A situation in my life got me to thinking about holy stuff... you know, which are holy day? What are holy places and/or holy things? Who are holy people?
The first thing I did was re-think the word - "holy." Since it is a word primarily derived from Biblical sources, I went there. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew root word which is translated "holy" is a word that means "pure, devoted, and/or dedicated to a specific use." In the New Testament Greek, the word we translate as 'holy' means to be "venerated or separated from the common for God's exclusive use." Then I read a few more passages that used the word, holy. I found that in the Old Testament, especially in the books of the Law, the discussion primarily centers around establishing a distinction of both place and people. The tabernacle and Temple were specifically holy sites. They were exclusively used for the ongoing rituals of worship and were the symbolic center of God's dwelling place on earth. Later in Jewish history, Jerusalem came to be a holy city, because it was the site of the Temple and the center of worship for the nation. There were also 'holy men' who were exclusively set apart to do the work of God, priests and Levites, descendants of Aaron. Other men and/or women would occasionally be considered holy as a result of the Spirit's work in their lives. Most were called, 'prophets.'
In the New Testament, a new concept of holiness emerges. Holy places and holy things, people being holy because of their family status are all set aside. What emerges is the concept that ALL those who are Christ's are holy people and that the site of worship is not a building or city. God's temples are Believers. He lives in you and in me! Peter exclaims - "Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by the people, but he is precious to God who chose him. And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are God’s holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5, NLT)
Our human tendency to try to make Jerusalem or Rome into "holy cities," or Easter or Christmas into "holy days" (e.g., holidays), our church into a temple, and professional clergy into 'holy men' is simply a misplaced emphasis! You and I are to be holy - for God, the Holy Spirit, lives in us.
So, what does this calling to be God's holy people and temples mean? Must we start to wear long black coats, keep a dour look on our faces, and practice solemnity? That's what some would say. There is a certain kind of impression of holiness that comes with wearing esoteric clothing like clerical collars or black uniforms, but those can easily be quite superficial. Any old actor can buy the 'holy look.' Does it mean that we have to move into closed communities and live in dormitories? Some groups have tried that, but eventually they become so 'separate' they die out and leave no lasting legacy for God's honor in this world.
Holiness must go deeper, way deeper, than merely some rules imposed on us about our day to day behavior. Such rules may work for short time to make appear holy, but soon we find loopholes or we just ignore them altogether. And then, too, most holiness codes eventually become irrelevant as the world changes around us. The code that is designed to make people holy for one generation will not address the behaviors of the next.
The glorious truth is that we are called to embrace our calling and to become 'living sacrifices' whose words and actions reflect that we belong to God - all the time, everywhere. How that works out in everyday life is uniquely a reflection of God's work in us individually. God has gifted me to teach and write. My holiness will be reflected in the discipline of my mind and the dedication of my thoughts to Him. Whatever your gifts and abilities become a means of worshipping Him and you can use those gifts to display your devotion to Him by dedicated them to His purposes.
Of course holiness will show in some shared traits of behavior that are necessary of all God's people, in all places, and at all times. Those who walk intimately with Christ will love God with single-minded devotion and love other people intensely! Jesus said that these twin loves are the core of Christian ethics and the foundation from which we determine the morality of all actions. A holiness rooted in love for God and others will, according to the Bible, begin to show up in the way we act and speak. Paul says - "...among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:3-4, NIV) Please note - that kind of life cannot be imposed from the external! This passage refers to a life that grows out of a intimacy with Christ that transforms our lives. A person who loves Christ will find it inconceivable to be sexually promiscuous! A person whose heart is full of worship will not curse freely, for as James asks, "Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it?" (James 3:10-11, The Message)
Let me ask you if you've fallen into the same mistake that was tempting me. Are you dividing your life into what is 'holy' and what is 'secular?' If we do that, we are missing out on the true joy of being holy. For the Christian no day, no place, no person is more holy than the next. Every moment is a holy one lived in God's Presence. Every Believer is a priest whose life offers up sacrificial worship and whose words offer grace to those in need. And, every place on earth we go, we can make into a sanctuary!
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today ---
"As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God." (1 Peter 1:15-17, The Message)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Puppets on a string?
Driving home from a hospital visit with a suffering saint I had a long talk with the Lord about the questions that were nagging at the edges of my mind. The main one, "What are You doing, Lord?" There are a couple of situations that I'm dealing with in my ministry that are stirring up the same question in me. It's not that I'm trying to make God accountable to me, that I need Him to explain His actions. If that were in my heart, I would be in sin! He doesn't answer to anyone. He is God. What I'm trying to understand is what part He wants me to take in implementing His will, if any.
Two competing views about people and the will of God come to my mind. One view of life is that God is in charge and therefore whatever happens is His will. In the extreme presentation of that view, I become a puppet on a string without choice. Another view of life is that I, alone, am responsible for what happens to me. In this view, God is present but has limited His direct involvement in the world, leaving us to work out the difficulties on our own. At the extreme of that view of free will, God becomes the 'Divine Advisor' and I become a god. The Bible tells me that God is 'sovereign,' and that I am a 'free agent.' Both statement are true, although that defies my limited logic. God is 'in charge,' and I am free to choose to participate in His purposes or to reject His will! What we usually set up as an 'either/or' situation, the Scripture teaches as a 'both/and' situation.
Take a look at this passage. God says, “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will build up and plant a certain nation or kingdom, making it strong and great, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless that nation as I had said I would." (Jeremiah 18:6-10, NLT) What does Jeremiah learn from the Spirit of God? That God has determined a course of action. Is that plan inevitable and unchangeable? No! God tells us that repentance turns away His declared judgment. And He says that rebellion can block His intended blessings!
Our choices are important. We are not puppets on a string, helplessly dancing as a God of inscrutable purposes pulls and twists from His throne. That is why I am praying to understand God's will, asking Him what His plans and purposes are. I want to align myself with that will, so I live contentedly in the center of it, enjoying the serenity that comes from being a part of His best plans. I don't want to sin against Him by becoming a self-willed rebel, or an angry fool that shakes a puny fist in His face because of unpleasant circumstances. Isaiah warns about an inflated sense of self and the folly that comes from a failure to submit to the sovereign God. Using the same imagery as Jeremiah, he writes - "Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?" (Isaiah 29:15-16, NIV)
If we ignore either part of the equation of obedience, we will end up in error. If we look exclusively to our God-given freedom to choose, we will grow proud when life is going well, as though we alone accomplished something wonderful. And when suffering comes we will look around for someone to blame, or even sink into despair! However, if we believe that we have no responsibility, then we may fail to pray, stop seeking to be a part of His work, because we mistakenly conclude that our choices and actions are irrelevant to the outcomes we experience.
The practical implications of the twin truths of God's rule and our freedom of choice is that we can live peacefully in this world. When difficult situations arise in our lives or in the world around us, we run to the One who is unchanging, 'the same yesterday, today, and forever.' We take solace from His promise that He will never leave us, never forsake us. But we do not stop seeking to bring the Kingdom of God into those situations. We pray for change. We present ourselves to Him, and discipline ourselves so that His purposes are not hindered by our self-will. The Believer's focus is always on seeking God, even as the Spirit works to strengthen our faith.
Believer, the question that we should ask when confronted with conflict, sickness, and suffering is not best framed as 'why is this happening?' but rather as, 'what are You asking of me, Lord?'
If He wills that we go through the fire to refine our character, we can walk through it with peace.
If He wants to lead us to repentance, it is imperative that we respond quickly!
If His desire is to make us a living example of His grace, then our momentary sufferings become a thing of glory, the pain we experience inconsequential compared to the privilege of being used in His plans.
"Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I have come to you in prayer.
Save me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing." (Psalm 143:8-10, NLT) Amen
Two competing views about people and the will of God come to my mind. One view of life is that God is in charge and therefore whatever happens is His will. In the extreme presentation of that view, I become a puppet on a string without choice. Another view of life is that I, alone, am responsible for what happens to me. In this view, God is present but has limited His direct involvement in the world, leaving us to work out the difficulties on our own. At the extreme of that view of free will, God becomes the 'Divine Advisor' and I become a god. The Bible tells me that God is 'sovereign,' and that I am a 'free agent.' Both statement are true, although that defies my limited logic. God is 'in charge,' and I am free to choose to participate in His purposes or to reject His will! What we usually set up as an 'either/or' situation, the Scripture teaches as a 'both/and' situation.
Take a look at this passage. God says, “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will build up and plant a certain nation or kingdom, making it strong and great, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless that nation as I had said I would." (Jeremiah 18:6-10, NLT) What does Jeremiah learn from the Spirit of God? That God has determined a course of action. Is that plan inevitable and unchangeable? No! God tells us that repentance turns away His declared judgment. And He says that rebellion can block His intended blessings!
Our choices are important. We are not puppets on a string, helplessly dancing as a God of inscrutable purposes pulls and twists from His throne. That is why I am praying to understand God's will, asking Him what His plans and purposes are. I want to align myself with that will, so I live contentedly in the center of it, enjoying the serenity that comes from being a part of His best plans. I don't want to sin against Him by becoming a self-willed rebel, or an angry fool that shakes a puny fist in His face because of unpleasant circumstances. Isaiah warns about an inflated sense of self and the folly that comes from a failure to submit to the sovereign God. Using the same imagery as Jeremiah, he writes - "Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?" (Isaiah 29:15-16, NIV)
If we ignore either part of the equation of obedience, we will end up in error. If we look exclusively to our God-given freedom to choose, we will grow proud when life is going well, as though we alone accomplished something wonderful. And when suffering comes we will look around for someone to blame, or even sink into despair! However, if we believe that we have no responsibility, then we may fail to pray, stop seeking to be a part of His work, because we mistakenly conclude that our choices and actions are irrelevant to the outcomes we experience.
The practical implications of the twin truths of God's rule and our freedom of choice is that we can live peacefully in this world. When difficult situations arise in our lives or in the world around us, we run to the One who is unchanging, 'the same yesterday, today, and forever.' We take solace from His promise that He will never leave us, never forsake us. But we do not stop seeking to bring the Kingdom of God into those situations. We pray for change. We present ourselves to Him, and discipline ourselves so that His purposes are not hindered by our self-will. The Believer's focus is always on seeking God, even as the Spirit works to strengthen our faith.
Believer, the question that we should ask when confronted with conflict, sickness, and suffering is not best framed as 'why is this happening?' but rather as, 'what are You asking of me, Lord?'
If He wills that we go through the fire to refine our character, we can walk through it with peace.
If He wants to lead us to repentance, it is imperative that we respond quickly!
If His desire is to make us a living example of His grace, then our momentary sufferings become a thing of glory, the pain we experience inconsequential compared to the privilege of being used in His plans.
"Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I have come to you in prayer.
Save me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing." (Psalm 143:8-10, NLT) Amen
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Encourage -
One from the archives....
Encourage-
-- To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten.
-- To give support, to foster growing or development
________________________
When a person leaves an encounter with you, have you added value to his life, or taken something away?
I find that some people consistently bring a lift to me when we converse. Others whine or criticize or moan, and leave me feeling depleted!
Now, I don't mean to suggest that we all must become 'sunny, radiant, always speaking positive things' kind of people, because that's not really possible.
But, overall, I believe a worthwhile goal for us is that, by God's help, we learn to be encouragers.
In October, 1977, at a time in my life when I was trying hard to develop a ministry in a new place, I met Tom Johnson, a generous soul and one of the best encouragers I've ever known. He knew I needed a job that allowed me some flexibility in schedule, so I could also do ministry work. So, one day he took me to meet his supervisor, told that man that I was a good guy, then quit on the spot, recommending me for his job! Tom believed I needed the job and its benefits for my family more than he did! His actions encouraged me in my quest to serve God in a difficult time of testing of faith.
Are you an encouraging Believer? Are you looking for opportunities to lend courage, hope, and confidence to others?
Christ Jesus calls on us to active caring. It isn't enough to passively love each other. Our love must find ways to be expressed.
Romans 12:8-10 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! . . . And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. . . Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Hebrews 10:24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
Let me plant some practical suggestions in your mind of ways you might be an encourager today:
a. Send a note of sincere appreciation to someone who has served you sacrificially.b. Take note of a person who's work is 'behind the scenes' and sincerely compliment their efforts.
c. Offer to pray with a friend that seems overwhelmed by life, then pray a positive prayer full of words of blessing. (Careful, don't preach while you pray!)
d. Roll up your sleeves and practically lift someone's burden for a couple of hours; mow their lawn, watch their kids, cook their dinner, or take them to a movie.
e. Actively listen if someone opens their heart without offering any advice. Let them unburden their heart to you. Let your eyes and posture say, "I really do care!"
The world is full of critics. It is easy to point out another's flaws. It is often easy to 'see' (in our self-important opinion, anyway) why our brother or sister is in that situation. "Well, if she would just.... " Can the criticism. It doesn't help. A preacher once told me, "Just about anyone can do demolition, but it takes real skill to be a builder!"
Today, pray that the Lord will make you a skillful builder of others...1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Encourage-
-- To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten.
-- To give support, to foster growing or development
________________________
When a person leaves an encounter with you, have you added value to his life, or taken something away?
I find that some people consistently bring a lift to me when we converse. Others whine or criticize or moan, and leave me feeling depleted!
Now, I don't mean to suggest that we all must become 'sunny, radiant, always speaking positive things' kind of people, because that's not really possible.
But, overall, I believe a worthwhile goal for us is that, by God's help, we learn to be encouragers.
In October, 1977, at a time in my life when I was trying hard to develop a ministry in a new place, I met Tom Johnson, a generous soul and one of the best encouragers I've ever known. He knew I needed a job that allowed me some flexibility in schedule, so I could also do ministry work. So, one day he took me to meet his supervisor, told that man that I was a good guy, then quit on the spot, recommending me for his job! Tom believed I needed the job and its benefits for my family more than he did! His actions encouraged me in my quest to serve God in a difficult time of testing of faith.
Are you an encouraging Believer? Are you looking for opportunities to lend courage, hope, and confidence to others?
Christ Jesus calls on us to active caring. It isn't enough to passively love each other. Our love must find ways to be expressed.
Romans 12:8-10 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! . . . And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. . . Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Hebrews 10:24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
Let me plant some practical suggestions in your mind of ways you might be an encourager today:
a. Send a note of sincere appreciation to someone who has served you sacrificially.b. Take note of a person who's work is 'behind the scenes' and sincerely compliment their efforts.
c. Offer to pray with a friend that seems overwhelmed by life, then pray a positive prayer full of words of blessing. (Careful, don't preach while you pray!)
d. Roll up your sleeves and practically lift someone's burden for a couple of hours; mow their lawn, watch their kids, cook their dinner, or take them to a movie.
e. Actively listen if someone opens their heart without offering any advice. Let them unburden their heart to you. Let your eyes and posture say, "I really do care!"
The world is full of critics. It is easy to point out another's flaws. It is often easy to 'see' (in our self-important opinion, anyway) why our brother or sister is in that situation. "Well, if she would just.... " Can the criticism. It doesn't help. A preacher once told me, "Just about anyone can do demolition, but it takes real skill to be a builder!"
Today, pray that the Lord will make you a skillful builder of others...1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Consideration - a basic Christian quality
Humans can be puzzling, can't they? The whys and wherefores of behavior can be difficult to discern. Getting to the real need, what's actually going on under the surface, demands patience. But, time and again in my dealing with people, I re-discover that when I take time to try to understand the needs and desires of others, to fit their actions into the context of their emotional needs, conflict is replaced with cooperation. By way of illustration I can point to my little grandsons. When they were visiting here last week, they would become hard to handle, whiny, and even defiant in the late afternoon if they didn't get a naptime. Their real need was not discipline, it was rest! Once Bev and I understood that, we became proactive in getting them to rest right after lunch. By providing for the real need, rest, we took care of much of the 'discipline' problems that otherwise appeared around 5 pm.
Stephen Covey, author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, puts consideration down as habit number 5 and states it this way - "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." He observes that most of us listen to the words of others but not empathetically, that is, to really hear them. We listen with the intent to reply. Even while they're speaking, we are starting to formulate our answer. What inevitably happens in that communication pattern? We get only part of the message before we stop listening, and the other person senses they are not being heard. The other communication problem Covey points out that keeps us from really getting the message is that we listen autobiographically. The other person's words run through our brain and get filtered through our experiences. We assume they are thinking like we think, that their attitudes are the same as our attitudes.
We can learn to listen with understanding, but it takes effort, patience, and practice. One very valuable way (though it often irritates others) is to rephrase what they are saying. We can respond like this - "So, if I understand you, you're telling me...." Or we can actually ask for clarity of the emotive content of the message, saying something like - "I hear you saying this, but it seems that you're searching for ..." If done gently, such simple techniques provide the context for consideration and understanding.
So, are you smiling at this little communication lesson? Actually, it is a basic part of Christian living to understand others in a way that allows you and me to meet their needs! Jesus said, “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12, NLT) In another context, He said, "...you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31, NLT) Imagine the kind of relationships we would enjoy IF we actually put that into practice consistently? How would it change your relationship with your spouse if you took the time to really understand, instead of expecting that your needs would always be met? How would it transform your friendships at church if you were really empathetic, making the effort to see beneath the surface?
Peter urges Christian husbands to "dwell with them (your wives) according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife." (1 Peter 3:7, KJV) The NIV says, "Be considerate." In other words, take time to listen and understand, so you can address the real needs of the person you love. The principle can be broadened to all of our relationships.
So, let's do an experiment today. When you are getting frustrated with someone or you are presented with a problem by another person, instead of letting yourself get angry, choose to become a detective.
Begin to listen carefully. Explore the situation. Pray for insight. As you uncover the real need, begin to meet it. In that action, you will be showing Christ-like love and honoring the Lord of Life, who loved us while we were still sinners, and took action to meet our greatest need.
"Lord, in a world marked by conflict,
from nations making war, to families torn apart by anger,
people who love and who bring peace are needed.
I want to be one of those people. Spirit of God, make me a peace-maker!
Fill me with wisdom and insight. Grant me patient love.
Take away harsh judgment that quickly condemns, replacing it with the gentle spirit
you showed when confronted with ordinary sinners.
Let me fulfill your royal law by loving others more than I love myself.
In the Name of Jesus, who loved me.
Amen."
Stephen Covey, author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, puts consideration down as habit number 5 and states it this way - "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." He observes that most of us listen to the words of others but not empathetically, that is, to really hear them. We listen with the intent to reply. Even while they're speaking, we are starting to formulate our answer. What inevitably happens in that communication pattern? We get only part of the message before we stop listening, and the other person senses they are not being heard. The other communication problem Covey points out that keeps us from really getting the message is that we listen autobiographically. The other person's words run through our brain and get filtered through our experiences. We assume they are thinking like we think, that their attitudes are the same as our attitudes.
We can learn to listen with understanding, but it takes effort, patience, and practice. One very valuable way (though it often irritates others) is to rephrase what they are saying. We can respond like this - "So, if I understand you, you're telling me...." Or we can actually ask for clarity of the emotive content of the message, saying something like - "I hear you saying this, but it seems that you're searching for ..." If done gently, such simple techniques provide the context for consideration and understanding.
So, are you smiling at this little communication lesson? Actually, it is a basic part of Christian living to understand others in a way that allows you and me to meet their needs! Jesus said, “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12, NLT) In another context, He said, "...you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31, NLT) Imagine the kind of relationships we would enjoy IF we actually put that into practice consistently? How would it change your relationship with your spouse if you took the time to really understand, instead of expecting that your needs would always be met? How would it transform your friendships at church if you were really empathetic, making the effort to see beneath the surface?
Peter urges Christian husbands to "dwell with them (your wives) according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife." (1 Peter 3:7, KJV) The NIV says, "Be considerate." In other words, take time to listen and understand, so you can address the real needs of the person you love. The principle can be broadened to all of our relationships.
So, let's do an experiment today. When you are getting frustrated with someone or you are presented with a problem by another person, instead of letting yourself get angry, choose to become a detective.
Begin to listen carefully. Explore the situation. Pray for insight. As you uncover the real need, begin to meet it. In that action, you will be showing Christ-like love and honoring the Lord of Life, who loved us while we were still sinners, and took action to meet our greatest need.
"Lord, in a world marked by conflict,
from nations making war, to families torn apart by anger,
people who love and who bring peace are needed.
I want to be one of those people. Spirit of God, make me a peace-maker!
Fill me with wisdom and insight. Grant me patient love.
Take away harsh judgment that quickly condemns, replacing it with the gentle spirit
you showed when confronted with ordinary sinners.
Let me fulfill your royal law by loving others more than I love myself.
In the Name of Jesus, who loved me.
Amen."
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Measuring success
Ever hear of Dennis Kozlowski? In June, 2005 he was convicted on numerous counts in Federal courts involving fraud and theft of millions of dollars from Tyco, International. Here's the amazing thing. Kozlowski was legally compensated with over $500 million (not that's not a typo) by the company he headed from 1992 to 2002. Under his leadership Tyco was a prosperous company that paid shareholders well. The board rewarded his efforts by making him one of the best paid CEO's in America, but it wasn't enough! Was that because this man from a poor section of Newark, NJ, who grew up hungry to be rich, somehow couldn't stretch $500 million to feed his lifestyle? No, it wasn't any material need that drove his efforts. It was a spiritual need, a hunger for a meaningful life. You see, dollars and things were the indicators of a man's worth to Dennis Kozlowski. So, he always needed more to prove to himself and the world that he was 'the man!'
In his book, The Good Life, Chuck Colson writes about another business wizard, Jack Welch. As head of GE, Welch made the company profitable beyond anybody's dreams. He was and is an icon among business leaders in America. His efforts were rewarded with great wealth, but the emptiness of Welch's heart became obvious after he glimpsed his mortality following open heart surgery. Colson reports that when Welch was asked if he had come to any revelations as a result of his crisis. Welch replied, "I didn't spend enough money..... wine that costs under $100 will never cross my lips again." He was serious!
If we measure life's worth by the size of the pile of things around us, ours will be a pathetic, and ultimately meaningless, existence. Most of us will nod in agreement with that statement, but our actions give the lie to our words. In truth, most Americans, including Believers, define a good life by the amount of money they have and the freedom to pursue their own happiness. A woman I know recently left a job in corporate America to take a job in a ministry setting. Her choice meant taking about a 60% pay cut and leaving behind a generous benefit package. Her choice mystifies most people, even Christians. "Why would she do that? Doesn't she understand that she is putting her financial future in jeopardy? Is she really thinking about the long term costs in this?" - are all questions I've heard asked about her decision. Yes, she is really thinking and I know that she actually believes the words of Jesus about laying up treasure in Heaven are true, not just poetic. Sure, she won't be able to take vacations to the Caribbean and she'll drive an older car. Her 401(k) account won't be growing, but her heavenly account will. And her child will most likely see that Mom's faith isn't just words, causing him to consider his own choices about serving the Lord!
Jesus once told a story about seeds that fell into different places; the hard pathway where they could not germinate, the shallow soil that could not sustain life, and the rich soil that caused them to grow and produce a rich harvest. He also said this - "The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life and are fooled by the desire to get rich. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything." (Matthew 13:22, CEV) Does that describe many of us? Have we heard the good news of Christ and received it with joy, only to return to the same empty life built around getting things and worrying about financial security?
How do you measure success? Is it by the size of your house, the amount of your money, the style of your clothing, or the model of your car? Is being 'cool' important to you? OR, have you chosen to pursue God's rewards, measuring your success by faithfulness to Him, by your willingness to live in obedience to Him and serve others?
Don't read a false conclusion here! Not every Christian has to abandon his job to take a position in ministry to find a meaningful life! We're not all called to be Pastors or to work in para-church ministries to please the Lord. That's not the point of this TFTD. But we are all called to serve Christ wherever we are. Colson penned a line that bears repeating - "The workbench, the kitchen counter, the computer station, or any other workplace is an altar." (The Good Life, page 83) The Bible urges us to "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (Colossians 3:23, NLT) The measure of success is God's approval. His approval comes when we live in His ways. His ways, Jesus said, are defined with two basic commands - "Love God wholeheartedly, and love your neighbor as yourself."
Is a life worth living within reach for you? Yes!
But, don't be deceived by contemporary standards, trapped by thinking that happiness will arrive with a bigger check or some new possession.
Ask God to work in you deeply, changing your heart and mind, so that you think in a godly way. Make the small decisions today to live in ways that reflect that He is Lord of all of your life.
You will begin to experience joy and life with meaning.
____________________________
Out on the highways and byways of life,
Many are the weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Give as 'twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true.
Make Me A Blessing - Ira B. Wilson
In his book, The Good Life, Chuck Colson writes about another business wizard, Jack Welch. As head of GE, Welch made the company profitable beyond anybody's dreams. He was and is an icon among business leaders in America. His efforts were rewarded with great wealth, but the emptiness of Welch's heart became obvious after he glimpsed his mortality following open heart surgery. Colson reports that when Welch was asked if he had come to any revelations as a result of his crisis. Welch replied, "I didn't spend enough money..... wine that costs under $100 will never cross my lips again." He was serious!
If we measure life's worth by the size of the pile of things around us, ours will be a pathetic, and ultimately meaningless, existence. Most of us will nod in agreement with that statement, but our actions give the lie to our words. In truth, most Americans, including Believers, define a good life by the amount of money they have and the freedom to pursue their own happiness. A woman I know recently left a job in corporate America to take a job in a ministry setting. Her choice meant taking about a 60% pay cut and leaving behind a generous benefit package. Her choice mystifies most people, even Christians. "Why would she do that? Doesn't she understand that she is putting her financial future in jeopardy? Is she really thinking about the long term costs in this?" - are all questions I've heard asked about her decision. Yes, she is really thinking and I know that she actually believes the words of Jesus about laying up treasure in Heaven are true, not just poetic. Sure, she won't be able to take vacations to the Caribbean and she'll drive an older car. Her 401(k) account won't be growing, but her heavenly account will. And her child will most likely see that Mom's faith isn't just words, causing him to consider his own choices about serving the Lord!
Jesus once told a story about seeds that fell into different places; the hard pathway where they could not germinate, the shallow soil that could not sustain life, and the rich soil that caused them to grow and produce a rich harvest. He also said this - "The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life and are fooled by the desire to get rich. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything." (Matthew 13:22, CEV) Does that describe many of us? Have we heard the good news of Christ and received it with joy, only to return to the same empty life built around getting things and worrying about financial security?
How do you measure success? Is it by the size of your house, the amount of your money, the style of your clothing, or the model of your car? Is being 'cool' important to you? OR, have you chosen to pursue God's rewards, measuring your success by faithfulness to Him, by your willingness to live in obedience to Him and serve others?
Don't read a false conclusion here! Not every Christian has to abandon his job to take a position in ministry to find a meaningful life! We're not all called to be Pastors or to work in para-church ministries to please the Lord. That's not the point of this TFTD. But we are all called to serve Christ wherever we are. Colson penned a line that bears repeating - "The workbench, the kitchen counter, the computer station, or any other workplace is an altar." (The Good Life, page 83) The Bible urges us to "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (Colossians 3:23, NLT) The measure of success is God's approval. His approval comes when we live in His ways. His ways, Jesus said, are defined with two basic commands - "Love God wholeheartedly, and love your neighbor as yourself."
Is a life worth living within reach for you? Yes!
But, don't be deceived by contemporary standards, trapped by thinking that happiness will arrive with a bigger check or some new possession.
Ask God to work in you deeply, changing your heart and mind, so that you think in a godly way. Make the small decisions today to live in ways that reflect that He is Lord of all of your life.
You will begin to experience joy and life with meaning.
____________________________
Out on the highways and byways of life,
Many are the weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Give as 'twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true.
Make Me A Blessing - Ira B. Wilson
Monday, August 21, 2006
The Privilege of Prayer
Prayer meetings are not usually the more well-attended functions at churches. I'm sure there are many reasons for that. Maybe it's the constant repetition of the same, "Lord, bless Charles" kind of prayers that are often the staple of such meetings. Maybe the reason people stay away is unbelief - "What good will it do, anyway?" Then, too, it may be the low view of God that grips even many Believers with a kind of evangelical deism - "God lives in His Heaven and left me to take care of myself on this earth."- that leads to a rather perfunctory prayer life.
Last night in our church we had a prayer meeting! About 75 people came together with expectant hearts, open minds, and a focus on the Majesty of the Lord. We worshipped - fervently, not foolishly. We didn't pray the same tired prayers of holy resignation. We boldly asked God to give us a breakout church, to equip those who minister with the power of the Spirit, to use us a spark that would ignite a fire in this region and to our world. And the Presence of God met us in a sweet way. We loved Him and He loved us in return. I left the church house wonderfully encouraged!
Believer, do you hold prayer meetings in your life?
Do you, from time to time, go beyond the meal time prayers, beyond the quick - "Jesus help me" emergency prayers, to spend time with God?
This privilege is neglected by so many. What a tragic loss. If you're not praying, let me encourage you to begin. Don't be afraid that you won't do it right. Prayer is intensely personal. There is no right way. I often pray lying flat on my face. Is that for everyone? Of course not, but for me it is a physical way to express my humility before the Lord. I seldom speak above a murmur in my private prayers, even when alone. Is that the only way to express prayer? No. Some pray loudly with tears. God is not nervous, so I'm sure the volume does not bother him. Of course, He's not deaf either! Sometimes I just sit quietly for 15 minutes, wordlessly presenting myself to God. Other times I sing. My point is that you can pray in a way that suits your situation and your personality. God loves to hear from you. Maybe your best prayers will be on your fishing boat, when you're far from shore - alone with your thoughts and your God. Maybe your best prayers will be in your car, or in the woods as you hike, or in your bedroom, behind a closed door.
We simply need to pray. The simple directive of the Scripture is "pray without ceasing!" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV) Do not be frustrated by 'unanswered' prayers. Truth is that as you pray, you will learn to pray better, more in line with the mind of the God. You will learn to agree with Him, to sense His will, to walk closer to Him through daily life. The Word tells us to "Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way." (James 1:6-7, The Message) No, that passage is not teaching us to be presumptive, brats in the family of God who demand our own way, who throw tantrums in our prayers in a silly attempt to get an answer. It tells us that we can pray confident prayers based on the Father's love for us, on His desire to work in our lives. Then, as His children, we trust Him when the answer is "no," as much as we love Him when the answer is "Yes."
In our prayer meeting last night, this song was sung - beautifully, movingly. Meditate on it today.
Welcomed in to the courts of the King,
I’ve been ushered into Your presence.
Lord, I stand on Your merciful ground,
Yet with every step tread with reverence.
Chorus:
And I'll fall face down,
As Your glory shines around!
Yes, I'll fall face down,
As Your glory shines around!
Who is there in the heavens like You,
And upon the earth, who's Your equal?
You are far above, Your the highest of highs,
We are bowing down to exalt You!
Bridge:
So, let Your glory shine around;
Let Your glory shine around;
King of glory here be found, King of glory!
Face Down
Words and Music by, Matt Redman © 2004 Thankyou Music CCLI# 2646749
Amen.
Last night in our church we had a prayer meeting! About 75 people came together with expectant hearts, open minds, and a focus on the Majesty of the Lord. We worshipped - fervently, not foolishly. We didn't pray the same tired prayers of holy resignation. We boldly asked God to give us a breakout church, to equip those who minister with the power of the Spirit, to use us a spark that would ignite a fire in this region and to our world. And the Presence of God met us in a sweet way. We loved Him and He loved us in return. I left the church house wonderfully encouraged!
Believer, do you hold prayer meetings in your life?
Do you, from time to time, go beyond the meal time prayers, beyond the quick - "Jesus help me" emergency prayers, to spend time with God?
This privilege is neglected by so many. What a tragic loss. If you're not praying, let me encourage you to begin. Don't be afraid that you won't do it right. Prayer is intensely personal. There is no right way. I often pray lying flat on my face. Is that for everyone? Of course not, but for me it is a physical way to express my humility before the Lord. I seldom speak above a murmur in my private prayers, even when alone. Is that the only way to express prayer? No. Some pray loudly with tears. God is not nervous, so I'm sure the volume does not bother him. Of course, He's not deaf either! Sometimes I just sit quietly for 15 minutes, wordlessly presenting myself to God. Other times I sing. My point is that you can pray in a way that suits your situation and your personality. God loves to hear from you. Maybe your best prayers will be on your fishing boat, when you're far from shore - alone with your thoughts and your God. Maybe your best prayers will be in your car, or in the woods as you hike, or in your bedroom, behind a closed door.
We simply need to pray. The simple directive of the Scripture is "pray without ceasing!" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV) Do not be frustrated by 'unanswered' prayers. Truth is that as you pray, you will learn to pray better, more in line with the mind of the God. You will learn to agree with Him, to sense His will, to walk closer to Him through daily life. The Word tells us to "Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way." (James 1:6-7, The Message) No, that passage is not teaching us to be presumptive, brats in the family of God who demand our own way, who throw tantrums in our prayers in a silly attempt to get an answer. It tells us that we can pray confident prayers based on the Father's love for us, on His desire to work in our lives. Then, as His children, we trust Him when the answer is "no," as much as we love Him when the answer is "Yes."
In our prayer meeting last night, this song was sung - beautifully, movingly. Meditate on it today.
Welcomed in to the courts of the King,
I’ve been ushered into Your presence.
Lord, I stand on Your merciful ground,
Yet with every step tread with reverence.
Chorus:
And I'll fall face down,
As Your glory shines around!
Yes, I'll fall face down,
As Your glory shines around!
Who is there in the heavens like You,
And upon the earth, who's Your equal?
You are far above, Your the highest of highs,
We are bowing down to exalt You!
Bridge:
So, let Your glory shine around;
Let Your glory shine around;
King of glory here be found, King of glory!
Face Down
Words and Music by, Matt Redman © 2004 Thankyou Music CCLI# 2646749
Amen.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Selling maps?
Today's TFTD is not my original work! Thank you to Eddie Hilburn for this article which was published in REV., Sept/Oct. '06 issue.
Selling Maps?
I was driving around in an unfamiliar city looking for a local coffee shop where I was going to meet a friend. I was lost! Being a 21st century man, I stopped to askd for directions at a convenience store. I explained my predicament to the man behind the counter and asked if he could help, but he told me he had no idea where I was trying to go. He loaned me a phonebook to look up the address and sold me a map while I mumbled in despair. A customer spoke up, "I overheard that conversation and I can help you. I know exactly where that coffee shop is. I'm going right by there. Come with me." I thanked him and followed him out of the store. My kind guide told me that we would go through a few traffic lights, make a couple of turns, then I'd easily spot the shop. I got into my car and stayed attached to the bumper of my new best friend's car until the coffee shop appeared.
Later I reflected on my experience with two people who had helped me find my way and I wondered about the ways that I help others. Am I just selling maps to places I've never been, or am I accompanying people on a transformational journey?
I intend to lead people to follow Jesus. I tell them that it is possible to find a life full of grace, and to want God more and more. In this life, we leave behind sinful and destructive behaviors- not just because we should, but because that is the natural result of being with God. That's what I tell people. But do I tell people this because it is just the right thing to say, or because that is my personal experience? I have no illusions that I am or ever will be a model of perfection. That's not even the issue. The issue is my own personal transformation. I am telling people they can be transformed more and more into Christ-likeness, but how deeply am I committed to the process? - Eddie Hilburn, Pastor - First Baptist Church, Kilgore, TX
_____________________________________
Christianity is not a process to be sold, nor is this life captured in formulas like 3 Easy Steps to Christlikeness. It's a life journey. Jesus never intended for you and me to work it out alone, nor is the best way to become all that God wants you and me to be discovered in solitary study. It is a communal thing! It is one friend walking with another friend, not merely telling, but showing. Every Christian should be in relationships where someone is leading him and in which he is leading another. When Jesus invited some men to become His disciples, He said - "Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!" (Mark 1:17, NLT) He wasn't inviting them into an exclusive club. He was showing them how to live, so they, in turn, could show others. Paul says it like this - "And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s." (1 Corinthians 11:1, NLT)
That kind of involvement requires an authenticity of character, that is only found in truly knowing Christ, not in religious practices confined to a few hours each week. If we are not really forgiven and going through spiritual transformation, we cannot speak genuinely about change. If we have hidden sins that we have not carried to the Cross, we will never, ever be transparent to others, which is a foundational requirement for a shared journey of close friends in faith!
Many of us are simply selling maps instead of taking trips together. Are you following someone in a pilgrimage to Heaven, inviting others along the way to join the journey- or are you just talking about place that others have described to you?
O may all who come behind us
Selling Maps?
I was driving around in an unfamiliar city looking for a local coffee shop where I was going to meet a friend. I was lost! Being a 21st century man, I stopped to askd for directions at a convenience store. I explained my predicament to the man behind the counter and asked if he could help, but he told me he had no idea where I was trying to go. He loaned me a phonebook to look up the address and sold me a map while I mumbled in despair. A customer spoke up, "I overheard that conversation and I can help you. I know exactly where that coffee shop is. I'm going right by there. Come with me." I thanked him and followed him out of the store. My kind guide told me that we would go through a few traffic lights, make a couple of turns, then I'd easily spot the shop. I got into my car and stayed attached to the bumper of my new best friend's car until the coffee shop appeared.
Later I reflected on my experience with two people who had helped me find my way and I wondered about the ways that I help others. Am I just selling maps to places I've never been, or am I accompanying people on a transformational journey?
I intend to lead people to follow Jesus. I tell them that it is possible to find a life full of grace, and to want God more and more. In this life, we leave behind sinful and destructive behaviors- not just because we should, but because that is the natural result of being with God. That's what I tell people. But do I tell people this because it is just the right thing to say, or because that is my personal experience? I have no illusions that I am or ever will be a model of perfection. That's not even the issue. The issue is my own personal transformation. I am telling people they can be transformed more and more into Christ-likeness, but how deeply am I committed to the process? - Eddie Hilburn, Pastor - First Baptist Church, Kilgore, TX
_____________________________________
Christianity is not a process to be sold, nor is this life captured in formulas like 3 Easy Steps to Christlikeness. It's a life journey. Jesus never intended for you and me to work it out alone, nor is the best way to become all that God wants you and me to be discovered in solitary study. It is a communal thing! It is one friend walking with another friend, not merely telling, but showing. Every Christian should be in relationships where someone is leading him and in which he is leading another. When Jesus invited some men to become His disciples, He said - "Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!" (Mark 1:17, NLT) He wasn't inviting them into an exclusive club. He was showing them how to live, so they, in turn, could show others. Paul says it like this - "And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s." (1 Corinthians 11:1, NLT)
That kind of involvement requires an authenticity of character, that is only found in truly knowing Christ, not in religious practices confined to a few hours each week. If we are not really forgiven and going through spiritual transformation, we cannot speak genuinely about change. If we have hidden sins that we have not carried to the Cross, we will never, ever be transparent to others, which is a foundational requirement for a shared journey of close friends in faith!
Many of us are simply selling maps instead of taking trips together. Are you following someone in a pilgrimage to Heaven, inviting others along the way to join the journey- or are you just talking about place that others have described to you?
O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion
Light their way.
May the footprints that we leave,
Lead them to believe,
And the lives we live
Inspire them to obey.
O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful.
We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road,
And those who've gone before us
Line the way.
Cheering on the faithful,
Encouraging the weary,
Their lives a stirring testament
To God's sustaining grace.
Surrounded by so great
A cloud of witnesses,
Let us run the race
Not only for the prize,
But as those who've gone before us.
Let us leave to those behind us,
The heritage of faithfulness
Passed on thru godly lives.
O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful.
© 1987 Jonathan Mark Music ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management / Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Let God love you!
Is there a place of recurring pain in your life? No, I'm not just thinking about physical pain, like a headache. Has something turned out wrong, a relationship gone bad, your dreams been smashed? Philip Yancey wrote about the ache of the soul that leads some of to experience disappointment with God! It happens when God doesn't do what we think He ought to do. It happens when our Father allows us to suffer when we expected that He would rescue us. And all Believers find that though God assures us that He loves us and wants to be close to us, there are times when He seems to hide - His presence elusive. In those seasons, there is heartache that is indescribably painful. The choices that we make when we in such emotional and/or spiritual agony are important.
We must not allow our pain to embitter us or to cause us to turn from the very sources of healing that would strengthen us. A dog in pain will often bite the person who is trying to relieve its suffering. People in pain frequently lash out at the people who can offer them support and perhaps even healing, too! You would think a person would be smarter than a dog, wouldn't you? Think of the times when your spouse attempted to soothe you in a difficult time and you rebuffed her kindness. Perhaps you can remember when you were in the turbulent teen years and you screamed at your parents - "Get out of my face!" and all they were trying to do was to understand your struggles and uncertainty. In my ministry, it sometimes happens that people whose lives are filled with disappointment or pain, who are angry at the Lord or confused by His will, decide to use the Pastor as their punching bag!
Turning against God Himself is the saddest choice we can make in those times. Go ahead and mourn! Stuffing those feelings away, pretending that life is fine by pasting a happy smile on your face is not the answer.
But, please, cultivate humility as well. Pride will fuse with your pain if you allow it. Pride and pain will feed your ego and build an incredible selfishness. You'll become a slave to thoughts like:
"How could they do this to me?"
"No one cares about me."
"Everyone is against me."
"No one else I know has ever, ever had to endure this much pain."
That kind of pre-occupation with 'me, myself, and I' leads to bitterness and rejection of the sources of support and healing. Elijah, the prophet who did so many miracles by God's power, experienced a time when his expectations were missed. He fell into self-pity and prayed this woeful prayer - “I've had enough, Lord... take my life. ... I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (1 Kings 19:10, NIV) His pain blinded him to God's past faithfulness and to the fact that there were thousands of people in Israel who still loved God!
We need to work hard to break down that self focus. Yes, we must acknowledge the reality of our heartache. But, we need to work to understand that we're not the only one who has ever been disappointed, alone, or afraid. Be humble enough to realize that the world doesn't revolve around you, that you're a part of world that is torn up by suffering produced by Satan and sin.
Offer up a sacrifice of worship and praise. God called Elijah out of the cave of his depressive thoughts and asked him to consider the goodness of the Lord! Offering up worshipful praise doesn't mean that you find the happiest song in the hymnal and sing it insincerely! Worship from the deep places of your heart. Ponder God's works in silent contemplation. Wait! Yes, wait, on God. He isn't captive to our mindset that demands instant gratification and/or solutions that are created in 29.5 minutes! God mourns with you. His heart was broken by sin and suffering too when He hung on the Cross of Calvary carrying the sorrow of this broken world. Now, let Him love you. Confess the truth of the Word which declares - The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 NIV)
Isaiah 57:13-15 NLT "....whoever trusts in me will possess the land and inherit my holy mountain. I will say, ‘Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.’ The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: 'I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.' "
We must not allow our pain to embitter us or to cause us to turn from the very sources of healing that would strengthen us. A dog in pain will often bite the person who is trying to relieve its suffering. People in pain frequently lash out at the people who can offer them support and perhaps even healing, too! You would think a person would be smarter than a dog, wouldn't you? Think of the times when your spouse attempted to soothe you in a difficult time and you rebuffed her kindness. Perhaps you can remember when you were in the turbulent teen years and you screamed at your parents - "Get out of my face!" and all they were trying to do was to understand your struggles and uncertainty. In my ministry, it sometimes happens that people whose lives are filled with disappointment or pain, who are angry at the Lord or confused by His will, decide to use the Pastor as their punching bag!
Turning against God Himself is the saddest choice we can make in those times. Go ahead and mourn! Stuffing those feelings away, pretending that life is fine by pasting a happy smile on your face is not the answer.
But, please, cultivate humility as well. Pride will fuse with your pain if you allow it. Pride and pain will feed your ego and build an incredible selfishness. You'll become a slave to thoughts like:
"How could they do this to me?"
"No one cares about me."
"Everyone is against me."
"No one else I know has ever, ever had to endure this much pain."
That kind of pre-occupation with 'me, myself, and I' leads to bitterness and rejection of the sources of support and healing. Elijah, the prophet who did so many miracles by God's power, experienced a time when his expectations were missed. He fell into self-pity and prayed this woeful prayer - “I've had enough, Lord... take my life. ... I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (1 Kings 19:10, NIV) His pain blinded him to God's past faithfulness and to the fact that there were thousands of people in Israel who still loved God!
We need to work hard to break down that self focus. Yes, we must acknowledge the reality of our heartache. But, we need to work to understand that we're not the only one who has ever been disappointed, alone, or afraid. Be humble enough to realize that the world doesn't revolve around you, that you're a part of world that is torn up by suffering produced by Satan and sin.
Offer up a sacrifice of worship and praise. God called Elijah out of the cave of his depressive thoughts and asked him to consider the goodness of the Lord! Offering up worshipful praise doesn't mean that you find the happiest song in the hymnal and sing it insincerely! Worship from the deep places of your heart. Ponder God's works in silent contemplation. Wait! Yes, wait, on God. He isn't captive to our mindset that demands instant gratification and/or solutions that are created in 29.5 minutes! God mourns with you. His heart was broken by sin and suffering too when He hung on the Cross of Calvary carrying the sorrow of this broken world. Now, let Him love you. Confess the truth of the Word which declares - The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 NIV)
Isaiah 57:13-15 NLT "....whoever trusts in me will possess the land and inherit my holy mountain. I will say, ‘Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.’ The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: 'I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.' "
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Joyful compliance?
My grandson, age 4, has developed a real streak of independence. "I don't want to" and "Why?" are common responses to just about any directive he is given. Of course, since he is just four, gaining his compliance is not that difficult. But his obedience is grudgingly given - a fact that makes life more difficult for him and for his Dad. As he goes to pick up his toys, it is with tears and shoulders slumped in sadness. A small task becomes an issue, a confrontation develops. I just glad his Dad is willing to follow through, because the training and discipline will prove invaluable in years to come. But, if the little boy just did what was asked, the job would be finished in moments, and everyone would be happy. He hasn't the maturity to realize that, yet!
So, here's my point... Gavin isn't alone in his arguing and complaining against the authorities that exist in his life! Watching him, I realized that I often interact in the same way with my Heavenly Father. When God presents me with His will, I am prone to question, to delay, to resist. The Word speaks to that very issue with this piercing directive: -continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:12-15, NIV)
We naturally resist direction, rebel against God - until we are transformed by the Spirit. Part of the new spiritual nature is a desire to do what God wants us to do. Yet, the internal fight rages on, some days more intensely than others. God says, "Love that person!" We want to comply, but some part of our old nature says, "I don't want to!" God says, "Trust me with that situation and let Me work it out for you." A part of us believes that and wants to hand it over to Him, but another part of us says, "NO! I'll work it out my way! I know what I want." When we are dragging our feet, resisting Him, arguing with Him, or even complaining to anyone who will listen about how hard life is, we lose the joy that God's obedient children experience.
Know this, too. Complaining creates dangerous openings to other temptations. While we are griping about God's will, we are more prone to deception by offers that appeal to our desires. Read through the stories of the Israelite journey from Egypt to the Promised Land which is a grand illustration of the Christian journey from sin to salvation. When did Israel fall into sin? When they started to complain about some situation. The longer they complained, the more deceived they became. Eventually, God would declare it was enough, lay His hand of correction on them, and bring them back into compliance with His will. But, the correction was always costly and painful!
The passage above references another blessing for those who quickly comply with God's will - they become pure, sparkling examples of godliness! When we cooperate with the Spirit's work in us, He produces a stellar quality of character that others admire because our lives stand in such contrast to the world. Just as an obedient son is a credit to his parents, so if we, as God's children, are obedient, we become a credit to Him as our Father.
What are you arguing about today?
Is there some part of God's plan for your life that you are resisting?
Don't make Him lay His hand on you. Instead, comply and with joy.
Here's a word from the Word to think on --
"While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." (Hebrews 12:10-11, The Message)
So, here's my point... Gavin isn't alone in his arguing and complaining against the authorities that exist in his life! Watching him, I realized that I often interact in the same way with my Heavenly Father. When God presents me with His will, I am prone to question, to delay, to resist. The Word speaks to that very issue with this piercing directive: -continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:12-15, NIV)
We naturally resist direction, rebel against God - until we are transformed by the Spirit. Part of the new spiritual nature is a desire to do what God wants us to do. Yet, the internal fight rages on, some days more intensely than others. God says, "Love that person!" We want to comply, but some part of our old nature says, "I don't want to!" God says, "Trust me with that situation and let Me work it out for you." A part of us believes that and wants to hand it over to Him, but another part of us says, "NO! I'll work it out my way! I know what I want." When we are dragging our feet, resisting Him, arguing with Him, or even complaining to anyone who will listen about how hard life is, we lose the joy that God's obedient children experience.
Know this, too. Complaining creates dangerous openings to other temptations. While we are griping about God's will, we are more prone to deception by offers that appeal to our desires. Read through the stories of the Israelite journey from Egypt to the Promised Land which is a grand illustration of the Christian journey from sin to salvation. When did Israel fall into sin? When they started to complain about some situation. The longer they complained, the more deceived they became. Eventually, God would declare it was enough, lay His hand of correction on them, and bring them back into compliance with His will. But, the correction was always costly and painful!
The passage above references another blessing for those who quickly comply with God's will - they become pure, sparkling examples of godliness! When we cooperate with the Spirit's work in us, He produces a stellar quality of character that others admire because our lives stand in such contrast to the world. Just as an obedient son is a credit to his parents, so if we, as God's children, are obedient, we become a credit to Him as our Father.
What are you arguing about today?
Is there some part of God's plan for your life that you are resisting?
Don't make Him lay His hand on you. Instead, comply and with joy.
Here's a word from the Word to think on --
"While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." (Hebrews 12:10-11, The Message)
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Praying the Word
The conversations in our home are quite ordinary most of the time.
"Hey, are you going to take out the garbage this morning?"
"Did the mail arrive yet today?"
"When will you be home from work?"
Not exactly scintillating sharing, but quite necessary communication, isn't it? But then there are times when our conversation moves into the deep discussions about our dreams and disappointments, or there are those the tender words of affection, or the playful words of love that sparkle and dance! Perhaps you think me a fool, but occasionally I buy the 'words' of another - printed on a card - to express my love to my wife, too.
So, why I am writing about this in TFTD? Because, since the Scripture teaches that the Believer's relationship with God is modeled on marriage; He being our husband, and Believers being the Bride, we can learn about our relationship with Him by observing the interactions of marriage. Prayer is the daily conversation with our God! Our prayers are often about the mundane stuff of living, aren't they? And that is as it should be. The Bible tells us to 'pray about everything!' We should pray about our budgets, about the concerns of the day, carrying on a conversation with God about the stuff of living. But, we miss out if we do not include worshipful words, thoughtful words, words of wonder, pauses full of awe, interludes of stirred emotions in our prayers - at least every now and then!
One way that we can move our prayers beyond the "Lord, bless the kids, my wife..." ordinariness is to borrow the words of the Scripture. There are some amazing prayers recorded in the Word that touch on our deepest needs, our most intimate longings, that give us ways of expressing our love to Jesus Christ that are incredibly beautiful. This morning, in my own prayers, my heart was troubled by a pressing, sorrowful need. I simply could not find words to express the depth of my longing for His comfort. Yes, there is the language of the Spirit, and I pray in the Spirit on a daily basis, but I wanted to talk with the Lord from my mind. So, I opened to the 119th Psalm and used the words there to express my longings and my love to the Lord.
The beauty of those worshipful words touched a deep place in my life.
Read the words of 'my' borrowed prayer.
Psalm 119:81-90 (NIV)
My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees.
How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law.
All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.
Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
Now, that's not just ordinary conversation, is it? Nor is it simply poetry to stir the emotions!Those words fill us with hope, call on the Lord to meet our need, and build our faith.
By the way, did you see that phrase "I am like a wineskin in the smoke."? No, I didn't know what it meant either!That made me think about what I was praying and I went my study resources. There I found that the writer was speaking about a the dried up, wrinkly appearance of wineskin left too close to the fire!Expressive, isn't it? Who among us, at one time or another, hasn't felt like our soul is shriveled, dried up by the fires of life? But the Psalmist expresses determination to remain faithful to his God even when his soul is dry. Then, so honestly he pleads, "How long must I wait?" Oh, that's rich stuff. That's great praying!
In your times of prayer, use the Word from time to time. Take the inspired Words and let them shape your thoughts, express your heart, and deepen your conversation with God.
"Hey, are you going to take out the garbage this morning?"
"Did the mail arrive yet today?"
"When will you be home from work?"
Not exactly scintillating sharing, but quite necessary communication, isn't it? But then there are times when our conversation moves into the deep discussions about our dreams and disappointments, or there are those the tender words of affection, or the playful words of love that sparkle and dance! Perhaps you think me a fool, but occasionally I buy the 'words' of another - printed on a card - to express my love to my wife, too.
So, why I am writing about this in TFTD? Because, since the Scripture teaches that the Believer's relationship with God is modeled on marriage; He being our husband, and Believers being the Bride, we can learn about our relationship with Him by observing the interactions of marriage. Prayer is the daily conversation with our God! Our prayers are often about the mundane stuff of living, aren't they? And that is as it should be. The Bible tells us to 'pray about everything!' We should pray about our budgets, about the concerns of the day, carrying on a conversation with God about the stuff of living. But, we miss out if we do not include worshipful words, thoughtful words, words of wonder, pauses full of awe, interludes of stirred emotions in our prayers - at least every now and then!
One way that we can move our prayers beyond the "Lord, bless the kids, my wife..." ordinariness is to borrow the words of the Scripture. There are some amazing prayers recorded in the Word that touch on our deepest needs, our most intimate longings, that give us ways of expressing our love to Jesus Christ that are incredibly beautiful. This morning, in my own prayers, my heart was troubled by a pressing, sorrowful need. I simply could not find words to express the depth of my longing for His comfort. Yes, there is the language of the Spirit, and I pray in the Spirit on a daily basis, but I wanted to talk with the Lord from my mind. So, I opened to the 119th Psalm and used the words there to express my longings and my love to the Lord.
The beauty of those worshipful words touched a deep place in my life.
Read the words of 'my' borrowed prayer.
Psalm 119:81-90 (NIV)
My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees.
How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law.
All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.
Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
Now, that's not just ordinary conversation, is it? Nor is it simply poetry to stir the emotions!Those words fill us with hope, call on the Lord to meet our need, and build our faith.
By the way, did you see that phrase "I am like a wineskin in the smoke."? No, I didn't know what it meant either!That made me think about what I was praying and I went my study resources. There I found that the writer was speaking about a the dried up, wrinkly appearance of wineskin left too close to the fire!Expressive, isn't it? Who among us, at one time or another, hasn't felt like our soul is shriveled, dried up by the fires of life? But the Psalmist expresses determination to remain faithful to his God even when his soul is dry. Then, so honestly he pleads, "How long must I wait?" Oh, that's rich stuff. That's great praying!
In your times of prayer, use the Word from time to time. Take the inspired Words and let them shape your thoughts, express your heart, and deepen your conversation with God.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Living blissfully?
Bliss, do you know what it is? The dictionary says it is a state of great joy! The opposite state would be anxiety. Now, given the choice, would you rather be anxious or blissful? The answer is obvious; but, desire does not translate into experience for most people. Anxiety is one of America's most common ailments. Millions of prescriptions for medications that help us to deal with our anxiety are written every month. Many needs medical sleep aids that let them turn off the anxious thoughts so they can rest.
Some reasons for our epidemic of anxiety are plainly seen. Our window on the world lets us see threats from all over the globe and we realize that we live in a dangerous world. Then, too, there are the multiple choices that confront us. Yes, believe it or not, the array of options in everything from where we live, to what we eat, creates a residual of anxiety in many of us as we wonder, "Did I choose the best thing?" Our increasing scientific knowledge is a double-edged sword that let's us create better lives on one hand, and makes us more aware of the potentials for harm on the other! A baby is unaware of the millions of microbes lurking unseen on the floor and happily crawls around eating whatever he finds! No knowledgeable adult would do that.
The Scripture speaks to our anxiety- - "Do not be anxious about anything..."! Ouch! That sounds like a challenge to me. How about you? Written as a command, it cannot be ignored. Believer, we must deal with anxiety differently from those who do not know our God. Even that sounds like a reason to be anxious. What if I can't turn off the worries? What if it seems like I can't obey God's command to live blissfully? Did I sin when I spent a couple of hours in the middle of last night wrestling with the challenges of my world?
Let's read on - "but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV) The truth is that bliss is not an external state. It is an internal quality, a gift from God for us when we accept the resources that He, the Almighty, makes available. "Tell Me about it," He says. "Lay the things that steal your peace of mind on Me." Let's not mis-read that. God doesn't direct us to tune out, drop out, or escape to some remote place away from life in the pursuit of bliss. He doesn't promise us that we will enjoy lives without challenges, either. The bliss of the Believer is rooted in Who he knows, not in where he lives or what going on in his world!
The quality of our intimacy with God, a sound grasp of Who the Lord is, is a key to living without fear, to being a person at peace in a troubled world. If our religion is a just Sunday morning experience, we will know little peace. If we live like a pagan, pursuing a life that ignores God, that seeks security in wealth or power, we cannot know God's promised peace. If we are double-minded, speaking Scripture truth with our mouth but living with a mind shaped by the values of the world and a heart that is in love with the world; bliss will remain an illusive mirage on the horizon.
Believer, it is the will of God that we learn to live peacefully. A primary evidence of the Spirit's life in us will be our peace in the middle of the storms. If we are connected to Christ, experiencing the daily flow of the Spirit's Presence, bliss will result. The Presence of God will let us live differently from those around us who are running around seeking some way to alleviate the stress. If we are held in the Hand of the One who is the Eternal God when our world is severely shaken and we will remain solid as a rock in our faith; capable of engaging with the needs and troubles of the world of which we are a part without loosing our bliss.
Here's a word from the Word. As you read it, breathe a prayer of thanksgiving. Reach out to the Lord of life and receive peace for your day.
Jesus says - "“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
_________________________________________
When peace, like a river,
attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul”
Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul!
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
O my soul!
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul!
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound,and the
Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Horatio Spafford - Public Domain
Some reasons for our epidemic of anxiety are plainly seen. Our window on the world lets us see threats from all over the globe and we realize that we live in a dangerous world. Then, too, there are the multiple choices that confront us. Yes, believe it or not, the array of options in everything from where we live, to what we eat, creates a residual of anxiety in many of us as we wonder, "Did I choose the best thing?" Our increasing scientific knowledge is a double-edged sword that let's us create better lives on one hand, and makes us more aware of the potentials for harm on the other! A baby is unaware of the millions of microbes lurking unseen on the floor and happily crawls around eating whatever he finds! No knowledgeable adult would do that.
The Scripture speaks to our anxiety- - "Do not be anxious about anything..."! Ouch! That sounds like a challenge to me. How about you? Written as a command, it cannot be ignored. Believer, we must deal with anxiety differently from those who do not know our God. Even that sounds like a reason to be anxious. What if I can't turn off the worries? What if it seems like I can't obey God's command to live blissfully? Did I sin when I spent a couple of hours in the middle of last night wrestling with the challenges of my world?
Let's read on - "but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV) The truth is that bliss is not an external state. It is an internal quality, a gift from God for us when we accept the resources that He, the Almighty, makes available. "Tell Me about it," He says. "Lay the things that steal your peace of mind on Me." Let's not mis-read that. God doesn't direct us to tune out, drop out, or escape to some remote place away from life in the pursuit of bliss. He doesn't promise us that we will enjoy lives without challenges, either. The bliss of the Believer is rooted in Who he knows, not in where he lives or what going on in his world!
The quality of our intimacy with God, a sound grasp of Who the Lord is, is a key to living without fear, to being a person at peace in a troubled world. If our religion is a just Sunday morning experience, we will know little peace. If we live like a pagan, pursuing a life that ignores God, that seeks security in wealth or power, we cannot know God's promised peace. If we are double-minded, speaking Scripture truth with our mouth but living with a mind shaped by the values of the world and a heart that is in love with the world; bliss will remain an illusive mirage on the horizon.
Believer, it is the will of God that we learn to live peacefully. A primary evidence of the Spirit's life in us will be our peace in the middle of the storms. If we are connected to Christ, experiencing the daily flow of the Spirit's Presence, bliss will result. The Presence of God will let us live differently from those around us who are running around seeking some way to alleviate the stress. If we are held in the Hand of the One who is the Eternal God when our world is severely shaken and we will remain solid as a rock in our faith; capable of engaging with the needs and troubles of the world of which we are a part without loosing our bliss.
Here's a word from the Word. As you read it, breathe a prayer of thanksgiving. Reach out to the Lord of life and receive peace for your day.
Jesus says - "“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
_________________________________________
When peace, like a river,
attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul”
Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul!
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
O my soul!
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul!
And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound,and the
Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Horatio Spafford - Public Domain
Friday, August 04, 2006
A benefit of trust
One of the characteristics of our present society that I deeply despise is the tendency to make decisions, not based on what is right or even good, but on what limits liability! More than once when I've proposed some project to an organization, the response has not been around the good that potentially could be accomplished. The questions focus on "how does this expose us to liability?" Where once we trusted each other's intent to do the right things and accepted that living involves risks, many among us now see the accidents that happen as evidence of bad intentions and thus, as an opportunity for gain through lawsuits. By way of example, I am told that physicians are often pressured to practice medicine based on avoiding being sued for malpractice. Tests that are marginally valuable are ordered so that there can be no accusation of negligence. Treatments that might work are not used because, if they fail, there is a greater risk of liability. I smile as I report that even the church which I serve as Pastor carries a 'clergy malpractice' policy for me! Imagine being sued for being a bad spiritual leader... well, actually clergy malpractice usually involves clergy sin that leads to very bad things which I must not minimize.
A network of trust frees us to get on with life, to experiment with choices that involve greater risk, but which also maximizes our ability to achieve greater results. In an excellent book, The World is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman, I read this quote from Dov Seidman - "Norms and institutions that create predictability and confidence and trust... propel innovation. Without trust there is no risk-taking, and without risk-taking there is no innovation. . . if you want to get more people to take the necessary risk to innovate, just put more trust in the room. ... Having an abundance of trust is essential in the world of collaboration because the more that people trust each other, the more likely it is that they are going to work well together."
I have been thinking about that for days in terms of the Church. What might we accomplish in the cause of Christ if we trusted each other and encouraged each other to accept gifts of the Spirit, to experiment in the ways that we offer up service, to discover the best ways we can minister in His name, within the context of a loving, supportive Body that steadies and provides solid guidance? I see that trust as extending up and down the line of spiritual authority. As a Pastor I cannot fulfill my calling to teach and lead the people of God if they do not trust me. Of course, I must give those I lead reason to trust by exhibiting a deep love for God, a spiritual maturity, an unselfish heart, and constantly improving professional skills. But I also realize that I must trust those with whom I serve, looking for the best in their efforts, extending them a steadying hand even as I encourage them to take the risk of doing something new for God, thus widening the reach of the Kingdom! Maybe for you this is all just obvious stuff, but for me it is like a revelation!
Trust is not automatic and it is fragile! Most of us do not naturally trust, taught as we are both by experience and lesson, to question and to be skeptical. And all of us know how quickly trust can be broken by actions that are self-centered or words that are accusatory, based on perception and judgment. That is one reason that the command of Christ to love is so very important. Paul quotes Jesus reminding us - “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements. (Romans 13.10 NLT) When I think how the church would be transformed if all of us really took that command seriously, I am filled with excited anticipation.
Just imagine the possibilities created within a 'high trust' ministry where the first question asked is always - "how can we help that person feel secure in our love so that they can pursue the will and purpose of God fearlessly?"
Then, too, let me close by reminding you that God has secured you and me in His love! He wants to relieve us of fear so that we will not cower before Him, but work diligently for Him for the joy of accomplishing His plans and purposes in this world. He does not desire that we live defensively. Instead He wants us to go into our world boldly, risking failure, even as we serve Him with the gifts He's invested in us. Isn't that what Jesus says at the end of the parable of the talents when confronted with the one talent servant who buried the investment of the Master instead of putting it to good use? That servant came before the Master to give an accounting, but because he was fearful, having completely mis-understood the true nature of the Master, he had done nothing with the investment except to keep it safe. In case you think that was good enough for God, read on! In Matthew 25 (The Message) we read,
The servant said, "I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb."
Friend, God trusts you, loves you, and desires that you love and trust Him in return! That trust should provide a context for service that is joyful, fruitful, and that wins His approval with a "Well done, good and faithful servant."
___________________________
TFTD will return on Monday, August 14. Thanks for reading along!It is a joy to come into your life day by day.
A network of trust frees us to get on with life, to experiment with choices that involve greater risk, but which also maximizes our ability to achieve greater results. In an excellent book, The World is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman, I read this quote from Dov Seidman - "Norms and institutions that create predictability and confidence and trust... propel innovation. Without trust there is no risk-taking, and without risk-taking there is no innovation. . . if you want to get more people to take the necessary risk to innovate, just put more trust in the room. ... Having an abundance of trust is essential in the world of collaboration because the more that people trust each other, the more likely it is that they are going to work well together."
I have been thinking about that for days in terms of the Church. What might we accomplish in the cause of Christ if we trusted each other and encouraged each other to accept gifts of the Spirit, to experiment in the ways that we offer up service, to discover the best ways we can minister in His name, within the context of a loving, supportive Body that steadies and provides solid guidance? I see that trust as extending up and down the line of spiritual authority. As a Pastor I cannot fulfill my calling to teach and lead the people of God if they do not trust me. Of course, I must give those I lead reason to trust by exhibiting a deep love for God, a spiritual maturity, an unselfish heart, and constantly improving professional skills. But I also realize that I must trust those with whom I serve, looking for the best in their efforts, extending them a steadying hand even as I encourage them to take the risk of doing something new for God, thus widening the reach of the Kingdom! Maybe for you this is all just obvious stuff, but for me it is like a revelation!
Trust is not automatic and it is fragile! Most of us do not naturally trust, taught as we are both by experience and lesson, to question and to be skeptical. And all of us know how quickly trust can be broken by actions that are self-centered or words that are accusatory, based on perception and judgment. That is one reason that the command of Christ to love is so very important. Paul quotes Jesus reminding us - “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements. (Romans 13.10 NLT) When I think how the church would be transformed if all of us really took that command seriously, I am filled with excited anticipation.
Just imagine the possibilities created within a 'high trust' ministry where the first question asked is always - "how can we help that person feel secure in our love so that they can pursue the will and purpose of God fearlessly?"
Then, too, let me close by reminding you that God has secured you and me in His love! He wants to relieve us of fear so that we will not cower before Him, but work diligently for Him for the joy of accomplishing His plans and purposes in this world. He does not desire that we live defensively. Instead He wants us to go into our world boldly, risking failure, even as we serve Him with the gifts He's invested in us. Isn't that what Jesus says at the end of the parable of the talents when confronted with the one talent servant who buried the investment of the Master instead of putting it to good use? That servant came before the Master to give an accounting, but because he was fearful, having completely mis-understood the true nature of the Master, he had done nothing with the investment except to keep it safe. In case you think that was good enough for God, read on! In Matthew 25 (The Message) we read,
The servant said, "I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb."
Friend, God trusts you, loves you, and desires that you love and trust Him in return! That trust should provide a context for service that is joyful, fruitful, and that wins His approval with a "Well done, good and faithful servant."
___________________________
TFTD will return on Monday, August 14. Thanks for reading along!It is a joy to come into your life day by day.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Forgiveness, easier said than done!
On hearing the news of the woman's choice, anger surged through me like an ocean wave. "How could she do this? Whatever is she thinking?" were my more rational thoughts. On a parallel track in my mind played the words I had used to counsel a Believer that same day about choosing to forgive. I had urged that angry person to remember that forgiveness is as much a benefit to the forgiver as the forgiven, that forgiveness requires that we give up the need to be right, or vindicated, or even appreciated. Now I was faced with the challenge of practicing what I preach.
We can find hundreds of excuses to dodge the issue of forgiveness, can't we? "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?" Who hasn't said something like one of those comments at one time or another? And there is much merit in each of them, too. Apologies do pave the road of forgiveness. God cares about justice. Learning to accept responsibility for things we've said and done to harm others is a major part of maturity, but none of those statements gives you or me a pass on forgiveness.
Finding the way to forgiveness is a critically important discipline for the person who wants to live like Jesus. He does not give us much wiggle room on the subject. In the model prayer, one phrase is "forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. " (Matthew 6:12, NKJV) And then 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)
From God's forgiveness of those who sin against Him, we can learn much about how to forgive.
- Forgiveness begins with you and me, not the person who has offended us. God extends the offer of forgiveness to us at His own expense. He initiates the process. So must we! 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. When He forgives and we accept His forgiveness, there is a wonderful phrase that describes the extent of His forgiveness - "You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!" (Micah 7:19, NLT)
- 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.
- Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. God offers forgiveness, but for real reconciliation to occur, we must receive it appropriately with repentance. Finding peace with another person requires the involvement of both, but releasing them from indebtedness to us over an offense is a personal choice!
Are you feuding with someone, feeling offended by another's actions, dealing with anxiety over an unresolved dispute?
Dear friend, it's time to start to forgive. 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 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)
Jerry D. Scott, Pastor
Washington Assembly of God
http://www.WashingtonAG.com
We can find hundreds of excuses to dodge the issue of forgiveness, can't we? "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?" Who hasn't said something like one of those comments at one time or another? And there is much merit in each of them, too. Apologies do pave the road of forgiveness. God cares about justice. Learning to accept responsibility for things we've said and done to harm others is a major part of maturity, but none of those statements gives you or me a pass on forgiveness.
Finding the way to forgiveness is a critically important discipline for the person who wants to live like Jesus. He does not give us much wiggle room on the subject. In the model prayer, one phrase is "forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. " (Matthew 6:12, NKJV) And then 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)
From God's forgiveness of those who sin against Him, we can learn much about how to forgive.
- Forgiveness begins with you and me, not the person who has offended us. God extends the offer of forgiveness to us at His own expense. He initiates the process. So must we! 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. When He forgives and we accept His forgiveness, there is a wonderful phrase that describes the extent of His forgiveness - "You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!" (Micah 7:19, NLT)
- 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.
- Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. God offers forgiveness, but for real reconciliation to occur, we must receive it appropriately with repentance. Finding peace with another person requires the involvement of both, but releasing them from indebtedness to us over an offense is a personal choice!
Are you feuding with someone, feeling offended by another's actions, dealing with anxiety over an unresolved dispute?
Dear friend, it's time to start to forgive. 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 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)
Jerry D. Scott, Pastor
Washington Assembly of God
http://www.WashingtonAG.com
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
When we are in the wilderness
A long time ago, I settled my mind on the question of God's existence. All of Creation is one big argument that God is. From time to time I do have to deal with a different question and yesterday was one of those days. Does He care, is He present? Have I done something that caused me to wander from His side? Amazing, isn't it, that I can go from a wonderful time of intimate prayer, knowing the touch of the Hand of the Lord one day to wondering where He is the next? But, that is to be human. We react to our circumstances, are stressed by the suffering that is real, and cry out - "May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth!" sometimes more out of desperation than real faith.
The window into the war zones of the Middle East is a like a view of Hell for me. Realizing that men and women are dying, that their homes and property are being destroyed by hatred, leaves me too sad for words and sometimes wondering, "Why God, do you permit such things?"
Standing by the side of a suffering Christian who is in terrible pain despite our prayers causes me to feel a little like Job who prayed - “My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his throne and talk with him there." (Job 23:2-3, NLT)
Standing in a funeral home seeing the body of a brave woman who lived with ALS for three long years and feeling only a fraction of the grief her family must know, I grew angry - for a moment - with God. For a while, I felt alone, almost forsaken.
Matthew 4 helps me to understand the source of my questions. Jesus was led by the Spirit to a time of temptation in the wilderness. Matthew 4 reports - Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger..." (4:1-2, The Message) Who showed up next? Satan, with his various offers. It was Jesus' hunger that the devil exploited. In the middle of the battle for his soul, Jesus wanted food, comfort, and meaning.
You and I live in a 'wilderness' as long as we are on this earth! We are often engaged with challenges - spiritual and physical - that deplete our reserves and leave us hungry. Not just physically, either. We hunger for love. We hunger for meaning in our life. We hunger for peace and soul rest. We hunger for our Father's embrace after we have given our all in the battles of life. The Bible teaches us that the Enemy of our soul exploits that hunger. Note what Satan did when Jesus was near exhausted, depleted, and vulnerable. He lied - offering temporary satisfaction for the hunger that Jesus experienced.
"Make a stone into bread!
Throw yourself down and make God, your Father, show up to rescue you.
Worship me, just for a moment, and I'll give you recognition among men!"
Similarly, when we ache for comfort, when we want life to be easier to understand, he comes to offer us 'solutions' too.
Feeling emotionally empty? Throw an abusive tantrum and get some attention.
Need to be comforted? Overeat. Buy a new toy.
Want meaning? Pour yourself into getting power or gaining awards for your 'selfless' service.
Manipulate religion to make it serve your needs and desires.
Behind all of his suggestions is the great lie: "God doesn't care about you. If He did, He wouldn't allow you to be hungry! SO, it's time to take care of yourself."
Here's the faith challenge in such moments. It is the very love of God that allows us to feel hunger -- for that hunger should drive us to Him, to seek for Him! That is why Jesus replied to the devil with the Word Truth again and again. Jesus insists - "My need will be met by my Father!" And so should we! That does not mean that God will take away our hunger or fill us up in the way we always want Him to. If He did, we would not worship Him. Fatness, not leanness, is the greater test of the soul. And, we must never forget in it all - God is still Present! Jesus was in the wilderness by the will of His Father. God, our Father, calls us to contentment in Him, trusting in His promise even when our hunger diminishes our ability to sense Him there.
Contentment is something entirely different than being satisfied. John Eldredge writes, "Contentment is not freedom from desire (hunger), but freedom of desire. Being content is not pretending that everything is way we wish it to be; it is not acting as though we have no wishes. Rather, contentment is no longer being ruled by our desires."
Are you feeling an ache of spiritual hunger today? Has a trip through a wilderness left you worn out, wondering where God is, why He letting it happen?
I ache with you. But, don't let your human emotions or the Deceiver turn that hunger into an occasion for sin- either by trying to satisfy it with temporal things or by accusing your Father of leaving you orphaned.
Rather, let that hunger drive to a place of quiet before Him. And consider this:
"... if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently. And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:24-28, NLT)
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Traveling Stand-by
Sean, my son, is able to fly at reduced rates because his father-in-law is a pilot with a major air carrier. It's one of those nice perks, except for one thing; it's stand-by. That means he cannot make a confirmed reservation and can only get on a flight if there is a seat available at the last moment. Much of the time, that's not a problem. In peak travel seasons and on busy routes, it can be. Today, he had hoped to fly home, albeit on a circuitous route, but when he checked the flight status this morning, every flight was status 'red' meaning they were already oversold with the likelihood of getting on board near zero. Young as he is, stand-by flying is somewhat of an adventure. But it is not for me! When I go to the airport, I want to be assured of a seat on that plane.
I know a lot of people who think they're going to enjoy eternal life on a stand-by basis. They make no advance reservations, pay little attention to their spiritual life, they think they will appear at the gates of Glory and hope they will get in on a space available basis! What an awful way to think about eternity. The stakes are too high for 'hope so, could be' thinking. No wonder so many fear death with such intense dread. Death for me holds no terrors. Sure, I'm not exactly gleeful over the process of dying, but once the transit from earth to glory is made, I have no fear. Why? Because, I have a confirmed reservation, purchased by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, made available to me by His amazing grace. Like Paul, I can say, "I know in Whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I've entrusted to Him..."
The Word makes this promise to those who live in faith - "So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever." (Hebrews 9:11-12, NLT)
That is a wonderful phrase - "He secured our salvation forever!" You and I can enter into eternal life, right here, right now. We don't have to wait to die to see if there is room in the Father's house for us. We need not be anxious about our inevitable trip beyond the skies. He, at His own expense, purchased our salvation and gives us life, eternal and full! The ticket is issued, paid in full.
As I've just mentioned, salvation is not just about 'getting into Heaven.' Some mistakenly think that praying a prayer to receive Christ, a prayer affirming their hope in Him, is the whole thing wrapped up and done in one little package. Wrong! Being 'saved' is as much about how we live now as it is about going to Heaven. When Christ saves us from sin and the penalty of death and Hell, He gives us a high and holy calling to become Kingdom people, responsible for extending the reign of God here on earth. We are commissioned to 'go into all the world' and preach - both with words and actions - the goodness of God. Like Abraham of old, we realize that we are looking forward to a city not built with human hands, and we begin to live differently, focused on the values of Heaven, even as we live here on earth.
I want to be one of those Believers who brings a little bit of Heaven down to earth, don't you? I want people to sense the Presence of God in me, to catch a bit of the fragrance of Heaven when I pass by. And, as I walk in the Spirit, with a heart that is already at home in God's house, with a mind that is filled with the wisdom of Heaven, that will happen.
Here's a word from the Word for you today. Believe it and live!
"... because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. God’s purpose was that we who were the first to trust in Christ should praise our glorious God. And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God." (Ephesians 1:11-14, NLT)
Got your ticket? If not, confirm your reservation for Heaven today, right now.
I know a lot of people who think they're going to enjoy eternal life on a stand-by basis. They make no advance reservations, pay little attention to their spiritual life, they think they will appear at the gates of Glory and hope they will get in on a space available basis! What an awful way to think about eternity. The stakes are too high for 'hope so, could be' thinking. No wonder so many fear death with such intense dread. Death for me holds no terrors. Sure, I'm not exactly gleeful over the process of dying, but once the transit from earth to glory is made, I have no fear. Why? Because, I have a confirmed reservation, purchased by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, made available to me by His amazing grace. Like Paul, I can say, "I know in Whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I've entrusted to Him..."
The Word makes this promise to those who live in faith - "So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever." (Hebrews 9:11-12, NLT)
That is a wonderful phrase - "He secured our salvation forever!" You and I can enter into eternal life, right here, right now. We don't have to wait to die to see if there is room in the Father's house for us. We need not be anxious about our inevitable trip beyond the skies. He, at His own expense, purchased our salvation and gives us life, eternal and full! The ticket is issued, paid in full.
As I've just mentioned, salvation is not just about 'getting into Heaven.' Some mistakenly think that praying a prayer to receive Christ, a prayer affirming their hope in Him, is the whole thing wrapped up and done in one little package. Wrong! Being 'saved' is as much about how we live now as it is about going to Heaven. When Christ saves us from sin and the penalty of death and Hell, He gives us a high and holy calling to become Kingdom people, responsible for extending the reign of God here on earth. We are commissioned to 'go into all the world' and preach - both with words and actions - the goodness of God. Like Abraham of old, we realize that we are looking forward to a city not built with human hands, and we begin to live differently, focused on the values of Heaven, even as we live here on earth.
I want to be one of those Believers who brings a little bit of Heaven down to earth, don't you? I want people to sense the Presence of God in me, to catch a bit of the fragrance of Heaven when I pass by. And, as I walk in the Spirit, with a heart that is already at home in God's house, with a mind that is filled with the wisdom of Heaven, that will happen.
Here's a word from the Word for you today. Believe it and live!
"... because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. God’s purpose was that we who were the first to trust in Christ should praise our glorious God. And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God." (Ephesians 1:11-14, NLT)
Got your ticket? If not, confirm your reservation for Heaven today, right now.
Monday, July 31, 2006
A Present Help - My God!
In that little waiting room in the hospital, I sat with my head bowed. With a broken heart and troubled mind I went to prayer - at first not sure even how to pray. A beautiful young woman lay just steps away, holding onto life by a thin thread. "Oh God, Oh God, Oh God" - was all I could manage, at first; but then with the help of the Spirit, I began to thank Him for His beauty, His majesty, His greatness, the love He has shown to us. From that praise came a boldness to ask God to intervene. Nearly an hour slipped quickly by as I prayed in quiet murmuring of petition and silent ponderings of praise. That alcove became a sanctuary! I felt Him come close and touch us!
How do people face life alone, without God? I cannot answer that question, because I have been blessed all my life with the knowledge of His love for me. From the earliest days of my childhood, prayer and the Presence of the Lord have been part of my the world I live in. No, I am not always a perfect saint! I don't always live close to God, but I've always known He is there, sometimes even abusing His mercy and grace in my immaturity and ingratitude. Yet, He loves me. Don't read this paragraph as indicating that my life has been without disappointment, without moments of doubt or confusion, or even fear. Sometimes, for reasons I cannot know, it seems that God stands aside and I feel like I'm on my own. Sometimes He allows situations to develop for which I can find no purpose and I'm left with the stark option of faith! The truth is that I never walk alone. In the darkest situation, He is there.
David writes -
"You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
"You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." (Psalm 139:3-12, NIV)
Even the darkness will not be dark to You! What a wonderful assurance. The Father walks with us and sees the way - even in the dark. He knows our frail nature, our tendency to fall, and loves us anyway.
Do you live in His Presence?
Do you walk with Him?
Is your first inclination in times of joy and trouble to share it with your Friend, Jesus Christ?
If you answer those questions with a 'yes,' then you know what I'm writing about. If 'no,' then let me urge you to receive Him into your life today! Open your heart and mind to Him. Hand over your life to Him. Sell out - irrevocably! The transaction is one born in faith. It doesn't require a priest or preacher, just a hungry heart that says, "Jesus save me. Love me. Be my Lord!" Becoming a child of God does not mean that you will be exempt from the trials and tests of living. That's the nonsense of prosperity preachers imaginations. Those of us who walk with Him continue to live in a world where there is war, pain, suffering, and death. But, we never walk alone!
_____________________________
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
Friday, July 28, 2006
A God big enough to worship
When was the last time you felt awe - the sweaty palms and tightening gut that results when understanding fails and mystery remains? Most of us are quite uneasy with such a feeling. We do everything we can to destroy mystery, to define boundaries, and to find ourselves a place of comfort. In this we are not unlike the ancient Israelis who were camped around Mt. Sinai awaiting the Lord's direction. As the mountain quaked and smoked under His Mysterious Presence, they grew fearful. The Bible tells us - "Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”" (Exodus 20:18-19, NKJV) Later in the saga, when Moses went up the mountain again, after a few days they abandoned the Lord, preferring to make a lesser god - one less intimidating. In one of the more tragic episodes of the Exodus, Aaron capitulated to their demands and made them an idol, a golden calf. The result was amazing! "Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies." (Exodus 32:25, NIV)
Like those ancient Jews, many of us find ourselves discomfited by the God of the Scripture who defies definition and formulas. We read of His exploits and wonder what it means, asking - Who is He really? In response many of us unconsciously adopt images for Him to which we can relate and, in the process, lose the Majesty. God asks "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord. ‘Could you build a dwelling place for me?" (Acts 7:48-49, NLT) We must be willing to live with a God of wonder, One who is big enough to worship with our whole hearts.
When we diminish God, when we take away His majesty and make Him over as a tame god, awe disappears.
With the loss of awe comes a loss of moral restraint!
I believe that one of the reasons the Church is so full of sin in our time is that her theology is so impoverished. We sing "Jesus loves me, this I know..." and as precious as that truth is, it is not all there is to know. God, as seen in the face of Jesus Christ, is approachable and that is a treasure for those of us who follow Him. But, God is still the God of Sinai and the God of Whom the prophets thundered. He is the God that John met on the Isle of Patmos who revealed His sweeping plans for the triumph of His kingdom and the destruction of evil. Believer, we need to make a fast from all our pious chatter to ponder the ways of the Most High. In humility we need to admit that God is greater than our understanding and that He always will be! That is not a terrible thing at all. In fact, admitting that God does not live in our back pocket, that He is not exclusively the god of Christian evangelicals or the god of America, will go a long, long way to restoring our love for the world that He loves and serving Him in a way that is holy.
“I am the LORD your God, ... “You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." (Exodus 20:2-4, NIV)
______________________________________
"You are awesome in this place,
Mighty God.
You are awesome in this place,
Abba Father.
You are worthy of all praise,
to You our lives we raise.
You are awesome in this place,
Mighty God." Amen.
- Dave Billington
Like those ancient Jews, many of us find ourselves discomfited by the God of the Scripture who defies definition and formulas. We read of His exploits and wonder what it means, asking - Who is He really? In response many of us unconsciously adopt images for Him to which we can relate and, in the process, lose the Majesty. God asks "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you ever build me a temple as good as that?’ asks the Lord. ‘Could you build a dwelling place for me?" (Acts 7:48-49, NLT) We must be willing to live with a God of wonder, One who is big enough to worship with our whole hearts.
When we diminish God, when we take away His majesty and make Him over as a tame god, awe disappears.
With the loss of awe comes a loss of moral restraint!
I believe that one of the reasons the Church is so full of sin in our time is that her theology is so impoverished. We sing "Jesus loves me, this I know..." and as precious as that truth is, it is not all there is to know. God, as seen in the face of Jesus Christ, is approachable and that is a treasure for those of us who follow Him. But, God is still the God of Sinai and the God of Whom the prophets thundered. He is the God that John met on the Isle of Patmos who revealed His sweeping plans for the triumph of His kingdom and the destruction of evil. Believer, we need to make a fast from all our pious chatter to ponder the ways of the Most High. In humility we need to admit that God is greater than our understanding and that He always will be! That is not a terrible thing at all. In fact, admitting that God does not live in our back pocket, that He is not exclusively the god of Christian evangelicals or the god of America, will go a long, long way to restoring our love for the world that He loves and serving Him in a way that is holy.
“I am the LORD your God, ... “You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." (Exodus 20:2-4, NIV)
______________________________________
"You are awesome in this place,
Mighty God.
You are awesome in this place,
Abba Father.
You are worthy of all praise,
to You our lives we raise.
You are awesome in this place,
Mighty God." Amen.
- Dave Billington
Thursday, July 27, 2006
I am not God.
Aren't you glad I cleared that up? Many Americans have a religion that makes it seem as though they are god, with rituals and rules bent to favor their own needs, interests, and prejudice. The glorious statement in the opening chapter of the Bible that reveals God's Creative purposes, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;..." (Genesis 1:26, NKJV) is rewritten by many so that it reads, "Let us make gods in our image!" We can see the results of this trivialization of God all around us. Christianity 'lite' to which about 50-60% of Americans subscribe simply cannot bring about the transformation of character or restraint of self-serving impulses that are required for truly godly lives. Sermons that are little morality lessons wrapped in cute stories about kids don't bring about conviction of sin. Treating the Bible like a collection of Aesop's Fables won't make us godly people.
We need a new revelation of the Transcendent God, the One who stands above the world as the Creator of the Universe, and to Whom each of us will give an account of himself. A person who believes in the God of the Bible, who understands that God is not his peer but his Lord, views all of life through a different lens than the person who sees god only as the Cosmic Buddy, good for making him feel a little better in the tough moments like death. The person who sees God as Creator, as the One who gives divine law and expects those He has created to adhere to that law, begins to grasp that the world is sacramental - that is, it a place where everything reflects God's holiness and where all actions become means of giving Him glory.
Rod Dreher, author of an excellent little book called Crunchy Cons, (goofy name, great book) writes this - "to see the world sacramentally is to see material things, objects and human actions - as vessels containing or transmitting ideals. To live in a sacramental world is to live in a world pregnant with meaning, a world in which nothing can be taken for granted, and in which no one and nothing is without intrinsic worth. If we live sacramentally, then everything we do and everything we are reflects the things we value."
Believer, does pondering the truth about God make you shiver? It should!
Does the revelation that - "Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done." (Hebrews 4:13, NLT) - make you sit up and think about the casual ways in which you're living? It should!
And, once we have felt that fear which the Bible says is the beginning of wisdom, we are ready to be converted, truly saved. The Cross of Christ which provides atonement (complete forgiveness of our sins) makes little sense if God is an impotent being incapable or unwilling to call us to account. But, if we have felt the icy grip of holy terror, we will run to the Cross, embracing Christ Jesus the Savior, with something very much like desperation. Jesus Himself reminds us that "those who are forgiven much, love much!" What, does He mean some of us are more in need of salvation than others? I think not. He means that some of us see ourselves in the true Light of God and realize just how depraved we are, the depths from which we have been lifted- and that only by the grace of God. It is wonderful to say, "Jesus loves me" and it is true, too. But, apart from the revelation of the Majesty of God, the love of Jesus diminishes into a sappy kind of thing, a romantic notion without life transforming power.
Believer, let me urge you to think again about the God you serve.
Is your theology (that's not a dirty word!) sound? Do you know who God is, as He is revealed in the Holy Scripture?
If so, then a holy life will follow as you humble yourself before Him, inviting the Spirit to fill you up and to mold you into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
I remain firmly convinced that right living comes from right thinking; and, that right thinking begins only with the revealed Truth of God.
I am not God, nor are you. Of course, even that statement is ridiculous when written out.
But if your daily choices are examined, who would others determine is your God?
_____________________
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art;
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.
I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.
Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!
Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the heaven descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame. -- George Croly
We need a new revelation of the Transcendent God, the One who stands above the world as the Creator of the Universe, and to Whom each of us will give an account of himself. A person who believes in the God of the Bible, who understands that God is not his peer but his Lord, views all of life through a different lens than the person who sees god only as the Cosmic Buddy, good for making him feel a little better in the tough moments like death. The person who sees God as Creator, as the One who gives divine law and expects those He has created to adhere to that law, begins to grasp that the world is sacramental - that is, it a place where everything reflects God's holiness and where all actions become means of giving Him glory.
Rod Dreher, author of an excellent little book called Crunchy Cons, (goofy name, great book) writes this - "to see the world sacramentally is to see material things, objects and human actions - as vessels containing or transmitting ideals. To live in a sacramental world is to live in a world pregnant with meaning, a world in which nothing can be taken for granted, and in which no one and nothing is without intrinsic worth. If we live sacramentally, then everything we do and everything we are reflects the things we value."
Believer, does pondering the truth about God make you shiver? It should!
Does the revelation that - "Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done." (Hebrews 4:13, NLT) - make you sit up and think about the casual ways in which you're living? It should!
And, once we have felt that fear which the Bible says is the beginning of wisdom, we are ready to be converted, truly saved. The Cross of Christ which provides atonement (complete forgiveness of our sins) makes little sense if God is an impotent being incapable or unwilling to call us to account. But, if we have felt the icy grip of holy terror, we will run to the Cross, embracing Christ Jesus the Savior, with something very much like desperation. Jesus Himself reminds us that "those who are forgiven much, love much!" What, does He mean some of us are more in need of salvation than others? I think not. He means that some of us see ourselves in the true Light of God and realize just how depraved we are, the depths from which we have been lifted- and that only by the grace of God. It is wonderful to say, "Jesus loves me" and it is true, too. But, apart from the revelation of the Majesty of God, the love of Jesus diminishes into a sappy kind of thing, a romantic notion without life transforming power.
Believer, let me urge you to think again about the God you serve.
Is your theology (that's not a dirty word!) sound? Do you know who God is, as He is revealed in the Holy Scripture?
If so, then a holy life will follow as you humble yourself before Him, inviting the Spirit to fill you up and to mold you into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
I remain firmly convinced that right living comes from right thinking; and, that right thinking begins only with the revealed Truth of God.
I am not God, nor are you. Of course, even that statement is ridiculous when written out.
But if your daily choices are examined, who would others determine is your God?
_____________________
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art;
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.
I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.
Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!
Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the heaven descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame. -- George Croly
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Learning to be Less
"I'm learning to be less." Now there is one catchy slogan. Not! I don't see the Army selling itself by advertising that they'll teach you to submit to authority, to take orders without question during weeks of demanding basic training. How do they advertise? With an appeal to pride: "Be all that you can be ... in the Army." The Marines recruiting posters don't show pictures of sweating kids pushed to the limits of their endurance, mentally and physically. They play up the elite nature of the corp with this line: "the few, the proud, the Marines!"
Jesus is much more truthful about the cost of being in His service. “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." (Luke 9:23-24, NLT)
Whatever does He mean, "shoulder your cross?" His first listeners knew all too well. The cross was a slow painful means of execution used by the Romans to keep conquered peoples in line. Outside of major Roman garrisons, there were always crosses alongside the road. They stood like billboards advertising the might and power of the empire, even to the point of death! Jesus borrowed the imagery to talk about subduing our sinful nature, making it responsive to God's will and ways. We can't talk ourselves into being good. We can't educate ourselves into being holy. There is but one way that we can completely serve God. That way? Die to self! Jesus invites us to learn to be less, even to the point of regarding ourselves as dead. The result will be that He can give us real and lasting life, not life that is focused on satisfying the body's endless demands, but life that is focused on doing God's will and entering into eternal life right here, right now.
Shouldering the cross need not be some grand gesture, a move to some remote place of service, or a rejection of all creature comforts like the ascetic monks of the Middle Ages. It is a daily decision to be less, to set aside reputation, self-advantage, pride, and our sense of purpose and place in this world in order to sign onto God's plans and to walk in His purposes. John, the Baptist, the fore-runner of Jesus shows us how. This cousin of Jesus knew early on that he was not the great Messiah, the hope of the godly. He was a powerful preacher and moved great crowds to repentance, to consider God's demands. But, he always knew that Someone else was coming to be the Savior. He announced Jesus with these amazingly self-effacing words.
"The bride will go where the bridegroom is. A bridegroom’s friend rejoices with him. I am the bridegroom’s friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven." (John 3:29-31, NLT)
Did John always enjoy his role? We cannot be certain since the Gospels do not tell us much. But we do learn this; when the Kingdom didn't show up as John had thought that it would with great power and the end of sin on the earth, he grew disillusioned. He sent some of his friends to Jesus to ask Him, "Are you really the One we expected or did we get it wrong?"
Jesus call to service does involve glory. It's not all blood, sweat, and tears. But times of suffering will certainly come to those who walk the road of life with Him. There will be attacks from the world systems, from the Devil who hates good and God; and even internal struggles with doubt and uncertainty. That when we take hold of what we've learned and hang on, literally, for dear life! That's when raise our eyes to the horizon to catch a glimpse of Heaven, our true home.
Are you willing to reject the spirit of this age which teaches us that the meaning of life is to serve Self?
Are you willing to learn to be less, so that He can become more?
Here's a word from the Word to ponder.
"... of this gospel I was appointed (by the will of a Sovereign God) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, (embarrassed by my circumstances) because
I know whom I have believed, and
I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (2 Timothy 1:11-14, NIV)
Jesus is much more truthful about the cost of being in His service. “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." (Luke 9:23-24, NLT)
Whatever does He mean, "shoulder your cross?" His first listeners knew all too well. The cross was a slow painful means of execution used by the Romans to keep conquered peoples in line. Outside of major Roman garrisons, there were always crosses alongside the road. They stood like billboards advertising the might and power of the empire, even to the point of death! Jesus borrowed the imagery to talk about subduing our sinful nature, making it responsive to God's will and ways. We can't talk ourselves into being good. We can't educate ourselves into being holy. There is but one way that we can completely serve God. That way? Die to self! Jesus invites us to learn to be less, even to the point of regarding ourselves as dead. The result will be that He can give us real and lasting life, not life that is focused on satisfying the body's endless demands, but life that is focused on doing God's will and entering into eternal life right here, right now.
Shouldering the cross need not be some grand gesture, a move to some remote place of service, or a rejection of all creature comforts like the ascetic monks of the Middle Ages. It is a daily decision to be less, to set aside reputation, self-advantage, pride, and our sense of purpose and place in this world in order to sign onto God's plans and to walk in His purposes. John, the Baptist, the fore-runner of Jesus shows us how. This cousin of Jesus knew early on that he was not the great Messiah, the hope of the godly. He was a powerful preacher and moved great crowds to repentance, to consider God's demands. But, he always knew that Someone else was coming to be the Savior. He announced Jesus with these amazingly self-effacing words.
"The bride will go where the bridegroom is. A bridegroom’s friend rejoices with him. I am the bridegroom’s friend, and I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven." (John 3:29-31, NLT)
Did John always enjoy his role? We cannot be certain since the Gospels do not tell us much. But we do learn this; when the Kingdom didn't show up as John had thought that it would with great power and the end of sin on the earth, he grew disillusioned. He sent some of his friends to Jesus to ask Him, "Are you really the One we expected or did we get it wrong?"
Jesus call to service does involve glory. It's not all blood, sweat, and tears. But times of suffering will certainly come to those who walk the road of life with Him. There will be attacks from the world systems, from the Devil who hates good and God; and even internal struggles with doubt and uncertainty. That when we take hold of what we've learned and hang on, literally, for dear life! That's when raise our eyes to the horizon to catch a glimpse of Heaven, our true home.
Are you willing to reject the spirit of this age which teaches us that the meaning of life is to serve Self?
Are you willing to learn to be less, so that He can become more?
Here's a word from the Word to ponder.
"... of this gospel I was appointed (by the will of a Sovereign God) a herald and an apostle and a teacher.
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, (embarrassed by my circumstances) because
I know whom I have believed, and
I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (2 Timothy 1:11-14, NIV)
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