Let It Die, For God’s Sake

My will was frustrated by the choices made for me by others and it aggravated me.  The anger was like a splinter that gets under the skin. It hurt, it was sensitive, and it started to fester – into resentment. “But I am in the right,” I argued with myself. “Why should I give in? Why should I let it go?” I wrestled with the issue for days. I awakened thinking about it. It intruded into my prayer time. When I went to bed, there it was, again.  Finally, as I was willing to listen to the Spirit, I heard His challenge, “Just die to it, Jerry, for God’s sake.”  Letting go is a much easier to write about than to live it in the real world. What the Bible calls ”the flesh” or “the sinful nature” – that part of me that is Self, that is prideful, that is perishing – dies hard.

We eagerly read an encouraging word in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV)  But, do you know what immediately goes before that? "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24, NIV)   Before we can fall in step with the Holy Spirit and enjoy the sweet joys of intimacy with Him, we come – with every part of ourselves– to the Cross of Christ where we die to pride, anger, lust, greed, selfishness, self-will – “the flesh.” It is not a pretty image to think of being crucified with Christ. There is suffering, there is loneliness, there is anguish and uncertainty. Jesus felt all that, and more, when He was going to His Cross. So, will we. “Lord, if this part of me dies, what will be left?” we wonder. “If I give that away, can I survive? Who will I be?”  And, He invites us to come and die!

Resurrection Life is only possible on the other side of the Cross. We catch glimpses of it by faith.  That is why we must feed on the Word and enter regularly into worship. The truth of God is like the morning Sun that burns off the fog. When we hear the Word, it reveals the purpose of God that will be found beyond our moment of agony when we let the sinful nature die, for God’s sake.  The Spirit of the Lord, through the truth of the Scripture, destroys the ancient lie – felt universally among people – that only in self-expression (sin) is happiness found.  We discover God's joy! "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." (Psalm 16:11, NLT)

John Piper, pastor, writes “that faith is not merely believing that Christ died for our sins. Faith is also being confident that His way is better than sin. His will is more wise. His help is more sure. His promises more precious. And his reward more satisfying. Faith begins with a backward look at the cross, but it lives with a forward look at the promises. Abraham grew strong in his FAITH ... fully convinced that God was able to do what He had PROMISED. (Romans 4:20). "Faith is the assurance of things HOPED for." (Hebrews 11:1).

Struggling with some conflict before God? Are you trying to straddle the divide between Self-will and God’s will?  Let it die, for God’s sake.

Here is the word from the Word. "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, NLT)  "As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. ... What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation." (Galatians 6:14-15, NLT)

_______________

Father, I kneel before You to surrender again.

Here’s my heart, my mind, my will, my Self. Own me!

Help me, Spirit of God, to let go and to be willing to die

So that the life of Jesus Christ can be seen in me.

Speak words of hope and joy to my heart,

Strengthening me with the hope of glory to come

So that I can stand faithful through the processes of becoming holy.

In the Name of the Crucified AND Risen Savior, Amen.

Is it the day of destruction?

Bad news, dire predictions, conspiracy theories – I’m not a fan of all that. Some people are so eager, it seems to me, to see the worst.  It’s not all gloom and doom! I am not, however, content to be like the proverbial ostrich with my head in the sand as troubles come. My experience of life is a mix – trials and blessings, good days as well as bad, sunshine and rain.  What I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt is that I cannot resign myself to fate!  Life is shaped by choices and I have the privilege of understanding the world in which I live and helping to make it a better place. And, above all, I trust in a God of justice Who will sit to judge, and I know that I, and no one else, can stand His fiery gaze unless we are graced with the salvation of Christ Jesus received by faith.

Amos, a shepherd among the Jews of Judah, heard the voice of the Spirit and left the farm to go preach. His message was one of pending judgment, presented in the most colorful words.  He spoke of the injustice the rich visited on the poor, calling the noble women ‘cows of Bashan!’ They were, he said, overfed, fat, and self-indulgent.  He spoke of Israel being torn apart and the remnant being like what a “shepherd saves from the lion’s mouth- only two leg bones or a piece of an ear.’  He spoke of the nation being like a basket of ripe fruit, meaning that it was on the edge of spoiling. He compared them to a wall built without a plumb line, therefore not straight, and leaning; ready to collapse.   This humble preacher invited real repentance, genuine heart change, and a return to God. "Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (Amos 5:23-24, NIV)

But, nobody wanted to hear his sermons. The king sent him a message.  “Get out of here, you prophet! Go on back to the land of Judah, and earn your living by prophesying there! Don’t bother us with your prophecies here in Bethel. This is the king’s sanctuary and the national place of worship!” But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees." (Amos 7:12-14, NLT) Amos wasn’t paid to sit on panels of talking heads to issue predictions of doom. He was stirred by the Spirit of God to warn the people of the consequences of their sins. 

But, it was not all dire prophecies of destruction. His message was finished with promise! Seeing beyond the judgment, he heard the Lord’s word. “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name,” declares the Lord, who will do these things." (Amos 9:11-12, NIV)

My friend are you ready to hear the whole counsel of God?
Will you hear His invitation to real change, to a holy life?
Will you understand that He is just and quite capable of bringing judgment?
Or, will you just sing louder, drowning out the voice of the Spirit with cheery positive messages of blue skies and prosperity?

There is hope, in the mercy of God. Our word from the Word is an invitation to life. Let’s hear it, the whole truth, of sin, of judgment, of repentance, and of restoration through love and grace.

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.” (Isaiah 55:6-13, NIV)

___________________

Lord I Need You

Lord I come I confess

Bowing here I find my rest

And without You I fall apart

You're the one that guides my heart

Lord I need You oh I need You

Ev'ry hour I need You

My one defense my righteousness

Oh God how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more

Where grace is found is where You are

And where You are Lord I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

Where You are Lord I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

So teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You

Jesus You're my hope and stay

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You

Jesus You're my hope and stay

Lord I need You oh I need You

Ev'ry hour I need You

My one defense my righteousness

Oh God how I need You

My one defense my righteousness

Oh God how I need You

Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher

© 2011 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

One Generation to the Next

Looking back at my life there are many things for which I am thankful, but there is one treasure that I cherish – the handoff of faith, one generation to the next. At the edge of my memory are scenes of both sets of grandparents in church, with open Bibles.  I can hear my Grandfather Baker’s voice from the pulpit, strong in song. He was the ‘song leader,’ the title before we called them worship leaders.  My Grandpa Scott’s prayers echo, in his heavy accented English as he spoke to his loving Father in church. My own parents lived their faith as well as teaching it.  Bev and I shared the desire of leading our children to faith in the living God and now I pray for my own grandchildren to know Him.

How are you doing in your efforts to pass the faith along to your kids?   Let me share a strategy that works. It starts at the supper table. For some of you that phrase is archaic, perhaps even mysterious. The supper table can become a sacred place.  Before you laugh, consider these practical suggestions.  Will they be easy to implement? No. Will they require some sacrifice on your part? Absolutely, yes. Will they pay off richly?  Yes.

First, get your spouse to agree to make a regular time for the supper hour at least four days of the week.  Make it the fixed point of the day that no one is allowed to interrupt.   Write the time on your calendar and in your datebook.

Second, keep the appointment with your family and insist that each person be at the table.   Your example will help your children to see that you are serious about spending time with them.

Third, eliminate distractions during the meal.  No one, including Mom and Dad, should bring their phone, Ipad™, or book to the table.  Turn off the television in the next room. Get attention focused on those at the table.

Fourth, initiate discussion that includes everybody.  Your toddler’s story may not be of burning interest but it needs to be told and heard. Your teenager, though appearing bored, wants you to listen.

Fifth, build a conversational model similar to one you might use if your neighbors were present for dinner.  Forget that authoritarian "I know what's best for you" parent's role at the supper table. Instead, become a friend who listens. Do not use this time to scold and lecture. Make it a happy time! Suspend judgement and listen to the whole story without stopping it for your input.  Develop a sense of humor that can laugh with the foolishness of a child and a teenager. This is a key part of handing the faith off to the next generation!  Conversation that is authentic and that includes your own stories- of failures and victories in your Christian walk – will build and strengthen your relationship with your kids and create a conduit for the exchange of Christ-centered values.   For example, when Jim tells the story of the bully of the classroom, listen carefully to discover how he was feeling. See the world through his eyes.  In a discussion, not a lecture, help him to work out a Christian response to that bully. Don't always be the hero.  Tell your stories straight so that your children are assured that they, too, can fail and recover!

Why all this emphasis on dinner time?  Few things facilitate the handoff of values and faith like genuine conversation. Unless we are intentional about creating time and space for it, those ‘talks’ seem not to happen. Around the dinner table, the truths, ideals, and values of Scripture are transferred.  Isn't this the intent of those well-known words of Deuteronomy?  "Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, The Message)

Make family times of prayer more meaningful by praying at the end of the mealtime.  In addition to thanks for the meal, thanks can be offered the victories of that day.  Petitions for the concerns expressed at the table can be presented to the Lord.

If this habit is not established early on it can be difficult to create a real family supper table. Persist in the effort.  With time, greater trust levels will be created and stories will get told. Questions will find their way into conversation.  Those casual supper time discussions will become teachable moments about every facet of life.   You will become your child's advisor and confidante' about career choices, doubts, fears, hopes, and dreams.   You will find a window into his world. The solid relationships formed during these moments will make your home a safe harbor in the stormy weather that you and your children will surely encounter along the way.

Make the most of the short window of opportunity God has given you with your child.   Your family's dinner table is a unique place where you can transfer eternal values to your children.  Build relationships that will last for a lifetime in just 30 minutes a day.

A critical mission for each generation of disciples is to hand off the faith. This is more than tradition! This is about a living, compelling experience and knowledge of Christ Jesus, the Savior. The expressions of that faith will change. The songs and forms of my grandparents are no longer mine, but the  truth of the birth, death, and resurrection of the Lord is!  

Dad, Mom; are you merely preparing your children for life?  Are you an active participant in the hand-off of faith?  Education, nutrition, dance, music and art lessons, and being involved with sports are good choices.  Complete your parenting role by leading them to worship, to service, to knowing the Living Lord!  As important as the Church is in that process, this pastor can never take your place as a disciple-maker in your home.  Faith is better ‘caught’ than ‘taught.’ The Proverb tells us if we "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, NKJV) The Message comes a little closer to the Hebrew intention of the word, "train," saying - "Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old they won’t be lost." (Proverbs 22:6, The Message) The word that is translated as, "train," is a word that in every other usage in the Bible is translated as "dedicate."   Making disciples is not a singular act or an event. It is a way of life. Let them see Christ as Lord – in your marriage, in your business, in your money management, in your choice of priorities.

Here is a word from the Word. "Fathers, (parents) don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. " (Ephesians 6:4, The Message)