Am I ‘good enough?’

 

Perfectionism is a curse.  It drives a person to set impossibly high standards. It robs the one who experiences it of satisfaction in a ‘job well done’ because that person focuses instead on the question -  “Could I have done this better?  Perfectionists become anxious and frequently turn into nasty critics of others!  Over time, perfectionists turn on themselves, self-critical, lonely, and isolated in a rigidity that will not allow them to accept others who fail to meet their unrealistic expectations.

Yes, we do tend to love ‘perfect’ don’t we? Who wouldn’t like to have an ideal body type,  a family that is without dysfunction, a life without flaws and failure?  One author writes – “Perfection creates unhelpful expectations about what life should be. Some of us have conjured up immaculate visions of the perfect marriage, the perfect job or even the perfect Saturday—images that only exist on your Pinterest board. The reality is, nothing in our lives can ever be 100% perfect. Only in your wildest dreams.”  (Relevant, Rachel Moreland)

Defeating perfectionism requires a shift in perspective, from comparison to others to understanding your own abilities and determining to do what you are able to do best. It also requires developing a sense of what is ideal and what is possible.  Sometimes focusing on that last tiny bit of detail – “It just has to be perfect” -  actually hinders productivity. It is important to know when it is time to say ‘finished,’ and move on to the next task.

So why am I thinking about this today?  

Because many people drag a form of perfectionism into their Christianity!  They become deceived about the reality of knowing and loving God, tricked into thinking that the only way to be loved by Him, to be acceptable in His sight, is to become perfect. Perhaps you are running ahead and wondering, “But, Jerry, doesn’t the Bible tell us to be perfect?” 

There are many passages that teach us to be perfect, but not in the sense in which we tend to understand the word.  We read ‘flawless’ where we see that word instead of what is actually meant which is to be ‘complete.’   When we strive for flawless perfection we end our day with self-condemning thoughts and a sense of failure.  “Why did I say that?”  “How could a real Christian think a thought like that?”  The joy of the Lord is lost to fear and self-loathing!

Here is the truth about belonging to God and living in His love. It is first a gift of grace and a response of faith!  In the earliest chapters of the Bible we read this - "Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6, NIV)  Read the story of that man again. He was far from flawless.  He lied. He made some poor choices. He let fear overwhelm him.  Yes, he did some amazing things, too. He followed God’s call. He offered up his beloved son and discovered that God was the Provider. But, at the heart of his story (and ours!) is the fact that his relationship with God was not based on  ‘perfect’ performance. It was from faith, first to last.

Paul, in the letter to the Romans, explores Abraham’s faith in depth. Inspired by the Spirit, he teaches us that "because of Abraham’s faith, God declared him to be righteous. Now this wonderful truth—that God declared him to be righteous—wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was for us, too, assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God." (Romans 4:22-25, NLT)

When we trust Christ, believing that His gift of salvation is complete in us, our perfectionistic impulse is defeated and we learn to love Him more deeply. The grip that religious fear holds over us, driving us to try to hide our true selves from God is broken and we experience what John describes. "In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect (God’s flawless) love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect (complete) in love. We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:17-19, NIV)  The paradox of holiness is that we cannot achieve it by our own effort but we can become holy the grace and power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us!

Are you cursed by perfectionism?  Confess it to God, admit it to yourself.  Turn around and look again on the wonderful Cross, the enduring evidence of God’s amazing grace and the ‘truth will set you free.’

Here is the word from the Word. "So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him “Father, dear Father.” For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:12-16, NLT)

Be free, all He has made you to be.

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Graves Into Gardens

I searched the world but it couldn't fill me
Man's empty praise and treasures that fade
Are never enough
Then You came along and put me back together
And every desire is now satisfied here in Your love

Oh there's nothing better than You
There's nothing better than You
Lord there's nothing
Nothing is better than You

I'm not afraid to show You my weakness
My failures and flaws
Lord You've seen them all
And You still call me friend

'Cause the God of the mountain
Is the God of the valley
And there's not a place
Your mercy and grace won't find me again

You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You're the only one who can

You turn graves into gardens
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You're the only one who can

Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Steven Furtick | Tiffany Hudson

© 2019 Brandon Lake Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)

Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

Maverick City Publishing Worldwide (Admin. by Heritage Worship Publishing)

Bethel Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055

Influencers

 

The world has a new kind of sales force – influencers! People with a large number of followers on social media platforms use their popularity to influence others to purchase products that the influencer is paid to promote, often by demonstrating her own experience with the product.  It’s big business worldwide.  You don’t have to have a million followers on Instagram to be an influencer. You know that, don’t you?  I was reminded of that fact in church yesterday.

Jackson, the 9 year old son of our pastor, has befriended me since my retiring and we sit together in church.  Yesterday, during our congregational worship, I stood singing joyfully and worshipfully, eyes closed. Then I heard a little voice raised in praise next to me. I looked over and Jack was singing with enthusiasm, his stance very much a copy of my own. My actions influenced him.  

 It reminded me of another little boy who taught me about the power of example. Nathan is not so little anymore. He celebrated his 14^th birthday yesterday.  In 2009, when he was a toddler he and I sat together in the church café and he mimicked my actions.  Back then, I prayed for the opportunity to be a good example to him and today that young man’s life brings me great joy!

Indulge me one more example of this today. Watching the post-game commentators yesterday discuss the amazing abilities of Tom Brady, I heard them say – “He makes everyone around him better – players and coaches alike!”  That was a wow moment for me. One man using his abilities and focusing on excellence made an entire team perform at a higher level.  It challenged me. I aspire to lift the people around me to higher things, to make a ‘measurable difference for the Kingdom of God.’

You will influence others today!
What kind of influence will it be?  Will you lift others, with encouraging words, with an example of excellence, with faith? Will even your casual encounters with others have a positive effect?

Paul taught us about influence. He wrote to the Corinthians that their lives were an unforgettable fragrance. The Spirit of God in them made them unique, a reminder of life to those who lived in faith and death to those who rejected the love of God. 

Jesus uses a plain metaphor for our influence. He says “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:13-17, NIV)  Salt was then a prime preservative, extremely valuable.  It kept food supplies from rot!  We, when we are filled with God’s Spirit, keep the rottenness of the world at bay.  Light dispels darkness revealing the truth. Our lives are to be full of that light. And, when we are light-bearers, others will see God.

So, today, pray to be an influencers for Christ Jesus. You cannot do this from your own strength.  You and I are not big enough, smart enough, or tough enough to lead others to Christ on our own, but when we invite the Spirit to live in us, when we present ourselves to Him, He will change us and shine through us. Let’s do it, for God’s sake.

Here is a word from the Word.  I pray it is a challenge you will receive with full faith. "Command and teach these things. … Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:15-16, NIV)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Shine, Jesus, Shine
(This is the prayer of my heart)

Lord the light of Your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness shining

Jesus Light of the world shine upon us

Set us free by the truth You now bring us

Shine on me shine on me

 

Shine Jesus shine

Fill this land

With the Father's glory

Blaze Spirit blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow river flow

Flood the nations

With grace and mercy

Send forth Your word Lord

And let there be light

 

Lord I come to Your awesome presence

From the shadows into Your radiance

By the blood I may enter Your brightness

Search me try me consume all my darkness

Shine on me shine on me

 

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness

So our faces display Your likeness

Ever changing from glory to glory

Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story

Shine on me shine on me

 

Graham Kendrick

© 1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

Memory!

 

Only after I reached my car in the driveway and found that door would not open did I remember – “Jerry, you left your keys on the table!” A reminder popped up in my phone about a friend’s birthday too late to get a card in the mail.  I had forgotten!  Everybody experiences this. People my age (yes, I am 66!) tend to be concerned about mental sharpness, but unless a person is getting lost near their home, neglecting regular daily habits, or asking the same question repeatedly, forgetfulness is just a part of life, our busy brains temporarily losing track of some bit of information.  I am thankful for the technology that keeps reminders on a phone in my pocket and I do try to put things back in the same place. Most likely, you have your own skills for remembering dates and appointments, too.

God knows that humans need reminders, that we tend to get so wrapped up in our day to day work and responsibilities, or distracted by our pleasures, that He fades from our consciousness. This did not just happen with the 21^st century!  The ancient people who knew Him and His goodness failed to keep Him first in their affections.  Psalm 106 starts this way: "Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 106:1, NIV) Even if we quickly add our “amen” the truth is that we tend to forget to praise Him, to thank Him.

The Psalm calls to mind the people of the Exodus for whom God provided daily food and protection. They saw Him do amazing and miraculous things. "He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them. The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. Then they believed his promises and sang his praise." (Psalm 106:10-12, NIV)  When they got settled in the Promised Land it happened-   "Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!" (Psalm 106:13, NLT)  "They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull. They forgot God, their savior, who had done such great things in Egypt—" (Psalm 106:20-21, NLT) 

God knows that the temptations of the moment can eclipse the grace we have known in the past. He knows that we are easily overwhelmed by today’s trials so that His faithfulness yesterday is forgotten!  When we forget, we become foolish. In a moment of panic the people of Israel made an idol of an Egyptian god, just weeks after being led through the Red Sea. Before we condemn them, let’s not set aside our own lapses of faith and gratitude. 

In sickness, have we accused God of letting us down? 
When disappointed in life, when He seems silent, have we sought comfort in shopping, or mindless pleasure, or even serious sin?

When the world feels like it is spinning out of control, have we left prayer behind choosing frantic efforts to shape life in a way we desire?

We do, friend. It happens to us just as it happened to those ancient Israelis. That is why we need memorials. We need to have our memory renewed.  Christian practice and worship is built around recalling God’s grace.

• At the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus told those men to keep sharing the Bread and the Cup. He said "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25, NLT) 

• A day of rest and worship is included in the week, a regular reminder of our identity, the People of the Lord. The Jews celebrated the Sabbath. Christians celebrate the Lord’s Day.  "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us 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 10:23-25, NIV)  By stepping away from the tasks of the week to worship, we keep faith fresh.

Being human, we are at risk of forgetting what God has done,  the majestic realization of His love hidden in the grind of business.  Jesus, the parable of the seeds, warned that  “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:19, NIV) 

God’s faithfulness in the past is a foundation for our faith.
When we remember, we trust.
When we trust, we gain courage and hope.
In that hope, we move forward. 

Let’s be clear that remembering God’s goodness and celebrating His grace is not the same as living in nostalgia, attempting to recreate the imagined glories of yesteryear! We remember, and with strengthened faith, we confidently move ahead into each new day.

In Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, we find His people asking themselves a key question - “What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.”  In their forgetfulness, they lost their grip on the truth, on reality! 

Some of the faithful called for a testimony service!  “Those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.”   Their memory and praise triggered this response in Heaven.  “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” (Malachi 3:14-18, NLT)

Are you building memorials? Are you remembering to share the goodness of the Lord?
Start by re-establishing the habit of regular worship, of sharing worshipfully at the Communion table.
Read good biographies of faithful Christians. Talk about what the Lord has done. Faith will grow!

Here is a word from the Word: "For this is what the Lord himself said, and I pass it on to you just as I received it. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again." (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, NLT)

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Father, forgive me when I forget

That You are good and faithful.

Help me not to turn from Your way,

Creating my own gods, acting as a fool.

Make me wise, stir up my memories

As I come to Your table,

When we gather together for worship.

Help me to speak of Your acts,

To listen to the testimony about

Your Faithfulness.

Spirit of the Living God,

may my faith be fresh,

My heart full of joy in what You have done.

And let my life align with Your will today.

 

In the Name of Jesus, I pray.

Amen.

The Demonstration of Change

I’ll never forget Tom, he of the wide smile and big heart. I was 22 years old, far from home, on a scouting mission for a new ministry call in a town where I was acquainted with just 3 people. After receiving anything but a generous welcome to the town by the local pastor of my fellowship, I made my way to another church on Sunday morning.  Tom sensed that I was a something of a lost puppy and he came to sit next to me.  A few sentences into our conversation, Tom spontaneously invited me home to his parents’ home for Sunday dinner and a place to sleep.  

For the next year, that man was the most amazing person –  blessings my little family with gifts, words of encouragement, love, and sacrifice. Tom demonstrated a real change; he lived John’s words:  “Dear children, let us not love with words … but with actions and in truth.”

Are you a generous person?  Widen the lens and think of more than money.
Do you readily forgive, hope for the best, and seek to create a ‘win’ for others? 

Our model of generosity is Christ Himself. You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9, NLT)   Generosity is at the heart of the Good News, provided by a Man who let go of His Divine place to taste the full experience of humanity and to die that we can live!

Christians who experience the gracious generosity of God find a liberation from the impulse to take care of ‘me first.’  Those who are secured by the LOVE of God can let go of the careful protection of their time, money, their reputation, or their things. I know the joy that flows out of giving.  Sending a check to my church, to a missionary friend, to a local charity allows me to participate in the work and mission.  When I greet a child, finding a reason to sincerely compliment them in a way that encourages their heart, I am blessed, too.  Taking time to pray with a friend whose heart is weighed down by life creates a connection that enriches both of us.

Ah, yes, it is true that generosity of spirit reveals a changed character. Innately human beings tend to take good care of #1! But, Christ calls us to become like Him and He is generous.  He did not appear as a royal or a rich man. He entered His own creation as a servant -  “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45)

When we give, when we are generous, the Bible says that we plant seeds that return a harvest for us. "Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten.” For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously." (2 Corinthians 9:7-11, NLT)

Generosity also flows out of a deep faith that believes that God is an inexhaustible Source of all good things.  The late Stephen Covey wrote of having an “abundance mentality.” He said that those who believe there are enough resources to share with others will give, feeling no need to hoard. Yes, friend, it is true that generosity multiplies our resources rather than diminishing them. Jesus Christ said it first - "Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (Luke 6:38, The Message)

We live with this Scripture promise: "For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do." (Hebrews 6:10, NLT)  The gifts we give are memorialized by our Lord and will find a rich reward.

Do not wait for an impulse to give or for your heart to be opened by some emotional appeal. Instead we should make giving a spiritual discipline, a daily choice of humility and an expression of love.  Let’s not be like this boy who sat on Santa’s knee at the mall. Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas. He said, “I want two toy trucks, two teddy bears, two remote control cars, and two video games.” Santa said, “That’s a pretty tall order. Why do you want two of everything?” He said, “So I can share.” Giving is not the result of having more than we need. It’s the result of the grace of God changing our attitude toward what we have. (quoted – Tim Jennings)

Here’s a word from the Word. Let it speak to every part of your life. "Just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. … For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:7,9, NIV)

Now, who needs you to invest in them, with a word of encouragement, a timely gift, or prayer?

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Take My Life And Let It Be

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

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee

 

Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my King
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee

 

Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose

 

Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne

Take my love my Lord I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for Thee

 

© Words: Public Domain

 

Jerry D. Scott