Are you God’s friend?

There is an epidemic in America that we do not talk about. In spite of all our technology that keeps us ‘connected,’ I find that people are often lonely.  I am sure you realize that it is possible to be lonely while surrounded by a crowd.  Shaped by an American culture that idolizes individualism and that praises self-reliance, millions are trying live with few, if any, meaningful friendships. Add in our restlessness- moving to new towns, finding new churches, leaving family behind – and it is not hard to understand why so many are so alone. We are not taught to deeply value friendship, mistaking having a few laughs with ‘friends’ for sustaining, committed life-long relationships.

We bring all of that to our spiritual experience. One of the heavy weights on my heart is that people do not understand the importance of cultivating friendship with God! Many Christians are content to be His acquaintance. They know something about God and ‘visit’ with Him on the occasional Sunday when they join a church congregation but a Friend to them? They could not honestly claim that.  But that is exactly why God made us – that we could know Him, love Him, and honor Him with our daily living.

Does thinking of God as a “Friend” strike you as strange?  Look at the intimacy of which David sang. "I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe God; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy … Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God. Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship. Who out there has a lust for life? Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty? … God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan." (Psalm 34:1-2, 10-12, 15, The Message)

Moses, when he was leading the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land, knew the importance of living as an intimate of the Lord, in the center of His Presence.  The people wanted something simpler, a ‘religion’ that would allow self-indulgence. Craving a spiritual experience, they went to Aaron while Moses was away, insisting on an idol. He gave them the golden calf and they replace friendship with the true God with a revel in sensuality! The Lord was angered by their perfidy and withdrew His Presence from them. Moses, ever the intercessor for the people he led, prayed this plaintive and amazing way that reveals his friendship with the Lord: "If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth." Exodus 33:15-16

Christian, does your friendship with God make you distinctive?  Do you know Him in such a way that every moment of every day is shaped around the pursuit of His Presence? We can know, many do not, the abiding Presence of God. He does not require us to live in monasteries to know Him. He does ask us for an exclusive love and refuses to allow us to be filthy in mind, rebellious in spirit, or self-seeking. James teaches us about walking in God's Presence. “If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find.”  (4:4-6 Msg)

Jesus told us that we need not feel like orphans. We can be, because of Divine love and grace, the beloved children of God. And that friendship that calls us to holiness means that we are never alone because the Spirit lives in us. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:15-17

So, be a friend of God. Live in the Presence!  Don’t let the empty noise and frantic activities of the crowds keep you from living close to His heart.

______________

Friend Of God

Who am I that You are mindful of me

That You hear me when I call

Is it true that You are thinking of me

How You love me it's amazing

(It’s amazing it’s amazing)

I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God

He calls (You call) me friend

(REPEAT)

God Almighty Lord of Glory

You have called me friend

Israel Houghton | Michael Gungor

© 2003 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI))

Integrity's Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI))

CCLI License # 810055

Go ahead, compare! Kill your joy.

I looked across the restaurant and saw a man and woman sitting across from each other, chatting, their hands touching, smiling. My dinner was not as enjoyable because I drifted into envy, wishing my wife were on the other of my table!  A reasonable enough wish, you might say. It is, but instead of being thankful for them, I was focused on me!   

“I want that!” is a longing as old as humanity. The Genesis story tells us that God provided rich abundance for Adam and Eve with just one stipulation:  “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”  Temptation took hold, matched with a lie that promised more; they ate, and sin entered Creation.

The 10 Commandments include a prohibition of envy, too.  Yes, God knew that envy would create all kinds of other difficulties so He said “You shall not covet (envy so much that you want it for yourself) your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17, NIV)

The wisdom literature of the Scripture tells us that "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (Proverbs 14:30 NIV)  When we learn to be content, to appreciate who we are, where we are, and those with whom we live we discover a richness of life that is unparalleled, but if we are looking across the restaurant comparing ourselves to others, a kind emotional and spiritual cancer grows in us. 

James bluntly teaches us that "where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (James 3:16, NIV) Remember Joseph, the favored son of Jacob? His father gave him a privileged place in the family and showered him with gifts. Joseph older brothers envied him and, given the opportunity, sold their brother into slavery and lied to their father that Joseph was dead. Yes, envy is not a harmless daydream about having another’s life. It is a shortcut to Misery Street. It will destroy marriage intimacy, turn brothers into rivals, divide the Body of Christ, and kill our joy.

Remember that old phrase about the deceptiveness of envy? In moments of envy it always appears that the 'grass is greener on the other side of the fence.' Envy robs of us the ability to see OUR blessings.  Because envy is both so common and usually hidden, we tend not to take it seriously. “Come on, Jerry, who hasn’t wished for something that his buddy owns?”  True. And yet, just because we can hide it, just because so many experience it, we cannot dismiss the corrosive and sinful result of living with envy. Paul includes envy in catalog of sins that include "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness." - Galatians 5.

So, what's the cure?

Thankfulness, overflowing gratitude. The seductive song of envy is no match for the sweet melodies of praise. Try it. Offer little prayers of praise to God throughout the day, not after envious feelings take hold, but before.  Thank others for the blessings they bring your way with sincerity. Praise God for the gifts of another!

Learn to be content. Yes, contentment is learned. We must not deny the truth about ourselves. If we are feeling envy, admit it, confess it, and leave it behind. Generosity with words, with our stuff, with our time helps us to be content, too.  Make Paul’s words your aspiration, praying for the Spirit’s transformative work to be done deep in your mind and heart. He said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  (Philippians 4:11-13) Learning is not just acquiring knowledge. It is applying that knowledge and gaining life skill from it. So, in a world that works at creating envy, choose to learn contentment.

 Here's a word from the Word to take with you today, and to remember next time the voice of envy whispers in your ear.

"When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy,
I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence.
I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand.
You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
God is rock-firm and faithful." (Psalm 73:21-26, The Message)

Are you guilty of murder?

 

The surge of anger that I felt was something like standing in the ocean surf and being swept off my feet by a  wave. I could have offered all kinds of excuses for my emotion – repeated offense, frustration, fatigue, being used. But, when the moment passed, there was only a sense of failure.  Why don’t I forgive? What complication trips me up with this relationship?  We humans are not robots. Unlike machines we are full of unpredictable feelings and, given the right set of circumstances, we fail. Thank God for His mercies that are new every morning, for His renewal.

Still, I know that anger leads to sin and that the Bible points to a better way. Basic to defusing our anger is the choice to forgive. It isn’t an option! Jesus does not give disciples much wiggle room on the subject. He taught us to pray, "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. " (Matthew 6:12, NKJV) Would you want God to forgive you with the same attitude and effort that you have towards that person who has hurt you repeatedly? Jesus explains that we have the power of choice in the matter of forgiveness and that our decision to forgive really matters to God. He goes on to say, “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part." (Matthew 6:14-15, The Message)

We can find hundreds of excuses to dodge the issue of forgiveness. We say, "He hasn't apologized." "She needs to face up to what she's done to me." "What about justice?" "He doesn't deserve to be forgiven!" "If I forgive her, what will she learn about consequences of her actions?" It is true that apologies do pave the road of forgiveness. Yes, God does care about justice. We all need to accept responsibility for things we've said and done that brings harm to others. However, none of those statements gives you or me a pass on forgiveness or a permit for ungodly anger. Our forgiveness of others is shaped by the forgiveness that God offers to us. He does not ‘make us pay,’ or hold up until we are properly contrite!  We come, failures and sins, and ask.

How I love Micah’s praise. "Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!" (Micah 7:18-19, NLT)

From God's forgiveness of those who sin against Him, we can learn much about how to forgive.

Forgiveness begins with me, not the person who has offended me.
God extends the offer of forgiveness to us at His own expense and He initiates the process. We cannot be passive, waiting for someone to seek forgiveness. We must work through our anger, hurt, and offense with God, doing the spiritual and emotional work necessary to forgiveness with the help of the Spirit. Then, we will be able to reach out graciously.

Forgiveness with God is not partial, nor conditional.
“He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  

Forgiveness is a process, not an event.
We offend God, He forgives...  again and again. Our sins are not to pile up. Instead, His desire is that we live close to Him, with no guilt, no shame, alienating us from His love. In our relationships, we must not wait 'til Christmas, or a birthday, or some family gathering - for example - to decide to 'clean up' the junk that has accumulated. We need to be forgiving, gently finding ways to keep our relationships with others close and safe and trusting. Because we live with ordinary mortals, they will fail and disappoint repeatedly, just as we do. We choose to continue to forgive.

Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation.
God offers forgiveness, but to live in peace with Him we must receive forgiveness and grace that leads to genuine repentance. In much the same way, developing a new relationship that is mutually beneficial requires the involvement of both. However,  but releasing them from indebtedness and finding freedom from our anger is a personal choice we can and must make.

Are you feuding with someone, feeling offended by another's actions, dealing with anxiety over an unresolved dispute?   How about praying about real forgiveness? It’s not easy. I’ll be transparent on this with you. There are a few people in this world that I struggle to forgive, praying with tears for the power of the Holy Spirit to soften my heart and change my mind.  So, honestly take your emotions to the Lord. Tell Him how you feel, what you feel, why you think you're feeling that way. Listen for the inner voice of the Spirit and ask Him to help you to find a way to genuine forgiveness. Hand over the offender to the Lord for His impartial judgment!

No, I don't mean that you should ask God to blast her with some terrible tragedy. Just give Him the issue for His justice. Tell Him that you don't want to carry the load of resentment any longer, that you trust Him to deal justly, that He knows the motives, the reality of the situation better than you do. Then, as Jesus teaches, begin to "bless those who curse you!"  You will find a new sweetness of spirit enveloping you, a sense of health overtaking you, a newly peaceful sleep pattern coming on your nights. In forgiveness you are like your Father in Heaven.

Here's a word from the Word to ponder today:
"Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No!” Jesus replied, “seventy times seven!"

“For this reason, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so the king ordered that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. But the man fell down before the king and begged him, ‘Oh, sir, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then the king was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.

“But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and jailed until the debt could be paid in full. “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him what had happened.

Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison until he had paid every penny. “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters in your heart.”
(Matthew 18:21-35, NLT)

___________

Abba, there are moments of irritation and times of terrible offense.

I feel anger rising, temper surging, and I know that Your heart breaks.

Work with me and seed Your love deep into my whole being.

Secured in that love, held by Your grace,

Teach me to be graceful, gentle, kind, and patient.

Help me to move past my excuses and rationalizations to accept the call to forgive.

And, in that giving of the offense to You, in that release of my Self,

May I find the Joy of Jesus’ love and bring His Presence to the world in which I live.

Amen

Let’s Dance!

Yesterday was one of those days when joy overflowed in me; even though it was raining hard from dark skies and my arm hurt from the blood draw at the lab!  I love those days, don’t you? How do we account for them? Is it all chemicals in our brains? Is it the work of the Spirit?  Is it our choice?  Probably it is some of ‘all of the above.’

There are choices that help me to remain joyful in life.  My experience shows me that I am much more likely to be happy when I do certain things, when I am active in dealing with life rather than just letting ‘it’ push me around.  Several years ago, John Ortberg, pastor, write a book that is worthy of a second read, The Life You’ve Always Wanted. It sounds like a self-help book, but isn’t.  Ortberg outlines the choices we make that allow the Holy Spirit to do His work of transformation.  Christianity, he insists, is about heart change, real and lasting transformation that leads to what Jesus called the ‘abundant life.’

If we want to live the life that God has planned for us to live, if we would find deeper satisfaction and lasting joy, we must make some consistent decisions about how we pass each day.

Ortberg suggests 7 important choices that help us to live in the joy of the Lord.
1. Begin NOW!
Stop waiting for joy to find you or waiting for a perfect set of circumstances to create joy. Believe what the Word declares, that "This is the day the LORD has made" ... and when you believe that... then go on to the next step..."let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24, NIV)  Sing a song, look up, not down – now!

2. Find a 'joy' mentor.
Experiencing joy is a learned response.  Our world is full of people who would be miserable, regardless. They are conditioned to complaint. Ingratitude is a work of the sinful nature. So, knows the joy of the Lord, not the ‘happy talk’ kind, but the real, deep satisfaction of faith, coach you.

3. Set aside a day a week to celebrate.

Make sure your "Sabbath" includes JOY as well as worship. Eat ice cream! In moderation, it won't hurt you a bit. Revel in beauty. Appreciate a sunset, a work of art, a musical composition. So, make sure you celebrate regularly to break out of the monotony of life.
 
4. Unplug from the steady stream of 'bad news.'

Depression is an epidemic among us. Might it be because we are trying to deal with the ugliness, the sin, the suffering of the world all of the time?  Yes, there is plenty of misery around us. But, if we marinate our minds in the negative drone of CNN, FoxNews, or MSNBC;  fear will replace joy.

5.  Let the Bible’s perspective become yours.
The great lie that breaks our spirit is that ‘we are all that we will ever be.’ Life cannot change.  But, God is greater!  God says that when we let the Holy Spirit work in us that "...we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. " (2 Corinthians 3:18, The Message) Not happy with who you are, what you're like today? Work with God and He'll change you.  Overwhelmed by the sorrows of life?  Fix your thoughts on the promise of Christ's coming Kingdom! Wrongs will be made right, the reason for sorrow will be revealed, and the curse of sin will be removed. "Lord, let your Kingdom come!"  Don’t ‘whine’ that prayer. Declare it! That perspective will keep the disappointment and sorrows of this day from overwhelming you.
 
6. Pray for the fruit of the Holy Spirit (the evidence of His life) to be created in you.
What is that fruit? "Love, JOY...." Yes, second on the list is JOY!  Holiness (not pinched piety, but real devotion to God) creates fertile soil in which JOY grows. If we walk willfully, at a distance, and indulging our sinful nature, we will be spiritually dry, fruitless – and yes, joyless.

7. Practice joyfulness.
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." (Hebrews 13:15, NIV) When you hear yourself griping about life, when you are tense with frustration,  when you are ungrateful- go in a different direction. Look up, not down. Speak with faith, not from fear. Thank God for what He's given you, instead of complaining about what you perceive that you lack. Yes, our sincere praise is like a sweet sacrificial offering some days, but our Father will release the joy of Heaven when we offer it.
_____________
 
Amazed

You dance over me

While I am unaware

You sing all around

But I never hear the sound

You paint the morning sky

With miracles in mind

My hope will always stand

You hold me in Your hand

Lord I'm amazed by You

Lord I'm amazed by You

Lord I'm amazed by You

How You love me

How wide how deep

How great is Your love for me (oh)

Jared Anderson

© 2004 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI))

CCLI License # 810055