Last week, headlines of reports implied that “marriage is dying in America.” Well, not quite. Despite the best efforts to convince us otherwise, most Americans still believe in the institution as a man and woman and the they hold onto the ideal of life-long commitment. Many things around the house have changed. In just 50 years, women have reached a place of making nearly as much money as men, and are surpassing men in gaining formal education. This has led to redefined roles within households. Men are much more likely to take a more active role in child care and household chores. Still, 2/3rds of Americans say that the number one qualification for male marriage readiness is ‘being able to provide for his family.’
Marriage has come under severe attack in recent decades. Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family, observes “even the most casual observer or critic of marriage would acknowledge that the institution is too often held in very low cultural esteem. From television to movies to music, the bonds of matrimony are often lampooned as chains that bind and confine as opposed to the great anchor of stability God intended them to be.” (Christianity Today, Nov. 2010) As a pastor, I find that many times even Christians adopt this line of thinking. They allow the dysfunctional relationships that they see causing so much pain to define their perception of marriage instead of extolling the joys that a long-term, stable, loving marriage brings. The Bible tells that we should "Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery." (Hebrews 13:4, NLT)
Before He brought government into being, before there were social organizations, God made man and woman to be one. The family is His plan. Marriage is a laboratory in which the Lord brings us to maturity in character and spiritual development. If we unwilling to do the work of loving our spouse wholly and without reserve, we will not love our God well, either. If we are self-serving, petty, or incapable of reaching for real intimacy (more than sex!) with our spouse; we will almost assuredly be deficient in our love of the Lord, too. "It’s the person who loves brother and sister (We can add, spouse, here, can’t we?) who dwells in God’s light." (1 John 2:10-11, The Message)
The American family is experiencing terrific stress at the present. Changing roles and expectations, cultural ideals about personal happiness, lives that separate partners for days at a time, and less support from extended family are but a few of those stressors. A misunderstanding of the purpose and meaning of marriage causes many to choose their partner unwisely, as well. Sexual attractiveness is a poor substitute for emotional and spiritual compatibility. But, since marriage is of God’s design, we can pray for the Spirit to help us to stand up to these stresses wisely. We make even need to make radical decisions about the ways we live in order to preserve our homes.
Disciple, are you married?
Are you tending your marriage, serving and loving your partner in a way that honors the Lord?
Are you working to grow stronger together adapting to the new demands of each season of life?
Not only does a strong marriage bring joy and health to the husband and wife who share in it, it also blesses and strengthens the world of which they are part.
Here’s the word from the Word. Though it is familiar, invite the Holy Spirit to make it soul food for you today.
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.
As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (Ephesians 5:21-33, NLT)
Monday, November 22, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Does God care about what I eat?
“Would Jesus eat cheese doodles and lime jello at the church potluck dinner?” was the question posed by Leslie Fields in a provocative article in Christianity Today magazine, November, 2010. (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/november/9.22.html)
It was enough to get my attention. Initially, I was ready to dismiss her as another tree-hugging, nut-eating goof who is completely out of touch with the real world, but her thoughts made a lot of sense! While we don’t worship our food, nor do we think that we can somehow become more acceptable to God by keeping dietary laws, how and what we eat is connected to our stewardship of the earth and our bodies. Both of those issues are of real concern to the Lord as a part of our discipleship!
Many Christians are very sensitive about using alcohol and tobacco, as we should be, yet they think eating a ton of sugary, fatty foods is of no consequence to the Lord. If the true issue is maintaining our bodies as ‘temples of the Holy Spirit’ then eating ourselves to death ought to concern us as much as drink or smokes. Then yesterday, my assistant pastor sent along a article with the title – Pastor, you’re probably fat. 6 things to do about it. (http://theresurgence.com/2010/04/16/pastor-youre-probably-fat-6-things-to-do-about-it)
After reading that, I realized that the Lord was trying to get my attention. (Did I tell you that I am one of His slower children?) Isn’t it amazing that we can be so blind in certain areas of our lives?
As Fields points out with clarity, Christians must not fall into the ‘food as righteousness’ cult that has become the obsession of many Americans. She writes, “We have become mindful and puritanical about food, and mindless and licentious about sex.” In another insight, she says, “Perhaps in no other time has our culture so widely absorbed the largely Eastern concept that physical, mental, and spiritual purity can be derived from food—and that we earn our virtue through vigilance over fork and plate … this approach can lead to myopic self-absorption and legalism.”
Paul’s instructions need to be taken more seriously by those who be Christ’s disciples. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. … So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:26, 31, NIV) We eat the way we do, in part, because our schedules are so over-full that we grab fast food on the run, allowing little time to prepare or consume healthful foods and to enjoy the relationships that are built by humans over shared bread! Ask my adult children about their best memories, about the altar at which they received holy instruction. They won’t talk about church. They will tell you about our family table and dinner time.
Might we start to recover spiritual health by weaning ourselves from the quick, easy to eat, empty diets that also rob us of time to appreciate all that the Lord has given us? Jesus never wanted us to fall into the trap of thinking we could make ourselves acceptable to God by what we eat. The kingdom of heaven is not a matter of eating and drinking. Yet, like so many parts of our lives, the Lordship of Christ will extend to our consumption habits, both to what we eat, how we eat it, and how much we eat.
Now, what are we going to do about it?
It was enough to get my attention. Initially, I was ready to dismiss her as another tree-hugging, nut-eating goof who is completely out of touch with the real world, but her thoughts made a lot of sense! While we don’t worship our food, nor do we think that we can somehow become more acceptable to God by keeping dietary laws, how and what we eat is connected to our stewardship of the earth and our bodies. Both of those issues are of real concern to the Lord as a part of our discipleship!
Many Christians are very sensitive about using alcohol and tobacco, as we should be, yet they think eating a ton of sugary, fatty foods is of no consequence to the Lord. If the true issue is maintaining our bodies as ‘temples of the Holy Spirit’ then eating ourselves to death ought to concern us as much as drink or smokes. Then yesterday, my assistant pastor sent along a article with the title – Pastor, you’re probably fat. 6 things to do about it. (http://theresurgence.com/2010/04/16/pastor-youre-probably-fat-6-things-to-do-about-it)
After reading that, I realized that the Lord was trying to get my attention. (Did I tell you that I am one of His slower children?) Isn’t it amazing that we can be so blind in certain areas of our lives?
As Fields points out with clarity, Christians must not fall into the ‘food as righteousness’ cult that has become the obsession of many Americans. She writes, “We have become mindful and puritanical about food, and mindless and licentious about sex.” In another insight, she says, “Perhaps in no other time has our culture so widely absorbed the largely Eastern concept that physical, mental, and spiritual purity can be derived from food—and that we earn our virtue through vigilance over fork and plate … this approach can lead to myopic self-absorption and legalism.”
Paul’s instructions need to be taken more seriously by those who be Christ’s disciples. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. … So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:26, 31, NIV) We eat the way we do, in part, because our schedules are so over-full that we grab fast food on the run, allowing little time to prepare or consume healthful foods and to enjoy the relationships that are built by humans over shared bread! Ask my adult children about their best memories, about the altar at which they received holy instruction. They won’t talk about church. They will tell you about our family table and dinner time.
Might we start to recover spiritual health by weaning ourselves from the quick, easy to eat, empty diets that also rob us of time to appreciate all that the Lord has given us? Jesus never wanted us to fall into the trap of thinking we could make ourselves acceptable to God by what we eat. The kingdom of heaven is not a matter of eating and drinking. Yet, like so many parts of our lives, the Lordship of Christ will extend to our consumption habits, both to what we eat, how we eat it, and how much we eat.
Now, what are we going to do about it?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Taken off the farm
Self-anointed, self appointed prophets are annoying and bring disgrace on the name of Christ Jesus. Remember the crank in Florida a couple of months ago whose cockeyed scheme to burn the Quran caused such a tempest? It’s since been reported that this wasn’t his first publicity stunt. Seems that he enjoys the spotlight a little too much. Amos, the prophet to Israel, whose sermons form a small book of the Bible, got under the skin of the priest in Bethel. Amaziah told him to shut up and go home. “Get out of here, you prophet! Go on back to the land of Judah, and earn your living by prophesying there! Don’t bother us with your prophecies here in Bethel. This is the king’s sanctuary and the national place of worship!” (Amos 7:12-13, NLT) Amaziah concluded that Amos was a nobody, from nowhere, who had appointed himself a gadfly in Israel.
But, the humble prophet offers this defense for his messages that stabbed the conscience of that nation.
“I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’" (Amos 7:14-15, NIV) The Lord took me off the farm! Amos had not chosen the job, nor was it a family thing. The Spirit of the Lord seized him and sent him to a job he would rather have left to another – bringing a word of warning of God’s impending judgment to Israel.
If you’re a genuine Christian, you have been called off the farm and sent with a message! “Who me?” you ask? “But I’m just a project manager, a teacher, a mom, a sales representative …. ! How could I possibly have anything to say to anyone about God’s work?” When God calls us, He equips us with abilities that come from the Spirit. It is a mistaken notion that only the pastors can represent Jesus Christ before the world. In fact, you have a unique audience that no preacher will ever get in his church. Disciple, your life is a sermon. What does it say about the Lord to those among whom you work and live?
The Spirit of God lives in you if you belong to Christ. He will use you if you’re willing, if you’re devoted. The key is not to become a grandstanding publicity hound, a person who enjoys attracting attention. When we do that, the issue becomes us, not God’s Word! Jesus calls us ‘salt and light,’ our lives serving as a preservative in a corrupt society, with a radiance that shows others the Way to go in a very dark world! Find that calling daunting? Me, too! Here’s the promise. This word from the Word is lengthy, but take the time to read it, believe it, and thank God for the privilege of being called off of the farm and into His world.
"He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us." (2 Corinthians 2:14-17, NLT)
"We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:4-6, NLT)
_________________
Father, thank you for calling me off of the farm.
Though I may feel unqualified by human standards
to do holy work, You have promised to equip me
with the powerful gifts of Your Holy Spirit.
I humbly present myself for holy work.
Eclipse my personality with Your radiance.
Clean me up, washing away my sins,
and make my life a quiet and convincing sermon,
an illustration of God’s grace that is offered
to those who are hungry for Him.
Fill me, Lord, with holy boldness that lets me
live fearlessly, relentlessly pursuing Your purpose.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
But, the humble prophet offers this defense for his messages that stabbed the conscience of that nation.
“I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’" (Amos 7:14-15, NIV) The Lord took me off the farm! Amos had not chosen the job, nor was it a family thing. The Spirit of the Lord seized him and sent him to a job he would rather have left to another – bringing a word of warning of God’s impending judgment to Israel.
If you’re a genuine Christian, you have been called off the farm and sent with a message! “Who me?” you ask? “But I’m just a project manager, a teacher, a mom, a sales representative …. ! How could I possibly have anything to say to anyone about God’s work?” When God calls us, He equips us with abilities that come from the Spirit. It is a mistaken notion that only the pastors can represent Jesus Christ before the world. In fact, you have a unique audience that no preacher will ever get in his church. Disciple, your life is a sermon. What does it say about the Lord to those among whom you work and live?
The Spirit of God lives in you if you belong to Christ. He will use you if you’re willing, if you’re devoted. The key is not to become a grandstanding publicity hound, a person who enjoys attracting attention. When we do that, the issue becomes us, not God’s Word! Jesus calls us ‘salt and light,’ our lives serving as a preservative in a corrupt society, with a radiance that shows others the Way to go in a very dark world! Find that calling daunting? Me, too! Here’s the promise. This word from the Word is lengthy, but take the time to read it, believe it, and thank God for the privilege of being called off of the farm and into His world.
"He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us." (2 Corinthians 2:14-17, NLT)
"We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:4-6, NLT)
_________________
Father, thank you for calling me off of the farm.
Though I may feel unqualified by human standards
to do holy work, You have promised to equip me
with the powerful gifts of Your Holy Spirit.
I humbly present myself for holy work.
Eclipse my personality with Your radiance.
Clean me up, washing away my sins,
and make my life a quiet and convincing sermon,
an illustration of God’s grace that is offered
to those who are hungry for Him.
Fill me, Lord, with holy boldness that lets me
live fearlessly, relentlessly pursuing Your purpose.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Knock me off my feet!
My life is devoted to serving the Lord. His wisdom guides my life but I would be lying if I told you that He appears to me every day to chat about life. Do I know Him? Yes; yet He is not my Buddy and there is much about Him I cannot understand, even as what I know of Him gives me great comfort. Have you ever had to deal with a Christian who talks of God in overly familiar terms? “God told me to buy this car. God told me to wear this shirt.” Makes you wonder if your spirituality is deficient, doesn’t it? Could God tell them such things? Of course He could. Did He? Maybe He did, maybe they just had a feeling! We can sense the personal leading of the Holy Spirit, but we should be cautious about declaring that “God told me,” because our perception of His voice is sometimes flawed, especially when we go beyond what He has revealed in the Scripture as His will.
Reverence demands great humility from us when we lay claim to hearing God’s voice. Speaking for Him orclaiming His authority for what we say is so serious that the Decalogue addresses the issue: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." (Exodus 20:7, NIV)
I am very skeptical of the veracity of claims many make to have ‘met God’ if they show no radical transformation of heart and/or character. In the Bible we learn that people who met the Lord, face to face, were left permanently changed by the encounter. Often they were literally knocked off their feet! Saul, later called Paul, met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He was knocked down and was left speechless and blind for days! God’s glory was so intense that Moses was not allowed to gaze directly on Him, seeing only His ‘back parts.’ (Exodus 33:23) No passage describes the awesomeness of a Divine Encounter better than this one from Isaiah. "Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:2-5, NIV) His vision did not cause his to run out with happy chatter! He was shaken to the core of his being by a new sense of his sinfulness, which was only remedied by a gracious cleansing offered by the Lord.
Disciple, my prayer is “Lord, knock me off my feet!” I do not think I am praying that because I am looking for a thrill or for an experience to talk about to impress my friends. I desire a holy encounter that restores my perspective of Who He is, that causes me to serve Him faithfully and with fewer questions. I do not desire to tame Him, but I want to be transformed by the weight of His Majesty. Yes, true intimacy with God, our Father, will humble us and make us holy. False intimacy will only deepen self-deception.
Have you grown too familiar with the Lord of Glory?
Are you prone to speak as though He is your Buddy, not thinking much of the awesomeness of His Name? It is true that Jesus Christ is our Friend, that the Incarnate God showed us that He is approachable and loving. Yet, we must never forget that He is God, and we are not.
Here’s the word from the Word.
"I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2, NLT)
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)" (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NLT)
__________
Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God, Almighty!
All thy works
Shall praise Thy Name
In earth and sky and sea.
Holy, Holy, Holy,
Merciful and Mighty.
God in three Persons,
Blessed Trinity!
- Dykes and Heber, Public Domain
Reverence demands great humility from us when we lay claim to hearing God’s voice. Speaking for Him orclaiming His authority for what we say is so serious that the Decalogue addresses the issue: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." (Exodus 20:7, NIV)
I am very skeptical of the veracity of claims many make to have ‘met God’ if they show no radical transformation of heart and/or character. In the Bible we learn that people who met the Lord, face to face, were left permanently changed by the encounter. Often they were literally knocked off their feet! Saul, later called Paul, met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He was knocked down and was left speechless and blind for days! God’s glory was so intense that Moses was not allowed to gaze directly on Him, seeing only His ‘back parts.’ (Exodus 33:23) No passage describes the awesomeness of a Divine Encounter better than this one from Isaiah. "Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:2-5, NIV) His vision did not cause his to run out with happy chatter! He was shaken to the core of his being by a new sense of his sinfulness, which was only remedied by a gracious cleansing offered by the Lord.
Disciple, my prayer is “Lord, knock me off my feet!” I do not think I am praying that because I am looking for a thrill or for an experience to talk about to impress my friends. I desire a holy encounter that restores my perspective of Who He is, that causes me to serve Him faithfully and with fewer questions. I do not desire to tame Him, but I want to be transformed by the weight of His Majesty. Yes, true intimacy with God, our Father, will humble us and make us holy. False intimacy will only deepen self-deception.
Have you grown too familiar with the Lord of Glory?
Are you prone to speak as though He is your Buddy, not thinking much of the awesomeness of His Name? It is true that Jesus Christ is our Friend, that the Incarnate God showed us that He is approachable and loving. Yet, we must never forget that He is God, and we are not.
Here’s the word from the Word.
"I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2, NLT)
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)" (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NLT)
__________
Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God, Almighty!
All thy works
Shall praise Thy Name
In earth and sky and sea.
Holy, Holy, Holy,
Merciful and Mighty.
God in three Persons,
Blessed Trinity!
- Dykes and Heber, Public Domain
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Too much, too soon?
China, home to a fifth of the earth’s human population, is an economic powerhouse. While it still is not even close to the USA in gross domestic product, it is coming on strong and fast! In a news report last night, the discipline of the people was noted as remarkable. Employees work long hours at high levels of production without complaint. Parents sacrifice hugely to help their children get an education. Hunger and want is a first-hand experience that fuels the drive to succeed. I believe that one of the reasons America is quickly slipping to second-rate status is that most have too much, too soon. Most of us have never experienced the kind of desperation that creates a ‘never again’ kind of mentality that makes us hard-working, productive, and thrifty citizens.
Let’s turn our thoughts to things spiritual.
Disciple, do we know a desperate hunger for the things of God, or have we created a little heaven right here on earth that keeps us satisfied?
Are we content to amuse ourselves with trinkets and games instead of pressing in with earnest desire to know the Lord of Glory?
Have we so tamed our faith that it is but a weekend diversion, a momentary pause in our Self serving ways?
The Scripture says "…it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands." (Lamentations 3:26-28, NLT) Before you nod in agreement, think about that. Who really wants to wait for anything? Who chooses to submit without complaining about the violation of his rights? Are we taught by our pastors to ask the Lord for His discipline? Do we teach those who we lead to Christ to willingly surrender their expectations of an easy road in this life?
Our right standing with God is a gift, given by Christ to all those who call on His Name. A holy life emerges from a disciplined pursuit of the Lord, from our choices of priorities that make Him first, above all things. Jesus challenges those of us who have had a life where we gain too much, too soon. He asks us to think again about how we are spending our days. "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:35-36, NIV)
Today, I am asking myself, “Jerry, what do you really want from your life? What are your best efforts being expended to gain: the kingdom of God or the success of this world?” I pray that I have not taken too much, too soon. I pray that I will know the true hunger that turns my heart to the One who satisfies the best and deepest longings.
________________
All my lifelong I had panted,
For a draught from some cool spring
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Poor I was and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy;
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul's sad cry.
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Thro' His blood I now am saved.
Satisfied
Williams, Clara Teare / Hudson, Ralph E.
© Public Domain
Let’s turn our thoughts to things spiritual.
Disciple, do we know a desperate hunger for the things of God, or have we created a little heaven right here on earth that keeps us satisfied?
Are we content to amuse ourselves with trinkets and games instead of pressing in with earnest desire to know the Lord of Glory?
Have we so tamed our faith that it is but a weekend diversion, a momentary pause in our Self serving ways?
The Scripture says "…it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands." (Lamentations 3:26-28, NLT) Before you nod in agreement, think about that. Who really wants to wait for anything? Who chooses to submit without complaining about the violation of his rights? Are we taught by our pastors to ask the Lord for His discipline? Do we teach those who we lead to Christ to willingly surrender their expectations of an easy road in this life?
Our right standing with God is a gift, given by Christ to all those who call on His Name. A holy life emerges from a disciplined pursuit of the Lord, from our choices of priorities that make Him first, above all things. Jesus challenges those of us who have had a life where we gain too much, too soon. He asks us to think again about how we are spending our days. "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:35-36, NIV)
Today, I am asking myself, “Jerry, what do you really want from your life? What are your best efforts being expended to gain: the kingdom of God or the success of this world?” I pray that I have not taken too much, too soon. I pray that I will know the true hunger that turns my heart to the One who satisfies the best and deepest longings.
________________
All my lifelong I had panted,
For a draught from some cool spring
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Poor I was and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy;
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul's sad cry.
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Thro' His blood I now am saved.
Satisfied
Williams, Clara Teare / Hudson, Ralph E.
© Public Domain
Monday, November 15, 2010
In love with a feeling?
Are you emotional? We all are. Some of us are more prone to display our emotions than others, but emotions are present in every man, woman, and child. God made us with the ability to know joy, to be able to feel afraid, to become anxious or to settle into a state of serenity. A person who has learned how to ‘deal with his emotions’ is richer for them. If feelings are put in charge that person is in at great risk. Where emotions rule, you find a person who is unstable and unproductive; yes, childish. We expect a toddler to plummet from giddy heights of laughter to stormy tumult of tears within 5 minutes. That same emotional roller coaster in an adult is cause for concern! At the opposite extreme, the person who represses emotions, who refuses to experience them, is bereft of true humanity.
Recently, as I prayed, I realized that I was chasing a feeling, that I was trying to find God through a certain state of mind. It became clear to me that I am much more likely to praise Him when I feel peace, when my emotions are running in a specific direction. Sensing the Presence of the Lord through our emotions is clearly a good thing. There are moments when I find myself so full of emotion that it spills over in tears or bursts out in a rolling laugh. But, Jesus taught us to love God more deeply than that. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’" (Mark 12:30, NIV) Our walk with the Lord is a combination of emotion and truth, of passion and discipline, of feeling and fact.
God’s love for us is not at the mercy of our emotions. He does not only love us when we feel all warm and fuzzy inside when they sing our favorite worship song in church! He is not just present when tears spill over in a particularly touching time of prayer. He is equally God on the bad days as He is in the good ones. He is still Lord when exhaustion steals our passion. He is Lord when anxiety about the future produces a temporary soul paralysis. Disciple, don’t fall in love with a feeling. Choose to love the Truth! If we build our salvation on a special state of mind, on emotional well-being, we are resting on a foundation of sand. Yes, we will find ourselves then chasing a feeling, looking for a religious high, running here and there wanting somebody to renew the excitement.
Zephaniah reminds the people of the Lord to trust the Truth! "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV) Jeremiah, a man who knew God through much suffering, urges us to be steady. "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV) Do you see the focus of that faith? It is not on the person, on finding a state of mind, even on doing something to provoke a response from the Lord. That person who would stay consistent in devotion focuses on God’s faithfulness!
______________________
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible
Hid from our eyes;
Most blessed, most glorious,
The Ancient of Days;
Almighty, victorious,
Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting
And silent as light;
Nor wanting, nor wasting,
Thou rulest in might.
Thy justice, like mountains,
High soaring above;
Thy clouds, which are fountains
Of goodness and love.
To all, life Thou givest,
To both great and small;
In all, life Thou livest,
The true life of all;
We blossom and flourish
As leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish
But naught changeth Thee.
Great Father of glory,
Pure Father of light;
Thine angels adore Thee
All veiling their sight.
All praise we would render,
O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor
Of light hideth Thee.
Immortal Invisible
Smith, Walter Chalmers / Robert, John
© Public Domain
Recently, as I prayed, I realized that I was chasing a feeling, that I was trying to find God through a certain state of mind. It became clear to me that I am much more likely to praise Him when I feel peace, when my emotions are running in a specific direction. Sensing the Presence of the Lord through our emotions is clearly a good thing. There are moments when I find myself so full of emotion that it spills over in tears or bursts out in a rolling laugh. But, Jesus taught us to love God more deeply than that. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’" (Mark 12:30, NIV) Our walk with the Lord is a combination of emotion and truth, of passion and discipline, of feeling and fact.
God’s love for us is not at the mercy of our emotions. He does not only love us when we feel all warm and fuzzy inside when they sing our favorite worship song in church! He is not just present when tears spill over in a particularly touching time of prayer. He is equally God on the bad days as He is in the good ones. He is still Lord when exhaustion steals our passion. He is Lord when anxiety about the future produces a temporary soul paralysis. Disciple, don’t fall in love with a feeling. Choose to love the Truth! If we build our salvation on a special state of mind, on emotional well-being, we are resting on a foundation of sand. Yes, we will find ourselves then chasing a feeling, looking for a religious high, running here and there wanting somebody to renew the excitement.
Zephaniah reminds the people of the Lord to trust the Truth! "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV) Jeremiah, a man who knew God through much suffering, urges us to be steady. "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV) Do you see the focus of that faith? It is not on the person, on finding a state of mind, even on doing something to provoke a response from the Lord. That person who would stay consistent in devotion focuses on God’s faithfulness!
______________________
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible
Hid from our eyes;
Most blessed, most glorious,
The Ancient of Days;
Almighty, victorious,
Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting
And silent as light;
Nor wanting, nor wasting,
Thou rulest in might.
Thy justice, like mountains,
High soaring above;
Thy clouds, which are fountains
Of goodness and love.
To all, life Thou givest,
To both great and small;
In all, life Thou livest,
The true life of all;
We blossom and flourish
As leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish
But naught changeth Thee.
Great Father of glory,
Pure Father of light;
Thine angels adore Thee
All veiling their sight.
All praise we would render,
O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor
Of light hideth Thee.
Immortal Invisible
Smith, Walter Chalmers / Robert, John
© Public Domain
Friday, November 12, 2010
Is God going the way of the buggy whip?
When the automobile replaced the horse drawn wagon, the buggy whip became a curiosity. A hundred years ago, anyone who hitched a horse to a cart knew what one was. Now, most people couldn’t even describe one! A growing number of Americans believe they have no more need for God since the faith once explained the mysteries of the world for us has been replaced by science to tell us how the universe works. This is not a new idea. Friedrich Nietzsche, in 1882, wrote about the death of God in Europe, that the belief in the Christian God that had shaped the culture of that continent was dying. The violent spasms that shook the world in the 20th century and the bleak secularism that grips Europe now can be traced to the death of vital faith in a living God. I fear that America is treading the same path, replacing God with Self.
Science may explain the ‘how’ of the world, but our discovery processes cannot explain the ‘why.’ I understand the mechanism of conception that brought me to life, but that tells me nothing about why I am here, or why I even ask the question – ‘Why?’ Is it enough to simply say that we exist? Shakespeare’s Macbeth said, “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Is this the truth about us? If God is dead, then that is truth. Our lives can achieve a sort of frail nobility only by tasting the delights of our senses and preparing the world for the next generation.
An honest inquiry into this world will not lead us to superstition, but it will humble us enough to consider that Someone bigger than us exists. The wonder of the cell, billions of them form our bodies, are stupendous! The beauty of the Universe, vast and as yet unexplained by the most brilliant minds among us, is stunning. To me, it requires greater faith to believe that such amazing things emerged by chance from chaos that it does to accept that there is a Designer of it all. To acknowledge that there is an Intelligence making the universe exist as we know it does not automatically make a person a Christian, of course. But, if one accepts that there is a God, then it would follow that we should want to know Who God is.
And for me, the story unfolded in the Bible reveals Him, Lord of the Universe who further revealed Himself as my Savior in the coming of Jesus Christ. Far from diminishing our lives, this story gives meaning and purpose to us. Like all good things, the Story can be misused to oppress and misunderstood in ways that darken understanding. But, where the Spirit is allowed to make the Story live, humanity is richer.
\God is not dead. He lives. And I, for one, love Him and I am thankful that He has chosen to make Himself known to me.
Here’s a word from the Word. My prayer for my world…
"I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, …
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength— that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.
And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God."
(Ephesians 1:17-18, 3:14-19, The Message)
____________
“Then sings my soul,
My Father God, to Thee.
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!” Amen.
Science may explain the ‘how’ of the world, but our discovery processes cannot explain the ‘why.’ I understand the mechanism of conception that brought me to life, but that tells me nothing about why I am here, or why I even ask the question – ‘Why?’ Is it enough to simply say that we exist? Shakespeare’s Macbeth said, “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Is this the truth about us? If God is dead, then that is truth. Our lives can achieve a sort of frail nobility only by tasting the delights of our senses and preparing the world for the next generation.
An honest inquiry into this world will not lead us to superstition, but it will humble us enough to consider that Someone bigger than us exists. The wonder of the cell, billions of them form our bodies, are stupendous! The beauty of the Universe, vast and as yet unexplained by the most brilliant minds among us, is stunning. To me, it requires greater faith to believe that such amazing things emerged by chance from chaos that it does to accept that there is a Designer of it all. To acknowledge that there is an Intelligence making the universe exist as we know it does not automatically make a person a Christian, of course. But, if one accepts that there is a God, then it would follow that we should want to know Who God is.
And for me, the story unfolded in the Bible reveals Him, Lord of the Universe who further revealed Himself as my Savior in the coming of Jesus Christ. Far from diminishing our lives, this story gives meaning and purpose to us. Like all good things, the Story can be misused to oppress and misunderstood in ways that darken understanding. But, where the Spirit is allowed to make the Story live, humanity is richer.
\God is not dead. He lives. And I, for one, love Him and I am thankful that He has chosen to make Himself known to me.
Here’s a word from the Word. My prayer for my world…
"I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, …
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength— that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.
And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God."
(Ephesians 1:17-18, 3:14-19, The Message)
____________
“Then sings my soul,
My Father God, to Thee.
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art!” Amen.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Proud and grandiose fool
He introduced himself as the “Rev. Dr.” The way he said it made me know he wanted me to inquire about his degree, so I did. When he told me where he had attended and the degree he held from that institution, I knew he was a fraud. That particular school did not even have a degree program in that field of study! Later I learned that this man had left a pastorate when his fraudulent claims were uncovered. I have never claimed a degree I did not earn, but I find myself acting the part of a proud fool occasionally. I hear words designed to impress coming from my mouth, or present myself as a hero in my own story.
What makes us do such things? That ancient sin called Pride! We all want to be voted ‘most liked,’ or ‘most successful,’ or ‘coolest guy’ don’t we? From the moment we become aware of ourselves as toddlers, we play the ‘look at me’ game, first with Mommy and Daddy, then with friends, and then for the world around us. It’s been said often that ‘we buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.’ Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, makes this wry observation: “I'm not against people having new cars. I'm against them having you. We spend a tremendous amount impressing somebody at the stoplight who we'll never meet. It makes you broke and keeps you broke.”
Pride robs us of ourselves. It makes us frauds, pretenders, wanna-be’s who are incapable of living contentedly right where we are. It sabotages our ability to experience joy today by convincing us that we need to be someone else to really be ‘it’ – whatever we think that may be. The Bible tells me that Jesus was a person not known for His ‘cool’ factor! "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:2-3, NIV) He was born a nobody, came from nowhere, had no degrees. Yet, God lifted Him up. Jesus was "in very nature God, (but, He) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7, NIV) "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name!" (Philippians 2:9, NIV)
Disciple, find joy in being yourself. If God makes you a king, then be a good one. If He makes you a servant, then do it well. Those who are richest in joy are those who know who they are and who have learned to ‘live in their own skin.’ Contentment is a choice we can make, by letting go of pride. It’s not the same as complacency. Many people have given up on life and settled for mediocrity, calling that contentment. We press on to become all that Christ has called us to be, but not to earn applause of those around us. Our focus always must be to please the One who knows us best and loves us most!
Choose humility as your way of life. Humility is not to be confused with being a doormat, nor is it refusing excellence! We are not being humble when we will not accept legitimate affirmation or appreciation. Humility is simply being content to belong to God while being confident in His promise and the strength of the Spirit.
Here’s a word from the Word for those who would turn their back on pride and take up humility.
"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)
What makes us do such things? That ancient sin called Pride! We all want to be voted ‘most liked,’ or ‘most successful,’ or ‘coolest guy’ don’t we? From the moment we become aware of ourselves as toddlers, we play the ‘look at me’ game, first with Mommy and Daddy, then with friends, and then for the world around us. It’s been said often that ‘we buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.’ Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, makes this wry observation: “I'm not against people having new cars. I'm against them having you. We spend a tremendous amount impressing somebody at the stoplight who we'll never meet. It makes you broke and keeps you broke.”
Pride robs us of ourselves. It makes us frauds, pretenders, wanna-be’s who are incapable of living contentedly right where we are. It sabotages our ability to experience joy today by convincing us that we need to be someone else to really be ‘it’ – whatever we think that may be. The Bible tells me that Jesus was a person not known for His ‘cool’ factor! "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:2-3, NIV) He was born a nobody, came from nowhere, had no degrees. Yet, God lifted Him up. Jesus was "in very nature God, (but, He) did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7, NIV) "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name!" (Philippians 2:9, NIV)
Disciple, find joy in being yourself. If God makes you a king, then be a good one. If He makes you a servant, then do it well. Those who are richest in joy are those who know who they are and who have learned to ‘live in their own skin.’ Contentment is a choice we can make, by letting go of pride. It’s not the same as complacency. Many people have given up on life and settled for mediocrity, calling that contentment. We press on to become all that Christ has called us to be, but not to earn applause of those around us. Our focus always must be to please the One who knows us best and loves us most!
Choose humility as your way of life. Humility is not to be confused with being a doormat, nor is it refusing excellence! We are not being humble when we will not accept legitimate affirmation or appreciation. Humility is simply being content to belong to God while being confident in His promise and the strength of the Spirit.
Here’s a word from the Word for those who would turn their back on pride and take up humility.
"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Leaves in the Gutter
The rain gutters on my house were overflowing ... with leaves! The big old oak tree is doing its Fall thing and I think every tenth leaf managed to land in the rain gutter. So, I got out my ladder, cleaned the leaves out of the gutters, and flushed out the downspouts. What's the deal? Why bother cleaning the gutters anyway? They’re just going to get full again. IF I just left the leaves in those gutters, the water would not drain away. Come winter, the standing water would freeze into large blocks of ice extending onto the roof. The winter rain then would not be able to run off and the moisture would work its way under the shingles, eventually rotting the roof boards. A little exertion prevents major damage.
So many things are like that. Regular oil changes can easily be overlooked and the engine won’t stop immediately, but the increased wear of dirty oil will definitely cause a shorter service life. Preventative maintenance is easy to overlook. Given time; there is a price to pay.
The principle holds when it comes to our spiritual health, too. For example, take attendance at church. You can be a Christian without regularly going to church. You won’t be as effective but you can have saving faith, apart from being in your local church. (Amazing statement from a veteran Pastor, eh?) You can read your Bible, pray, trust Christ, and make Sunday a play day: golfing, fishing, and picnicking with family. Short term you won't see much impact on your life. You might even feel some relief about getting rid of the need to be up and out on Sunday AM. A subtle erosion of spiritual health will begin that will not be noticeable for quite some time. Gradually, the edge will go out of your faith. Without teaching that helps you to apply the unchanging Word to an ever-changing world your spiritual understanding will stagnate. From your example, your kids will conclude that church is just one of life’s options, and as young adults, they will all most certainly discard church attendance all together, along with saving faith.
Neglecting to read the Scripture on a daily basis won't cause you to immediately descend into gross immorality.
Failure to engage in generous giving won't make you into Ebenezer Scrooge in a year's time.
Failure to pray won't turn you into an atheist overnight!
But... long term a failure to practice these things will bring on spiritual flab. Your spiritual ears will miss the 'still, small voice of God.' Your spiritual eyes will not perceive His hand at work. Your short prayers will turn into childish whimpers and whines... 'bless me, give me, help me.'
Here is wisdom from the Word.
"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." (Proverbs 6:6-11, NLT)
Clean out the gutters today!
Make an investment in doing the small things. Amazingly- the big stuff will take care of itself!
_______________
My eyes are dry,
my faith is old.
My heart is hard
my prayers are cold.
And I know how
I ought to be,
Alive in You, and
dead to me!
Oh, what can be done
For an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You,
Your Spirit of love;
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.
My Eyes Are Dry
© 1978 Birdwing Music
Ears To Hear
BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
Keith Green
CCLI License No. 810055
So many things are like that. Regular oil changes can easily be overlooked and the engine won’t stop immediately, but the increased wear of dirty oil will definitely cause a shorter service life. Preventative maintenance is easy to overlook. Given time; there is a price to pay.
The principle holds when it comes to our spiritual health, too. For example, take attendance at church. You can be a Christian without regularly going to church. You won’t be as effective but you can have saving faith, apart from being in your local church. (Amazing statement from a veteran Pastor, eh?) You can read your Bible, pray, trust Christ, and make Sunday a play day: golfing, fishing, and picnicking with family. Short term you won't see much impact on your life. You might even feel some relief about getting rid of the need to be up and out on Sunday AM. A subtle erosion of spiritual health will begin that will not be noticeable for quite some time. Gradually, the edge will go out of your faith. Without teaching that helps you to apply the unchanging Word to an ever-changing world your spiritual understanding will stagnate. From your example, your kids will conclude that church is just one of life’s options, and as young adults, they will all most certainly discard church attendance all together, along with saving faith.
Neglecting to read the Scripture on a daily basis won't cause you to immediately descend into gross immorality.
Failure to engage in generous giving won't make you into Ebenezer Scrooge in a year's time.
Failure to pray won't turn you into an atheist overnight!
But... long term a failure to practice these things will bring on spiritual flab. Your spiritual ears will miss the 'still, small voice of God.' Your spiritual eyes will not perceive His hand at work. Your short prayers will turn into childish whimpers and whines... 'bless me, give me, help me.'
Here is wisdom from the Word.
"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber." (Proverbs 6:6-11, NLT)
Clean out the gutters today!
Make an investment in doing the small things. Amazingly- the big stuff will take care of itself!
_______________
My eyes are dry,
my faith is old.
My heart is hard
my prayers are cold.
And I know how
I ought to be,
Alive in You, and
dead to me!
Oh, what can be done
For an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You,
Your Spirit of love;
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.
My Eyes Are Dry
© 1978 Birdwing Music
Ears To Hear
BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)ü(Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
Keith Green
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Leaning toward the Son
A birch tree that grows in my backyard has a curious curve to it, somewhat like this- ). A large maple tree blocks the sunlight on one side, so the birch has grown toward the sun. It does so because the sun is its source of energy and life. That tree reminds me to face the Son! In the face of Jesus Christ, I find my life, my strength. Do you? Does your life lean towards the Son?
The direction that we face in our attitude has consequence. It’s not ‘just a look.’ If we gaze longingly at the forbidden fruit that promises to satisfy our hunger, we will inevitably drift in the direction of disobedience, into sin. If we cast our glance, again and again, to some past failure, regret will overtake us and bring despair. But, if we build the habit of turning to the Lord in worship, like the birch tree bent towards the sun, our lives will lean towards Him. From Him we will find health – emotional and spiritual. Scripture says "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance (face).” (Psalm 42:11, KJV) Turn to the Lord and let Him put a healthy glow on your face! Another of the holy songs says, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. (face)" (Psalm 89:15, KJV) Worship turns us towards the Lord and there, face to face, we are brightened!
How much ‘facetime’ do you invest with the Lord each day?
Facetime are those moments spent face to face, connecting and communicating. There is a real difference between just being around someone and really seeing them face to face! We do not thrive spiritually just because we have some passing awareness of Jesus’ Presence. We need to make time for facetime with Him, time when we are doing nothing other than worshipping Him, meditating on His Words, listening for the whisper of the Spirit in our soul.
Here’s a word from the Word, full of promise, an amazing statement. "God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:6-7, NIV) When we turn to let the brilliance of the light of Jesus’ face shine on us, He creates treasure from our daily lives! It’s not our radiance that shines, for we are just ordinary people. It is His reflected glory that makes us someone special.
Are you leaning toward the Son?
_____________
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Lemmel, Helen H.
© Public Domain
The direction that we face in our attitude has consequence. It’s not ‘just a look.’ If we gaze longingly at the forbidden fruit that promises to satisfy our hunger, we will inevitably drift in the direction of disobedience, into sin. If we cast our glance, again and again, to some past failure, regret will overtake us and bring despair. But, if we build the habit of turning to the Lord in worship, like the birch tree bent towards the sun, our lives will lean towards Him. From Him we will find health – emotional and spiritual. Scripture says "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance (face).” (Psalm 42:11, KJV) Turn to the Lord and let Him put a healthy glow on your face! Another of the holy songs says, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. (face)" (Psalm 89:15, KJV) Worship turns us towards the Lord and there, face to face, we are brightened!
How much ‘facetime’ do you invest with the Lord each day?
Facetime are those moments spent face to face, connecting and communicating. There is a real difference between just being around someone and really seeing them face to face! We do not thrive spiritually just because we have some passing awareness of Jesus’ Presence. We need to make time for facetime with Him, time when we are doing nothing other than worshipping Him, meditating on His Words, listening for the whisper of the Spirit in our soul.
Here’s a word from the Word, full of promise, an amazing statement. "God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:6-7, NIV) When we turn to let the brilliance of the light of Jesus’ face shine on us, He creates treasure from our daily lives! It’s not our radiance that shines, for we are just ordinary people. It is His reflected glory that makes us someone special.
Are you leaning toward the Son?
_____________
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Lemmel, Helen H.
© Public Domain
Monday, November 08, 2010
What do you expect?
An experiment was conducted in which people were put into a stereo-optic device that displayed two distinct images, one in the left eye and one in the right eye. After the images flashed the subject reported seeing what he was culturally conditioned to see. The expectation played heavily into the perception!
Do you realize how much your expectations shape your experience? If you go into any situation today expecting misery, you will find it. If you complain about Monday from the start, you will find the week a long slog to Friday. I do not want to become overly simplistic, falling into a life that refuses reality. There are those who become adept at pretending all is well, working hard to maintain the illusion that life is always good. That only leads to foolishness. There is, however, a decision to meet each and every situation trusting in the Lord’s goodness and ability to provide all that you need. The Psalm teaches us to pray, "Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there … This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:19-20, 24, NLT)
I do not believe that every experience I have comes from the hand of God! The choices that I make and those of people who live alongside of me in this world make have consequences both intended and unforeseen. But, I am convinced by Scripture that everything that happens to me as His child passes through His hand. He will provide us the grace and strength to stand, if we will trust Him. When dire troubles come my way (and they do) I do not think, “Oh God, did this somehow escape Your notice? Were You surprised by this report?” I know that He knows all things! On those days, I pray, “Father, I am confused, but You are not. Show me the way through, around, over, or under this circumstance which I trust that You will ultimately use to accomplish Your purposes in me and the world in which I live. ‘This is the day that You have made!’ ”
If faith in the loving care of my Father forms my expectation, I will see Him working "for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV) When we trust Him and live that faith in daily obedience, we are spared planting the seeds of many tribulations and enduring the harvest of sorrow. Instead, He leads us through the gates of the righteous that lead to His joyful Presence, which sustains us in every circumstance, sows the seeds of rich reward.
Right now, would you take a moment to reset your expectations?
If you’re having a great day, praise Him for allowing you to enjoy it, for letting you have life and breath to see the sunrise, delight in love, and do His will. If you’re in a tough moment, ask for faith to find His provision that will let you meet the challenge with grace, for eyes that can see the opportunities to do good in the middle of it all.
Here’s a word from the Word. Make it yours.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:4-6, NIV)
________________________
Be still, my soul;
The Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross
Of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God
To order and provide.
In ev'ry change
He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul;
Thy best, Thy heavenly Friend
Thro' thorny ways
Leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul;
Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future
As He has the past.
Thy hope, Thy confidence
Let nothing shake;
All now mysterious
Shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul;
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them
While He dwelt below.
Be Still My Soul
Von Schlegal, Katharina / Borthwick, Jane L. / Sibelius, Jean
© Public Domain
Do you realize how much your expectations shape your experience? If you go into any situation today expecting misery, you will find it. If you complain about Monday from the start, you will find the week a long slog to Friday. I do not want to become overly simplistic, falling into a life that refuses reality. There are those who become adept at pretending all is well, working hard to maintain the illusion that life is always good. That only leads to foolishness. There is, however, a decision to meet each and every situation trusting in the Lord’s goodness and ability to provide all that you need. The Psalm teaches us to pray, "Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there … This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:19-20, 24, NLT)
I do not believe that every experience I have comes from the hand of God! The choices that I make and those of people who live alongside of me in this world make have consequences both intended and unforeseen. But, I am convinced by Scripture that everything that happens to me as His child passes through His hand. He will provide us the grace and strength to stand, if we will trust Him. When dire troubles come my way (and they do) I do not think, “Oh God, did this somehow escape Your notice? Were You surprised by this report?” I know that He knows all things! On those days, I pray, “Father, I am confused, but You are not. Show me the way through, around, over, or under this circumstance which I trust that You will ultimately use to accomplish Your purposes in me and the world in which I live. ‘This is the day that You have made!’ ”
If faith in the loving care of my Father forms my expectation, I will see Him working "for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV) When we trust Him and live that faith in daily obedience, we are spared planting the seeds of many tribulations and enduring the harvest of sorrow. Instead, He leads us through the gates of the righteous that lead to His joyful Presence, which sustains us in every circumstance, sows the seeds of rich reward.
Right now, would you take a moment to reset your expectations?
If you’re having a great day, praise Him for allowing you to enjoy it, for letting you have life and breath to see the sunrise, delight in love, and do His will. If you’re in a tough moment, ask for faith to find His provision that will let you meet the challenge with grace, for eyes that can see the opportunities to do good in the middle of it all.
Here’s a word from the Word. Make it yours.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:4-6, NIV)
________________________
Be still, my soul;
The Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross
Of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God
To order and provide.
In ev'ry change
He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul;
Thy best, Thy heavenly Friend
Thro' thorny ways
Leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul;
Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future
As He has the past.
Thy hope, Thy confidence
Let nothing shake;
All now mysterious
Shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul;
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them
While He dwelt below.
Be Still My Soul
Von Schlegal, Katharina / Borthwick, Jane L. / Sibelius, Jean
© Public Domain
Friday, November 05, 2010
Tough choices, great grace
Jim Swilley is probably a good and likeable guy. He started a church in Georgia 25 years ago that has become a mega-church. Jim divorced his wife recently and announced his homosexuality. He said he had to do it be ‘authentic.’ He also said that his sexual orientation was not chosen, but something that been a part of him since early childhood. And, he says he will remain the pastor of his church living as an openly gay man. I was with him up to that last point. I applaud his honesty though I do wonder why he’s lived a lie for 3 decades while preaching ‘authenticity?’ I even accept his statement that some people seem to be born with a sexual preference for people of the same sex. But, if Jim Swilley wants to be actively sexual with a man, the Scripture disqualifies him from being a Christian pastor.
This man illustrates the extreme self -aborption that afflicts way too many people in this day and shows up as a la carte’ Christian discipleship. With our exaggerated sense of Self, we slide so easily into the conviction expressed by Tom T. Hall in a country song that goes like this:“Me and Jesus, got our own thing goin'. Me and Jesus, got it all worked out. Me and Jesus, got our own thing goin'. We don't need anybody to tell us what it's all about.”
It might make a good song, but it’s just not true! Actually, me and Jesus don’t have our own thing going and neither you nor I can cut and paste the Bible to fit our preferences. We are part of a great Body of Believers, responsible to the community to which we belong, where all of us are called to live under the Lordship of Christ. The Word says, "Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
The Lord Jesus warns that many who thought they had their own private deal with God will be shocked on Judgment Day. "On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand." (Matthew 7:22-26, NLT)
Living as an authentic Christian is neither simple nor easy. Choices must be made. Why? Because Christ is either Lord of all, or He’s not Lord at all. We cannot claim to be a disciple while holding back some part of ourselves from Him. Are any of us sinless? Of course not! However, real holiness is progressive, as we grow in grace. But, we don’t grow when we say we are without a need for grace because “God will understand that’s just who I am.”
Want to be a Christian who knows the greatest joy, the deepest intimacy, who lives with rock solid assurance, whose life will enjoy a beautiful legacy, and who will be welcomed into the Father’s Presence with a rich reward? Then, surrender it all and let Him lead. Work out your salvation with proper reverence for the majesty and wisdom of God.
Here’s the word from the Word -
"Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness." (Psalm 29:2, NLT)
___________
All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him, I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him
in His Presence daily live.
I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
Van Deventer
-Public Domain
This man illustrates the extreme self -aborption that afflicts way too many people in this day and shows up as a la carte’ Christian discipleship. With our exaggerated sense of Self, we slide so easily into the conviction expressed by Tom T. Hall in a country song that goes like this:“Me and Jesus, got our own thing goin'. Me and Jesus, got it all worked out. Me and Jesus, got our own thing goin'. We don't need anybody to tell us what it's all about.”
It might make a good song, but it’s just not true! Actually, me and Jesus don’t have our own thing going and neither you nor I can cut and paste the Bible to fit our preferences. We are part of a great Body of Believers, responsible to the community to which we belong, where all of us are called to live under the Lordship of Christ. The Word says, "Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
The Lord Jesus warns that many who thought they had their own private deal with God will be shocked on Judgment Day. "On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand." (Matthew 7:22-26, NLT)
Living as an authentic Christian is neither simple nor easy. Choices must be made. Why? Because Christ is either Lord of all, or He’s not Lord at all. We cannot claim to be a disciple while holding back some part of ourselves from Him. Are any of us sinless? Of course not! However, real holiness is progressive, as we grow in grace. But, we don’t grow when we say we are without a need for grace because “God will understand that’s just who I am.”
Want to be a Christian who knows the greatest joy, the deepest intimacy, who lives with rock solid assurance, whose life will enjoy a beautiful legacy, and who will be welcomed into the Father’s Presence with a rich reward? Then, surrender it all and let Him lead. Work out your salvation with proper reverence for the majesty and wisdom of God.
Here’s the word from the Word -
"Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness." (Psalm 29:2, NLT)
___________
All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him, I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him
in His Presence daily live.
I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
Van Deventer
-Public Domain
Thursday, November 04, 2010
The Rest of the Gospel
Last night in our Bible study, we were talking about involvement with issues of justice. The question came up as to why the evangelical churches were all but invisible in the civil rights movement in America in the mid-20th century. Primarily it was because they avoided the ‘social gospel.’ The focus was on getting people to heaven by bringing them a message of conversion. But it was only half of the Gospel. True Christianity has both vertical (God-ward) and a horizontal (People focused) expressions! There is a judgment to come and it is important that we tell others of Christ’s power to forgive. And, it is important to care about how they will live right here, right now.
God saves us today from our sins, not just in eternity. The message entrusted to the disciples was about the coming of God’s Kingdom, now. Jesus reminds us of our worth to the Omnipotent God of the Universe this way: "What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail-even numbering the hairs on your head!" (Matthew 10:29-30, The Message) Isn't that mind-boggling?
God loves you and me specifically, not generally! He cares about the ‘stuff’ of our lives. We are to be like Him. We are called to love not just with sweeping rhetoric but with concern for all – the lovely and the unlovely. Recently I have been reading in the Minor Prophets. It is of note that often God expressed His disapproval of His people, not just for the 'biggie' sins like worshipping false gods or gross sexual immorality; but for their disregard of the poor, their oppression of the weak, depriving the 'little guys' of justice in the courts. Take a look at this passage from Amos. "You trample the poor and steal what little they have through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, you will never live in the beautiful stone houses you are building. You will never drink wine from the lush vineyards you are planting. For I know the vast number of your sins and rebellions. You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts." (Amos 5:10-12, NLT)
Disciple does your Christianity only focus on impeccable morality and things like going to church or paying your tithes? Those are good choices when they are an expression of our love for God. But Jesus reminds that there is a second great commandment, too. It is "love your neighbor as yourself!"
Here's a word from the Word. It’s the rest of the Gospel. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence." (1 John 3:16-19, NIV)
Let’s live our faith in both dimensions – with God-ward devotion and with deep concern for the way that the people around us live.
______________________
Jesus You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go
Live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward
Keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
God of justice Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
To act justly every day
Loving mercy in every way
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
God of Justice
© 2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Tim Hughes
CCLI License No. 810055
God saves us today from our sins, not just in eternity. The message entrusted to the disciples was about the coming of God’s Kingdom, now. Jesus reminds us of our worth to the Omnipotent God of the Universe this way: "What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail-even numbering the hairs on your head!" (Matthew 10:29-30, The Message) Isn't that mind-boggling?
God loves you and me specifically, not generally! He cares about the ‘stuff’ of our lives. We are to be like Him. We are called to love not just with sweeping rhetoric but with concern for all – the lovely and the unlovely. Recently I have been reading in the Minor Prophets. It is of note that often God expressed His disapproval of His people, not just for the 'biggie' sins like worshipping false gods or gross sexual immorality; but for their disregard of the poor, their oppression of the weak, depriving the 'little guys' of justice in the courts. Take a look at this passage from Amos. "You trample the poor and steal what little they have through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, you will never live in the beautiful stone houses you are building. You will never drink wine from the lush vineyards you are planting. For I know the vast number of your sins and rebellions. You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts." (Amos 5:10-12, NLT)
Disciple does your Christianity only focus on impeccable morality and things like going to church or paying your tithes? Those are good choices when they are an expression of our love for God. But Jesus reminds that there is a second great commandment, too. It is "love your neighbor as yourself!"
Here's a word from the Word. It’s the rest of the Gospel. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence." (1 John 3:16-19, NIV)
Let’s live our faith in both dimensions – with God-ward devotion and with deep concern for the way that the people around us live.
______________________
Jesus You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go
Live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward
Keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
God of justice Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
To act justly every day
Loving mercy in every way
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
God of Justice
© 2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Tim Hughes
CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
O.D.D. - or strong-willed in need of correction?
There is a new explanation for why some of us are stubborn, have temper tantrums, resist direction, and bully others. It’s called ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Psychologists estimate that about 20% of us have this problem and that it shows up generally around 2 or 3 years of age. If you think I am joking, go ahead and Google it! What once was treated with firm discipline is now treated with medication “to help ease the tension introduced into the family unit and/or classroom” by those who have this diagnosis. I am not a psychologist but I wonder if what is now labeled as a disorder is the same thing we used to call being ‘strong-willed?’ Why do we medicate a child instead of persevering with the hard work of providing consistent, firm training?
Frequently I experience moments when a part of me wants to say, “no” to my Heavenly Father. The temptation to be selfish, to indulge myself, to be lazy, to say or do something cruel shows up in my mind. Do you think I might have spiritual ODD? Now, I am joking! What I have is a sinful nature that responds to the world systems, to the cravings of my body, and even to the seduction of the Devil! My earthly father took steps to point me in the right direction and to curb my impulses to do wrong unafraid of warping my personality with the application of discipline, even punishment! My Heavenly Father likewise acts to transform my character, though not always in ways that I find pleasant. Though many reject the this truth, the Bible even tells us that He will punish those who do wrong with the goal of making us like Jesus. The Bible reminds us that "We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." (Hebrews 12:9-12, The Message)
Discipline seems to be a dirty word in America today. Some parents are nearly incapable of saying no to their children, conducting endless negotiations with toddlers instead providing firm, fair guidance. Might this reflect a lack of discipline in their own lives? Many of us resist direction from our boss, refuse responsibility at home, and argue with God’s commands – in the firm but foolish conviction that ultimate happiness is found in unfettered self-expression. “Me-ism” is rampant and is perhaps the most destructive idea in our culture.
Are you resisting the Lord today, disciple?
Are the “world, the flesh, and the Devil” working to seduce you with their lies about the joy found in doing your own thing?
The Scripture speaks of ‘the pleasures of sin for a season.’ (Hebrews 11:25) Rebellion feels great, for a while, but gradually the rebel cuts himself off from others who tire of the superficiality of his indulgences. The wise child of God responds to His correction and he then enjoys "a harvest of righteousness and peace." (Hebrews 12:11, NIV) My wife, a teacher of first-graders, drills a concept into the children in her classroom that says, “Obedience equals fun!” When they learn that she is the one in charge of the room they get their work finished and are able to take real joy in their accomplishments as well as experience more freedom of choice that grows out of their developing self-discipline. Bev’s first grade maxim is a good one for all God’s children- “Obedience equals fun!” Are you ready to submit to Him and live?
________________
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will
Trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will
Trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Trust And Obey
Sammis, Rev. John H. / Towner, Daniel B.
© Public Domain
Frequently I experience moments when a part of me wants to say, “no” to my Heavenly Father. The temptation to be selfish, to indulge myself, to be lazy, to say or do something cruel shows up in my mind. Do you think I might have spiritual ODD? Now, I am joking! What I have is a sinful nature that responds to the world systems, to the cravings of my body, and even to the seduction of the Devil! My earthly father took steps to point me in the right direction and to curb my impulses to do wrong unafraid of warping my personality with the application of discipline, even punishment! My Heavenly Father likewise acts to transform my character, though not always in ways that I find pleasant. Though many reject the this truth, the Bible even tells us that He will punish those who do wrong with the goal of making us like Jesus. The Bible reminds us that "We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." (Hebrews 12:9-12, The Message)
Discipline seems to be a dirty word in America today. Some parents are nearly incapable of saying no to their children, conducting endless negotiations with toddlers instead providing firm, fair guidance. Might this reflect a lack of discipline in their own lives? Many of us resist direction from our boss, refuse responsibility at home, and argue with God’s commands – in the firm but foolish conviction that ultimate happiness is found in unfettered self-expression. “Me-ism” is rampant and is perhaps the most destructive idea in our culture.
Are you resisting the Lord today, disciple?
Are the “world, the flesh, and the Devil” working to seduce you with their lies about the joy found in doing your own thing?
The Scripture speaks of ‘the pleasures of sin for a season.’ (Hebrews 11:25) Rebellion feels great, for a while, but gradually the rebel cuts himself off from others who tire of the superficiality of his indulgences. The wise child of God responds to His correction and he then enjoys "a harvest of righteousness and peace." (Hebrews 12:11, NIV) My wife, a teacher of first-graders, drills a concept into the children in her classroom that says, “Obedience equals fun!” When they learn that she is the one in charge of the room they get their work finished and are able to take real joy in their accomplishments as well as experience more freedom of choice that grows out of their developing self-discipline. Bev’s first grade maxim is a good one for all God’s children- “Obedience equals fun!” Are you ready to submit to Him and live?
________________
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will
Trust and obey.
But we never can prove
The delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will
Trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Trust And Obey
Sammis, Rev. John H. / Towner, Daniel B.
© Public Domain
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Can we be a Blessed Nation? Here's how!
In about an hour, I will visit my polling station and cast my votes in this Fall election along with millions of other Americans today. In that simple act, I help to make the laws under which we live. This election is so burdened with hope for change, isn’t it? We’re fed up with policies that serve special interest groups, done with politicians who seem to have forgotten who they represent. Many think that prosperity will return with transfer of power to a new party. I can say with assurance, Republicans and Tea Party activists are not America’s messiah! That is not an argument for the status quo. It is a recognition that America’s greater bankruptcy is spiritual!
Proudly we claim to be ‘one nation under God’ but we are not. God is not the center of life for the average American and despite our civic religion, He is not visible in our national policies. Let me ask you – how central to your life is He? Will the choices you make today, even the most mundane ones, be shaped by a desire to know and do the will of the Lord? Will Jesus’ prime commands: “Love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself” be the guides for what you think and do? Is Christ really “Lord of all”? If we cannot or will not live individually as people who walk humbly before God, how can we think that our nation will be godly?
America is a nation where cities are full of filthiness, where people are possessed by selfishness, whose systems are corrupt with injustice, whose policies exploit the poor and oppress the weak in this world. As you reflect on this disciple, can I ask that you go beyond the issues of gay rights or abortion on demand? It’s so easy to forget our own sins of greed and discrimination if we focus only on ‘them,’ whoever they are.
An oft-quoted passage of Scripture, a word of the Lord given to Solomon as he prayed for the nation of Israel, could not be more clear about the way to becoming a blessed nation. "If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health." (2 Chronicles 7:13-14, The Message) The way to blessings is humility, knowing that there is one God, and neither I nor you are Him!
So, I will vote today but my hope for tomorrow will be grounded in my prayer- first a prayer of humble repentance for myself, then a prayer for my nation. This CoffeeBreak is not the most eloquent I have written. It is a headline of the anguish I feel for my country. These words are choked out today from a heart that broken. I am hungry for spiritual renewal. Lord, let it begin with me!
_____________
You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like You God
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done here
You're the Lord of creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all kings
You are
You're the strength in the weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You are
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for You and love for You
In this city
Great things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done here
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
There is no one like You God
There is no one like You God
God of This City
© 2006 worshiptogether.com songs
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Aaron Boyd
Andrew McCann
Ian Jordan
Peter Comfort
Peter Kernaghan
Richard Bleakley
CCLI License No. 810055
Proudly we claim to be ‘one nation under God’ but we are not. God is not the center of life for the average American and despite our civic religion, He is not visible in our national policies. Let me ask you – how central to your life is He? Will the choices you make today, even the most mundane ones, be shaped by a desire to know and do the will of the Lord? Will Jesus’ prime commands: “Love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself” be the guides for what you think and do? Is Christ really “Lord of all”? If we cannot or will not live individually as people who walk humbly before God, how can we think that our nation will be godly?
America is a nation where cities are full of filthiness, where people are possessed by selfishness, whose systems are corrupt with injustice, whose policies exploit the poor and oppress the weak in this world. As you reflect on this disciple, can I ask that you go beyond the issues of gay rights or abortion on demand? It’s so easy to forget our own sins of greed and discrimination if we focus only on ‘them,’ whoever they are.
An oft-quoted passage of Scripture, a word of the Lord given to Solomon as he prayed for the nation of Israel, could not be more clear about the way to becoming a blessed nation. "If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health." (2 Chronicles 7:13-14, The Message) The way to blessings is humility, knowing that there is one God, and neither I nor you are Him!
So, I will vote today but my hope for tomorrow will be grounded in my prayer- first a prayer of humble repentance for myself, then a prayer for my nation. This CoffeeBreak is not the most eloquent I have written. It is a headline of the anguish I feel for my country. These words are choked out today from a heart that broken. I am hungry for spiritual renewal. Lord, let it begin with me!
_____________
You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like You God
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done here
You're the Lord of creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all kings
You are
You're the strength in the weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You are
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for You and love for You
In this city
Great things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done here
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
There is no one like You God
There is no one like You God
God of This City
© 2006 worshiptogether.com songs
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Aaron Boyd
Andrew McCann
Ian Jordan
Peter Comfort
Peter Kernaghan
Richard Bleakley
CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, November 01, 2010
He’s still there!
Ever played peek-a-boo with an infant? A 3 month old will show some delight each time he sees your face after you pull your hands away from in front of it. Around 6 months, that delight starts to fade because his brain develops something called ‘object permanence.’ He starts to understand that things exist even though he cannot see them. Before that, when your face disappears into your hands, you ‘go away’ in his understanding. When your face reappears, it’s as though you have returned to him, which produces that response of surprise and/or joy.
The Bible urges us to grow up. Paul chides the Corinthian Christian for their prolonged spiritual infancy. "I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." (1 Corinthians 3:1-2, NIV) One of the ways we demonstrate immaturity is by falling into despair when we cannot see the face of Jesus! For reasons too numerous to list, there are seasons in life when it seems that He has left us alone. Our prayers lack passion. Our worship produces no joy. Troubles and trials surround us. What then?
Will we wail like a baby or will we stay steady? Will we despair, noisily complaining to anyone within earshot that God has forsaken us? Maturity leads us trust what He has said – "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NLT) Just like a baby learns that Mommy is still around even if he cannot see her, faith teaches us that God is always there. It may be that our disobedience has brought distance from Him. It may fatigue that causes us to feel alone. It may be that He is allowing us to walk through a testing time. Though we cannot see His face, He has not left us alone.
Every follower of Christ goes through what St. John of the Cross (a 16th century Spanish priest and poet) called ‘the dark night of the soul.’ Even Jesus, as He felt the weight of our sins while He was dying on the Cross, cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Such times of intense doubt or fear are difficult and unpleasant. We need not pretend to enjoy them, but we must persevere; waiting out the circumstances, letting faith inform our daily choices even when our senses scream for soothing and temptation rises on every side.
Here’s a word from the Word - "We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV) He is there. Trust and obey!
________________
Often you've wondered why
Tears come into your eyes,
And burdens seem to be
Much more than you can stand.
But God is standing near
He sees your falling tears.
Tears are a language God understands.
God sees the tears
Of a broken hearted soul.
He sees your tears
And hears them when they fall.
God weeps along with man
And takes Him by the hand,
Tears are a language
God understands.
When grief has left you low
It causes tears to flow,
Things have not turned out
The way that you had planned,
But God won't forget you,
His promises are true,
Tears are a language God understands.
Tears Are A Language
Jensen, Gordon
© 1971 Jensen Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
The Bible urges us to grow up. Paul chides the Corinthian Christian for their prolonged spiritual infancy. "I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." (1 Corinthians 3:1-2, NIV) One of the ways we demonstrate immaturity is by falling into despair when we cannot see the face of Jesus! For reasons too numerous to list, there are seasons in life when it seems that He has left us alone. Our prayers lack passion. Our worship produces no joy. Troubles and trials surround us. What then?
Will we wail like a baby or will we stay steady? Will we despair, noisily complaining to anyone within earshot that God has forsaken us? Maturity leads us trust what He has said – "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NLT) Just like a baby learns that Mommy is still around even if he cannot see her, faith teaches us that God is always there. It may be that our disobedience has brought distance from Him. It may fatigue that causes us to feel alone. It may be that He is allowing us to walk through a testing time. Though we cannot see His face, He has not left us alone.
Every follower of Christ goes through what St. John of the Cross (a 16th century Spanish priest and poet) called ‘the dark night of the soul.’ Even Jesus, as He felt the weight of our sins while He was dying on the Cross, cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Such times of intense doubt or fear are difficult and unpleasant. We need not pretend to enjoy them, but we must persevere; waiting out the circumstances, letting faith inform our daily choices even when our senses scream for soothing and temptation rises on every side.
Here’s a word from the Word - "We live by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV) He is there. Trust and obey!
________________
Often you've wondered why
Tears come into your eyes,
And burdens seem to be
Much more than you can stand.
But God is standing near
He sees your falling tears.
Tears are a language God understands.
God sees the tears
Of a broken hearted soul.
He sees your tears
And hears them when they fall.
God weeps along with man
And takes Him by the hand,
Tears are a language
God understands.
When grief has left you low
It causes tears to flow,
Things have not turned out
The way that you had planned,
But God won't forget you,
His promises are true,
Tears are a language God understands.
Tears Are A Language
Jensen, Gordon
© 1971 Jensen Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, October 29, 2010
You'll Never Figure Him Out!
People tell me I am a complex person. I think that’s just a nice way to say, “hard to get along with.” I can be brusque and yet I find my heart broken over the pain others feel. I like plain authenticity, yet I insist on excellence almost to perfectionism. I value high level performance but despise any effort that appears to be overdone for the purpose of impressing others. I’m told that I appear confident to the point of arrogance, yet I often feel insecure. Did I say I am complex? Bev, my wife, after 35 years of dealing with me, understands me (and loves me, anyway)! How did she get to know me in this way? We have lived together, wept together, laughed together, worshipped together, raised 4 kids together, argued, loved, and endured. Her knowledge of me came with a price tag – time and intimacy!
I am frequently asked, “Pastor, how can really know Jesus Christ?” In many cases, I discern that the inquirer is looking for a way to figure Him out! They want to define Him, reduce Him to their level of understanding, and learn how to use Him. It’s impossible! He’s knowable, yet mysterious. Our finite minds can never expand enough to understand Him, and yet He invites us to know Him. Such knowledge, however, comes with the same cost as any deep relationship- time and intimacy. We cannot know even the smallest part of Who He is if the only time we are truly aware of His Presence is in church or in the occasional moment of inspiration.
Paul challenges us with his penned words of aspiration. At one time, he was climbing to the heights of his religion, working hard to gain the awards that come from piety and good works. He says, "I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" (Philippians 3:7-11, NLT)
Do you want to know Christ, and in that revelation discover life that is without end? Then, give yourself to Him, without reservation. Invite Him to become Master of each moment, and walk with Him. Let Him lead you through sunshine and rain, glad days and sad ones, too. Trust Him when all is well and equally when nothing makes sense. The Holy Spirit will reveal more and more our Lord of Glory to you, though you’ll never figure Him out. He will become the dearest Friend to you.
S.M. Lockridge delivered a tribute to the King he knew. If you have a few moments, I invite you to watch it.
May his words inspire you to know Him better.
S.M. Lockridge – That’s My King http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z15FlTONVo
I am frequently asked, “Pastor, how can really know Jesus Christ?” In many cases, I discern that the inquirer is looking for a way to figure Him out! They want to define Him, reduce Him to their level of understanding, and learn how to use Him. It’s impossible! He’s knowable, yet mysterious. Our finite minds can never expand enough to understand Him, and yet He invites us to know Him. Such knowledge, however, comes with the same cost as any deep relationship- time and intimacy. We cannot know even the smallest part of Who He is if the only time we are truly aware of His Presence is in church or in the occasional moment of inspiration.
Paul challenges us with his penned words of aspiration. At one time, he was climbing to the heights of his religion, working hard to gain the awards that come from piety and good works. He says, "I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" (Philippians 3:7-11, NLT)
Do you want to know Christ, and in that revelation discover life that is without end? Then, give yourself to Him, without reservation. Invite Him to become Master of each moment, and walk with Him. Let Him lead you through sunshine and rain, glad days and sad ones, too. Trust Him when all is well and equally when nothing makes sense. The Holy Spirit will reveal more and more our Lord of Glory to you, though you’ll never figure Him out. He will become the dearest Friend to you.
S.M. Lockridge delivered a tribute to the King he knew. If you have a few moments, I invite you to watch it.
May his words inspire you to know Him better.
S.M. Lockridge – That’s My King http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z15FlTONVo
Thursday, October 28, 2010
A grain of salt...
It’s been an ugly electoral season, hasn’t it? Negative campaign ads are a real turn-off to me. The media (Left and Right) is so biased it makes us all skeptical about the veracity of the information we’re receiving. Some of us might be thinking about staying home from the polls next Tuesday. You may be tempted to think think it does not really matter if you vote. Please re-consider! The truth is that one vote is important. Being part of choosing those who govern is not just a privilege, it’s a responsibility.
So, some of you are probably thinking, "Jerry, isn't the mission of this daily email about encouraging spiritual development?" It is! Followers of Christ must fulfill the charge of bringing a godly influence in our society. One way is with our ballot. Pray about your vote. Paul urged the Believers living in pagan societies of his time to bear public witness. He said, "Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT)
Know why you're voting for that person to whom you give your support. Research the candidate's positions, and vote wisely, not simply emotionally. Look past personal charisma and rhetorical skills. Support those who are thoughtful and wise. Look at their record, at specific votes, at what various advocacy groups have to say about their positions. With a little digging, information is available.
No candidate will perfectly conform to your ideals. Selecting the person you support will involve prioritizing issues that you consider to be important and then choosing the candidate that reflects the values you list highest on your list. I would encourage you not to be single issue voter. Consider the totality of a candidate's positions. And I repeat, pray about your vote! I would suggest these questions as a starting point for your evaluation:
• Does this candidate have a consistent position on the sacredness of all human life?
• Does this candidate seek ways to provide justice to all people- rich, poor, black, and white?
• Is this candidate actively concerned about economic opportunity for all people?
• Does this candidate show a genuine respect for God's creation, balancing the need for development with environmental preservation?
• Is this candidate’s character worthy of trust of leadership?
Jesus tells His disciples that they function as “the salt of the earth.” Though we primarily think of salt as a flavor, in His time, salt served a valuable function of preserving foods, particularly meat, from spoiling. Your vote is like a grain of salt, a way of preserving the political process from corruption. Individually, we are like a small grain of salt. Together, our grains of salt will make a real difference.
Here’s a word from the Word. It’s a timely reminder.
"Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens.
Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order.
It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society.
Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules.
Treat everyone you meet with dignity.
Love your spiritual family.
Revere God. Respect the government." (1 Peter 2:13-17, The Message)
So, some of you are probably thinking, "Jerry, isn't the mission of this daily email about encouraging spiritual development?" It is! Followers of Christ must fulfill the charge of bringing a godly influence in our society. One way is with our ballot. Pray about your vote. Paul urged the Believers living in pagan societies of his time to bear public witness. He said, "Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT)
Know why you're voting for that person to whom you give your support. Research the candidate's positions, and vote wisely, not simply emotionally. Look past personal charisma and rhetorical skills. Support those who are thoughtful and wise. Look at their record, at specific votes, at what various advocacy groups have to say about their positions. With a little digging, information is available.
No candidate will perfectly conform to your ideals. Selecting the person you support will involve prioritizing issues that you consider to be important and then choosing the candidate that reflects the values you list highest on your list. I would encourage you not to be single issue voter. Consider the totality of a candidate's positions. And I repeat, pray about your vote! I would suggest these questions as a starting point for your evaluation:
• Does this candidate have a consistent position on the sacredness of all human life?
• Does this candidate seek ways to provide justice to all people- rich, poor, black, and white?
• Is this candidate actively concerned about economic opportunity for all people?
• Does this candidate show a genuine respect for God's creation, balancing the need for development with environmental preservation?
• Is this candidate’s character worthy of trust of leadership?
Jesus tells His disciples that they function as “the salt of the earth.” Though we primarily think of salt as a flavor, in His time, salt served a valuable function of preserving foods, particularly meat, from spoiling. Your vote is like a grain of salt, a way of preserving the political process from corruption. Individually, we are like a small grain of salt. Together, our grains of salt will make a real difference.
Here’s a word from the Word. It’s a timely reminder.
"Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens.
Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order.
It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society.
Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules.
Treat everyone you meet with dignity.
Love your spiritual family.
Revere God. Respect the government." (1 Peter 2:13-17, The Message)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Grief – the chisel of the Lord
In the semi-darkness of the elderly woman’s living room she lay weak and sick, afraid of the days ahead, grieving the loss of much of what she held dear. She does not sin in this sorrow. Who enjoys gradually slipping from vitality, from involvement, into helplessness? Among the young grief is a much different emotion than it is in the aged. A younger person weeps, mourns the loss, and moves forward into the brightness of her future. Their grief is like a thunderstorm that passes with furious turbulence and then the sun shines again. The aging experience grief and feel the pain of unrecoverable loss, their experience like a long storm that lasts for days.
Grief is the chisel of the Lord which He uses to break our tight grip on this present world so that we will reach out to take hold of Him. We cannot escape grief! It comes to all, dressed in loss of one kind or another. Many attempt to avoid it by running from unpleasant situations, hiding from reality. Others refuse it turning to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain. Still others take the road of diversion, seeking as much pleasure as can be found. The wise person endures it, learns from it, and grows through it.
Jesus says, “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." (Matthew 5:4, The Message) You’re probably more familiar with that passage in these words, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, NIV) Receiving those words demands deep faith! We would rather pray for a life free of things that make us grieve than to allow our hearts to be broken, wouldn’t we? Those who will not let their hearts be broken are doomed to living superficially, loving things that will slip through their fingers eventually regardless of their determination.
Put your hope in God! The Preacher tells us that there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:4, NIV) When the sorrows come, let them cause you to love the things that you can never lose and the One who holds life everlasting more.
"Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. … You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." (Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12, NIV)
_______________
Father, You are my portion in this life
And You are my hope and my delight.
And I love You, yes, I love You,
Lord, I love You, my delight.
Jesus, You are my treasure in this life
And You are so pure and so kind.
And I love You, yes, I love You,
Lord, I love You, my delight.
My Delight
Park, Andy
© 1987 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055
Grief is the chisel of the Lord which He uses to break our tight grip on this present world so that we will reach out to take hold of Him. We cannot escape grief! It comes to all, dressed in loss of one kind or another. Many attempt to avoid it by running from unpleasant situations, hiding from reality. Others refuse it turning to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain. Still others take the road of diversion, seeking as much pleasure as can be found. The wise person endures it, learns from it, and grows through it.
Jesus says, “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." (Matthew 5:4, The Message) You’re probably more familiar with that passage in these words, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, NIV) Receiving those words demands deep faith! We would rather pray for a life free of things that make us grieve than to allow our hearts to be broken, wouldn’t we? Those who will not let their hearts be broken are doomed to living superficially, loving things that will slip through their fingers eventually regardless of their determination.
Put your hope in God! The Preacher tells us that there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:4, NIV) When the sorrows come, let them cause you to love the things that you can never lose and the One who holds life everlasting more.
"Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. … You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." (Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12, NIV)
_______________
Father, You are my portion in this life
And You are my hope and my delight.
And I love You, yes, I love You,
Lord, I love You, my delight.
Jesus, You are my treasure in this life
And You are so pure and so kind.
And I love You, yes, I love You,
Lord, I love You, my delight.
My Delight
Park, Andy
© 1987 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Basically, it’s not simple!
In 1992, H. Ross Perot ran for the Presidency. His third party candidacy was built around “Perotisms” that were down to earth, folksy challenges to complex political thinking. He dragged his charts onto stages where he pointed to them while declaring, “It’s simple, see.” He was truthful and deceptive at the same time. His analysis was often right on target, but he never told the rest of the story; how his solutions would ripple down through the country. Much the same kind of thing is happening in political discourse this electoral cycle. Solutions are being offered for our various social challenges that sound simple, but that have far-reaching consequences that are seldom discussed!
Christians who say that our choices as Jesus’ disciples are simple are not being completely truthful, either. Discerning what is right and wrong is usually simple, but making a commitment to do the right thing consistently is much more difficult, isn’t it? We all know how to live better than we really do, don’t we? We can all identify with these words from Scripture, "I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway." (Romans 7:18-19, NLT)
So, should we just throw up our hands and ‘go with the flow’ in life? Because the choices of discipleship are hard, should we just be content with ‘doing our best and forgetting the rest’ as some suggest? Not at all! God knows the difficulties of daily discipleship and He has given us a Helper, His Holy Spirit. The Word urges us to let the Spirit set the pace: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV) Devising rules and reducing life’s complex situations to slogans as a means of controlling actions, our own and those of others, will turn us into Pharisees. Our religion will leave us blind to our hypocrisy and others dead to God! The Bible tells us that the Lord "has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:6, NIV)
Are you working through a complex situation in your life?
Do you know the right thing to do, but don’t know how to get it done?
Are you challenged by the difficulty of applying the Truth to some set of circumstances that confront you or your family?
Seek the Spirit’s guidance! Listen carefully to His voice and make the choice to obey today. The very first generation of Christians was given a mandate that was impossible then and remains impossible even today. Jesus told them and He tells us -“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, making disciples.” In one way, it’s a simple command. But doing it effectively, producing lasting spiritual results, is terribly difficult. But, we are not left to our own wits. We are not just practicing a religion. We are given the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and guides us into all Truth. After commissioning His disciples with a tough task, Jesus told them “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before." (Acts 1:4, NLT) Are we ready to wait for Heaven’s lead?
Here’s a word from the Word. Live it today. "But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you." (John 16:13-14, The Message)
_________________
There's a wind blowin',
All across the land.
Fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again.
Don't know where it comes from,
Don't know where it goes,
But let it blow over me.
Oh, sweet wind,
Come and blow over me.
There's a rain a pourin',
Showers from above.
Mercy drops are comin',
Mercy drops of love.
Turn your face to heaven,
Let the water pour,
Well let it pour over me.
Oh, sweet rain,
Come and pour over me.
There's a fire burnin',
Fallin' from the sky.
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I.
Can you feel it burnin',
Burn the sacrifice,
Well let it burn over me.
Oh, sweet fire,
Come and burn over me.
Sweet Wind
Ruis, David
© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055
Christians who say that our choices as Jesus’ disciples are simple are not being completely truthful, either. Discerning what is right and wrong is usually simple, but making a commitment to do the right thing consistently is much more difficult, isn’t it? We all know how to live better than we really do, don’t we? We can all identify with these words from Scripture, "I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway." (Romans 7:18-19, NLT)
So, should we just throw up our hands and ‘go with the flow’ in life? Because the choices of discipleship are hard, should we just be content with ‘doing our best and forgetting the rest’ as some suggest? Not at all! God knows the difficulties of daily discipleship and He has given us a Helper, His Holy Spirit. The Word urges us to let the Spirit set the pace: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV) Devising rules and reducing life’s complex situations to slogans as a means of controlling actions, our own and those of others, will turn us into Pharisees. Our religion will leave us blind to our hypocrisy and others dead to God! The Bible tells us that the Lord "has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:6, NIV)
Are you working through a complex situation in your life?
Do you know the right thing to do, but don’t know how to get it done?
Are you challenged by the difficulty of applying the Truth to some set of circumstances that confront you or your family?
Seek the Spirit’s guidance! Listen carefully to His voice and make the choice to obey today. The very first generation of Christians was given a mandate that was impossible then and remains impossible even today. Jesus told them and He tells us -“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, making disciples.” In one way, it’s a simple command. But doing it effectively, producing lasting spiritual results, is terribly difficult. But, we are not left to our own wits. We are not just practicing a religion. We are given the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and guides us into all Truth. After commissioning His disciples with a tough task, Jesus told them “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before." (Acts 1:4, NLT) Are we ready to wait for Heaven’s lead?
Here’s a word from the Word. Live it today. "But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you." (John 16:13-14, The Message)
_________________
There's a wind blowin',
All across the land.
Fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again.
Don't know where it comes from,
Don't know where it goes,
But let it blow over me.
Oh, sweet wind,
Come and blow over me.
There's a rain a pourin',
Showers from above.
Mercy drops are comin',
Mercy drops of love.
Turn your face to heaven,
Let the water pour,
Well let it pour over me.
Oh, sweet rain,
Come and pour over me.
There's a fire burnin',
Fallin' from the sky.
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I.
Can you feel it burnin',
Burn the sacrifice,
Well let it burn over me.
Oh, sweet fire,
Come and burn over me.
Sweet Wind
Ruis, David
© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, October 25, 2010
Living at Mt. Sinai or Mt. Zion?
My human nature is one of melancholy, but I am a person full of thankful joy! Is it because I experience perpetual good fortune, a life of unbroken bliss? Not at all. Through the years I have known successes and failures, tragedies and triumphs. My joy is not borne of luck, but from the Lord Who enriches me with love, faith, hope, healing, and purpose. From knowing Him I draw life! God is not a Judge on the periphery of life of Whom I am afraid, Whose approach fills me with dread. He is my Father, my Friend. My holy place is one of celebration.
Some disciples seem to know Him primarily as a God who waits for them to fail so He can lower the boom, an angry Deity that they must appease with their goodness, hoping He will look on them with favor. Their holy place is one of fear. Which person are you?
The Scripture teaches that we who are ‘in Christ,’ need not live in fear, trembling before God, as the Israelites did at the foot of Mt. Sinai where the Law was given to Moses. Instead, we are invited to a holy procession to Mt. Zion, the city of our God, where we rejoice in His loving kindness. Read it for yourself.
"You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, … The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, …" (Hebrews 12:18-24, NIV)
Disciple, are you secure in Him today?
Do you trust Him with your financial circumstances, your children, your future, your health, your spouse, your emotional stability, your eternal salvation?
You can! In the up’s and down’s, the sorrow of death and the exultation of birth, the uncertainty of human plans, He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV) He does not invite us to go live on a beach resort for the rest of our days. He invites us into the yoke with Him, a place of service and productivity, that lets us experience real ‘rest,’ a sense of satisfaction rather than endless longing for fulfillment!
A religion can never do that. A religion designed to appease Him demands more and more of us. A relationship renews us. Christian religion (an oxymoron!) lives at the foot of the smoking mountain hearing the fearful rumbling of coming judgment! Christians who know Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord live in joyous procession to the Throne of God, even as they walk a route that descends into the valleys and climbs to the heights along the way.
"Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.
For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory."
(Psalm 149:1-4, NLT)
________________
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song!
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground;
Firm, through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the pow'r of Christ in me!
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand.
Till he returns or calls me home,
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand!
In Christ Alone
Townsend
© King's Way - Thank You
CCLI License No. 810055
Some disciples seem to know Him primarily as a God who waits for them to fail so He can lower the boom, an angry Deity that they must appease with their goodness, hoping He will look on them with favor. Their holy place is one of fear. Which person are you?
The Scripture teaches that we who are ‘in Christ,’ need not live in fear, trembling before God, as the Israelites did at the foot of Mt. Sinai where the Law was given to Moses. Instead, we are invited to a holy procession to Mt. Zion, the city of our God, where we rejoice in His loving kindness. Read it for yourself.
"You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, … The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, …" (Hebrews 12:18-24, NIV)
Disciple, are you secure in Him today?
Do you trust Him with your financial circumstances, your children, your future, your health, your spouse, your emotional stability, your eternal salvation?
You can! In the up’s and down’s, the sorrow of death and the exultation of birth, the uncertainty of human plans, He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV) He does not invite us to go live on a beach resort for the rest of our days. He invites us into the yoke with Him, a place of service and productivity, that lets us experience real ‘rest,’ a sense of satisfaction rather than endless longing for fulfillment!
A religion can never do that. A religion designed to appease Him demands more and more of us. A relationship renews us. Christian religion (an oxymoron!) lives at the foot of the smoking mountain hearing the fearful rumbling of coming judgment! Christians who know Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord live in joyous procession to the Throne of God, even as they walk a route that descends into the valleys and climbs to the heights along the way.
"Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.
O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King.
Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.
For the Lord delights in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory."
(Psalm 149:1-4, NLT)
________________
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song!
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground;
Firm, through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the pow'r of Christ in me!
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand.
Till he returns or calls me home,
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand!
In Christ Alone
Townsend
© King's Way - Thank You
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tired of fighting temptation?
“All the best things in life are immoral, illegal, or fattening." Sex outside of marriage is alleged to be more exciting. Ignoring the law seems the expedient way to get things done. Junk food is full of fats and sugars and McD’s wealth proves its appeal. Believing those lies, too many Christians spend a ton of spiritual energy fighting off temptation dutifully, but without enthusiasm. As they do the right things in life, somewhere deep inside they are thinking that it would be fun to step outside the boundaries carefully drawn around their choices.
The truth is that God's ways are the paths of life! I read a study on sexual fulfillment that revealed that people who are married and faithful to their spouse on average enjoy sexual intimacy more frequently than those who are supposedly liberated from the 'bondage' of marriage! Sex/pornography addicts are a sad lot; full of shame. They engage in superficial relationships that cannot begin to be as fulfilling as deep, lasting ones. I've seen the wreckage that results when a husband/father abandons his family to find some 'real fun.' The deception is just that, a mirage.
Illegality exacts a price, too. Oh, yes, it is true that some ignore the rules of society and seem to get away with it. God’s principle remains true, however. Justice will come! "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:7-9, NIV)
As for what we put into our bodies, let’s talk about those commercials for beer that are ubiquitous during football season. In those 30 sec. video stories, a ‘cold one’ becomes the avenue to social success and great fun. All of the actors are smiling, thin, and surrounded with beautiful people! Never shown is the big beer belly, the ugliness of alcoholism, or the smashed car of an intoxicated teenager on his way home from a party! Yet the deception persists. Having a good time must include a drink, or two, or three.
Temptation is never defeated by higher fences or stronger restraints. Temptation loses its luster when we see through it. So, let the Spirit of God plant a new vision in you! Instead of longing to step over the line, become convinced that “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” (Proverbs 12:28, NKJV) The Psalmist prays, “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:24, NLT) Josh McDowell uses a phrase - "God is no cosmic killjoy!" He wants to lead us to a full life that is lived without regrets and that ultimately ends on this earth with a move into His Presence for eternity. We need the wisdom only the Holy Spirit can give that allows us to see through the fog and deception of Satan so we will choose the way of life.
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—
the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."
(Philippians 4:8-9, The Message)
The truth is that God's ways are the paths of life! I read a study on sexual fulfillment that revealed that people who are married and faithful to their spouse on average enjoy sexual intimacy more frequently than those who are supposedly liberated from the 'bondage' of marriage! Sex/pornography addicts are a sad lot; full of shame. They engage in superficial relationships that cannot begin to be as fulfilling as deep, lasting ones. I've seen the wreckage that results when a husband/father abandons his family to find some 'real fun.' The deception is just that, a mirage.
Illegality exacts a price, too. Oh, yes, it is true that some ignore the rules of society and seem to get away with it. God’s principle remains true, however. Justice will come! "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:7-9, NIV)
As for what we put into our bodies, let’s talk about those commercials for beer that are ubiquitous during football season. In those 30 sec. video stories, a ‘cold one’ becomes the avenue to social success and great fun. All of the actors are smiling, thin, and surrounded with beautiful people! Never shown is the big beer belly, the ugliness of alcoholism, or the smashed car of an intoxicated teenager on his way home from a party! Yet the deception persists. Having a good time must include a drink, or two, or three.
Temptation is never defeated by higher fences or stronger restraints. Temptation loses its luster when we see through it. So, let the Spirit of God plant a new vision in you! Instead of longing to step over the line, become convinced that “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” (Proverbs 12:28, NKJV) The Psalmist prays, “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:24, NLT) Josh McDowell uses a phrase - "God is no cosmic killjoy!" He wants to lead us to a full life that is lived without regrets and that ultimately ends on this earth with a move into His Presence for eternity. We need the wisdom only the Holy Spirit can give that allows us to see through the fog and deception of Satan so we will choose the way of life.
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—
the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."
(Philippians 4:8-9, The Message)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Shape up or ship out!
Ever been told that? My Mom said it to me when I was growing up. It means - “It's time to make a change.” During World War II, if a soldier was slacking on a Stateside assignment, he was told to "shape up or ship out." In short, he was ordered to do a better job. If he refused, he faced being shipped overseas to a combat zone. A person can be fired from his job for poor performance. An athlete can be kicked off a team if he lets his skills decline. But, if a church tries to exercise spiritual discipline, watch out! Almost always there will be a negative response.
The concept of church discipline is nearly unknown because here in America we put a premium value on autonomy and privacy. A pastor who takes his responsibility to challenge sin seriously, runs a real risk of ending up being the one shown the door! “It’s my life and I’ll live it the way I choose,” is the guiding principle. In recent years, several Roman Catholic bishops have attempted church discipline by denying Communion to politicians who openly challenge the Church’s guidance about the sanctity of human life. It’s a basic Christian value to hold that all life is precious to God. Yet, are these bishops applauded for requiring integrity in the professing Catholics, asking them to choose either political expedience or fidelity to the Church’s teaching? No way! The media and much of the public sees those leaders as meddling where they don’t belong!
That rejects the clear Word. Take a look. "Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, NLT) Your pastor shows the way by his own walk of faith and holiness. If you see that kind of integrity in him, then the Word goes on to say: "Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit." (Hebrews 13:17, NLT)
Disciple, are you responsive to the spiritual leadership that your church, your elders, your pastor provides? Do you hear the Word and bend your will to God’s purpose; or have you privatized your faith, made your personal preference a higher priority than obedience?
A loving leader, a true shepherd, preaches hard truth not because he is on an authority kick or likes conflict. He does so because he knows he is ‘accountable to God’ for you. Pray often for those who offer soul care for you. Pray that they will hear and live the word from the Word.
"For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:27-30, NIV)
The concept of church discipline is nearly unknown because here in America we put a premium value on autonomy and privacy. A pastor who takes his responsibility to challenge sin seriously, runs a real risk of ending up being the one shown the door! “It’s my life and I’ll live it the way I choose,” is the guiding principle. In recent years, several Roman Catholic bishops have attempted church discipline by denying Communion to politicians who openly challenge the Church’s guidance about the sanctity of human life. It’s a basic Christian value to hold that all life is precious to God. Yet, are these bishops applauded for requiring integrity in the professing Catholics, asking them to choose either political expedience or fidelity to the Church’s teaching? No way! The media and much of the public sees those leaders as meddling where they don’t belong!
That rejects the clear Word. Take a look. "Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, NLT) Your pastor shows the way by his own walk of faith and holiness. If you see that kind of integrity in him, then the Word goes on to say: "Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit." (Hebrews 13:17, NLT)
Disciple, are you responsive to the spiritual leadership that your church, your elders, your pastor provides? Do you hear the Word and bend your will to God’s purpose; or have you privatized your faith, made your personal preference a higher priority than obedience?
A loving leader, a true shepherd, preaches hard truth not because he is on an authority kick or likes conflict. He does so because he knows he is ‘accountable to God’ for you. Pray often for those who offer soul care for you. Pray that they will hear and live the word from the Word.
"For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:27-30, NIV)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Really? A baby butt-wipe warmer?
Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15, NIV) It’s a tough concept to grasp living as we do in a culture of more. I am not sure that most of us really understand what true ‘need’ is. My son, Sean and his lovely wife, Natalie, are expecting their first child. His experience in the baby section of the big box store, of which he recently wrote, follows. Enjoy!
_____
Nat and I headed out today to start our baby registry. I won’t lie. I wasn't thrilled. I don't like "stuff" for stuff sake. Do I know what I need as a soon-to-be dad? Absolutely not! But, I DO know that I don't NEED all that STUFF I am told I must have by the forces that be when a baby is coming. That became oh-so-evident in the middle of the infant aisle today when Nat just stood there and cried. She was totally overwhelmed by the list in her hand and the choices in front of her. I knew what was wrong but asked anyway. Through big, sad tears she said, "I don't know what I need. I have no idea what to get or what's better." Tore me up and made me angry at the ‘system.’
She wasn't overwhelmed about our babies health, the roof over our head, if we were going to be able to feed or love the little one … no! She was totally swamped because she believed (whether she could verbalize it or not in the moment) that we NEEDED all this junk in order to be good, successful parents for our baby; that if we didn't have things, like a butt-wipe warmer, we weren't up to par. Garbage! I hugged her and said, "Babe, I bet your mom didn't have 75% of this stuff when you were a baby and everything was fine. You were loved and cared for to the best of her ability with much less than what you see here today. This stuff doesn't define your success as a future mom."
She just folded up into me. I was so mad! Not at her but at our culture. That message - "you need this to be happy" - is a cancer that's worked its existence into every aspect of our life- everything from smart phones, to the deluxe cable package, to the square footage of our homes. The genius of this commercial monster is that it makes you feel such guilt - like you don’t love your kids/family if you don't provide all the stuff for them! That is what stirs such a visceral reaction in me.
So don't buy into it. Own your stuff, don’t let it own you. Don't be a slave to it. It's not even a sliver of who you are or your worth as a person. 90% of our lives today are made up of "luxuries." Treat them that way.
______
Thank you, Sean!
Our current economic crisis is largely the result of wanting more than we can afford. Our current health issues are frequently caused by eating too much. Do you understand what is really need and what is just greed? Are you letting the things you own define you, provide your self-esteem, give you security. Here’s a challenge from the Word.
Jesus said, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear." (Luke 12:21-22, NLT)
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need." (Luke 12:31, NLT)
____________________
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
Using things and loving people
Look around and you can see
That loving things and using people
Only leads to misery
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
Being loved is in the giving
All we have is what we share
Loving life is for the living
You have to have a heart to care
And loving things and using people
Only leads to misery
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
So put your hand inside my hand
I don’t know where the road will lead
We may not find the things we want
But we will find the things we need
And all we need is love
Using things and loving people
Brings you happiness I’ve found
Using things and loving people
Not the other way around
‘Cause loving things and using people
Only leads to misery
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
For you and me
For you and me
Using Things, Loving People
Written by: Hal David & Archie P. Jordan
Hear this old song by clicking on this line!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coilrJNX3bM
_____
Nat and I headed out today to start our baby registry. I won’t lie. I wasn't thrilled. I don't like "stuff" for stuff sake. Do I know what I need as a soon-to-be dad? Absolutely not! But, I DO know that I don't NEED all that STUFF I am told I must have by the forces that be when a baby is coming. That became oh-so-evident in the middle of the infant aisle today when Nat just stood there and cried. She was totally overwhelmed by the list in her hand and the choices in front of her. I knew what was wrong but asked anyway. Through big, sad tears she said, "I don't know what I need. I have no idea what to get or what's better." Tore me up and made me angry at the ‘system.’
She wasn't overwhelmed about our babies health, the roof over our head, if we were going to be able to feed or love the little one … no! She was totally swamped because she believed (whether she could verbalize it or not in the moment) that we NEEDED all this junk in order to be good, successful parents for our baby; that if we didn't have things, like a butt-wipe warmer, we weren't up to par. Garbage! I hugged her and said, "Babe, I bet your mom didn't have 75% of this stuff when you were a baby and everything was fine. You were loved and cared for to the best of her ability with much less than what you see here today. This stuff doesn't define your success as a future mom."
She just folded up into me. I was so mad! Not at her but at our culture. That message - "you need this to be happy" - is a cancer that's worked its existence into every aspect of our life- everything from smart phones, to the deluxe cable package, to the square footage of our homes. The genius of this commercial monster is that it makes you feel such guilt - like you don’t love your kids/family if you don't provide all the stuff for them! That is what stirs such a visceral reaction in me.
So don't buy into it. Own your stuff, don’t let it own you. Don't be a slave to it. It's not even a sliver of who you are or your worth as a person. 90% of our lives today are made up of "luxuries." Treat them that way.
______
Thank you, Sean!
Our current economic crisis is largely the result of wanting more than we can afford. Our current health issues are frequently caused by eating too much. Do you understand what is really need and what is just greed? Are you letting the things you own define you, provide your self-esteem, give you security. Here’s a challenge from the Word.
Jesus said, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear." (Luke 12:21-22, NLT)
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need." (Luke 12:31, NLT)
____________________
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
Using things and loving people
Look around and you can see
That loving things and using people
Only leads to misery
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
Being loved is in the giving
All we have is what we share
Loving life is for the living
You have to have a heart to care
And loving things and using people
Only leads to misery
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
So put your hand inside my hand
I don’t know where the road will lead
We may not find the things we want
But we will find the things we need
And all we need is love
Using things and loving people
Brings you happiness I’ve found
Using things and loving people
Not the other way around
‘Cause loving things and using people
Only leads to misery
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
For you and me
For you and me
Using Things, Loving People
Written by: Hal David & Archie P. Jordan
Hear this old song by clicking on this line!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coilrJNX3bM
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Over the cliff?
He’s rich. He’s famous. He’s got ‘the girl.’ But, yesterday he drove his Cadillac Escalade over a cliff! It’s a bizarre story about a retired football great, Junior Seau. After being arrested and charged with felony assault for allegedly slapping around his girlfriend, Seau literally went over the edge. Was it rage, confusion, shame, guilt, or ‘just an accident’ as he now claims? We’ll never know for sure, but my guess is that, at least for a few minutes, life became overwhelming. The gap between expectations and reality yawned too widely and he made a choice to escape; except that he survived the plunge with minor injuries!
Disappointment with life is everyone’s experience some of the time. We plan for one outcome, only to find ourselves dealing with unforeseen circumstances. When we cannot change it, when it’s ‘out of control,’ the temptation to act irrationally grows in us. That’s one of the reasons that so many people go totally off track in the 4th or 5th decade of life. After getting the education, finding a spouse, raising two kids, and paying the mortgage they come face to face with the fact that life is not what they hoped it might be, that their dreams are just that. Reality becomes a straitjacket from which they struggle to escape.
There is another way. God invites us to trust Him, to mature beyond our dreams of success and let Him move us into a life that is significant. While some deal with disappointment with a turn to the wild side, those who look up, choose to invest themselves in things that really matter. What are they? The Scripture says, "These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)
When we respond to the Spirit’s invitation to trust Christ with our lives (faith!) we will never be disappointed. He cannot fail! I am not suggesting He will give us all of our dreams, but He will keep His word to us. This gives us an unfailing hope, the promise of eternal life. The grave loses its terrors for it is the transit point from the temporal world to the Father’s house.
In Christ we find love to live for! The love of which a million songs are written is passing. The full calendar of divorce courts testifies to that sad fact. The things we love break or dim in value. The love of God only grows more precious with time. Adding to the beauty is that fact that His love for us, when we embrace it, gives us a depth of character that allows us to absorb life’s disappointments without going over the edge.
Here’s how the Message reads. Take this thought with you today.
"When the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!
We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:
Trust steadily in God,
hope unswervingly,
love extravagantly.
And the best of the three is love." (1 Corinthians 13:10-13, The Message)
__________________
The love of God is greater far,
Than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure,
The saints' and angels' song.
The Love Of God
Lehman, Frederick M.
© Public Domain
Disappointment with life is everyone’s experience some of the time. We plan for one outcome, only to find ourselves dealing with unforeseen circumstances. When we cannot change it, when it’s ‘out of control,’ the temptation to act irrationally grows in us. That’s one of the reasons that so many people go totally off track in the 4th or 5th decade of life. After getting the education, finding a spouse, raising two kids, and paying the mortgage they come face to face with the fact that life is not what they hoped it might be, that their dreams are just that. Reality becomes a straitjacket from which they struggle to escape.
There is another way. God invites us to trust Him, to mature beyond our dreams of success and let Him move us into a life that is significant. While some deal with disappointment with a turn to the wild side, those who look up, choose to invest themselves in things that really matter. What are they? The Scripture says, "These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)
When we respond to the Spirit’s invitation to trust Christ with our lives (faith!) we will never be disappointed. He cannot fail! I am not suggesting He will give us all of our dreams, but He will keep His word to us. This gives us an unfailing hope, the promise of eternal life. The grave loses its terrors for it is the transit point from the temporal world to the Father’s house.
In Christ we find love to live for! The love of which a million songs are written is passing. The full calendar of divorce courts testifies to that sad fact. The things we love break or dim in value. The love of God only grows more precious with time. Adding to the beauty is that fact that His love for us, when we embrace it, gives us a depth of character that allows us to absorb life’s disappointments without going over the edge.
Here’s how the Message reads. Take this thought with you today.
"When the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!
We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:
Trust steadily in God,
hope unswervingly,
love extravagantly.
And the best of the three is love." (1 Corinthians 13:10-13, The Message)
__________________
The love of God is greater far,
Than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure,
The saints' and angels' song.
The Love Of God
Lehman, Frederick M.
© Public Domain
Monday, October 18, 2010
Relief or Real change?
Crisis is a powerful catalyst for change. People who have lived without a thought of God will start to pray when life turns sour. The cliché reminds us that ‘there are no atheists in foxholes.’ How it must grieve the heart of the Lord when those same people return to their old ways when the crisis passes, when normal returns. And, that is the case, not just some of the time, but most of the time!
33 men were stuck in a mine in Chile for 69 days! We celebrated their rescue last week. Undiscovered for 17 days, most of them concluded they were about to die and they turned their thoughts to God. Each of the miners tells of times of prayer, of deep devotion while they lived in that chamber deep in the earth. One miner, dubbed “Super Mario” by the media, received a trip to the beach from one of the major American news networks. There he ran into the surf, then fell to his knees where he exclaimed: "I adore you, God," he said. "And I promise I will never leave you, just like I promised you when I was buried alive." (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/chilean-miner-mario-sepulveda-dubbed-super-mario-speaks/story?id=11904199&page=2) I hope that Mario’s devotion is permanent and not an expression of his relief.
The richest experience of the Love of Christ is found in consistent devotion, in dedicated worship and service that we offer through the up’s and down’s of our lives. "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36, NIV) Persevere means "to stick with it, to stand up when the pressure increases, to push forward against the current!" Will you?
Are you emerging from some crisis where your focus on the things of God was sharpened, where the temptations of life lost their luster and your appetite for the Lord was increased? Build on your newly deepened faith, don’t neglect or abandon it.
Here’s a word from the Word. Live it, for God’s glory.
"My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;
he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence." (Psalm 101:6-7, NIV)
33 men were stuck in a mine in Chile for 69 days! We celebrated their rescue last week. Undiscovered for 17 days, most of them concluded they were about to die and they turned their thoughts to God. Each of the miners tells of times of prayer, of deep devotion while they lived in that chamber deep in the earth. One miner, dubbed “Super Mario” by the media, received a trip to the beach from one of the major American news networks. There he ran into the surf, then fell to his knees where he exclaimed: "I adore you, God," he said. "And I promise I will never leave you, just like I promised you when I was buried alive." (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/chilean-miner-mario-sepulveda-dubbed-super-mario-speaks/story?id=11904199&page=2) I hope that Mario’s devotion is permanent and not an expression of his relief.
The richest experience of the Love of Christ is found in consistent devotion, in dedicated worship and service that we offer through the up’s and down’s of our lives. "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36, NIV) Persevere means "to stick with it, to stand up when the pressure increases, to push forward against the current!" Will you?
Are you emerging from some crisis where your focus on the things of God was sharpened, where the temptations of life lost their luster and your appetite for the Lord was increased? Build on your newly deepened faith, don’t neglect or abandon it.
Here’s a word from the Word. Live it, for God’s glory.
"My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;
he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence." (Psalm 101:6-7, NIV)
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