Captain of our ship, master of fate

Captain of our ship, masters of fate

Are you a planner? Do you have life mapped out for next 10 years, anticipating some big event?   James offers a sobering word of caution about that:

"Look here, you people who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15, NLT)

Me, like the morning fog? Yes, even if our lives stretch out for 7 or 8 decades here on this earth, it’s not very long. If we are living in God’s will, though, we will never die! Oh, yes, our bodies will cease to function, but we will transit to an existence in His Presence. Knowing that, living in His will takes on new importance, doesn’t it?

But, what isHis will? Do you ever wish God would be clearer in His directions? We wonder if we should take that position or stay where we are, if we should invest in that effort or walk away, if it is the right time to buy a house, go to school, get married, go for a second career. We love our options. True disciples of Christ realize that all these questions are subject to One who sees beyond today. They hold onto

their plans loosely, ready to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

How does that happen? Do you think that those people we read about in the Bible got their directions straight and clear all the time?  While reading the stories about Paul in the book of Acts, we could conclude that he prayed and that a voice from the heavens sounded in his ears, pointing him in the right direction. Well, think again.

“Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the city of Troas.“Acts 16:6-8 NLT Study a map and you will find that these apostles wandered! They obviously didn't know where they were going!

The really impressive lesson in this passage is their faithful endurance. They kept walking and waiting. They pushed in one direction until the Spirit said, "No," then they went in another direction.  Maybe they wondered IF they had heard from God at all, but they kept moving forward. In the next few verses, we see that God led them into a new region and they were privileged to extend the borders of Christianity into Macedonia and Phillippi.

It is important to seek God’s will about the big issues I mentioned as I opened this thought, but the more critical choice is to live in obedience right now! There are things He has made abundantly clear for us. “Love others. Be forgiving. Do good works. Stay in fellowship with God’s people. Tell others about His love. Don’t steal, cheat, lie, lust, or hate. Keep a prayerful heart. Don’t gossip.” When we are living with a heart aligned to these directions, we can - yes, we will! - more readily be led in the so-called BIG decisions. A heart yielded to His Lordship is the key.

There are so many reasons we don't always sense the Spirit guiding us as powerfully as we would like:

-tests to deepen our trust,

-circumstances unknown to us that God knows and is working out for our good,

-sin that makes us spiritually 'hard of hearing,'

-pride and/or prejudice that He is rooting out of our lives, just to name a few.

If you're wandering and waiting, stay faithful! Keep praying. Don't sit down and feel sorry for yourself! God is alive and well. He is actively working out His plans and purposes, so keep the faith. Keep walking and waiting, listening and responding.

"In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God. We trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” (Isaiah 25:9, NLT)

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Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,

Pilgrim through this barren land.

I am weak but Thou art mighty,

Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand.

Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,

Feed me now and ever more!

Feed me now and ever more!

Open Thou the crystal fountain,

Whence the healing stream doth flow.

Let the fiery cloudy pillar,

Lead me all my journey through.

Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,

Be Thou still my strength and shield!

Be Thou still my strength and shield!

When I tread the verge of Jordan

Bid my anxious fears subside.

Death of death and hell's destruction,

Land me safe on Canaan's side.

Songs of praises, songs of praises,

I will ever give to Thee!

I will ever give to Thee!

John Hughes | Peter Williams | William Williams

Public Domain

BOILING over!

Rockne Newell went to the Ross, Pennsylvania township meeting full of rage. After killing three township officials, he was tackled by two residents and held until police arrived. His only regret, according to the police, was that he did not get to kill more people! Neighbors say that Newell is an intelligent, but eccentric man.  His property, in run-down condition and covered with trash, has attracted the attention of town officials for years.  Newell’s feud with the town escalated until this past Monday night when his rage boiled over into murder.

Are you angry with someone today? Is there a simmering resentment that comes to a boil when you see him? It’s time to deal with it, for Christ’s sake.  It’s not likely that your anger will turn into murder, or will it? 

Jesus said we become killers when we wish someone dead, when we exclude them from our hearts, not just when we pull the trigger!   He teaches,  “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill. “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God." (Matthew 5:21-24, The Message)

We are most like our God when we release others from their debt to us, leaving judgment to the only One who is capable of true justice.  God forgave us, not because we deserved it, but because He is loving.  He desires a relationship with us even more than an even score!  Yes, there was, is, and will be justice before Him, but because of the offering of Jesus, we can find complete forgiveness for all our sins.  God does not do probation! "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:11-14, NIV) Forgiveness is the godly choice, the healthy choice, the best choice. If you think carefully about resentment or hatred, you will see how must it costs you.  Carrying a grudge is your burden, weighing you down.  Keeping people shut out of our lives, being careful to make sure that they pay the penalty for offending us, is a time-consuming, energy-eating, draining task.  If we forgive, we are set free!

Let’s be real honest. Failure to forgive is really just an expression of self-love. When we get angry at someone who cuts us off in traffic, we are just saying, “I deserved to go first.”  Isn’t our resentment over spouse’s failure to be the person we dreamed they would be just selfishness disguised?  Humility moves us to let God judge, to trust Him to care for us. I hear your objection, “Pastor, I do matter.  I am worthy of respect.”  Yes, you are!  But, you can kill yourself demanding it, or you can forgive others and find the love that matters most:  the love of your Heavenly Father.  There are situations where we must, for the sake of ourselves and safety, remove ourselves from the presence of a toxic individual.  Even then, we need not wait for hate to give us a reason!  We can move towards wholeness, forgiving even that abuser, and leaving their judgment in the hands of God.

Here’s Jesus word.  Find freedom as you choose obedience. "Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:12-15, NLT)

__________

Father, I live with so much hatred.

The voices of critics fills my ears.

Fights, feuds, and fear divide nations,

Churches, families.

Please let me feel Your love.

Give me faith to receive Your promise of justice.

Secure my mind, my heart, in You.

Then, make me one who loves,

Who refuses to take revenge,

Who will not speak ill of others.

And help me, Lord, for Your sake,

To remember that  You “bless those who work for peace,

for they will be called the children of God.”

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

A Lesson from Chick-Fil-A

When you're at Chick-Fil-A, which is a chain of fast food restaurants, you get this reply to your inquiries: "It's my pleasure." It's classy, different, and memorable. You won't hear the more common, "You're welcome," or "Come again." The owner of the chain emphasizes warm customer service which is as much a part of the success as the food. You will be treated well when you eat there. As you enter this day, will you do so looking to be served, or seeking opportunities to serve?

The Scripture teaches us to live with a servant's spirit, a genuine willingness to put the needs of others before our own. Those who do this find themselves much happier than those who are constantly demanding respect. When Jesus' disciples became obsessed with the pecking order in their group the Gospel says that He "called them together and said, "You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28, NLT)

Genuine service starts with a change in perspective, from 'me' to 'thee.' A person wrapped up in himself will not serve. He cannot because he does not see the needs that exist. He will walk right past the mess on the floor, not so much because he thinks he is too good to clean it up. He won't even see it. He will fail to offer encouragement to another, because he will not even see the pain in her face. A true servant will work to develop awareness of his environment, fine tuning his ability to read the emotions of others, and then he will actively move to serve.

Service is also shaped by a realignment of self-perception. The question is not, 'who will love me?' but rather, 'Because I am loved, to whom can I show love?' An insecure person will seldom serve well. He might serve with a motive of gaining affirmation, but that taints what he does. The moment he does not get the appreciation he seeks, he will become retaliatory. It's a story I have heard hundreds of times in my pastoral ministry. "Pastor, I'm not coming back to church. People there don't appreciate me. Mrs. Jones, for whom I've done so much, didn't even speak to me last Sunday." Or, "Pastor, I refuse to do (fill in the blank of ministry activity) anymore because I am just not appreciated. Others get thanks, but nobody even notices what I do." The person who is secure in the love of God, whose service to the Body of Christ is offered from a pure heart, who knows from Whom the greater reward comes, will not allow themselves such petty thoughts. IF they come, they will call them what they are, sin.

Service is liberating! There is real delight in knowing that someone will have a better day, that you have helped to lift the burden, that the world is just a fraction of degree better for your willingness to go beyond what is required to help somebody, encourage another, or complete a task.

Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it, then go serve somebody. "To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.... If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!... If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that."I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never-I promise-regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst.Our Father is kind; you be kind." (Luke 6:27-36, The Message)

______________

Make me a servant, humble and meek.

Lord, let me lift up, those who are weak.

And may the prayer of my heart always be;

Make me a servant, make me a servant,

Make me a servant today!

Kelly Willard

© 1982 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

CCCM Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

Willing Heart Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

CCLI License # 810055

 

Work Matters to Jesus

Believe it or not, studies prove that Sundays are the day when people report feeling more depressed than Monday! After the activities of Saturday, an unstructured Sunday can leave a person restless, wondering why they feel so lethargic. Then, there’s Monday! How do you feel about it? Depressed about getting back to work? Eager to reconnect with friends? Dreading that first long meeting? Thankful that you have a job? Most of us feel mixed emotions about work. We’re glad to be employed, but wish we found more fulfillment in what we do.

Christian, the Bible says that our work matters to God!   

  

How we work is of concern to Him. That’s not just true about those of us who are ‘church workers.’ God cares about how you drive a truck, lead a project, string wire, manage an office, or care for your family. "Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work." (Colossians 3:22-25, The Message)That word was not written to people pursuing their passion in the arts or those receiving high wages in fair working conditions! The Holy Spirit spoke it originally to household servants who had come to Christ. Yes, it was written to people who had no rights, who worked long hours, who did hard, menial, manual labor.

Think about what it would mean to work for Jesus. He would not overlook your best efforts or be fooled by attempts to appear more diligent than you actually are. He would not play politics, favoring someone who does less but who has a pretty face! He would be fair in both compensation and advancement, basing them on real effort, not seniority or connections. He would protect you from the one who tries to marginalize your value to the team and He would see the petty digs you plant about your rivals. The truth is - as a Christian, you are working for Jesus! "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)

There are two misconceptions that poison our ability to work well and for Christ. First, some believe that 'work' is part of sin’s curse. A misunderstanding of the opening chapters of Genesis can lead us to believe that work only entered the human experience after Adam’s Fall. Eden’s paradise was work-free, some think. Fact is, God sent Adam to work from the moment of his creation. “Tend the Garden, name the animals, manage the earth,” He said. The entry of sin into the world did not bring the idea of work, it caused work to become toil! Where once work had produced results, now it was frustrated by weeds, sweat, and difficulty! Our work will include frustration, but work itself is not a curse, it is a means of being productive. Second, some divide work into that which is sacred (part of God’s realm) and that which is secular (part of this present world only). This artificial divide causes them to think that what they do to ‘earn a living,’ is less important. For the Christian, every part of life is sacred. Our lives, in totality, belong to God!

Change up Monday mornings. Take Jesus to work with you. He will make a difference - in you, in your workplace. No matter where we work, no matter what we do, our attitude and effort reflects on Christ Jesus, our Lord. So, let’s choose to honor Him by doing well!

Change the oil!

Change the oil!

The car engine was making an abnormal ticking sound that I associate with low oil. I asked the young man who owns it, “Have you had the oil changed recently, or checked it?”  He laughed. “No, I never think of it.” A few weeks later the engine seized and his car was worthless. Neglect of a $29.95 basic maintenance item caused him a big loss that he could not afford. Regular oil changes can easily be overlooked and the engine won't stop immediately.  An engine will run when it is 3 quarts low, but eventually the neglect will bring on failure.  So many things in life are like that. Preventative maintenance is easy to overlook. Given time; there is a price to pay. 

Regular involvement with a local congregation of Christians is like that. Yes, of course, you can be a Christian without regularly going to church. You won't be as effective but you can know saving faith. You can read your Bible, pray, trust Christ, and make Sunday a play day: golfing, fishing, and picnicking with family.  I’ll even allow that in the short term you won't see much impact on your spiritual life. You might even feel some relief about ridding yourself of another obligation on Sunday AM.  

But, (here it comes, you knew it) God knows that we need the encouragement of other Christians. He knows we need the corrective of the Word.  He knows that there is a steadiness, a strength, a maturity that comes from the discipline of corporate worship and prayers with others, so He directs us to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)  Your car came with an owner’s manual that specifies optimal maintenance schedules. God gave us the Scripture that teach us the paths to a healthy soul!

If we ignore His wisdom, there will be a subtle erosion of spiritual health. 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 turn you into a greedy man next week.

·         Failure to pray today won't turn you into an atheist tomorrow!

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.'

Change the oil according to the maintenance schedule! Go to church. Read the Word. Get into a small group. Here is wisdom from the Word. If you make the investment in doing the small things, the big things will fall into place, God promises that! "Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it." (1 Timothy 4:7-9, NLT)

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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

 

"Here are your gods"

“I have made You too small in my eyes,” is a line from a worship song. (full text at end) Have you ever done that? Recently while praying in preparation for Sunday services, the Spirit spoke into my heart.  “Stop, Jerry! Put yourself in my service instead of asking me to empower and bless your work.”  In obedience my prayers changed from “Lord, bless this … do that … come here,”  to “Here I am, Father, at the ready to do whatever You desire.”  Waiting on God, listening for His direction, requires more of me than rushing off to do something even as I ask for Him to go with me and to bless what I am doing.  When I slip into that pattern, I take His place!  I become the primary actor, He is made a supporting cast member. Yes, that is wrong!  Most of the time when I get into that frame of mind, it is because I am trying to do well, to be expedient.

Jeroboam became the king of the newly formed nation of Israel, after the revolution provoked by young King Rehoboam’s arrogant demands on the people. The northern half of the kingdom split away, leaving Solomon’s son ruling over Judah and the city of Jerusalem.  Jerusalem was home to the Temple. The holy site drew Jews from the whole region to an annual pilgrimage.  Jeroboam was fearful that if the people of his kingdom traveled to the Temple they would return their allegiance to Rehoboam, so he choose a course of expedience that ignored the commands of the Lord. "So on the advice of his counselors, the king made two gold calves. He said to the people, “It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!” He placed these calf idols at the southern and northern ends of Israel—in Bethel and in Dan." (1 Kings 12:27-29, NLT)  From that moment, the northern kingdom was set on a course of idolatry that led to her eventual destruction.

Christian, take care that you do not make Him too small, choosing expedience over obedience.  Proverbs warns "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12, NIV)  God’s way can be difficult. Jesus called it the way of the ‘narrow gate.’  It may require sacrifice, hard choices, and abandoning our own plans.  Those who live a truly godly life must be focused on goals that stretch beyond tomorrow.  And, in that responsiveness, the Spirit can do amazing things for us and with us. I love this promise: "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble." (Proverbs 4:18-19, NIV)

Listen. Learn. Choose to obey, walking to the Light!

_____________

Be Magnified

I have made You too small in my eyes,

O Lord, forgive me.

And I have believed in a lie

That You were unable to help me.

But now, O Lord, I see my wrong.

Heal my heart and show Yourself strong

And in my eyes and with my song

O Lord, be magnified.

O Lord, be magnified.

Be magnified, O Lord,

You are highly exalted!

And there is nothing You can't do,

O Lord, my eyes are on You.

Be magnified, O Lord.

Be magnified.

I have leaned on the wisdom of men,

O Lord, forgive me.

And I have responded to them

Instead of Your light and Your mercy.

But now, O Lord, I see my wrong,

Heal my heart and show Yourself strong

And in my eyes, and with my song,

O Lord, be magnified.

O Lord be magnified.

Lynn DeShazo

© 1991 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055