As I sit here this morning on the eve of a new year, having just read from John 19, the words of Jesus from the cross, "It is finished," seem to put a seal on 2014 for me. 2014 is finished, the time allotted for this year has run out and it is over. But unlike Christ's work on earth, my work and the responsibilities flowing from it from 2014 are not finished.
Fires of activity were started that still need tending, plans were launched that still need to be hammered out and worked through. I'm juggling several balls that went up stamped 2014 and are coming down restamped 2015. The year is finished but the work, the responsibilities and forward motion continue.
The reality for me is less "It is finished" (Jn 19:30) and more "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on..." (Phil 3:13-14). I cannot afford to rest on the accomplishments of 2014 or allow myself to drug down by the set backs, I have to move forward into 2015, accepting the reality of unfinished business and the responisbility approaching from new business just over the horizon. The year has finished and it begins anew.
It is not finished in the sense that my work is done, but it is finished in the sense that Christ's work is done and therefore the end game for my work is sealed, it is finished. Say again? My work is ongoing, transferring from 2014 to 2015 and beyond, the battle continues but the war is won. My victory over life and death was won on the cross and therefore, it is finished. I don't have to worry if I will be good enough or accomplish enough, His work was more than enough for me.
That is the confidence we can carry into the 2015, regardless how 2014 ended up. Our victory is not for us to win, it has been won, troubles and setbacks notwithstanding. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). The road stretches out, the journey continues and some rough patches are ahead, but the destination is secure, the path clearly marked by the Savior. We, like Paul, have to strain toward what is before us but what is before us has been established by Jesus Christ and "It is finished!" Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Crooked Paths
In the late 80s, I stood at the top of Half Dome in Yosemite Park, looking out over the valley below. My mind was not the least bit occupied with the hours of tortuous hiking over switchbacked, crooked paths, quickly elevating trails and a 700 foot, near vertical climb at the end utilizing blocks and cable. My mind was simply taking in the awesome viewpoint of God's nature from a spot that realitively few ever experience. The arduous, crooked paths to get there were not just worth it, they seemed immaterial.
Looking back over my life, one cannot help but note some terribly difficult times. I suffered pain and loss and setbacks that I would wish on no one. But, on the other hand, looking at life from where I am standing now, I see hope and blessings and the awesome work of God in my life. It does not escape me that where I am, who I am and where I am going is intractably tied to the crooked path I traveled to get to this place. All, not just some, of my experiences served to bring me to this point, a vantage point to which God has brought me and a junction along the path to heaven itself.
I didn't enjoy every step of the climb to the top of Half Dome, but I had to take them all in order to reach the point from which I was able to see the grand view from the top. I do not think much about the difficulty of the journey itself, but I will never forget the view from the top. It is not the journey but the reaching of the desired desttination that is truly important. I could have taken a much easier path on the valley floor that day in Yosemite, but the view would have been so limited, so much less.
Did you enjoy every class, every project and every test in your educational journey? Not likely. But how do you feel about achieving your diploma? Do you enjoy every momentt of your workout at the gym? Not! But what about the defined muscles or trim waistline? The difficulty of the journey, the crookedness of the path, does not compare to the blessing of reaching the destination - as long as you continue the journey to the end.
Dropping out of college, aborting your exercise program or staying on the valley floor is when the journey itself makes a difference. If we continue to the end, reaching our destination, the journey becomes a part of the attained goal and part of its grandeur. The path on which God leads you home will be more than worth it - it will become a part of the heavenly prize. The pain and loss and sorrow will be swallowed up by the indescribable reward, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all " (2 Cor 4:17). Jus' Say'n.
Looking back over my life, one cannot help but note some terribly difficult times. I suffered pain and loss and setbacks that I would wish on no one. But, on the other hand, looking at life from where I am standing now, I see hope and blessings and the awesome work of God in my life. It does not escape me that where I am, who I am and where I am going is intractably tied to the crooked path I traveled to get to this place. All, not just some, of my experiences served to bring me to this point, a vantage point to which God has brought me and a junction along the path to heaven itself.
I didn't enjoy every step of the climb to the top of Half Dome, but I had to take them all in order to reach the point from which I was able to see the grand view from the top. I do not think much about the difficulty of the journey itself, but I will never forget the view from the top. It is not the journey but the reaching of the desired desttination that is truly important. I could have taken a much easier path on the valley floor that day in Yosemite, but the view would have been so limited, so much less.
Did you enjoy every class, every project and every test in your educational journey? Not likely. But how do you feel about achieving your diploma? Do you enjoy every momentt of your workout at the gym? Not! But what about the defined muscles or trim waistline? The difficulty of the journey, the crookedness of the path, does not compare to the blessing of reaching the destination - as long as you continue the journey to the end.
Dropping out of college, aborting your exercise program or staying on the valley floor is when the journey itself makes a difference. If we continue to the end, reaching our destination, the journey becomes a part of the attained goal and part of its grandeur. The path on which God leads you home will be more than worth it - it will become a part of the heavenly prize. The pain and loss and sorrow will be swallowed up by the indescribable reward, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all " (2 Cor 4:17). Jus' Say'n.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Imitation is th Real Thing
As a preaching student at Harding University, one of the things we were warned about was the temptation to unethically and illegally plagerize the writing of someone else. We were strongly warned to take the higher road of original thinking, to do and present our own work.
On the other hand, a more subtle truth was offered, tongue in check, by one of our more pragmatic professors, "Original thinking is the product of a poor memory." The point that he was making was to acknowledge that we did not just come to a conclusion or create a pattern of thoughts out of thin air. Our thoughts, our words and our presentations were built upon the works of others, which we studied from and by which our thoughts were formed.
Another professor quipped, "plagerism is stealing the thoughts of another individual, research is stealing the thoughts of two or more." The point being that we are not self-made preachers or writers or teachers - we stand upon the shoulders of others. And, in a real sense, we imitate the thinking, writing and speaking of others. We are a product of those we imitate.
In more general terms, we are to be ourselves - the self that God made us to be rather than try to be someone else or pretend to be other than what we are. But, at the same time, God did not make us completely in a vacuum. We have the combined DNA coding of our parents, we have the impressions made by our families, we have thoughts inserted by teachers, we have beliefs fomred by experience - there are many contributing individuals and factors that serve to mold us into who we are.
Original thinking and individualism notwithstanding, we are more a product of imitation than self-determination. Yes, we must be ourselves. But the self we become rests on the contributions of many. That is why carefully choosing our friends, our church and our associations is so important. We will be influenced by those with whom we surround ourselves.
That is why it is so important to be in the Word, studying the life, times and person of Jesus Christ. We need to be heavily influenced by him. More than any other, we need to "have this mind of Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). We need to love like him, think like him, react like him, share like him, sacrifice like him... To be a Christian is to be "a little Christ." A disciple is one who "is covered by the dust of his teacher," or to closely follow the one from whom he is receiving instruction.
When we are striving to be like Christ, our imitation is the real thing. We are called to "become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:13). In the process, it is even good to imitate others who themselves are imitators of Christ: "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1).
The point being that who we become ought to be primarily influenced by the personhood of Christ, directly and indirectly - in the spirit, in the word or in the person of a godly disciple of Christ. Go ahead and copy Christ. Imitation of Him is the real thing. Jus' Say'n.
On the other hand, a more subtle truth was offered, tongue in check, by one of our more pragmatic professors, "Original thinking is the product of a poor memory." The point that he was making was to acknowledge that we did not just come to a conclusion or create a pattern of thoughts out of thin air. Our thoughts, our words and our presentations were built upon the works of others, which we studied from and by which our thoughts were formed.
Another professor quipped, "plagerism is stealing the thoughts of another individual, research is stealing the thoughts of two or more." The point being that we are not self-made preachers or writers or teachers - we stand upon the shoulders of others. And, in a real sense, we imitate the thinking, writing and speaking of others. We are a product of those we imitate.
In more general terms, we are to be ourselves - the self that God made us to be rather than try to be someone else or pretend to be other than what we are. But, at the same time, God did not make us completely in a vacuum. We have the combined DNA coding of our parents, we have the impressions made by our families, we have thoughts inserted by teachers, we have beliefs fomred by experience - there are many contributing individuals and factors that serve to mold us into who we are.
Original thinking and individualism notwithstanding, we are more a product of imitation than self-determination. Yes, we must be ourselves. But the self we become rests on the contributions of many. That is why carefully choosing our friends, our church and our associations is so important. We will be influenced by those with whom we surround ourselves.
That is why it is so important to be in the Word, studying the life, times and person of Jesus Christ. We need to be heavily influenced by him. More than any other, we need to "have this mind of Christ Jesus" (Phil 2:5). We need to love like him, think like him, react like him, share like him, sacrifice like him... To be a Christian is to be "a little Christ." A disciple is one who "is covered by the dust of his teacher," or to closely follow the one from whom he is receiving instruction.
When we are striving to be like Christ, our imitation is the real thing. We are called to "become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:13). In the process, it is even good to imitate others who themselves are imitators of Christ: "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1).
The point being that who we become ought to be primarily influenced by the personhood of Christ, directly and indirectly - in the spirit, in the word or in the person of a godly disciple of Christ. Go ahead and copy Christ. Imitation of Him is the real thing. Jus' Say'n.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Self-Commendation
I've often heard non-church goers say something like, "I'm just as good as anyone down at the church." My first mental reaction to a statement like that usually is, "Maybe so, but that's not good enough." The church is filled with sinners, so how does being as good as they are much of a commendation?
My second mental reaction tends to be, "How do you know you are as good as they are?" As there is only one Judge, what makes anyone so certain of their assessment of another's character? The Bible clearly speaks of righteous and unrighteous, good and evil, workers an lazy, etc. We are not all geared the same way. We may all have the same value to a loving God, but we are not all bringing the same value into his service.
Setting aside the fact of our personal sin condition and the foolishness of judging others, there is another very good reason not to rely on our own self-commendation: "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends" (2 Cor 10:18). Our own approval does not carry any weight. Again, we are not judge, not even of ourselves.
Paul highlights this false-thinking very succintly in saying, "When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise" (2 Cor 10:12). We are not the judge nor are we the measuring stick. Simply put, self-commendation has no real value. When I was in the Air Force, I received the Air Force Medal of Commendation. What do you think that would have been worth to me or anyone if I was the one who bestowed the medal on myself? Exactly! Self-commendation is not very commendable.
So, perhaps it would be wise to set aside any effort to commend ourselves and instead, simply do our best to serve God and man, leaving the assessment of our actions to God above, who is Judge. It hardly matters what I think or you think about my life. It only matters what God thinks. As Paul postulates in Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand."
Our focus ought to be selfless service rather than self-centered commendation. Let us serve God and he will commend us. Moreover, he will cause us to stand firm even when we feel shaky. We are saved by His grace, not our goodness.
My second mental reaction tends to be, "How do you know you are as good as they are?" As there is only one Judge, what makes anyone so certain of their assessment of another's character? The Bible clearly speaks of righteous and unrighteous, good and evil, workers an lazy, etc. We are not all geared the same way. We may all have the same value to a loving God, but we are not all bringing the same value into his service.
Setting aside the fact of our personal sin condition and the foolishness of judging others, there is another very good reason not to rely on our own self-commendation: "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends" (2 Cor 10:18). Our own approval does not carry any weight. Again, we are not judge, not even of ourselves.
Paul highlights this false-thinking very succintly in saying, "When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise" (2 Cor 10:12). We are not the judge nor are we the measuring stick. Simply put, self-commendation has no real value. When I was in the Air Force, I received the Air Force Medal of Commendation. What do you think that would have been worth to me or anyone if I was the one who bestowed the medal on myself? Exactly! Self-commendation is not very commendable.
So, perhaps it would be wise to set aside any effort to commend ourselves and instead, simply do our best to serve God and man, leaving the assessment of our actions to God above, who is Judge. It hardly matters what I think or you think about my life. It only matters what God thinks. As Paul postulates in Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand."
Our focus ought to be selfless service rather than self-centered commendation. Let us serve God and he will commend us. Moreover, he will cause us to stand firm even when we feel shaky. We are saved by His grace, not our goodness.
Monday, December 22, 2014
What Should I Do?
When one begins to turn to Jesus, a natural question is, "What should I do?" The answer one generally gets is something along the line os get baptized, attend church, start tithing, stop drinking, stop cussing, get involved in ministry...
Converesly to what we are generally told, when John The Baptist, the one who set the stage for Jesus' ministry, was asked that, he said nothing about church attendance or tithing or drinking and such. Let's take a look at Luke 3:10-14, to see what John has to say. "'What should we do then ?' the crowd asked. John answered, 'Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.' Even tax collectors came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, 'what should we do?' 'Don't collect any more than you are required to,' he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, 'And what should we do?' He replied, 'Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely —be content with your pay.'"
Notice that rather than give them a set of rules to follow or point out a series of rituals to keep, he tells them to begin where thry were and make fundamental changes in their hearts. To the crowds of Israelites he said to be merciful; to the tax collectors he said to be honest and to the soldiers he said to be law abiding.
The other would come, growth would happen, each would seek out a place and a manner of worship; each would want to contribute to the needs of the church, each would want to be involved in ministry, each would want to grow in grace and holiness; but the immediate need and the most pressing concern of God is that we experience a heart shift - a shift from self to others.
What John told those gathered sounded a lot like the prophet Micah, "He has shown you, O ortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). Start with self, become more like Jesus - selfless, not self9sh.
Notice Paul's charge to us in Phillippians 2:5-8 to "Have the same mindset of Christ Jesu: Who, being in very natuure God...made himself nothing, by taking the very nature of a servant...he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross."
The beginning point is radical hearth change that seeks the good of others above self. For thi is the basis of all righteous living: For all laws are "summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself: Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law: (Rom 13:9-10). And, the beginning point of judgmen is found in "the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Heb 4:12). Jus' Say'n.
Converesly to what we are generally told, when John The Baptist, the one who set the stage for Jesus' ministry, was asked that, he said nothing about church attendance or tithing or drinking and such. Let's take a look at Luke 3:10-14, to see what John has to say. "'What should we do then ?' the crowd asked. John answered, 'Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.' Even tax collectors came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, 'what should we do?' 'Don't collect any more than you are required to,' he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, 'And what should we do?' He replied, 'Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely —be content with your pay.'"
Notice that rather than give them a set of rules to follow or point out a series of rituals to keep, he tells them to begin where thry were and make fundamental changes in their hearts. To the crowds of Israelites he said to be merciful; to the tax collectors he said to be honest and to the soldiers he said to be law abiding.
The other would come, growth would happen, each would seek out a place and a manner of worship; each would want to contribute to the needs of the church, each would want to be involved in ministry, each would want to grow in grace and holiness; but the immediate need and the most pressing concern of God is that we experience a heart shift - a shift from self to others.
What John told those gathered sounded a lot like the prophet Micah, "He has shown you, O ortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). Start with self, become more like Jesus - selfless, not self9sh.
Notice Paul's charge to us in Phillippians 2:5-8 to "Have the same mindset of Christ Jesu: Who, being in very natuure God...made himself nothing, by taking the very nature of a servant...he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross."
The beginning point is radical hearth change that seeks the good of others above self. For thi is the basis of all righteous living: For all laws are "summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself: Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law: (Rom 13:9-10). And, the beginning point of judgmen is found in "the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Heb 4:12). Jus' Say'n.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Timing
One of the axioms in business is, "Timing is everything." That is not only true in business, it is true in all of life. As Solomon revealed millenia ago, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" (Eccl 3:1). And, experientially, we know it to be true. Planting crops must be in season, making investments must coincide with the rise and fall of market trends, becoming pregnant depends on cycles. We're born, we die, we increase, we decrease, we begin, we conclude; timing is everything.
We all know this to be true and yet, we don't want to wait. We're more like the woman who prayed for patience and asked the Lord to give it to her right away. To test the patience level of the average American, try pausing more than two seconds after the traffic light turns green. Ever watch people after they push an elevator button? Maybe that was you who sighing with exasperation as it took more than a minute to open.
Patience is called a virtue in Colossians 3:12-14. Forbearance and self-control are identified as fruits of the Spirit of God in Galatians 5:22-23. We are specifically instructed, "Be patient then, brothers and sisters...See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waitting for the autumn and spring rains. You too be patient" (Jam 5:7-8).
And yet, we seem to think it is somehow virtuous to be in a hurry, to get on it, get it done and move on. Waiting for results generally results in our becoming impatient. At the same time, we dream of a vacation on a sunny island beach, where we can lay back, slow down and do anything but hurry. I wonder which part of us is correct - the hurried, can't wait to get it done or the relaxed, I can wait for the right time?
The Word of God is clear, your inner desire is unwavering; the peace of the patient spirit is far superior to the anxiety of the hurried flesh. So, why don't you slow down a bit, why don't you seek a sabbath rest, why won't you be more patient? Since timing is everything, why don't you wait on the Lord's timing? Jus' Ask'n.
We all know this to be true and yet, we don't want to wait. We're more like the woman who prayed for patience and asked the Lord to give it to her right away. To test the patience level of the average American, try pausing more than two seconds after the traffic light turns green. Ever watch people after they push an elevator button? Maybe that was you who sighing with exasperation as it took more than a minute to open.
Patience is called a virtue in Colossians 3:12-14. Forbearance and self-control are identified as fruits of the Spirit of God in Galatians 5:22-23. We are specifically instructed, "Be patient then, brothers and sisters...See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waitting for the autumn and spring rains. You too be patient" (Jam 5:7-8).
And yet, we seem to think it is somehow virtuous to be in a hurry, to get on it, get it done and move on. Waiting for results generally results in our becoming impatient. At the same time, we dream of a vacation on a sunny island beach, where we can lay back, slow down and do anything but hurry. I wonder which part of us is correct - the hurried, can't wait to get it done or the relaxed, I can wait for the right time?
The Word of God is clear, your inner desire is unwavering; the peace of the patient spirit is far superior to the anxiety of the hurried flesh. So, why don't you slow down a bit, why don't you seek a sabbath rest, why won't you be more patient? Since timing is everything, why don't you wait on the Lord's timing? Jus' Ask'n.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Yes or No
My Mother was a very biblically-centric individual. She believed everything the Bible said and believed that Word settled everything - a position I share wih her. However, I can't say I share everything she believed the Bible to say.
For instance, she taught us that the Bible taught we were not to allow ourselves to be sworn in if called to give testimony in court, that we were just to say we would tell the truth. Her reasoning was found in the words of Jesus' brother, James, which read, "Above all, my brothers andd sisters, do not swear---not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple 'Yes' or 'No.'Otherwise you will be condemned" (Js 5:12).
For instance, she taught us that the Bible taught we were not to allow ourselves to be sworn in if called to give testimony in court, that we were just to say we would tell the truth. Her reasoning was found in the words of Jesus' brother, James, which read, "Above all, my brothers andd sisters, do not swear---not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple 'Yes' or 'No.'Otherwise you will be condemned" (Js 5:12).
So, there you have it. Do not swear, just affirm or deny - yes or no, nothing more. Regardless of what the judge may tell you, do not allow yourself to be sworn in or to give testimoney under oath. I would have to agree with that position, if it weren't for the fact that it's wrong. I know it is wrong for a couple of reasons:
1. Jesus allowed himself to be questioned under oath. "The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God .' 'You have said so,' Jesus replied. 'But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matt 26:63-64). He would hardly tell us not to allow ourselves under oath and then allow himself to be.
2. Secondly, the statement to say yes or no, otherwise you will be condemned comes on the heels of the condemnation in Matthew 23:16-22, where the Pharisees and teachers of the law created different levels of oath taking, allowing one to make an oath but then break it because of a technicality. For instance to swear on the temple didn't really count unless you included the gold of the temple as well. It is a bit like promising with your fingers crossed.
So, what is the biblical principle? Glad you asked. The timeless and true principle is that God insists on us being honest, telling the truth. No gimmicks, no loopholes - let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Jus' Say'n.
2. Secondly, the statement to say yes or no, otherwise you will be condemned comes on the heels of the condemnation in Matthew 23:16-22, where the Pharisees and teachers of the law created different levels of oath taking, allowing one to make an oath but then break it because of a technicality. For instance to swear on the temple didn't really count unless you included the gold of the temple as well. It is a bit like promising with your fingers crossed.
So, what is the biblical principle? Glad you asked. The timeless and true principle is that God insists on us being honest, telling the truth. No gimmicks, no loopholes - let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Jus' Say'n.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Successful Failure
As humans, we have a hard time admitting failure. We are embarrased by it and we fear the consequences of it. We fear that if we admit failure our status will be diminished or perhaps we might lose our job or position in our church or community. The truth is, we fear that failure is fatal.
The greater truth is, we are wrong. Failure is not fatal. Our demise can come on the heels of failure, but it is not failure that causes the fatality, it is our refusal to accept, learn and grow from the failure that causes the death of a career or a business or a relationship, etc.
The fact of failure is that it has launched many very successful individuals. Henry Ford went broke seven times before founding Ford Motor Company. R.H. Macy started seven failed businesses before making it big with his store in NY City. Soichiro Honda was turned down for a job with Toyota before starting his own business. Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper because "he lacked iagination and had no good ideas." KFC's Colonel Sanders' famous chicken recipe was turned down 1009 times before a restaurant accepted it. The list goes on and on.
When the apostle Paul talked about his ministry efforts, which turned the ancient world upside down and impact us greatly even today, did not reveal a smooth sailing effort. Rather, he wrote, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor 4:8-9). The apostles were rejected over and over. They personally failed time after time. But, they did not give up. Their failures were not fatal.
There was one notable exception, however, Judas. Judas failed and then hung himself. Again, it was not the failure but his decision not to admit it, learn from it and grow. Peter, like Judas, betrayed Jesus, but Peter didn't hang himself, he came back, began again and became a "pillar" (Gal 2:9) in the church.
Listen to the call of Jesus, "Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me" (Matt 11:28-29). When we fail to measure up and life beats us down, that failure need not be fatal. We can turn to Jesus, lay our burden of failure at his feet, receive the healing we need, learn from his Divine counsel and begin again. Rather than get bent out of shape over a failure, we need to "humble ourselves before the Lord, and he will lift us up" (James 4:10).
The point is, failure isn't fatal, giving up is. Too often people give up, thinking it's over when it's only just begun. As the great theologian, Yogi Berra, once quipped, "It ain't over til it's over." Therefore don't give up as long as you're in the game. Jus' Say'n.
The greater truth is, we are wrong. Failure is not fatal. Our demise can come on the heels of failure, but it is not failure that causes the fatality, it is our refusal to accept, learn and grow from the failure that causes the death of a career or a business or a relationship, etc.
The fact of failure is that it has launched many very successful individuals. Henry Ford went broke seven times before founding Ford Motor Company. R.H. Macy started seven failed businesses before making it big with his store in NY City. Soichiro Honda was turned down for a job with Toyota before starting his own business. Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper because "he lacked iagination and had no good ideas." KFC's Colonel Sanders' famous chicken recipe was turned down 1009 times before a restaurant accepted it. The list goes on and on.
When the apostle Paul talked about his ministry efforts, which turned the ancient world upside down and impact us greatly even today, did not reveal a smooth sailing effort. Rather, he wrote, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor 4:8-9). The apostles were rejected over and over. They personally failed time after time. But, they did not give up. Their failures were not fatal.
There was one notable exception, however, Judas. Judas failed and then hung himself. Again, it was not the failure but his decision not to admit it, learn from it and grow. Peter, like Judas, betrayed Jesus, but Peter didn't hang himself, he came back, began again and became a "pillar" (Gal 2:9) in the church.
Listen to the call of Jesus, "Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me" (Matt 11:28-29). When we fail to measure up and life beats us down, that failure need not be fatal. We can turn to Jesus, lay our burden of failure at his feet, receive the healing we need, learn from his Divine counsel and begin again. Rather than get bent out of shape over a failure, we need to "humble ourselves before the Lord, and he will lift us up" (James 4:10).
The point is, failure isn't fatal, giving up is. Too often people give up, thinking it's over when it's only just begun. As the great theologian, Yogi Berra, once quipped, "It ain't over til it's over." Therefore don't give up as long as you're in the game. Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Posers
Jesus said, "Not everyone who say, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those that do the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt 7:21). His statement clearly reveals that there are those in the Christian Community who are not of the Company of Christians. They may be fans, but they are not followers. They may know of Jesus, but do not know him. Not everyone attending your church is filled with God's Spirit, not everyone claiming the Spirit of Christ, walk in the shadow of the cross. They are not disciples but rather posers, perhaps even deceiving themselves.
Luke tells of the seven sons of a priest named Sceva, who tried to cast out a demon using the power they had witnessed in the apostle Paul, as if they were empowered by the same Spirit. The confronted a man possessed with an evil spirit, which resulted in one of the most comical but telling narratives in Scripture: "… the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding" (Acts 19:15-16).
They knew the words, they knew the characters, but they did not know the living Christ nor the power, which comes from that fellowship with him, which "can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine..." (Eph 3:20). It isn't enough to be a fan of Jesus, we must be a follower. Or, in the wordsI grew up hearing, "Tt isn't enough to want a Savior, we must accept a Lord." The Lord Jesus is not a divine bell-hop that pops up like a genie out of a bottle we rub with words or prayer to do our bidding. He is the sovereign Lord of the Univerrse, to whom we must yield.
Posers can throw around the words of faith, but they do not operate in the power of faith. A follower of Christ will be changed, not in word but in deed. It is not the one who says "Lord, Lord," but the one who serves The Lord. The difference is plain to see. Othes will recognize the Spirit of Christ within you, if he resides there. Posers lack the transforming power of the cross, which becomes evident to all. And, most importantly, evident to God above. Jus' Say'n.
Luke tells of the seven sons of a priest named Sceva, who tried to cast out a demon using the power they had witnessed in the apostle Paul, as if they were empowered by the same Spirit. The confronted a man possessed with an evil spirit, which resulted in one of the most comical but telling narratives in Scripture: "… the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding" (Acts 19:15-16).
They knew the words, they knew the characters, but they did not know the living Christ nor the power, which comes from that fellowship with him, which "can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine..." (Eph 3:20). It isn't enough to be a fan of Jesus, we must be a follower. Or, in the wordsI grew up hearing, "Tt isn't enough to want a Savior, we must accept a Lord." The Lord Jesus is not a divine bell-hop that pops up like a genie out of a bottle we rub with words or prayer to do our bidding. He is the sovereign Lord of the Univerrse, to whom we must yield.
Posers can throw around the words of faith, but they do not operate in the power of faith. A follower of Christ will be changed, not in word but in deed. It is not the one who says "Lord, Lord," but the one who serves The Lord. The difference is plain to see. Othes will recognize the Spirit of Christ within you, if he resides there. Posers lack the transforming power of the cross, which becomes evident to all. And, most importantly, evident to God above. Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Stressed In
The first time I heard the phrase, "I'm stressed out" was from a preschool director in the late 80s. Her stress came, not from overwhelming failure but from overwhelming success. The school she had helped to start was beginning to outgrow staffing and facilities. It was a good problem to have but it was stressful
We tend to think of stress as a negative thing, weighing down on us, causing us harm. It is identified as a leading cause of heart disease and can preempt depression. Because stress is so stressful on the body, mind and soul, we look for ways to deflate it. However, when your stress comes on the heels of success, how do you deflate it? When that promotion adds extra responsibility, how do you deflate that? When that love child finally arrives, how do you deflate him/her? When you finally get accepted to graduate school...?
Success causes stress. And, unlike unwanted pressures like an IRS audit, loss of employment, chronic illness, etc., the stress you get from success is a good thing, which can propell you forward. But, it is still stress and as such, it can quickly move from healthy stress to disabling distress. Negative stress is by nature distressful and the need to deflate it is very important - you need to deflate the IRS problem, you need to undo the unemployment, you need to seek medical care for the chronic illness, etc. But why would you want to deflate the stress of success?
Rather than deflate successful stress, you need to inflate you faith in God's power to give you resources and reserves to meet it and use it to move you forward. That promotion is going to carry more responsiblity, that baby is going to need lots of attention, graduate school going to demand a lot from you - you don't want to take away that stress for it would me giving up the object of your desire that brought you the stress. You want to meet it, you just shouldn't meet it alone. Lean in on Jesus, accepting his offer to "take his yoke and learn from him and receive rest from him" (cf. Matt 11:28). "Humble yourself before God, casting your anxiety on him" (cf. 1 Pet 5:6-7). You can "do all things through Him who gives you strength" (Phil 4:13).
Deflate negative stress. Attack it, treat it, deal with it, dismiss it as quickly as you possibly can. But embrace positive stress, inflating your faith in God, rise up to the occassion by accepting the Lord's power to lift you up: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 Pet 5:6). Rather than be stressed out on a limb by yourself, get stressed in to a deeper and closer relationship with Jesus. Jus' Say'n.
We tend to think of stress as a negative thing, weighing down on us, causing us harm. It is identified as a leading cause of heart disease and can preempt depression. Because stress is so stressful on the body, mind and soul, we look for ways to deflate it. However, when your stress comes on the heels of success, how do you deflate it? When that promotion adds extra responsibility, how do you deflate that? When that love child finally arrives, how do you deflate him/her? When you finally get accepted to graduate school...?
Success causes stress. And, unlike unwanted pressures like an IRS audit, loss of employment, chronic illness, etc., the stress you get from success is a good thing, which can propell you forward. But, it is still stress and as such, it can quickly move from healthy stress to disabling distress. Negative stress is by nature distressful and the need to deflate it is very important - you need to deflate the IRS problem, you need to undo the unemployment, you need to seek medical care for the chronic illness, etc. But why would you want to deflate the stress of success?
Rather than deflate successful stress, you need to inflate you faith in God's power to give you resources and reserves to meet it and use it to move you forward. That promotion is going to carry more responsiblity, that baby is going to need lots of attention, graduate school going to demand a lot from you - you don't want to take away that stress for it would me giving up the object of your desire that brought you the stress. You want to meet it, you just shouldn't meet it alone. Lean in on Jesus, accepting his offer to "take his yoke and learn from him and receive rest from him" (cf. Matt 11:28). "Humble yourself before God, casting your anxiety on him" (cf. 1 Pet 5:6-7). You can "do all things through Him who gives you strength" (Phil 4:13).
Deflate negative stress. Attack it, treat it, deal with it, dismiss it as quickly as you possibly can. But embrace positive stress, inflating your faith in God, rise up to the occassion by accepting the Lord's power to lift you up: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 Pet 5:6). Rather than be stressed out on a limb by yourself, get stressed in to a deeper and closer relationship with Jesus. Jus' Say'n.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Foundations
At the edge of the Sea of Galilee, there are sandy flats, where some foolish builders would put up a house because the foundation came made to order - it was flat and level and easy to build upon. It was, however, made to order by the rainwater that would rage down the ravines into the sea. A newly built house on those sands was just one more thing to flatten.
Wise builders passed up the made to order sandy flats and made their way to the higher ground, which was princibly rock. It was hard to chisel out a flat foundation and difficult to attach the house to the foundation, but once accomplished, the spring rains and stormy winds had little effect on the house firmly built upon the rock foundation.
Jesus pointed out the contrast in the two builders, making a kingdom connection in Matthew 7:[24] “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Wise builders passed up the made to order sandy flats and made their way to the higher ground, which was princibly rock. It was hard to chisel out a flat foundation and difficult to attach the house to the foundation, but once accomplished, the spring rains and stormy winds had little effect on the house firmly built upon the rock foundation.
Jesus pointed out the contrast in the two builders, making a kingdom connection in Matthew 7:[24] “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Nothing has changed in the two thousand years since Christ spoke those words in the Sermon on the Mount. A solid foundation is still needed to support a lasting structure. And a solid foundation is not produced by minimal effort. If we take little to no time in study of God's Word, we will have little to no usable foundation for life and eternity. If we do little to no digging there will be little to no depth to our foundation of biblical knowledge and understanding of kingdom matters. The point of concern being that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom 10:17) and, therefore, if we have a weak foundation in the Word, we will have a weak foundation for our faith.
This is Jesus' point. Unless we dig into his Word and work it into our lives, our foundation for faith will not be strong enough to stand up to the storms of life. We, therefore, need to be people of the Book, who take time daily to commune with our God as we feast on His Word. Jus' Say'n.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Pleasing God
I grew up believing that what God wanted from me was church attendance as a high priority. Every time the doors were opened, I believed He expected me to be there. I believed I was to set aside money to put in the collection plate, again as a priority (not that I did but my Mom made sure there was something to offer, regardless). I believed that you had to partake of the Lord's Supper while keeping your mind focused on Christ not what you would do after church. I believed that one shouldn't drink, smoke or chew, nor date girls that do (apart from not dating girls that chewed tobacco, I didn't do well there either, but I believed it).
Different Christian denominations and sects have always had a list of things that one must do and those things that were to be avoided. Some have to do with the day of worship, some with the style of worship, some rules are dietary, some have to do with the amount of money dedicated to the offering, some have to do with how one dresses, length of hair, facial hair, wearing jewelry, you name it and someone has a rule about it. It seemed that nearly everything has an level of importance to someone. So many demands placed on us by the church in the name of God, but what is God really concerned about? Is he really concerned about tobacco chewing and square dancing and hair style?
Wouldn't it be great if God would have just told us what is important to him, what he requires of us so that we could please him? Actually, he has: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly a with your God" (Micah 6:8). Being godly is not about following rules, it is about following Jesus - adopting his mindset, which will produce a very particular lifestyle. It is not enough to desire justice in your life, we need to extend justice to others in how we treat them. It is not enough to want God to be merciful to us we must extend mercy to other - even though they do not deserve it. It is not enough to be right, which can produce pride, we must be righteous, which is based on God's gift and promotes humility.
All the things required by God, those things that really please him are not simply acts that we perform or accomplish, what pleases him is attitudinal - that which results from a condition of the heart. Listen to what the apostle Paul informs us in Romans 13:9-10, "The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not covet ,' and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.?
Is it really all that surprising that God "who is love" would be pleased if we would just love one another? As a parent, are you really pleased when your kids obey the rule not to fight each other or when they actually treat each other lovingly? Do you want compliance or committment from your children? Is it the things they do on the outside or the thing that is going on inside that pleases you most? Isn't it a matter of the heart that pleases you and God? Jus' Ask'n.
Different Christian denominations and sects have always had a list of things that one must do and those things that were to be avoided. Some have to do with the day of worship, some with the style of worship, some rules are dietary, some have to do with the amount of money dedicated to the offering, some have to do with how one dresses, length of hair, facial hair, wearing jewelry, you name it and someone has a rule about it. It seemed that nearly everything has an level of importance to someone. So many demands placed on us by the church in the name of God, but what is God really concerned about? Is he really concerned about tobacco chewing and square dancing and hair style?
Wouldn't it be great if God would have just told us what is important to him, what he requires of us so that we could please him? Actually, he has: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly a with your God" (Micah 6:8). Being godly is not about following rules, it is about following Jesus - adopting his mindset, which will produce a very particular lifestyle. It is not enough to desire justice in your life, we need to extend justice to others in how we treat them. It is not enough to want God to be merciful to us we must extend mercy to other - even though they do not deserve it. It is not enough to be right, which can produce pride, we must be righteous, which is based on God's gift and promotes humility.
All the things required by God, those things that really please him are not simply acts that we perform or accomplish, what pleases him is attitudinal - that which results from a condition of the heart. Listen to what the apostle Paul informs us in Romans 13:9-10, "The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not covet ,' and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.?
Is it really all that surprising that God "who is love" would be pleased if we would just love one another? As a parent, are you really pleased when your kids obey the rule not to fight each other or when they actually treat each other lovingly? Do you want compliance or committment from your children? Is it the things they do on the outside or the thing that is going on inside that pleases you most? Isn't it a matter of the heart that pleases you and God? Jus' Ask'n.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Radical Faith
The apostle Paul wrote, "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (2 Tim 4:18). He shares this promise to encourage those going through adversity that God is faithful. As we face circumstances, which challenge our faith, we can persevere, knowing God will be what he has always been: Faithful.
As you read these words you may be countering, But I prayed to God to save my marriage and today I'm divorced, denied custody of my kids and barely able to meet my bills while paying alimony and child support. I asked God to save my job and was laid off, nonetheless - I'm getting to the end of my unemployment benefit with no job in sight. My husband died anyway, my child is still lost, my disease is still progressing... How am I to believe, how am I to trust, how am I to remain faithful?
Radical faith! That is the only way to face the worst Satan has to throw at us. When everything is going your way, it takes little to have faith. When things go south, it takes much more faith to face the circumstances and consequences. But when things drop off the map - it takes radical faith.
Let me share with you a radical faith statement from the pages of the Bible: If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:17-18). That is radical! We are going to obediently trust in God, even if he does not deliver us from the fire.
Really? We are expected to trust in God's power to save, even when all evidence an current reality screams that we have lost, that we are defeated, that there is no hope? Precisely. Just as Jesus claimed victory from a Cross, which appeared to be his defeat. The apostle Paul, by the way, did not make the claim of God's power to rescue from a position of perpetual ease. Quite the opposite he proclaimed, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed..." (2 Cor 4:8-9).
Paul's faith was nourished rather than extinguished in hard times because he did not focused "on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (v. 18). That is the very reason Paul could be "content in all circumstances" (Phil 4:12) - his radical faith informed him that he "could do all things through [Christ] who gives [him] strength" (v. 13).
Victory of defeat is not determined by whether one gets everything for which they ask. It is determined by whether kingdom life is gained or not - both in this world and the world to come. Answered prayer is not just given in the affirmative, it is sometimes "no." God is working out bigger things than just what we see. And, his timing is not tied to ours. Paul's encouragement is not based on knowing what the future holds but rather Who holds the future. He's got the whole world in his hands, even yours, even now, even in the middle of your storm. Be radical, keep the faith even when you can't see the outcome. Jus' Say'n.
As you read these words you may be countering, But I prayed to God to save my marriage and today I'm divorced, denied custody of my kids and barely able to meet my bills while paying alimony and child support. I asked God to save my job and was laid off, nonetheless - I'm getting to the end of my unemployment benefit with no job in sight. My husband died anyway, my child is still lost, my disease is still progressing... How am I to believe, how am I to trust, how am I to remain faithful?
Radical faith! That is the only way to face the worst Satan has to throw at us. When everything is going your way, it takes little to have faith. When things go south, it takes much more faith to face the circumstances and consequences. But when things drop off the map - it takes radical faith.
Let me share with you a radical faith statement from the pages of the Bible: If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:17-18). That is radical! We are going to obediently trust in God, even if he does not deliver us from the fire.
Really? We are expected to trust in God's power to save, even when all evidence an current reality screams that we have lost, that we are defeated, that there is no hope? Precisely. Just as Jesus claimed victory from a Cross, which appeared to be his defeat. The apostle Paul, by the way, did not make the claim of God's power to rescue from a position of perpetual ease. Quite the opposite he proclaimed, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed..." (2 Cor 4:8-9).
Paul's faith was nourished rather than extinguished in hard times because he did not focused "on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (v. 18). That is the very reason Paul could be "content in all circumstances" (Phil 4:12) - his radical faith informed him that he "could do all things through [Christ] who gives [him] strength" (v. 13).
Victory of defeat is not determined by whether one gets everything for which they ask. It is determined by whether kingdom life is gained or not - both in this world and the world to come. Answered prayer is not just given in the affirmative, it is sometimes "no." God is working out bigger things than just what we see. And, his timing is not tied to ours. Paul's encouragement is not based on knowing what the future holds but rather Who holds the future. He's got the whole world in his hands, even yours, even now, even in the middle of your storm. Be radical, keep the faith even when you can't see the outcome. Jus' Say'n.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Are You Listening?
How often, as Christians, do we say something like, "I wish I knew God's will or purpose for me." We express a hunger as if God has withheld the desired nourishment. We wait for a sign to reveal our purpose and His plan in our lives as if He has left us directionless, without Word on what is desired in our lives. Really? Has God left us no Word on how to live our lives and what we ought to be pursuing? Not really.
Amos put it this way, "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets" (3:7). True, you might say, but I'm not a prophet and I don't know any personally. Really? You've never heard of Amos or Moses or Isaiah or Peter or Paul? Of course, but they aren't around to ask. Hmmm. You did know that they left instructions, right? You have heard of the Old Testament and New Testament writings, correct?
Were you aware that they were written with you in mind? Truely. Perhaps you will recall the words of Peter when he proclaimed, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Pet 1:3). And Paul directs us further by saying, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teachingg, rebuking, correcing and training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16). And this is not just an academic proclation but rather a personal calling to "Do your best to presentt yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correcttly handles the Word of Truth" (2 Tim 2:15).
God does not only speak to us thrugh the Bible - He also speaks through the church, the creation and our circumstances. But, He is always speaking to us. The problem is that we are not always listening. How often do you "take time to smell the roses" or "Be still and know I am God" (Ps 46:10)? How often do you take time to go talk to church leaders you respect for advice? How often do you prayerfully and carefully study the Scriptures? How frequently do you spend quiet time witth God?
What I am getting at is that God has spoke, is speaking and will continue to speak in various ways to which we have ready access but may not be accessing daily or hardly at all. Too often we wait for a Word from God when has sent a message after message that we have never opened. God has spoken and is speaking to you, "whoever has ears, let them hear whatt the Spirit says..." (Rom 2:7, 11, 17). Are you listening? Jus' Ask'n.
Amos put it this way, "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets" (3:7). True, you might say, but I'm not a prophet and I don't know any personally. Really? You've never heard of Amos or Moses or Isaiah or Peter or Paul? Of course, but they aren't around to ask. Hmmm. You did know that they left instructions, right? You have heard of the Old Testament and New Testament writings, correct?
Were you aware that they were written with you in mind? Truely. Perhaps you will recall the words of Peter when he proclaimed, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Pet 1:3). And Paul directs us further by saying, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teachingg, rebuking, correcing and training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16). And this is not just an academic proclation but rather a personal calling to "Do your best to presentt yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correcttly handles the Word of Truth" (2 Tim 2:15).
God does not only speak to us thrugh the Bible - He also speaks through the church, the creation and our circumstances. But, He is always speaking to us. The problem is that we are not always listening. How often do you "take time to smell the roses" or "Be still and know I am God" (Ps 46:10)? How often do you take time to go talk to church leaders you respect for advice? How often do you prayerfully and carefully study the Scriptures? How frequently do you spend quiet time witth God?
What I am getting at is that God has spoke, is speaking and will continue to speak in various ways to which we have ready access but may not be accessing daily or hardly at all. Too often we wait for a Word from God when has sent a message after message that we have never opened. God has spoken and is speaking to you, "whoever has ears, let them hear whatt the Spirit says..." (Rom 2:7, 11, 17). Are you listening? Jus' Ask'n.
Friday, December 12, 2014
A Reason For Everything
I often hear and I firmly believe, "There is a reason for everything." Usually when something bad or just unwanted happens is when I hear this refrain. It could be the loss of a job, a diagnosis of poor health, the breakup of a relationship, whatever. And, many times, the individual will add, "When the Lord closes a door, he opens a window." Cute and undoubtedly true at times, but "it ain't necessary so."
God is not behind everything we do: The Lord revealed through Jeremiah regarding the sarificing of the children of the people of Judah's children in fire, "I did not command, nor did it enter my mind" (7:31). In reference to someone else bringing harm to God's people, he once revealed through Isaiah, "If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing" (54:15). While God is soverign and supreme, he does not choose or cause everything that happens.
Sometimes the reason a relationship breaks up is simply because one or both is as hard-headed as a mule or onery as a jackass. Sometimes a person loses a job because they made poor choices or simply don't measure up. Sometimes we get sick because we do things that compromise our health. A while back, a man asked me why God gave him lung cancer. Knowing this man well enough to be completely candid, I said, "Do you suppose it might have less to do with God and more to do with the fact that you smoked for the last 40 years?"
Everything does have a reason. But sometimes the reason is that we do stupid things. As the great theologian, John Wayne, once said, "Life is hard. It's harder when you're stupid." Stupid, by the way, isn't necessarily chronic. It can be episodic. In other words, even an otherwise very bright person can make some very stupid mistakes and choices. I am highly educated and regard myself as fairly intelligent, but not above stupid at times.
God does have a plan and his purpose is for us to be voluntarily involved in his work but he gives us a choice as Johua exhorted Israel, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..." (24:15). He also can "make all things work for the good of those that love the Lord" (Rom 8:28), but that is not to say that he works everything into being, our circumstances and choices also come into play.
God has an overall purpose. There are specific facets of his plan surrounding your existence to which you are called. So far as you accept God and his purpose, he will "work in you to will and act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (Phil 2:13). However, if one resists God, in time he will give "them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done" (Rom 1:28).
There is a reason for everything. Make sure your reasons for choosing and doing are based on trust and obedience to God. Then he will work out good in your life - now and for eternity. Jus' Say'n.
God is not behind everything we do: The Lord revealed through Jeremiah regarding the sarificing of the children of the people of Judah's children in fire, "I did not command, nor did it enter my mind" (7:31). In reference to someone else bringing harm to God's people, he once revealed through Isaiah, "If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing" (54:15). While God is soverign and supreme, he does not choose or cause everything that happens.
Sometimes the reason a relationship breaks up is simply because one or both is as hard-headed as a mule or onery as a jackass. Sometimes a person loses a job because they made poor choices or simply don't measure up. Sometimes we get sick because we do things that compromise our health. A while back, a man asked me why God gave him lung cancer. Knowing this man well enough to be completely candid, I said, "Do you suppose it might have less to do with God and more to do with the fact that you smoked for the last 40 years?"
Everything does have a reason. But sometimes the reason is that we do stupid things. As the great theologian, John Wayne, once said, "Life is hard. It's harder when you're stupid." Stupid, by the way, isn't necessarily chronic. It can be episodic. In other words, even an otherwise very bright person can make some very stupid mistakes and choices. I am highly educated and regard myself as fairly intelligent, but not above stupid at times.
God does have a plan and his purpose is for us to be voluntarily involved in his work but he gives us a choice as Johua exhorted Israel, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..." (24:15). He also can "make all things work for the good of those that love the Lord" (Rom 8:28), but that is not to say that he works everything into being, our circumstances and choices also come into play.
God has an overall purpose. There are specific facets of his plan surrounding your existence to which you are called. So far as you accept God and his purpose, he will "work in you to will and act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (Phil 2:13). However, if one resists God, in time he will give "them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done" (Rom 1:28).
There is a reason for everything. Make sure your reasons for choosing and doing are based on trust and obedience to God. Then he will work out good in your life - now and for eternity. Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Why Wait?
Perhaps you've seen the TV ads regarding anuity or settlement payouts: "Why wait? Get your cash - NOW!" Or, "Receiving a strucured settlement? Get your cash NOW!" The idea is that is is oppressive and/or inconvenient to receive monthly payouts, better that you should get all your money today. After all, who wants a long-term income stream when you can get a lump sum and start your outgo gusher today. That's not the way they put it but it is what is actually offered: pile of cash to spend now vs stream of income into the future.
This notion of "don't wait, get it NOW!" pervades our media culture, appealing to our impatience. Need to lose weight? Don't wait, take this pill and get results "Now!" Saving for a vacation? Don't wait, put in on your credit card "Now!" Trying to build wealth? Don't wait, come to our casino and win it "Now!" Trying to get into shape at the gym? Don't wait, buy our armour clad undergarment "Now!" Whatever it is that you are working towards, stop working and get it now.
Except that you don't get it now. You get something else. How do you think those agencies that buy your anuity stay in business? They buy your anuity or structured payment for a fraction of what they will get by letting it pay them out. You don't get your money now, you get a portion of it and they get the rest. How is it that casinos pay out so much money and stay in business? Because, on the whole, they win and you lose. How is it that weight loss is a multi-billion dollar business and we are getting fatter? Because the gimmicks work temporarily but not long-term. People keep coming back, just like the weight. Proper nutrition and exercise are a lifestyle choice that create long-term changes.
This "Why Wait?" attitude was the basis of the temptations of Christ in the wilderness found in Matthew 4:1ff. Jesus was led into the desert and had fasted 40 days. Satan tempts implying, "You've waited long enough, you're hungry now, turns thes stones into bread." But Jesus was led into the desert and knew he needed to wait on God. "Man does not live by bread alone, bu by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (v. 4).
Jesus would grow in popularity, but why wait? Why not jump from this high place, which will garner you instant fame and following. Jesus refused to test God (v. 7) as the Father was testing him, proving him as a smelter puts gold or silver through similar fires of testing to bring out its best.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Satan took him to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms under his control and offers them to Jesus "Here and now." But Jesus knew that no lasting good could come from turning away from The Father of Life and toward The Father of Lies (cf. v. 10).
Jesus wasn't interested in fast, he was working on forever. To have taken Satan up on his offer of right now would have set him on a path of wrong from them on. What Satan had in mind was a "play now and pay later" scheme. It has been a best seller for thousands of years - this despite the fact that it has been a worst procducer all that time.
James gives this encouragement: "Be patient, then, brothers andd sisters...See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable cop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains" (Js 5:7). Jus' Say'n.
This notion of "don't wait, get it NOW!" pervades our media culture, appealing to our impatience. Need to lose weight? Don't wait, take this pill and get results "Now!" Saving for a vacation? Don't wait, put in on your credit card "Now!" Trying to build wealth? Don't wait, come to our casino and win it "Now!" Trying to get into shape at the gym? Don't wait, buy our armour clad undergarment "Now!" Whatever it is that you are working towards, stop working and get it now.
Except that you don't get it now. You get something else. How do you think those agencies that buy your anuity stay in business? They buy your anuity or structured payment for a fraction of what they will get by letting it pay them out. You don't get your money now, you get a portion of it and they get the rest. How is it that casinos pay out so much money and stay in business? Because, on the whole, they win and you lose. How is it that weight loss is a multi-billion dollar business and we are getting fatter? Because the gimmicks work temporarily but not long-term. People keep coming back, just like the weight. Proper nutrition and exercise are a lifestyle choice that create long-term changes.
This "Why Wait?" attitude was the basis of the temptations of Christ in the wilderness found in Matthew 4:1ff. Jesus was led into the desert and had fasted 40 days. Satan tempts implying, "You've waited long enough, you're hungry now, turns thes stones into bread." But Jesus was led into the desert and knew he needed to wait on God. "Man does not live by bread alone, bu by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (v. 4).
Jesus would grow in popularity, but why wait? Why not jump from this high place, which will garner you instant fame and following. Jesus refused to test God (v. 7) as the Father was testing him, proving him as a smelter puts gold or silver through similar fires of testing to bring out its best.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Satan took him to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms under his control and offers them to Jesus "Here and now." But Jesus knew that no lasting good could come from turning away from The Father of Life and toward The Father of Lies (cf. v. 10).
Jesus wasn't interested in fast, he was working on forever. To have taken Satan up on his offer of right now would have set him on a path of wrong from them on. What Satan had in mind was a "play now and pay later" scheme. It has been a best seller for thousands of years - this despite the fact that it has been a worst procducer all that time.
James gives this encouragement: "Be patient, then, brothers andd sisters...See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable cop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains" (Js 5:7). Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Unused Riches
What if you had inherited millions of dollars? How would that change your life? Maybe not at all. You may not be aware of your inheritance - it happens. People have gone to their graves never claiming or making use of an inheritance because they never knew.
Others have died on the streets after having inheriting a fortune that they simply would not accept. They knew it existed but didn't want it. Some have inherited money that they have put away in holdings but simply continued their lifestyle as if it didn't exist, driving the same old car. living in the same old house, wearing the same old clothes - rich, knew it, banked it but never used it.
For most of us, none of the above resonates well. We would want to know, would want to have it and would want to use it. It just doesn't even make sense to have a fortune and not use it. And yet, many of us have a far greater inheritance that we do not know about or make use of - an inheritance of divine wealth from the Father.
In 2 Peter 1:3-4, it is written, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness...so that through them you may participate in the divine nature." We have been given the divine power to follow in the steps of Jesus, adding to our faith goodness; to goodness, knowledge; to knowledge, self-contol; to sefl-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness..." (vv. 5-8).
We have inherited all these riches and yet claim, "I can't help myself. I can't contol my anger. I can't help being impatient. Etc." By the power of the Spirit, as Christians we have the resources to change, to control anger, to be patient, to be better than we are or could be without the riches of his glory and goodness.
Some really have no idea of the gifts we have inherited from the Father through the Spirit. Some really don't want to change. Some want a Savior but not a Lord - they want to go to heaven but on their own terms. Some fear attempting to change for fear of failure. Whatever the case, far too many have unused riches from above, an inheritance that provides everything needed for a godly life but still living in the poverty of self-reliance. It's time to recieve your gifts, time to accept your inheritance of the divine nature. Jus' Sayn.
Others have died on the streets after having inheriting a fortune that they simply would not accept. They knew it existed but didn't want it. Some have inherited money that they have put away in holdings but simply continued their lifestyle as if it didn't exist, driving the same old car. living in the same old house, wearing the same old clothes - rich, knew it, banked it but never used it.
For most of us, none of the above resonates well. We would want to know, would want to have it and would want to use it. It just doesn't even make sense to have a fortune and not use it. And yet, many of us have a far greater inheritance that we do not know about or make use of - an inheritance of divine wealth from the Father.
In 2 Peter 1:3-4, it is written, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness...so that through them you may participate in the divine nature." We have been given the divine power to follow in the steps of Jesus, adding to our faith goodness; to goodness, knowledge; to knowledge, self-contol; to sefl-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness..." (vv. 5-8).
We have inherited all these riches and yet claim, "I can't help myself. I can't contol my anger. I can't help being impatient. Etc." By the power of the Spirit, as Christians we have the resources to change, to control anger, to be patient, to be better than we are or could be without the riches of his glory and goodness.
Some really have no idea of the gifts we have inherited from the Father through the Spirit. Some really don't want to change. Some want a Savior but not a Lord - they want to go to heaven but on their own terms. Some fear attempting to change for fear of failure. Whatever the case, far too many have unused riches from above, an inheritance that provides everything needed for a godly life but still living in the poverty of self-reliance. It's time to recieve your gifts, time to accept your inheritance of the divine nature. Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Powerless Is More
Don't over-reach your grasp. Don't let your mouth overload your back. Pick your battles carefully. Don't start something you can't finish. You've probably heard one or all of these warnings, warnings cautioning you not to attempt something you don't have the power or resources to accomplish. The warnings sound reasonable; they seem to be very sound counsel indeed. But are they really?
That depends on from where you draw your strength and resources. If you are depending on your own might to lift a rock, you are limited to a particular size and weight. But what if you were depending on a front loader someone loaned you? Your personal ability to lift that rock becomes a mute point and need not be considered at all. If I was dependent on my personal resources to buy a house, it would have to be a lean-to or a shack at best. However, if I am depending on a bank for the money, my choices increase dramatically. What if I were being underwritten by the World Bank at 0% interest and payment adjusted automatically to my income? Now my choices are virtually unlimited.
While we tend to seek a life that is safe and dependable - a life neatly configured to the size of our ability to control, life is seldom like that. Life is filled with hurdles and barriers that test our mettle and stretch the limits of our control. And sometimes, it spins out of control altogether. At least, it eclipses our ability to control it, giving rise to anxiety and fear. If, we are dependent on our own power, resources and abilities. But not if we trust in a Higher Power than self, not if we trust in the Living God. If He is the source of our power and ability, what exactly is too big to handle?
When we think we are the source of our power, we are limited. But when we know that we are powerless and therefore depend on God, we can do so much "more than we can ask or imagine according to his power at work within us" (Eph 3:20). And, that is exactly how were are encouraged to live as children of God. As the prophet Zechariah wrote millenia ago, "'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit ,’ says the Lord Almighty" (4:6).
Following the Lord is not necessarily easy or safe. In fact, it can often be anything but. And yet, we can be sure that He will easily accoplish His will through our obedience and safely bring us to glory in the end. The power to live the limitless life is not in our strength but in our weakness. As Paul wrote, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). Powerless in self is more in God. Jus' Sayn.
That depends on from where you draw your strength and resources. If you are depending on your own might to lift a rock, you are limited to a particular size and weight. But what if you were depending on a front loader someone loaned you? Your personal ability to lift that rock becomes a mute point and need not be considered at all. If I was dependent on my personal resources to buy a house, it would have to be a lean-to or a shack at best. However, if I am depending on a bank for the money, my choices increase dramatically. What if I were being underwritten by the World Bank at 0% interest and payment adjusted automatically to my income? Now my choices are virtually unlimited.
While we tend to seek a life that is safe and dependable - a life neatly configured to the size of our ability to control, life is seldom like that. Life is filled with hurdles and barriers that test our mettle and stretch the limits of our control. And sometimes, it spins out of control altogether. At least, it eclipses our ability to control it, giving rise to anxiety and fear. If, we are dependent on our own power, resources and abilities. But not if we trust in a Higher Power than self, not if we trust in the Living God. If He is the source of our power and ability, what exactly is too big to handle?
When we think we are the source of our power, we are limited. But when we know that we are powerless and therefore depend on God, we can do so much "more than we can ask or imagine according to his power at work within us" (Eph 3:20). And, that is exactly how were are encouraged to live as children of God. As the prophet Zechariah wrote millenia ago, "'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit ,’ says the Lord Almighty" (4:6).
Following the Lord is not necessarily easy or safe. In fact, it can often be anything but. And yet, we can be sure that He will easily accoplish His will through our obedience and safely bring us to glory in the end. The power to live the limitless life is not in our strength but in our weakness. As Paul wrote, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). Powerless in self is more in God. Jus' Sayn.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Small Things
The story is told of two men meeting on a path near Hodgenville, Kentucky the morming of February 12, 1809, where one asks the other, "Any much happening around here?" The other replies, "Not much, just a baby boy born over at Tom Lincoln's place. Nothing much ever happens around here." Not much, just the birth of a man who would forever change the landscape of American culture.
Imagine a similar scene after the birth of Jesus: "Anything much happening around here?" "Not much, just a baby boy born to a carpenter and his wife in a stable. A bunch of shepherds are stirred up about it but you know unreliable they are, not even allowed to testify in court. Nothing much really ever happens around here." Not much, just the birth of the One who would change the course for humanity for all time and eternity.
Small things are happening all around us, like tiny seeds dropped into the ground that can easily go unnoticed but may grow up into large plants, providing food for many. Small starts to what may become very big deals. Jesus picked 12 nobodies who are still talked about and whose words are still studied two thousand years later - 12 nobodies who turned the world upside down.
In and around your life, small beginnings may be setting the stage for great opportunities. Today, as you go about doing what you've done so many times before, may be the day that something great is set into motion. Today you may have a divine encounter with someone the Lord desires you encourage on his way or assist in the moment that will chage the course of his life or yours. In the midst of our disclaimer, "Nothing much ever happens around here," may be the start of something wonderful.
The Psalmist declared, "The Lord has done it this very day, let us rejoice today and be glad" (Ph 118:24). And the prophet Zechariah warns, "Who dares despise the day of small things...?" (Zech 4:10). Babies being born who will change the world, ideas shared that will change lives, opportunities began that will bless nations, who knows what small things will happen today that will cause ripples extending into eternity.
The answer is that only God knows for sure but we can be alert and keep watchful in prayer as we approach our day, seeking God's direction as we encounter another day of small things wherein we may be a part of changing someone's life forever by taking a moment today. Today, and encouraging word from you may be the nail that another is able to hang their last hope on. Today, a small gift from you may be the blessing that restores hope in one who's hope is all but gone.
Enter today prayerfully and carefullly watching for ways to make a difference. Don't wait for big opportunities to do something, do something today. Don't despise the day of small things, instead, rejoice and be glad in them. Jus' Sayn.
Imagine a similar scene after the birth of Jesus: "Anything much happening around here?" "Not much, just a baby boy born to a carpenter and his wife in a stable. A bunch of shepherds are stirred up about it but you know unreliable they are, not even allowed to testify in court. Nothing much really ever happens around here." Not much, just the birth of the One who would change the course for humanity for all time and eternity.
Small things are happening all around us, like tiny seeds dropped into the ground that can easily go unnoticed but may grow up into large plants, providing food for many. Small starts to what may become very big deals. Jesus picked 12 nobodies who are still talked about and whose words are still studied two thousand years later - 12 nobodies who turned the world upside down.
In and around your life, small beginnings may be setting the stage for great opportunities. Today, as you go about doing what you've done so many times before, may be the day that something great is set into motion. Today you may have a divine encounter with someone the Lord desires you encourage on his way or assist in the moment that will chage the course of his life or yours. In the midst of our disclaimer, "Nothing much ever happens around here," may be the start of something wonderful.
The Psalmist declared, "The Lord has done it this very day, let us rejoice today and be glad" (Ph 118:24). And the prophet Zechariah warns, "Who dares despise the day of small things...?" (Zech 4:10). Babies being born who will change the world, ideas shared that will change lives, opportunities began that will bless nations, who knows what small things will happen today that will cause ripples extending into eternity.
The answer is that only God knows for sure but we can be alert and keep watchful in prayer as we approach our day, seeking God's direction as we encounter another day of small things wherein we may be a part of changing someone's life forever by taking a moment today. Today, and encouraging word from you may be the nail that another is able to hang their last hope on. Today, a small gift from you may be the blessing that restores hope in one who's hope is all but gone.
Enter today prayerfully and carefullly watching for ways to make a difference. Don't wait for big opportunities to do something, do something today. Don't despise the day of small things, instead, rejoice and be glad in them. Jus' Sayn.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Fallow Ground
There is a very interesting passage in Hosea 10:12, which reads, "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
If you have farm experience, you are likely nodding your head in understanding. If you don't, you're probably shaking your head, thinking "Fallow ground?" "I've heard of the ground-breaking comic, Jimmy Fallon, but fallow ground?" Like the turn on words? I'm particularly proud, but I digress.
The point of the passage is that God's People, Israel, were not planting the fruit of the Spirit or seeds of the Kingdom. Instead, they were allowing God's gifts to lay dormant, unused and increasingly unusable like ground that is not tilled. Untilled, unplowed or fallow ground hardens as time goes by and becomes impervious to seeds that might be dropped upon it and resistant to rain showers that simply run off and into a ravine or river.
In order to be productive, the farmer must break up the ground, tilling and plowing until the seeds will easily drop into the soft soil, which will absorb the coming rains. The land, so prepared will produce an abundant harvest.
God has kingdom parcels for all of us, gifts that we are to put into use so that the righteousnes of God will fall upon us like rain producing fruitful growth in us and spiritual growth in others with whom we come into contact. Listen to the words of the Lord in 2 Corinthians 9:8-10, "And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'They have freely scattered their gifts the poor; their righteousness endures forever.' Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."
Whether it be time or money or talent or whatever God may allot you to use, if it is not put to use, it lays fallow and hardens, becoming useless in time - impervious to the seed of the Kingdom He provides and the rain of righteousness He sends. Do not let your gifts go unused and unprofitable to the King, plow up your fallow ground and let righteousness rain on and around you. Jus' Sayn.
If you have farm experience, you are likely nodding your head in understanding. If you don't, you're probably shaking your head, thinking "Fallow ground?" "I've heard of the ground-breaking comic, Jimmy Fallon, but fallow ground?" Like the turn on words? I'm particularly proud, but I digress.
The point of the passage is that God's People, Israel, were not planting the fruit of the Spirit or seeds of the Kingdom. Instead, they were allowing God's gifts to lay dormant, unused and increasingly unusable like ground that is not tilled. Untilled, unplowed or fallow ground hardens as time goes by and becomes impervious to seeds that might be dropped upon it and resistant to rain showers that simply run off and into a ravine or river.
In order to be productive, the farmer must break up the ground, tilling and plowing until the seeds will easily drop into the soft soil, which will absorb the coming rains. The land, so prepared will produce an abundant harvest.
God has kingdom parcels for all of us, gifts that we are to put into use so that the righteousnes of God will fall upon us like rain producing fruitful growth in us and spiritual growth in others with whom we come into contact. Listen to the words of the Lord in 2 Corinthians 9:8-10, "And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'They have freely scattered their gifts the poor; their righteousness endures forever.' Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."
Whether it be time or money or talent or whatever God may allot you to use, if it is not put to use, it lays fallow and hardens, becoming useless in time - impervious to the seed of the Kingdom He provides and the rain of righteousness He sends. Do not let your gifts go unused and unprofitable to the King, plow up your fallow ground and let righteousness rain on and around you. Jus' Sayn.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
God-Honoring
I've notice that when a representative of Islam, the religion of peace, is about to sever the head from a defenseless, innocent victim he has hog-tied and kneeling on the ground before him, he raises his knife and then raises his voice saying, "allahu akbar!" which is Arabic for "God is great!" In the name of his god, who is great and calls them to peace, he then cuts the victim's head off.
They do this when they are about to set off a bomb that will kill old men and women, little boys and girls, the more innocent victims, the better. But not to worry, they will be kneeling on their prayer rugs five times a day and they will refrain from eating pork so that they are divinely covered as they destroy a Christtian community, rape and kill their women and sell the little girls as sex slaves or perhaps violate them personally.
And, the really good news for them is that while they are committing all these atrocities, should one of them get killed in the process, they are assured that allah will reward them with a paradise including 72 virgins so that they can continue using and violating women for eternity. Really?
While I find these blood-thirsty, child-molesting predators vile and disgusting, what sends me into orbit sometimes is the notion advanced by so many in this country, such as Hillary Clinton, who just recently said we need to try to understand them and their ideology so we can show them respect and find common ground. Really? Not! We don't need to learn to appreciate evil or give ground to an enemy who ideology includes destroying us or forcibly converting us.
Instead, we need to help them understand that we will not permit them to go unchecked, spreading their ideology of death and perversion. This will mean ongoing and increased military response from our government but not an ongoing and increased response from individual Christians. Our Lord calls us instead to "love our enemies and pray for thsoe who persecute us" (Matt 5:44).
The Islamists are not God-honoring in their hate-filled ways but we cannot be God-honoring if we are filled with hate for them. Just as the Islamists dishonor God by bowing down on prayer rugs and raising up blood-stained hands, we dishonor God when we come before Him in worship with hate-filled hearts; for God declares, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice..." (Hos 6:6).
I know it is difficult for us to ask God to forgive them and moreover to saved them, but this is exacttly what Jesus modeled from the cross when he said, "Father forgive them..." (Lk 223:34). I'm not suggesting it is easy, I am suggesting it is God-honoring. Jus' Sayn.
They do this when they are about to set off a bomb that will kill old men and women, little boys and girls, the more innocent victims, the better. But not to worry, they will be kneeling on their prayer rugs five times a day and they will refrain from eating pork so that they are divinely covered as they destroy a Christtian community, rape and kill their women and sell the little girls as sex slaves or perhaps violate them personally.
And, the really good news for them is that while they are committing all these atrocities, should one of them get killed in the process, they are assured that allah will reward them with a paradise including 72 virgins so that they can continue using and violating women for eternity. Really?
While I find these blood-thirsty, child-molesting predators vile and disgusting, what sends me into orbit sometimes is the notion advanced by so many in this country, such as Hillary Clinton, who just recently said we need to try to understand them and their ideology so we can show them respect and find common ground. Really? Not! We don't need to learn to appreciate evil or give ground to an enemy who ideology includes destroying us or forcibly converting us.
Instead, we need to help them understand that we will not permit them to go unchecked, spreading their ideology of death and perversion. This will mean ongoing and increased military response from our government but not an ongoing and increased response from individual Christians. Our Lord calls us instead to "love our enemies and pray for thsoe who persecute us" (Matt 5:44).
The Islamists are not God-honoring in their hate-filled ways but we cannot be God-honoring if we are filled with hate for them. Just as the Islamists dishonor God by bowing down on prayer rugs and raising up blood-stained hands, we dishonor God when we come before Him in worship with hate-filled hearts; for God declares, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice..." (Hos 6:6).
I know it is difficult for us to ask God to forgive them and moreover to saved them, but this is exacttly what Jesus modeled from the cross when he said, "Father forgive them..." (Lk 223:34). I'm not suggesting it is easy, I am suggesting it is God-honoring. Jus' Sayn.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Fair Isn't Good
There is a lot of talk about fairness on the political scene. It is the clarion call behind redistribution of wealth, reclassification of immigrant status and the reassignment of the deffinition of marriage. Everything should be equally allocated, fairness should rule. Sounds good on the surface until you realize that fair isn't good.
To be fair, every time your neighbor suffered a loss, you's have to suffer one too. If your neighbor's son dies from cancer, fairness would dictate that yours die too - but would that be good. Since most of the world suffers with malnutirion, lack of clean water and virtually no medical care; too be fair, we should have all of our blessings sripped from us and suffer along with them.
The recent 1% verses the 99% suggests that the wealth of the rich should be taken from them and divided (via taxation) with those less fortunate - sounds kind of like Robin Hood, doesn't it? It is the premise that the Great Society has been opperating on for half a century. How's it going? Not so well because taking from the rich and giving to the poor doesn't make them rich or self-empowered but instead, insures they remain a permanent underclass. Just look at the multi-generational welfare recepients and tell me they are doing well.
It may be fair to take money out of one person's pocket and hand it over to another but good isn't a hand out, good is a hand up. It may seem fair to allow the hard-working illegal immigrants to have legal status but is it good to intice millions and millions more to pour across our southern border expecting the same treatment, many of whom are criminals in their own country. Is it good to radically increase the debt burden on a nation that is swiftly moving toward insolvency? 18 trillion dollars in debt and many more times that in unfunded liabilities - is that OK, is that good? And, is it even fair to all the immigrants who have spent thousands and have been waiting years for that same opportunity legally?
To be fair, the rich pay a disporportionate amount of taxes already and many give very generously to good causes (most of our hospitals and colleges came to be because of the rich), and that is good (couldn't help the play on words). But good isn't throwing money or decrimalizing behavior, it is making real changes. We need to seal the border and then work to speed up the process of immigrattion while lowering the fees. We need to create jobs instead of just handing out money - there is work to do that is not getting done that would give individuals a sense of purpose and ownership while tackling some of our infastructure needs (regardless of how loud the unions holler).
I don't have all the anwsers or even know how to bring the few I've suggested into being necessarily. But I knnow that what we have been doing for 50 plus years isn't working and I know that fair isn't good. And I know that God's Word instructs us to "always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else" (1 Thess 5:15). Jus' Sayn.
To be fair, every time your neighbor suffered a loss, you's have to suffer one too. If your neighbor's son dies from cancer, fairness would dictate that yours die too - but would that be good. Since most of the world suffers with malnutirion, lack of clean water and virtually no medical care; too be fair, we should have all of our blessings sripped from us and suffer along with them.
The recent 1% verses the 99% suggests that the wealth of the rich should be taken from them and divided (via taxation) with those less fortunate - sounds kind of like Robin Hood, doesn't it? It is the premise that the Great Society has been opperating on for half a century. How's it going? Not so well because taking from the rich and giving to the poor doesn't make them rich or self-empowered but instead, insures they remain a permanent underclass. Just look at the multi-generational welfare recepients and tell me they are doing well.
It may be fair to take money out of one person's pocket and hand it over to another but good isn't a hand out, good is a hand up. It may seem fair to allow the hard-working illegal immigrants to have legal status but is it good to intice millions and millions more to pour across our southern border expecting the same treatment, many of whom are criminals in their own country. Is it good to radically increase the debt burden on a nation that is swiftly moving toward insolvency? 18 trillion dollars in debt and many more times that in unfunded liabilities - is that OK, is that good? And, is it even fair to all the immigrants who have spent thousands and have been waiting years for that same opportunity legally?
To be fair, the rich pay a disporportionate amount of taxes already and many give very generously to good causes (most of our hospitals and colleges came to be because of the rich), and that is good (couldn't help the play on words). But good isn't throwing money or decrimalizing behavior, it is making real changes. We need to seal the border and then work to speed up the process of immigrattion while lowering the fees. We need to create jobs instead of just handing out money - there is work to do that is not getting done that would give individuals a sense of purpose and ownership while tackling some of our infastructure needs (regardless of how loud the unions holler).
I don't have all the anwsers or even know how to bring the few I've suggested into being necessarily. But I knnow that what we have been doing for 50 plus years isn't working and I know that fair isn't good. And I know that God's Word instructs us to "always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else" (1 Thess 5:15). Jus' Sayn.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Sheeple
Isaiah said, "We all like sheep have gone astray..." (Isa 53:6a), which doesn't mean that we have made a thoughtful decision as to where we are going or why we are going there but rather that we are blindly following others as they go off the reservation or over the cliff.
The passage reminded me again of what I've been seeing in Ferguson and other cities around the country where protesters, rioter and looters are following after one another like dumb sheep, hence the term, "sheeple." They have no clue what is really going on, how they are being used to advance an agenda of seperation of the races to ensure that certain people remain in a position of power over them.
These sheeple don't have any notion of what really happend, that it had nothing to do with a class struggle between black and white, that it does not reflect a reality that is happening on our streets daily. Their protest, the pretense for injustice that white cops are out there hunting for black men to shoot and kill is simply not true.
In 2012, according to the CDC, in a country of 320 million people, 123 black men were shot and killed by cops. In the same year, 326 white men were killed by cops. The fact is that 93 % of black men are killed by black men. By the way, most white men are killed by white men. It seems that the struggle is not between the races but within the races and not between cops and the "communities of color" as suggested by our president, but in communites where criminals live.
Sheeple - is there any hope for them? Yes, but not from the democratic leadership, politicians in general or the race-baiting Al Sharptons of the world. The hope for sheeple is found only in the Shepherd of our souls, Jesus Christ, who "...each of us has turned to our own way; ad the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6b).
Jesus is the answer and prayer for the sheeples of our country and the world (don't have space to talk about the Islamist fanatics around the globe). And we, who have returned to the Shepherd's flock, need to be in prayer for these hapless masses of sheeple who are being blindly led to the slaughter.
In all of this turmoil, let us drop to our knees instead of rushing to condemn and let us raise our voices to the heavens instead of railing against the tide. Do you remember what Jesus said about the sheeple who were responsible for crucifying him? He prayed to God above, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Oh, they knew they were clamouring for his death but they did not know they were being used or who was pulling the strings.
As his disciples, we must do not less than ask the Father to forgive them and seek their return to the pasture of the Shepherd. Christians let us get down on our knees asking God to lift these people and this country up. Jus' Sayn.
The passage reminded me again of what I've been seeing in Ferguson and other cities around the country where protesters, rioter and looters are following after one another like dumb sheep, hence the term, "sheeple." They have no clue what is really going on, how they are being used to advance an agenda of seperation of the races to ensure that certain people remain in a position of power over them.
These sheeple don't have any notion of what really happend, that it had nothing to do with a class struggle between black and white, that it does not reflect a reality that is happening on our streets daily. Their protest, the pretense for injustice that white cops are out there hunting for black men to shoot and kill is simply not true.
In 2012, according to the CDC, in a country of 320 million people, 123 black men were shot and killed by cops. In the same year, 326 white men were killed by cops. The fact is that 93 % of black men are killed by black men. By the way, most white men are killed by white men. It seems that the struggle is not between the races but within the races and not between cops and the "communities of color" as suggested by our president, but in communites where criminals live.
Sheeple - is there any hope for them? Yes, but not from the democratic leadership, politicians in general or the race-baiting Al Sharptons of the world. The hope for sheeple is found only in the Shepherd of our souls, Jesus Christ, who "...each of us has turned to our own way; ad the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6b).
Jesus is the answer and prayer for the sheeples of our country and the world (don't have space to talk about the Islamist fanatics around the globe). And we, who have returned to the Shepherd's flock, need to be in prayer for these hapless masses of sheeple who are being blindly led to the slaughter.
In all of this turmoil, let us drop to our knees instead of rushing to condemn and let us raise our voices to the heavens instead of railing against the tide. Do you remember what Jesus said about the sheeple who were responsible for crucifying him? He prayed to God above, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Oh, they knew they were clamouring for his death but they did not know they were being used or who was pulling the strings.
As his disciples, we must do not less than ask the Father to forgive them and seek their return to the pasture of the Shepherd. Christians let us get down on our knees asking God to lift these people and this country up. Jus' Sayn.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Detours
When I enlisted into the Air Force in 1974, I made a 6 year commitment. My intention was to be career military. I liked the military, I enjoyed my work, excelled in my career path. I was certain I would retire from the USAF. I was wrong.
I did not see the detour God placed up ahead. The detour I took one morning when I felt an unbending desire to go to church, which led me to invlovement in lay ministry that set my course firmly on preaching ministry - a path, although unseen until then, I gladly took, leaving my military aspiration behind. Everyone, not the least me, was more than a little surprised.
When I entered the ministry, I found I loved Bible study, preaching and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. It became clear to me that I was given a gift of communicating biblical truths in a way that resonated well with people of all stripes. I saw my path clearly as preaching until retirement and then preaching some more in retirement just for the love of preaching and the opportunity to help churches that otherwise might not be able to afford a qualified minister. I was wrong.
I did not see the detour that God had placed in the road ahead. My preaching ministry ended rather abruptly and after a short period of wandering in the wilderness, I was directed on the parh of chaplaincy within the hospice community. I daily minister to individuals who are dying and families who are hurting. I love what I do, I seem to have a gift of touching lives with the healing grace of the Spirit, I see myself working within the hospice community well past the retirement age - but, I am keeping my eyes open for divine detours. God may have yet another road or two for me to travel, there may be other Kingdom work to be done before my day is ended.
Interestingly enough, I use my preaching gift on a regular basis as I speak to various groups about Arkansas Hospice's We Honor Vets program. So, God has folded my military and my preaching ministry into my current ministry. Where I am now in life was not my plan, it was God's. But God is always right and always good. And, His will trumphs my will always. As Solomon wrote, "Many are the plans in a person's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Pr 19:21).
Who knows the detours God has for your life. They may come at times that will shock you and in ways that will scare you. But God is always right and good. Embrace the change in your path, let go and let God. Trust in Him to lead you in paths of life: "I know the plans [detours] I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jer 29:11). Jus' Sayn.
I did not see the detour God placed up ahead. The detour I took one morning when I felt an unbending desire to go to church, which led me to invlovement in lay ministry that set my course firmly on preaching ministry - a path, although unseen until then, I gladly took, leaving my military aspiration behind. Everyone, not the least me, was more than a little surprised.
When I entered the ministry, I found I loved Bible study, preaching and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. It became clear to me that I was given a gift of communicating biblical truths in a way that resonated well with people of all stripes. I saw my path clearly as preaching until retirement and then preaching some more in retirement just for the love of preaching and the opportunity to help churches that otherwise might not be able to afford a qualified minister. I was wrong.
I did not see the detour that God had placed in the road ahead. My preaching ministry ended rather abruptly and after a short period of wandering in the wilderness, I was directed on the parh of chaplaincy within the hospice community. I daily minister to individuals who are dying and families who are hurting. I love what I do, I seem to have a gift of touching lives with the healing grace of the Spirit, I see myself working within the hospice community well past the retirement age - but, I am keeping my eyes open for divine detours. God may have yet another road or two for me to travel, there may be other Kingdom work to be done before my day is ended.
Interestingly enough, I use my preaching gift on a regular basis as I speak to various groups about Arkansas Hospice's We Honor Vets program. So, God has folded my military and my preaching ministry into my current ministry. Where I am now in life was not my plan, it was God's. But God is always right and always good. And, His will trumphs my will always. As Solomon wrote, "Many are the plans in a person's heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Pr 19:21).
Who knows the detours God has for your life. They may come at times that will shock you and in ways that will scare you. But God is always right and good. Embrace the change in your path, let go and let God. Trust in Him to lead you in paths of life: "I know the plans [detours] I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jer 29:11). Jus' Sayn.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Revelation
The fuel for the protest, rioting and looting in Ferguson, MO is ignorance. While they rage against the injustice of "a little black boy gunned down on the streets," by the capricious hand of "a gun-toting white supremest cop" who had been looking for an excuse to act on his prejudice; the revelation of the grand jury testimony was anything but.
The evidence that came back exonarting the officer on all five points of prosecution revealed that the truth was that a drug-influenced criminal, who had just forcibly robbed a convenience store was trying to kill a law enforcement office who shot him in self-defense. The "gentle giant" had tried to take the officer's gun from him while the office was still in the police cruiser, where he was shot in the hand. When the officer gave chase, the felon turned and charged at him in linebacker style. By the way, if you think the officer was not really in danger, since the year 2000, 50 officers have been killed with their own gun.
All the forensic evidence and credible witnesses affirm what the grand jury concluded. What was revealed in grand jury testimony was clear and unmitigated. And still the protests and the rioting and the looting continue. Why? Well some involved are simply criminals taking advantage of an opportunity, some are trying to advance an ideology but many simply haven't taken the time to listen to or read what has been revealed. And, "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint..." (Prov 29:28).
As sad as the Ferguson episode has been, it pales in comparison to an infinitely more important reality: Our eternal destiny. If I get shot by an officer or killed by a thug, I have not reached my destination, I have only stepped through the portal that leads to my eternal destination. What comes after is heaven or hell, and that reality is not an episode in life, it is life or death itself - and it is my final answer.
As with the Ferguson rioters and the others around the country joining in solidarity with their ignorance, the masses are plunging headlong toward their eternal destiny without the benefit of the revelation of what is out there and what determines where they will be for eternity. An just like the grand jury report, The Gospel has been revealed to all who will take the time to listen.
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom 10:17). We need revelation and revelation is readily available but too often simply ignored to our shame and our ignorance and to our destruction as we then "cast off restraint" and are unleashed into the waiting hands of the Father of Lies and Destroyer of our souls: Satan.
This being true, don't you think that you should make a study of God's revealed Word a daily priority? Shouldn't you strive to become as knowledgable as possible in His Truth? Shouldn't you want to know it well enough to both follow and share? Jus' Askn'.
The evidence that came back exonarting the officer on all five points of prosecution revealed that the truth was that a drug-influenced criminal, who had just forcibly robbed a convenience store was trying to kill a law enforcement office who shot him in self-defense. The "gentle giant" had tried to take the officer's gun from him while the office was still in the police cruiser, where he was shot in the hand. When the officer gave chase, the felon turned and charged at him in linebacker style. By the way, if you think the officer was not really in danger, since the year 2000, 50 officers have been killed with their own gun.
All the forensic evidence and credible witnesses affirm what the grand jury concluded. What was revealed in grand jury testimony was clear and unmitigated. And still the protests and the rioting and the looting continue. Why? Well some involved are simply criminals taking advantage of an opportunity, some are trying to advance an ideology but many simply haven't taken the time to listen to or read what has been revealed. And, "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint..." (Prov 29:28).
As sad as the Ferguson episode has been, it pales in comparison to an infinitely more important reality: Our eternal destiny. If I get shot by an officer or killed by a thug, I have not reached my destination, I have only stepped through the portal that leads to my eternal destination. What comes after is heaven or hell, and that reality is not an episode in life, it is life or death itself - and it is my final answer.
As with the Ferguson rioters and the others around the country joining in solidarity with their ignorance, the masses are plunging headlong toward their eternal destiny without the benefit of the revelation of what is out there and what determines where they will be for eternity. An just like the grand jury report, The Gospel has been revealed to all who will take the time to listen.
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom 10:17). We need revelation and revelation is readily available but too often simply ignored to our shame and our ignorance and to our destruction as we then "cast off restraint" and are unleashed into the waiting hands of the Father of Lies and Destroyer of our souls: Satan.
This being true, don't you think that you should make a study of God's revealed Word a daily priority? Shouldn't you strive to become as knowledgable as possible in His Truth? Shouldn't you want to know it well enough to both follow and share? Jus' Askn'.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Inch By Inch
Do you remember the old joke about how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time! One of my instructors at Harding would often remind us preaching students, "Yard by yard, it's too hard, but inch by inch, it's a cinch." An old joke and an old cliche communicate a timeles truth: "Steady plodding brings prosperity, hasty speculation brings poverty" (Prov 21:5 The Living Bible).
We live in a society where fast results are demanded, speed of completion is paramount. Often, detail, precision and quality are sacrificed in the attempt to be speedy. I remember a framed quote on the wall of our administrative office when I served in the Air Force, "Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time but always enough time to do it over?"
The need for speed in getting a product out before a deadline has taken presidence over the need to produce a top rate product. When everyone above you wants it done today or preferably yesterday, it makes it hard to focus on the quality of what you are producing. I remember a friend of mine back in the 70s talking about the corporate speed addiction where he worked as an engineer. He said that folders labeled "Hot" were to be given priority. So all folders started coming in "Hot." So they started putting "Red Hot" for the one to be priortized and soon, all folders were labeled "Red Hot." Everybody wants it now, meaning that no one gets the best.
Quick results seems so much preferable over steady plodding. Who wants to move along a step at a time when you can get your results today? Why spend three years of graduate study on top of four years of undergradate study to become a minister when you can get your ordination via the Internet today? Hmmm, I wonder? Do you think there is any difference in the quality of those two paths?
In your Christian life, how fast do you want to deveelop? What fast track is there that will bring you to a deeper faith and a more Christ-like attitude? Is there a short-cut to spiritual development? Are there steps we can combine or cut out entirely? No, there is only the steady plodding of daily prayer, Bible study and quiet time with God. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
A deep abiding, foundational faith does not come about by skipping over or racing through, it comes from a daily laying down of one spiritual brick at a time. It is not nearly as important that we "come to faith" as it is that we "continue in faith, established and firm" (Col 1:23). It's a bit like going on a cruise - it's not so important that you get on board immediately as it is that you stay on board until the ship has docked. Being the first to attend college is far less important than finishing your degree. Getting to the wedding pales in comparison to staying in the marriage.
As dull as it may sound and as far from exciting as it may be, steady plodding is how most things get done right. On TV, problems are solved in under 30 minuttes, in real life it may take years. In story books, the happy couple rides off into the sunset, in real life, the couple must work together one day at a time, week by week, month by month and year by year. Inch by inch it's a cinch, yard by yard, it's too hard. Jus' Sayn.
We live in a society where fast results are demanded, speed of completion is paramount. Often, detail, precision and quality are sacrificed in the attempt to be speedy. I remember a framed quote on the wall of our administrative office when I served in the Air Force, "Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time but always enough time to do it over?"
The need for speed in getting a product out before a deadline has taken presidence over the need to produce a top rate product. When everyone above you wants it done today or preferably yesterday, it makes it hard to focus on the quality of what you are producing. I remember a friend of mine back in the 70s talking about the corporate speed addiction where he worked as an engineer. He said that folders labeled "Hot" were to be given priority. So all folders started coming in "Hot." So they started putting "Red Hot" for the one to be priortized and soon, all folders were labeled "Red Hot." Everybody wants it now, meaning that no one gets the best.
Quick results seems so much preferable over steady plodding. Who wants to move along a step at a time when you can get your results today? Why spend three years of graduate study on top of four years of undergradate study to become a minister when you can get your ordination via the Internet today? Hmmm, I wonder? Do you think there is any difference in the quality of those two paths?
In your Christian life, how fast do you want to deveelop? What fast track is there that will bring you to a deeper faith and a more Christ-like attitude? Is there a short-cut to spiritual development? Are there steps we can combine or cut out entirely? No, there is only the steady plodding of daily prayer, Bible study and quiet time with God. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
A deep abiding, foundational faith does not come about by skipping over or racing through, it comes from a daily laying down of one spiritual brick at a time. It is not nearly as important that we "come to faith" as it is that we "continue in faith, established and firm" (Col 1:23). It's a bit like going on a cruise - it's not so important that you get on board immediately as it is that you stay on board until the ship has docked. Being the first to attend college is far less important than finishing your degree. Getting to the wedding pales in comparison to staying in the marriage.
As dull as it may sound and as far from exciting as it may be, steady plodding is how most things get done right. On TV, problems are solved in under 30 minuttes, in real life it may take years. In story books, the happy couple rides off into the sunset, in real life, the couple must work together one day at a time, week by week, month by month and year by year. Inch by inch it's a cinch, yard by yard, it's too hard. Jus' Sayn.
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