I was not a bad kid but I was one of those little boys that could challenge a parent's desire to have another. I was always in to things I shouldn't be, breaking things I never should have touched, testing the limits of the word "no." You know that child, don't you? Perhaps that was you or possibly that is your child.
I was one of those kids who found himself at the wrong end of discipline. My parents believed in applying the board of education to the seat of learning - so did my teachers. I received a good deal of hands on education. I can honestly tell you that never, not one time, did I welcome it or find it to be gratifying in any way. No, I did not appreciate the effort expended on my behalf or behind. At least, I did not appreciate it at the time.
As I became an adult and began to recognize the discipline instilled in me by the discipline applied to me growing up, I began to appreciate what my parents and teacher had given me. When I became a parent, I grew in my appreciation of the value of providing discipline to children. Discipline is not punishment to exact payment, it is correction designed to create a payoff in later years. While it is not pleasant or welcomed as a child, it becomes a blessing as an adult.
Discipline is sometthing a loving parent will apply to his/her child(ren). In factt, it is out of that love and that acceptance of the sonship of the child that discipline arises. Listn to the Word of the Lord, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chasttens everyone he accepts as his son" (Heb 12:5-6).
I would add that discipline is not something that will be pleasant at the time but will be rewarding in time: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harves of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (v. 11).
So, when you feel the boardd of divine intervention applied to the seat of you human nature, don't despise it or feel defeated by it. Instead, welcom it and ask God to reveal to you what you need to learn from it that a harvest of righteousness might be foound in you. Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
The Choice
"You've got to play the hand you're dealt" is one of those old sayings that's truth is undeniable. So much of life comes to us without the opportunity of choice. You didn't get to choose your parents or where you were born. Your skin color, your height and your looks were coded by DNA. That cancer diagnosis wasn't something you asked for and neither was that heart murmor. You didn't pick stuttering off the shelf, you didn't ask for dislexia and you never even saw the car coming that left you paralyzed. Time after time, you've simply been dealt a hand that you've had to play.
Not being able to choose our circumstances in life has given rise to determinism or fatalism, the notion that we have no choice, that everything is preordained or determined in advance for us. In religious circles, the fact that God is sovereign lends itself to the belief that man could not choose for himself for that would take away from God total self-rule. Muslims would say that "It is as Allah wills" and Calvinists speak of God irresistable grace and preservation of the saints (that you can't resist God's call and can't alter your saved state).
However, Moses wrote, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose lifee, so tht you and your children may live" (Deut 30:19). In other words, what they could choose from (life or death; blessings or curses) was pre-determined but how they responded, which path they would take, was their choice. Jawaharial Nehru put it this way, "Life is like a game of cards. Tthe hand you are dealtt is determinism; the way you play it is free will."
Precisely! You can't chose your parents but you can choose to honor and obey them. You didn't get to choose the primary school you attended but you did get to choose your study habits and whether or not you paid attention in class (psycho/social behavioral disorders are limiting factors admittedly). You didn't get to choose the color of your skin but you can choose to wear it proudly and strive to do your bestt and achieve the most you can regardless of pigments.
I am not saying life is equally distributed or fairly administered to all. Quite the opposite. I am saying that life comes at you in a way that is beyond your choice like the cards dealt in a game of Poker. But how you play that hand, how you respond to life's circumstances is in your control.
You may be climing a steeper hill or swimming against a stronger current than the next guy butt how you climb and how you swim are up to you. And the Good News is that you don't havve to go it alone. Jesus calls out to you, "Come unto me, all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..." (Matt 11:28-29). Jesus offers us the choice to step our of our single yolk and join him in a double yolk, where he pulls along with us.
The choice you have is how you will respond to what life throws at you. The one response that brings ultimate victory is to choose Jesus, to go with God. "He came to his own but his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:11-12). Jus' Sayn.
Not being able to choose our circumstances in life has given rise to determinism or fatalism, the notion that we have no choice, that everything is preordained or determined in advance for us. In religious circles, the fact that God is sovereign lends itself to the belief that man could not choose for himself for that would take away from God total self-rule. Muslims would say that "It is as Allah wills" and Calvinists speak of God irresistable grace and preservation of the saints (that you can't resist God's call and can't alter your saved state).
However, Moses wrote, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose lifee, so tht you and your children may live" (Deut 30:19). In other words, what they could choose from (life or death; blessings or curses) was pre-determined but how they responded, which path they would take, was their choice. Jawaharial Nehru put it this way, "Life is like a game of cards. Tthe hand you are dealtt is determinism; the way you play it is free will."
Precisely! You can't chose your parents but you can choose to honor and obey them. You didn't get to choose the primary school you attended but you did get to choose your study habits and whether or not you paid attention in class (psycho/social behavioral disorders are limiting factors admittedly). You didn't get to choose the color of your skin but you can choose to wear it proudly and strive to do your bestt and achieve the most you can regardless of pigments.
I am not saying life is equally distributed or fairly administered to all. Quite the opposite. I am saying that life comes at you in a way that is beyond your choice like the cards dealt in a game of Poker. But how you play that hand, how you respond to life's circumstances is in your control.
You may be climing a steeper hill or swimming against a stronger current than the next guy butt how you climb and how you swim are up to you. And the Good News is that you don't havve to go it alone. Jesus calls out to you, "Come unto me, all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..." (Matt 11:28-29). Jesus offers us the choice to step our of our single yolk and join him in a double yolk, where he pulls along with us.
The choice you have is how you will respond to what life throws at you. The one response that brings ultimate victory is to choose Jesus, to go with God. "He came to his own but his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:11-12). Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
True Confessions
In October 1922, a new magazine hit the shelves, "True Confessions." Of course, in actuality, it was at best true gossip enhanced in a way to garner sales. You can still get a subscription on Amazon for $38.94 including shipping (just so you know). In E. Stanley Jones' book, "The Christ of The Mount," he tells of a gathering called, The Confession of Sins Club. He thought it was quite novel idea until he found it was the confession of others' sins, or a gossip guild.
Of course, as Christians, we're familar with confession, whether Catholic or Protestant. But we're not really so familiar with true confession. What I mean by that is in the Catholic tradition, you go into a closet with a vieled partition between you and the priest your are confessing to. So you can confess a sin without necessarily revealing who your are. In the Protestantt tradition, you come before the entire church but so often just confess "I have sinned," without naming the sin. And, in both traditions, the whom you've sinned against is generally left out.
In neither tradition does one necessarily step completely out of the shadows, revealing the precise sin and to whom it was precisely against. There is so often a good deal of cover and the sting of embarrasment is held to a minimum. The full light of truth is not being allowed to bring its cleansing power to bear. In our hearts, we know that there are still details not known, interested parties not addressed. wounds still not mended. What is left in the dark is a darkness in our hearts and souls that we continue to carry.
True confession, on the other hand, as revealed in James 5:16 is to "confess your sins one to another and pray for each other so that you might be healed...' Did you notice the "one to another" part and the "so you can be healed?" That personal and mutual confessing of sins and wrongs and hurts brings about true healing, not just a pass on the sin but a power over that sin.
Oh, as Paul Harvey used to say, "Now here's the rest of the story." You recall hearing the quote, "the prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective," but did you know it was the second half of thee verse quoted above? Read James 5:16 and you will see that the effective and powerful prayer is built upon the foundation of face to face confession.
Don't hide your sins in your heart or they will darken it. Confess to God what is between you and him alone but don't fail to confess to another when your sin is against them. Open and honest confessing of our sins against others is the only way to open our hearts to full release and complete healing. Jus' Sayn.
Of course, as Christians, we're familar with confession, whether Catholic or Protestant. But we're not really so familiar with true confession. What I mean by that is in the Catholic tradition, you go into a closet with a vieled partition between you and the priest your are confessing to. So you can confess a sin without necessarily revealing who your are. In the Protestantt tradition, you come before the entire church but so often just confess "I have sinned," without naming the sin. And, in both traditions, the whom you've sinned against is generally left out.
In neither tradition does one necessarily step completely out of the shadows, revealing the precise sin and to whom it was precisely against. There is so often a good deal of cover and the sting of embarrasment is held to a minimum. The full light of truth is not being allowed to bring its cleansing power to bear. In our hearts, we know that there are still details not known, interested parties not addressed. wounds still not mended. What is left in the dark is a darkness in our hearts and souls that we continue to carry.
True confession, on the other hand, as revealed in James 5:16 is to "confess your sins one to another and pray for each other so that you might be healed...' Did you notice the "one to another" part and the "so you can be healed?" That personal and mutual confessing of sins and wrongs and hurts brings about true healing, not just a pass on the sin but a power over that sin.
Oh, as Paul Harvey used to say, "Now here's the rest of the story." You recall hearing the quote, "the prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective," but did you know it was the second half of thee verse quoted above? Read James 5:16 and you will see that the effective and powerful prayer is built upon the foundation of face to face confession.
Don't hide your sins in your heart or they will darken it. Confess to God what is between you and him alone but don't fail to confess to another when your sin is against them. Open and honest confessing of our sins against others is the only way to open our hearts to full release and complete healing. Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
High Anxiety
In 1977, Mel Brooks produced a movie entitled, "High Anxiety." It was a parody of several Alfred Hitchcock movies lived out in one man's life. The lead character, Dr Richard Thorndyke, has encounter after encounter that are bizarre and unsettling. He lived in a state of high anxiety. It was a typical, over-the-top, Mel Brooks movie. However, it was not totally fiction.
The truth is that many people live in a state of high anxiety as they encounter life in ways that are unsettling, unpredictable, unanswerable and even quite bizzare at times. We see the complexity or enormity or risk into which we are falling or is falling upon us and we fear that we cannot cope or handle or conquer what is next. It isn't what we've been through that causes anxiety, it's the fear and uncertainty of what we're about to face that leaves us in a state of anxiety.
As we assess what might happen or what seems certain to happen, we lack the confidence we can handle it. We fear the results of what may happen next, knowing or fearing that we're not up to the challenge. The real problem, however, is not a lack of confidence in self but an over-reliance on self. And more to the point, a lack of dependence on and trust in God.
It is easy to see why uncertain times would challenge my ability to handle them, being human and lacking in power as I am. But, if I trusted in God's love and power, why would I fear, why would I be anxious? The answer, of course, is that I would not fear, I would not be anxious.
So what's the problem? The problem is that we have not "Cast all [our] anxiety upon him [believing] he cares for [us]" (1 Pet 5:7). And the reason we resist casting our cares on him is lodged in a lack of trust that would allow us to let go of the reigns of our lives and "Humble [ourselves], therefore, under God's mighty hand, that hemay lift [us] up in due time" (v. 6).
The reason for high anxiety is a low trust factor in God. A low trust factor in God comes from a high dependence on self. The answer to high anxiety is to let go and let God. Jus' Sayn.
The truth is that many people live in a state of high anxiety as they encounter life in ways that are unsettling, unpredictable, unanswerable and even quite bizzare at times. We see the complexity or enormity or risk into which we are falling or is falling upon us and we fear that we cannot cope or handle or conquer what is next. It isn't what we've been through that causes anxiety, it's the fear and uncertainty of what we're about to face that leaves us in a state of anxiety.
As we assess what might happen or what seems certain to happen, we lack the confidence we can handle it. We fear the results of what may happen next, knowing or fearing that we're not up to the challenge. The real problem, however, is not a lack of confidence in self but an over-reliance on self. And more to the point, a lack of dependence on and trust in God.
It is easy to see why uncertain times would challenge my ability to handle them, being human and lacking in power as I am. But, if I trusted in God's love and power, why would I fear, why would I be anxious? The answer, of course, is that I would not fear, I would not be anxious.
So what's the problem? The problem is that we have not "Cast all [our] anxiety upon him [believing] he cares for [us]" (1 Pet 5:7). And the reason we resist casting our cares on him is lodged in a lack of trust that would allow us to let go of the reigns of our lives and "Humble [ourselves], therefore, under God's mighty hand, that hemay lift [us] up in due time" (v. 6).
The reason for high anxiety is a low trust factor in God. A low trust factor in God comes from a high dependence on self. The answer to high anxiety is to let go and let God. Jus' Sayn.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Love in Action
Yesterday's blog was on the topic of love as is today's. I'm not really doing a series on love, I'm just reading in the epistle of 1 John. If you read through it, you'll find that love is it's dominate theme. The very fact that it is a dominate theme speaks to its importance and why more than one lesson in a row might be needed.
As I indicated yesterday, we are, as a people, pretty fuzzy on the meaning of love. We are not even clear on how to identify what it is. People often say, "I love everyone" and then walk right past someone begging on the street without the slightest interest in helping them. A spouse will say,"I do love you but I've got to follow my dream." Jesus said that we are to love our neighbor. Do we even know our neighbor's name? Have we ever offered to help them or to even find out if there is a need?
What I'm getting at is this, love is not a feeling that just happens - something we fall into and out of, carried away by the whims of our emotions. Jesus said, "A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34). Emotions cannot be comanded, we feel what we feel. Love, therefore, cannot be an emotion. Like is an emotion. We can't help but like some people. We like people who do nice things for us. We like people who give us a good vibe (whatever that really is). But we get to choose whom we will love or even if we will love at all.
Come with me to 1 John 3:16-18 and listen to what the apostle of Love, John, has to say. "This is how wwe know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"
According to the word of God, love is not a sappy feeling or a tender notion, love is a concrete action. Love acts for the good of it's object. When you love someone, you do for them. Even when we have to sacrifice our own wants or engage in something we'd rather not, love demands we act in their behalf. In the words of a 60s tune, "I would do for love what I would not do."
Have you ever sat through a chick flick for your wife? Have you ever endured Sesame Street for your children? Have you gone to the deer woods with your husband when roughing it for you means a motel stay without cable? Have you ever stood up for a friend even when it put you at risk? Do you get the picture of what love really is? Love is action, not feeling. That is how the Lord can command us to love our enemies (cf. Matt 5:44). We don't have to like them, that may not be possible, but we can love them, seeking their greatest good, even praying for God's blessings upon them. Jus' Sayn.
As I indicated yesterday, we are, as a people, pretty fuzzy on the meaning of love. We are not even clear on how to identify what it is. People often say, "I love everyone" and then walk right past someone begging on the street without the slightest interest in helping them. A spouse will say,"I do love you but I've got to follow my dream." Jesus said that we are to love our neighbor. Do we even know our neighbor's name? Have we ever offered to help them or to even find out if there is a need?
What I'm getting at is this, love is not a feeling that just happens - something we fall into and out of, carried away by the whims of our emotions. Jesus said, "A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34). Emotions cannot be comanded, we feel what we feel. Love, therefore, cannot be an emotion. Like is an emotion. We can't help but like some people. We like people who do nice things for us. We like people who give us a good vibe (whatever that really is). But we get to choose whom we will love or even if we will love at all.
Come with me to 1 John 3:16-18 and listen to what the apostle of Love, John, has to say. "This is how wwe know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"
According to the word of God, love is not a sappy feeling or a tender notion, love is a concrete action. Love acts for the good of it's object. When you love someone, you do for them. Even when we have to sacrifice our own wants or engage in something we'd rather not, love demands we act in their behalf. In the words of a 60s tune, "I would do for love what I would not do."
Have you ever sat through a chick flick for your wife? Have you ever endured Sesame Street for your children? Have you gone to the deer woods with your husband when roughing it for you means a motel stay without cable? Have you ever stood up for a friend even when it put you at risk? Do you get the picture of what love really is? Love is action, not feeling. That is how the Lord can command us to love our enemies (cf. Matt 5:44). We don't have to like them, that may not be possible, but we can love them, seeking their greatest good, even praying for God's blessings upon them. Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
True Love
Love makes the world go round. Love is a many splendored thing. All you need is love. I love old dogs and children and watermelon wine. I love my pick-up truck. I don't know your name but I think I love you. I love chocolate. I love your hair. Where's the love?
Of all the song lyrics, affirmations and cliches, the one that's most appropriate for us and needed to be taken seriously by us is that last one: Where's the love? We tend to use it flippantly or out of any real context, but it is the central question that needs to be answered above all others. By and large, we don't know where to find love or even how to recognize it should they encounter it along the way.
As a society, we have so misused the word that we have lost it's meaning and are misled as to it's true nature. Do we really love our trucks and someone's hairstyle? Does our world really spin on the axis of love? Do we engage our daily walk in love? How can we even know what love is?
I'm going to give you a simple answer that will take a lifetime of uncovering the layers of it's full meaning. But it will set you on a path of discovery that will result in your coming to understand love in the fullest capacity you can in this life. Are you ready for it? Begin to digest these words, which define true love: "This is how love is made complete among us...in this world, we are like Jesus" (1 Jn 4:17). Simple isn't it? Be like Jesus. But the depth of understanding how Jesus thought and why he reacted the way he did and how he treated others requires a lifetime of prayer, study and practice.
Jesus could be bold and humble, tender and tough, patient and insistent - all the while acting in love. Love is a choice but the choices made out of love are not always easy or simple. They can be very tough on you and require you to be tough on another. They can also come so easy and be so gentle. It is in understanding an following the example of Jesus that true love emerges.
So, it's simple enough for all to begin the path of true love and challenging enough to take a lifetime of working it out. True love is exists, it's name is Jesus. Follow his lead. Jus' Sayn.
Of all the song lyrics, affirmations and cliches, the one that's most appropriate for us and needed to be taken seriously by us is that last one: Where's the love? We tend to use it flippantly or out of any real context, but it is the central question that needs to be answered above all others. By and large, we don't know where to find love or even how to recognize it should they encounter it along the way.
As a society, we have so misused the word that we have lost it's meaning and are misled as to it's true nature. Do we really love our trucks and someone's hairstyle? Does our world really spin on the axis of love? Do we engage our daily walk in love? How can we even know what love is?
I'm going to give you a simple answer that will take a lifetime of uncovering the layers of it's full meaning. But it will set you on a path of discovery that will result in your coming to understand love in the fullest capacity you can in this life. Are you ready for it? Begin to digest these words, which define true love: "This is how love is made complete among us...in this world, we are like Jesus" (1 Jn 4:17). Simple isn't it? Be like Jesus. But the depth of understanding how Jesus thought and why he reacted the way he did and how he treated others requires a lifetime of prayer, study and practice.
Jesus could be bold and humble, tender and tough, patient and insistent - all the while acting in love. Love is a choice but the choices made out of love are not always easy or simple. They can be very tough on you and require you to be tough on another. They can also come so easy and be so gentle. It is in understanding an following the example of Jesus that true love emerges.
So, it's simple enough for all to begin the path of true love and challenging enough to take a lifetime of working it out. True love is exists, it's name is Jesus. Follow his lead. Jus' Sayn.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Sacrifice
In ancient times, people drew near to God with sacrifices. They brought the best of their flocks to present at the altar. Only their best would do as their sacrifices were precursers of the sacrifice that God would make for mankind: His Own Son. Jesus himself laid his life on he altar for us, nothing but his best could satisfy the purchase price for our sins.
In like manner, we are called to sacrifice our best - nothing less will do. No seconds, no half-hearted offerings, no substituting something less than our very best. We too our to bring that offering to the altar and present it to God as His own, never to be retrieved - sacrifices are not on loan or time limited, sacrifices are giving fully.
Unlike the sacrifices of ancient Israel, which were pointing toward the sacrifice of God, ours is built upon the foundation of that sacrifice and it is likewise to be an offering of self rather than possessions. We, like Jesus, are the sacrifice that is to be offered on the altar. There we die to self and like Jesus rise up from that death to live - to live for God, wholly his no longer our own.
Listen to the words of the aposttle Paul: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (Rom 12:1).
This offering can't be part-time, second best or leftovers. This offering is our whole self, which means everything we have and are is His and we give it to Him as a living, breathing sacrifice each day and in every way. This means instead of asking "What do I want?" we ought to be asking, "What does God want of me or me to have or do?"
Sometimes He would have you do for yourself or your family and sometime He would have you do for others. Sometimes God would have you put in more effort, other times He would have you take more time to rest. God wants you to be both blessed and be a channel of blessing. Most importantly, God wants you wholly and completely as a living sacrifice. What about you? Are you willing to offer yourself on that altar to become His alone? Jus' Askn.
In like manner, we are called to sacrifice our best - nothing less will do. No seconds, no half-hearted offerings, no substituting something less than our very best. We too our to bring that offering to the altar and present it to God as His own, never to be retrieved - sacrifices are not on loan or time limited, sacrifices are giving fully.
Unlike the sacrifices of ancient Israel, which were pointing toward the sacrifice of God, ours is built upon the foundation of that sacrifice and it is likewise to be an offering of self rather than possessions. We, like Jesus, are the sacrifice that is to be offered on the altar. There we die to self and like Jesus rise up from that death to live - to live for God, wholly his no longer our own.
Listen to the words of the aposttle Paul: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (Rom 12:1).
This offering can't be part-time, second best or leftovers. This offering is our whole self, which means everything we have and are is His and we give it to Him as a living, breathing sacrifice each day and in every way. This means instead of asking "What do I want?" we ought to be asking, "What does God want of me or me to have or do?"
Sometimes He would have you do for yourself or your family and sometime He would have you do for others. Sometimes God would have you put in more effort, other times He would have you take more time to rest. God wants you to be both blessed and be a channel of blessing. Most importantly, God wants you wholly and completely as a living sacrifice. What about you? Are you willing to offer yourself on that altar to become His alone? Jus' Askn.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Leaving Room for God
You've probably heard the line, "I don't get mad, I get even." While the word "even" suggests justice, the tenor of the quip is revenge. Proper payment is not the desire so much as payback. Far from justice, which works to balance the scales, the notion is self-serving, seeking to tip the scales in our own favor. Worse yet, it is godless from start to finish.
It is godless on many levels, but what concerns me the most is that "getting even" assumes God's perrogative, claiming it for our own. In our desire to exact paymentt, we turn our backs on justice as we put ourselves in the place of God, who alone is Judge. If we were to truly seek justice, we would
"not repay anyone evil for evil" (Rom 12:17). Instead, we would "leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay,' says the Lord" (v. 19).
Our calling is to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us" (Matt 5:44). It is God's job to bring justice, to call eveyone one into accountt. How he does what to whom is not our business, that is for the Judge alone to decide.
Can you do that? Can you trust God to settle accounts and bring about justice in all things? Can you release the hatred in your own heart, making room for God's love so that you can be free of the evil someone else committed against you? Jus' Askn.
Monday, September 22, 2014
The How of Being Holy
In 1 Peter 1:14-16, we read: "[14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
Wow! Is this ever a tall order. Be holy in the same way God is holy. Knowing that we "all sin and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) and that "no one is righteous, not even one" (Rom 3:10), just how is that possible and, if so, how would we even begin?
It is possible because, to begin with, all things are possible with God, even when impossible with man (see Matt 29:26). It is also possible because holy does not mean without flaw. I means "to be set apart from and set toward another." In other words, being holy is to be turned away from the ways of the world and toward the way of God.
The specific way in which Peter uses holiness is found just a few lines further down in this letter: "[22] Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. [23] For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (vv. 22-23).
Being holy as God is holy has to do with loving others above self. It has to do with a lfiestyle that seeks the good of others rather than just personal benefit. Holiness is to seek God's ways above your own by serving others instead of being self-serving. With God's help, it is more than possible to be holy as He is holy. Jus' Sayn.
Wow! Is this ever a tall order. Be holy in the same way God is holy. Knowing that we "all sin and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) and that "no one is righteous, not even one" (Rom 3:10), just how is that possible and, if so, how would we even begin?
It is possible because, to begin with, all things are possible with God, even when impossible with man (see Matt 29:26). It is also possible because holy does not mean without flaw. I means "to be set apart from and set toward another." In other words, being holy is to be turned away from the ways of the world and toward the way of God.
The specific way in which Peter uses holiness is found just a few lines further down in this letter: "[22] Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. [23] For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (vv. 22-23).
Being holy as God is holy has to do with loving others above self. It has to do with a lfiestyle that seeks the good of others rather than just personal benefit. Holiness is to seek God's ways above your own by serving others instead of being self-serving. With God's help, it is more than possible to be holy as He is holy. Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
The Source
In the same manner as the king of Babylon, the king of Assyria surveyed all that was under his control and within his realm. Coming from an insignificant nation to the ruler of the world's kingdoms, he nearly broke his arm patting himself on the back. If his head had swollen any more he would have to wear a neck brace just to hold it up.
But the truth was that the king of Assyria was not responsible for his great wealth and expansive kingdom, God raised him up in order to use Assyria as an instrument of judgment on Israel who had turned to others gods and forgotten the God of their salvation. The king of Assyria was not the source or the power but he, like Israel, failed to recognize or acknowledge the Source.
Isaiah brought him a word from The Lord: "Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it, or the saw boast against the one who uses it? As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up, or a club brandish the one who is not wood!" (Isa 10:15). Assyria would soon find itself in the same position as Babylon and Israel, being brought low due to their self-pride and refusal to honor the God who raised them up.
I was doing a little reading in our Declaration of Independence and I noted that our Founding Fathers acknowledge that our rights came from the Creator, not from the government or our personal might. Despite all the efforts to wipe away the foundation of faith in God upon which this nation was built, our foundational document clearly proclaims that God, not man, is the Source
I wonder, if we continue down this path, if the day will not come when God raises up another nation to bring judgment upon us as he did wih Israel, Babylon, Assyria and others? Jus' Sayn.
But the truth was that the king of Assyria was not responsible for his great wealth and expansive kingdom, God raised him up in order to use Assyria as an instrument of judgment on Israel who had turned to others gods and forgotten the God of their salvation. The king of Assyria was not the source or the power but he, like Israel, failed to recognize or acknowledge the Source.
Isaiah brought him a word from The Lord: "Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it, or the saw boast against the one who uses it? As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up, or a club brandish the one who is not wood!" (Isa 10:15). Assyria would soon find itself in the same position as Babylon and Israel, being brought low due to their self-pride and refusal to honor the God who raised them up.
I was doing a little reading in our Declaration of Independence and I noted that our Founding Fathers acknowledge that our rights came from the Creator, not from the government or our personal might. Despite all the efforts to wipe away the foundation of faith in God upon which this nation was built, our foundational document clearly proclaims that God, not man, is the Source
I wonder, if we continue down this path, if the day will not come when God raises up another nation to bring judgment upon us as he did wih Israel, Babylon, Assyria and others? Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Seeing God
Isaiah was both a prophet and priest, a man whose life was marked by service to God and the spiritual leadership of His people. And yet, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple" (Isa 6:1).
In some way, it was not until King Uzziah died that Isaiah saw The Lord or was able to see Him in a deeper or more glorious sense. It is likely that Isaiah, who served close to King Uzziah, was preoccupied with that responsibility, which kept him from more clearly seeing The Lord
Perhaps this thought rings true for you. Maybe you're time, energy and focus are all but completely consumed by the fact that you are a single, working mom. Possibly you have been promoted to a position that requires you step up your game to a level that exhausts whatever reserves you had before. You could be struggling with or feeling overwhelmed with life in general or any number of specifics. The point is that your concern with your physical life has trumphed your spiritual.
It is completely understandable but completely wrong because the physical is such a tiny part of your existence and lasts for only a moment in comparison to the spiritual. Also, the power to deal with and overcome the physical is found in the spiritual but not the other way around. The Word of The Lord is quite clear in saying, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you as well" (Matt 6:33).
Is it time for you to look past the struggle of life to the Source of life, beyond the pain of existence to the Power to exist? If not now, then when? When will you look up from the grind that ties you down to the God who lifts you up? Jus' Askn.
In some way, it was not until King Uzziah died that Isaiah saw The Lord or was able to see Him in a deeper or more glorious sense. It is likely that Isaiah, who served close to King Uzziah, was preoccupied with that responsibility, which kept him from more clearly seeing The Lord
Perhaps this thought rings true for you. Maybe you're time, energy and focus are all but completely consumed by the fact that you are a single, working mom. Possibly you have been promoted to a position that requires you step up your game to a level that exhausts whatever reserves you had before. You could be struggling with or feeling overwhelmed with life in general or any number of specifics. The point is that your concern with your physical life has trumphed your spiritual.
It is completely understandable but completely wrong because the physical is such a tiny part of your existence and lasts for only a moment in comparison to the spiritual. Also, the power to deal with and overcome the physical is found in the spiritual but not the other way around. The Word of The Lord is quite clear in saying, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you as well" (Matt 6:33).
Is it time for you to look past the struggle of life to the Source of life, beyond the pain of existence to the Power to exist? If not now, then when? When will you look up from the grind that ties you down to the God who lifts you up? Jus' Askn.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Bright Eyes
Perception is reality. What we see can be even more real to us than what has happened. If you notice a scowl on the face of a co-worker's face and perceive it to be directed to you, a cloud can be cast over your entire day. However, he may not have you in mind at all. In fact, it could have been gas from last night's bean dip.
People have been terrified by a deep moaning in their house only to find out later it was air in the water pipes. Your boss tells you he needs to see you in his office after your break. You know it's bad news, you can't even finish your donut. It turns out he wants you to head up a new project.
Let's take this a little farther. Suppose traffic is stopped ahead of you and now, while you were behind, you are really running late. You feel your irritation level beginning to rise and perhaps some anxiety. You can't believe there's another accident on this road. But, what if you instead looked at this with grateful instead of grumpy eyes? What if you perceived that God had gracefully delayed you to begin with so you weren't the one hit in that accident? Where is your irritation and anxiety now?
We can focus on the income taxes we have to pay or be grateful for the income we are paid. You finally get some extra savings put away and an emergency comes up to take it away. Or you could look at it as an emergency was coming and you were blessed to have put away the money to cover it.
There is always light and dark in every situation. You are the one that decides which will rule your day or even your life. Jesus tells us, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt 6:22-23).
What you focus on, the good or the bad, is your choice. You can choose a healthy outlook or an unhealthy one. You can fill your spirit with light or darkness. What do you choose? Jus' Askn.
People have been terrified by a deep moaning in their house only to find out later it was air in the water pipes. Your boss tells you he needs to see you in his office after your break. You know it's bad news, you can't even finish your donut. It turns out he wants you to head up a new project.
Let's take this a little farther. Suppose traffic is stopped ahead of you and now, while you were behind, you are really running late. You feel your irritation level beginning to rise and perhaps some anxiety. You can't believe there's another accident on this road. But, what if you instead looked at this with grateful instead of grumpy eyes? What if you perceived that God had gracefully delayed you to begin with so you weren't the one hit in that accident? Where is your irritation and anxiety now?
We can focus on the income taxes we have to pay or be grateful for the income we are paid. You finally get some extra savings put away and an emergency comes up to take it away. Or you could look at it as an emergency was coming and you were blessed to have put away the money to cover it.
There is always light and dark in every situation. You are the one that decides which will rule your day or even your life. Jesus tells us, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt 6:22-23).
What you focus on, the good or the bad, is your choice. You can choose a healthy outlook or an unhealthy one. You can fill your spirit with light or darkness. What do you choose? Jus' Askn.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
The Dorcas Effect
Dorcas was not a woman of means or position or power. She was not educated nor was someone who was well connected in the conventional sense. Dorcas was as plain as white rice and as common as Smith or Jones in an American phone book.
She was not someone you would have expected to have been known beyond her own family and neighborhood. And yet, here I am writing about her 2,000 years later in a country of which she never dreamed. Billions of people have heard her name and listened to her story for two millenia. Why is this widow of no means or position or education, who never wrote anything to be recorded, still being talked about?
The answer to that question is found by listening to the conversation held the first time she died. That's right, the first time. Peter raised her from the dead in response to the pain and grief of her community brought on by her death.
But it wasn't the Lazurus quality of her death but the Jesus quality of her life that kept her story alive for century after century. When she died, "All the widows stood around [Peter], crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them" (Acts 9:38). That's it? That's it!
Dorcas gave to those who had nothing from the little bit she could offer. She sewed, not for a profession or personal gain but for the benefit of those who had nothing to bring to the table but their need and nothing to offer except a grateful heart.
Because she did what she could and gave her all for the benefit of others, she was sorely missed and openly mourned. And you know what? Even if her name had never been spoken of again by the lips of mankind, she would still have been famous in her Father's eyes. Jus' Sayn.
She was not someone you would have expected to have been known beyond her own family and neighborhood. And yet, here I am writing about her 2,000 years later in a country of which she never dreamed. Billions of people have heard her name and listened to her story for two millenia. Why is this widow of no means or position or education, who never wrote anything to be recorded, still being talked about?
The answer to that question is found by listening to the conversation held the first time she died. That's right, the first time. Peter raised her from the dead in response to the pain and grief of her community brought on by her death.
But it wasn't the Lazurus quality of her death but the Jesus quality of her life that kept her story alive for century after century. When she died, "All the widows stood around [Peter], crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them" (Acts 9:38). That's it? That's it!
Dorcas gave to those who had nothing from the little bit she could offer. She sewed, not for a profession or personal gain but for the benefit of those who had nothing to bring to the table but their need and nothing to offer except a grateful heart.
Because she did what she could and gave her all for the benefit of others, she was sorely missed and openly mourned. And you know what? Even if her name had never been spoken of again by the lips of mankind, she would still have been famous in her Father's eyes. Jus' Sayn.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Uploading Anxiety
In this day of apps for Iphone, Ipads and computers in general, downloading has become a new favorite American pasttime. We download everything from the extremely common to the insanely complex. Applications abound for nearly anything you can imagine and we are downloading dogs sniffing out the newest thing to add to our arsenal of things to populate our extended brain.
Our minds are constantly engaged in information downloading and problem solving, looking forward with each new innovation to solving problems that each new application promises to put within the reach of our hand-held device.
Only our problems aren't really being solved, our futures aren't being made easier, we're actually more anxiety ridden than ever. Xanax or whatever one's anxiety-addressing pill might be are being prescribed at record rates. With all our problem-solving applications and information at the ready, we are less free spirited and more bogged down emotionally than ever.
What can we do? What is the answer? While I am tempted to say "Unplug from your computer," I know that really isn't the answer, although it might help to take a time out every now and then. The real answer isn't found with our without your SmartPhone. The real answer is what it has always been, long before computers and information overload. The answer is God.
In regards to the level of anxiety we have today and the general unrest of our spirits, the Bible tells us simply, "[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet 5:6-7).
Rather than try to manage our anxiety by gaining more control of our tomorrows by downloading another app for our Idevice, our need is to upload our anxiety, our worries, our future concerns to "I Am" (Ex 3:13-14). In the words of the old but true cliche, "Let go and let God." That's it? That's it! Jus' Sayn.
Our minds are constantly engaged in information downloading and problem solving, looking forward with each new innovation to solving problems that each new application promises to put within the reach of our hand-held device.
Only our problems aren't really being solved, our futures aren't being made easier, we're actually more anxiety ridden than ever. Xanax or whatever one's anxiety-addressing pill might be are being prescribed at record rates. With all our problem-solving applications and information at the ready, we are less free spirited and more bogged down emotionally than ever.
What can we do? What is the answer? While I am tempted to say "Unplug from your computer," I know that really isn't the answer, although it might help to take a time out every now and then. The real answer isn't found with our without your SmartPhone. The real answer is what it has always been, long before computers and information overload. The answer is God.
In regards to the level of anxiety we have today and the general unrest of our spirits, the Bible tells us simply, "[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet 5:6-7).
Rather than try to manage our anxiety by gaining more control of our tomorrows by downloading another app for our Idevice, our need is to upload our anxiety, our worries, our future concerns to "I Am" (Ex 3:13-14). In the words of the old but true cliche, "Let go and let God." That's it? That's it! Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
The Battlefield of Prayer
Have you ever given much thought to the dynamics of prayer? On one level, prayer is pretty straight-forward; I petition God, who hearing my request, answers it. Seems simple enough except that it not all there is to prayer.
Prayer is not done in a vacuum where there is nothing to impact it. For instance, there is sin, which can cause a break in our communion with God, "Your iniquities have separated you from you God, your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" (Isa 59:2).
A break in our relationship with others can cause a breakdown in our relationship with God in prayer: "Husbands...be considerate as you live with your wives, and treatt them with respect...so that nothing will hinder your prayers" (1 Pet 3:7).
Our attitude and self-interest can become a clog in the conduit of prayer: "When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives..." (James 4:3).
And, our prayers are not of interest to ourselves and God alone. The forces of evil are tuned in to those prayers and seek to interrupt the flow of God's blessings to his children. "...your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia" (Dan 10:12-13).
Prayer is a battlefield not a consierge service where we simply make a request and someone fills it regardless of the motive or the fitness of the request. Prayer is not carried out in a sanitized environment, where no evil can interfere, but rather in the messy theater of war, where spiritual powers battle against our well-being and the foundation of our faith.
"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16b), but it is not always simple and straight-foward. We may have to wait, we may be denied our request, we may have to hunker down in the trenches of prayer as a warrior in fierce battle. In prayer we do not only come before the Father, we come out of our own defenses and through emeny territority. Jus' Sayn.
Prayer is not done in a vacuum where there is nothing to impact it. For instance, there is sin, which can cause a break in our communion with God, "Your iniquities have separated you from you God, your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" (Isa 59:2).
A break in our relationship with others can cause a breakdown in our relationship with God in prayer: "Husbands...be considerate as you live with your wives, and treatt them with respect...so that nothing will hinder your prayers" (1 Pet 3:7).
Our attitude and self-interest can become a clog in the conduit of prayer: "When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives..." (James 4:3).
And, our prayers are not of interest to ourselves and God alone. The forces of evil are tuned in to those prayers and seek to interrupt the flow of God's blessings to his children. "...your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia" (Dan 10:12-13).
Prayer is a battlefield not a consierge service where we simply make a request and someone fills it regardless of the motive or the fitness of the request. Prayer is not carried out in a sanitized environment, where no evil can interfere, but rather in the messy theater of war, where spiritual powers battle against our well-being and the foundation of our faith.
"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16b), but it is not always simple and straight-foward. We may have to wait, we may be denied our request, we may have to hunker down in the trenches of prayer as a warrior in fierce battle. In prayer we do not only come before the Father, we come out of our own defenses and through emeny territority. Jus' Sayn.
Monday, September 15, 2014
The Song of God
Low self-esteem and self-loathing are very common maladies. So often we feel that we are unworthy and undeserving of love. We wear masks to prevent others from seeing the "real me" in fear they will not like us or be able to love us.
And, understanding that God sees all things, even our inner self, we fear that God cannot possibly love us. We have weighed ourselves in the balance and have determined that we are unworthy.
We are not pleased with ourselves, despite all the excuses we allow for our words, thoughts and deeds. How could anyone else be pleased with us, how could anyone else, knowing all we know about ourselves, truly love us?
We reason that they can't so we put on masks to hide our true feelings, our true thoughts, our true self. We go throughout life in fear that we will be found out to be a fraud, that others will see us for who we really are.
And, God, well we can only hope we work enough, give enough, pray enough, earn enough credit that he will accept us into his heaven even knowing what we are really like, seeing into our hearts as he does.
I've got bad news and good news for you. The bad news is that you are right - you aren't worthy - you never were and never will be. The good news, however, is that love is not dependent on worthiness. Consider this, what did your newborn child do to deserve your love? Cry, mess it's diapher, demand to be fed? Your love was not dependent on anything that child might do or not - that was your child and that was enough.
God is our Father, we are his children and that is enough for him to love us. "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing" (Zep 3:17).
Did you notice the words "delight," "rejoice" and "singing?" That is the response of a Father to the child he loves - being worthy or earning does not factor in. Even when we dissapoint a loving parent, their love does not dissappear. That love is based on relationship not workmanship.
God has a song for you. He wants to sing over you. But he will not force you to listen or return his love. Love demands a choice and God is love. He gives you the choice to acccept his love and his song or not. What do you choose? Jus' Askn.
And, understanding that God sees all things, even our inner self, we fear that God cannot possibly love us. We have weighed ourselves in the balance and have determined that we are unworthy.
We are not pleased with ourselves, despite all the excuses we allow for our words, thoughts and deeds. How could anyone else be pleased with us, how could anyone else, knowing all we know about ourselves, truly love us?
We reason that they can't so we put on masks to hide our true feelings, our true thoughts, our true self. We go throughout life in fear that we will be found out to be a fraud, that others will see us for who we really are.
And, God, well we can only hope we work enough, give enough, pray enough, earn enough credit that he will accept us into his heaven even knowing what we are really like, seeing into our hearts as he does.
I've got bad news and good news for you. The bad news is that you are right - you aren't worthy - you never were and never will be. The good news, however, is that love is not dependent on worthiness. Consider this, what did your newborn child do to deserve your love? Cry, mess it's diapher, demand to be fed? Your love was not dependent on anything that child might do or not - that was your child and that was enough.
God is our Father, we are his children and that is enough for him to love us. "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing" (Zep 3:17).
Did you notice the words "delight," "rejoice" and "singing?" That is the response of a Father to the child he loves - being worthy or earning does not factor in. Even when we dissapoint a loving parent, their love does not dissappear. That love is based on relationship not workmanship.
God has a song for you. He wants to sing over you. But he will not force you to listen or return his love. Love demands a choice and God is love. He gives you the choice to acccept his love and his song or not. What do you choose? Jus' Askn.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Reflecting Light
John the Baptist, as great as he was, was not the light of the world. As the apostle John wrote, "He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light" (Jn 1:8). Jesus alone was the light that came to dispell the darkness, "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world [Jesus]" (v. 9).
And yet, speaking to his followers in Matthew 5:14a, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." How so? How can we be what John was not and only Jesus could be? The same way the moon can give light that only the sun can make - reflect it.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6).
When we receive the light of Christ's presence into our hearts by grace, it begins to show in our daily walk and in our talk. People begin to see Christ in us and are drawn by the beauty of Christ within. It is not our persuasive ways or our towering intellect that convinces others of Christ, it is that words and lives reflect the true spirit of Christ.
We are not charged with attracting others to Him, Christ will accomplish that task himself when we allow his Spirit to shine out of our lives: "And I, when I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32). Jus' Sayn.
And yet, speaking to his followers in Matthew 5:14a, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." How so? How can we be what John was not and only Jesus could be? The same way the moon can give light that only the sun can make - reflect it.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6).
When we receive the light of Christ's presence into our hearts by grace, it begins to show in our daily walk and in our talk. People begin to see Christ in us and are drawn by the beauty of Christ within. It is not our persuasive ways or our towering intellect that convinces others of Christ, it is that words and lives reflect the true spirit of Christ.
We are not charged with attracting others to Him, Christ will accomplish that task himself when we allow his Spirit to shine out of our lives: "And I, when I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32). Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Thy or My?
When Jesus' disciples asked him to teach them to pray, he didn't tell them what to pray, he taught them how to pray. That is to say, he revealed to them the purpose and the priority of prayer: "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallow be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done...'" (Matt 6:9-10).
The purpose is to bring yourself humbly before the God of creation and the priority is seeking his will over our own. The point, using the King James Version, is seen in the contrast of "Thy" with "My."
We tend to pray with our own or "my" will in mind. We tell God what we want and how we think He should go about arranging it for us. Not that we aren't to ask for our needs, as is seen in "give us this day our daily bread" (v. 11). But, we are to understand that our desires must be in defference to His will, that God is the center and we are on the periphery.
It may not advance God's kingdom plans for me to be rich or have a different job or a bigger house in a better neighborhood. He may have some equipping in mind for me through a loss or time of trial. It may not be best that my love one live even another day on planet earth. Have you ever heard it said, "I regret having lived to see this day" or "I wish I were dead." Continuing to live doesn't necessarily mean it will be a blessing. Getting rich has actually been the ruin of many. Moving to another neighborhood may take you away from an opportunity to bring someone to Christ.
Prayer time ought to begin with praise and thanksgiving to God. It should serve to open our hearts and bend our wills to Him. In prayer, as in life, we ought to "Seek first the kingdom of God and [then] all these [other] things will be added to you" (v. 33). Jus' Sayn.
The purpose is to bring yourself humbly before the God of creation and the priority is seeking his will over our own. The point, using the King James Version, is seen in the contrast of "Thy" with "My."
We tend to pray with our own or "my" will in mind. We tell God what we want and how we think He should go about arranging it for us. Not that we aren't to ask for our needs, as is seen in "give us this day our daily bread" (v. 11). But, we are to understand that our desires must be in defference to His will, that God is the center and we are on the periphery.
It may not advance God's kingdom plans for me to be rich or have a different job or a bigger house in a better neighborhood. He may have some equipping in mind for me through a loss or time of trial. It may not be best that my love one live even another day on planet earth. Have you ever heard it said, "I regret having lived to see this day" or "I wish I were dead." Continuing to live doesn't necessarily mean it will be a blessing. Getting rich has actually been the ruin of many. Moving to another neighborhood may take you away from an opportunity to bring someone to Christ.
Prayer time ought to begin with praise and thanksgiving to God. It should serve to open our hearts and bend our wills to Him. In prayer, as in life, we ought to "Seek first the kingdom of God and [then] all these [other] things will be added to you" (v. 33). Jus' Sayn.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Hard Knocks
Life is an education. Each of us has been enrolled into the School of Hard Knocks. You have probably already been through several courses by now. You've probably noticed that the grading system is pass/fail. We either advance upward or we are held back by each experience.
The lessons we are given will have an outcome that either further equipps us for life or mires us down in it. The same lesson can have either effect. Some people will be given a lemon and make lemonaide, others will become soured by the experience. It isn't the lessons themselves but, rather, how we deal with them.
Listen to the apostle Paul talk about attendance in the School of Hard Knocks in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
If you know his life story, you know he faced more and greater adversity than most can even imagine, but he was not held back or pushed down by the losses and the pain. He was injured but not paralyzed, he continued moving onward and upward.
The reason? Paul always moved forward, not because of his great abilities but because of his unmoved focus (vv. 16-18): "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
I once read, regarding concentration camp survivors, "Man can deal with almost any what as long as he knows the why." Not particularly why this is happening but why I should press on. I press on for my family, for my country, for my dream - and the greatest why is, "I press on for the glory of heaven." Jus' Sayn.
The lessons we are given will have an outcome that either further equipps us for life or mires us down in it. The same lesson can have either effect. Some people will be given a lemon and make lemonaide, others will become soured by the experience. It isn't the lessons themselves but, rather, how we deal with them.
Listen to the apostle Paul talk about attendance in the School of Hard Knocks in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
If you know his life story, you know he faced more and greater adversity than most can even imagine, but he was not held back or pushed down by the losses and the pain. He was injured but not paralyzed, he continued moving onward and upward.
The reason? Paul always moved forward, not because of his great abilities but because of his unmoved focus (vv. 16-18): "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
I once read, regarding concentration camp survivors, "Man can deal with almost any what as long as he knows the why." Not particularly why this is happening but why I should press on. I press on for my family, for my country, for my dream - and the greatest why is, "I press on for the glory of heaven." Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Got Happy?
Today is the 13th anniversary of 9/11. With the morphing of al-Qaeda to ISIS or ISIL, do you feel any safer? Polls show most Americans don't. The Great Recession officially lasted from December 2007 until the Summer of Recovery in June 2009, do you feel any better off financially? According to CNN Money, income has dropped 8.3% below where it was in 2007.
Despite being the world's only super power, America is not doing super. In fact, according to the World Happiness Report, America comes in behind Mexico in our happiness factor. Really? Mexico? Wow! That hope and change thing seems to have changed our hope to despair. But should it have?
Is our hope for tomorrow and our happiness for today to be dependent on the rise and fall of the GNP or the terror threat of ISIL? Is it even to be dependent on personal gains or losses? Will you be happier when you get that raise? Will you be content when your child is out of trouble? Will retirement bring contentment?
No! Happiness is not a product of external factors at all, happiness is a choice, something we decide to embrace or reject. The Bible is very clear in saying, "Rejoice always and again I will say rejoice!" (Phil 4:4). Paul goes on to say, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and all circumstances" (v. 12).
Some of the happiest people I have encountered have been the poorest and some of the most depressed have been well to do. When everything goes right, some folks still turn left. When the world comes crashing in around some people they simply climb up the rubble with a smile on their faces. People who are waiting for the world to make them happy, keep waiting. People who choose to be happy are never put on hold.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "A man will be about as happy as he chooses to be." And, I hasten to add that Abraham Lincoln's life was marked with more adversity than advancement. Paul's life was marked with more persecution than privilege. Jesus Christ's life was marked by suffering. Nonetheless, "For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame..." (Heb 12:2).
Don't wait for happiness, embrace happiness where you are. In Christ, we can face anything, rejoicing in the knowledge that He has given us the victory and that his glory is ours. Jus' Sayn.
Despite being the world's only super power, America is not doing super. In fact, according to the World Happiness Report, America comes in behind Mexico in our happiness factor. Really? Mexico? Wow! That hope and change thing seems to have changed our hope to despair. But should it have?
Is our hope for tomorrow and our happiness for today to be dependent on the rise and fall of the GNP or the terror threat of ISIL? Is it even to be dependent on personal gains or losses? Will you be happier when you get that raise? Will you be content when your child is out of trouble? Will retirement bring contentment?
No! Happiness is not a product of external factors at all, happiness is a choice, something we decide to embrace or reject. The Bible is very clear in saying, "Rejoice always and again I will say rejoice!" (Phil 4:4). Paul goes on to say, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and all circumstances" (v. 12).
Some of the happiest people I have encountered have been the poorest and some of the most depressed have been well to do. When everything goes right, some folks still turn left. When the world comes crashing in around some people they simply climb up the rubble with a smile on their faces. People who are waiting for the world to make them happy, keep waiting. People who choose to be happy are never put on hold.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "A man will be about as happy as he chooses to be." And, I hasten to add that Abraham Lincoln's life was marked with more adversity than advancement. Paul's life was marked with more persecution than privilege. Jesus Christ's life was marked by suffering. Nonetheless, "For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame..." (Heb 12:2).
Don't wait for happiness, embrace happiness where you are. In Christ, we can face anything, rejoicing in the knowledge that He has given us the victory and that his glory is ours. Jus' Sayn.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Two Sins, One Way
The Children of Israel were led out of bondage to Egypt and into the Promised Land by the hand of God. He freed them, provided for them and established them in the land. But, Israel did not remain faithful to God. They sinned in turning away from Him.
In fact, they were guilty of a double sin: "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).
Israel sinned in turning their backs on the God of their Fathers, who freed them from slavery and delievered them to a land of plenty. They sinned again by trying to provide for themselves in the land by making treaties with godless nations instead of relying on the God of Abraham.
America was formed as "one nation under God" and God has blessed America above all other nations. But we are steadily turning away from him, relying on foreign trade and treaties as we move toward a "One World Order." We are guilty of the same double sin - a combination that even predates Jeremiah, going back to the tower of Babylon, where they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavvens, so thatt we may make a name for ourselves." (Gen 11:4).
Countless individuals make the same mistake of turning away from God, who desires to give us abundant life, trying to go it on our own. Many truly think they are the captains of their own destiny and that they can insure their own futures. We turn to our gods of money, education, power, etc. - only to discover in the end that these were not really gods at all, having no power to save or give life. Jesus is "the way, the truth, the life" (Jn 14:6a) - everything else promising life or to provide a way is only posing as truth.
There is only one Source of life, only one way to the Kingdom and "no one comes to the Father except through [Jesus]" (Jn 14:6b). Jus' Sayn.
In fact, they were guilty of a double sin: "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).
Israel sinned in turning their backs on the God of their Fathers, who freed them from slavery and delievered them to a land of plenty. They sinned again by trying to provide for themselves in the land by making treaties with godless nations instead of relying on the God of Abraham.
America was formed as "one nation under God" and God has blessed America above all other nations. But we are steadily turning away from him, relying on foreign trade and treaties as we move toward a "One World Order." We are guilty of the same double sin - a combination that even predates Jeremiah, going back to the tower of Babylon, where they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavvens, so thatt we may make a name for ourselves." (Gen 11:4).
Countless individuals make the same mistake of turning away from God, who desires to give us abundant life, trying to go it on our own. Many truly think they are the captains of their own destiny and that they can insure their own futures. We turn to our gods of money, education, power, etc. - only to discover in the end that these were not really gods at all, having no power to save or give life. Jesus is "the way, the truth, the life" (Jn 14:6a) - everything else promising life or to provide a way is only posing as truth.
There is only one Source of life, only one way to the Kingdom and "no one comes to the Father except through [Jesus]" (Jn 14:6b). Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Debt Forgiveness
America is the land of the free spender and home of the brave plastic user. We face any want courageously as we weild our credit cards with abandon. "Damn the torpedoed savings accounts full spending ahead" (My apologies to admiral David Farragut of the Battle of Mobile Bay).
As a result, we live in perpetual debt. Some Americans have more debt than they can ever repay in their lifetimes. Many just keep cycling the debt over and over by refinancing their houses, buying new cars with negative equity in their old ones and vacationing beyond their means, or whatever. Even those not given to finacing their wants may find themselves buried in debt due to tragedy, law suit or medical costs.
But just imagine your debtors called to say that all your debt was forgiven, you are now completely free and clear of everything you owe. What would be your reaction to being forgiven your debt?
In Luke 18, we read about a man who owed 100 lifetimes of debt to his master - a debt he could never repay. [26] “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ [27] The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go."
His reaction to being freed from debt was to demand repayment of a 100 day debt from another servant and having him thrown into prison for not being able to pay right away. He reacted to forgiveness with an unforgiving heart toward others.
Amazing that he would be so dismissive of the fact that he had been forgiven so much and yet he refused to forgive so little? Not really, it is more average than amazing. God forgives us for every sin we've ever committed and ever will by his grace and yet we so often refuse to forgive the few or even single sin someone else has committed against us. Now that is amazing! Amazingly ungrateful.
No one's debt of sin against us even begins to compare in the slightest degree to the debt of sin our Master has forgiven. Can we not forgive the lesser as we've been forgiven the greater? And, if we don't, what then? Read Matthew 18 and see the Master's reaction to the refusal of the one servant to forgive the debt of another. You will find reason to forgive others. Jus' Sayn.
As a result, we live in perpetual debt. Some Americans have more debt than they can ever repay in their lifetimes. Many just keep cycling the debt over and over by refinancing their houses, buying new cars with negative equity in their old ones and vacationing beyond their means, or whatever. Even those not given to finacing their wants may find themselves buried in debt due to tragedy, law suit or medical costs.
But just imagine your debtors called to say that all your debt was forgiven, you are now completely free and clear of everything you owe. What would be your reaction to being forgiven your debt?
In Luke 18, we read about a man who owed 100 lifetimes of debt to his master - a debt he could never repay. [26] “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ [27] The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go."
His reaction to being freed from debt was to demand repayment of a 100 day debt from another servant and having him thrown into prison for not being able to pay right away. He reacted to forgiveness with an unforgiving heart toward others.
Amazing that he would be so dismissive of the fact that he had been forgiven so much and yet he refused to forgive so little? Not really, it is more average than amazing. God forgives us for every sin we've ever committed and ever will by his grace and yet we so often refuse to forgive the few or even single sin someone else has committed against us. Now that is amazing! Amazingly ungrateful.
No one's debt of sin against us even begins to compare in the slightest degree to the debt of sin our Master has forgiven. Can we not forgive the lesser as we've been forgiven the greater? And, if we don't, what then? Read Matthew 18 and see the Master's reaction to the refusal of the one servant to forgive the debt of another. You will find reason to forgive others. Jus' Sayn.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Looking The Fool
We live in a world where image is everything. In the realm of politics, it is called "optics." The meaning behind that word is doesn't matter what you really believe or do, it is what it looks like you believe or are doing that is important. Politicians become masters of the photo op, that thing they do for the benefit of the camera that sends an image of what they want people to believe.
We may not have a press corps following us to snap photos as we visit a monument or stop by a hospital or shake someone's hand, we are aware that people are watching and opinions are being formed, and yes, cell phones may be at the ready for the next FaceBook or YouTube contribution.
The point is that we allow what people will think to determine what we will do rather than do what we think we should do. We say things like, "I would but what will people say?" or "I don't want to go but what will people think if I don't show up?" And, God forbid, that we would do anything that would make us look foolish in the eyes of others - even if they are fools.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector in a time when tax collectors were notorious for the way they abused their power, taking more than due and lining their own pockets with the hard-earned money of people who had little to live on to begin with. Zacchaeus knew that the people hated him and would love catch him looking a fool in order to ridicule him, extracting a humiliation tax from him.
Nonetheless, when Jesus was passing by, being too short to see over the crowd, he climbed a tree to be able to get a glance. Little man up in a tree - he placed himself in a perfect spot to be ridiculed. Not only would the crowd of people be pointing, what exactly would the Rabbi have to say about this display? Imagine the optics of this moment and the possible backlash.
It was very risky business indeed but Zacchaeus willing rolled the dice, not caring if they came up seven or snake eyes, he was willing to risk whatever was necessary in order to see Jesus. The result was nothing he would have guessed. Oh, the Rabbi pointed him out on the tree, calling him out by name, but not to ridicule him but to reward him. "When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (Luke 19:5).
Zacchaeus risked looking the fool in the eyes of everyone in order to allow his eyes to see Jesus. The result was that Jesus saw him and loved what he saw - someone willing to risk it all in the pursuit of doing what he believed he ought. I want to be a fool like that, I want to always be willing to look the fool in pursuit of focusing on Jesus. I want to be a disciple who dares to be different. Jus' Sayn.
We may not have a press corps following us to snap photos as we visit a monument or stop by a hospital or shake someone's hand, we are aware that people are watching and opinions are being formed, and yes, cell phones may be at the ready for the next FaceBook or YouTube contribution.
The point is that we allow what people will think to determine what we will do rather than do what we think we should do. We say things like, "I would but what will people say?" or "I don't want to go but what will people think if I don't show up?" And, God forbid, that we would do anything that would make us look foolish in the eyes of others - even if they are fools.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector in a time when tax collectors were notorious for the way they abused their power, taking more than due and lining their own pockets with the hard-earned money of people who had little to live on to begin with. Zacchaeus knew that the people hated him and would love catch him looking a fool in order to ridicule him, extracting a humiliation tax from him.
Nonetheless, when Jesus was passing by, being too short to see over the crowd, he climbed a tree to be able to get a glance. Little man up in a tree - he placed himself in a perfect spot to be ridiculed. Not only would the crowd of people be pointing, what exactly would the Rabbi have to say about this display? Imagine the optics of this moment and the possible backlash.
It was very risky business indeed but Zacchaeus willing rolled the dice, not caring if they came up seven or snake eyes, he was willing to risk whatever was necessary in order to see Jesus. The result was nothing he would have guessed. Oh, the Rabbi pointed him out on the tree, calling him out by name, but not to ridicule him but to reward him. "When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today" (Luke 19:5).
Zacchaeus risked looking the fool in the eyes of everyone in order to allow his eyes to see Jesus. The result was that Jesus saw him and loved what he saw - someone willing to risk it all in the pursuit of doing what he believed he ought. I want to be a fool like that, I want to always be willing to look the fool in pursuit of focusing on Jesus. I want to be a disciple who dares to be different. Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Mountain Tops and Hill Country
The Israelites were camped around the mountain at Horeb, where they experienced rest and safety. It was a good place to be and they were in no hurry to move away from this place but God knew this was not their destiny, their place was not at the mountain but in the hill country across the Jordan, a place where rest would be denied and safety would be at risk as they faced the enemy before them.
The Lord's word for the people was quite simple but so very profound, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain" (Deut 1:6). The rest was over, the preparation time had expired, it was time to re-engage in the battle.
We love mountain-top experiences, where everything seems to be at peace, when we feel "too blessed to be stressed." We enjoy those times and we want them to continue on without interruption. In truth, we think we deserve a life at the mountain top. We get frustrated and upset when life gets bumpy. Our faith takes a tumble when life becomes a train wreck.
Our problem is that we are confused about just where we are. While we are destined for an endless mountain-top existence, we have not come to that mountain yet, that mountain is in heaven, not on earth. On earth, we are in enemy territory and, apart from some times of rest and rejuvination, we are on the battle field. Embrace the mountain top times, enjoy them and be thankful but do not be deceived into thinking that is where you are called to live.
We have a mission on earth to advance the Kingdom of God in the hearts of men and we have an Advesary intent that we do not succeed in that mission. We are at war! War is hell - not heaven.
Live in today. If you are currently at the mountain top of ease and blessings, enjoy without worrying what tomorrow will bring. If you are in the hill country battling hard against the Enemy, don't despair, it won't continue indefinitely - a mountain top awaits you. Jesus Christ leads us into battle and by his power, we will win the war, but we do have to engage in the battles until then - not without breaks but without doubt that, along with the mountain-top experiences, we will face hill-country striving. Jus' Sayn.
The Lord's word for the people was quite simple but so very profound, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain" (Deut 1:6). The rest was over, the preparation time had expired, it was time to re-engage in the battle.
We love mountain-top experiences, where everything seems to be at peace, when we feel "too blessed to be stressed." We enjoy those times and we want them to continue on without interruption. In truth, we think we deserve a life at the mountain top. We get frustrated and upset when life gets bumpy. Our faith takes a tumble when life becomes a train wreck.
Our problem is that we are confused about just where we are. While we are destined for an endless mountain-top existence, we have not come to that mountain yet, that mountain is in heaven, not on earth. On earth, we are in enemy territory and, apart from some times of rest and rejuvination, we are on the battle field. Embrace the mountain top times, enjoy them and be thankful but do not be deceived into thinking that is where you are called to live.
We have a mission on earth to advance the Kingdom of God in the hearts of men and we have an Advesary intent that we do not succeed in that mission. We are at war! War is hell - not heaven.
Live in today. If you are currently at the mountain top of ease and blessings, enjoy without worrying what tomorrow will bring. If you are in the hill country battling hard against the Enemy, don't despair, it won't continue indefinitely - a mountain top awaits you. Jesus Christ leads us into battle and by his power, we will win the war, but we do have to engage in the battles until then - not without breaks but without doubt that, along with the mountain-top experiences, we will face hill-country striving. Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Present Suffering
If you were building a house, how would you judge the success of the building? Would you judge it by the cost of materials, the time required to build, the effort you expended, the set backs you endured, the frustrations expierenced with contractors? Or would you not judge it by the finished product? Would you not wait to see how well it is built, how comfortable it is for your family, how it stands against the elements and its asthetic value?
If you were to pursue a college degree, when would you judge it as being a worthwhile undertaking? Would the cost of tuition or the diffficulty of the exams or the hours required in study be the deciding factor or would it not be that you received a degree that enabled you to enjoy a career and its benefits?
The point I am making is that the success of a journey is not determined by the difficulties one encounters along the way, difficulties come and go. It is not determined by the cost, costs rise and fall. It is not determined by its ease, the level of difficulty vacilates with the changing terrain. You judge the success of a journey according to whether or not you arrived at the desired destination.
This is the reality of the Christian walk. We will experience difficulty along the way. As a child of God, you will have bad experiences along with the good. Your journey through life takes you through enemy terriorty and attacks from the Evil One are guaranteed as you move toward your heavenly calling. You will find that life in the Son brings heat from Satan as well as cooling shade from the Spirit.
What makes this journey with Christ worth the trip is not necessarily the smoothness of the sailing but rather the skill of the Captain to bring us to that land where the blessings of God will never be interrupted again, where life is found in its fullness and death is emptied of its power. As Paul writes in Romans 8:18, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Jus' Sayn.
If you were to pursue a college degree, when would you judge it as being a worthwhile undertaking? Would the cost of tuition or the diffficulty of the exams or the hours required in study be the deciding factor or would it not be that you received a degree that enabled you to enjoy a career and its benefits?
The point I am making is that the success of a journey is not determined by the difficulties one encounters along the way, difficulties come and go. It is not determined by the cost, costs rise and fall. It is not determined by its ease, the level of difficulty vacilates with the changing terrain. You judge the success of a journey according to whether or not you arrived at the desired destination.
This is the reality of the Christian walk. We will experience difficulty along the way. As a child of God, you will have bad experiences along with the good. Your journey through life takes you through enemy terriorty and attacks from the Evil One are guaranteed as you move toward your heavenly calling. You will find that life in the Son brings heat from Satan as well as cooling shade from the Spirit.
What makes this journey with Christ worth the trip is not necessarily the smoothness of the sailing but rather the skill of the Captain to bring us to that land where the blessings of God will never be interrupted again, where life is found in its fullness and death is emptied of its power. As Paul writes in Romans 8:18, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Jus' Sayn.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Giving Freely
In preparation to be sent out into the world, Jesus' disciples had been given spiritual gifts to heal the sick, drive out demons, cleanse the lepers and even raise the dead. As they were being sent out, he gave them this simple command, "Freely you have received; freely give" (Matt 10:8b).
The guiding prinicple was to generously dispense to others what had so generously deposited with them. The gifts they had were not there own to selfishly hold on to or selectively hand out, they were God's bounty given to them for the purpose of being used for kingdom business - business of blessing others.
In Christ, we all "have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us" (Rom 12:6), which He intends that we "give generously" (v. 8) as well.
We tend to think in monetary terms when it comes to giving, and certainly if we have money, it is only because God blessed us and he wants us to bless others with those kingdom resources. But just as important our gifts of leadership, mercy, insight, encouragement, service of many kinds. We have been given so much that can be shared in honor of the Most High.
Good stewardship is not to hold on to and preserve what God has seen fit to put into your hands, the parable of the talents or amounts of gold given to three servants in Matthew 25:14-30, clearly shows that the one who buried the money and gave it back to his master when he returned was a total disappointment. The master expected him to increase the amount by investing it, not return what he had been given.
The guiding principle for us is that gifts from God are investments intended to grow in kingdom value by sharing them generously with those whom God brings into our part of the kingdom. Money, skills, understanding, ability...whatever we have is what we are to invest in others, who can likewise invest causing exponential growth in His kingdom.
So tell me, what on earth are you doing for heaven's sake? Jus' Askn.
The guiding prinicple was to generously dispense to others what had so generously deposited with them. The gifts they had were not there own to selfishly hold on to or selectively hand out, they were God's bounty given to them for the purpose of being used for kingdom business - business of blessing others.
In Christ, we all "have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us" (Rom 12:6), which He intends that we "give generously" (v. 8) as well.
We tend to think in monetary terms when it comes to giving, and certainly if we have money, it is only because God blessed us and he wants us to bless others with those kingdom resources. But just as important our gifts of leadership, mercy, insight, encouragement, service of many kinds. We have been given so much that can be shared in honor of the Most High.
Good stewardship is not to hold on to and preserve what God has seen fit to put into your hands, the parable of the talents or amounts of gold given to three servants in Matthew 25:14-30, clearly shows that the one who buried the money and gave it back to his master when he returned was a total disappointment. The master expected him to increase the amount by investing it, not return what he had been given.
The guiding principle for us is that gifts from God are investments intended to grow in kingdom value by sharing them generously with those whom God brings into our part of the kingdom. Money, skills, understanding, ability...whatever we have is what we are to invest in others, who can likewise invest causing exponential growth in His kingdom.
So tell me, what on earth are you doing for heaven's sake? Jus' Askn.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Seeking God
When I began my preaching studies at Harding, I had to learn the names of all the kings of Israel and Judah, and something significant about each one. Over the years, most of their names have slipped from my memory. Only a very few of the most prominent can be found in the recesses of my mind.
One of those few is Hezekiah. He is one of those kings who I have thought of and taught about over the years because his personal life made such an impression on me. The reason for that impression is expressed in 2 Chron 31:20-21, "[20] This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. [21] In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered …"
Hezekiah got it. He didn't seek prosperity, he didn't seek success, he sought the Lord and served Him wholeheartedly. In so doing, he gained everything else, including the respect of God-fearing people for generations to come.
Hezekiah lived out the prinicple later recorded in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things willl be added to you as well." Hezekiah faithfully modeled the life to which we are called and demonstrated the truth of that principle. In seeking God as first order, his life was ordered properly and everything he needed was well supplied.
Most of those kings were spoiled by their power and wealth, ending up as failures not worth remembering. Hezekiah looked past his position and possessions to that which is truly valuable and gained all that the world had to offer by seeking what the world could not provide: The Inheritance of God, a place in His eternal kingdom.
So, tell me, just what are you seeking? Are your sights on what you can gather up here or on being part of The Gathering in heaven? Jus' Askn.
One of those few is Hezekiah. He is one of those kings who I have thought of and taught about over the years because his personal life made such an impression on me. The reason for that impression is expressed in 2 Chron 31:20-21, "[20] This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. [21] In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered …"
Hezekiah got it. He didn't seek prosperity, he didn't seek success, he sought the Lord and served Him wholeheartedly. In so doing, he gained everything else, including the respect of God-fearing people for generations to come.
Hezekiah lived out the prinicple later recorded in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things willl be added to you as well." Hezekiah faithfully modeled the life to which we are called and demonstrated the truth of that principle. In seeking God as first order, his life was ordered properly and everything he needed was well supplied.
Most of those kings were spoiled by their power and wealth, ending up as failures not worth remembering. Hezekiah looked past his position and possessions to that which is truly valuable and gained all that the world had to offer by seeking what the world could not provide: The Inheritance of God, a place in His eternal kingdom.
So, tell me, just what are you seeking? Are your sights on what you can gather up here or on being part of The Gathering in heaven? Jus' Askn.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Keeping Faith
We want to step up and be counted, instead we step in it more times than we can count. While we want to be counted among the faithful, we so often find ourselves being counted out again. We so identify with Paul's lament in Romans 7:19, "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing."
It would be easy to conclude that we are useless servants of God, fit only to be set aside for ones more worthy. And while it is true that we are not worthy, it is not true that we are fit only to be set aside. Our acceptance by God has nothing to do with our fitness but rather our faith.
Listen to the words of the Samuel the great prophet, priest and judge, “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart" (1 Sam 12:20). Despite your failures, despite your lack of fitness, don't lose your faith in God's goodness. Do not turn away in defeat, turn instead to God in devotion.
Paul's words echo this truth: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivverrs me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom 7:24-25).
Don't give up on yourself. Instead, give yourself over in faith to God, resting on his goodness and his grace rather than your ability to do good. You will fail and you will fall, but you need not fall away from grace - it is a gift, not a wage for services rendered.
I'm not suggesting we settle for a sinfilled life, I am saying that we cannot sever ourselves from our sinful selves, we have to live in a fallen condition that must trust in God to save. And, knowing we ae saved despite not ever having earned it, we can begin to serve God freely and accept his grace freely and walk in the freedom that comes from a life of faith.
We are not worthy, we are chosen - chosen to live a life that rises above the corruption of this world, not by works but "by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8). Even when you've dropped the ball, keep the faith. Jus' Sayn.
It would be easy to conclude that we are useless servants of God, fit only to be set aside for ones more worthy. And while it is true that we are not worthy, it is not true that we are fit only to be set aside. Our acceptance by God has nothing to do with our fitness but rather our faith.
Listen to the words of the Samuel the great prophet, priest and judge, “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart" (1 Sam 12:20). Despite your failures, despite your lack of fitness, don't lose your faith in God's goodness. Do not turn away in defeat, turn instead to God in devotion.
Paul's words echo this truth: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivverrs me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom 7:24-25).
Don't give up on yourself. Instead, give yourself over in faith to God, resting on his goodness and his grace rather than your ability to do good. You will fail and you will fall, but you need not fall away from grace - it is a gift, not a wage for services rendered.
I'm not suggesting we settle for a sinfilled life, I am saying that we cannot sever ourselves from our sinful selves, we have to live in a fallen condition that must trust in God to save. And, knowing we ae saved despite not ever having earned it, we can begin to serve God freely and accept his grace freely and walk in the freedom that comes from a life of faith.
We are not worthy, we are chosen - chosen to live a life that rises above the corruption of this world, not by works but "by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8). Even when you've dropped the ball, keep the faith. Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Jethro's Advice
I don't know how old the cliche is that says, "If you want it done right, do it yourself," but I know the belief goes back to at least the time of Moses. In Exodus 18, Moses sits as judge over all Israel from morning to night. He apparently felt that no one else in all of Israel could preside over a dispute - only he was capable.
His father-in-law, Jethro, was of a different opinion. “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Ex 18:17:18).
Jethro seemed to be of the opinion, "If you want it done right, don't do it yourself." Successful pastors, businessmen and political leaders know this to be true. Mega-church pastor, Dale Galloway, insists, "If you can find someone who can perform a task 80% as well as you, let them do it."
The idea is to allow others to share in the load and share the investment into the group. It is the law of mutuality, which comes from the very heart of Christ: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2).
When it comes to effective leadership, church growth or business building, it is important to delegate rather than dominate. Humbly accepting help, allowing others to shine, letting the cream rise to the top - this is real leadership, this is God's design. Good call Jethro. Jus' Sayn.
His father-in-law, Jethro, was of a different opinion. “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" (Ex 18:17:18).
Jethro seemed to be of the opinion, "If you want it done right, don't do it yourself." Successful pastors, businessmen and political leaders know this to be true. Mega-church pastor, Dale Galloway, insists, "If you can find someone who can perform a task 80% as well as you, let them do it."
The idea is to allow others to share in the load and share the investment into the group. It is the law of mutuality, which comes from the very heart of Christ: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2).
When it comes to effective leadership, church growth or business building, it is important to delegate rather than dominate. Humbly accepting help, allowing others to shine, letting the cream rise to the top - this is real leadership, this is God's design. Good call Jethro. Jus' Sayn.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Forsaking God
Jesus promised, "I will never leave you as orphaned" (Jn 14:18). He strengthened that promise in saying, "I will be with you until the end of the ages (Mt 28:20). And the Spirit reinforced that truth in saying that "nothing in all creation can seperate you from the love of God in Christ" (Rom 8:39).
Nothing can seperate us from his love and he will never walk away from us. But that does not mean we cannot seperate from God. We cannot be seperated, but we can seperate ourselves from him. Listen to the words of the Spirit through Moses, "The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you" ( 2 Chron 15:2).
God has nothing but love for us. That love cannot be destroyed but itt also will not be forced upon us. Joshua emplored the Israelites,"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Josh 24:15). And in John 1:11 we read, "He came to his own but his own received him not." God desires a love relationship withus and will not allow all the power of hell to deny it, but he will not force that love upon us. Love is only love when choice is allowed.
God paid the price for our sin. The gates of heaven are opened wide, the path home has been marked by the blood of Christ and now the ball is in our court. We have to choose whether to accept his grace and follow Jesus home or go off on our own. The choice is yours. What do you choose? Jus' Askn.
Nothing can seperate us from his love and he will never walk away from us. But that does not mean we cannot seperate from God. We cannot be seperated, but we can seperate ourselves from him. Listen to the words of the Spirit through Moses, "The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you" ( 2 Chron 15:2).
God has nothing but love for us. That love cannot be destroyed but itt also will not be forced upon us. Joshua emplored the Israelites,"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Josh 24:15). And in John 1:11 we read, "He came to his own but his own received him not." God desires a love relationship withus and will not allow all the power of hell to deny it, but he will not force that love upon us. Love is only love when choice is allowed.
God paid the price for our sin. The gates of heaven are opened wide, the path home has been marked by the blood of Christ and now the ball is in our court. We have to choose whether to accept his grace and follow Jesus home or go off on our own. The choice is yours. What do you choose? Jus' Askn.
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