Reckless Abandon

 

My son, Sean, is in Uganda with a missions team for a couple of weeks. His note yesterday said  “Church is just different with those that have nothing … God just kinda crushes you with the spirit of reckless abandon they show up with. Such joy.”  His words kept echoing around in my head for the rest of the day as I thought about how cluttered my own spiritual life becomes;   wrapped around buildings, music, prayers for blessings that have little to do with the actual pursuit of knowing Christ Jesus.  

In my musing I remembered my own parents’ commitment. In their little Iowa church they sang a Gospel song that was popular in the early 1960’s – “I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold. I'd rather be His than have riches untold. I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. Than to be the king of a vast domain … “   (George Beverly Shea)   God took them at their word! A couple of years later, in response to the Spirit’s prompting, Dad sold his business and moved us to New York City where he planted Sunday Schools in poor, crime-ridden neighbors to reach children with the Gospel.  It proved to be a tough calling. 

Here is my question to us today. Is my heart fully desiring the pursuit of Christ or do I just want enough “Jesus” to assure me of blessings now and Heaven to come?  It is quite possible to create a life for ourselves that is comfortable, enjoys ‘enough,’ and conveniently forgets the call of Jesus – “Take up your cross, come and follow Me.”  

 This is not  a scold, my friend. It is a conversation of my own heart to which you are invited to listen.  Am I ready to pursue Him with ‘a spirit of reckless abandon?’ 

Paul did and wrote about it. "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8-11, NIV)  

 I want to know Christ; not just about Him, not just a little of Him,
but to know His heart and to be filled with His Spirit.

Let’s not confuse this aspiration with religious fanaticism. God has given us many gifts that we enjoy with gratitude. Misery and a martyr’s spirit may make you appear to be devout. However, it is quite possible to remain self-centered and Christ-less while draped in the black garments that seem to signal rejection of this world. The Scripture bluntly calls us to more:  "So, then, if with Christ you’ve put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? “Don’t touch this! Don’t taste that! Don’t go near this!” Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they’re just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important." (Colossians 2:20-23, The Message) 

There is no 3 step prescription for godliness, no easy road to intimacy with Christ Jesus.
But, He can be known, loved, and served with joy. Let’s pursue Him with reckless abandon, professing “I want to know Christ.”  In Him we discover great joy, purpose, and eternal life!

The word from the Word - "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 ,,, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience …  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:1-2, 12, 15-16, NIV) 

(Video of this blog at this link)

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I'd Rather Have Jesus 

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I'd rather be His than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame
I'd rather be true to His holy name 

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb
He's all that my hungering spirit needs
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead

 

George Beverly Shea © Words: Public Domain

“I was wrong!”

 

So sure that the course of action was a mistake, I fussed angrily. I predicted that the decision would produce terrible results.  Later I looked at the situation and declared – “I was wrong!”  Wonder of wonder, when I admitted that I had misjudged terribly, I felt great freedom, no longer feeling any need to defend what I realized was entirely wrong.  “I was wrong” - those can be difficult words to say to your spouse, to your child, to yourself, even to God.

Pride is strong, causing us to want to want to ‘be right’ even to the point of being ridiculous sometimes. Confronted with evidence that we are wrong, or that we need to change our ways, we often dig in, holding an indefensible position. We see that folly so clearly in others and wonder, “why can’t they just admit that they made a mistake?” But we are ready to excuse, justify, and rationalize.

The Bible calls it repentance.  Repentance is not just being sorry; it is making a change. Jesus said "Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:5, NIV)  In the text of the first language of Scripture, the word is one that indicates a complete change of mind, a reversal of the course of action.  

Peter uses it, too. He confronted the people of Jerusalem who had rejected Jesus and called on them to repent. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus." (Acts 3:19-20, NIV)  When the Holy Spirit calls on us to turn our hearts towards God, repentance is part of our response of faith. We abandon pride and turn around. Oh what freedom results from genuine repentance.  Peter reminds us that there will be times of refreshing.

Another passage instructs us about the process. It was written by John who was inspired to share it with Christians. Yes, even those who have put faith in Christ need to repent from time to time when convicted by the Spirit. How I love this passage for the rich promise in the words. "If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.

But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God completely." (1 John 1:8-2:1, NLT)   If we refuse to admit “I was wrong” we are deceived, playing the part of a fool. BUT … “if we confess” we find forgiveness.

Confession is more than regretful words. When we are truly confessing, we humble ourselves to agree with God.  We accept His assessment of what we have done, without fear, without shame. Yes, friend, the One who knows you best, loves you most. Admitting your darkest secret to Him, actually allowing yourself to feel the weight of guilt, is the first step but not the last.  John says if we keep on making excuses saying that what we have done is ‘normal’ or ‘just being human’  our pride leads us to the greatest folly – calling the Lord of Glory a liar.  

Perhaps you are thinking of some ugly thing in your life, some regrettable action, some attitude you keep carefully concealed. You wonder how you could even speak to God about that thing!  You can because in Christ Jesus we have a most able Advocate in Heaven’s throne room.   “He pleases God completely!”  That is the mystery and wonder of grace.  Christ Jesus has fully pleased the Father and offers to wrap His righteousness around us, giving us freely what we could never purchase for ourselves.  Find the freedom that comes with true repentance.  

The ancient preacher, Ezekiel, speaks of the result of turning to God - "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11:19-20, NIV)

Experience the grace, feel His love.
Lay aside pride and agree with God.
Yes, learn to say “I was wrong!”

The word from the Word is a song of David, a beautiful prayer of confession.

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord;
point out the right road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.

Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion,
which you have shown from long ages past.

Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth;
look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord." (Psalm 25:1-7, NLT)   Amen

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Goodness Of God

(Let CeCe Winans lift you into God’s Presence)

I love You Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God

 

All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God

 

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a father
I've known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God

 

Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me

 

Ben Fielding | Brian Johnson | Ed Cash | Jason Ingram | Jenn Johnson

© 2018 Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Be the Best!

 

Who likes ‘discipline?’ I am not talking about the kind that parents bring to their children. The discipline of which I write is about controlling how we eat, how we spend our resources, where we allow our mind to dwell, and how we use our time.   

One of the persistent myths among us is that experiencing a life of success requires being born into privilege or experiencing ‘luck.’  The truth is that two of the components of real achievement are within our control. We can choose the road that is steep, though naturally we tend to seek the path of least resistance.  We can take the long view, planning and pursuing more than today’s reward.

Christians are often suspicious of teaching that encourages self-discipline. Rightly so, for it can lead to pride in those who gain a measure of success if they mistakenly believe that their ‘goodness’ is the sole cause of their achievement.  Pride will hinder our grasp of God’s grace, a gift, not a reward, that transforms us. And yet, we cannot ignore the fact that the Scripture includes ‘self-control’ among the evidence of the life of the Spirit in us.  

 The Lord reminds us that "When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT)  The more that we yield ourselves to the Spirit, letting Him reshape our attitudes, our values, our heart – the more we are able to choose that which brings life to the full.  In the letter to the Romans we read – “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God . . . be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)

I am challenged by the example that is used for our Christian experience, one that draws on the image of a dedicated athlete’s passion for performance.  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NIV) 

Whether you have been a disciple of Jesus for 10 minutes or 10 years remember that you are in a race; not a sprint, but a marathon. God’s calling us to grow in grace, to become mature, to love and forgive, to be generous of heart – and His will is not fully discovered in the choices of a single noble day.  It is a day-to-day life of ‘discipline.’  Will you wander along, allow distractions to tempt you from His way; or will you run to win?  Plenty of things will come along that are not part of the race! The Proverb says "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." (Proverbs 6:10-11, NIV) 

The Spirit has provided us everything we need to be winners in the race for Life. Now, we take up the challenge and train. We run with our eyes on the prize. And, ultimately, we find the best life now as well one that pleases God.

At the end of his life, Paul wrote to a younger pastor, in reflection. In terms of money and acclaim, he had little in the way of success.  And yet, he was full of hope for the richest reward of a life well-lived. Mediate on his words, the last ones he penned before his ended. The word from the Word says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NIV)

No more excuses, OK?
Stop envying those you see as ‘luckier’ than you are. 
Learn to say “yes” to long-term goals over immediate gratification.
The best life waits!

(Video of this blog at this link)

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O Come To The Altar

Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes a new life is born
Jesus is calling

Oh what a Savior
Isn't he wonderful
Sing alleluia Christ is risen
Bow down before him
For he is Lord of all
Sing alleluia Christ is risen

Bear your cross as you wait for the crown
Tell the world of the treasure you've found

Chris Brown | Mack Brock | Steven Furtick | Wade Joye

© 2015 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

CCLI License # 810055