The REAL Deal

Fraud abounds on the Internet! Just about daily, I get emails that tell me that Mrs. Woeful's husband died leaving her with $25 million and that if I will just send her my name, address, phone, and bank account information, she will send me $2 million of her money.... Right! Recently emails have started showing up that tell me I have won a large sum of money in a Microsoft drawing in Europe. It goes on to list a contact and to request the same data. Those fakes are easy to spot and get deleted with a quick click. The ones that are less obviously fraudulent are the ones that use real logos from places like EBay or PayPal or my bank. Invariably those emails tell me that my account has been compromised and that I need to log in to confirm my password, or something like that. If a person clicks the link in these so-called 'fishing' emails the crook gains access to the real account when he records login information!

Do you know that religious frauds exists as well? Some of them are obvious and I wonder how anybody could be taken in by the outlandishly ridiculous claims. Remember the guy from Puerto Rico who appeared on the news last year, who claims to be Jesus Christ on earth now? He hangs out with a bevy of beautiful young women, sips expensive whiskey, and has a criminal record and still there are thousands of people who follow him, who give millions of dollars to him, and who tragically think that he is showing them the way to eternal life. Much less obviously fraudulent are those 'churches' that emphasis morally upright lives, that preach a message of service and selflessness, but where the Cross of Christ is replaced by human effort! They use many of the right words and even the symbols of Christianity, but substitute mere goodness for the true righteousness of Christ. It's an old lie that has been around since the first generation of the Church.

The Scripture warns about this empty form of religiosity. Read on!
"God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body.

For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, "Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!"? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.
These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." (Colossians 2:13-3:2, NLT)

How easily sincere people are taken in by the lie, "you can earn God's approval." Many make herculean efforts to be 'righteous.' They build a solid record of church attendance, kindness, and even self-denial in the vain hope of being good enough to merit Heaven. Jesus says that without a transformation of the spirit-man, which only happens through faith by the act of the Holy Spirit, any effort on our part to become holy, is like a new paint job on a mausoleum. The outside may shine brightly, but the inside is still full of death.

The amazing, wonderful, absolute Truth is that "God made you alive with Christ." Believe it, receive Him, and you gain 'imputed righteousness.' That's a theological way of saying that God will give you full acceptance as His child at Jesus Christ's expense. A holy life that results from this change is accompanied by joy and real delight in doing the will of God. From a distance a merely good person and a Spirit-filled holy person look much the same. Up close, there is an undeniable quality of love, of devotion, of integrity, and yes; of Life that refreshes, in the one with the new heart. Accept no substitutes for the true Gospel - the Good News of Jesus Christ who died and who lives to save us completely from our sin.

Here is a familiar passage. Read it again, with faith. Ponder the scandalous and wonderful truth of God's amazing grace as you remember these words.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV)

_________________

I stand amazed in the Presence
of Jesus, the Nazarene,
and wonder how He could love me,
a sinner, condemned, unclean.

He took my sins and my sorrows,
and made them His very own.
He bore the burden to Calvary,
where He suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory,
His face at last I'll see,
will be my joy through the ages,
to sing of His love for me!

How marvelous! How wonderful!
and my song shall ever be!
How marvelous. How wonderful!
is my Savior's love for me.

- Charles Gabriel
Public Domain

Misplaced hope?

I sometimes think that life would be easier 'if only...' -
I had more money,
I lived in Colorado,
I could be 30 again, or
the food I like wasn't fattening. (The last one is just for laughs!)

We look for hope in so many places, don't we? For the Believer, there is only one true Hope: the Lord Himself. In the story of Exodus, Moses is sent by God to Egypt. He is charged with leading the Israelites out of slavery and to the Promised Land. In chapter 5, we learn that his first encounter with Pharaoh is a disaster! Not only does the king mock him and the Lord, he doubles the work load of the Israelite slaves, who turn on Moses in anger.

So, what does he do?
Go out and party heartily?
Find a new job?
Move to a new city and take a new identity?
Sorry, none of the above.
The Bible says, "Moses returned to the LORD." (Exodus 5:22, NIV)

Admittedly, the prayer he prayed was a nothing more than complaint, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me?" (Exodus 5:22, NIV) But, God listened and answered. It is the Lord's answer that I want you to focus on with me, Believer. It is a wonderful three part reply, in which God calls us to renewed hope in Himself.

First, God says, "Trust in my Providence!" "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country." (Exodus 6:1, NIV) If Moses and Aaron had met success on their first visit to the king, they would most likely have congratulated themselves! The Israelites would have tried to turn them into gods. God wanted the Israelites and the Egyptians to know, beyond question, Who was the mover and shaker in this great deliverance. The difficulties were a means of creating utter dependence on Him.

Second, God says, "Know me Personally!" "I am the LORD (Yahweh). I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty (El Shaddai), but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them." (Exodus 6:2-3, NIV) God told Moses that the trials would lead him to a deeper intimacy with Himself. Moses was given the Name of God, the holy Name that was so revered by the Hebrews they would not speak it. So in the Scripture text, we read the word they substituted - Lord. Where you see that in all capital letters, that is a clue that the personal Name of God, Yahweh (some say, Jehovah) appears. His Name means, "the I Am," "the Self-Existent One," or "the One who is Present."

Third, God says, "Renew your hope in my Promises!" "Say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’" (Exodus 6:6-8, NIV) Seven "I wills" are God's declaration. And the promises are bracketed by the statement, "I am the LORD." He secures the promise with the honor of His Name!

Believer, He is our Hope! Money might temporarily make life simpler, but you can't buy peace with God, nor exempt yourself from life's trials with wealth. Pleasure may divert your attention away from suffering, in your own life or in the world around you, but when the music stops playing and the dance is over, reality returns. God does not fail. Return to Him. Renew your worship, deepen your devotion, lay aside your complaints.

Trust His Providence!
Know Him Personally!
Rehearse His Promises!
_________________________

My faith has found a resting place,
not in device, nor creed.
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea.
It is enough that Jesus died,
and that He died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
this ends my fear and doubt.
A sinful soul, I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea.
It is enough that Jesus died,
and that He died for me.

- Eliza HewittPublic Domain

Passed By on the Other Side

The woman on the phone was crying softly. Sally (not her real name) said she had not eaten in two days and that she had fallen and broken her arm the night before. Her list of woes was long, as it has been in the past when she called. With shame, I admit that I didn’t want to get involved in her troubles. But, the love of Jesus compels me, so I asked Pat, who coordinates the church’s food pantry ministry, to prepare a bag of groceries that I could take to Sally.

When I got to her room; yes, she lives in a single room, my heart was broken by the poverty, loneliness, desperation in that place. A hug, a prayer, and a bag of groceries didn’t begin to meet her need! I left heavy-hearted, wondering what the Body of Christ could or should do for Sally. Without help, she will never be able to climb out of the pit into which she has fallen. Most likely she has made poor decisions along the way that have only made her situation worse. But, can we, should we, just leave her beside the road, beaten up by the Devil and dying, spiritually and physically?

Sally and those who live ‘on the edge’ like her, are often invisible to the rest of us. We choose not to see them, for when we do, we realize that we have a responsibility to care for them. By care, I do not mean, just feed them, either. We must offer love – costly, sacrificial love.

Why? Because that what Jesus teaches us. Take a look.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37, NIV)

Believer, the salvation God has given to us is not just for Heaven. We are to be about the business of building the Kingdom, here and now. That means we include the Sally’s of this world. But, we cannot help them if we do not ‘see’ them. The solutions are not simple, easy, or cheap. Success is not guaranteed. But, Jesus sends us to love the least and the lost just as He loved us. Doing so will disturb our middle class serenity, drag us out of our comfort zone, and mess up our lives. And, it will also make us just like Him!
____________

On that day when we will pay for
All the deeds we have done.
Good and bad, they'll all be had
To see by everyone.
And when you're called to stand,
And tell just what you saw in me,
More than anything I know
I want your words to be,

She's got her Father's eyes,
Her Father's eyes,
Eyes that find the good in things
When good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help
When help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion,
Seeing ev'ry pain.
Knowin' what you're goin' through
And feelin' it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes.

Father’s Eyes
Chapman, Gary © 1978 Paragon Music Corporation (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055

Confusing MIght With Strength

Power is a major theme in our world, isn’t it?

Politicians build coalitions seeking to exercise greater power. Nations are armed to the point of bankruptcy. Punks on our streets have more guns than ever before. Lawsuits are common. Conflicts too often are settled by violence of one kind or another. Yes, I admit that when I feel threatened, there is always the temptation to evaluate my strengths, to determine if I have enough ‘might’ to flex my muscle and make the threat go away.

But, Believer, Jesus teaches us to respond differently! His words are not difficult to understand, but oh how hard they are to practice. Take a look. "Don’t hit back at all. If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. . . . Live generously. " (Matthew 5:39-42, The Message)

We object to His words as impractical, pointing out that they leave us defenseless. No, not defenseless, but unarmed! His words, if we accept them and live in them by faith, transfer our trust for defense to our Heavenly Father, who cares deeply for us. The Word promises justice. "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord." (Romans 12:17-19, NKJV)

The exercise of power always raises the level of conflict. A tragic story from the time of the kings illustrates this. King Solomon died and his son, Rehoboam, ascended to the throne of Israel. The people came to him and asked for relief from their high taxes and forced labor. His older counselors urged him to be a servant to the people knowing that they would respond with support for the king. But he rejected their wisdom and took the people’s request as a challenge to his authority. His response was one of might, not true strength! “If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!” (1 Kings 12:14, The Message) His insecurity fueled a foolish arrogance which led to the division of the nation and he spent the rest of his reign in a simmering civil war!

Rehoboam’s story is repeated millions of times. Men, who are bigger and stronger, intimidate their families instead of providing loving leadership. Bosses drive those they supervise with threats instead of building teams with concern. Neighbors built fences and write laws to protect their rights, only increasing alienation.

Believer, we are secure in Christ. Paul points out the many ways that life and people conspire to harm us, and then he says, "… despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-42, NLT) In His embrace, we can lower our defenses, and trust in His care.
_______________________


O love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee.
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow,
May richer fuller be.

O light that foll'west all my way,
I yield my flick'ring torch to Thee.
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze it's day,
May brighter fairer be.

O joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee.
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

O cross that lifted up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee.
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red,
Life that shall endless be.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Matheson, George / Peace, Albert Lister
© Public Domain
CCLI License No. 810055

Critics - a blessing or a curse?

Film critics regularly tell us if a movie is worth our $8. Is a film a 'must see' or a 'don't waste your money' snooze? Are there flaws in storylines, poor editing, and bad writing? One thing about movie critics that makes me smile is how seldom they see a good film! Perhaps pointing out the flaws, real and imagined, creates a kind of "movie critic" job security. Dr. Larry Crabb, renowned Christian author, said that reading the reviews of his books makes him shake as he finds it difficult to see his work analyzed and sometimes criticized. Imagine putting your heart on paper and submitting it to the world and then to have people who don't even know you tear your work (and your heart) to pieces!

Have you been criticized lately?

As a church leader I have had to come to grips with the fact that in every congregation there are always a few critics who enjoy that delicacy called 'roast preacher' for Sunday dinner. I was once naive enough to think that if I were "good enough" or "smart enough," everybody would like everything I said and did. It took about 15 years of ministry to learn that trying to please the crowd (even the church crowd) was a sure way to become ineffective in pleasing God! Both applause and criticism are short-lived.

Don't believe me? Look no further than our Presidential election process. While sorting through a pile of old US News magazines last week, I stopped to read a couple of articles about the 'inevitability' of Hillary Clinton's nomination. Today's paper questioned her judgment and lauded Barack Obama! In the same old magazine, one editor spoke in glowing terms of Fred Thompson, whose charisma and popular appeal were 'sure' to carry him to the nomination. Fred who? Once he entered the race, the criticism of his style was unending.

Here are ten ways to avoid criticism...
1. Do nothing.
2. Do nothing.
3. Do nothing....

Getting the point? The only way you will never be criticized is if you choose to say nothing, do nothing, and keep out of sight. Even then, someone will probably blame you for something that you were marginally connected to! If we state an opinion, do ministry, take a stand, create a work of art, do our job -- we must expect criticism. Noble Believers, we must learn to say, without arrogance, "I believe this is what God wills for me" and then to go forward in pursuit of His great purpose. In the book of the Acts, we read about that time, early in the church's history, when Peter and John were hauled into the court of religious leaders and "told never again to speak or teach aboutJesus." Do you think that was intimidating? Of course it was! But here's what those brave men said in reply. "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20 NLT

A word of caution is necessary!

Pride will cause some people to twist these thoughts into an excuse to be insensitive and/or overbearing. Others will take these words and make them a reason to discard advice from those older and wiser than themselves. Please do not do that. We live in community and God uses our brothers and sisters to help shape us, to keep us from falling off the deep end of extremism. Criticism that is offered in love is of tremendous value and that must be kept in the front of our minds at all times. "If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise." (Proverbs 15:31, NLT) Living defensively and rejecting all counsel is a fool's walk that leads to ruin.

However, (isn't life full of 'however's?) moments come when we set our course because we KNOW what God has said to us by His Word and His Spirit and we do it -- despite the critical voices that assureus of impending failure or foolishness for we know that obedience to God is the highest calling of our heart. Here's a word from the Word to take with you today. Meditate on this eternal wisdom and then -- go confound your critics as you humbly, quietly, and consistently obey the one Master.

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, NLT)
__________________

Which goal - success or significance?

Bob Buford is a businessman who lived for success. Around the age of 14, he determined that he would enter the business realm, along side of his mother who owned media outlets, build a solid business and make money. He succeeded. As he tells the story in Half Time, in mid-life he realized that while he enjoyed and appreciated success, there was something missing. At about the same time his only son, a young entrepreneur, died in a swimming accident. Profoundly effected by all of this, he made the decision to change the focus of his life from success to significance and went on to found an organization that helps ministries and church leaders use the opportunities that exist around them more effectively. A decade later, his writing and coaching has become a movement that is positively changing many lives.

Are you chasing success or living for significance? Maybe you do not even know how to differentiate those goals. Success is measured by external markers: status, money, titles, possessions; being a few. Significance is much more difficult to measure because it involves the inner person, the spiritual life. A person who seeks significance builds relationships, encourages others, serves without need for recognition, and most important - obeys God. Some mistakenly think that success and significance cannot coexist. Admittedly, wealth can, and often does, complicate spiritual development. Jesus told us that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:25, NIV) He went on to explain that spiritual transformation must be sought and only comes when a person is totally surrendered to the Spirit of God. That is a very hard choice to make for someone who has been accustomed to calling the shots and leading the charge! However, when a person who has known success says 'yes' to the will of God, the Lord can take the success he has known and make it useful for His work in this world.

Jesus puts this challenge before each one of us- will you choose to chase success as measured by accumulating possessions or will you pursue significance as measured by Heaven's values? Here's how He said it. "Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." (Matthew 6:19-21, The Message) The siren song of success lures many to give their lives something that proves illusory. They find that even when they have some measure of success, more beckons. The next big deal, the next award, the next promotion, the next vacation or toy will surely be the one that fills up the hole in their soul. But, after reaching the goal, they find the hunger is only temporarily sated, and returns even more fiercely!

The person who finds himself at rest in the center of God's will, lives a life blessed with the peace of God. Let's not make the mistake of thinking that the gateway to significance is poverty or retreat from life in the real world! God may call some of us to walk that way, just as Jesus did when asked by a young rich nobleman how he might find eternal life.
"Go, sell your possessions and give your wealth to the poor. Then, come follow Me." Sometimes a radical cure for materialism is required. But for many, Christ will assume mastery of their lives right where they are. Their business, their career, their home, their family will become God's and they will begin to let Him lead. That can be an even more challenging transformation than suddenly selling it all and moving to a monastery!

Believer, what is the true goal of your life? The answer may not be obvious, for our hearts are deceptive. Discerning our true motives demands spiritual surgery. If you want to live for significance, to spend the days you pass here on this earth in a way that creates a lasting legacy, let the Word of God speak to you.
"God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what." (Hebrews 4:12-13, The Message) Are you ready for transformation?

Take my life and let it be,
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

- public domain
Frances Havergal

Love Day

Call me a fool, call me overly sentimental, but I am very happy that the calendar includes a day to celebrate romance! Yes, I spent too much on cards and the roses are ordered. Clichéd? Perhaps, but I don't think that there is such a thing as 'too much' when it comes to celebrating our marriage. Well, there might be. I bought a Valentine's card (just for fun) for her a couple of weeks ago that measures about 16 by 24 inches! The picture of the rose printed on the front is so big, it is almost frightening. When Bev opened it, she laughed and blurted out, "What am I supposed to do with this?" The card cost $5. Her reaction was priceless, momentarily her surprise overcame her 'niceness.' Today she opened the 'real' one that reminded her of how important she is to me. Bev enjoys Valentine's Day, too. She handed me a pile of cards for our kids and grandkids that represented a lot of money for ink and paper. Why? Because love must be nurtured. Love that is simply assumed too easily dies. And guys remember this; those who are really 'in love' are never too sophisticated for Valentine's Day. Romance is not about careful calculation or sophistication. It's a heart thing!

Of course, there will be plenty of faux love spread around today. Cards, chocolate, and flowers will be purchased to make an impression, to manipulate, or to just meet expectations. Without real affection and esteem, the symbols of love are without meaning, even offensive. And what does real love look like? Not much like the depictions of it in popular culture. Our culture often equates love with sex! Of course sexual attraction is a part of love. The Bible is quite clear about that. There is an entire book devoted to it in the Old Testament. (Think Song of Solomon.) The Proverbs have more than one reference to sexual fidelity, too. And, Paul is clear, too. He tells Believing couples "Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again. . . ." (1 Corinthians 7:5, NLT)

Love is more than sex. Yes, you know that, but it must be said to counter the flood of sexual propaganda that threatens to engulf us in this culture. In this beautiful and challenging passage, the Bible gives us the whole story about love. Read it thoughtfully, won't you?
"Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. ....For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love." (1 Corinthians 13:7-11, 13, CEV)

That kind of love costs more than a card or a dozen roses. It flourishes long after the hormones that spark sexual passions have diminished! It gives a beauty that really is more than 'skin deep.'

Love of that quality isn't restricted to spouse, family, or friend. It comes from God and flows from us to those who are unlovely. Jesus talked about love frequently. In one of his talks, He includes this: "God gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that." (Matthew 5:45-47, The Message)

I hope you're able to celebrate Valentine's Day. And you can, even if you're not romantically tied to anyone. Love, like Christ loved you! It will change your world; yes, that love will come back to change you!

________________________________________

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

God's Mysterious Ways

Comforters with good intentions often offer up this line when there is nothing else to say, "Well, God works in mysterious ways." Sometimes want to ask, "Is that supposed to be comforting?" When we are up against a crisis, when we don't know which way to turn, what to do, or pain is overwhelming - there isn't much comfort to be had from "mysterious ways!" Or, is there? Let us not rush to a conclusion. Yesterday I spent an hour or so with a young woman who has fought a courageous war with cancer for 9 years! Several times in the last 3 years she has walked right up to death's door, only to be miraculously (and I use that word advisedly) restored to some measure of health. Now she is once more in terrible pain, extremely weakened. As I knelt beside her bed and prayed for her, I could not help from wondering why the Lord would preserve her life, but not heal her completely.

None other than Moses ran into circumstances that tried his faith. In the 5th chapter of Exodus there is a story that reads like a tragic comedy. Moses and Aaron arrive in Egypt with great news for the Hebrew slaves, "The LORD God has sent us to lead you out of slavery, back to the Land of Promise." The people heard their message with great joy and they worshipped the Lord. Then, these two men went to Pharaoh to appeal for release of the Hebrews. As expected, he rejected their request. Instead, the king doubled the slaves' workload, making life even more miserable! So the Hebrews foremen went to him and made an appeal to his fairness. His response was stone-cold, "Lazy, that’s what you are—lazy! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’" (Exodus 5:17, NIV) When the Hebrews next saw Moses and Aaron, they were not worshipping, nor were they joyful! "The foremen said to them, "May God see what you’ve done and judge you—you’ve made us stink before Pharaoh and his servants! You’ve put a weapon in his hand that’s going to kill us!" (Exodus 5:21, The Message)

Moses was as confused as anyone. His prayer of complaint is one that most any of us could pray when God's ways leave us confused. "Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!" (Exodus 5:22-23, NLT) Yes, God was working! From our seat in the grandstand of history we look over the story and realize that the Lord was setting the stage for a confrontation with the gods of Egypt, in which He would show His mighty hand and that they were no gods at all. Egypt was a wonder of the ancient world and God would bring her to her knees before He was finished, but nobody knew that then. They were confused, in pain, and afraid, seeing only the situation that appeared to grow worse by the day.

Believer, if you're in one of those seasons, let me say with deepest tenderness the word which are true: "God works in mysterious ways" and the rest of the line is, "His wonders to perform!" That line is not meant to dismiss your pain or to judge you in your struggle. Instead it is a lifeline of hope that urges us to keep faith, to hope for Him, and to wait as patiently as we are able for His purposes to be revealed. And should you be one of those who is privilege to be walking in the sunshine, enjoying good times, good health, and many blessings - be thankful and keep faith, too! Don't judge your brothers who suffer and do not dismiss their struggles as evidence of lesser faith. Instead, encourage them. Love them. Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.

The line "God works in mysterious ways" is actually part of a great hymn written by William Cowper in the 18th century. Cowper struggled with depression for most of his life. In the depths of his pain, he wrote poems that have become well known. According to several sources, the hymn from which this line is taken was his last. The story of the hymn's origin is fascinating though we cannot confirm it. I quote from cyberhymnal.org. "One night he de­cid­ed to com­mit su­i­cide by drown­ing him­self. He called a cab and told the driv­er to take him to the Thames Riv­er. How­ev­er, thick fog came down and pre­vent­ed them from find­ing the riv­er (ano­ther ver­sion of the story has the driv­er get­ting lost de­liber­ate­ly). After driv­ing around lost for a while, the cab­by fin­al­ly stopped and let Cow­per out. To Cowper’s sur­prise, he found him­self on his own door­step: God had sent the fog to keep him from kill­ing him­self. Even in our black­est mo­ments, God watch­es over us."

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

- Public Domain, William Cowper

Before the Throne

Remember some of the best worship experiences you have had; no, not the one with the kickin' band, or the one where the preacher was eloquently stirring. Use another measure. Remember those times when you sensed God's amazing and powerful Presence settle over you, bringing awe and serenity. If you have never experienced that, I can only say there are not really words to adequately describe the moments, the response, the assurance that flows from such times. Of course it doesn't require a church service for us to know God's Presence. Indeed, my point today is that we should desire to live in His Presence all of the time. And there is this complication, everything in our daily lives conspires to keep us from living with an awareness of the Presence of God.

Headaches, car trouble, stormy weather, disagreeable people, the blare of media - the list is lengthy - all become distractions from being 'before the Throne.' If my own life is any gauge, a Believer can go a whole day rushing from job to job, putting out fires, coping with the 'stuff' that comes down the road at him- with little or no thought of God's wonderful Presence. But, we should not accept that kind of life as a normal Christian life! The Word reminds us to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV) Perhaps your first thought on reading that line is the one that came to my mind - "Sure, I could do that if I lived in a monastery, but not in my world!" If that were true, then God would be asking the impossible from us, something He will not do.

The Lord asks us to make purposeful, conscious choices that keep us in His Presence.

The first is to choose joy. Don't confuse happiness, which is largely circumstantial, with joy which we can choose! The person who chooses joy is not fake, nor does she live in denial of the pain that comes her way.

Instead, she takes the next step, pray continually. How can a busy person do that? Keep an attitude of submission to God and refuse to go anywhere or do anything that would offend the Spirit and break your communion with Him! Selfishness, filthiness, greediness are a few of the things that move us away from being in a prayerful attitude. You can call me strange if you want, but I know the voice of the Spirit that says to me, "Stop what you're doing right now!" Or, He'll say, "Change the radio station." Or He says, "Turn off that movie." Or, He says, "Refocus your mind, now!" If I obey, His peace persists. If I resist, the serenity of living in His Presence ebbs away. The more a Believer learns to live 'in the Presence,' or 'before the Throne,' the more he treasures it. When my sinful words or actions, grieves the Spirit so that He removes His peace from my life, I cannot stand the loneliness that results and I find a place to renew our fellowship quickly.

Then, there is the choice to be thankful! Knowing how important this decision is to a person's experience of the Presence of God, the Enemy of our souls, does whatever he is able to do to get us to think we are deprived. He really works to cause us to live in envy of other's place. I believe that is one reason that God includes the 10th commandment - "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17, NIV) I will never be content, nor live serenely, if I want what belongs to another- even if it is his spiritual experience. Thankful acceptance of this day and the provision of God for me to meet its challenges, is a key to living 'before the Throne.'

The Bible says that you and I are the 'temples of the Holy Spirit.' We are 'God's house.' Wouldn't it be a shame to claim to be a living temple, yet be bereft of the Presence that makes the temple glorious?

Here are words from the Word for your meditation today. May He keep you close as you choose to live 'before the Throne!

'Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That’s why they’re standing before God’s Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:14-17, The Message)
______________________

Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the Risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I Am,
The King of glory and of grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.

Before The Throne Of God Above
Cook, Vikki / Bancroft, Charitie Lees
© 1997 PDI Worship (Admin. by The Copyright Company)
CCLI License No. 810055

The Importance of "No"

From the earliest moments of our lives we are conditioned to be agreeable, to want to make other people happy. A child is seldom rewarded for saying, "No, Mommy, I don't want to do that!" That same child receives all kinds of positive strokes when he does what he is told to do and more. The same is true of big people, too. In my pastoral work I cannot remember a time when someone sincerely said, "Pastor, thank you for telling me, 'no.' I needed face up to the fact that it is my responsibility." But I can tell you about countless times when people expressed their appreciation when I did what they should have been doing.

It is hard to admit, but I am an approval junkie. I'll march straight into total exhaustion if it will allow me to bask in the sweet warmth of the approval of others. This past Saturday morning, I was at church, on a ladder, changing light bulbs! Did anyone in the church expect me to do that? Of course not. Was it even a good use of my time on a morning when I needed to be reviewing my Sunday sermon and spending time with the Lord? Probably not. But I did it anyway, because it was easier to just do it myself than to make sure that somebody else got it done! And, (this is embarrassing to say but confession is good) I feel terribly righteous when I'm doing those 'servant' things! (Jeremiah surely spoke the truth when he talked of the "deceitfulness of the human heart," didn't he?)

The truth is that knowing when and how to say 'no' is just as important as being responsible, flexible, and willing to serve. Why?

First, we serve best when we serve in ways that God calls us to serve!
I know that He has called me to teach and preach. When I am using the spiritual gifts He has invested in me to do those things, I feel passion and real joy. I may get tired but I am renewed as well. Other people - time and again- tell me of ways that my teaching or preaching brings them insight or spiritual growth. When Believers are serving where God has called and equipped them to serve, they need little in the way of motivation. They are actually renewed by pouring on the effort. They often make other people want to do what they do, because they have so much fun doing it.

Second, we rob another of a blessing when we do what they should be doing!
This isn't just a spiritual principle. It is true in so many ways. Parents who do what their kids should be doing, fail to prepare them for life, and set those kids up for failure as adults. Anyone who has been a parent knows how hard it can be to get a kid to make his bed, take out the garbage, or do his own homework without complaining. It is easier to do these things for them, but... every time we do, they lose. Short term convenience for us produces long term disability in them! Every Believer has a place of service in the Body of Christ. Those who are mature need to encourage those who are younger in the Lord to develop skills and gifts in service. Will the 'newbie' do it as well as the mature? Not likely, at first anyway. Will it be efficient to mentor a younger Believer? Of course not. It would be quicker to just do the job ourselves. But think of what happens to the next generation if we fail to give them opportunities to serve by just doing it ourselves? We are most lovingly when we insist that they step up to responsibility even when they do not feel like serving.

Third, we risk becoming burnt-out drones when we serve people rather than God!
More than a few Believers who were once full of the joy of the Lord and passionate about His kingdom, are now just doing their ministry and the ministry of three other people with a grim determination. They don't excite anybody or inspire others, but they get the job done. We admire their grit, often recognize their efforts with awards and/or applause; but we wonder, "why are they so unhappy?" The sad fact is that many are serving people not God! They have lost sight of the Biblical teaching about being spiritually gifted and called. Now they are just 'working their way to Heaven.'

There is this caveat. There are times when the job just must be done, and it right there in front of us, so we do it. I hope you don't read this and decide that you will only do what you feel passionate about doing or only what God specifically calls you to do. I pick up garbage I see in the church's parking lot because I can! God doesn't need to speak to me and say, "Jerry, retrieve that discarded bottle and put it in the trash!" Humble service is a universal calling! The Words says, "Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!" (Philippians 2:5-7, The Message)

Are you exhausted, critical, miserable, and mean?
Just maybe you need to learn how to use a little word, "No." Go ahead, practice saying it out loud, "I appreciate that you think so much of me that you would ask, but I have to say, 'No' today." If you're an approval addict like me it will be very, very hard to let those words pass your lips. You will feel guilty and wonder if you're a really bad person. You will be tempted to check back a couple of days later to see if anyone has taken on the job yet.

Have a servant's heart! Be ready to do anything, but watch the motive.
First, do what God calls you to do.
Second, do what you do for Him, not to earn the approval of others, no matter how good it feels.
And, third, remember that your refusal may become someone's opportunity.

"It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows." (Galatians 5:13, The Message)

Radical Community

Yesterday I went to visit my father and to go with him for his first appointment with the oncologist (cancer specialist). That's an unnerving experience, to say the least. Though heart disease and diabetes are greater health problems in America by far, cancer still has the edge when it comes to 'fright factor.' Just the word makes us feel dread. The tension built up in the three of us; Mom, Dad, and me. What would Dr. Patel say? What is Dad facing in terms of treatment? That's the other thing with a cancer diagnosis. Sometimes the treatment looks as bad as the disease! As it turns out, before a prognosis can be offered or a treatment regimen suggested, there are some more tests the physician wants, so we did not really get answers to our questions. So, now there is more waiting, which adds to the tension.

There was a bright spot of encouragement in the day, however, which I want to share with you. I apologize for the long run-up, but the point needs a context. When my parents moved to Pennsylvania in March of 2006, I was not too happy about their decision to be that far away, in case of the very kind of circumstances that they are dealing with right now. But God had a different plan which became even more clear to me yesterday.

Dad is a friendly guy who feels the need to talk to everybody he meets. In the area where they now live there are many members of the Old Order Mennonite sect as well as the Amish; groups that to outsiders seem indistinguishable. Both groups reject much of the modern world, living without phones, electricity in their homes, automobiles, or computers. They dress plainly in homemade clothing, live simply, and most distinctive of all - practice radical communal living. They are tightly knit groups that few in the world outside really know. As the Lord would have it, Dad has found a 'home' with these groups. He has become a friend of many and they have reached out care for him and his family.

Last night, 'round 7 PM, there was a knock at the door. There stood about an extended family of Old Order Mennonites; straw brimmed hats, overalls, and plain dresses. There were about 12 adults and several little children. Jason, one of the young men in the family, has been doing some work for Dad and knew of his illness. So he rallied his family to give what they could! They asked if they might come in and lift up Gerald (they are a very formal people, too) with songs. They gathered around the dining room table and opened their hymnals. For a little over an hour, they sang without accompaniment, in simple harmonies, songs about heaven and hope! They communally gave my parents (and me!) a great big hug. These strangers touched my heart so deeply that even as I type these words the tears fall from my eyes! What a simple gift, but powerful, amazingly powerful!! These people know the meaning of love that is beyond sentiment. They don't send a card or flowers, they bring themselves. I realized the genius of their form of Christianity. It's not about hats, home made dresses, or horse drawn buggies. Those things are attempts to maintain their distinct lifestyle of radical community. They cannot live with any illusions of independence. They cannot survive without depending on each other. And, now they are giving that love and support to my parents, who are not even 'in' their group!

Incidentally, another Amish man showed a similar love to my father yesterday. Mr. Stauffer takes care of trimming the hooves on Dad's horses. He came by to do that work about 3. He knocked on the door and asked to see Gerald (again, that formal thing). He was so gracious. Two hours later, after he had finished his work, he came back to the house and when Dad went to make payment, the man said, "No, this is my time to give to you." He refused payment for his services. Obviously, he isn't a rich man by any stretch of imagination, but he understands the meaning of caring, sharing in love.

Believer, I am not suggesting that we all need to go back to farming, sell our cars, and try return to the 17th century. But, we do need to recapture the radical love that is the heart of Christian faith. Jesus' words, "all men will know that you are my disciples by your love for each other," took on a whole new meaning for me last night.

Here's a word from the Word. Let the Spirit speak to you today. I hope you will join me in asking Him how we can better become a radical community of love, so that we may demonstrate the truth of the Gospel to those who live around us.

" My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him.

Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us." (1 John 3:18-24, The Message)

Give it away!

There are givers and there are takers in this world. In 1977, I met Tom Johnson, one of the most giving people I have ever known! I was one of those he blessed. I was in a situation where I needed to support my little family, just three of us at that time. I was trying to balance a call to ministry with the imperative of putting food on the table. I had a back-breaking job that required every waking hour, 6 days a week, leaving me little time to do what I believed God wanted me to do. Tom came by our home one day and said, "Come with me." We went to his place of employment and into the boss' office together. Tom told him, "Jerry is a great guy and I know he can do my job. I quit, hire him!" He gave me his job which paid better and demanded fewer hours so I could pursue my calling! That wasn't the last time that Tom blessed me. And the best part was that he did it all for Jesus, not for himself, not to buy my friendship, not with any strings attached. He believed that people are 'blessed so that they can be a blessing.'

There are people who add life to whatever situation in which they find themselves and there are people who leave everybody around deflated. Which kind of person are you? In his great book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey teaches that we can live with either an abundance or scarcity mentality. If we believe the pie is just so big and that sharing it means everybody must take a smaller bite, we will tend to hold onto what we have. On the other hand if we are convinced that the pie can grow larger, we will tend to share. Generosity isn't just about money, either. We need to be generous in many ways: forgiveness, encouragement, helping others find success, volunteering, with our time, with love. Those are just a few things that come to mind. You can add to that list.

Here's a real paradox! Prosperity is the enemy of generosity. One would think that having more would lead a person to want to give more, but experience argues against that. It is a fact here in America that those who have more wealth generally (there are exceptions!) give away a smaller percentage of their income to charitable causes than do the poor. Before we engage in class warfare, let me ask you - do you support charitable causes? Do you give generously to others in proportion to your income? Generosity starts right where we are, right now; not sometime later when we have excess. Why? Because for most of us, if we do not start practicing the discipline of giving in the present, we will simply expand our standard of living as our store of resources increase.

In the Proverbs there is this wisdom: "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:24-25, NIV)

Jesus taught many lessons about being a giving, generous person.

One was the importance of having the right motive. "When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." (Matthew 6:3-4, The Message) A person who practices his 'generosity' while putting out press releases is just serving himself. His 'gift' stinks because it is rotten with self interest!

Another is that God values all gifts that are given not just those that are big! "While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. "I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has." (Luke 21:1-4, NLT)

And He taught that an attitude of generosity allows God to bless us! "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." (Luke 6:38, NLT) He was not suggesting that we ought to give to get! But, He was telling us that God isn't likely to trust us with more if we are hoarding what we already have!

God is our resource! He isn't having an economic crisis. He is not short on forgiveness. His love is unlimited. So, let's trust Him, let Him love us extravagantly, receive His grace in abundance. Then, let's pray that God will help us to let His generosity overflow through us. Indeed it is "more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35, NLT) Go bless your world with life gifts today!

Near to the Heart of God

I spent a couple of hours immersed in election returns before turning into bed last night. The arrogance of the prognostication of the talking heads was irritating, to say the least. Though they spoke in certainties, it was obvious they do not know the future or the minds of the American electorate much better than do you or I. I surfed from ABC, to FOX, to CNN, to MSNBC. Depending on the channel I watched, McCain was winning big or not taking the lead expected. Hillary was ahead, but not fulfilling her mandate, whatever that means. On one of the expert panels featured on CNN Paul Begala mocked Huckabee's Christianity. He sneered, "Can you believe Americans are willing to vote for a man who doesn't believe in evolution, photosynthesis, or gravity?" Last time I checked, evolution was still a theory of origins, in an entirely different scientific category than photosynthesis, but never mind the facts. Could somebody just move the election up to March, so we could get on with life?

While all that was being reported tornadoes roared through four southern states, killing 27 people last night. I thought about the lives that ended with a whirl of wind, about living rooms crowded with grief stricken relatives trying to put the pieces of life together. Presidential politics are not all that important to some communities today as they grapple with death and destruction.

In contrast to the chaos of presidential politics and the tragic news of whirlwinds, New York City had a party! They threw a parade for their Giants, raining tons of confetti on their heads as they made their way down Broadway to City Hall, where Mayor Bloomberg handed over the symbolic key to the city to the players and their coach. It was a pleasant distraction, especially when Michael Strahan took the podium, leapt into the air, and landed with a pronounced thud of both feet while declaring, "You know what we did to you? We stomped you out!" It was a gleeful moment in a dreary day.

I am so glad that in a world where life seems to be so unpredictable - yes, even random - I have a Savior! Knowing Jesus does not mean that I live above either the sorrows or the joys of being in this world, but He does provide me with assurance, with an anchor for my soul. Because I know that He does know what tomorrow holds, unlike those commentators who guess at it; because I know He is Lord of life and death even when the storms blow; because I know He gives the faithful joy that supersedes, by far, that produced by Super Bowl victories - I face today with hopeful expectation. When I come near to Him, He gives me courage to get on with life, to take on the challenges this day will bring.

Dear friend, are you secure in Him today or are you fearful?
Do the headlines make you want to hide out from real life, or escape into momentary pleasures?

Perhaps you're not even paying attention to the news because your own life is overflowing with drama! Perhaps the source of your insecurity is job loss, marriage problems, or spiritual crisis! God understands. I did not just watch the news yesterday. I was part of real life, too. In one short day, I prayed for a man who needs a job now to meet his family's needs. I preached a funeral for a family. I spoke with a man who was trying to make sense of his own life which presently is overflowing with sorrow. I prayed for a young woman who miscarried her baby two weeks ago and who has made some real dumb decisions since, as she tries to run away from her grief. And there was more, but I won't bore you with the details! I did not just offer sympathy. I took these needs to the One who knows the why and the what. And, I am confident that He is working and will work to bring about His purpose for those who will trust in Him.

Take this word from the Word, as I did today, and take hope from God's promise.
"God has given both his promise and his oath.
These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.
Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
It leads us ...into God’s inner sanctuary." (Hebrews 6:18-19, NLT)
_________________

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

Near To The Heart Of God
McAfee, Cleland
© Public Domain

It only takes a spark

We sang a song in my youth group (think, 1970!) that included these lines,
"It only takes a spark
to get a fire going,
and soon all those around,
can warm up in its glowing.
That's how it is with God's love,
once you've experienced it.
You spread His love to ev'ryone,
you want to pass it on."
(Pass It On, Kurt Kaiser)
It always moved me. Yes, perhaps you had to be there to be touched by what is a rather banal sentiment, but the general thought is still challenging. You want to pass it on! Are you making a difference where you are?

Too many times to count, people have made this comment or one similar to it to me, "I wish I were a Pastor; then I could really do something good for God and other people." Somehow they believe that being an employee of a church and ordination to a holy vocation confers greater abilities to accomplish good. If you think that way, consider this story. John Ortberg recounts it in his book, When the Game is Over, it all Goes Back in the Box.

Johnny is a bagger at a local grocery store. One day he was invited to a training event for the supermarket chain where a speaker described how every interaction with another person is an opportunity to create a memory and to give a blessing. She told the workers to look for those moments. She gave her phone number and invited follow up calls if someone wanted to talk about what she had said.

A month later, Johnny called her. This 19 year old bagger proudly told her he has Down's Syndrome, then he told her that he liked what she said, but that, at first, he didn't think that there was any way for him to do anything special for the customers at the store. But, then he had an idea. He decided that every night after work he would look for a short thought, something that would be positive and help people think about the good things in life. He would type it into his computer, print out sheets with the line on them and cut those sheets into small strips, each bearing his 'thought.' So he did it, fifty pages every day, carefully cut into ribbons of paper bearing a message. He took his little strips to work and carefully put one in the top of a customer's bag when he finished packing it. As the person was leaving, Johnny would look them straight in the eye and say, "I've put a great saying in your bag. I hope it helps you to have a great day. Thanks for coming here."

Soon the store manager noticed that the line for Johnny's checkout was always three times longer than other lines, that people would even stand in that line even when other check outs were open. People were not just getting words from a boy with Down's Syndrome. They were getting hope from a kid who cared! Six months later, the entire store was transformed! The floral department had once discarded flowers with broken stems. Now they took a moment to go into the aisles and find an elderly lady or a little girl and give the flower, bringing much delight to customers. The meat department decided that it would be nice to put a little ribbon on the packages of meat they prepared. Johnny, the bagger, sparked a retail revolution! He did it by doing what he could do right where he was, not for himself, but for others.

You can read that story and cynically dismiss it or you can begin to believe that God has a way for you to serve Him and to make a difference in His Name; right here, and right now. Some part of you will insist that you have to make a grand splash, that you need $thousands to make it happen, or .... well, just know that there will be many 'reasons' to reject the idea of making a change. Some of them come from common human pride that keeps us from risking too much. Some of that reluctance results from the cruelty of those who are jaded, who sneer at the 'do-gooders' who try to make a difference. They are always on the scene trying to make those who work at loving others feel foolish, childish, or small! Their work is effective, too, but negatively as they suck the joy out of life! And, I am convinced that the Enemy of God and good does his best to cause us to keep the love we have experienced to ourselves, because he knows just how little effort it takes to make a huge difference in an office, a church, a neighborhood, and even in a city.

Here's a word from the Word. May the Truth spur you to action today. "From the beginning you were told that we must love each other. Don’t be like Cain, who belonged to the devil and murdered his own brother. Why did he murder him? He did it because his brother was good, and he was evil. My friends, don’t be surprised if the people of this world hate you. . . . Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it. When we love others, we know that we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the presence of God." (1 John 3:11-13, 18-19, CEV)
___________________

Father God, all around me there are people in need.
There are sad, lonely, confused, hopeless, deceived, broken people
that I could love in Your Name.
Give me a tender heart that can be touched,
a sensitive spirit that responds to the prompting of Your Spirit,
and a mind that is ready to engage in action to make a difference.

Love me, Lord, not just to make me happy;
but to prepare me to love others in ways that urge them to wholeness,
that allows them to see the hope that Jesus' Gospel brings.
Help me to do what I can do- right here, right now-
to make a Kingdom difference.

In Jesus' holy Name I pray. Amen!

Loving the Truth

The couple with whom I spoke were broken, absolutely devastated by allegations of abuse of their children. He was free on bail, the authorities had custody of their children. The newspaper had reported their arrest and charges with shocking and sensational words. As I talked with them, my heart was torn by their grief, and I wondered, "What are the facts in this case? How did it come to this?"

Truth, what is it? The word is fairly easy to define - the actual state of a matter, conformity with fact, honesty. Living truthfully is much more difficult. In a complex world the 'truth' is often buried beneath layers of shading, spin, and even outright lies. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the Presidential politics that have been everywhere around us. Candidate A declares that Candidate B took a certain position on a critical issue. Candidate B replies that his words are being quoted out of context and that he didn't really take 'that' position, but one similar to it, and we are left to wonder, what is the truth?

You and I cannot control the veracity of others, but we can commit ourselves to living truthfully. The best place to start seeking the truth is with ourselves! Admitting to the reality of certain attitudes or thoughts, acknowledging that we are tempted in certain ways, dealing with the things we would like not to be true, is a huge challenge. When I see that balding, somewhat over-weight, middle-aged man staring back at me in the mirror every morning I'm tempted to refine reality! My mind is tempted to superimpose the image of an energetic 30-something man. I'd be foolish to allow myself to pretend to be 2 decades younger than I really am! Even more seriously, it is hard, when I am before the Lord, to acknowledge the realities of my sinful nature that the Spirit brings before me. When He says, "Jerry, this attitude or this action must change," many times I would rather excuse it or deny it, than deal with it. James tells us that the key to living in freedom is living in the truth. "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:23-25, NIV)

In the gospel of John there are dozens of references to the 'truth.' Truth is declared to make us free, to sanctify (make acceptable to a perfect God) us, and to allow us to live 'in the Light.' Believing what God says, receiving the gifts He gives us, is tremendously empowering.

Jesus said, "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you." (John 8:31-32, The Message)

In another passage, He says, "he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." (John 3:21, NKJV) Interesting statement isn't it? "Does the truth." Truth is not abstract nor is it merely philosophical. We can live it!

In yet another passage, Jesus promises that God will do a miraculous work in our lives with the Truth: "Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth." (John 17:17-19, NLT) When we Believe in He who is Truth personified, Jesus Christ, and we surrender our lives to Him, a transformation begins to happen in our minds and hearts. We reject deception, serving an image, the lies of the Evil one and become holy, shaped by the truth.

Friend, do you love the truth?
Is your life characterized by honesty, authenticity?
Do you refuse to play games with yourself and others?

Living in that way will not necessarily win any popularity contests. Jesus confronted the world with the truth and they killed Him for it! But, living in the truth and letting truth shape your life from the inside out will make you whole and holy, a person who conquers temptation and pleases God. Look for even the smallest kinds of bending the truth in your life and ask God to give you the courage and strength to get it right.

Here's a word from the Word for your thoughts today:
"Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37, NKJV)
__________________________

This thing called "church"

I spoke with an old friend who told me that she no longer attended church services. After disappointment with failed leadership and less than perfect fellow Believers, she decided that her Christianity would be privatized - in her words: 'It's just Jesus and me these days.' I don't doubt her sincerity, but to use an old cliché, she is sincerely wrong. Our conversation revealed that since she stopped being a part of a local congregation her faith has grown increasingly anemic, her service in the Name of Jesus sporadic at best and truthfully (in her words- nearly none existent), and that her kids have abandoned faith entirely. You and I need the Church to thrive spiritually! God says so, "...let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25, NLT)

So what is a church?

One thing I can tell you with certainty - it isn't the building! Yes, we commonly refer to the structures, big and small, where Christians gather for worship as 'church' but the Scripture never once suggests that a building is the 'church.' The church is not just your church, or my church, either. I was raised among Believers who had an awfully exclusive view about who were actually the 'real' Christians in the world. Not surprisingly, it was 'us!' But, with a more mature understanding of the Bible, I realize that there are many expressions of faith, many ways to worship, and that the qualifier for being 'in the Church' is not the way one is baptized, or the liturgy of worship; it is whether a person is 'in Christ' through faith in the Cross and the Resurrection. Paul reminds us of the breadth of the family of God when he says: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28, NKJV)

Christians become 'a church' in many different ways - meeting in mega-groups of thousands in mall-sized buildings or in a small group of a dozen in a living room or coffee shop. They may create a highly structured liturgical service led by robed priests, or they may worship in Pentecostal fervor akin to the chaos of a sporting event! But Jesus promised that "whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you." (Matthew 18:20, CEV)

What many think is the 'true' church, is more likely an expression of their spiritual training, their personal preferences, their culture, or their socio-economic status. Church is where God calls us into relationships that complement and enrich us. The best churches are not those where all the people look, think, and act the same way! The best churches are diverse in race, in age, in culture, and in spiritual gifts. That kind of church is full of conflict, just like a big dysfunctional family, but glued together by love for Jesus that becomes love for each other. In that setting, the Spirit does something marvelous in those who participate. They learn to get over their self-consciousness, to love instead of just 'like' other people. They find that God can use people who are very different, people that in another setting with whom they would choose not to be associated! This kind of church is much more relational than programmed. The music may not always be first rate. The preaching may leave something to be desired. But there is love and there is a strong desire to just 'be the people of God.'

Church is a place where we un-learn our love for Self, and discover the amazing power of loving and being loved. (Or, at least that what I believe Church ought to be!) We show that love with commitment to the church of God in good times and bad times, in times when things are going our way and when we feel that the 'family' has failed us. We make casseroles for the sad, hold each other up when the winds of life try to knock us over, celebrate our successes and survive our defeats. It isn't usually very pretty but when it is authentic, it is one of the most beautiful things on earth.

Believer if you have decided to privatize your faith, let me urge you to re-think that choice. Start to pray that God will show you where you can plug into His Church. Don't just look for the one with the great music, or the stellar youth program, or the preacher who is able to tell a good story.

Look for the one with Life, one to which God is calling you. Marry it! Love it! Serve Him as you serve His Church. Be selfless and inspire others to love Him selflessly, too. Your Christian life will be deepened. Your kids will stick with the faith. Best of all, the work of God will be done, perhaps inefficiently, but effectively in the world.
__________________

So now, go!

Share your dream, especially one involving significant change, and you will run into nay-sayers. The first will probably be you! More than once I have talked myself out of even trying to do something that, at first thought, sounded like a great idea. Why does doubt, fear, and negativity come so easily to us? Why are faith, courage, and positive attitudes so scarce? To answer that, consider the story of the call of Moses.

God, in His sovereign purposes, decided that the time had come to return the descendants of Abraham to the Promised Land from slavery in Egypt. The tiny clan that went to Egypt to avoid starvation during a famine had grown, over several centuries' time, into a nation-sized population that was suffering terribly under the heavy hand of oppression. Now, the Lord needed a man to lead them, a deliverer! "Oh, Moses. Where are you?" The erstwhile price of Egypt had been off 'on the far side of the desert' tending Jethro's sheep for 40 years. He had put his dreams away and settled down so God had to get his attention with a burning bush; more accurately a bush that appeared to be on fire but which was not actually burning up. When Moses went over to check it out, God spoke his name. He tells Moses that He is ready to move, that He has a plan, and then He says - "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 3:10, NIV)

Does Moses stand, salute, and pack up? Not at all. Instead, he argues with God, making excuses about why he should not, could not, and would not do this great thing. "I'm unworthy." Good one, Moses. A little false humility might work, except this is God you're dealing with. God brushes that off by reminding him that He knows he's nothing, so He will go with him! So Moses says, I do not really know Who You are and so I cannot speak with authority." To that the LORD says, "Just tell them that "I AM" sent you, for "I AM THAT I AM." In other words, "Moses, you want to know my Name? Here it is, "I AM the SELF-EXISTENT ONE, ONE WHO HAS NO FIRST CAUSE." And yes, it is in all capitals in the Bible, too.

Moses is still not sufficiently awe-stricken, so he tries this lame excuse: "What if they do not listen to me?" So, God patiently gives him three impressive signs; turning his shepherd's staff into a snake and back again, turning his hand white with leprosy and healing it again, and telling him that if he pours Nile River water on the ground it will turn to blood! Now, Moses is ready to go, right? No! Moses tries once more to get out of the assignment. "I am slow of speech." Does he really think that speeches are going to get this job done? God by this time is angry with the faithless man and replies by telling him to get his brother Aaron to be his spokesman. And, finally Moses answers the call.

Laugh, if you will, at that man's bad excuses, but the truth is, God is calling you, too! He says, "So now, go!" to your family, to your neighbors, to the people with whom you work, to your city, to the world. You have work to do for Him that only you can do. Stop stammering your excuses! All of God's children are called to serve in ministry; perhaps not as members of the clergy, but as representatives of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!" (1 Corinthians 12:7, The Message)

As we purpose to obey, Self and others will rise us to tell why we cannot or should not do this. The enemy of God and good wants us to live safe, insignificant lives that are focused on minimal risk. So, is your dream really to work only as much as as required to keep your job, watch as much TV as you can stand, and die safe in your warm bed?

I want to be all that He wants me to be, to do all He wants me to do, to risk it all for the glory of God. I know I will not always get it right. My history proves that too true. I know I am not perfect (I heard that loud "Amen!") I know that I will fail for reasons that are sometimes my fault and sometimes beyond my comprehension. But I also know this - God is greater than my flaws, has promised to never leave me to fight alone, and has a rich reward in reserve for me when I finish the race obediently. The results are in His hands. Obedience is my responsibility!

Meditate on this passage today. Ask the Spirit to cause it to inspire you to respond with a ready, "Yes, Lord," when He says, "So now, go!"

"This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets.
I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—
the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.
So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us." (2 Timothy 1:11-14, The Message)
_______________________

Truehearted, wholehearted, faithful and loyal,
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be;
Under the standard exalted and royal,
Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee.

Peal out the watchword!
Silence it never!
Song of our spirits, rejoicing and free;
Peal out the watchword!
Loyal forever!
King of our lives,
by Thy grace we will be.

Wholehearted! Savior beloved and glorious,
Take Thy great power and reign Thou alone,
Over our wills and affections victorious—
Freely surrendered and wholly Thine own.

-Frances Havergal, Public Domain

Want to hear this hymn?
See http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/r/truehear.htm

In praise of routine

People who know me joke about my routines. The clock is my friend. I eat dinner just about the same time each evening. I go to my office at about the same time every morning. I am up scanning the daily newspaper and reading my Bible each morning at the same time. Vacations, while enjoyable, make me miss my regular routines and I am always very happy to resume them. Yes, I am boringly predictable not so much by nature, however, as by choice. My attention span is about 30 seconds long, and that is why I enforce regimen on my life. It prevents me from spinning into the chaos that would result if I allowed my impulses to take over. My commitment to the routine of steady service helps me to avoid becoming so enthralled with the new, the exciting, the 'big' things; that I miss the opportunities to do His work that exist right in front me in the tried, true, and familiar pathways of my life. I will not accomplish what God wants me to do where I am, if my eyes are always searching the horizon for a new home!

In that wing of Christianity in which I live, which emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, there is a wonderful expectation that God will come near, that He will touch our lives with His Presence and lead us. That is good. But, there is a weakness that makes many of us less effective than we should be. It is the love of the novel spiritual experience. In my adult Christian life, I have watched dozens of fads sweep through charismatic churches. Some evangelist or prophet writes a book that proclaims - "God is doing a new thing." A couple of years later the whole thing blows over with not much other than a lot of hype to show for all the effort. Some Believers tend to get 'bored' with a steady diet of solid Biblical teaching. They drift from church to church, about every 2 or 3 years, looking for a 'new' message, seeking a 'new' touch, wanting a 'deeper' experience of Pentecost. As a consequence, they are largely useless to the Kingdom. Without roots, they are not committed to any service that is greater than themselves. They fail to appreciate the solid results that come from faithfulness and steady effort in the service of Jesus Christ, that their talents and lives are to be eclipsed by the glory of Christ!

I want to suggest that routine can be a blessing, that most people could benefit from developing some holy habits! Oswald Chambers, whose writings in My Utmost for His Highest, have helped millions of Believers, said "Routine is God's way of saving us between moments of inspiration. We are not to expect Him to give us His thrilling minutes always." He observes, "The greatest hindrance of our spiritual life lies in looking for big things to do; Jesus Christ 'took a towel.....' We are not meant to be illuminated versions; we are meant to be the common stuff of ordinary human life exhibiting the marvel of the grace of God. The snare in the Christian life is looking for the gilt-edge moments, the thrilling times; there are times when there is no illumination and no thrill, when God's angel is the routine of drudgery on the level of towels and washing feet." Ah, friend, there is a lot of wisdom in that! Read it again.

There is a parable of Jesus that makes the same point. The passage is lengthy, but take the time to read it with thoughtfulness. "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. ...
You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." ...
"A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward." (Luke 12:35-43, NLT) The sum of His story is the lesson that we must be doing what God appoints us to do, for we do not know when He will show up to check on the work we are doing!

I am not making a case for locking into tradition to the point of being rigid, incapable of responding to the Spirit's leading. I am not suggesting that God will never lead us into fields of new service, or give us times of refreshing! However, dear friend, I am urging you, as the Bible does, to 'make the most of every opportunity' (Ephesians 5.16) that exists today, right where you are. Do you think He is unaware of where you are, what circumstances are in which you find yourself? Do you think you wandered there without His knowledge? Of course not. So let Him use you there. Give Him yourself. Pick up the towel of an ordinary servant and accept that service with joy. And, you will be amazed at the results that will emerge as God gives you gifts, resources, and tools to do what He needs done - by you - in that place. For those who serve well, there is this promise. "The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’" (Matthew 25:23, NLT)
________________________

Make me a servant,
Humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up
Those who are weak;
And may the pray'r
Of my heart always be.
Make me a servant.
Make me a servant.
Make me a servant today.

Kelly Willard© 1982 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company) / Willing Heart Music (Maranatha! Music [Admin. by The Copyright Company]) CCLI License No. 810055

Safe am I!

There is an old song that says, "Under His wings, I am safely abiding, though the night deepens, and tempests are wild." It's a good thought, but is it true? Last month, I read Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking. In it she tells the horrific story of the grief she experienced when both her beloved husband and her daughter died quite unexpectedly. The title comes from her attempts to keep them "alive," by refusing to face the truth. In that she is not so uncommon. But it is the last line in the book that breaks my heart - "No eye is on the sparrow." She concludes that our attempts to make sense of life with faith, that believing in God's care, are just choices we make to avoid sliding into despair; nice, but untrue, mere magical thinking.

In one sense, Ms. Didion is right. Even some Christians indulge in magical thinking and call it- faith. If we think that God will give us a pass from the sorrows of life, that we will somehow miss the inevitable appointment with death, or that we will not experience the ravages of aging with the passing of time, we are deluded! The fact is that your body is not immortal nor invincible. It is being destroyed, day by day. Time is passing quickly, at least in the way we measure it here on this earth. (Aren't you happy you are reading this?) But what Ms. Didion does not grasp is that God is greater than our life experience and even time itself. Apparently she does not understand how genuine faith allows us to trust Him with the not-so-great developments as well as to thank Him for those days when all things are bright and beautiful.

Many Believers sing songs like the one quoted in the opening line of this thought and wrongly conclude that God will not let them be sad, grow old, experience disappointment, or go through temptation! He does not say we will waltz our way to Heaven! He says that we must go through the fiery trials for the maturing of our faith and He says that we will never walk alone! I am safely abiding, at rest, if I let God be God in my life, by surrendering my delusions of control. The book of Ecclesiastes reflects the disillusionment of the person who can only view life from this side of eternity! "For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die! So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 2:16-20, NIV)

True saints who are full of genuine faith reach out to take hold of the eternal rule of God and their lives become links that allow eternity to flow into time. Heaven in their hearts give life the meaning and purpose that the Bible promises. Such saints are at rest even in the middle of the storm. They are not angry at the Lord for permitting their pain. Instead they pray He will break their stubborn will and make them useful for His Kingdom, right here, right now. Such surrender does not lead to resignation or apathy! It empowers them to go bravely into each new day, defying death and Hell. They are, at once, angry enough to resist the Devil and his attempts to wreck the works of God, and joyful enough to avoid cynicism.

Take a look at Paul's affirmation of God's purpose, even as he was growing through a time of terrible difficulty as a result of his ministry. "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.... We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead." (2 Corinthians 1:2-4, 8-9, NLT)

Those are words to live by! They are not 'magical thinking.' They are Truth that allows us to face days, good and bad, head on; take strength from the Lord Jesus Christ, and make a Kingdom difference. Let's stop asking God for easy, stop whining about how hard life is, and thank Him for giving us the privilege of making His glorious goodness known by putting "this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV)

Beyond Optimism

"The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun." sings Annie. In spite of her sorrows she hopes for a better day, a day of sunshine. She is the prime optimist. Who doesn't love an optimist? Those who choose to see the silver lining on every cloud are a gift to the rest of us! My appeal to you today, Believer, is that you do not confuse optimism with faith. They may appear the same from a distance but they are not. Optimism, as encouraging as it may be, cannot change the reality of life. Yes, the person with the sunny outlook may weather the storms a little better than others, they may find more friends to travel life's roads with them, but they still must deal with falling Dow averages, broken hearts, disease, and death.

Optimism is built on the hope that greater effort can produce a positive outcome and around the potential of human will. Faith that is genuine rests squarely on the Person and Promise of God. Faith always trust in a purposeful God and looks much like optimism in that it believes the Biblical truth that He is working in all things to accomplish something for the good of those who love Him! (Romans 8:28) We can easily get confused and think we are expressing faith when we make bold assertions about what we think God will do about situations we want changed. "God will heal me, I am sure of it," a person claims. Is that an optimistic statement or a declaration of faith? One cannot tell just from the words. If it just an expression of general hope, it is mere optimism. If it an expression of what that person believes the Spirit has whispered into her soul, it is a statement of faith!

Some Believers mistakenly think that if they say positive things and force themselves to 'believe' in them with conviction, God will be obligated to do what they demand. This, they claim, is faith. They are sadly mistaken, headed for a collision with reality.

"So, Jerry," you're thinking, "don't you believe that prayer changes people's lives?" Sure do, friend. Both my understanding of the Bible and my personal experience give me reason to pray with hope and faith. God has given me many wonderful gifts over the years in response to prayer. I have experienced miraculous healing, provision for financial needs, forgiveness, and amazing opportunities - when I and others have prayed! However, faith-filled prayers are not those that demand that God act in a specific way. We are urged in the Scripture to pray boldly, to pray about anything and everything, to ask our Father for His favor - but always with humility, always remembering who is God and who is not!

Did Job suffer as he did because he did not pray with faith? No! He suffered according to the will of God for purposes that he did not know and could not grasp, and yet that faithful man did not turn on the Lord. Yes, he questioned. Yes, he even challenged God to explain Himself, but he quickly became humble and confessed that God was Lord of all saying, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15, NKJV) Did Paul go through hard times because he lacked faith? To suggest that is absurd. He reminds us that the sufferings he endured actually served to bring him to greater dependence on God! Peter tells us "those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:19, NIV)

Do not settle for mere optimism. Build great faith! How?

Get to know God - in prayer, through meditation, from the pages of the Scripture, in worship. Go beyond having a god (small 'g' intended!) that you keep around like a good luck charm, a deity you bring out to ward off 'bad luck.' That's the stuff of religion, the empty tradition of human based 'worship.' Give your life over to Him. Tell Him that you are delighted simply to belong to Him, to be used by Him, to serve His sovereign purpose. Does that sound frightening? It should, for He is an awesome (in the sense of 'fear and trembling') God! But He is also good. Faith allows us to go from good to great in His service. Faith lets us abandon our plans and demands to discover the adventure of being part of what God is doing.

Let me pray a Scriptural prayer for you today. As you read it, let it form faith in you.
"I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21, NLT)