieve it.  He writes "I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me." (Romans 7:21-23, NLT)  

Before we hasten justify ourselves and make peace with whatever it is that trips us up, let’s see the further wisdom here. "I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death." (Romans 7:24-8:2, The Message)

It sounds too good be true, doesn’t it? There is freedom from guilt. Condemnation need not overwhelm us. Temptation can be defeated. How? By the intervention of the Spirit who enters our lives through faith in Jesus Christ. The one thing that the devil does not want us to believe is that God loves us, right where we are.  Our natural mind is trained to think that only when we are “good enough” will we enjoy the love of our Father.  But the truth is that "God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Romans 5:8, NLT) If we really want to rob temptation of its power to control us, we will focus on His love, live authentically before Him and others, acknowledging our temptation and our sin as well as His amazing grace.

“Ah, come on, Jerry. You know that can’t be true. We need more rules. We need more accountability. We need to raise the stakes by heating up the fire of Hell.” No, friend, that is the natural mind speaking, not the wisdom of God! Sin cannot be regulated out of existence- not in society, not in you, nor in me.  When we write more laws, we create more offenders. "All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down." (Romans 5:20, The Message)

Here is the truth. Whether your struggle is with some ‘ordinary’ sin – selfishness, gossip, for example -  or much more dramatic – Christ Jesus is the answer. Of course, you will have to engage in the struggle. Understanding ourselves with the help of godly counsel is important.  Coming to grips with the ways of the mind and the lure of sin cannot be avoided. But, baseline, victory comes through the intervention of the Holy Spirit.

Meditate on this word from the Word.  The Truth will set you free! "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins." (Romans 8:1-3, NLT)

"So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." (Romans 8:6, NLT)

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And Can It Be?

And can it be that I should gain,

An interest in the Savior's blood?

Died He for me who caused His pain,

For me, who Him to death pursued.

Amazing love, how can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father's throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace.

Emptied Himself of all but love

And bled for Adam's helpless race.

'Tis mercy all immense and free,

For, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature's night.

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.

My chains fell off my heart was free.

I rose went forth and followed Thee!

No condemnation now I dread,

Jesus, and all in Him is mine,

Alive in Him, my living Head

And clothed in righteousness divine.

Bold I approach th'eternal throne

And claim the crown through Christ my own!

Charles Wesley

© Words: Public Domain