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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.