Make me feel better quickly!

Yesterday was not one of those AAA days in my life.  The ‘stuff’ of life got to me.  In spite of doing a chapel for our Christian academy on joy, I was anything but joyful. “Why me?” I whined.  In truth, the ‘hard’ is real. Am I unique? No, I am not. I am part of a broken world, caught up in the ongoing struggle of good and evil- in me, in others. There is some ‘wonderful’ and there is some ugly. There are, in the words of Solomon, times to dance and times to mourn. Like most people, I usually want to find instant resolution, quick relief!  Sometimes my emotions outrun my understanding, temporarily!

Dr. Larry Crabb, Christian author and counselor, writes about a session with a man who opened with this request, “Make me feel better quickly!”  Crabb replied, “Get a case of your favorite alcoholic beverage, a compliant woman, and take a trip to the Bahamas.”  The man was shocked and asked, “Are you sure you’re a Christian?”  Crabb replied, “I am, but what you asked of me requires something less than Christ will provide.”  He went to explain that ‘feeling better quickly,’ while often the goal of many, is not the promise of Jesus.  

Becoming mature through Him demands whole-hearted commitment and willingness to do the work that leads to real healing.  Of course, Crabb observed that his prescription for alcohol, women, and a vacation does not really provide lasting satisfaction either, but it does produce temporary happiness.  (told in Inside Out, NavPress, 1988) That story makes me laugh and cringe, too!  

Here is the question-  Am I willing to go the distance with Jesus?  Will I, by faith, keep the promise of becoming amazing eternal beings with glorious splendor in sight on the long days when part of me yearns for nothing but relief?  The life I really desire, and that God purposes for me, will elude me if I choose to chase quick fixes and easy answers.  One of my heroes is Paul, a man judged a failure by many of his contemporaries, whose life was often difficult. The Spirit inspired him to give us this wisdom: "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NIV)

The true glory of Jesus is not in the miracles of feeding thousands, raising Lazarus, or hugging little children lovingly. We make much of those stories because they appeal to us.  They are lovely stories, but the BIG STORY is not revealed until the last chapters of the Gospel- in the suffering of the Cross and the miracle of the Resurrection.  “Because I live, you will live also,” He promised and then He proved it. That is why the Bible calls on us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3, NIV)

This morning, I am praying through this question- what is my expectation of Christ Jesus?  Am I hoping that He will give me wealth, make children more ‘successful,’  exempt me from the hard things from my life, and provide perpetual comfort and happiness?  Do I want the promise of Heaven secured by Him without the difficulties of discipleship?  If that’s what I am looking for,  I will never find real and lasting joy. Why? The calling involves dying to Self and living to Christ. The pathway is, in Jesus’ words, a narrow one and few find it. “Lord, lead me to life. Keep me faithful!”

Here is an amazing word from the Word.
"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)

"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." (Hebrews 12:10, NIV)

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My Hope Is In The Lord

I can't help but feel a little down

A little worried when I look around

That's why my hope is in

My hope is in the Lord

I fix my eyes upon the God who gives

'Cause all I need is what I have in him

That's why my hope is in

My hope is in the Lord

My hope is in the Lord

I belong to him

He will never let me go-oh-oh-oh

My hope is in the Lord

I can count on him

My hope is in the Lord

Jay Stocker

© 2016 Group Publishing, Inc.

CCLI License # 810055

"Love God, and do as you please."

When my friend spoke of another person whose life demonstrates the beauty of Jesus, a person of noble character, she grew emotional with tears filling her eyes. Genuine holiness does that! It captivates us, lifts us, makes us what to be a better person. When I am with someone filled with the Spirit of God, not that noisy “Praise Jesus! Hallelujah! Aren’t you impressed with me?”  kind of ‘spiritual,’ but the “profound love and care” kind, I want to love Jesus more!  So, how does one become that way? Is it just ‘something you’re born with?’  Is it a spontaneous change that happens at a revival? Or, is it …   well, let’s look at that this morning.

Paul writes to us with the inspiration of the Spirit to say,  "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." (Colossians 3:1-2, NIV)  The change begins with an inner work, a conversion that happens when we receive the invitation of the Spirit to trust Jesus for our salvation. He has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves, set us right with God, and made us, once dead in sinful disobedience, alive to God, our Father. But, that is just the beginning!  We must make the choice for life, for holiness, for transformation – not once, not twice, but daily!

In the strongest terms, Paul teaches us that the old ways must die! "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." (Colossians 3:5-8, NIV)  Death is ugly. As a rule, we don’t keep corpses around. We mourn the loss and then we bury them!  Are you cuddling with old sins, hanging onto them, instead of regarding them as dead and being rid of them?

We tend to excuse our pet sins, “that’s just the way I’m wired,”  we say. We cover over our complicity with disobedience by thanking God for His mercy and grace. I am truly grateful that He is patient with us, but I also know He desires an emerging Christlikeness in us. He allows us to walk through difficulties that are designed to tear away our love for sin and make us long for Him.  Knowing this, James teaches us to stick it out, to see the purpose of those problems.  We need real faith to accept the wisdom here. "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." (James 1:2-4, The Message)  Will we beg God to change our circumstances, or to change us?

Time and again the Word challenges a claim to belief without a corresponding change of practice.  This is the sin of hypocrisy.   Paul wrote to us saying "I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." (Ephesians 4:1, NLT)   Look at how the Word contrasts the nature, base life with the noble, spiritual one:  "People’s desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God’s kingdom.”

Augustine is quoted as saying, "Love God, and do as you please."  His words are much misunderstood, as some who claim to be disciples choose to see only the ‘do as you please’ part. Love God! That must come first- a love that reaches heart, soul, mind, and strength, Jesus said.  And, as we love Him a beautiful, whole, noble character like that of Jesus emerges.  

Disciple, do you love Him?  Does your devotion show in a life that is worthy of your high calling? 

The word from the Word prays for change that comes from the partnership of the Spirit and our will. Pray it with me.

"We have not stopped praying for you and asking God
to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:

bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might
so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father,

who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."    (Colossians 1:9-12, NIV)

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As The Deer
(pray this song as you listen)

As the deer panteth for the water

So my soul longeth after Thee

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee

You alone are my strength my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee

You're my friend and You are my brother

Even though You are a King

I love You more than any other

So much more than anything

I want You more than gold or silver

Only You can satisfy

You alone are the real joygiver

And the apple of my eye

Martin Nystrom

© 1984 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

Pastor Jerry Scott

FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH

www.FaithDiscovery.com

Cut Off, Dead? Or, Connected, Alive, and Fruitful?

Last week I did some clean up in my yard. I cut back some leafy branches and tossed them behind the garage. I forgot all about them until yesterday. When I went to dispose of them - it was no surprise to see withered, dry, brown, dead leaves.  That is what happens when the branch is separated from the tree.  

Jesus takes that principle and applies it to us spiritually.  "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:4, NIV) A key issue in the discovery of the life that is rich in the evidence of the Spirit’s flow within us is the connection to Him, to His Body;  with the Word living in us. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." (John 15:5-6, NIV)

When we make a priority choice to meditate and pray, to take in the Scripture, to be quiet before the Spirit, to gather for corporate worship:  we strengthen the connection that sustains spiritual life. It should be one of those things of which would say, “That is a no-brainer!” And yet, how often do we find ourselves living at a distance from Jesus, neglecting the Spirit’s invitation, estranged from the Church?

Our American individualism makes us particularly susceptible to trying to ‘do the Christian life’ on our own.  We like to imagine that we are self-sufficient, strong, able to stand on our own two feet. It’s a nice myth with very little support in real life and in matters of the soul.  Those who would live the richest and best life build and maintain strong networks with others. When we ‘connect’ to Christ Jesus, to His Body, to His Word – our autonomy is limited. We do not have the freedom to do whatever we want, to give full expression to every whim, every passing thought.  Connection requires – here it is - that difficult word – submission.

When we are connected to Him we are alive! What does that ‘life’ make possible? Fruitfulness. Read His words again -  “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing." (John 15:5, The Message) Want to know rich love, real peace, joy, steady patience, renewing kindness, basic goodness, trustworthy faithfulness, a gentle demeanor, and self-control so that you can refuse temptation?   There is only one way it can happen.  

Stay connected to Jesus and when His Way contradicts yours, bow your head and heart and say a ready, “yes” to His invitation.

Stick with His people. Forgive them instead of walking off on your own.

Engage with others who love Him, too, sharing the life found in the Spirit.

Here is the word from the Word. Jesus wrapped up His teaching about branches and the Vine this way.  Before you read these words, pause for a moment and breathe a prayer for understanding. “Father, open my mind to this truth. Make it more than an ideal. Help me to ‘connect’ and stay connected – with You, with Your Body – so I can live.”

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:9-13, NLT)

"This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:17, NLT)

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Build Your Kingdom Here

Come set Your rule and reign

In our hearts again

Increase in us we pray

Unveil why we're made

Come set our hearts ablaze with hope

Like wildfire in our very souls

Holy Spirit come invade us now

We are Your church

We need Your pow'r in us

We seek Your kingdom first

We hunger and we thirst

Refuse to waste our lives

For You're our joy and prize

To see the captives' hearts released

The hurt the sick the poor at peace

We lay down our lives for heaven's cause

We are Your church

We pray revive this earth

Build Your kingdom here

Let the darkness fear

Show Your mighty hand

Heal our streets and land

Set Your church on fire

Win this nation back

Change the atmosphere

Build Your kingdom here we pray

Unleash Your kingdom's pow'r

Reaching the near and far

No force of hell can stop

Your beauty changing hearts

You made us for much more than this

Awake the kingdom seed in us

Fill us with the strength and love of Christ

We are Your church

We are the hope on earth

Rend Collective

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

CCLI License # 810055