There is a "gospel" proclaimed from many pulpits that says, "God wants you to be healthy and wealthy! Claim your inheritance." Preachers of the "prosperity gospel" teach that if a person believes enough, that is, 'speaks the word of faith,' lives a good life, and (don't forget this) sends in their generous offering- the inevitable result will be an enviable life filled with the riches of this world. This 'health and wealth' line is a basic ingredient in many television preachers' sermons. Why? Because it appeals to so many of us and builds huge audiences of people who want to tap into the flow of Divine blessings. Promising people that you will show them the road to riches will always draw a crowd. Many of these preachers of prosperity model their message by living the high life - dressing in high fashion, driving luxury cars, and building themselves huge houses.
My reaction to this abuse of the Word of God has led me too often away from teaching that God really does love to bless His children!
Jesus says: "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11, NIV) I love to give to my children. If it is within my ability to provide something for them that they need or want, I love to do it. However, when they growing up, I never gave them all they asked for, even those things I could afford. Why? Because some of the things they wanted were not good for them. Sometimes I knew that in order to better serve God they needed to develop a different set of values so I would not give them the latest trinket to feed their greed. Other times I considered that they would be better served by working to own the things they wanted. Though they could not understand it, I was often more loving in saying, "No," to a request than in saying, "Yes!" But overall, I delighted in providing the best in life for them. It was a way to demonstrate my love to them.
Our Heavenly Father loves to bless us. That much the prosperity preachers get right! Where they err is in ignoring that God is the Ultimate Good Father, that He remains the One in charge, that He is never obligated by our prayers or good works to give us anything. He sees what is the very best thing in life for us, from the perspective of eternity, and provides all that we need, but not all that we want.
Know this, too. The Bible consistently shows us that a godly person tends to prosper. What are leading causes of poverty? Sloth, greed, drunkenness, and family disintegration. Are any of those things consistent with a godly life? No.
God teaches us to be disciplined and to apply ourselves to our work. A greedy person is never content with what he has and thus does foolish things that lead him into greater debt. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10, NKJV)
Drunkenness (and its cousin, drug abuse) are specifically pointed out as a way to destruction. "Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life." (Ephesians 5:18, CEV)
A strong family unit is a key to wealth building for many reasons too numerous to explore here in depth. Among them are stability, security, and investment of a previous generation's wealth in the next, which gives a head start.
Don't read the paragraph above and jump to an erroneous conclusion that judges those who are suffering or not prosperous as having created their own misery. It may well be true that they have, but there are plenty of Biblical examples that show us that God allows suffering even in the lives of the godly and that our lives are effected by the sinful world that we live in. So we must be very careful in judging another and always extend ourselves to share with those in need, never assuming that we are superior to those who suffer.
Yes, friend our Father's gifts are numerous. He does love to bless us. He invites us to bring all of our needs to Him - with faith - and to ask for His provision. We must not let the ways that some mis-use these facts to rob us of the wonderful truth that we are beloved sons and daughters of God.
Meditate on this passage of promise today.
"How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways!
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!
Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.
That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.
May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!" (Psalm 128, NLT) Amen.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Built to last
The building dates to the 1880's, a beautiful old Presbyterian church in Oxford, NJ. In a quick tour last Saturday, Jon showed me vaulted ceiling, the hewn beams, the hand carved pegs that held the floor joists in place, and the round pillars carefully crafted. It had been built to last by craftsmen who cared about their work, not hastily slapped together with shoddy materials. Oxford has quite obviously seen better days for the church building gives evidence of prosperous people who invested generously in its construction to honor God and to display their sense of community. I wondered what kinds of sermons had been preached over her pulpit to what effect in the lives of those who worshipped there. How many hundreds of children had passed through her Sunday School learning principles that guided their lives? How many couples had made their marriage vows in her nave? Most wonderful is that the building still serves as a home to a group of people, after all these years.
As I drove away, my mind picked up on Paul's phrase - "... you are the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God..." (1 Corinthians 6:19, NKJV) It is interesting to think of our lives as a building. If someone remembers Jerry Scott 50 years from today, if they should somehow pick up a photo album and take a 'tour' of my life, what would they find - a temple built for lasting honor to God or a warehouse thrown together with cheap material? I am aware (more so everyday!) of my mortality. I hear the echo of the words that Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth - Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. To be sure life is short, but I do not share Shakespeare's dim view of life's meaning. I have known those who live noisy lives that are nothing but bluff and bluster, designed to create an illusion of importance. I care nothing for that. Instead, my intent is to live in a quietly effective way so that my short time on the small stage here on earth leaves a rich legacy for those who come along behind me. And, I want to live each day in a way that leads to the blessing of God for eternity - in other words, a life built to last!
The Word shows us blueprint for a life that lasts. Paul says, "build on the solid foundation, the only lasting foundation, which is Christ Jesus." Money, fame, pleasure are foundations that will erode and when the foundation crumbles, the building falls! Jesus says "If you work My words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss." (Luke 6:48-49, The Message)
Make the Holy Spirit the general contractor of your life! Listen to His counsel.
Cooperate with Him as He shows you the way to live - lovingly, purposefully, with steady discipline.
The result will be a temple that is built to last that causes others to praise God and that will - in eternity - enjoy the best approval of all, the commendation of the Master Builder.
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 24-25, NIV)
As I drove away, my mind picked up on Paul's phrase - "... you are the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God..." (1 Corinthians 6:19, NKJV) It is interesting to think of our lives as a building. If someone remembers Jerry Scott 50 years from today, if they should somehow pick up a photo album and take a 'tour' of my life, what would they find - a temple built for lasting honor to God or a warehouse thrown together with cheap material? I am aware (more so everyday!) of my mortality. I hear the echo of the words that Shakespeare puts into the mouth of Macbeth - Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. To be sure life is short, but I do not share Shakespeare's dim view of life's meaning. I have known those who live noisy lives that are nothing but bluff and bluster, designed to create an illusion of importance. I care nothing for that. Instead, my intent is to live in a quietly effective way so that my short time on the small stage here on earth leaves a rich legacy for those who come along behind me. And, I want to live each day in a way that leads to the blessing of God for eternity - in other words, a life built to last!
The Word shows us blueprint for a life that lasts. Paul says, "build on the solid foundation, the only lasting foundation, which is Christ Jesus." Money, fame, pleasure are foundations that will erode and when the foundation crumbles, the building falls! Jesus says "If you work My words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss." (Luke 6:48-49, The Message)
Make the Holy Spirit the general contractor of your life! Listen to His counsel.
Cooperate with Him as He shows you the way to live - lovingly, purposefully, with steady discipline.
The result will be a temple that is built to last that causes others to praise God and that will - in eternity - enjoy the best approval of all, the commendation of the Master Builder.
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 24-25, NIV)
Friday, February 23, 2007
Loving the Lord
Life can be so busy! Our agenda gets filled up with responsibilities. If you're like me, one of the first things to get sacrificed on the altar to Activity is quality time with those we profess to love. We may be present with others but we are not really engaged, not listening to their words with complete attention. Our kids get a quick hug on their way out the door to school. Despite a full schedule, in those times we soon find ourselves feeling empty and lonely. Why? Because lots of activity can never replace close, loving, caring interaction with others. I have counseled with couples whose marriages are in crisis, not because of affairs or moral failure, but because of full schedules. Doing all the stuff that is urgent and 'important' turns lovers into strangers that share the same house!
In my prayers recently, I was complaining to the Lord about the feelings of ineffectiveness that were nagging at the edges of my mind. "Lord, I'm giving it my all, doing what needs to done, but I feel little joy and see few results for all these efforts," I whined. The Spirit whispered to my heart, "How much time have you spent with Me recently?" Wanting to argue instead of listen, I responded, "Lord, I've been in church! I've prayed. I listen to worship music....." Again the Spirit whispered, "It's been a while since you came to just be with Me, to rest in My Presence." I repented again. It is an old pattern of sin with me- replacing times of intimate, contemplative prayer with rushed prayers, hurried worship, and pursuit of efficiency! And I realized anew - there is no way to be effective in spiritual work if there is no full, fresh flow of the Spirit's life in me. It is next to impossible to refresh others with the living water if my own soul is parched and dry.
A familiar story from Luke's Gospel teaches us about loving Jesus. Read it - with attentiveness, even if you've read it before. "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NLT)
In one of my favorite books, The Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster writes, “Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will rest satisfied.” Go back and re-read that line.
Dear friend, are you replacing relationship with activity?
Are serving God at top speed, but seldom just loving Him?
Are you working so hard to provide for your family that they seldom get the chance to experience your love?
If so the Devil has you in a dangerous place; a situation where the supports at core of your being is eaten away and the exterior walls that look so good are ready to collapse. Listen to Jesus' invitation - words first spoken to a faithful Church in Ephesus, but now spoken to us: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." (Revelation 2:2-5, NKJV)
__________________________
Holy Ground - Davis, Geron
In His presence
There is joy beyond measure;
And at His feet
Peace of mind can still be found.
If you have a need,
I know He has the answer;
Just reach out and claim it,
For you are standing on holy ground.
We are standing on holy ground
And I know that there
Are angels all around.
Let us praise Jesus now.
We are standing in His presence
On holy ground.
© 1983 Meadowgreen Music Company (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) / Songchannel Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
In my prayers recently, I was complaining to the Lord about the feelings of ineffectiveness that were nagging at the edges of my mind. "Lord, I'm giving it my all, doing what needs to done, but I feel little joy and see few results for all these efforts," I whined. The Spirit whispered to my heart, "How much time have you spent with Me recently?" Wanting to argue instead of listen, I responded, "Lord, I've been in church! I've prayed. I listen to worship music....." Again the Spirit whispered, "It's been a while since you came to just be with Me, to rest in My Presence." I repented again. It is an old pattern of sin with me- replacing times of intimate, contemplative prayer with rushed prayers, hurried worship, and pursuit of efficiency! And I realized anew - there is no way to be effective in spiritual work if there is no full, fresh flow of the Spirit's life in me. It is next to impossible to refresh others with the living water if my own soul is parched and dry.
A familiar story from Luke's Gospel teaches us about loving Jesus. Read it - with attentiveness, even if you've read it before. "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NLT)
In one of my favorite books, The Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster writes, “Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will rest satisfied.” Go back and re-read that line.
Dear friend, are you replacing relationship with activity?
Are serving God at top speed, but seldom just loving Him?
Are you working so hard to provide for your family that they seldom get the chance to experience your love?
If so the Devil has you in a dangerous place; a situation where the supports at core of your being is eaten away and the exterior walls that look so good are ready to collapse. Listen to Jesus' invitation - words first spoken to a faithful Church in Ephesus, but now spoken to us: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." (Revelation 2:2-5, NKJV)
__________________________
Holy Ground - Davis, Geron
In His presence
There is joy beyond measure;
And at His feet
Peace of mind can still be found.
If you have a need,
I know He has the answer;
Just reach out and claim it,
For you are standing on holy ground.
We are standing on holy ground
And I know that there
Are angels all around.
Let us praise Jesus now.
We are standing in His presence
On holy ground.
© 1983 Meadowgreen Music Company (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) / Songchannel Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Is peace possible?
Micah, the prophet, inspired by the Spirit of God says, "Yes!" Peace is not only possible, it is promised. "Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. " (Micah 4:2-4, NKJV)
That passage is etched on the wall of the entry to the United Nations in New York City, reflecting the charter of that organization to seek peace for this planet. As noble as the aspiration may be, it is an impossible charge for any group apart from the intervention of the Almighty! Self-interest is woven deeply into the human psyche. Individuals, as well as nations, are in the grip of a 'me first' attitude and will always find a way to protect their advantages - even at the cost of violence. That is why there is no true peace until...
The Prince of Peace comes to us! Micah saw that only when the impartial Lord of Creation brought His law and rebuke could peace finally dawn on this earth. Recognizing this, we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus. May your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." The arrival of the Prince of Peace will bring the Age of Peace.
Peace starts in us individually and we need not wait for the Second Coming to know His peace personally. At the birth of Jesus, the angels announced - “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” (Luke 2:14, NLT) At the Last Supper, the Lord told His disciples - “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27, NLT) Paul writes that peace is one of the primary evidences of the Spirit life in us. When Jesus reigns in our lives, we are secure. Though we walk through a world full of threats - both spiritual and natural - we need not live defensively or fearfully. Instead, we can enjoy peace in the middle of the storm, assured that the One who leads us will keep us.
If we are without peace of mind, it reveals an inadequate faith. We learn this from an experience of the disciples who walked with the Lord. When they found themselves in precarious moment, in a little boat on a stormy lake, they screamed in terror - "Master, don't you care that we are about to perish?" But when Jesus woke up to their yells, He stood up and spoke to the storm, "Peace, be still!" Mark tells us that instantly the wind died and the waves calmed. The possibility of peace existed all the time, but the disciples lacked the faith to access it. Their response drew a sharp rebuke from the Lord Jesus who said, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?” (Mark 4:40, NLT)
Yes, peace is possible and we can experience it, if and/or when we give up our need to own our lives. When we hand over the reins of life to Him, with full faith, a serenity comes to us, a divine peace. As long as we live in the center of His will, we have no reason to be afraid. This is both a challenging and comforting word, isn't it? We want so badly to blame our lack of peace on other people, on situations we believe to be 'out of control,' on a world gone mad around us. The fact is - if we lack peace, it reveals our own need to move closer to the Master, to pray for calming faith.
Today, seek peace! First, receive the inner peace that comes when Jesus sets you right with God. Then, receive the peace that comes with faith to trust Him with every detail of your life. As you live in peace, you will bring peace to a world that desperately needs peace-makers.
______________________
When the world
That I've been living in
Collapses at my feet,
When my life
Is shattered and torn,
Tho' I'm windswept and battered,
I can cling to His cross
And find peaceIn the midst of my storm.
There is peace in the midst
Of my storm-tossed life.
Oh, there's an Anchor,
There's a Rock,
To cast my faith upon.
Jesus rides in my vessel,
So I'll fear no alarm.
He gives me peace
In the midst of my storm.
Peace In The Midst Of The Storm-- Adams, Stephen R.
© 1978, 1981 Pilot Point Music (Lillenas [Admin. by The Copyright Company]) CCLI License No. 810055
That passage is etched on the wall of the entry to the United Nations in New York City, reflecting the charter of that organization to seek peace for this planet. As noble as the aspiration may be, it is an impossible charge for any group apart from the intervention of the Almighty! Self-interest is woven deeply into the human psyche. Individuals, as well as nations, are in the grip of a 'me first' attitude and will always find a way to protect their advantages - even at the cost of violence. That is why there is no true peace until...
The Prince of Peace comes to us! Micah saw that only when the impartial Lord of Creation brought His law and rebuke could peace finally dawn on this earth. Recognizing this, we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus. May your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." The arrival of the Prince of Peace will bring the Age of Peace.
Peace starts in us individually and we need not wait for the Second Coming to know His peace personally. At the birth of Jesus, the angels announced - “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” (Luke 2:14, NLT) At the Last Supper, the Lord told His disciples - “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27, NLT) Paul writes that peace is one of the primary evidences of the Spirit life in us. When Jesus reigns in our lives, we are secure. Though we walk through a world full of threats - both spiritual and natural - we need not live defensively or fearfully. Instead, we can enjoy peace in the middle of the storm, assured that the One who leads us will keep us.
If we are without peace of mind, it reveals an inadequate faith. We learn this from an experience of the disciples who walked with the Lord. When they found themselves in precarious moment, in a little boat on a stormy lake, they screamed in terror - "Master, don't you care that we are about to perish?" But when Jesus woke up to their yells, He stood up and spoke to the storm, "Peace, be still!" Mark tells us that instantly the wind died and the waves calmed. The possibility of peace existed all the time, but the disciples lacked the faith to access it. Their response drew a sharp rebuke from the Lord Jesus who said, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?” (Mark 4:40, NLT)
Yes, peace is possible and we can experience it, if and/or when we give up our need to own our lives. When we hand over the reins of life to Him, with full faith, a serenity comes to us, a divine peace. As long as we live in the center of His will, we have no reason to be afraid. This is both a challenging and comforting word, isn't it? We want so badly to blame our lack of peace on other people, on situations we believe to be 'out of control,' on a world gone mad around us. The fact is - if we lack peace, it reveals our own need to move closer to the Master, to pray for calming faith.
Today, seek peace! First, receive the inner peace that comes when Jesus sets you right with God. Then, receive the peace that comes with faith to trust Him with every detail of your life. As you live in peace, you will bring peace to a world that desperately needs peace-makers.
______________________
When the world
That I've been living in
Collapses at my feet,
When my life
Is shattered and torn,
Tho' I'm windswept and battered,
I can cling to His cross
And find peaceIn the midst of my storm.
There is peace in the midst
Of my storm-tossed life.
Oh, there's an Anchor,
There's a Rock,
To cast my faith upon.
Jesus rides in my vessel,
So I'll fear no alarm.
He gives me peace
In the midst of my storm.
Peace In The Midst Of The Storm-- Adams, Stephen R.
© 1978, 1981 Pilot Point Music (Lillenas [Admin. by The Copyright Company]) CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Hang onto my hand, Lord!
Taught that God is good and loving, I developed an expectation that if I gave my life to Him, somehow He would grant me an exemption from the disappointments of life. But I still find myself tempted by ordinary things - greed, doubt, and fear - to name a few. I once thought, unrealistically it seems, that by this season of my life (a Believer for 40 years!) I would rise above the struggle with the sinful nature. I expected that I would wake up every morning with a sense that I am a child of God, with a richly purposeful life! Truth is, as often as not, I swing my feet over the side of the bed and slog my way through a day of hard, often frustrating work. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not whining or complaining that my life is worse than any other. I am amazingly blessed. However, it's not Heaven, yet. Sin and Satan are still powerful foes that wreak havoc in the world in which I live. So, I choose to live in a way that closes the gap between my expectation and my reality with faith. And faith, dear friend, is sometimes very hard work.
The ancient prophet Habbakuk is my companion on this road. He, too, experienced disappointment. The opening words of his book reveal his struggle to keep faith: "How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence!” I cry, but you do not come to save." (Habakkuk 1:2, NLT) That is one gutsy prayer, isn't it? "Hey, God, what up with this? I thought you would answer my call and it feels like you hung up the phone on me instead." Habbakuk saw the growing threat of the Babylonian Empire and thought God would step in to deliver His people. Instead, God revealed that He would allow that nation to conquer Israel.
What does one do with such a vision? How does one deal with that kind of disappointment? It's what we struggle with when we pray to be healed and God says, "I'll be with you but I won't take away the illness." Or what we must overcome when we pray for release from temptation and instead hear God say, "We'll walk together through the fiery trial." That is what the prophet writes about. Unlike some of the prophets who thunder with certainty about the power of the Lord, Habbakuk gives us a prayerful voice that waits and wonders at God's often inscrutable ways. Ultimately, he comes to the place where he says, "God hang onto me. It's the only hope I have."
I cannot tell you how many times when my faith is stretched thin that I have claimed this prophet's prayer and made it my own desperate plea. If you're in a hard place today, broken hearted, fearful, disappointed, confused - do not let the Enemy of God and good make you believe that you are just weak, or that you are a terrible Christian. Know that testing and temptation is the common experience of those who love Jesus. When we put one foot in eternity while we still live on earth, we invite a certain tension into our lives! We keep hoping when others give up and live small, hopeless lives. We keep working to make the world brighter and better when others settle for 'what is' and accommodate themselves to the emptiness a life with no other purpose than "eat, drink, and be merry!"
Here is a part of Habbakuk's prayer. Read and be encouraged to hope that just when you think you can hang on no longer, God's grasp tightens and you will be carried through the trial, not over it.
"O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. " (Habakkuk 3:2, NKJV)
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills." (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NKJV)
That, my friend, is the stuff of faith! "Whatever comes, whatever my disappointment - Lord God, I will keep on trusting You."
And the result is that He becomes our strength and makes us sure-footed in treacherous territory.
_________________________
Hold Me Jesus - Rich Mullins
Oh, sometimes my life
Just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small.
And I wake up in the night
And feel the dark.
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart.
So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
Surrender don't come natural to me.
I'd rather fight You for something
I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need.
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down,
I'm falling on my knees.
So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
And this Salvation Army band
Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin.
So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
© 1993 BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
The ancient prophet Habbakuk is my companion on this road. He, too, experienced disappointment. The opening words of his book reveal his struggle to keep faith: "How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence!” I cry, but you do not come to save." (Habakkuk 1:2, NLT) That is one gutsy prayer, isn't it? "Hey, God, what up with this? I thought you would answer my call and it feels like you hung up the phone on me instead." Habbakuk saw the growing threat of the Babylonian Empire and thought God would step in to deliver His people. Instead, God revealed that He would allow that nation to conquer Israel.
What does one do with such a vision? How does one deal with that kind of disappointment? It's what we struggle with when we pray to be healed and God says, "I'll be with you but I won't take away the illness." Or what we must overcome when we pray for release from temptation and instead hear God say, "We'll walk together through the fiery trial." That is what the prophet writes about. Unlike some of the prophets who thunder with certainty about the power of the Lord, Habbakuk gives us a prayerful voice that waits and wonders at God's often inscrutable ways. Ultimately, he comes to the place where he says, "God hang onto me. It's the only hope I have."
I cannot tell you how many times when my faith is stretched thin that I have claimed this prophet's prayer and made it my own desperate plea. If you're in a hard place today, broken hearted, fearful, disappointed, confused - do not let the Enemy of God and good make you believe that you are just weak, or that you are a terrible Christian. Know that testing and temptation is the common experience of those who love Jesus. When we put one foot in eternity while we still live on earth, we invite a certain tension into our lives! We keep hoping when others give up and live small, hopeless lives. We keep working to make the world brighter and better when others settle for 'what is' and accommodate themselves to the emptiness a life with no other purpose than "eat, drink, and be merry!"
Here is a part of Habbakuk's prayer. Read and be encouraged to hope that just when you think you can hang on no longer, God's grasp tightens and you will be carried through the trial, not over it.
"O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. " (Habakkuk 3:2, NKJV)
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills." (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NKJV)
That, my friend, is the stuff of faith! "Whatever comes, whatever my disappointment - Lord God, I will keep on trusting You."
And the result is that He becomes our strength and makes us sure-footed in treacherous territory.
_________________________
Hold Me Jesus - Rich Mullins
Oh, sometimes my life
Just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small.
And I wake up in the night
And feel the dark.
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart.
So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
Surrender don't come natural to me.
I'd rather fight You for something
I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need.
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down,
I'm falling on my knees.
So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
And this Salvation Army band
Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin.
So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
© 1993 BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Principled?
The headline read - "Romney reiterates opposition to stem cell research despite wife's illness." Mitt Romney, who is running to be the next President of the US, is married to a woman who has multiple sclerosis. Some researchers believe that a cure for MS could be found using stem cells from human embryos. Romney believes that such research is immoral and thus opposes funding for it. The article's tone was one of wonder that his position was not effected by his wife's illness. People who make decisions based on principle are becoming increasingly rare, it would seem. Rather than being guided by wisdom greater than themselves, many choose to 'make it up as they go,' basing decisions on what appears to create the 'greatest good for the most people' in a given situation.
In the same newspaper, the front page headline says, "Mayor says no to civil unions." Yesterday (2/19/2007) was the first day that same sex couples in NJ could apply for what is in essence a marriage license. One local mayor refused to solemnize vows between same sex couples. His comments were thoughtful and kind, but he stood on Biblical principle and said he could not perform a ceremony to join a couple of the same sex in a legally recognized union. He will pay dearly for his principles, both politically and in public criticism.
Years ago when I was listening to a debate among ministers about divorce and re-marriage, an older preacher wisecracked, "You never really know a pastor's stand on this issue until his own divorced daughter wishes to remarry." I was puzzled by it then, but realize that the joke was not really a joke at all!
A person's professed belief is only revealed as a principle if he continues to hold to it when it is costly and/or painful to do so.
God's people must be a principled people, guided by the Scripture's wisdom as the Truth of the Word is revealed by the Spirit. The Ten Commandments are just that - commandments to which we subject ourselves. They are not God's suggestions for a happier life on par with advice from Dr. Phil! They are timeless revelations of the will of God. Jesus repeated Two Commandments which He said enveloped the whole of God's will for us - “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”" (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT) He did not mean to imply that application of these two simple commandments would be easy!
One might say that if Governor Romney loved his wife he would support any medical research that could bring a cure for her illness. But that would ignore the fact that embryonic stem cell research involves the destruction of life in its most vulnerable form. Discovering and establishing our understanding of Biblical principles requires interaction with others and with the Spirit of God. It is not a simple or easy process.
Know this, too. A principled person is not the same as a stubborn one. A stubborn person, with a closed mind, may appear principled when he is just ignorant and/or intellectually lazy. There is an old saying that resurfaces among Believers from time to time that I despise: "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." To me that says, "I am too lazy or insecure to get involved with a serious discussion that challenges my assumptions about Truth." I am convinced that Truth will stand up to rigorous inquiry, that it will survive all doubts and every challenge. I am thankful for people who disturbed me with their questions and caused me to discover that some of my 'principles' were actually just my preferences! I am equally thankful for those tests that placed my beliefs in the fire and caused the principles that form the foundation of my life and worldview to become even more precious as they are refined and purified.
Be a principled person of great integrity. Watch for the sin of the Pharisees - proclaiming principles for others and failing to live by them yourself. Our integrity, that is living what we believe, honors God and His wisdom. When we study His Word together and pray for the wisdom of the Spirit to guide us in applying His Truth to our lives, a thing of wondrous beauty emerges. We become people who live above our own convenience, who are capable of serving God and others with great sacrifice, and who call the world to higher and better ways by our example as well as our words.
Make this your prayer today.
"Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and
I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness." (Psalm 119:33-40, NKJV) Amen.
In the same newspaper, the front page headline says, "Mayor says no to civil unions." Yesterday (2/19/2007) was the first day that same sex couples in NJ could apply for what is in essence a marriage license. One local mayor refused to solemnize vows between same sex couples. His comments were thoughtful and kind, but he stood on Biblical principle and said he could not perform a ceremony to join a couple of the same sex in a legally recognized union. He will pay dearly for his principles, both politically and in public criticism.
Years ago when I was listening to a debate among ministers about divorce and re-marriage, an older preacher wisecracked, "You never really know a pastor's stand on this issue until his own divorced daughter wishes to remarry." I was puzzled by it then, but realize that the joke was not really a joke at all!
A person's professed belief is only revealed as a principle if he continues to hold to it when it is costly and/or painful to do so.
God's people must be a principled people, guided by the Scripture's wisdom as the Truth of the Word is revealed by the Spirit. The Ten Commandments are just that - commandments to which we subject ourselves. They are not God's suggestions for a happier life on par with advice from Dr. Phil! They are timeless revelations of the will of God. Jesus repeated Two Commandments which He said enveloped the whole of God's will for us - “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”" (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT) He did not mean to imply that application of these two simple commandments would be easy!
One might say that if Governor Romney loved his wife he would support any medical research that could bring a cure for her illness. But that would ignore the fact that embryonic stem cell research involves the destruction of life in its most vulnerable form. Discovering and establishing our understanding of Biblical principles requires interaction with others and with the Spirit of God. It is not a simple or easy process.
Know this, too. A principled person is not the same as a stubborn one. A stubborn person, with a closed mind, may appear principled when he is just ignorant and/or intellectually lazy. There is an old saying that resurfaces among Believers from time to time that I despise: "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." To me that says, "I am too lazy or insecure to get involved with a serious discussion that challenges my assumptions about Truth." I am convinced that Truth will stand up to rigorous inquiry, that it will survive all doubts and every challenge. I am thankful for people who disturbed me with their questions and caused me to discover that some of my 'principles' were actually just my preferences! I am equally thankful for those tests that placed my beliefs in the fire and caused the principles that form the foundation of my life and worldview to become even more precious as they are refined and purified.
Be a principled person of great integrity. Watch for the sin of the Pharisees - proclaiming principles for others and failing to live by them yourself. Our integrity, that is living what we believe, honors God and His wisdom. When we study His Word together and pray for the wisdom of the Spirit to guide us in applying His Truth to our lives, a thing of wondrous beauty emerges. We become people who live above our own convenience, who are capable of serving God and others with great sacrifice, and who call the world to higher and better ways by our example as well as our words.
Make this your prayer today.
"Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and
I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness." (Psalm 119:33-40, NKJV) Amen.
Monday, February 19, 2007
All or nothing
I'm intrigued by gadgets, the things that make life easier (sometimes). Motors and machines fascinate me. It was even true when I was a little guy, who tore apart every mechanical toy I ever had just - 'to see how it works.' I can stand for hours watching an operator of a giant machine move tons of earth with just a flick of his wrist, harnessing the power of a big diesel engine, matched to gears and hydraulic lifts. I've taken apart and rebuilt dozens of personal computers finding the inoperable component and replacing it so the machine would work again. A giant bulldozer, an automobile, or a little laptop computer are complex machines made of many parts, each of which must be functioning as designed if the whole machine is to work well. One little component that is not functioning ruins the integrity of the machine!
The Christian life is a series of interconnected choices and values. We cannot enjoy the power of God and the blessings promises without an integration of the life of the Spirit in our thoughts, words, and actions. Let me illustrate.
Love is an important part of what Jesus taught us about living in a way that pleases God. But if we want to please God and reap the benefit of a loving life, our love cannot be selectively practiced only when it is convenient or easy. God says that our love must function for the lovely and the unlovely, when we are rested and when we are fatigued, when we are full of peace and when we are under great stress.
Worship is a critical part of the Christian life. When we worship we 'connect' with God and the Spirit renews the inner person, strengthening us. Again, we cannot enjoy the full benefit of worship if we only worship on Sunday morning and 'forget' God on the Monday morning commute. We will not experience the steady flow of of the Spirit's renewal if we worship only when things go wrong, or when it's raining, or when there is no football game to attend, or... you get the point, right?
Tithing (generous giving of our resources to God's work) is a means of breaking the slavery to our 'stuff.' A person who learns to practice the discipline of giving (time and material!) gains a generous heart and a richer life. But, if he only gives when he has 'enough,' or only serves when he 'has the time,' he breaks the process that could transform his life. The whole principle of tithing and giving only produces the benefit of a generous life when it is consistently practiced all of the time. I could go on and on, but I hope you're getting the idea.
Perhaps you find my comparison of the Christian life to a machine jarring or even offensive, but the truth remains that the only way to enjoy "life to the full" which Jesus promises to those who follow Him, (John 10.10) is to fully follow His ways. Whole-hearted commitment makes it work, for if He is not Lord of all, He is not the Lord at all! The Bible tells us that there will be people who practiced the religion of Christianity apart from complete commitment who will find themselves puzzled about why their religion didn't produce the Life they expected. Here's how Jesus says it. "So...the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.
“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. On judgment day many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.’
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock." (Matthew 7:19-25, NLT)
Friend, do a fruit inspection today! What kind of fruit is being produced by your life - evidence of the Christ life or evidence of the Self life? "...when we live God’s way He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely." (Galatians 5:22-23, The Message) As surely as living apple tree will produce apples, a living Believer who is connected to the Vine, will produce spiritual fruit. If there is no fruit, then there is no life! If there is little, puny fruit the only answer is to connect to the One who gives us the life that produces the fruit. We do that by presenting ourselves to Him - every moment, every where, without reservation!
Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life or just parts of your life? Are you fully committed to knowing, loving, and serving Him - responding with an instant 'yes,' whenever the Spirit calls? Or are you shutting Him out of certain areas of your life, closing the door to His leading?
We only can enjoy the full benefits of the Kingdom of God if we are fully resident in the Kingdom. It's really an all or nothing proposition.
_________________________
All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Savior,
I surrender all.
Public Domain - Judson VanDeVenter
The Christian life is a series of interconnected choices and values. We cannot enjoy the power of God and the blessings promises without an integration of the life of the Spirit in our thoughts, words, and actions. Let me illustrate.
Love is an important part of what Jesus taught us about living in a way that pleases God. But if we want to please God and reap the benefit of a loving life, our love cannot be selectively practiced only when it is convenient or easy. God says that our love must function for the lovely and the unlovely, when we are rested and when we are fatigued, when we are full of peace and when we are under great stress.
Worship is a critical part of the Christian life. When we worship we 'connect' with God and the Spirit renews the inner person, strengthening us. Again, we cannot enjoy the full benefit of worship if we only worship on Sunday morning and 'forget' God on the Monday morning commute. We will not experience the steady flow of of the Spirit's renewal if we worship only when things go wrong, or when it's raining, or when there is no football game to attend, or... you get the point, right?
Tithing (generous giving of our resources to God's work) is a means of breaking the slavery to our 'stuff.' A person who learns to practice the discipline of giving (time and material!) gains a generous heart and a richer life. But, if he only gives when he has 'enough,' or only serves when he 'has the time,' he breaks the process that could transform his life. The whole principle of tithing and giving only produces the benefit of a generous life when it is consistently practiced all of the time. I could go on and on, but I hope you're getting the idea.
Perhaps you find my comparison of the Christian life to a machine jarring or even offensive, but the truth remains that the only way to enjoy "life to the full" which Jesus promises to those who follow Him, (John 10.10) is to fully follow His ways. Whole-hearted commitment makes it work, for if He is not Lord of all, He is not the Lord at all! The Bible tells us that there will be people who practiced the religion of Christianity apart from complete commitment who will find themselves puzzled about why their religion didn't produce the Life they expected. Here's how Jesus says it. "So...the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.
“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. On judgment day many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.’
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock." (Matthew 7:19-25, NLT)
Friend, do a fruit inspection today! What kind of fruit is being produced by your life - evidence of the Christ life or evidence of the Self life? "...when we live God’s way He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely." (Galatians 5:22-23, The Message) As surely as living apple tree will produce apples, a living Believer who is connected to the Vine, will produce spiritual fruit. If there is no fruit, then there is no life! If there is little, puny fruit the only answer is to connect to the One who gives us the life that produces the fruit. We do that by presenting ourselves to Him - every moment, every where, without reservation!
Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life or just parts of your life? Are you fully committed to knowing, loving, and serving Him - responding with an instant 'yes,' whenever the Spirit calls? Or are you shutting Him out of certain areas of your life, closing the door to His leading?
We only can enjoy the full benefits of the Kingdom of God if we are fully resident in the Kingdom. It's really an all or nothing proposition.
_________________________
All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Savior,
I surrender all.
Public Domain - Judson VanDeVenter
Friday, February 16, 2007
Tested, will you stand firm?
James wrote to us, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides." (James 1:2, The Message) I want to embrace that command, but it is hard to do. Who likes hard times, those moments when questions are many and answers few? I am not talking about the 'mini-trials' that are common to life. We need to develop much greater patience when dealing with computers that don't work properly, cars that don't start, traffic that doesn't flow- but those are just life's normal headaches. The real tests are those things for which we have no explanations - chronic illness, people who break our hearts, etc. How do we reconcile our revelation of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and loving Father God with a life devastated by tragedy?
How does one rejoice when those on whom he leans let him fall?
How does feel joy when the pull of the flesh is so strong that failure seems imminent?
I'm still working that out! I imagine, in one way or the other, you are, too.
The story of Abraham's journey to Mt. Moriah is a model for me. [Genesis 22, if you would like to read it] In that chapter, God tells him to take his beloved son, Isaac, and to sacrifice him. That journey had to be the longest walk in his life! I tried to think of the emotions that he felt on the 2 day trip to the site.
Testing can cause us to feel CONFUSION. Don't you think Abraham was more than a little confused by a God who gives him a miracle son and then asks for him back about 12-15 years later?Testing can cause us to feel DOUBT. "God is that really your Voice? Why would You ask such a terrible thing?" I've wondered that more than once in my life when tested.
Testing can cause us to feel ALONE. That trip across the plains to the hills had to be one of the most lonely ones in Abraham's life. He even left his servant and traveled on with just Isaac. But how do you tell jokes and enjoy the company of a boy you're going to sacrifice tomorrow? But, I've learned that God often ministers to the deepest place in my life when I am feeling most alone and focused most intensely on Him.
Testing can cause us to feel THAT GOD IS UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS. When we feel abandoned by God, it is the most desperate feeling, especially for those who have loved Him intimately. When He asks the 'impossible' of us, we may cry out as His Son did, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Of course, He hasn't, but it can sure feel like it.
Testing can cause us to feel HOPELESS. Stand with Abraham on the top of that little hill called Moriah. Drag the rocks, one by one, into a heap called an altar, each one becoming heavier as you realize the moment of decision is imminent. Then ,raise the knife! The contents of your stomach rise in your throat. A sorrow beyond description wrenches sobs so violent from your body that you feel like you could die. Where are you, God?
Will you stay steady when the wind blows strong?
Will you obey when your natural self screams to take another way?
Hard questions, aren't they?
In those moments, we desperately hold onto the only hope that remains -- "If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 2:11-13, NLT) Abraham had known the faithfulness of God through times when he failed. So, he trusted - not in his own righteousness, his own ability to please God - but in the faithfulness of God to keep him. And in this most intense trial, at just the critical moment, God revealed Himself as "Yahweh Yireh, the Lord, my Provider." Remember the story? Just as Abraham was about to take his son's life, he looked up and saw a ram caught in the bushes, a substitute sacrifice provided by God, Himself!
Paul repeats this phrase again and again in his letters to Believers - "Stand firm!" "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV)
"He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on everything we taught you both in person and by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say." (2 Thessalonians 2:14-17, NLT)
How does one rejoice when those on whom he leans let him fall?
How does feel joy when the pull of the flesh is so strong that failure seems imminent?
I'm still working that out! I imagine, in one way or the other, you are, too.
The story of Abraham's journey to Mt. Moriah is a model for me. [Genesis 22, if you would like to read it] In that chapter, God tells him to take his beloved son, Isaac, and to sacrifice him. That journey had to be the longest walk in his life! I tried to think of the emotions that he felt on the 2 day trip to the site.
Testing can cause us to feel CONFUSION. Don't you think Abraham was more than a little confused by a God who gives him a miracle son and then asks for him back about 12-15 years later?Testing can cause us to feel DOUBT. "God is that really your Voice? Why would You ask such a terrible thing?" I've wondered that more than once in my life when tested.
Testing can cause us to feel ALONE. That trip across the plains to the hills had to be one of the most lonely ones in Abraham's life. He even left his servant and traveled on with just Isaac. But how do you tell jokes and enjoy the company of a boy you're going to sacrifice tomorrow? But, I've learned that God often ministers to the deepest place in my life when I am feeling most alone and focused most intensely on Him.
Testing can cause us to feel THAT GOD IS UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS. When we feel abandoned by God, it is the most desperate feeling, especially for those who have loved Him intimately. When He asks the 'impossible' of us, we may cry out as His Son did, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Of course, He hasn't, but it can sure feel like it.
Testing can cause us to feel HOPELESS. Stand with Abraham on the top of that little hill called Moriah. Drag the rocks, one by one, into a heap called an altar, each one becoming heavier as you realize the moment of decision is imminent. Then ,raise the knife! The contents of your stomach rise in your throat. A sorrow beyond description wrenches sobs so violent from your body that you feel like you could die. Where are you, God?
Will you stay steady when the wind blows strong?
Will you obey when your natural self screams to take another way?
Hard questions, aren't they?
In those moments, we desperately hold onto the only hope that remains -- "If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself." (2 Timothy 2:11-13, NLT) Abraham had known the faithfulness of God through times when he failed. So, he trusted - not in his own righteousness, his own ability to please God - but in the faithfulness of God to keep him. And in this most intense trial, at just the critical moment, God revealed Himself as "Yahweh Yireh, the Lord, my Provider." Remember the story? Just as Abraham was about to take his son's life, he looked up and saw a ram caught in the bushes, a substitute sacrifice provided by God, Himself!
Paul repeats this phrase again and again in his letters to Believers - "Stand firm!" "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV)
"He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on everything we taught you both in person and by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say." (2 Thessalonians 2:14-17, NLT)
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Don't be gullible
A Puerto Rican man, Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda, 60, claims that Christ 'integrated' with him, that he is now the Living Lord on earth. So, big deal, right? Tragically, due to mental illness, there are a lot of people who suffer from religious delusions. But De Jesus is calculating, showing no apparent signs of delusions. He was raised a Roman Catholic, spent time in Pentecostal churches, and aligned himself with Baptist churches - all that before claiming to be the Lord. He is now using the title "Anti-Christ" because he says his teaching supersedes that of Jesus Christ! According to Newsweek, (2/5,2007 issue) despite his outlandish claims, at least 300 local churches (30 here in the USA, more in South America) and thousands of people follow his teaching, accept his bizarre claims, and give $millions to him. Even more amazing to me is the fact that many of his followers are drawn from evangelical and/or charismatic churches, Christians who should know better than to swallow his lies, but they are gullible!
Why? Many people want spirituality so badly, and at so little cost, that they will believe almost anything if someone promises them security, easy victory over sinful habits, or power to 'change' their lives! We all know that life is complex, problems are multiple, and suffering is ubiquitous. In that world comes a man who is articulate, charming, who knows how to tap into those deep longings for security and hope, yes, even to know God. He offers those who follow him a sense of purpose and place, appears serene, projects authority. And, with little discernment of his true motives, many are quite willing to follow him. De Jesus is not the first false Christ. It happens too often. Remember David Koresh and Jim Jones? They gathered followings and led their flocks to death! Too often people allow themselves to be gullible and follow a spiritual teacher without really knowing a thing about his character or even if he has a solid Biblical knowledge on which he bases his assertions. Quacks, charlatans, and frauds feed off of the universal longing for a utopia, often preying on those who are vulnerable because of family dysfunction, severe illness, or other situations that have ripped apart their lives.
I'm sure a few of you are wondering, "Jerry, isn't there hope for a new life through Christ? Don't you believe that God meets our needs and cares for us?"
I sure do, but not with quick fixes, simple slogans to answer tough questions, or through a Puerto Rican preacher who claims to be Jesus in the flesh today.
If we want to enter the Kingdom of God (to live in a way that God is in charge of our lives and cares for us) we do so by faith and obedience - steadily - and in community with other people who are pursuing Him with earnest love and devotion. Day after day, we confront sin in our lives and, taught by the Word, counseled by other Believers, and led by the Spirit we overcome, becoming holy as we are being filled with the Spirit of God. The Scripture demands that we "continue to work out our salvation, with reverence and awe...." A godly life, characterized by the evidence of the life of the Spirit, is a process, a costly one!
The Psalmist cautions against seeking quick fixes and easy solutions. He urges a consistent spiritual discipline and a wise choice of teachers. That is the way to find a rich life, he says.
"Blessed (living in a state of joy) is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Psalm 1, NKJV)
Did you take note of how the Word of God characterizes these two ways of living?
Those who pursue God through consistent practice of spiritual disciplines are like TREES! Can you think of a better picture of something living that is strong and stable?
Those who are godless are like CHAFF, the hulls of grain that are worthless and without substance!
Want a spiritually fruitful life?
Dig deep, dear friend. Don't run here and there looking for the latest and greatest Bible teacher, the newest worship sound, or the church with the glitzy programs. Make your church great by becoming a true servant. Forget becoming mature in the things of God if you are unwilling to go through testing and trials that develop that maturity and faith. Build friendships with people who bring out the best in you, who hunger for God in the same way that you hunger for Him, then walk through life together! Don't pursue rewards, seek significance. And, don't be gullible.
Be like the Believers of Berean who are lauded by Luke because - "They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth." (Acts 17:11, NLT)
Why? Many people want spirituality so badly, and at so little cost, that they will believe almost anything if someone promises them security, easy victory over sinful habits, or power to 'change' their lives! We all know that life is complex, problems are multiple, and suffering is ubiquitous. In that world comes a man who is articulate, charming, who knows how to tap into those deep longings for security and hope, yes, even to know God. He offers those who follow him a sense of purpose and place, appears serene, projects authority. And, with little discernment of his true motives, many are quite willing to follow him. De Jesus is not the first false Christ. It happens too often. Remember David Koresh and Jim Jones? They gathered followings and led their flocks to death! Too often people allow themselves to be gullible and follow a spiritual teacher without really knowing a thing about his character or even if he has a solid Biblical knowledge on which he bases his assertions. Quacks, charlatans, and frauds feed off of the universal longing for a utopia, often preying on those who are vulnerable because of family dysfunction, severe illness, or other situations that have ripped apart their lives.
I'm sure a few of you are wondering, "Jerry, isn't there hope for a new life through Christ? Don't you believe that God meets our needs and cares for us?"
I sure do, but not with quick fixes, simple slogans to answer tough questions, or through a Puerto Rican preacher who claims to be Jesus in the flesh today.
If we want to enter the Kingdom of God (to live in a way that God is in charge of our lives and cares for us) we do so by faith and obedience - steadily - and in community with other people who are pursuing Him with earnest love and devotion. Day after day, we confront sin in our lives and, taught by the Word, counseled by other Believers, and led by the Spirit we overcome, becoming holy as we are being filled with the Spirit of God. The Scripture demands that we "continue to work out our salvation, with reverence and awe...." A godly life, characterized by the evidence of the life of the Spirit, is a process, a costly one!
The Psalmist cautions against seeking quick fixes and easy solutions. He urges a consistent spiritual discipline and a wise choice of teachers. That is the way to find a rich life, he says.
"Blessed (living in a state of joy) is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Psalm 1, NKJV)
Did you take note of how the Word of God characterizes these two ways of living?
Those who pursue God through consistent practice of spiritual disciplines are like TREES! Can you think of a better picture of something living that is strong and stable?
Those who are godless are like CHAFF, the hulls of grain that are worthless and without substance!
Want a spiritually fruitful life?
Dig deep, dear friend. Don't run here and there looking for the latest and greatest Bible teacher, the newest worship sound, or the church with the glitzy programs. Make your church great by becoming a true servant. Forget becoming mature in the things of God if you are unwilling to go through testing and trials that develop that maturity and faith. Build friendships with people who bring out the best in you, who hunger for God in the same way that you hunger for Him, then walk through life together! Don't pursue rewards, seek significance. And, don't be gullible.
Be like the Believers of Berean who are lauded by Luke because - "They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth." (Acts 17:11, NLT)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentine's Day - Celebrate Love
Nothing in the world compares to love. Raise a child with genuine love and you give her the most important ingredient for a happy and successful life. Treat your spouse to unselfish love and you have built a foundation for a marriage that is full of joy. Teach people to love each other and a community of great strength emerges. Take away love and the world becomes a dark, grey place. Betray love and you will create a pain worse than that which comes from a terrible wound.
So what is this thing called love?
Our English language is not very specific about it. If we say we love ice cream, football, our wife, our son, or the Lord - the word means very different things, doesn't it? Love can be a sexual attraction, a wonderful surge of our God-given desire. Love can be an expression of the pleasure we feel when are doing something creative - as in, "I love to play the piano." Love can be a robust concern for people around us. A company of US Marines who are serving in combat conditions, who are ready to die for one another, probably wouldn't say that they are 'in love,' but their connection is undeniably a form of love!
Where does love come from?
Now, that is a mystery. Who can explain those emotions? I suppose psychologists could provide some logical reasons for what we call love. Physicians could explain the chemistry of our bodies and brains that are part of what we call love. But, ultimately love comes from our Creator. He made us to love and be loved. The Bible says that 'we love because He first loved us.' The Word also says that love is the primary evidence that the Spirit of God lives in us. "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10, NIV)
Love is a choice, a way of life we embrace when we are loved by God, in Christ Jesus.
Yes, of course, there is a love that is an emotion that seems to arrive from nowhere to surprise us. Infatuation leaves us breathless and can be more addictive than any drug on earth! But there is so much more to love than that. The Bible teaches us about it. This passage from the Scripture is familiar and you will be tempted to hurry through it today. Don't! Read it slowly, asking the Spirit of God to reveal the quality of love that He desires from you.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. -- 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
Much more than eloquence, more than emotion, strong and lasting - that is real love, modeled on God's love for us.
Today, I pray that you will know the Love of Jesus Christ and that His love will transform you - from the inside out.
It's Valentine's Day. Celebrate love - for God's sake.
So what is this thing called love?
Our English language is not very specific about it. If we say we love ice cream, football, our wife, our son, or the Lord - the word means very different things, doesn't it? Love can be a sexual attraction, a wonderful surge of our God-given desire. Love can be an expression of the pleasure we feel when are doing something creative - as in, "I love to play the piano." Love can be a robust concern for people around us. A company of US Marines who are serving in combat conditions, who are ready to die for one another, probably wouldn't say that they are 'in love,' but their connection is undeniably a form of love!
Where does love come from?
Now, that is a mystery. Who can explain those emotions? I suppose psychologists could provide some logical reasons for what we call love. Physicians could explain the chemistry of our bodies and brains that are part of what we call love. But, ultimately love comes from our Creator. He made us to love and be loved. The Bible says that 'we love because He first loved us.' The Word also says that love is the primary evidence that the Spirit of God lives in us. "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10, NIV)
Love is a choice, a way of life we embrace when we are loved by God, in Christ Jesus.
Yes, of course, there is a love that is an emotion that seems to arrive from nowhere to surprise us. Infatuation leaves us breathless and can be more addictive than any drug on earth! But there is so much more to love than that. The Bible teaches us about it. This passage from the Scripture is familiar and you will be tempted to hurry through it today. Don't! Read it slowly, asking the Spirit of God to reveal the quality of love that He desires from you.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. -- 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
Much more than eloquence, more than emotion, strong and lasting - that is real love, modeled on God's love for us.
Today, I pray that you will know the Love of Jesus Christ and that His love will transform you - from the inside out.
It's Valentine's Day. Celebrate love - for God's sake.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Making God an Enemy
There are passages of Scripture that don't show up all that often in devotional literature and reading in public worship. We love read the verses that affirm the love of God and promise us His eternal care, as we should. Who does not love to hear, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish."? However, our understanding of the Almighty must not be limited to the 'nice' perspective. In a world full of evil, it is important to bring to mind that He is an awesome and terrible God and He will not be treated with contempt. In my readings in the minor prophets I came up one of those passages that made me shudder.
Nineveh was the royal city of the Assyrians, a cruel people who were extending their empire across the region. They had no regard for life. With their conquests, they grew wealthy and were the envy of many, but their status was bought with rivers of blood and unimaginable human suffering. Nahum, the Jewish prophet, prayed about the Assyrian threat and God spoke to him with this stunning word. I warn you - it is graphic! I am using The Message translation so you can get the impact of the prophet's revelation. "Doom to Murder City— full of lies, bursting with loot, addicted to violence!" (Nahum 3:1, The Message) “I’m your enemy, Whore Nineveh— I, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! I’ll strip you of your seductive silk robes and expose you on the world stage. I’ll let the nations get their fill of the ugly truth of who you really are and have been all along. I’ll pelt you with dog dung and place you on a pedestal: ‘Slut on Exhibit.’ Everyone who sees you will gag and say, ‘Nineveh’s a pigsty: What on earth did we ever see in her? Who would give her a second look? Ugh!’ ” (Nahum 3:5-7, The Message)
We need to read that and understand that God is still the same! Individuals and nations cannot ignore Him, treating His commands with contempt, and get away with it forever. Those who are arrogant in their sins will find themselves enemies of the Lord. Unless we are willing to accept that, the Cross of Christ makes little sense. If God overlooks sin, if He is a benign old chap unwilling or incapable bringing His Creation to justice, then why did Jesus die for our sins? "Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death." (Galatians 6:7-8, NLT) That word is not directed at our human frailties and weaknesses. We need not live in terror that we have somehow offended the Almighty God of Heaven each moment. What we must know is that if we persist in disobedience, ignoring the Scripture and the Spirit's inner voice, God will allow us to taste the bitterness of our sin.
That God can be roused to anger and that He can be made our enemy both comforts and frightens me! I am comforted by the knowledge that evil men who exploit others for their own pleasure, that nations who oppress others, will face a day of justice. I am frightened because I realize that I am a sinner, too. But my fear of the Lord drives me to the foot of the Cross of Christ. There I kneel humbly and receive grace, "and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies (me) from all sin." (1 John 1:7, NIV) Amazing love, wonderful grace, that God would love a sinner like me and charge my sin to the account of His Son.
Don't live arrogantly, ignoring His repeated invitations to live close to Him.Instead, turn quickly when the Spirit speaks, saying, "Yes, Lord." Be a friend of God!
"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." (John 15:14-16, NKJV)
Nineveh was the royal city of the Assyrians, a cruel people who were extending their empire across the region. They had no regard for life. With their conquests, they grew wealthy and were the envy of many, but their status was bought with rivers of blood and unimaginable human suffering. Nahum, the Jewish prophet, prayed about the Assyrian threat and God spoke to him with this stunning word. I warn you - it is graphic! I am using The Message translation so you can get the impact of the prophet's revelation. "Doom to Murder City— full of lies, bursting with loot, addicted to violence!" (Nahum 3:1, The Message) “I’m your enemy, Whore Nineveh— I, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! I’ll strip you of your seductive silk robes and expose you on the world stage. I’ll let the nations get their fill of the ugly truth of who you really are and have been all along. I’ll pelt you with dog dung and place you on a pedestal: ‘Slut on Exhibit.’ Everyone who sees you will gag and say, ‘Nineveh’s a pigsty: What on earth did we ever see in her? Who would give her a second look? Ugh!’ ” (Nahum 3:5-7, The Message)
We need to read that and understand that God is still the same! Individuals and nations cannot ignore Him, treating His commands with contempt, and get away with it forever. Those who are arrogant in their sins will find themselves enemies of the Lord. Unless we are willing to accept that, the Cross of Christ makes little sense. If God overlooks sin, if He is a benign old chap unwilling or incapable bringing His Creation to justice, then why did Jesus die for our sins? "Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death." (Galatians 6:7-8, NLT) That word is not directed at our human frailties and weaknesses. We need not live in terror that we have somehow offended the Almighty God of Heaven each moment. What we must know is that if we persist in disobedience, ignoring the Scripture and the Spirit's inner voice, God will allow us to taste the bitterness of our sin.
That God can be roused to anger and that He can be made our enemy both comforts and frightens me! I am comforted by the knowledge that evil men who exploit others for their own pleasure, that nations who oppress others, will face a day of justice. I am frightened because I realize that I am a sinner, too. But my fear of the Lord drives me to the foot of the Cross of Christ. There I kneel humbly and receive grace, "and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies (me) from all sin." (1 John 1:7, NIV) Amazing love, wonderful grace, that God would love a sinner like me and charge my sin to the account of His Son.
Don't live arrogantly, ignoring His repeated invitations to live close to Him.Instead, turn quickly when the Spirit speaks, saying, "Yes, Lord." Be a friend of God!
"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." (John 15:14-16, NKJV)
Monday, February 12, 2007
It's a life and death matter!
Hype - defined as 'exaggerated claims, overblown publicity' - turns me off. Whenever I sense that someone is 'hyping' the situation, I start looking for the door.
Politicians do it, claiming that if they are not elected the nation will perish in the next electoral cycle. It never does.
Preachers do it, urging the faithful to give and serve sacrificially, or else... well, there are all kinds of ways to finish that sentence with hype.
Salesmen do it. "Buy this car right now, 'cause I've got someone coming in to see later today, and they are ready to buy!" To which we ought to say, "Yeah, right!"
We're so accustomed to this kind of language, we take little that is said to us at face value.
So, when you see my opening line about a life and death matter, you probably discounted it as just more hype, right?
Believer, is is the truth. How you conduct yourself today is a life and death matter. Consider this word from the Scripture. "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? . . . Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 2:15-3:6, NIV) As we interact with people today, we are spreading the fragrance of God's Presence. To some we are a stench that reminds them of death and doom; to others we are the sweet smell of Spring and new life! What a responsibility. It is a life and death matter.
The Word quickly reminds us that we need not be overwhelmed for it is God in us that does the work. We cannot change anyone's eternal destiny but God, the Holy Spirit, Who lives in us, spills over and allows us to serve up the water of life in a dry and thirsty land. What a privilege; a real honor. Think of it, Believer; wherever you go today you can be like a drink of cool water to those who are dying of thirst. To be sure, some who are living in a spiritual desert will reject the water of life and to those people you will become an offense, a harbinger of the death that awaits. But that results from their choice, not yours. How I want to pour the Spirit's life into my world; how about you?
Don;'t mistake representing Christ with being religious! Religion serves up judgment and condemnation that makes people even more 'dead' to God. Last week our local newspaper reported on a group from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas who were planning a trip to our area (Easton, PA) to demonstrate at a soldier's funeral. This group of "Christians" (their claim, but not the way I'd describe them) has made it their mission to show up at various places where there have been tragedies to announce what they see as God's judgment on America. They wave hateful signs and yell about impending doom with rhetoric that is too disgusting to use in this TFTD. And they think they are doing God's work! This misguided group does not pour a refreshing drink of the Spirit. They offer a cup of religious sand to those who thirst. What a travesty. But that is what happens when we make the rules about serving God more important than the relationship we can have with God.
God does require holiness of those who follow Him. It is absolutely true that those who are 'in Christ' cannot live with impurity, greed, lust, gluttony, materialism, sensuality, hate ... controlling their lives. But it is not regulations that make us holy. It is knowing God, through Christ Jesus, that makes us "His holy people." Indeed, apart from knowing God, there is no possibility of holiness that pleases Him. Yes, Believers we are ministers of a new agreement with the God of Heaven, one that He wrote in the Blood of His Son, that fully releases us from the guilt and shame that once separated us from our Father. It is our job to point people to the Cross where they find forgiveness and reconciliation. "We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:20-21, NLT)
That's what I mean about a 'life and death matter.'
Represent your King well, won't you? Prepare your mind and heart for this work by taking a few moments to soak up the Water of Life and then let it flow from you to those who need to be loved in God's Name.
When they ask the reason you're full of hope, that you have made a different choice to live for Heaven, tell them about the joy of knowing Jesus, who gives life - and that 'more abundantly!'
___________________
Here's a song I love. If you know, sing it! If not, just make it your prayer, as I do each day.
May we be a shining light to the nations,
A shining light to the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world sees the glory of Your name,
May Your pure light shine through us.
May we bring a word of hope to the nations,
A word of life to the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world knows
There's salvation through Your name,
May Your mercy flow through us.
May we be a healing balm to the nations,
A healing balm to the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world knows
The power of Your name,
May Your healing flow through us.
May we sing a song of joy to the nations,
A song of praise to the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world rings
With the praises of Your name,
May Your song be sung through us.
May Your kingdom come to the nations,
Your will be done in the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world knows
That Jesus Christ is Lord,
May Your kingdom come in us.
May Your kingdom come in us.
May Your kingdom come on earth!
-- Song For The Nations - Christensen, Chris - © 1986 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) CCLI License No. 810055
Politicians do it, claiming that if they are not elected the nation will perish in the next electoral cycle. It never does.
Preachers do it, urging the faithful to give and serve sacrificially, or else... well, there are all kinds of ways to finish that sentence with hype.
Salesmen do it. "Buy this car right now, 'cause I've got someone coming in to see later today, and they are ready to buy!" To which we ought to say, "Yeah, right!"
We're so accustomed to this kind of language, we take little that is said to us at face value.
So, when you see my opening line about a life and death matter, you probably discounted it as just more hype, right?
Believer, is is the truth. How you conduct yourself today is a life and death matter. Consider this word from the Scripture. "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? . . . Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 2:15-3:6, NIV) As we interact with people today, we are spreading the fragrance of God's Presence. To some we are a stench that reminds them of death and doom; to others we are the sweet smell of Spring and new life! What a responsibility. It is a life and death matter.
The Word quickly reminds us that we need not be overwhelmed for it is God in us that does the work. We cannot change anyone's eternal destiny but God, the Holy Spirit, Who lives in us, spills over and allows us to serve up the water of life in a dry and thirsty land. What a privilege; a real honor. Think of it, Believer; wherever you go today you can be like a drink of cool water to those who are dying of thirst. To be sure, some who are living in a spiritual desert will reject the water of life and to those people you will become an offense, a harbinger of the death that awaits. But that results from their choice, not yours. How I want to pour the Spirit's life into my world; how about you?
Don;'t mistake representing Christ with being religious! Religion serves up judgment and condemnation that makes people even more 'dead' to God. Last week our local newspaper reported on a group from the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas who were planning a trip to our area (Easton, PA) to demonstrate at a soldier's funeral. This group of "Christians" (their claim, but not the way I'd describe them) has made it their mission to show up at various places where there have been tragedies to announce what they see as God's judgment on America. They wave hateful signs and yell about impending doom with rhetoric that is too disgusting to use in this TFTD. And they think they are doing God's work! This misguided group does not pour a refreshing drink of the Spirit. They offer a cup of religious sand to those who thirst. What a travesty. But that is what happens when we make the rules about serving God more important than the relationship we can have with God.
God does require holiness of those who follow Him. It is absolutely true that those who are 'in Christ' cannot live with impurity, greed, lust, gluttony, materialism, sensuality, hate ... controlling their lives. But it is not regulations that make us holy. It is knowing God, through Christ Jesus, that makes us "His holy people." Indeed, apart from knowing God, there is no possibility of holiness that pleases Him. Yes, Believers we are ministers of a new agreement with the God of Heaven, one that He wrote in the Blood of His Son, that fully releases us from the guilt and shame that once separated us from our Father. It is our job to point people to the Cross where they find forgiveness and reconciliation. "We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:20-21, NLT)
That's what I mean about a 'life and death matter.'
Represent your King well, won't you? Prepare your mind and heart for this work by taking a few moments to soak up the Water of Life and then let it flow from you to those who need to be loved in God's Name.
When they ask the reason you're full of hope, that you have made a different choice to live for Heaven, tell them about the joy of knowing Jesus, who gives life - and that 'more abundantly!'
___________________
Here's a song I love. If you know, sing it! If not, just make it your prayer, as I do each day.
May we be a shining light to the nations,
A shining light to the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world sees the glory of Your name,
May Your pure light shine through us.
May we bring a word of hope to the nations,
A word of life to the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world knows
There's salvation through Your name,
May Your mercy flow through us.
May we be a healing balm to the nations,
A healing balm to the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world knows
The power of Your name,
May Your healing flow through us.
May we sing a song of joy to the nations,
A song of praise to the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world rings
With the praises of Your name,
May Your song be sung through us.
May Your kingdom come to the nations,
Your will be done in the peoples of the earth;
'Til the whole world knows
That Jesus Christ is Lord,
May Your kingdom come in us.
May Your kingdom come in us.
May Your kingdom come on earth!
-- Song For The Nations - Christensen, Chris - © 1986 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, February 09, 2007
The tragedy of a loveless life
The news media blasted us with the story of the death of Anna Nicole Smith, who achieved notoriety for taking off her clothes for Playboy magazine, making a joke of herself on 'reality TV,' and marrying a billionaire who was 60 years older than she was. She died in a hotel room in Florida at age 39. Speculation is that abuse of drugs and alcohol were the cause of her death. But, I believe that there is a cause for her death that will not show up in the coroner's investigation. She really perished from a lack of genuine love! This woman who managed to attract so much attention was lonely and insecure, estranged from many people including her family. Money, celebrity, and attention could not fill the need for authentic love - love of family and God. She destroyed herself by looking for love in all the wrong places. It makes me wonder what happened to her when she was very young - if someone missed the opportunity to show her genuine love?
Tony Wood, a friend and a man who does ministry in prisons, is a 'Dad' to a hundred young men who are in lock-ups. Young tough guys hug him and send him cards and letters. Why? Many of them have lived most of their young lives with a famine of love. Then along comes Tony showing them genuine loving concern, treating them like sons. He does it without any selfish interest on his part and not because he's paid to be concerned. They begin to feel human again, as God intended. The power of love never ceases to amaze me. I see it everywhere I go, wherever I have the opportunity to interact with people. When I show even the smallest amount of interest and concern for another person, there is almost always a positive response.
Bringing love to our world is what Christ's followers are commissioned to do. It's not that we send everybody a Valentine Day card! It's not about giving a box of chocolates! We love in ways that declare to everyone - the broken as well as the whole, the unattractive as well as the beautiful, the powerless as well as the powerful - "You are a person of dignity and worth!" Whenever and wherever Believers have found ways to do that, they have made the world a better place, and glorified God. But wherever and whenever they start to judge and condemn others they go 'off purpose.'
Here's how Jesus said it. "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends." (John 15:9-13, NLT) Read it again!
Deception is all around us, a lie that says that we can be full of joy and live a rich life if we selfishly serve our own needs. "Take what is yours. Push your way to the head of the line. Don't let anyone steal your credit. Hoard your wealth. Feed your needs." These messages are pounded into us, day after day, but they are simply wrong. Here's the truth - Let God love you, and then forget yourself. Give your life away and you'll find it again- but in a whole and wonderful way.
This love life principle is so basic I feel silly sending out this TFTD. Why state the obvious? Because we forget. Even among the Christians that I work with everyday, I see men and women who forget that they are loved and that they are called by God to be lovers! They get all caught up in promotions, recognition - trying to make sure that they get their whole slice of the pie, so to speak. So, I am reminding us today, of what we already know. Go love somebody. Just as the Father has loved you, deeply and restoratively, love others. You just might save someone's life! Really!
______________________
"What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!
Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.
But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to." (1 John 3:1, The Message)
"For this is the original message we heard:
We should love each other. We must not be like Cain, who joined the Evil One and then killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he was deep in the practice of evil, while the acts of his brother were righteous. So don’t be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time.
The way we know we’ve been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn’t love is as good as dead. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know very well that eternal life and murder don’t go together. This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves."
(1 John 3:11-16, The Message)
Tony Wood, a friend and a man who does ministry in prisons, is a 'Dad' to a hundred young men who are in lock-ups. Young tough guys hug him and send him cards and letters. Why? Many of them have lived most of their young lives with a famine of love. Then along comes Tony showing them genuine loving concern, treating them like sons. He does it without any selfish interest on his part and not because he's paid to be concerned. They begin to feel human again, as God intended. The power of love never ceases to amaze me. I see it everywhere I go, wherever I have the opportunity to interact with people. When I show even the smallest amount of interest and concern for another person, there is almost always a positive response.
Bringing love to our world is what Christ's followers are commissioned to do. It's not that we send everybody a Valentine Day card! It's not about giving a box of chocolates! We love in ways that declare to everyone - the broken as well as the whole, the unattractive as well as the beautiful, the powerless as well as the powerful - "You are a person of dignity and worth!" Whenever and wherever Believers have found ways to do that, they have made the world a better place, and glorified God. But wherever and whenever they start to judge and condemn others they go 'off purpose.'
Here's how Jesus said it. "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends." (John 15:9-13, NLT) Read it again!
Deception is all around us, a lie that says that we can be full of joy and live a rich life if we selfishly serve our own needs. "Take what is yours. Push your way to the head of the line. Don't let anyone steal your credit. Hoard your wealth. Feed your needs." These messages are pounded into us, day after day, but they are simply wrong. Here's the truth - Let God love you, and then forget yourself. Give your life away and you'll find it again- but in a whole and wonderful way.
This love life principle is so basic I feel silly sending out this TFTD. Why state the obvious? Because we forget. Even among the Christians that I work with everyday, I see men and women who forget that they are loved and that they are called by God to be lovers! They get all caught up in promotions, recognition - trying to make sure that they get their whole slice of the pie, so to speak. So, I am reminding us today, of what we already know. Go love somebody. Just as the Father has loved you, deeply and restoratively, love others. You just might save someone's life! Really!
______________________
"What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!
Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.
But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to." (1 John 3:1, The Message)
"For this is the original message we heard:
We should love each other. We must not be like Cain, who joined the Evil One and then killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he was deep in the practice of evil, while the acts of his brother were righteous. So don’t be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time.
The way we know we’ve been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn’t love is as good as dead. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know very well that eternal life and murder don’t go together. This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves."
(1 John 3:11-16, The Message)
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Just paying your dues?
America is a religious nation! Compared to Europe, Australia, and other 'first world' nations, the USA is way out front in percentages of people who regularly attend church, who support religious charities, and who profess belief in a Personal God, who can be known and loved. Before you break out in praises, let me hasten to say that while I am glad for this, it is a small comfort for this pastor in all that for two reasons.
The first has to do with the so-called Millennial Generation, those born in the two decades spanning 1977 to 1997. That generation is bringing us a rapidly changing set of values. They are just now beginning to assume places of power and influence. They have disdain for traditions and 'Truth,” including religious dogma. They are wired, connected to one another in such a way they shut out the voices (and influence) of their elders. yes, they are 'spiritual,' but in a most experiential way; swayed by what 'feels right' more than what they are told is right by experts. They doubt the integrity of the institutions that provide social stability. The next 25-30 years is going to be interesting for the Church. As the Millennial generation takes over our pulpits, I wonder if they will lead America to quickly become a secular society like those in Europe. Or, in the mysterious ways of God, will a religious revival shake the American psyche like the awakening that changed millions of lives in the early 70's? The the so-called "Jesus People" movement of that era produced the evangelical and charismatic churches that many of us worship in today, where contemporary forms of worship and conversational prayer are the norms.
The second reason that I find small comfort in American religiosity is that for many people overt Christianity is just another way to 'pay the dues,' to make a tacit deal with the Almighty. "I'll show up for church and support the American Cancer Society, and You, Lord, make sure that the social contract that provides me a good life stays intact." Perhaps that is much too cynical, but I can say this with certainty, preaching total commitment and self-sacrifice is not a prescription for growing a mega-church in religious America! Many sermons are just re-packaged "me-ism" about a therapeutic God and a Jesus who dispenses endless love and favor to us because we are so important to Him. There's just enough truth to make it all sound right, but not enough to really change our hearts and minds!
Reading the prophets this week - Hosea, Amos, Joel - I see that they, too, wrestled with a changing society that enjoyed great blessings. The people to whom they preached loved their wealth, their wine, and their idol gods. The prophets, living in the world but listening to the music of Heaven, saw the coming judgment of God. Hosea actually lived his sermon! His wife, Gomer, ran off with other men more than once, a lesson of the spiritual adultery of God's bride, the Jewish nation. Just as Gomer's infidelity enraged and broke Hosea's heart, so the Jews' waywardness infuriated God, but still He longed to show them love.
This nation, which He has blessed with unparalleled opportunities, with wealth and influence of a magnitude that no other nation in all of recorded history has ever known, must surely face the heavy hand of God discipline unless we turn again to Him. The shallow experiential religiosity of the Millennials and the "Christianity Lite" of many who occupy church pews is an offense to His glory and majesty which He cannot overlook for long.
Joel, the prophet, heard the Lord God say, "Now, therefore, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” The prophet followed up God's invitation with this advice. "So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. " (Joel 2:12-13, NKJV) Enough of the superficial religiosity, the emotionalism and excitement that the flesh craves, but passes as quickly as thunderstorm, leaving little genuine spiritual change. Rip up your heart in a true sign of desire for transformation. It's not too late to discover a deep passion for holiness and Truth, for God is very patient.
Read this ancient prophecy and invite God, the Holy Spirit, to make it speak to your heart today."O Israel, come back! Return to your God! You’re down but you’re not out. Prepare your confession and come back to God. Pray to him, “Take away our sin, and accept our confession. Receive as restitution our repentant prayers. Assyria (our powerful neighbor) won’t save us; horses won’t get us where we want to go. We’ll never again say ‘our god’ to something we’ve made or made up. You’re our last hope. Is it not true that in you the orphan finds mercy?” God replies - “I will heal their waywardness. I will love them lavishly. My anger is played out. I will make a fresh start with Israel. He’ll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring. He’ll put down deep oak tree roots; he’ll become a forest of oaks! He’ll become splendid—like a giant sequoia, his fragrance like a grove of cedars!" (Hosea 14:1-6, The Message)
Those who claim that the Lord God of the Old Testament is a vengeful, wrathful, graceless God just do not know what they are talking about. He's always loved His People and He still does.Today, His people are not those of a nation or a race, but those who have received His Spirit through faith in Christ Jesus. That Spirit, says Joel, will bring new visions, new dreams - a rebirth of God's glory among those who really love Him. Ah, friend, the question is - "Do you love Him whole-heartedly, for Who He is, beyond the blessings, for more than the promise of a good life?"
___________________
"Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. ” (Joel 2:13, The Message) Amen.
The first has to do with the so-called Millennial Generation, those born in the two decades spanning 1977 to 1997. That generation is bringing us a rapidly changing set of values. They are just now beginning to assume places of power and influence. They have disdain for traditions and 'Truth,” including religious dogma. They are wired, connected to one another in such a way they shut out the voices (and influence) of their elders. yes, they are 'spiritual,' but in a most experiential way; swayed by what 'feels right' more than what they are told is right by experts. They doubt the integrity of the institutions that provide social stability. The next 25-30 years is going to be interesting for the Church. As the Millennial generation takes over our pulpits, I wonder if they will lead America to quickly become a secular society like those in Europe. Or, in the mysterious ways of God, will a religious revival shake the American psyche like the awakening that changed millions of lives in the early 70's? The the so-called "Jesus People" movement of that era produced the evangelical and charismatic churches that many of us worship in today, where contemporary forms of worship and conversational prayer are the norms.
The second reason that I find small comfort in American religiosity is that for many people overt Christianity is just another way to 'pay the dues,' to make a tacit deal with the Almighty. "I'll show up for church and support the American Cancer Society, and You, Lord, make sure that the social contract that provides me a good life stays intact." Perhaps that is much too cynical, but I can say this with certainty, preaching total commitment and self-sacrifice is not a prescription for growing a mega-church in religious America! Many sermons are just re-packaged "me-ism" about a therapeutic God and a Jesus who dispenses endless love and favor to us because we are so important to Him. There's just enough truth to make it all sound right, but not enough to really change our hearts and minds!
Reading the prophets this week - Hosea, Amos, Joel - I see that they, too, wrestled with a changing society that enjoyed great blessings. The people to whom they preached loved their wealth, their wine, and their idol gods. The prophets, living in the world but listening to the music of Heaven, saw the coming judgment of God. Hosea actually lived his sermon! His wife, Gomer, ran off with other men more than once, a lesson of the spiritual adultery of God's bride, the Jewish nation. Just as Gomer's infidelity enraged and broke Hosea's heart, so the Jews' waywardness infuriated God, but still He longed to show them love.
This nation, which He has blessed with unparalleled opportunities, with wealth and influence of a magnitude that no other nation in all of recorded history has ever known, must surely face the heavy hand of God discipline unless we turn again to Him. The shallow experiential religiosity of the Millennials and the "Christianity Lite" of many who occupy church pews is an offense to His glory and majesty which He cannot overlook for long.
Joel, the prophet, heard the Lord God say, "Now, therefore, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” The prophet followed up God's invitation with this advice. "So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. " (Joel 2:12-13, NKJV) Enough of the superficial religiosity, the emotionalism and excitement that the flesh craves, but passes as quickly as thunderstorm, leaving little genuine spiritual change. Rip up your heart in a true sign of desire for transformation. It's not too late to discover a deep passion for holiness and Truth, for God is very patient.
Read this ancient prophecy and invite God, the Holy Spirit, to make it speak to your heart today."O Israel, come back! Return to your God! You’re down but you’re not out. Prepare your confession and come back to God. Pray to him, “Take away our sin, and accept our confession. Receive as restitution our repentant prayers. Assyria (our powerful neighbor) won’t save us; horses won’t get us where we want to go. We’ll never again say ‘our god’ to something we’ve made or made up. You’re our last hope. Is it not true that in you the orphan finds mercy?” God replies - “I will heal their waywardness. I will love them lavishly. My anger is played out. I will make a fresh start with Israel. He’ll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring. He’ll put down deep oak tree roots; he’ll become a forest of oaks! He’ll become splendid—like a giant sequoia, his fragrance like a grove of cedars!" (Hosea 14:1-6, The Message)
Those who claim that the Lord God of the Old Testament is a vengeful, wrathful, graceless God just do not know what they are talking about. He's always loved His People and He still does.Today, His people are not those of a nation or a race, but those who have received His Spirit through faith in Christ Jesus. That Spirit, says Joel, will bring new visions, new dreams - a rebirth of God's glory among those who really love Him. Ah, friend, the question is - "Do you love Him whole-heartedly, for Who He is, beyond the blessings, for more than the promise of a good life?"
___________________
"Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. ” (Joel 2:13, The Message) Amen.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Choose the narrow way. Find life!
There is a real case to be made for choosing to live God's way in this world. His way leads to life; and not just eternal life, but to 'abundant life.' With the advantage of having lived a half-century I can say I am so grateful for all those people who, over the years, pointed me to the 'Way' and encouraged me, again and again, to respond to the Spirit's call with a ready 'Yes!' As a result I do not have to live with a ton of regrets and a list of 'what might have beens.' No, I am not polishing my halo! I've made quite a few detours from the Way and done my share of stupid tricks. I've failed God and others from time to time. But, overall, my life has been lived with God as the center and with an overall desire to discover and live in His will. And, to this day, I have no regrets about that. I've missed out on a few experiences as a result of choosing obedience to God over self expression. I have no record of arrests, no skeletons in the closet to hide, and I can look every woman I know in the eyes without shame over what was done in the dark. Living in God's way has kept me from sins that could have prevented me from my enjoyment of a solid marriage, the love of my adult children, a wide circle of friends, and a career in church work that provides more than adequately for my needs. By some measures I suppose my life would not be judged a successful one. I don't have a big retirement account. I live in a comfortable but modest house. I cannot lay any claims to fame. But, it is a good life, full of God's Grace - and that satisfies me.
Please do not read this TFTD as a Pharisee's self-congratulation. I know full well that who I am today and those things that I count to my credit are the result of God's grace and the investment of good people in me. What I am trying to illustrate is that there are good reasons to encourage others to say "yes" to God's invitation to follow Christ. Though there are some hard choices and required self-denial, there are rewards, too. I have to ask: Do we make that case strongly enough? Do we make it plain that life offers us two roads - a wide one that looks great and leads to a dead-end of destruction or a narrow one that looks hard but leads us to a life that is rich and full of those things that are of true and eternal value? Do we talk only about the Cross of Christ and seldom of the Crown of life? Jesus said it plainly: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV)
Perhaps a false modesty causes us to feel that just coming out and saying, "serving Christ is the best way to live and here's why!" I know I am reluctant to say that because I fear that my words will be read as prideful. But if we don't tell others what the Lord has done for us, why would they choose to love and serve Him? The Psalmist says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies." ... “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." (Psalm 107:1-2, 6-9, NLT)
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul contrasts two ways of life. As you read, ask the Spirit of God to lead you to choose the way of life.
" So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:16-25, NIV)
A God-centered, Christ-redeemed, Spirit-filled person will live a life that is demonstrably
different from those who walk apart from God, without His life in them.Does His Light shine in you?
________________________
Proverbs 4:18-19 (The Message)
The ways of right-living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—
travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.
Please do not read this TFTD as a Pharisee's self-congratulation. I know full well that who I am today and those things that I count to my credit are the result of God's grace and the investment of good people in me. What I am trying to illustrate is that there are good reasons to encourage others to say "yes" to God's invitation to follow Christ. Though there are some hard choices and required self-denial, there are rewards, too. I have to ask: Do we make that case strongly enough? Do we make it plain that life offers us two roads - a wide one that looks great and leads to a dead-end of destruction or a narrow one that looks hard but leads us to a life that is rich and full of those things that are of true and eternal value? Do we talk only about the Cross of Christ and seldom of the Crown of life? Jesus said it plainly: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV)
Perhaps a false modesty causes us to feel that just coming out and saying, "serving Christ is the best way to live and here's why!" I know I am reluctant to say that because I fear that my words will be read as prideful. But if we don't tell others what the Lord has done for us, why would they choose to love and serve Him? The Psalmist says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies." ... “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for all his wonderful deeds to them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." (Psalm 107:1-2, 6-9, NLT)
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul contrasts two ways of life. As you read, ask the Spirit of God to lead you to choose the way of life.
" So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:16-25, NIV)
A God-centered, Christ-redeemed, Spirit-filled person will live a life that is demonstrably
different from those who walk apart from God, without His life in them.Does His Light shine in you?
________________________
Proverbs 4:18-19 (The Message)
The ways of right-living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—
travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Keep yourself pure!
I am not a prude (defined as 'a person of excessive modesty') but I am outraged by the torrent of sexuality that has swept over our culture like a tsunami wave. I am not sure that young adults in America even know the meaning of friendship or true beauty any longer. Many young men are convinced that the only way to relate to women is genitally. The entertainment industry has so sexualized the standard of 'beauty' for women that many constantly dress like prostitutes. In what I believe is one of the most tragic developments of our time, many of our young women (yes, even adolescent girls!) have come to believe that the only way to be valuable is to be sexual. Foul men stand ready to exploit this mistaken value system. Hugh Hefner, of Playboy fame, started the industry of exploitation 50 years ago. From his airbrushed pictures of naked women, the industry devolved to things like the coarse 'entertainment' produced by Jim Francis called - "Girls Gone Wild" - featuring drunk college girls in various states of nudity, and explicit pornography available on Main Street, Anytown, USA.
Even Christians have been overwhelmed by the tide! The majority of couples that come to me to be married are already living together and they have no sense that they are acting in an immoral way. Christian teens and young adults publish songs, photos, and poems on their MySpace of such explicitness that the material makes me blush! Christian men are consuming pornography at nearly the same rates as non-Believers. Nobody, it seems, knows the meaning of moral purity. The Bible calls us to a different standard. "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world." (Ephesians 5:3-5, NLT)
This TFTD is not a call to return to Victorian prudery! I don't think that pretending sex does not exist is any kind of answer to immorality. Nor must all Christians aspire to celibacy; unwilling to be real, live, warm-blooded men and women who feel and experience sexual passion. What we must do is to return sex to the place of exclusivity that God gave to it. "Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex." (Hebrews 13:4, The Message) Christians must reclaim sex from the gutter. We need to affirm the spiritual aspect of human sexuality. Having sex must have more significance to us than having a hamburger. Both satisfy an appetite, but a meal is just that. Sex satisfies a physical need, but carries a much deeper meaning with it as well.
The physical union of sexual intercourse creates a spiritual bond. Consider what God says. "There’s more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, “The two become one.” Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never “become one.” There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for “becoming one” with another." (1 Corinthians 6:16-18, The Message)
Believer, one of the ways that you and I must be remarkably different from our world is in the area of sexual purity. Our lives should be notable for the way we celebrate our sexuality - wholly and holy - in a God-honoring manner. We cannot allow ourselves to become scolds and nags, wagging our condemning finger at those who are duped by the lies of this sensual culture. We must not imply that sex is ugly or base or vile! That was the course chosen by others that helped to get this culture to its present state. Instead, we must speak of sex in terms that honor God's gift of maleness and femaleness. Christian men can and should be virile without needing to lust after every attractive woman they see. Christian women must recover true beauty, in body and spirit, without adopting a whorish appearance or a sluttish attitude
Today, ask the Lord to help His people to begin anew. Pray for a wholeness of mind and heart in terms of sexuality. If you've fallen into sinful impurity, commit yourself to a restoration - starting today.
Make this your prayer, for God's sake.
Psalm 101:1-6 (NIV)
1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.
6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
Amen.
Even Christians have been overwhelmed by the tide! The majority of couples that come to me to be married are already living together and they have no sense that they are acting in an immoral way. Christian teens and young adults publish songs, photos, and poems on their MySpace of such explicitness that the material makes me blush! Christian men are consuming pornography at nearly the same rates as non-Believers. Nobody, it seems, knows the meaning of moral purity. The Bible calls us to a different standard. "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world." (Ephesians 5:3-5, NLT)
This TFTD is not a call to return to Victorian prudery! I don't think that pretending sex does not exist is any kind of answer to immorality. Nor must all Christians aspire to celibacy; unwilling to be real, live, warm-blooded men and women who feel and experience sexual passion. What we must do is to return sex to the place of exclusivity that God gave to it. "Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex." (Hebrews 13:4, The Message) Christians must reclaim sex from the gutter. We need to affirm the spiritual aspect of human sexuality. Having sex must have more significance to us than having a hamburger. Both satisfy an appetite, but a meal is just that. Sex satisfies a physical need, but carries a much deeper meaning with it as well.
The physical union of sexual intercourse creates a spiritual bond. Consider what God says. "There’s more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, “The two become one.” Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never “become one.” There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for “becoming one” with another." (1 Corinthians 6:16-18, The Message)
Believer, one of the ways that you and I must be remarkably different from our world is in the area of sexual purity. Our lives should be notable for the way we celebrate our sexuality - wholly and holy - in a God-honoring manner. We cannot allow ourselves to become scolds and nags, wagging our condemning finger at those who are duped by the lies of this sensual culture. We must not imply that sex is ugly or base or vile! That was the course chosen by others that helped to get this culture to its present state. Instead, we must speak of sex in terms that honor God's gift of maleness and femaleness. Christian men can and should be virile without needing to lust after every attractive woman they see. Christian women must recover true beauty, in body and spirit, without adopting a whorish appearance or a sluttish attitude
Today, ask the Lord to help His people to begin anew. Pray for a wholeness of mind and heart in terms of sexuality. If you've fallen into sinful impurity, commit yourself to a restoration - starting today.
Make this your prayer, for God's sake.
Psalm 101:1-6 (NIV)
1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.
6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Can He trust you?
I tuned into "Dateline" last night and saw another sad episode of "To catch a predator." In case you have not watched, it is a show in which men who have engaged in explicit sexual online conversations with police officers who pose as 13 year boys or girls are invited to a home to meet their prey. In reality, they are only going to meet the police. Once there, some are brazen in their attempts to lie their way out of their predicament., Some are pathetic as they realize that they are facing a tough time at home and/or at work when they have to explain their choices. Most grow apologetic when they see the Chris Harris and the TV cameras. They are charged with crimes, depending on the statutes of the state in which Dateline is operating. And - their double life is exposed. It is a tragedy all around - for children they may have exploited prior to being caught; for wives at home, most of whom have no idea of the secret sordid lives of their husbands, and for the men who are enslaved by lust and who are unwilling to seek out the help they need to overcome their sin. These men are not all 'losers,' either. Clergymen, physicians, teachers, lawyers, tradesmen with steady jobs and good homes are all in the mix!
My Bible readings this week have taken me to the book of Daniel, in preparation for the class I'll teach this evening. As much as anything in that book, I am captivated by his amazing integrity. As a teenage boy, taken by the Babylonians into servitude, far from home and under great pressure to conform, he held to principle over expedience. Throughout his life, he held onto that honesty. As a result, he became a trusted advisor to 4 kings, with a career that spanned about 70 years. If you know his story, you are aware that he and his friends paid a dear price, more than once, for their refusal to 'go along to get along!' They made a trip through a fiery furnace and he through a night in a den of hungry lions! As an old man, his reputation was stellar, such that when Belshazzar, the king, needed someone to interpret a troubling vision, he was told to call Daniel. Those who recommended him, knew that Daniel would not sugarcoat the message, would not bend the words to appease the king. When he appeared before the terrified king, he was offered wealth and privilege to tell the meaning of the handwriting on the wall. Here is Daniel's response. “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means." (Daniel 5:17, NIV) In other words, "I am not for sale!"
Are you for sale? It is said that every person has a price. I don't want to believe that, but there is certainly a mountain of evidence that lends credence to the idea that for the right amount of money, for 15 minutes of fame; people will sell their souls. Do you have a price? Are you worthy of trust, a person of solid character all the way to the core? Is there a level at which you will compromise your integrity?
Those are painful questions but we need to ask them often of ourselves. Hidden compromise and secret sin is a source of rot in our souls. It isn't just about lust like that which is featured on Dateline. It could be financial irresponsibility, abuse of alcohol or drugs, flirting with members of the opposite sex when you travel, feigned spirituality, hatred hidden deep under layers of sweet talk - any situation where you know that in your heart you are not the person others believe you to be.
The only cure is confession! Getting honest - with yourself, with God, and with others - is the way that we become people who can be trusted, whose lives are marked with integrity. Deal ruthlessly with any areas of rot in your life, friend - for God's sake. Quit making excuses, blaming somebody else, or looking for loopholes. Call it what it is. And, find a confessor. Millions have found freedom from terrible habits and/or addictions in 12 Step groups. Is it because they find some amazing revelation there? No, not at all. It is where they start to tell the truth. When they have to say it out loud, in front of others who once told the same lie, they have to deal with it.
Value integrity like a treasure. It is! Nothing makes a person more admirable, more respected, than integrity. Jesus demands it from us. He said, "Let your Yes mean Yes... nothing more, nothing less!"
Here's a word from the Word for your meditation today. It points the way to integrity, to a life that can be lived in the light without fear."If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin. If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing." (1 John 1:6-9, The Message)
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
My Bible readings this week have taken me to the book of Daniel, in preparation for the class I'll teach this evening. As much as anything in that book, I am captivated by his amazing integrity. As a teenage boy, taken by the Babylonians into servitude, far from home and under great pressure to conform, he held to principle over expedience. Throughout his life, he held onto that honesty. As a result, he became a trusted advisor to 4 kings, with a career that spanned about 70 years. If you know his story, you are aware that he and his friends paid a dear price, more than once, for their refusal to 'go along to get along!' They made a trip through a fiery furnace and he through a night in a den of hungry lions! As an old man, his reputation was stellar, such that when Belshazzar, the king, needed someone to interpret a troubling vision, he was told to call Daniel. Those who recommended him, knew that Daniel would not sugarcoat the message, would not bend the words to appease the king. When he appeared before the terrified king, he was offered wealth and privilege to tell the meaning of the handwriting on the wall. Here is Daniel's response. “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means." (Daniel 5:17, NIV) In other words, "I am not for sale!"
Are you for sale? It is said that every person has a price. I don't want to believe that, but there is certainly a mountain of evidence that lends credence to the idea that for the right amount of money, for 15 minutes of fame; people will sell their souls. Do you have a price? Are you worthy of trust, a person of solid character all the way to the core? Is there a level at which you will compromise your integrity?
Those are painful questions but we need to ask them often of ourselves. Hidden compromise and secret sin is a source of rot in our souls. It isn't just about lust like that which is featured on Dateline. It could be financial irresponsibility, abuse of alcohol or drugs, flirting with members of the opposite sex when you travel, feigned spirituality, hatred hidden deep under layers of sweet talk - any situation where you know that in your heart you are not the person others believe you to be.
The only cure is confession! Getting honest - with yourself, with God, and with others - is the way that we become people who can be trusted, whose lives are marked with integrity. Deal ruthlessly with any areas of rot in your life, friend - for God's sake. Quit making excuses, blaming somebody else, or looking for loopholes. Call it what it is. And, find a confessor. Millions have found freedom from terrible habits and/or addictions in 12 Step groups. Is it because they find some amazing revelation there? No, not at all. It is where they start to tell the truth. When they have to say it out loud, in front of others who once told the same lie, they have to deal with it.
Value integrity like a treasure. It is! Nothing makes a person more admirable, more respected, than integrity. Jesus demands it from us. He said, "Let your Yes mean Yes... nothing more, nothing less!"
Here's a word from the Word for your meditation today. It points the way to integrity, to a life that can be lived in the light without fear."If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin. If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing." (1 John 1:6-9, The Message)
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
He makes me crazy!
So, have you ever been offended? Silly question, right? Everybody gets mad at somebody, sometime. Wives make their husbands angry. Husbands leave the toilet seat up! Neighbors get angry and build fences. Nations make war. We human beings are offended - constantly, it seems. Too many times to count, I have found myself with a pounding heart, gripped with anger, over some perceived encroachment in my life by another. The source of the offense can be something as trivial as a person who drives too slowly in the fast lane on the Interstate highway. The larger question is not - will I be offended, or even why am I offended? The truly important issue for us as Christ's followers is - how will I respond when I feel offended? The Bible says, "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. " (Proverbs 19:11, NKJV)
As I shepherd God's people, the one thing I do as much as any other is soothe people's ruffled feelings! When marriages hit a rough spot on life's road, I work with the couple to help them discover a way back to harmony. When Believers disagree, I attempt to create a sense of shared vision once again. And let me tell you the real truth - sometimes the very fact that someone in my flock has taken offense, offends me! How's that for a complicated mess? I feel the stir of irritation, from time to time, thinking - "how could something so relatively unimportant become such an issue to her?" Then, I recall my own times of offense, when sleep has been robbed, when I have found myself thinking unholy thoughts about another. And, with distance and perspective I, too, see how those troubled moments were the result of some little issue, unworthy of the depth of emotion I invest in it!
Offense almost always grows in self-love, self-concern; doesn't it? Yes, of course, I've heard about 'righteous indignation.' And, I've read about Jesus' anger when He cleared the money changers out of the Temple, offended at their blatant greed and abuse of people who came to worship. But, our offense is seldom about such weighty issues, is it? We get worked up because someone parks in our spot, sits in our pew, fails to show expected appreciation for our service, and/or fails to meet our expectation in some way or another. All this is a symptom of a greater need, to feel that we have worth, that we are valued. That's a legitimate need. But how we meet it is important. If we gauge our personal worth by measuring the response of other people to us, we will spend inordinate amounts of time angry or in despair. People are often insensitive or just plain thoughtless. They will fail to appreciate or even see our contribution to their lives.
As we mature, both emotionally and spiritually, we develop genuine self-esteem as we come to understand the strengths and weaknesses in ourselves. We learn how to 'fit' in our place in this world, accepting who we are and needing less and less affirmation from others in order to feel 'worth.' The key to this serenity is the love of God! The great message of grace is that God, because of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, forgives us, removes our shame and guilt, and restores our dignity. We, who were broken by sin in ourselves and by the sins of others, are called 'children of God!' And we are not just tolerated kids, either. We are His beloved sons and daughters. Here is the kernel of truth about this. The more we are filled with the Spirit of God, the less we will grow offended.
Pondering John's letter to Believers this morning, I saw again, how important it is for me to receive God's love for myself. He writes, "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don’t know God, so they don’t understand that we are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure." (1 John 3:1-3, NLT)
As he develops the thought, inspired by God's Spirit, John reaches this conclusion - "This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was right. So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:11-16, NLT)
In summary, what John teaches us is this - "to the extent that we are in the love of God, we will express love to others." If we are constantly offended, it should signal a basic spiritual need to us; a need that cannot be met by any living person, but that can be completely met by God, who is Love Personified.
Does she make you crazy? Does he drive you over the edge?
Not really, friend. Those are responses we choose. Let God love you today. Take His grace to heart.... really!! And you will find yourself at peace- loved, and therefore, loving. "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." (1 John 4:18-19, The Message)
____________________________
How Deep The Father's Love For Us - Townend, Stuart
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross.
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
© 1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
As I shepherd God's people, the one thing I do as much as any other is soothe people's ruffled feelings! When marriages hit a rough spot on life's road, I work with the couple to help them discover a way back to harmony. When Believers disagree, I attempt to create a sense of shared vision once again. And let me tell you the real truth - sometimes the very fact that someone in my flock has taken offense, offends me! How's that for a complicated mess? I feel the stir of irritation, from time to time, thinking - "how could something so relatively unimportant become such an issue to her?" Then, I recall my own times of offense, when sleep has been robbed, when I have found myself thinking unholy thoughts about another. And, with distance and perspective I, too, see how those troubled moments were the result of some little issue, unworthy of the depth of emotion I invest in it!
Offense almost always grows in self-love, self-concern; doesn't it? Yes, of course, I've heard about 'righteous indignation.' And, I've read about Jesus' anger when He cleared the money changers out of the Temple, offended at their blatant greed and abuse of people who came to worship. But, our offense is seldom about such weighty issues, is it? We get worked up because someone parks in our spot, sits in our pew, fails to show expected appreciation for our service, and/or fails to meet our expectation in some way or another. All this is a symptom of a greater need, to feel that we have worth, that we are valued. That's a legitimate need. But how we meet it is important. If we gauge our personal worth by measuring the response of other people to us, we will spend inordinate amounts of time angry or in despair. People are often insensitive or just plain thoughtless. They will fail to appreciate or even see our contribution to their lives.
As we mature, both emotionally and spiritually, we develop genuine self-esteem as we come to understand the strengths and weaknesses in ourselves. We learn how to 'fit' in our place in this world, accepting who we are and needing less and less affirmation from others in order to feel 'worth.' The key to this serenity is the love of God! The great message of grace is that God, because of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, forgives us, removes our shame and guilt, and restores our dignity. We, who were broken by sin in ourselves and by the sins of others, are called 'children of God!' And we are not just tolerated kids, either. We are His beloved sons and daughters. Here is the kernel of truth about this. The more we are filled with the Spirit of God, the less we will grow offended.
Pondering John's letter to Believers this morning, I saw again, how important it is for me to receive God's love for myself. He writes, "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don’t know God, so they don’t understand that we are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure." (1 John 3:1-3, NLT)
As he develops the thought, inspired by God's Spirit, John reaches this conclusion - "This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was right. So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:11-16, NLT)
In summary, what John teaches us is this - "to the extent that we are in the love of God, we will express love to others." If we are constantly offended, it should signal a basic spiritual need to us; a need that cannot be met by any living person, but that can be completely met by God, who is Love Personified.
Does she make you crazy? Does he drive you over the edge?
Not really, friend. Those are responses we choose. Let God love you today. Take His grace to heart.... really!! And you will find yourself at peace- loved, and therefore, loving. "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." (1 John 4:18-19, The Message)
____________________________
How Deep The Father's Love For Us - Townend, Stuart
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross.
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
© 1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, January 29, 2007
Planned Obsolescence
Did you know that many products are designed with a limited life cycle so that we will be forced to buy new? Microsoft, for example, after a few years no longer offers support to the older computer operating systems forcing us to upgrade to their new products. I am told that light bulbs that would last a lifetime could be produced, but manufacturers want them to burn out after a thousand or so hours of usage, so we will buy another. Even the automobile industry changes models with superficial design modifications so that it is possible to recognize a 2004 model from a 2007 model! Humans, being what we are, want the latest and greatest, and so we are caught up in the cycle, often buying something 'new,' not because we actually need it, but just because it gives us a feeling of being 'with the times!'
The Bible says that God created you and me for eternity! We do not become obsolete. Yes, as we age, we may feel like life is passing us by, especially in our current youth-oriented culture. Americans worship youthfulness - the firm bodies, smooth skin, and physical vigor of that time of life. For many the value of aging and the enjoyment of greater productivity and effectiveness that life experience can bring to us is eclipsed by the diminishing stamina, the increase in aches, and yes, the diminishing sexual desire. With a fervency approaching the ridiculous we try to hang onto our youth. If you doubt me on that, explain all the products that are successfully marketed that serve no purpose other than maintaining the illusion of unending youth for us.
Though we live about 70 years here on earth, give or take a decade or two, God has given you and me the promise of eternal life in His Presence. The Scripture says, "He has set eternity in our hearts!"
Believer in order to finish well in this life- with honor intact, and a record of achievement that honors the Lord- we need to take seriously the encouragement of the Word that teaches us to "keep our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven." (Hebrews 12:2, NLT) Why did Jesus finish the plan of God? Because He knew there was something on the other side of the Cross! If we have only a vague, fuzzy idea about eternity; if Heaven is just a concept 'out there somewhere' for us, then we will become slaves of the present, fighting the process of aging with every pill and cream we can lay our hands on. But, if we are loving and serving a living God, making the connection to Eternity on a daily basis, we will move steady on through life - accepting each season with grace - and becoming increasingly ready to ''go home" to our true and eternal house, not made with human hands, in which there are no products created by engineers with the idea of planned obsolescence!
Friend, is Heaven in your heart? Are you taking joy in life today, maximizing the opportunities to serve and love God, because the Holy Spirit has already made you alive for eternity through Jesus Christ?
Please do not think I am talking about detaching from life here and attempting to escape the very real challenges of living in this present world by fantasizing about heaven. I am talking about making life a richer, fuller, more productive experience because of the hope of Heaven that gives our struggles meaning and that helps us choose the path of right living.
Let me leave you with these words from the Word. Ponder them deeply and invite the Spirit to give you eyes to see Heaven on the horizon of your time here on this planet."We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands." (2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, NLT)
__________________________________________________
I know not why God's wondrous grace
To me He hath made known;
Nor why, unworthy,
Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own
But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed,
Unto Him against that day."
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me.
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed,
Unto Him against that day."
© Public Domain
I Know Whom I Have Believed
Whittle, Major Daniel W. / McGranahan, James
The Bible says that God created you and me for eternity! We do not become obsolete. Yes, as we age, we may feel like life is passing us by, especially in our current youth-oriented culture. Americans worship youthfulness - the firm bodies, smooth skin, and physical vigor of that time of life. For many the value of aging and the enjoyment of greater productivity and effectiveness that life experience can bring to us is eclipsed by the diminishing stamina, the increase in aches, and yes, the diminishing sexual desire. With a fervency approaching the ridiculous we try to hang onto our youth. If you doubt me on that, explain all the products that are successfully marketed that serve no purpose other than maintaining the illusion of unending youth for us.
Though we live about 70 years here on earth, give or take a decade or two, God has given you and me the promise of eternal life in His Presence. The Scripture says, "He has set eternity in our hearts!"
Believer in order to finish well in this life- with honor intact, and a record of achievement that honors the Lord- we need to take seriously the encouragement of the Word that teaches us to "keep our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven." (Hebrews 12:2, NLT) Why did Jesus finish the plan of God? Because He knew there was something on the other side of the Cross! If we have only a vague, fuzzy idea about eternity; if Heaven is just a concept 'out there somewhere' for us, then we will become slaves of the present, fighting the process of aging with every pill and cream we can lay our hands on. But, if we are loving and serving a living God, making the connection to Eternity on a daily basis, we will move steady on through life - accepting each season with grace - and becoming increasingly ready to ''go home" to our true and eternal house, not made with human hands, in which there are no products created by engineers with the idea of planned obsolescence!
Friend, is Heaven in your heart? Are you taking joy in life today, maximizing the opportunities to serve and love God, because the Holy Spirit has already made you alive for eternity through Jesus Christ?
Please do not think I am talking about detaching from life here and attempting to escape the very real challenges of living in this present world by fantasizing about heaven. I am talking about making life a richer, fuller, more productive experience because of the hope of Heaven that gives our struggles meaning and that helps us choose the path of right living.
Let me leave you with these words from the Word. Ponder them deeply and invite the Spirit to give you eyes to see Heaven on the horizon of your time here on this planet."We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands." (2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, NLT)
__________________________________________________
I know not why God's wondrous grace
To me He hath made known;
Nor why, unworthy,
Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own
But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed,
Unto Him against that day."
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me.
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
But "I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed,
Unto Him against that day."
© Public Domain
I Know Whom I Have Believed
Whittle, Major Daniel W. / McGranahan, James
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