The Joy of Suffering

If you were asked to write a list of all the things that bring you joy, suffering would probably not make the cut. In fact, suffering would seem to naturally be an antithetical list in stark contrast.

However Paul was quite clear in saying, "I rejoice in what I am suffering for you..." (Col 1:24).  Paul found joy in his suffering for others and, moreover, he aspired to suffer for the Lord, "I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" ((Phil 3:10).

So, were the ancient ascetics correct in seeking ways to deny, deprive and even cause pain to their bodies in order to achieve a higher state of holiness?  Are we to seek out ways to inflict pain or injury upon ourselves so we can be spiritually enriched?  Not!

The point Paul is making is that serving others often entails personal sacrifice, that following in the steps of Jesus will put the crosshairs of the Enemy on you, that seeking out and doing good for others can cause you to experience pain but is of personal value because "… suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..." (Rom 5:3-4).

The joy of suffering is not found by seeking out ways to inflict personal pain or injury bur in finding ways to personally serve the Lord or enrich another. The suffering or sacrifice found in giving oneself for another is cause for rejoicing instead of wailing because it is an indicator of the good you have done and it strengthens you against the attacks of the Enemy as you grow in perseverance and character. 

God doesn't want us to seek martyrdom but rather not to run from opportunities to oppose the Enemy by doing good that may result in personal sacrifice or pain. Jus' Sayn. 

Perfect in Christ

I jokingly say sometimes, "people who think they are perfect are very annoying to those of us who really are."  That tongue-in-cheek statement is humorous only because none of us believes any of us is perfect because we know that "all sin and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23).

Paul's statement above and our personal experience in failure  notwithstanding, we are instructed to "be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt 5:48).  And Paul's goal for disciples is to "present everyone perfect in Christ" (Col 1:28). 

So what gives?  How can we so obviously be imperfect and incapable of perfection, if perfection is our calling and our expressed goal?

Let me offer two thoughts that may help to reconcile that seeming irreconcibility. 1) An ultimate goal is not necessarily something to obtain, rather it often is something we are continually in the process of obtaining. For instance, a goal of learning as much as you can doesn't end until you are dead - it is a lifetime pursuit not really an amount of knowledge. 

2) The word for perfect in the Greek New Testament language (teleios) does not mean "morally without error" but rather "fitted for the task" or perhaps "mature."  In fact, Colossians 1:28 is often translated "mature" rather than "perfect."

In other words, we are to strive to be our best and be in the process of growing up in Christ as lifetime pursuits. Jus' Sayn. 

The Open Door

So much is said about doors being opened and closed. Generally speaking,when we see a clear path to an objective, we say that a door has been opened and when we see obsticle piled up between us and that objective, we say the door has been closed. 

However, it seems to me that we too often judge the opening and closing of a door by the outcome of our attempts to pick the lock rather than trust in God to have already made a way. 

What I mean by this is we choose the door of the opportunity we want and begin to turn the knob, jiggle the handle, look for an open window, try sliding a credit card between the bolt and the door jam. And, finally, we give up saying the door has been closed 

But the problem may be that we are missing the door altogether. Jesus said, "I am the gate [door]; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture" (Jn 10:9).  That being so, who can open or shut that Door?  The answer: "What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open" (Rev 3:7). 

So, what does this mean?  When we truly begin to "seek first the Kingdom of God" (Matt 6:33), we start seeing an open door to all kinds of opportunities for ministry and service. Those opportunities may not coincide with our life plan or career path, but they are open doors for life and ministry. 

Imprisoned in Rome, it appeared that the door to Paul's evangelism was shut, but look at what happened while he was under guarded house-arrest: "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ---with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:30-31). 

Like Paul, when from human perspective a door looks shut, it simply may be opening in a different way. From God's perspective, Paul was right on target. Perhaps we need to reset our sights to align with God's rather than get Him to see it our way. Jus' Sayn. 

The Way

As John chapter 13 comes to a close, Jesus predicts his disciples' failure and even betrayal that accompany his death. They are bewildered and more than a little shell-shocked by what they are hearing. 

As chapter 14 opens, Jesus tells them to not to be troubled by this news but rather to trust in God and trust in him. He goes on to tell them that, despite all the unsettling news about his death and their failures, he is going to his Father's house to make preparations for their arrival in glory. 

And he assures them, "you know the way to the place where I am going" (v. 4). To which Thomas replies, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, how can we know the way" (v. 5)?

Obviously, they had missed the boat in so many ways. They had just heard Jesus predict their upcoming failures. They knew they didn't have a firm grasp on this disciple business, how could they know the way. How could they be expected to make it from here on their own?

They weren't't expected to make it on their own for the way wasn't a route they were to decipher and map out by their singular or collective ability.  The way was not a self-discovery or a map hidden to be unearthed by their hard work or clever thinking. The Way was altogether different from a set of instructions to follow. 

It wasn't found in their knowing the right theology or adhering to the right doctrine or keeping the right rituals, Jesus said instead,  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (v. 6).  They knew the way because they knew the right person, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Do you?  Do you know the Way, our Lord Jesus Christ?  Jus' Askn. 

Learning to be Content

Of all the things we may be seeking in life, one of the most sought after and least achieved is contentment. It seems that our ability to be content is always one promotion up the ladder, one new car down the road, one new house up the block, a few more pounds off the scale - there always seems to be something just over there, just out of reach. 

And, when we do reach it, we feel that tinge of contentment just for a fleeting moment until we now realize that our thirst for contentment wasn't really quenched, only wetted a bit. The quest begins anew. 

This general feeling of discontentment isn't accidental. There is an entire industry devoted to making and keeping us discontent: Marketing.  Businesses stay in business and build their business by getting in your business through ads, ads, ads...

That new IPhone you got last year was really nice, it really fit the bill - only this new IPhone that's coming out soon...  That new car you bought just a few months back made you feel on top of the world, just the smell alone was intoxicating. But, the new model just came out with that new feature my now last year's model doesn't have - and where did that aroma of new go?  Oh, and that exercise machine you got last year didn't get you ripped, only feeling ripped off. But this new one.....

I would go so far as to say that marketers are agents of Satan in their efforts to tempt us, but they sure give him a run for his money in getting us to fall prey to lust, greed, selfishness and general discontement.  

Contrasted to that urge to splurge and feed our "I want" just a little more is Paul's "I'm Satisfied Manifesto" in Philippians 4:12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

How did he manage it?   What was his secret?  "I can do [with] all things through Christ, who gives me strength [to accept what I have while I have it]" (Phil 4:13).  Paul focused on his gains in Christ instead of his wants in the flesh. Jus' Sayn. 

Bearing Fruit

One of the simple but profound truths of the Bible is that a tree will be known by the fruit it bears. An apple tree produces apples, a fig tree produces figs - the fruit is both the product and the identifier of the tree. As Jesus put it, "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" (Matt 7:16).

The application to those who would be discles of Christ is just as simple: "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:7).  

One of the problems we run in to as Christians is the process of fruit bearing. We tend to equate it with outcome produced by our activity: "If it is to be, it is up to me," as I learned in Harding University. Except that, it is not so. 

Fruit producing is not accomplished by vigorous effort, but rather by remaining connected to the Source: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

It is not the flurry of Christian activity that produces fruit or identifies us as disciples, it is our abiding in Christ, staying connected to the Messiah, which is accomplished more by quiet prayer and reflection than by the hub-bub of church work. 

We will work as His disciples for He worked. But the work is a result of bearing fruit not the other way around. The fruit we bear is not the outcome of our physical activities, it is the inward change of our spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control" (Gal 5:22-23).

Spending focused time with the Lord, changes us on the inside, which will be evidenced by what we do on the outside, but it is the inward change, not the outward activity that is the fruit. Jus' Sayn. 

Divine Appointments

I was told that she would never agree to see me. She told me herself that she didn't didn't need or particularly want a chaplain to visit. Nonetheless, she agreed to meet with me to the surprise of everyone.

We were to meet for an initial assessment and she could decide if she wanted further visits or not, and if so, how often. I meet with patients from once a month to once a week. After our first meeting, she asked that I come back weekly. 

She has been very forthright in saying that her beliefs and mineare miles apart, that she thinks the Bible is filled with myths and fables and the apostle John "must have been smoking pot when he wrote Revelation."

Nonetheless, she has not only agreed to see me but has chosen the most frequent visit schedule I'm allowed to keep. I wonder if she is as surprised as I am. I don't believe God is surprised at all. I believe we are keeping a divine appointment. 

I have no idea what the outcome of our visits will ultimately be, but she has already shared her life's story with me, including her history, philosophy and theology. 

In the process we have discovered that we were both raised attending the Church of Christ and that we have a mutual friend who attended a church where she directed the choir and later attended a spin off from that church where I served as interim pastor. 

I don't know what will come out of our visits ultimately but I believe God has arranged for our coming together and I have been given an opportunity to be "salt and light" (Matt 6:13-16). It is a divine appointment that I intend to keep faithfully and let God be in charge of the outcome. Are you looking for and keeping divine appointments?  Jus' Askn. 

Digging Wells

It seems to me that ancient Israel's biggest problem was memory loss. Time after time, they would forget the Source of their blessings. They would get in a bind, the Lord would provided and then they would forget it was by Hus hand that they were blessed. 

They would inevitably begin to think it was by their own hand,their own power or their own ingenuity that they were saved. In the process they doubled their failure: "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water" (Jer 2:13).

Isn't that so much like us that we find ourselves facing something overpowering in our lives, which brings us to our knees before God, who hears our prayer and helps us in our time of need. And then, as things settle down, we begin to think we've got this life handled after all. We start to think that we can handle I to our own and begin to forget about God. 

Don't be fooled, don't start down that road of self-assurance, thinking you've got this for "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" (Prov 14:12).  The truth is that we are not in controll of our circumstances or of the actions of others. We can plan and begin to do but life can abort our plans and undo our best efforts. 

The simple truth is in good times or bad, we need the Lord, that He is the Source of our blessings, not ourselves: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (Js 1:17).

Jus' Sayn. 

Showers

In 1 Kings 18, Elijah prophecied that the drought would be broken. He sent out his servant to look for signs of rain but he found none. Seven times he looked and there was nothing. 

Finally, he came back to report seeing a small cloud "about the size of a man's hand. Elijah told him to take the news to Ahab before the rains prevent him from making it there. 

What the Bible records next is that "the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling" (1 Kgs 18:45).

When we are doing what God calls us to do, there are not always immediate results. Sometimes it can appear that nothing is happening such as the seven times the servant went out looking for rain or the seven times Israel marched around the walls of Jericho or the seven times Namaan the Leper dipped in the Jordan River. Noah spent 100 years building the ark on dry ground 

When God calls us to a task, the results are certain, only the timing is not. It may be early on or it may be late in the game. As it has been said, "God often passes on showing up early but he never arrives too late. 

As God affirmed through the prophet Isaiah, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isa 55:11).

The point is that when we are following God's expressed will, whether in recorded word or impressed in your heart, his results will follow if we are faithful. It may be longer in coming than we are comfortable with, but it is coming. We need only be faithful on our part and trust in God for his. The showers are coming. Jus' Sayn

Living With The Enemy

When Gid brought Israel into the Promised Land, one of the first and most persistent obstacles was the Amalekite nation. In Exodus 17, we see them warring against Moses and they were to be "be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation" (Ex 17:16).

The reason for the continued presence and offence of the Amalekites was that Israel, instead of destroying them, sought to live with them and make treaties with them. They sought to obey God's direction to fully occupy the land and allow the enemy of Gid, the Amalekites, to occupy it with them. 

In 1 Samuel 15, we find the undoing of Israel's first king, Saul, because he let Agag, King of the Amalekites, live. It was their folly to seek to live as God's people and with His enemy at the same time. It rather reminds me of Jesus warning that "You cannot serve both God and money" (Luke 17:13).

What about you, is there an Amalekite in your midst?  Are you trying to hold to a relationship that pulls you away from God?  Are you hanging on to a job that constantly puts up barriers to your life of faith?  Are you harboring an addiction instead of declaring all-out war against it?  Is the pursuit of money a rival with your pursuit of godliness?  Is there an Amalekite in your camp that needs to be routed out entirely that you have been unwilling to stand against with your full might?

Jus' Askn. 

The Empty Tomb

It was early morning on the first day of the week.  The Sabbath restriction was over and Mary could now prepare the body if Jesus properly for burial. She had all the spices an fragrances needed to accomplish the task but there was no body - the tomb was empty. 

She had already gone back and shared the awful news with the disciples. Peter and another disciple had had come and inspected it for for themselves. They were carrying the dreadful news back to the rest of the group - Jesus was not only dead but now his body would be desecrated. 

As Mary stood outside the tomb weeping, however, she heard a voice from inside the tomb, where two angels sat, asking, "Woman, why are you crying?" (Jn 20:13).  As she began to explain the awful news of fthe Lord's missing body, she turned around to a stranger's voice asking,“Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Jn 20:15).

As she related her concern to the man she supposed to be a Gardner,meh spoke her name, "Mary" (Jn 20:16).  She then recognizes him as the arisen Lord. Everything is different though the tomb is still empty. Where moments ago, it was evidence of defeat, now it was proof of victory. Before, all was lost. Now, all is gained. 

The difference?  Now she recognized the Risen Christ was with her.   As you stand before the empty tombs of despair in your life, you can see evidence of failure as well. If, however, you "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1), you too can see proof of victory in Jesus despite the apparent failure or loss of the moment. Christ is resurrected, he stands with you. All is well in his care. Jus' Sayn. 

Lost Treasure

If you've followed my writing much at all, you've probably picked up on how important I believe Bible study and prayer to be. However, if you think I believe those are the most important things in my life, you would be mistaken. They are just activities that lead to the most important thing in my life - a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

It is so easy to mistake the means with the end, to believe that Bible study is the same as having a relationship with The Lord.  However, Bible study itself is just an academic pursuit that can leave you just as far from Christ as when you began. 

Consider what Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day: "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life" (Jn 5:39-40).

The problem is found in what we treasure. We tend to believe there is value in activity when the activity is only a means to gaining treasure. It may be a valuable acuity like church attendance, Bible study, giving money, prayer, writing a blog (hey, who put me in here) - whatever, but if it isn't moving us closer to Christ and increasing the intimacy of our relationship with Him, it's value is lost. 

Consider what Paul said, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ" (Phil 3:7-8).  

When we focus on the activity we have lost sight of the Treasure, which is found only in Christ himself.  Jus' Sayn. 

The Empty Tomb Message

After The Sabbath, the women went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body with spices and properly prepare it for burial. But what they found was an empty tomb and an angel with a message for the disciples. 

The message could have been a rebuke for their lack of faith. He could have reminded them of the fact that they all ran like rats from a sinking ship. He could have pointed out Peter's denial and the general failure of the entire group. 

Instead he said, “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you'" (Mark 16:6-7).

Rather than point out their failure, he pointed out their future. Instead of reminding them of where they went wrong, he revealed to them where they were going. Their was no expression of disappointment of their letting Him down but instead the announcement of His desire to lead them going forward. 

Like the first disciples, we have have let Jesus down at times, we are all guilty of failing the King. But also like those disciples, Jesus has no interest on dwelling on our past failures but rather our future promise. He still values you, regardless of how many times or how terrible your failures might have been. 

Jesus is not casting you off but is calling you forward to rejoin him and continue the journey with him. This is the very reason for the empty tomb - resurrection!  Jesus died to redeem your past and resurrect your future. He is going on ahead of you, forging a path upon which he calls you to follow, regardless of your past. Jus' Sayn. 

Raising The Bar

I have often heard non-church goers say, "I'm just as good as anyone who attends that church."  To begin with, it is unlikely that one really knows all the people well enough to make that judgment. Additionally,mif one were correct, so what?

Churches are filled up with sinners who were saved by grace who are now saints made holy by grace. There aren't any perfect people inside, just forgiven. As John says, "If we claim to be without sin, we have deceived ourselves" (1 Jn 1:8).

The measuring stick or gold stamp dared for righteousness is not found in people like you or me. As Paul puts it, "When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise" (2Cor 10:12).

The bar to which we are called is found in the person of Jesus Christ, who "was tempted in every way as we are, yet was without sin" (Heb 4:15).  We need to raise the bar of righteousness and then make a proper judgment of how we are doing. 

When we judge ourselves against the standard of the life of Christ,MIT becomes obvious that we are lacking and need the encouragement of others striving after the same goal, which is the reason given for church attendance in Hebrews 10:25, "Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together to encourage one another."

You may be just as good as anyone down at the local church but you are not good enough, you need the grace of Jesus Christ anfpd the encouragement of fellow Christians. Jus' Sayn. 

A Believer's Unbelief

When Jesus came down the Mt of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John, they came to the rest of the disciples in an argument with teachers if the law and a large crowd. 

When Jesus asked what the argument was about a man stepped forward from the crowd saying that he has brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples for healing but they could not dast it out. 

He then asked Jesus to cast it out if he could.  “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief" (Mark 9:23-24).

This man did not know Jesus, he did not have any kind of real relationship with him. He had heard enough and seen enough to believe that if there was any hope for his son, Jesus was it. But he lacked any certainty or a basis for biblical hope that has a sure expectation. 

He's not too much different from many who call on Jesus today, they have heard enough testimony from Scripture and personal testimony to believe in Jesus but haven't spent the time in prayer and study of his word, along with walking in his steps to really come to know him intimately enough to fully trust him. 

Faith is not a static block of belief,handed out in one moment of acceptance of the reality of Christ. Faith is a developmental process that grows as we come to know and put our trust in the Lord.  Notice what Paul had to say about the limitation of faith: "Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand" (2 Cor 10:15).

So, have you been nurturing and cultivating your faith by regularly studying His Word and spending quiet time alone in prayer as you seek to grow in your walk with the Lord?  Jus' Askn. 

The Empty Tomb

Mary Magdalene's life had been a hell on earth experience before she met Jesus. She was possessed by seven demons that tormented her mercilessly. Jesus healed here setting her free and gave her purpose as one of his followers. 

But on one awful Friday, her world appeared to have crumbled before as she bore witness to the crucifixion of the Christ. After the required Sabbath rest on Saturday, her world took another hit that beat the crumbled pieces of her life into dust as she stared into the empty tomb of Jesus. 

Awful enough that they killed him but now they even took away his body. There would be no proper burial using the spices and fragrances she had brought. There would be no telling what terribly degrading things they would do to his body. It was more than her soul could bear leaving her broken and sobbing in  torment of spirit.  

Ironic that the empty tomb brought her such hopelessness for the empty tomb is the reason for our hope.  The empty tomb is the cornerstone proof that Jesus raised from the dead and therefore stands as a beacon of our hope of resurrection. It was a truth that she soon would discover as two angels asked her why she was crying and then followed by the risen Lord himself asking her the very same question (cf, John 20:11-16).

Perhaps you are looking into the empty tomb of a failed marriage, lost job, financial collapse or terminal illness. Perhaps your world appears to have crumbled around you. But, if you are seeking the Messiah in your walk, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, your empty tomb will be filled with the light of his presence. He is not dead, God is alive and he will give you new life. 

Jus' Sayn. 

Passing on Judgment

When the time drew near for Jesus to be crucified, he began to head toward Jerusalem with dispatch. As they traveled through Samaria, he sent his disciples on ahead to a certain Samaritan city to make some preparations for him. 

The townspeople, however, because they heard he was heading to Jerusalem, whose people they hated, refused to welcome them or allow them to mark the necessary preparations. James and John, know as Sons of Thunder saw this, "they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them" (Luke 9:54)?

Years later, "when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria" (acts 8:14).  The very people John would have destroyed with his brother James became a people he would later nurture as their spiritual leader. 

This is the problem with you and I passing final judgment on anyone - we don't know when or how or if God's Spirit may begin to penetrate their hearts. We don't know the quality if their hearts. We don't know when or if they will turn. We must hold out hope and let God be the final Judge. 

In the meantime, we may have to leave them as we turn attention to others but we can continue to pray that God will make a way for you or someone else. Let us keep hoping and praying for others to turn away from their sin and toward the Savior.

Jus' Sayn. 

The Do Not Church

I grew up in what I call the "Do Not Church."  Our very salvation seemed to rest on the things we did not do: Don't smoke or drink or chew, and sure don't be dating girls that do.  We were not to play cards or shoot pool or watch movies.  We were not to dance or wear shorts or even play sports on Sundays.

The list seemed to be endless - if you could have fun doing it, chances were you were not supposed to. I even recall being told by my Dad one Sunday when I happened to be smiling during a rare sermon on Heaven, "Wipe that grin off your face, we're in church!" He must have thought I was thinking of something I shouldn't be thinking about. 

There was a notion, in the church I grew up in, and still exists for many, that the Gospel of Grace just wasn't quite enough. We needed to strengthen it by adding rules and self-denial. 

Many in The early church were insisting, "Do not handle.  Do not touch. Do not taste" (Col 2:21).  Paul rebuked them saying, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ" (Col 2:8).

I'm not saying there aren't things we should refrain from doing, no more than was Paul, but what I am saying and what the Good News tells us is that we are saved and sanctified by the grace of God not the denial of self. And further, Jesus' call to his disciples is "Follow me" not "don't do that."

Certainly, as we follow Jesus in the path of grace of which love is the hallmark, we will focus on doing good, which will pull us away from doing bad, but it is the good to which we are called that we need to focus upon, not on what we are not to do. "Do" not "Do Not," is that to which we are called. Jus' Sayn. 

Faith and Circumstance

As Jesus and his disciples were sailing across the lake, he fell asleep in the boat. Soon after, a violent storm came up and the disciples feared for their lives. They woke him saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Lk 8:24a)  At that point, Jesus "got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm" (Lk 8:24b). 

Jesus then asked them, "Where is your faith?" (Lk 8:25a). They were in the middle of a very dangerous storm, their circumstances appeared very dire indeed. But that was the real problem, they were focused on the threat of their circumstances instead of the presence of the Lord.

They had witnessesed his miracles, they had rejoiced in his presence and glory, but now, in the middle of the storm, they forgot and were consumed by fear. Aren't you glad we are never like that? Aren't you glad that we don't allow our current circumstances to eclipse our faith?  Aren't you glad that we alway focus on the Christ instead of the crisis?  Don't you wish!

This is are common struggle - we so soon forget all the blessings and the Lord's intervention into our lives when the storms come up. Where is our faith when we're facing great dangers or difficulties and we become fearful instead of faithful or put out instead of peace-filled?  Our faith gets lost in the haze of worry when we focus on the size of our dilemma instead of the strength of our Deliverer. 

It is not the severity of your circumstance that determines your future, it is the sincerity of your faith. Trust in the Lord when you are tempted to tremble at your circumstances. He is faithful and good. His love endures forever but your circumstances only last a moment.  "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Cor 4:17). Jus' Sayn. 

What One Thing?

A certain man once asked Jesus, "What one good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Matt 19:16).  He felt confident he was already in pretty good standing with God as he had been keeping the Commandments since he was a child, but wanted to make sure he hadn't missed something - he had. 

Jesus acknowledged that he had been faithful in keeping the Commandments but there was one area where he had missed the boat entirely: The giving of himself, in particular, his self-reliance. 

He was a very rich man and put his trust in his riches.  While he was willing to follow the Commandments, he was not willing to follow Jesus if it meant giving up his safety net and his control of life's circumstances via his money. 

Jesus was making a claim on his life and offering a calling to follow him by finally and fully letting go of self and self-determination but it was too much for him as he had great personal wealth, which provided him with personal identity and power to personally be in charge of the quality of his life - at least that is the lie Satan had sold him. 

Jesus was calling him to sell out lock, stock and barrel, but he only wanted to make a small investment in the Kingdom. God, on the other hand, does not make partial sales. One is either completely sold on the Gospel or one passes on the opportunity. 

The one thing is yourself, not some one thing you possess or can part with. It wasn't the money but his love of self and desire for self-reliance over giving in and giving over to God. 

He needed to give up his claim to self-determination and follow Jesus in faith: Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matt 19:21).  Jus' Sayn. 

The Crooked Road

If you could go back in time and change anything in your life, would you?  That sounds like a "well duh" kind of question for all of us have made mistakes that we regret and would like a "Mulligan" or do over. 

But would we really?  What if we knew that by changing anything in our past we could radically change our present, that we would not be the person we are now, married to the one we are married to, have brought into the world the children we have, have the friends that we have, be the person we are - what then?

I know we have all made mistakes that we regret having made, but I also know that every experience was a step along a path that brought me to this point, contributing to the person I am today, being a part of the family and circle of friends I have today, as well as being involved in the work and ministry of which God has privileged me to be a part. 

God not only can "work all things for the good of those who love him" (Rom 8:28), he has been working those things out in my life and in yours, who love him as well. 

Your life's path may be as crooked as a snake's back due to bad choices you or others around you have made, or circumstances beyond your control. But God has been working those things out in your life, blessing you in ways that may not even be fully realized as yet to bring you to this point and to the points to come. 

James says to "count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds because they work to complete and mature you" (Jas 1:2-4). Your journey is not about where you are, it is about where you are going and who is going with you. If you hadn't gone through what you've gone through, you would be on a different path, traveling with different people. Do you really want to change that?  Jus' Askn.

Stepping Up Faith

Are you satisfied with your faith development?  If asked, would you say your faith is right where it ought to be or are you disappointed with your level of faith?

Have you found yourself wishing that your faith was stronger, that you could face greater challenges while resting fully in His Presence when problems arise instead of wrestling with the presence of the risen problem?

Do you ever marvel at others you have know or heard of who face truly great challenges and rise to to meet them with seemingly unfettered faith?   Do you find yourself wishing your faith was like that?

Well, stop wishing and start stepping up your faith. What I mean is that you will not get from your level of faith to a level far beyond it without exercising the level of faith you have now. Don't worry about facing gallon-sizes challenges of faith when your faith is still pint-sized. Handle the pint-sized challenges faithfully then move on to quart-sized and then on to gallon. 

If you were to join a gym, you would see people lifting much greater weights than you are able and working out at a pace far beyond your ability. How do you get to where they are?  You get there by consistently lifting the weight you are able and regularly working at a pace you can keep. In time, you step it up a notch then another and another. 

In regard to faith, Jesus put it this way, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much" (Lk 16:20).  In other words, work on being faithful to the level you have and then your level will be increased. 

As you consistently face challenges at your level of faith, you will be given greater opportunities to exercise your faith, step by step. It begins with your desire and willingness to step up your faith by consistently stepping out in the faith you have.  Jus' Sayn. 

Clay Jars

Do you know what the first thing I remember noticing about Mother Teresa?  She didn't look like much. What I saw was a little old wrinkled and bent over woman. But what my eyes saw was only the container of the powerhouse that was Mother Teresa.

Have you ever read the physical descriptions that tradition has passed down regarding the apostle Paul?  He was said to be a short, bald, bow-legged little man with bushy eyebrows. He may not have been much to look at but he was a Gospel steamroller on the inside. 

All the rather impressive paintings aside, the actual biblical description of Jesus, recorded by Isaiah the prophet was that "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isa 53:2).  

Appearances not only can be deceiving but for those in whom the Spirit of God dwells, appearances will absolutely be deceiving for we mere humans containing the very presence of God within. As the apostle Paul put it, "we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Cor 4:7).  

In ancient times, the good stuff, like choice wine, would be in gold or silver pictures, jars of clay held common fair. Not only common but sometimes what would be called ignoble such as a chamber pot or bedpan in our venacular. Not very special on the surface. 

But God, unlike man, "God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not —to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him …(1 Cor 1:28-29).  God chose to use just regular folks to present his power to the world - folks like you and me for it is not how we stand among men but how we kneel before The Lord that determines our true value. 

In Christ we are clay jars filled with heavenly treasure. Jus' Sayn. 

Imprinting The Heart

In Egypt there is a whole lot of sand and not a whole lot of trees. That's what you tend to get in a desert region like Northern Africa. However, there are plenty of trees, strong and green-leafed along the Nile River. They are not withered by the desert's perpetual oven-like conditions because the trees along the Nile daily drink deep of its waters.

King David reflected on the one "whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night" (Ps 1:2) and noted that such a "person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers" (1:3).

The consistent drawing from or meditating ong the Word of God is not just reading the words or even locking them in your head, to meditate is to reflect deeply enough on that their meaning makes the journey from your head to your heart, which will in turn alter how you live. 

Jesus put it this way, "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (Lk 6:45). 

Whatever you focus on will imprint on your brain and, given enough meditation or reflection, it will imprint upon your heart and then acted upon in your life. If we are to truly be disciples of Jesus Christ, it is paramount that we daily draw from its message and reflect upon it until it is imprinted on our hearts not just pass through our minds.  Jus' Sayn. 

If Only

If only I get this new job, our worries will be over. If only I lose all this weight, I would be happy. If only my baby get through this illness, nothing else will matter. If only, I get past the next big thing, whatever that thing might be, I'm be fine. 

Only you weren't really OK, you were just relieved until the next thing came along. Your baby got better but you were still unemployed. You got the new job but your outgo increased. You lost the weight but never found the happiness it was supposed to bring. Every time you get over one hill, you are soon faced with another or, as Elvis sang, "This Time You Gave Me a Mountain."

Regardless, if your happiness hinges on being trouble free, you won't be experiencing any consistent amount of happiness. We live in a fallen world where things are broken and troubles abound. We tend to be in a fix, coming out of a fix or fixin' to go into a fix. If we can't learn to be happy and content when things aren't perfect, we are doomed to a life of discontent. 

The Good News, however, is that we can "learn the secret of being content in any and all circumstances" (Phil 4:11).  The Holy Spirit revealed it through the writing of the apostle Paul, "I can do all this [be happy whether times are good or bad] through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13).

Do you remember Jesus' call to the "heavy burdened"?  He called them to get in his "yoke" (Matt 11:28-30). It was in being yoked with him instead of alone that the "burden is easy and the yoke is light."  You are already in a yoke, pulling it by yourself and that can be overwhelming. But when you get in the yoke with Christ, you know you are going to make it with His strength 

Knowing you will make it by the power of Christ, regardless of what you may have to good through allows you to be content and "rejoice always" (Phil 4:4).   No ifs ands or buts. Jus' Sayn. 

The Enough Factor

Have you ever wondered, "Why me?"  Why was I chosen for this position when there are others so much more qualified?  Why dis I survive a battle when there were so many other soldiers better and more trained than me?  Why did she ever say yes to me when she could have married so much better?  

And the really big question: "How could God ever love someone like me?   Why would He bless me when there are so many more righteous and good people than me?  How could I ever think I was good enough?

All those questions are raised with the wrong focus, you have made yourself the focus, as if it were up to you to be qualified enough, brave enough, smart enough, attractive enough - good enough. What you are not truly considering is the "enough" factor of the other. 

Maybe your boss knew enough about what he wanted to choose you for the job. Maybe someone else was praying hard enough to cover you in that battle. Maybe she knew enough about her needs to know you were the right one for her. And just maybe, God loves you enough to choose you even if you aren't worthy. 

As a matter of fact, I know that God loves you just like that. "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Rom 8:32).  Did you notice that God gave up his Son "for us all?" That would include you!

No, you are not righteous or good enough to deserve God's blessings but "The Enough Factor" of God's love extends to even you and me. Wow!  Jus' Sayn, nuf said!

Plausible Deniability

Government officials are loathe to admit any wrong doing or poor choices. Instead, they tend to spin the facts in a way that provides them cover by being able to to plausibly deny they had any knowledge and/or any part in the wrongdoing. 

Recently, the "Fast & Furious" gun running orchestrated by our government has not been prosecuted. Apparently, no one is to blame for the death of our border guard by one of those guns. Equally, no one is to blame for the lack of security that left our Ambassador to Lybia dead. Even after a government official apologized for IRS misuse of power against conservative organizations, the President claims there was no hunt of abuse. 

From Nixon's "I am not a crook" to Clinton's "I did not have sex with that woman," deniability is the name of the game on both sides of the aisle.  And, unfortunately, it is a game not limited yo our government officials. Corporations, churches, the neighbor down the street and you have chosen to employ this tactic. Did I mention that I have, at times, been guilty?

The real problem with denying our culpability is that it leaves the sin unmolested, free to continue cropping up in our lives and causing more harm. Deniability denies us the spiritual healing and freedom from its clutches that could otherwise be ours: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" (Jas 5:16). 

Like James,mother brother of Jesus, the apostle John clearly warns, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn 1:9).

If we admit our wrongdoing and/or mistake, we are positioned for forgiveness and healing - for overcoming that malignant tendency or weakness. If we deny it, however plausible it may sound, we remain in its grasp, denying positive change. Jus' Sayn. 

Walking With Jesus

When I think of the early disciples who lived and walked with Jesus, I tend to think how fortunate they were to live in his physical presence. I envision them being personally taught and encouraged by the Lord himself. 

To have Jesus teach and explain the very words of God, to have him personally demonstrate his power and to equip you with power from above. How much easier it must have been to be faithful and to face the strongholds of Satan. Not!

The fact is that the early disciple were slow to understand and slow to believe, causing Jesus to question in frustration "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?" (Lk 9:41).  They remained fearful in his presence: “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm" (Mt 8:26).

While Jesus was with them, the disciples quarreled over who was greatest, they misunderstood the nature of Messiah, they didn't get the concept of resurrection, they even scattered like sheep when Jesus was arrested. Peter denounced Jesus and Judas betrayed him. 

But after his resurrection, after he sent the Holy Spirit, we see men of strength and wisdom. The disciples were now ready to take the message to the furthest places on the map, facing down kings and courts, risking and giving up their lives for Jesus's sake. 

Their strength came when they, like us, experienced the risen Christ and were filled with his Spirit. It is then that "God can do more than we can ask or imagine according to his power at work within us" (Eph 3:20).

If you are filled with the Spirit of Christ, you are walking with Jesus. In fact you are walking much closer that ever possible when he was alive. Jus' Sayn.  

Dying To Live

We naturally want to live, the desire is built into our DNA code. And, humans will go to extraordinary lengths in order to live. Unfortunately, we often choose the wrong path. Jesus warns that there are two paths, one leading to life while the other leads to death and that many choose the path of death (cf. Matt 7:13-14).

The reason people wired for life choose death is because they have been sold a bill of goods promising life in this world, that what we have in the here and now, is the life for which we were created, our ultimate life. We cling to it as though it were real and lasting instead of "a must that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

The truth is that "whoever finds their life will lose it but he who loses it for [Jesus'] sake will find it" (Matt 10:39) - which is to say that if we invest everything in this material life, which is limited and quickly fading away, we miss out on the spiritual life that is abundant and never ending. 

The point is that we must be willing to give up the pursuit of this life, to die to it, if you will, in order to truly live, to become our true and greater selves. As Jesus put it, "unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (John 12:24).

Dying to this life so that we might gain the spiritual life is a matter of focus. We have to live in this world but we don't have to make material achievements our ultimate aim or goal. This life is intended to be a journey but if we camp here, we never reach our destination, we never get home. 

Instead, Paul encourages, " Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (Col 3:2-4). Jus' Sayn. 

Wisdom

We are all born with a level of intelligence, which we hopefully build upon with academic pursuits and life experiences. But wisdom is truly a different matter. 

We can gain a certain amount of wisdom through the process of simply experiencing life and learning life lessons based on the outcomes. In that light, making mistakes can lead to more wisdom than making good choices as we tend to remember the pain of bad choices longer. 

However, that wisdom, natural or worldly wisdom, is very limited and often skewed by dumb luck or exceptions to normal reality. Natural wisdom is limited to what one experiences and the confines of his life circumstances puts a very definite lid on how much one can gain.  

And, people sometimes have very different experiences than the rest of us. For instance, experience teaches that smoking takes years off your life but then there is a George Burns who smoked most of his hundred plus years of life.   

Natural or worldly wisdom is not reliable for those two reasons: it is limited and it is inconsistent.  The apostle Paul warns us of its weakness: "Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" (1 Cor 1:20).

How can natural wisdom understand spiritual truths as they are beyond natural experience?  And, given that spiritual realities supersede and transcend natural ones, how could we rely on natural wisdom to guide us on the path of life that doesn't begin or end in the physical realm?  

Wisdom comes from experiencing the presence of the Spirit of God, which comes as we listen to His Word, communicate with Him in prayer, encounter Him in worship and walk with Him in our daily lives. So wise up - spend time with the Lord daily. Jus' Sayn