Have you ever been on a balance beam? Then you know what it's like to begin to lose your balance. The other day I was balancing on the end of my Father-in-laws truck bed attempting to get up so that I could be the next in line to ride the new, super-high, rope swing he had installed. My oldest son was already in the back of the truck and as I came up I began to lose my balance. In the back of the truck there was nothing to grab on to except my son, which I tightly did! He in turn grabbed my arm and a disaster of embarrassing proportions was averted.
In Galatians 6:1 it says, "...if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly, should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path."
As I read this passage I looked right above my computer monitor to a yellow inspiration note that I had stuck there several weeks ago after reading someone else's blog. It is a reminder that the Jews categorized different levels of what we simply call "sin." To the Jew, a "sin" is unintentional and is very different from the other two, rebellious and willful, levels of sin.
So I got out a commentary I had close at hand to look at the original word used. This word, in its original meaning could have made the sentence sound like this, "if another believer is overcome by some 'false step' you who are godly..."
Now, how many of us have taken false steps? I took one getting up into the pickup bed. Perhaps you've twisted an ankle on a false step. Slipped on the ice. Tripped on your shoelace. We take the same kind of spiritual false steps. We look just a little too long at the picture. We think just a bit more about how good he looks. We hold that item we inadvertently walked out of the store with just long enough to claim, "possession is 9/10ths..."
These false steps happen all the time and Paul says that it is the duty of other believers to, "gently and humbly" help the offender back on the right path. This is done so as to restore our fellow believer so that a more serious "sin" is not committed. But it should also be done very carefully because we know that Satan is prowling, he is after all of us!
But I want to look at another issue here. The "sin" we are to restore our brother from is an unintentional sin. A false step. A mistake. A moment of weakness, a slip. From these one can be quickly and fairly easily restored. What Paul doesn't mention is the other types of sin. Willful disobedience and rebellious behavior. For those, there is a completely different way of helping your brother back on the path, much more painful for all involved and not nearly as easy as a quick grab or a subtle shove, to get him back on track.
Thoughts on the Bible, Church, life and living it to its full potential in Jesus Christ!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Living by the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a hard concept to get a hold of in the faith. We often talk about wanting to be led by the Spirit and want our decisions to be Spirit guided. Even this morning I prayed about this. I read that the Spirit did not come because we obeyed some law of God, but because we believed. But often we Christians think that if we "do more good" then the Spirit will be more active in our lives. The reality is that the Spirit is active in the lives of those who believe in Jesus Christ and trust His promises. So if you want to be Spirit led, you need to believe, or have more faith. More faith equals more of the Spirit (not that you get more but you are more aware, more in-tune and more able to follow).
If you want to experience more of the Holy Spirit working in your life, you must work at having more faith. Trusting more. Believing the promises more. Stepping out more, absolutely sure that God can and will provide for the paths that He has laid out for you.
But if you really want to know how much of the Spirit you have, ask yourself these questions:
If you want to experience more of the Holy Spirit working in your life, you must work at having more faith. Trusting more. Believing the promises more. Stepping out more, absolutely sure that God can and will provide for the paths that He has laid out for you.
But if you really want to know how much of the Spirit you have, ask yourself these questions:
- How much Love do I show toward others? Toward the unlovely?
- How much Joy is present in my life? Even when things aren't going so well?
- Are you always anxious or most often at Peace? Can you find peace in difficulty?
- Am I a Patient person? Am I more patient than I was 5 years ago?
- Am I Kind to others? To those I don't know or who are not kind to me?
- Would others say that there is Goodness in me?
- Am I Faithful? Faithful to my spouse? Faithful to my church? To God?
- When I get angry am I Gentle? Is that a trait that others can see even in difficult times?
- Am I able to Control my life and desires? Or do I follow ever whim of my heart? Can I control my self? Do I need to have another drag, drink, peek?
If you are asking God for more His Spirit these are the benchmarks you use. Not more gifts of the Spirit. Not more miracles. But more of the basics. Keep a record. Work to improve these areas, with the Spirit's help. And you'll find you've got more of Him and less of you. And that's a good thing.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
4 tips to make your Thanksgiving AND your life a little more enjoyable
So, tell me what your Thanksgiving is like? No, on second thought, let me guess... Everyone shows up at your house like in the movies, it's snowing and the warm glow from the lights in the house make it feel so cozy and inviting. There is not a single cross word spoken and every one's last nerve is tucked away and out of sight. Dinner goes off perfectly, the Cowboys win their game and everything is right with the world...
Wait, that's not your Thanksgiving? Maybe yours looks more like mine. Everybody shows up at least a little cranky because they've either been in the car too long, the kids are out of their routine or you're the one that got stuck hosting, baking, cleaning and being the entertainment coordinator. The food is good but the place is crowded and you have to talk to people you don't really know about things you don't really care about. After you eat, all the good spots to snooze are already taken and you end up talking to that same person about that same subject until it's time to pack up and head home, which you promised yourself would be earlier this year than last!
Well, I've got some tips, directly from Paul, to help address some of these Holiday grouch moods we often get in. As Paul wraps up his second letter to the Church in Corinth he closes with this final admonition.
Wait, that's not your Thanksgiving? Maybe yours looks more like mine. Everybody shows up at least a little cranky because they've either been in the car too long, the kids are out of their routine or you're the one that got stuck hosting, baking, cleaning and being the entertainment coordinator. The food is good but the place is crowded and you have to talk to people you don't really know about things you don't really care about. After you eat, all the good spots to snooze are already taken and you end up talking to that same person about that same subject until it's time to pack up and head home, which you promised yourself would be earlier this year than last!
Well, I've got some tips, directly from Paul, to help address some of these Holiday grouch moods we often get in. As Paul wraps up his second letter to the Church in Corinth he closes with this final admonition.
- Be Joyful - it's a command to intentionally be joyful. This year there will be lots of reasons to not be joyful; lost jobs, uncertainty about the future, you just got molested by a TSA agent because you didn't want to go through the naked picture machine. You may have every reason to be a grouch. Be joyful. In spite of your circumstances. Because no matter how bad it is here, heaven will MORE than make up for it. Be joyful.
- Grow to Maturity - the focus here is that there is farther to go, more to aspire to. We are to be "like Christ" and that doesn't happen by accident. You will probably have Thanksgiving with some family member who is older but has never grown-up (if not you may be that one!). We need to grow-up into Christ so that we can be mature and that maturity will help us handle all the little things that used to drive us over the edge.
- Encourage each other - instead of the alternative. My family are all pros at sarcasm, which is kind of funny at the time, but leaves you with a pretty sour taste. This year, instead of pointing out all the things wrong with everyone, or poking fun at others mistakes and poor choices or circumstances (like who got stuck next to Aunt Margaret!) be an encouragement. This will go a long way toward dealing with those interpersonal issues that will crop up. Encourage this year and see what happens to every body's mood!
- Live in harmony and peace - don't sweat the small stuff. Someone else wants your chair? The dark meat is gone before it gets to you? Try being a servant instead of insisting on being the master and see how that goes for you. If everyone tried to be a little more kind and less pushy you'd probably experience a little more harmony and peace and that would be nice for everybody!
Four easy tips to make this Holiday Season a little more festive and enjoyable for everybody, including yourself. Thank, Paul for the lesson from 2000 years ago. I'll let you know how it goes! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Could I follow you around today?
Okay, confession time, I'm a Cowboys fan. Always have been. Always will be. So with such a crummy record this year I watch the Facebook posts about the Cowboys and often read the little blurbs to see what's up with my team. Today, this one got me thinking about the Christian life.
Apparently, Wade Phillips (while he was still the head coach) got NFL officials to come to the 'Boys practices. Jason Garrett has continued this practice during practice and has been able to see some improvement. You can read the story for yourself here, but that's not what was of interest to me. Garrett (the new Cowboys head coach) said, "we ask them to get involved. They have to be active. They're not just standing there watching practice. And they understand that, and a big thing for them is not only telling us what a penalty is, but also communicating with the coach and the player as to why it was a penalty and how you can do something maybe differently to prevent that penalty from happening."
What a concept! Dallas has brought in league officials to not only watch the practices but become an integral part of the practice! They don't just say, "yep, that was a penalty." They stop the flow and tell the coach AND the player why it would have been a penalty and what the player could do differently to avoid having a penalty called later. These officials have taken an "active" roll in the practices.
How would you like to have your preacher follow you around all day? Not only pointing out the things that you did or said that would qualify as a "foul" but helping you to know how you could avoid those same mistakes in the future. Wouldn't that be beneficial to your spiritual life? I know it would be to mine!
Often times we don't have a problem noticing WHEN we fail in our Christian Walk, but the problem comes in how to avoid the failure in the first place. We get so used to doing life in a certain way that it just becomes how we function. Normal. We can't see any other way to do it, so we continue to get into the same problems over and over again. Then we wonder why we can't get ahead.
Perhaps this is why the Bible tells us to confront each other when we see a failure, to throw a flag and stop the game. But we need to be able to say, this is what happened and this is how to avoid it in the future. The only way to do that is to practice. We are told to practice the commands of God. In fact, Jesus said that He would send the Holy Spirit who would, "teach you all things and remind you of everything I said to you." The Holy Spirit is like God's official who is watching our lives, not only convicting us of the sin we commit, but He's there to help us know how to avoid the same mistake in the future!
Are you tired of getting penalized in life? Are you mad at God for calling fouls? Do you feel like you get ahead only to be called back? Well, have you heard the saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result every time? It's time we as believers took advantage of the official God has given us. He will convict us of sin and point us toward true righteousness. Let the official come to your practice. Listen to Him and do what He says. That's the only way to get a different result. That's the only way to improve your game.
Apparently, Wade Phillips (while he was still the head coach) got NFL officials to come to the 'Boys practices. Jason Garrett has continued this practice during practice and has been able to see some improvement. You can read the story for yourself here, but that's not what was of interest to me. Garrett (the new Cowboys head coach) said, "we ask them to get involved. They have to be active. They're not just standing there watching practice. And they understand that, and a big thing for them is not only telling us what a penalty is, but also communicating with the coach and the player as to why it was a penalty and how you can do something maybe differently to prevent that penalty from happening."
What a concept! Dallas has brought in league officials to not only watch the practices but become an integral part of the practice! They don't just say, "yep, that was a penalty." They stop the flow and tell the coach AND the player why it would have been a penalty and what the player could do differently to avoid having a penalty called later. These officials have taken an "active" roll in the practices.
How would you like to have your preacher follow you around all day? Not only pointing out the things that you did or said that would qualify as a "foul" but helping you to know how you could avoid those same mistakes in the future. Wouldn't that be beneficial to your spiritual life? I know it would be to mine!
Often times we don't have a problem noticing WHEN we fail in our Christian Walk, but the problem comes in how to avoid the failure in the first place. We get so used to doing life in a certain way that it just becomes how we function. Normal. We can't see any other way to do it, so we continue to get into the same problems over and over again. Then we wonder why we can't get ahead.
Perhaps this is why the Bible tells us to confront each other when we see a failure, to throw a flag and stop the game. But we need to be able to say, this is what happened and this is how to avoid it in the future. The only way to do that is to practice. We are told to practice the commands of God. In fact, Jesus said that He would send the Holy Spirit who would, "teach you all things and remind you of everything I said to you." The Holy Spirit is like God's official who is watching our lives, not only convicting us of the sin we commit, but He's there to help us know how to avoid the same mistake in the future!
Are you tired of getting penalized in life? Are you mad at God for calling fouls? Do you feel like you get ahead only to be called back? Well, have you heard the saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result every time? It's time we as believers took advantage of the official God has given us. He will convict us of sin and point us toward true righteousness. Let the official come to your practice. Listen to Him and do what He says. That's the only way to get a different result. That's the only way to improve your game.
Monday, November 15, 2010
My wife got new eyes...
My wife has always had problems with her eyes. She was one of those cute little kids wearing glasses, though as she got older, and the glasses got thicker, the cuteness factor begins to dip. So a few years ago we were able to get her new eyes. At least that is what she calls them. She now has contact lenses inserted INTO her eyes just above the lens (I think that's it anyway and yes, it was GROSS). She went from being able to see only items a few inches away from her face to seeing at any distance with clarity. Amazing! Now, it wasn't that she "couldn't" see, but that she could only see what was right in front of her eyes, literally only a few inches away. She couldn't see her feet. She couldn't even see her hands... unless she held them up to her face. So, while she could see one thing everything else was fuzzy and indistinguishable.
I was reading in 2 Corinthians 4 and 5 today and think that I have suffered spiritually what she has suffered physically.
It's not that I can't see at all, it's that I often only see what's right here in front of me. That means that everything else is blurry and that tends to make getting around more difficult, and scary.
As Christians we are supposed to "walk by faith and not by sight." That means that we are supposed to walk according to what we CAN'T see instead of what we can. We have to live according to what we believe not just what we see with our eyes. What we see tells us one story, but it's only part of the story. What we can't see is the truth or reality that there is more going on in us, around us and through us. Let me make it super simple. I don't "see" God with my eyes but the reality of God's presence is all around me. So I live by my faith that He not only exists but that He rewards those who seek Him.
Paul put this into a real-time example in chapter 4 when he said, in a matter of speaking, the following, (I've put it into more specific terms for Real Life). Here at Real Life we are troubled by a lack of space, a lack of funds, a lack of resources - people and mechanical. But our Spirit is not crushed, we have not lost hope. We are at times perplexed by what is happening and what we perceive God is doing, or not doing - that we can't understand - but we do not despair because we know that He is always faithful. Satan is prowling like a lion seeking those whom he may devour, but God is not, has not and will not abandon us. Satan at times even wins and we are knocked down. But we are not and our faith is not destroyed.
I believe that nothing is impossible for God... nothing is even difficult for God! The same God that calmed the storm, raised the dead, fed the masses, healed the lame, spoke the truth and made the blind to see is the same God that now watches over you and me!
So, I will get new eyes, spiritual eyes. I will look not at what "I" can see but at what HE sees. I will not call a bill too big, a problem too enormous, a lack of something too great or a person too messed up for God. I will walk in faith instead of standing in hope (as Steven Furtick said). I will determine to focus not on the problem, the short-fall or the negative, but instead keep my focus on the One who is never surprised and never unable. With my new eyes I will see clearly so that I walk by faith in what He is doing in my life and in His church, not by the lies that Satan so quickly brings to my field of vision, (i.e. you don't have enough, you can't, He won't, etc.).
Here's to new eyes, renewed vision and walking in more faith.
I was reading in 2 Corinthians 4 and 5 today and think that I have suffered spiritually what she has suffered physically.
It's not that I can't see at all, it's that I often only see what's right here in front of me. That means that everything else is blurry and that tends to make getting around more difficult, and scary.
As Christians we are supposed to "walk by faith and not by sight." That means that we are supposed to walk according to what we CAN'T see instead of what we can. We have to live according to what we believe not just what we see with our eyes. What we see tells us one story, but it's only part of the story. What we can't see is the truth or reality that there is more going on in us, around us and through us. Let me make it super simple. I don't "see" God with my eyes but the reality of God's presence is all around me. So I live by my faith that He not only exists but that He rewards those who seek Him.
Paul put this into a real-time example in chapter 4 when he said, in a matter of speaking, the following, (I've put it into more specific terms for Real Life). Here at Real Life we are troubled by a lack of space, a lack of funds, a lack of resources - people and mechanical. But our Spirit is not crushed, we have not lost hope. We are at times perplexed by what is happening and what we perceive God is doing, or not doing - that we can't understand - but we do not despair because we know that He is always faithful. Satan is prowling like a lion seeking those whom he may devour, but God is not, has not and will not abandon us. Satan at times even wins and we are knocked down. But we are not and our faith is not destroyed.
I believe that nothing is impossible for God... nothing is even difficult for God! The same God that calmed the storm, raised the dead, fed the masses, healed the lame, spoke the truth and made the blind to see is the same God that now watches over you and me!
So, I will get new eyes, spiritual eyes. I will look not at what "I" can see but at what HE sees. I will not call a bill too big, a problem too enormous, a lack of something too great or a person too messed up for God. I will walk in faith instead of standing in hope (as Steven Furtick said). I will determine to focus not on the problem, the short-fall or the negative, but instead keep my focus on the One who is never surprised and never unable. With my new eyes I will see clearly so that I walk by faith in what He is doing in my life and in His church, not by the lies that Satan so quickly brings to my field of vision, (i.e. you don't have enough, you can't, He won't, etc.).
Here's to new eyes, renewed vision and walking in more faith.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
What is a blessing?
I want to expand today on something that the Holy Spirit revealed to me this last weekend as I practiced the message before an empty room. I began a series on the concept of being blessed (it originated down in OK with Craig at Lifechurch.tv) and spent about the first half of the message just talking about what a blessing really is.
See, I think in today's Church culture there is a real misconception about what a blessing is. Talk to very many people and you'll find out that while we say we're blessed with health, good kids or a happy marriage, most truly consider God's blessing as having fallen on those with a new something... car, home, boat, RV, etc. In fact, most of our prayers could fall under the heading of, "give me this, please." God bless me with a new car, mine has a scratch, or a worn tire or a rip in the seat. God, I need a bigger house, bless me so that I can have an extra room for the new 1080i flat panel you just blessed me with.
I wonder if those things could be considered blessings at all! Here's what I think the Holy Spirit was speaking to me. We know that God's desire is for a stronger, closer, deeper relationship with us, His people, His children. So it would make sense that His leading in our lives, or His blessings in our lives should have the goal of drawing us closer to Him.
But it occurred to me that many times the "big" things I ask God to bless me with actually pull me AWAY from Him instead of drawing me closer and deeper into that relationship. The new car, house, boat, job... they take me away from worship, prayer... I don't need to trust God to get me to work, I've got a new car! I have this boat and the only time I can get use it is on Sundays, doesn't God frown on me having this expensive boat and then not using it? I have a new house and bigger payment so I have to work more... you see where this is all going, don't you?
I think this must be why the Bible says, consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because the end result is spiritual maturity, a closer walk with God! When my car might break down on the way to work I pray hard all the way there! When I can't make my house payment I seek God's help and provision! When my job is more of a problem then a gift I spend time with God to work through it! But if I had everything I thought I needed, and have been asking God to bless me with, I wouldn't need Him anymore!
So the end result is this. Maybe the blessings we thought were from God, really came from Satan so that we might need God less. And maybe the things we thought were Satan trying to "keep us down" were really God trying to draw us closer! Maybe we ought to pray that our relationship with God grow instead of our bank account. Perhaps we should seek God as much as we seek "stuff FROM God." What if all Christians stopped praying for blessings and started praying for a closer walk, more workers for the field and an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with someone who is hurting?
I guess we might loose a few "Christians" if they realize God is not here to make us happy but to make us whole. That's alright, we'll let 'em go. Because I'll bet we could get a lot more accomplished for the Kingdom with fewer people sold out to God, then with a bunch of people who have simply sold out.
See, I think in today's Church culture there is a real misconception about what a blessing is. Talk to very many people and you'll find out that while we say we're blessed with health, good kids or a happy marriage, most truly consider God's blessing as having fallen on those with a new something... car, home, boat, RV, etc. In fact, most of our prayers could fall under the heading of, "give me this, please." God bless me with a new car, mine has a scratch, or a worn tire or a rip in the seat. God, I need a bigger house, bless me so that I can have an extra room for the new 1080i flat panel you just blessed me with.
I wonder if those things could be considered blessings at all! Here's what I think the Holy Spirit was speaking to me. We know that God's desire is for a stronger, closer, deeper relationship with us, His people, His children. So it would make sense that His leading in our lives, or His blessings in our lives should have the goal of drawing us closer to Him.
But it occurred to me that many times the "big" things I ask God to bless me with actually pull me AWAY from Him instead of drawing me closer and deeper into that relationship. The new car, house, boat, job... they take me away from worship, prayer... I don't need to trust God to get me to work, I've got a new car! I have this boat and the only time I can get use it is on Sundays, doesn't God frown on me having this expensive boat and then not using it? I have a new house and bigger payment so I have to work more... you see where this is all going, don't you?
I think this must be why the Bible says, consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because the end result is spiritual maturity, a closer walk with God! When my car might break down on the way to work I pray hard all the way there! When I can't make my house payment I seek God's help and provision! When my job is more of a problem then a gift I spend time with God to work through it! But if I had everything I thought I needed, and have been asking God to bless me with, I wouldn't need Him anymore!
So the end result is this. Maybe the blessings we thought were from God, really came from Satan so that we might need God less. And maybe the things we thought were Satan trying to "keep us down" were really God trying to draw us closer! Maybe we ought to pray that our relationship with God grow instead of our bank account. Perhaps we should seek God as much as we seek "stuff FROM God." What if all Christians stopped praying for blessings and started praying for a closer walk, more workers for the field and an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with someone who is hurting?
I guess we might loose a few "Christians" if they realize God is not here to make us happy but to make us whole. That's alright, we'll let 'em go. Because I'll bet we could get a lot more accomplished for the Kingdom with fewer people sold out to God, then with a bunch of people who have simply sold out.
Monday, November 8, 2010
the Every Person Possible principle
At Real Life here in El Dorado we have a vision... I know, nothing new, everybody has one these days. But I think ours comes with a principle that finds its heart directly in the Scriptures. It's not some fancy precisely worded thing that God gave me one a cruise (actually heard a preacher say that's where God to spoke to him... I've never been on a cruise, yet.) no this just comes, like Real Life itself, from livin' this stuff every day.
Here it is; at Real Life we want to help Every Person Possible find real life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Not too fancy. I'm sure you know every word in that sentence and that it makes sense the first time you read it. But there's more. Some might say that we are "over reaching" because we want to help, every person possible and that it just makes the focus too big or blurry or whatever. But I think it's exactly the heart of God.
The every person possible principle should be played out in our lives every day. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:19-27, that he willingly subjected himself to the customs of the people around him so that he might have the opportunity to tell them about Jesus. He said, "when I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ." Paul wanted to connect with everyone so that he might have a moment to tell them about Jesus. But he didn't connect with everyone. Acts is filled with people who turned their back on Paul. Who didn't like him because of what he said or how he said it. He didn't reach everyone, but he did reach many and got to watch Jesus change their lives.
Paul said that he wanted to find, "common ground" with everyone and that he desired to do "everything" to spread the Good News. That's what we're about at Real Life. We know that not everyone is going to connect with what we're doing, how we're doing it or with me, or the band or the children's teacher... But we do what we do to connect with every person possible. For some, it just won't be possible for us to find any common ground. Differences is worship styles, music, dress, my preaching/teaching style, the building, etc. these are all things that might make it difficult for us to connect with some people, but we don't have to reach everyone, just every person possible.
We simply want to do what is best for others so that, like Paul says (in 10:33) "many may be saved." That's every person possible! We're on a mission. We're not going to reach everybody but we want to reach everybody we can. For the cause of Jesus Christ and the glory of God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Maybe one of those from the Every Person Possible group might be you... let us know if it!
Here it is; at Real Life we want to help Every Person Possible find real life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Not too fancy. I'm sure you know every word in that sentence and that it makes sense the first time you read it. But there's more. Some might say that we are "over reaching" because we want to help, every person possible and that it just makes the focus too big or blurry or whatever. But I think it's exactly the heart of God.
The every person possible principle should be played out in our lives every day. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:19-27, that he willingly subjected himself to the customs of the people around him so that he might have the opportunity to tell them about Jesus. He said, "when I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ." Paul wanted to connect with everyone so that he might have a moment to tell them about Jesus. But he didn't connect with everyone. Acts is filled with people who turned their back on Paul. Who didn't like him because of what he said or how he said it. He didn't reach everyone, but he did reach many and got to watch Jesus change their lives.
Paul said that he wanted to find, "common ground" with everyone and that he desired to do "everything" to spread the Good News. That's what we're about at Real Life. We know that not everyone is going to connect with what we're doing, how we're doing it or with me, or the band or the children's teacher... But we do what we do to connect with every person possible. For some, it just won't be possible for us to find any common ground. Differences is worship styles, music, dress, my preaching/teaching style, the building, etc. these are all things that might make it difficult for us to connect with some people, but we don't have to reach everyone, just every person possible.
We simply want to do what is best for others so that, like Paul says (in 10:33) "many may be saved." That's every person possible! We're on a mission. We're not going to reach everybody but we want to reach everybody we can. For the cause of Jesus Christ and the glory of God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Maybe one of those from the Every Person Possible group might be you... let us know if it!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Dealing with Sin.
This morning my wife left the house looking especially beautiful. She always looks good but today she just really stood out and I was thinking about how God had blessed me with a wife who was as attractive on the outside as she is on the inside. Later I called her on the phone and I told her that I thought she looked really good today and that she was, "like a virus, easy to catch but hard to get rid of." I know, cheesy. I'll accept that, I'm head over heels for her. So, go ahead and laugh, I'm use to it. When you're a romantic you just have to live with it.
But in my reading today I came across something that seemed to fit my little pick-up-line (can you really use a pick-up-line on your wife?!) in 1 Corinthians 5:6 Paul says that sin is like, "a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough."
See, sin is that virus that is easy to catch but hard to get rid of... do you see it now?! That is why sin is so damaging, it takes over. It wants to control. To slither its way into every aspect of your life so until it has infected every corner. It wants to posses you. Control you. Destroy you.
When you get sick, the sniffles or sinus or aches and pains you know something is wrong and you go to the Dr. who gives you a Zpack or something and you take care of it. But often with sin we think, "I can handle it. I don't need help. I'll be able to overcome it with time.
In one of the new Batman movies (I really like Batman begins - hated number 2, the joker was just too evil for me) there is a line that goes something like this, "evil thrives on the tolerance of the good." I think that is true. When we don't deal with sin, don't call it what it is, don't point it out and condemn it, we aren't being kind... we're being stupid. That little sin will work its way through our lives, families and churches and destroy us from the inside out. We have to deal with it. That's what Paul was saying. Don't tolerate it, go after it, destroy it or it will destroy you.
Happy hunting to erradicate that sin! Maybe there should be a group in every church with brown jumpsuits and big bibles on their backs and we could call them the "sin busters"! Okay, that was dopey... who ya' gonna call?
But in my reading today I came across something that seemed to fit my little pick-up-line (can you really use a pick-up-line on your wife?!) in 1 Corinthians 5:6 Paul says that sin is like, "a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough."
See, sin is that virus that is easy to catch but hard to get rid of... do you see it now?! That is why sin is so damaging, it takes over. It wants to control. To slither its way into every aspect of your life so until it has infected every corner. It wants to posses you. Control you. Destroy you.
When you get sick, the sniffles or sinus or aches and pains you know something is wrong and you go to the Dr. who gives you a Zpack or something and you take care of it. But often with sin we think, "I can handle it. I don't need help. I'll be able to overcome it with time.
In one of the new Batman movies (I really like Batman begins - hated number 2, the joker was just too evil for me) there is a line that goes something like this, "evil thrives on the tolerance of the good." I think that is true. When we don't deal with sin, don't call it what it is, don't point it out and condemn it, we aren't being kind... we're being stupid. That little sin will work its way through our lives, families and churches and destroy us from the inside out. We have to deal with it. That's what Paul was saying. Don't tolerate it, go after it, destroy it or it will destroy you.
Happy hunting to erradicate that sin! Maybe there should be a group in every church with brown jumpsuits and big bibles on their backs and we could call them the "sin busters"! Okay, that was dopey... who ya' gonna call?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
What is the Christian Life all about?
What is Christianity all about? Do you suppose people who are not believers ask this question? Do people look at us and think, "I don't get it?" What's the big deal about being a Christian. Surely there are people out there who believe there is a God but don't get Him, or care about Him or what He wants... Maybe they don't understand what He's all about?
I'm guessing, since I've been a believer all my life, that people who are not think that we are just like mindless robots. We do whatever some quack in a robe tells us to do. That "God" just wants to control us and keep us from having any fun or experiencing all that life has to offer. I think we Christians must have done a horrible job of explaining the christian life.
Giving your life to God doesn't mean that you lose your freedom, your ability to choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. On the contrary, the christian life is marked by freedom. I can choose to do what I want when I want. I just have to recognize that there are consequences for what I do. If I choose to smoke or take drugs I am free to do that... but there is a high likelihood that I will become a slave to those things (that's why it's called an addiction). I lose my right to choose when I become addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex, violence...sin. Actually, that sin I commit begins to control me! I HAVE to have a another drink. I HAVE to take another drag. That's slavery.
But when I give myself to God through His Son Jesus Christ, what I get is freedom. He will never FORCE me to love Him. He will never MAKE me worship Him. He will never TREAT me like a slave, in fact its quite the opposite, He treats me like a SON.
Jesus said in John 10:9,10 that, Satan "comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that (those who believe) might have real life, eternal life, more and better than they dreamed" (MSG). More life? Better life? Seems pretty far fetched. But look at what Paul says about the Christian life in Romans 14:17, "the Kingdom of God...is a matter of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Does that sound like slavery to you?
What does God want from us? He wants us to willingly choose to give our lives to Him, not as slaves (because we can always choose to do what we want) but as sons and daughters we do what He asks because we love Him. What do we get in return? Life.
God wants you to be able to experience real life. Would you say that your life is marked by goodness? Even if you are a "moral" person, would you say your life is full of peace? That you are joyful? 90% of the time? 50%? 10%? As a follower of Jesus and a child of God my life is not marked by lots of money, a big house or fancy cars. I still face money problems, marital problems, kid problems, pain and sorrow. But in the midst of all that I see the goodness of God displayed all around me. I have peace that surpasses my ability to understand it and though I struggle I have the joy of knowing that this is all temporary anyway.
Do you want to experience Real Life, more and better than you ever imagined? Do you want to live free from the slavery to fear, doubt, addictions and sin? You can have what I and other Christians enjoy. Choose to give your life to God through Jesus Christ. Be free. Experience the real life that only God can give. What have you got to lose? You will always have the opportunity to go back.
I'm guessing, since I've been a believer all my life, that people who are not think that we are just like mindless robots. We do whatever some quack in a robe tells us to do. That "God" just wants to control us and keep us from having any fun or experiencing all that life has to offer. I think we Christians must have done a horrible job of explaining the christian life.
Giving your life to God doesn't mean that you lose your freedom, your ability to choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. On the contrary, the christian life is marked by freedom. I can choose to do what I want when I want. I just have to recognize that there are consequences for what I do. If I choose to smoke or take drugs I am free to do that... but there is a high likelihood that I will become a slave to those things (that's why it's called an addiction). I lose my right to choose when I become addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex, violence...sin. Actually, that sin I commit begins to control me! I HAVE to have a another drink. I HAVE to take another drag. That's slavery.
But when I give myself to God through His Son Jesus Christ, what I get is freedom. He will never FORCE me to love Him. He will never MAKE me worship Him. He will never TREAT me like a slave, in fact its quite the opposite, He treats me like a SON.
Jesus said in John 10:9,10 that, Satan "comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that (those who believe) might have real life, eternal life, more and better than they dreamed" (MSG). More life? Better life? Seems pretty far fetched. But look at what Paul says about the Christian life in Romans 14:17, "the Kingdom of God...is a matter of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Does that sound like slavery to you?
What does God want from us? He wants us to willingly choose to give our lives to Him, not as slaves (because we can always choose to do what we want) but as sons and daughters we do what He asks because we love Him. What do we get in return? Life.
God wants you to be able to experience real life. Would you say that your life is marked by goodness? Even if you are a "moral" person, would you say your life is full of peace? That you are joyful? 90% of the time? 50%? 10%? As a follower of Jesus and a child of God my life is not marked by lots of money, a big house or fancy cars. I still face money problems, marital problems, kid problems, pain and sorrow. But in the midst of all that I see the goodness of God displayed all around me. I have peace that surpasses my ability to understand it and though I struggle I have the joy of knowing that this is all temporary anyway.
Do you want to experience Real Life, more and better than you ever imagined? Do you want to live free from the slavery to fear, doubt, addictions and sin? You can have what I and other Christians enjoy. Choose to give your life to God through Jesus Christ. Be free. Experience the real life that only God can give. What have you got to lose? You will always have the opportunity to go back.
Monday, November 1, 2010
wow, I am humbled...
Just checked and saw that in the last month people from 13 different countries either viewed this blog or watched one of my video messages on the message archive blog. Crazy. Hey, let's do this, if you view this blog or the message blog why not comment on whatever your viewing and let us know where you're reading/watching from?! Come on, it will be fun!
Thanks for allowing me to actually be used by God! I hope it blesses you!
Thanks for allowing me to actually be used by God! I hope it blesses you!
Have you considered God's Love?
Have you ever wondered why God even gave Adam and Eve the ability to chose in the first place? I mean, come on, wouldn't it have been better for us if Adam and Eve would not even have been given the ability to eat from that one stinking tree's fruit?
From that point on we (humanity) have been, as Romans 11 puts it, "imprisoned...in disobedience." Romans 3:23 says it this way, "all have sinned and fallen short of God's perfect mark." It means that we're all in the same boat of sin, unworthy and hopeless. But did you ever think that through that sin, our sin, God has been able to make His mercy known to everyone? Mercy is NOT receiving what you DO deserve. If we all have sinned then what we deserve is death (Romans 6:23) because the wages of sin IS death. But God's mercy, through our sin, is made available to everyone because everyone has sinned.
Here's why this is so incredible. If God only showed His love/mercy to those who deserved it... none of us (yes you... and me) would now experience God's love. Do you have a car? home? job? family? anything good in your whole entire life? You didn't deserve it because you're a sinner. You and I don't DESERVE anything. Honestly, you're not so wonderful that you deserve what you have. Neither am I. If we were honest we'd have to say we've all 1) lied at one time or another. 2) Taken something that wasn't ours... even a post it note or a cheap pen from work. Tell me you've 3) never, never had a dirty thought in your life (see #1). So we're all at least lying, adulterous thieves.
So God shows His love to everyone regardless of whether they deserve it or not. You may say, "I haven't experienced God's love..." Oh yea? Did the sun come up this morning? Did the rain fall on the crops that produce the food you eat? Did you take a breath? Another, and... another? Matthew 5 says that God makes HIS sun shine on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. That's what makes His love so incredible! It's NOT based on whether or not you and I deserve it! We can't live like that. I love those who love me more than those who I know don't. Sad, but true. But because God doesn't show favoritism it makes His love so much better, complete, holy and more perfect than my love!
He loved us first. And He has made His mercy available to everyone just the same. Have you considered God's love lately? Does it make more sense that God tells us to, "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us"? It's because that's what He did with you and me. We were once, like so many others today, enemies of God because of our sin. We persecuted Him when we committed sin, called something He had created, ugly or trashy. Considered worthless the good things He gave us and rejected Him as the source of what we had.
We have all spat in the face of God because we wanted more. But his love STILL was made available to us. Think about it.
From that point on we (humanity) have been, as Romans 11 puts it, "imprisoned...in disobedience." Romans 3:23 says it this way, "all have sinned and fallen short of God's perfect mark." It means that we're all in the same boat of sin, unworthy and hopeless. But did you ever think that through that sin, our sin, God has been able to make His mercy known to everyone? Mercy is NOT receiving what you DO deserve. If we all have sinned then what we deserve is death (Romans 6:23) because the wages of sin IS death. But God's mercy, through our sin, is made available to everyone because everyone has sinned.
Here's why this is so incredible. If God only showed His love/mercy to those who deserved it... none of us (yes you... and me) would now experience God's love. Do you have a car? home? job? family? anything good in your whole entire life? You didn't deserve it because you're a sinner. You and I don't DESERVE anything. Honestly, you're not so wonderful that you deserve what you have. Neither am I. If we were honest we'd have to say we've all 1) lied at one time or another. 2) Taken something that wasn't ours... even a post it note or a cheap pen from work. Tell me you've 3) never, never had a dirty thought in your life (see #1). So we're all at least lying, adulterous thieves.
So God shows His love to everyone regardless of whether they deserve it or not. You may say, "I haven't experienced God's love..." Oh yea? Did the sun come up this morning? Did the rain fall on the crops that produce the food you eat? Did you take a breath? Another, and... another? Matthew 5 says that God makes HIS sun shine on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. That's what makes His love so incredible! It's NOT based on whether or not you and I deserve it! We can't live like that. I love those who love me more than those who I know don't. Sad, but true. But because God doesn't show favoritism it makes His love so much better, complete, holy and more perfect than my love!
He loved us first. And He has made His mercy available to everyone just the same. Have you considered God's love lately? Does it make more sense that God tells us to, "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us"? It's because that's what He did with you and me. We were once, like so many others today, enemies of God because of our sin. We persecuted Him when we committed sin, called something He had created, ugly or trashy. Considered worthless the good things He gave us and rejected Him as the source of what we had.
We have all spat in the face of God because we wanted more. But his love STILL was made available to us. Think about it.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sharing Your Faith: It's your responsibility.
Here's a quick lesson Paul gives in Romans 10 for the necessity of sharing your faith. You don't have to get crazy knocking on doors but you do have a responsibility to step the through the doors God opens.
First of all here is the honest truth about the issue of personal faith. No one can be saved if they do not believe. (See John 3:16 and Acts 4:12)
It's impossible to believe in someone you don't even know exists.
No one will know of someones existence unless others who do know, tell them.
No one will tell them if they are not sent to tell them.
That's why we need to, "set apart Christ as Lord (in our own lives, and) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). And realize that we have all been "sent" to tell others what we know, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).
When you know about Jesus and have experienced life change because of Him you have an obligation to tell others. If you are silent others will not know that Jesus can change their lives too. If they don't know He can, they will not believe that He will. If they don't believe that He will then they can't be saved.
See you and I are the pins that hold this thing together, if we don't do our job and tell others what is going on in our own lives then the hope that they might be saved is lost. If you and I simply keep our mouths shut people will be lost to hell.
I'm not saying you wear a sandwich sign at Wal Mart telling people to "repent or burn," I'm simply stating that if you and I don't take advantage of the opportunities that God presents to us we may be condemning that person to a lifetime and eternity a part from God. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and life, no one comes to God except through Him, but they have to know who He is and what He can do before they will come to experience the Real Life available in/through Him. We've got work to do.
First of all here is the honest truth about the issue of personal faith. No one can be saved if they do not believe. (See John 3:16 and Acts 4:12)
It's impossible to believe in someone you don't even know exists.
No one will know of someones existence unless others who do know, tell them.
No one will tell them if they are not sent to tell them.
That's why we need to, "set apart Christ as Lord (in our own lives, and) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). And realize that we have all been "sent" to tell others what we know, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).
When you know about Jesus and have experienced life change because of Him you have an obligation to tell others. If you are silent others will not know that Jesus can change their lives too. If they don't know He can, they will not believe that He will. If they don't believe that He will then they can't be saved.
See you and I are the pins that hold this thing together, if we don't do our job and tell others what is going on in our own lives then the hope that they might be saved is lost. If you and I simply keep our mouths shut people will be lost to hell.
I'm not saying you wear a sandwich sign at Wal Mart telling people to "repent or burn," I'm simply stating that if you and I don't take advantage of the opportunities that God presents to us we may be condemning that person to a lifetime and eternity a part from God. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and life, no one comes to God except through Him, but they have to know who He is and what He can do before they will come to experience the Real Life available in/through Him. We've got work to do.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Let me break it down for you...
Here it is, short and sweet, directly from Paul.
Do NOT:
Do NOT:
- Let sin control the WAY you live. Your actions, functions, means of life.
- Give it to sinful DESIRES. Greed is a sinful desire, hate, lust, disobedience, selfishness, all.
- Let any part of your body be an INSTRUMENT OF EVIL to serve sin. For instance, your eyes could be a tool to serve the sin of lust, your ears could be a tool to serve the sin of gossip.
INSTEAD (meant to be a replacement for the above):
- Give yourself COMPLETELY to God. That means everything, what you do, say, think, see...
- Use your WHOLE body as an instrument to do what is right for God's glory. Let your hands be the tool God uses to care for someone else. Your voice can be a tool to share God's love with others. Your feet can be the tool God uses to take the hope of Jesus to others. Your ears can be tools used to listen to someone who is hurting.
See, when you give your life to Jesus, sin is no longer master in your life. Now, you live and move and exist under the freedom of God's grace. Life isn't about do's and don'ts any longer, it's about get to's and want to's! I get to experience Real Life in Christ, I want to please my Savior because of what He's done for me!
Get it?! See Romans 6
Friday, October 22, 2010
When you know.
Okay, we've been talking about circumstances a lot lately and following Paul through the tail end of Acts and this latest shipwreck, which we find in 28, lands them on the island of Malta. Here's the deal. Have you noticed how cool and collected Paul has been through all this? Luke too for that matter, since he was along for this whole ride! Anyway, Paul just seems to call it then go through it. No big deal.
In fact, once Paul and all the other people, ship's crew, officers and prisoners, etc., get to land (even Paul had to swim for it, no walking on the water here!) they are cold and wet because there is still this storm raging. Paul, either forced or out of servanthood, begins to collect wood for a fire that the locals had made. Nice guy.
But if the shipwreck was enough to make you question whether God really cared about Paul this next item will blow your mind! While Paul was gathering fire wood a viper springs from warming wood and attaches itself to Paul's hand pumping it's venom into his bloodstream. Paul simply, "shakes it off" and continues about his business. No freak out. No screaming. No prayer. No worry. Of course the locals think he must have done something really bad, murder to be exact, since he survived the water and now a snake has sealed his fate.
They waited for his hand to swell... which would indicate the next step, sudden and complete death. And he deserved it! Rotten murderer. But as they watched him continue to gather sticks, sit and talk, whatever, they noticed that his hand didn't swell and he didn't die! Incredible! There were the two marks from the fangs. But nothing happened. They go from believing he is a murderer to assuming he must be a god! Logical leap, right?! Circumstances completely changed their opinion!
But that's not the cool thing here. I think it's amazing that Paul never questions. Never waivers. Never even seems to care about the shipwreck... or the snake bite! Me, I'd be going crazy on God! I can't believe you made me go through that! I thought you loved me and appreciated all the people I continually tell about Jesus! And now a SNAKE?! Come on! Give me a few moments of peace!
Paul is so convinced that he is on the exact path God has for him that nothing can deter him from preaching in Rome. Paul is single minded. His circumstances don't convince him God has left him anymore than they convince him He's with him, they just are. So, shipwreck, no problem, Paul gets to preach to a whole new group of people. Snake bite? No sweat! Paul gets the opportunity to heal and preach.
God, give me a single minded focus on what you've called me TO, so that it doesn't matter what I'm going through. Good or bad, let me preach, teach and baptize for Your glory.
In fact, once Paul and all the other people, ship's crew, officers and prisoners, etc., get to land (even Paul had to swim for it, no walking on the water here!) they are cold and wet because there is still this storm raging. Paul, either forced or out of servanthood, begins to collect wood for a fire that the locals had made. Nice guy.
But if the shipwreck was enough to make you question whether God really cared about Paul this next item will blow your mind! While Paul was gathering fire wood a viper springs from warming wood and attaches itself to Paul's hand pumping it's venom into his bloodstream. Paul simply, "shakes it off" and continues about his business. No freak out. No screaming. No prayer. No worry. Of course the locals think he must have done something really bad, murder to be exact, since he survived the water and now a snake has sealed his fate.
They waited for his hand to swell... which would indicate the next step, sudden and complete death. And he deserved it! Rotten murderer. But as they watched him continue to gather sticks, sit and talk, whatever, they noticed that his hand didn't swell and he didn't die! Incredible! There were the two marks from the fangs. But nothing happened. They go from believing he is a murderer to assuming he must be a god! Logical leap, right?! Circumstances completely changed their opinion!
But that's not the cool thing here. I think it's amazing that Paul never questions. Never waivers. Never even seems to care about the shipwreck... or the snake bite! Me, I'd be going crazy on God! I can't believe you made me go through that! I thought you loved me and appreciated all the people I continually tell about Jesus! And now a SNAKE?! Come on! Give me a few moments of peace!
Paul is so convinced that he is on the exact path God has for him that nothing can deter him from preaching in Rome. Paul is single minded. His circumstances don't convince him God has left him anymore than they convince him He's with him, they just are. So, shipwreck, no problem, Paul gets to preach to a whole new group of people. Snake bite? No sweat! Paul gets the opportunity to heal and preach.
God, give me a single minded focus on what you've called me TO, so that it doesn't matter what I'm going through. Good or bad, let me preach, teach and baptize for Your glory.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Who do YOU listen to?
It is human nature to seek advise... from people who we think will agree with us. From the time time began we have asked around until we found someone who supported what we desired anyway. Of course, then we've got someone to blame when things don't work out the way we planned, since, we can't blame ourselves. But seriously, where do you seek advise? Who do you listen to?
This becomes a little tricky when you throw God in the mix. Paul had this problem. He is now on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar himself but on the way (late in the fall - storm time) Paul goes to the official in charge of he and other prisoners and tell him shipwreck, loss of cargo and danger to lives awaits them if they continue. The official then goes to the captain of the ship and the owner and asks them what they think, are we in danger of a storm if we continue? The captain and owner think it's a good idea to continue, so they do.
You guessed it. Hurricane time. for 14 days the ship was battered by the storm. The crew did all the right things. They lightened the load by throwing over cargo. They bound the hull with ropes to keep her together. They thew over non-essential gear from the ship. They prayed to their gods. They dropped anchor at one point, at other times they lowered the sails and let the storm drive them. They did everything they were supposed to. But they couldn't stop the storm they could just try to survive through it. 14 days they didn't see the sun or stars. That means they were lost. With nothing to navigate by they were sailing blind. They were lost. They were in danger. They were without hope.
I'll bet the official wished he would have listened to Paul! Though, I have to give him credit, he did learn from his mistake. When the crew was trying to escape using the lifeboat Paul said they would all die if any got off the ship so the official cut the lines and let the lifeboat go. Eventually the ship ran aground and was beaten to pieces by the waves. Oh, by the way, everyone made it to shore but the ship was lost.
When we try to listen to those that support out own thoughts/feelings (like the captain and owner) even when they may be more knowledgeable we often get into trouble. Paul didn't know much about sailing (though he had been shipwrecked at least 2 other times) but he did know God. And God knows. So what does God have to say about your situation? He will never, NEVER, lead you in a direction that is not supported in His Word, the Bible. So always seek out Godly council.
This may sound a bit harsh but, seek marriage advise from couples who make it work, have made it work. Job advise from the guy who's had his for 30 years. Parenting advise from those whose kids are not infants and all have their heads screwed on correctly. I could say it this way. Don't get advise about how to avoid drinking from an alcoholic, talk to the guy whose never had a drop. And most importantly, seek God.
This becomes a little tricky when you throw God in the mix. Paul had this problem. He is now on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar himself but on the way (late in the fall - storm time) Paul goes to the official in charge of he and other prisoners and tell him shipwreck, loss of cargo and danger to lives awaits them if they continue. The official then goes to the captain of the ship and the owner and asks them what they think, are we in danger of a storm if we continue? The captain and owner think it's a good idea to continue, so they do.
You guessed it. Hurricane time. for 14 days the ship was battered by the storm. The crew did all the right things. They lightened the load by throwing over cargo. They bound the hull with ropes to keep her together. They thew over non-essential gear from the ship. They prayed to their gods. They dropped anchor at one point, at other times they lowered the sails and let the storm drive them. They did everything they were supposed to. But they couldn't stop the storm they could just try to survive through it. 14 days they didn't see the sun or stars. That means they were lost. With nothing to navigate by they were sailing blind. They were lost. They were in danger. They were without hope.
I'll bet the official wished he would have listened to Paul! Though, I have to give him credit, he did learn from his mistake. When the crew was trying to escape using the lifeboat Paul said they would all die if any got off the ship so the official cut the lines and let the lifeboat go. Eventually the ship ran aground and was beaten to pieces by the waves. Oh, by the way, everyone made it to shore but the ship was lost.
When we try to listen to those that support out own thoughts/feelings (like the captain and owner) even when they may be more knowledgeable we often get into trouble. Paul didn't know much about sailing (though he had been shipwrecked at least 2 other times) but he did know God. And God knows. So what does God have to say about your situation? He will never, NEVER, lead you in a direction that is not supported in His Word, the Bible. So always seek out Godly council.
This may sound a bit harsh but, seek marriage advise from couples who make it work, have made it work. Job advise from the guy who's had his for 30 years. Parenting advise from those whose kids are not infants and all have their heads screwed on correctly. I could say it this way. Don't get advise about how to avoid drinking from an alcoholic, talk to the guy whose never had a drop. And most importantly, seek God.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Do you know the secret handshake, knock, word?
I remember having a club with some friends from the neighborhood in my backyard. We had a secret knock... we had a secret password too. But in order to learn the secrets of the club you had to prove your worthiness to be in the club. Our "test"? The club house was built on top of my dad's storage shed, so the floor and deck was about 10' off the ground. In order to join the club you had to be able to jump from the clubhouse to the ground without killing yourself or breaking anything. Needless to say the club was pretty small.
I think most of us like to be a part of a club even as adults. Maybe it's a throwback to our childhoods or maybe we just like to feel like we are special, different, better than others. So we join country clubs. We're part of book clubs and alliances. PTO and Lions or Moose or Masons... I'm an official card carrying member of Dillons and Blockbuster myself.
In Acts 26:17-20 Paul is facing yet another trial and in his opening defense statement he says that God sent him to the Gentiles that they might "receive forgiveness of sins" and might "turn from darkness to light" and be "given a place among God's people who are set apart by faith." And this is what made the Jews so incredible mad. Why? Because they thought they were in a private club with God. For thousands of years they were the only ones who knew the secret code. Who had been entrusted with the secret handshake. They hated it that Paul was telling other people the password!
Funny how we tend to struggle with this even today. In my club as a kid every time we added another member the code got harder, longer, more complicated. It seemed that once you got in to the club each person wanted to make it harder for the next. I think this happens in church all the time. Once we're in we want to settle in, get comfortable and then make it harder for the next person, like we're somehow super special and no ordinary person could make it in the club with us. So the guests in our churches across the country feel like they have to dress the right way, speak the right way, walk, act, think, the right way in order to pass the test and get in.
But that has never been God's doing. He made it easy. Paul said the secret code is this, "repent of your sins and turn to God... and prove you have changed by the good things you do." It was the same for the Jews. But then they started adding all these other criteria on top, piling it so high that Jesus said of them, "do not practice what they preach. The tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders while they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them" (Matthew 23:4).
Jesus, right before he was betrayed got down on the dirt floor with a bucket and a bar and washed the dirty, stinky feet of His disciples - including Judas - and when He was done He asked them, "do you understand what I have done for you? You call me "teacher" and "Lord"... and that is what I am. And since I have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you and example that you should do as I have done" (John 13:13-15).
We're all in the same boat. Come from the same place. All have sinned and fallen short and God extends the password to us all just the same, believe in the one that He sent. We have no more right to make it harder for others than Jesus did, than we have to tell Jesus how He "should" have done it. We are not special as Christians. We're simply forgiven. Shouldn't that same forgiveness and Real Life be extended to everyone just the same? He made the rules, our responsibility is to follow them, just the same for all.
I think most of us like to be a part of a club even as adults. Maybe it's a throwback to our childhoods or maybe we just like to feel like we are special, different, better than others. So we join country clubs. We're part of book clubs and alliances. PTO and Lions or Moose or Masons... I'm an official card carrying member of Dillons and Blockbuster myself.
In Acts 26:17-20 Paul is facing yet another trial and in his opening defense statement he says that God sent him to the Gentiles that they might "receive forgiveness of sins" and might "turn from darkness to light" and be "given a place among God's people who are set apart by faith." And this is what made the Jews so incredible mad. Why? Because they thought they were in a private club with God. For thousands of years they were the only ones who knew the secret code. Who had been entrusted with the secret handshake. They hated it that Paul was telling other people the password!
Funny how we tend to struggle with this even today. In my club as a kid every time we added another member the code got harder, longer, more complicated. It seemed that once you got in to the club each person wanted to make it harder for the next. I think this happens in church all the time. Once we're in we want to settle in, get comfortable and then make it harder for the next person, like we're somehow super special and no ordinary person could make it in the club with us. So the guests in our churches across the country feel like they have to dress the right way, speak the right way, walk, act, think, the right way in order to pass the test and get in.
But that has never been God's doing. He made it easy. Paul said the secret code is this, "repent of your sins and turn to God... and prove you have changed by the good things you do." It was the same for the Jews. But then they started adding all these other criteria on top, piling it so high that Jesus said of them, "do not practice what they preach. The tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders while they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them" (Matthew 23:4).
Jesus, right before he was betrayed got down on the dirt floor with a bucket and a bar and washed the dirty, stinky feet of His disciples - including Judas - and when He was done He asked them, "do you understand what I have done for you? You call me "teacher" and "Lord"... and that is what I am. And since I have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you and example that you should do as I have done" (John 13:13-15).
We're all in the same boat. Come from the same place. All have sinned and fallen short and God extends the password to us all just the same, believe in the one that He sent. We have no more right to make it harder for others than Jesus did, than we have to tell Jesus how He "should" have done it. We are not special as Christians. We're simply forgiven. Shouldn't that same forgiveness and Real Life be extended to everyone just the same? He made the rules, our responsibility is to follow them, just the same for all.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Circumstances, Shmirckumstances.
Are you controlled by your circumstances? More often than not I am. If things are going well I am happy. If the bills are due, the tires are flat and the cupboards are empty I'm NOT happy. I can be having a great day and then something crummy happens and I'm depressed. I hate it. My mood, my feelings, my circumstances, my downfall. I don't know how Paul did it. Once again in my reading I'm amazed at his consistency in following Christ regardless of what is going on around him.
It happens in chapter 24 of Acts. Paul gets arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Caesarea where he stands trial under Felix. Felix likes listening to him so he keeps Paul under house arrest (he has some freedom but not a lot) until the captain of the guard from Jerusalem can come and fill him in on the details of Paul's arrest. Anyway, a couple verses later we read that Paul was there, in custody for TWO YEARS waiting for this guy!
That would be enough to get me all kinds of upset with God! Paul was doing exactly what God wanted him to do and even while in jail Paul continued to write to the churches to encourage them, he would meet with groups and teach them in the house he was in and over and over he got to meet with Felix and other high-ranking officials to tell them about Christ. One would think God would be happy with Paul! One would think God would want to bless Paul, get him out of jail, set him up in a big house with a fat paycheck and nice car... um, Chariot! Instead, Paul sits in jail for two years and then when Felix is replaced and some dude named Festus comes to power Paul is left in jail as a favor to... the Jews!
So Paul did everything (as near as the text describes) right and still his circumstances were crummy at best. It would have made anyone else "feel" rejected by God and frustrated with doing the right thing and not getting any earthly reward. But it didn't seem to matter to Paul. Remember he's the guy who said, "if I live the name of Christ is honored through my life, if I die, it will be great gain for me to be in the presence of my Savior." Paul didn't care about his circumstances because they changed all the time. He recognized that what was going on around him was not as important as what was happening in and through him as he followed God's plan for his life.
I want to be free from slavery to my circumstances. I want to follow and trust God in spite of what is going on around me. My hope should be in the Lord, who made heaven and earth! My circumstances don't control my emotions or feelings. Nor do are they the determining factor as to whether or not I am doing what God has called me to. They are just circumstances. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. All the time useful for the Kingdom of God if I allow myself to be used regardless of my circumstances.
Circumstances are NOT indicators of God's favor. Live for the ultimate goal of life eternal, not for the momentary ease of your present situation.
It happens in chapter 24 of Acts. Paul gets arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Caesarea where he stands trial under Felix. Felix likes listening to him so he keeps Paul under house arrest (he has some freedom but not a lot) until the captain of the guard from Jerusalem can come and fill him in on the details of Paul's arrest. Anyway, a couple verses later we read that Paul was there, in custody for TWO YEARS waiting for this guy!
That would be enough to get me all kinds of upset with God! Paul was doing exactly what God wanted him to do and even while in jail Paul continued to write to the churches to encourage them, he would meet with groups and teach them in the house he was in and over and over he got to meet with Felix and other high-ranking officials to tell them about Christ. One would think God would be happy with Paul! One would think God would want to bless Paul, get him out of jail, set him up in a big house with a fat paycheck and nice car... um, Chariot! Instead, Paul sits in jail for two years and then when Felix is replaced and some dude named Festus comes to power Paul is left in jail as a favor to... the Jews!
So Paul did everything (as near as the text describes) right and still his circumstances were crummy at best. It would have made anyone else "feel" rejected by God and frustrated with doing the right thing and not getting any earthly reward. But it didn't seem to matter to Paul. Remember he's the guy who said, "if I live the name of Christ is honored through my life, if I die, it will be great gain for me to be in the presence of my Savior." Paul didn't care about his circumstances because they changed all the time. He recognized that what was going on around him was not as important as what was happening in and through him as he followed God's plan for his life.
I want to be free from slavery to my circumstances. I want to follow and trust God in spite of what is going on around me. My hope should be in the Lord, who made heaven and earth! My circumstances don't control my emotions or feelings. Nor do are they the determining factor as to whether or not I am doing what God has called me to. They are just circumstances. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. All the time useful for the Kingdom of God if I allow myself to be used regardless of my circumstances.
Circumstances are NOT indicators of God's favor. Live for the ultimate goal of life eternal, not for the momentary ease of your present situation.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Right and Wrong get blurred...
In today's christian culture we are made to believe that if we are right with God or right where God wants us then all will be right with our lives as well. Like, the closer we get to God, living like Christ, less sin, however you want to say it, our lives should get increasingly better.
Job's friends believed that since things were going wrong in his life, there must be wrong in his life. I know that sounds weird, right. But they assumed that he must be sinning somehow (wrong) because there was bad stuff happening to him. Today it seems like the only way to get people to give God a chance is to say, "everything will get better in your life if you follow Jesus, do what He wants." But I just can't buy that. You see, if following God made your life better, everyone would do it! If by making Jesus the Lord of my life I "get" stuff, better car, bigger house, higher-paying job, etc. then everyone would be jumping on the Jesus bus!
But I see no where in the Bible where that is promised or plays out in the biographies of the Apostles. Let's take Paul.
In Acts 21-23 Paul is on his way back to Jerusalem, because he believes (correctly) that God wants him to go back there. In chapter 21 it is prophesied that he will be bound and chained when he gets there - but that doesn't stop him. In chapter 22 he meets with the leaders/Elders of the Jerusalem church and they try to keep him from being discovered but that doesn't work. In chapter 23 Paul is beaten and arrested and put in jail. And while there God speaks to him and tells him not to worry because God is making a way for him to take the Gospel to Rome.
It seems like the exact opposite of what some popular religious speakers of today tell us! When we do what God wants things should get better in out lives (right should be rewarded with a better life). But in the Bible the more right things the apostles did the more wrong (persecution) they suffered! How do we reconcile this?!
My prayer today was this, that whether in plenty or need I would be right where God wants me. Our circumstances in life do not determine God's blessing or curse. They are simply by-products of the world we live in. It is better to be right with God then wrong with the world.
Job's friends believed that since things were going wrong in his life, there must be wrong in his life. I know that sounds weird, right. But they assumed that he must be sinning somehow (wrong) because there was bad stuff happening to him. Today it seems like the only way to get people to give God a chance is to say, "everything will get better in your life if you follow Jesus, do what He wants." But I just can't buy that. You see, if following God made your life better, everyone would do it! If by making Jesus the Lord of my life I "get" stuff, better car, bigger house, higher-paying job, etc. then everyone would be jumping on the Jesus bus!
But I see no where in the Bible where that is promised or plays out in the biographies of the Apostles. Let's take Paul.
In Acts 21-23 Paul is on his way back to Jerusalem, because he believes (correctly) that God wants him to go back there. In chapter 21 it is prophesied that he will be bound and chained when he gets there - but that doesn't stop him. In chapter 22 he meets with the leaders/Elders of the Jerusalem church and they try to keep him from being discovered but that doesn't work. In chapter 23 Paul is beaten and arrested and put in jail. And while there God speaks to him and tells him not to worry because God is making a way for him to take the Gospel to Rome.
It seems like the exact opposite of what some popular religious speakers of today tell us! When we do what God wants things should get better in out lives (right should be rewarded with a better life). But in the Bible the more right things the apostles did the more wrong (persecution) they suffered! How do we reconcile this?!
My prayer today was this, that whether in plenty or need I would be right where God wants me. Our circumstances in life do not determine God's blessing or curse. They are simply by-products of the world we live in. It is better to be right with God then wrong with the world.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
In case you forgot.
Just a quick post today.
Yesterday I shared about Paul's message in Athens that God has a purpose and desire for us to find Him easily. In today's text I read that God spoke to Paul while things were difficult for him and this line from God stuck out, "For I am with you."
Life is difficult right now. Church is difficult. There are struggles and obstacles and opposition coming at us so fast and from so many different directions it's hard to even focus on one of them. At times it feels like I'm floating in the ocean... like on one of those movies... just me, treading water in the middle with no one around. No land. Nothing to rest on or hold on to. Just water, water everywhere. I ask God to throw me a life-preserver, something to allow me to rest a bit and catch my breath. But He doesn't and I wonder why.
I am with you.
We often want God to get us out of our predicament, even if we got ourselves into it. We want Him to come to the rescue and throw us a line!
I am with you.
I want God to show up, guns blazing and wipe out everything and everyone who is opposing me. But He doesn't. And maybe it's because He's not sitting in heaven looking out at those whom He could chose to rescue and those He will let flounder for a little while longer. Maybe, as hard as it is to understand, maybe He's with us. Maybe He's going through the same garbage with us. The only difference is He knows what's over that next wave. He knows what's coming around the next corner or over the next hurdle. He knows in what direction the land lies.
I'm guessing He's pointing. He's coaching. He's encouraging. He's prodding, "keep kicking a little bit longer... you're almost there!" All I want is a life-preserver to rest and catch my breath, but He's using the opposition to build muscles I didn't even know I had.
Yesterday I shared about Paul's message in Athens that God has a purpose and desire for us to find Him easily. In today's text I read that God spoke to Paul while things were difficult for him and this line from God stuck out, "For I am with you."
Life is difficult right now. Church is difficult. There are struggles and obstacles and opposition coming at us so fast and from so many different directions it's hard to even focus on one of them. At times it feels like I'm floating in the ocean... like on one of those movies... just me, treading water in the middle with no one around. No land. Nothing to rest on or hold on to. Just water, water everywhere. I ask God to throw me a life-preserver, something to allow me to rest a bit and catch my breath. But He doesn't and I wonder why.
I am with you.
We often want God to get us out of our predicament, even if we got ourselves into it. We want Him to come to the rescue and throw us a line!
I am with you.
I want God to show up, guns blazing and wipe out everything and everyone who is opposing me. But He doesn't. And maybe it's because He's not sitting in heaven looking out at those whom He could chose to rescue and those He will let flounder for a little while longer. Maybe, as hard as it is to understand, maybe He's with us. Maybe He's going through the same garbage with us. The only difference is He knows what's over that next wave. He knows what's coming around the next corner or over the next hurdle. He knows in what direction the land lies.
I'm guessing He's pointing. He's coaching. He's encouraging. He's prodding, "keep kicking a little bit longer... you're almost there!" All I want is a life-preserver to rest and catch my breath, but He's using the opposition to build muscles I didn't even know I had.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The God of Closeness.
Have you ever had your kids give you that look like, "why are you doing this to me?!" It is usually followed by, "I hate you!" The one phrase that should bring a smile to every parent's face. Sure, it is painful, but it probably means you're doing the right thing... like your 12 year old daughter wanted to go to an Ozzy concert with her EMO boyfriend or something. Or your 17 year old son wanted to go camping with boys and girls and no adult supervision. You said, "No," because you're a caring, involved parent and they got mad because they can't understand yet what the danger is. They will, someday.
The Apostle Paul traveled to Athens and had the opportunity to preach to the high council of the city. They had many, many, gods that they worshiped but they had one big problem. They didn't know what any of them expected. If they worshiped one of their gods and then a storm came and killed people they would assume they worship wrong and that god was mad. So they'd try something else. If something they considered good happened they'd decide that was the appropriate way to worship.
It was kind of like being let loose on a pitch-black football field and being told find the candle and the single match (the paper kind in from a matchbook) to light it so you can figure out where you are and how to connect with god.
Paul says, God is not like that at all. It is His desire, His "purpose" that we find Him! So, he gives us the match and the candle! He wants us to find Him because He wants to have a relationship with us. There are not a bunch of hoops to jump through or a series of "trials" to go through to determine if you are worthy, He's already made you worthy. He already determined you were worth it when He, "formed you in the womb." In fact, Paul goes on to say, without His involvement we could not survive. It is IN HIM that we live (have the capacity for Real Life) and move (exercise our will in the world) and exist at all! It all comes from Him because He is intimately and directly involved in each of our lives.
But sometimes we can't understand what He's doing in our lives. We don't recognize the dangers, or the trouble or see that there is anything we might need to avoid. And so He disciplines. He directs. He disciplines. We do not avoid every pain in life, every trouble or struggle or negative situation... neither do our children. But He wants to protect us as much as possible. And when we mess up He is the only one who gets to say, "I brought you into this world... I can take you out" and mean it.
Thanks God for helping me to avoid some things, while allowing me to experience others. I wouldn't know how good I had it without knowing how bad it could be.
The Apostle Paul traveled to Athens and had the opportunity to preach to the high council of the city. They had many, many, gods that they worshiped but they had one big problem. They didn't know what any of them expected. If they worshiped one of their gods and then a storm came and killed people they would assume they worship wrong and that god was mad. So they'd try something else. If something they considered good happened they'd decide that was the appropriate way to worship.
It was kind of like being let loose on a pitch-black football field and being told find the candle and the single match (the paper kind in from a matchbook) to light it so you can figure out where you are and how to connect with god.
Paul says, God is not like that at all. It is His desire, His "purpose" that we find Him! So, he gives us the match and the candle! He wants us to find Him because He wants to have a relationship with us. There are not a bunch of hoops to jump through or a series of "trials" to go through to determine if you are worthy, He's already made you worthy. He already determined you were worth it when He, "formed you in the womb." In fact, Paul goes on to say, without His involvement we could not survive. It is IN HIM that we live (have the capacity for Real Life) and move (exercise our will in the world) and exist at all! It all comes from Him because He is intimately and directly involved in each of our lives.
But sometimes we can't understand what He's doing in our lives. We don't recognize the dangers, or the trouble or see that there is anything we might need to avoid. And so He disciplines. He directs. He disciplines. We do not avoid every pain in life, every trouble or struggle or negative situation... neither do our children. But He wants to protect us as much as possible. And when we mess up He is the only one who gets to say, "I brought you into this world... I can take you out" and mean it.
Thanks God for helping me to avoid some things, while allowing me to experience others. I wouldn't know how good I had it without knowing how bad it could be.
Monday, October 11, 2010
A Peek at my most recent requests
I have been praying a lot lately that I would have "eyes to see" God and "ears to hear" Him. I have been asking that the Holy Spirit give me eyes and ears to see where God is leading and to hear Him so that I can follow. Have had a couple glimmers of His leading so far.
Today while reading in Acts 16 I came across Paul and his companions on a journey and something interesting. Luke records that the Holy Spirit "prevented" them from going into Asia and then a bit later from going into Bithynia. This got me thinking... how did He do that?
We know that the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity (a word not used but certainly depicted in the Bible representing God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus calls the "other counselor who will be with you forever) and as such can control time, space, nature, etc. So, was the prevention spiritual? If so, why doesn't Luke say, "the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul." Was it a vision? Did the Spirit use a natural disaster or physical road block to keep them from going there? I want to know because that's the kind of guy I am... one who wants to know. But the text doesn't say and any commentator who states for sure is crazy and only speculating at best.
So, I've added that to my list of questions to ask those dudes when I get to heaven. But I'm thinking also that maybe it was a combination of a few of those ideas I had. I've ruled out (if that's possible) the Spirit's direct communication with the group because certainly Luke, a stickler for detail, would have mentioned it had it happened. What I'm left with is some physical means that stopped them. Perhaps someone got sick and needed to get to a nearby village in the opposite direction. Maybe a bridge washed out or they ran out of food. Perhaps there were bandits or something on a certain road they heard about.
I guess the point for me is this, I have to be sensitive to the Spirit. Sensitive enough that I am able to go with the flow - understanding that it may be the Spirit leading me in another direction. I often want the direct contact means of spiritual nudging. I don't like to "guess" but maybe the way the Spirit works is sometimes direct and sometimes indirect.
My prayer today was that I be sensitive enough to the Spirit's work in my own life that I could be stopped or re-directed so that God's will is accomplished in and through my life. Whether He works through physical events or speaks directly or through visions I must be alert enough to go, "oh, the Spirit is working here." Give me eyes to see and ears to hear.
Today while reading in Acts 16 I came across Paul and his companions on a journey and something interesting. Luke records that the Holy Spirit "prevented" them from going into Asia and then a bit later from going into Bithynia. This got me thinking... how did He do that?
We know that the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity (a word not used but certainly depicted in the Bible representing God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus calls the "other counselor who will be with you forever) and as such can control time, space, nature, etc. So, was the prevention spiritual? If so, why doesn't Luke say, "the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul." Was it a vision? Did the Spirit use a natural disaster or physical road block to keep them from going there? I want to know because that's the kind of guy I am... one who wants to know. But the text doesn't say and any commentator who states for sure is crazy and only speculating at best.
So, I've added that to my list of questions to ask those dudes when I get to heaven. But I'm thinking also that maybe it was a combination of a few of those ideas I had. I've ruled out (if that's possible) the Spirit's direct communication with the group because certainly Luke, a stickler for detail, would have mentioned it had it happened. What I'm left with is some physical means that stopped them. Perhaps someone got sick and needed to get to a nearby village in the opposite direction. Maybe a bridge washed out or they ran out of food. Perhaps there were bandits or something on a certain road they heard about.
I guess the point for me is this, I have to be sensitive to the Spirit. Sensitive enough that I am able to go with the flow - understanding that it may be the Spirit leading me in another direction. I often want the direct contact means of spiritual nudging. I don't like to "guess" but maybe the way the Spirit works is sometimes direct and sometimes indirect.
My prayer today was that I be sensitive enough to the Spirit's work in my own life that I could be stopped or re-directed so that God's will is accomplished in and through my life. Whether He works through physical events or speaks directly or through visions I must be alert enough to go, "oh, the Spirit is working here." Give me eyes to see and ears to hear.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
A piece of the puzzle
We have a ton of puzzles in my house. Most of my children loved putting them together when they were younger and our son with Autism goes through times of obsession with puzzles. Lots of puzzles, though, mean lots of puzzle pieces. I can't tell you how many puzzles I have thrown away because we could not find just one piece. I refuse to have puzzles with a missing piece. It's one of my core values. To spend that much time on a project and then not be able to complete it because a single part is missing is just too much for me to handle.
But tossing puzzles because you can't find the last piece often means that as you put together another one you end up with an extra piece that doesn't fit the puzzle you're working on. Ever tried to go through a box of puzzles in an attempt to figure out which puzzle this one little tiny piece goes to? Frustrating. Exhausting. Aggravating. Depressing.
And that's exactly how I feel when I look at the individual pieces (events) of my life.
I read this morning from Acts 14 where Paul and Barnabas preach from town to town. At one stop they preached and healed a crippled man who had never walked. When the town's people heard about it they believed the two of them were "gods" and wanted to worship them. Paul and his companion tried to stop them, shouting and telling them there were just ordinary men. Then some Jews from another town showed up and "won the people over" to the point of a mob and Paul was stoned to death and dragged outside the city. But the believers prayed and he got up and went back into town.
Here are the pieces:
But tossing puzzles because you can't find the last piece often means that as you put together another one you end up with an extra piece that doesn't fit the puzzle you're working on. Ever tried to go through a box of puzzles in an attempt to figure out which puzzle this one little tiny piece goes to? Frustrating. Exhausting. Aggravating. Depressing.
And that's exactly how I feel when I look at the individual pieces (events) of my life.
I read this morning from Acts 14 where Paul and Barnabas preach from town to town. At one stop they preached and healed a crippled man who had never walked. When the town's people heard about it they believed the two of them were "gods" and wanted to worship them. Paul and his companion tried to stop them, shouting and telling them there were just ordinary men. Then some Jews from another town showed up and "won the people over" to the point of a mob and Paul was stoned to death and dragged outside the city. But the believers prayed and he got up and went back into town.
Here are the pieces:
- Paul was trying to preach the Good News about faith in the resurrected Jesus.
- Paul healed a crippled man.
- The town's people believed they were gods.
- Offerings and sacrifices were made to them (or attempted).
- The people were then convinced that Paul was worthy of death.
- Paul was stoned and left for dead.
- Paul came back to life and entered the city.
Taken separately each of these individual events leave you with very different feelings.
Great joy to have people receive the message and be healed. Great dread to be considered a god. How anxious they must have been keeping the people from worshiping them instead of Jesus Christ. Great fear as Paul faced a terrible death by stoning. And how awesome it must have been to see Paul alive again!
By themselves the single events/pieces of your life can go from one extreme to the other. An incredible high to be used by God to a drastic low when something bad happens (since we often think that doing what God wants gets us "blessed" instead of cursed). But looking at the pieces of our lives as only a part of the whole picture should give us a much more even-tempered understanding. So the highs aren't too high and the lows aren't too low.
Taken alone, the pieces of our lives are hard to figure out. Why is God doing this? Why did He allow this to happen? This piece where everything looks great doesn't fit with this piece where everything is horrible. We just can't get a sense of the picture looking at the piece. So I need to reserve judgement. Hold off on my predictions. Not assume that each piece is a complete story in itself... because it isn't. Only as I see the pieces of my life coming together can I truly get a feel for what my life is all about and what God is doing through it and in it.
We need to see both the individual events of our lives and the picture God has been creating. Seen together, you're life is an inspiring picture of God's faithfulness. Taken one at a time, life just doesn't make sense. Let the pieces come together.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
God doesn't call in sick on our off days.
I don't know why but I'm remembering a bunch of old songs this week that I sang as a boy. Today I was reminded of the Paul and Silas song my Mom used to sing, "Paul and Silas were in jail, they sang hymns and prayed, then an angel loosed their bonds, the jailer was afraid..."
I always thought that song meant that when I was in trouble I should sing and pray. But my experiences have taught me that sometimes (though it shouldn't be this way) those are the last things you want to do. I think that was the case for Peter in Acts 12:6-11. Peter is in the same situation, jail. But his attitude is a little different from Paul and Silas. Peter is asleep (not singing or praying). He is chained between two guards, that is, chained TO two guards. There are also soldiers at two different posts moving away from his cell. And there is a large, locked gate that separates the city outside from the Jail inside. He is stuck. So he sleeps.
That is, until an angel, "struck him in the side." Did you ever hear of another angel acting this way? I'm thinking he was in the angel etiquette program... and failed. He's like the Rambo of Angels. Or Rocky angel, "Yo, Pete... get up!" I have to assume, since it happened every other time, that the angel tried to wake Pete, er, Peter up like all other angels. "Peter, do not be afraid." That apparently didn't work. So, Rambo Angel got progressively louder and more agitated.
But once Peter is up, the chains fall off. The doors open. Even the large gate, the final barrier, swings open by itself (surely an incredible feat and not likely to happen on accident). Peter doesn't know what's going on. Thinks he's having a dream until the angel disappears as they are walking down the streets of the city. That's usually what happens when you're convinced your situation is too impossible to get out of. You simply cease to see the way out. He believed he was going to die like (the first Apostle to be killed) his friend and fellow Apostle, James. He's in the same jail James was probably housed and killed in! He's chained between two guards! There's guards posted at the doors! There's a huge gate! Its impossible!
Let me get to the point. Peter saw Jesus raise Lazarus. He pulled a coin from the mouth of a random fish. He was the first to preach Jesus and he saw Jesus' resurrected body. But in this case he couldn't see a way out. He couldn't transfer what he had seen, to his current situation. But others were praying. And God moved.
Sometimes when you're in the pit you just can't bring yourself to pray or sing, it's hopeless. But that doesn't mean that God can't work. Others were praying and God rescued him in spite of his current situation and spiritual funk.
He can rescue you too. No matter how hopeless it seems. Let someone know you're hurting. Tell them about your chains. Even if you think you can't move and there is no way out. He can set you free. Even if He has to send Rambo Angel! And when He does, do exactly what Peter does. Run and tell someone what God has done in your life. Celebrate His provision!
I always thought that song meant that when I was in trouble I should sing and pray. But my experiences have taught me that sometimes (though it shouldn't be this way) those are the last things you want to do. I think that was the case for Peter in Acts 12:6-11. Peter is in the same situation, jail. But his attitude is a little different from Paul and Silas. Peter is asleep (not singing or praying). He is chained between two guards, that is, chained TO two guards. There are also soldiers at two different posts moving away from his cell. And there is a large, locked gate that separates the city outside from the Jail inside. He is stuck. So he sleeps.
That is, until an angel, "struck him in the side." Did you ever hear of another angel acting this way? I'm thinking he was in the angel etiquette program... and failed. He's like the Rambo of Angels. Or Rocky angel, "Yo, Pete... get up!" I have to assume, since it happened every other time, that the angel tried to wake Pete, er, Peter up like all other angels. "Peter, do not be afraid." That apparently didn't work. So, Rambo Angel got progressively louder and more agitated.
But once Peter is up, the chains fall off. The doors open. Even the large gate, the final barrier, swings open by itself (surely an incredible feat and not likely to happen on accident). Peter doesn't know what's going on. Thinks he's having a dream until the angel disappears as they are walking down the streets of the city. That's usually what happens when you're convinced your situation is too impossible to get out of. You simply cease to see the way out. He believed he was going to die like (the first Apostle to be killed) his friend and fellow Apostle, James. He's in the same jail James was probably housed and killed in! He's chained between two guards! There's guards posted at the doors! There's a huge gate! Its impossible!
Let me get to the point. Peter saw Jesus raise Lazarus. He pulled a coin from the mouth of a random fish. He was the first to preach Jesus and he saw Jesus' resurrected body. But in this case he couldn't see a way out. He couldn't transfer what he had seen, to his current situation. But others were praying. And God moved.
Sometimes when you're in the pit you just can't bring yourself to pray or sing, it's hopeless. But that doesn't mean that God can't work. Others were praying and God rescued him in spite of his current situation and spiritual funk.
He can rescue you too. No matter how hopeless it seems. Let someone know you're hurting. Tell them about your chains. Even if you think you can't move and there is no way out. He can set you free. Even if He has to send Rambo Angel! And when He does, do exactly what Peter does. Run and tell someone what God has done in your life. Celebrate His provision!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
It only takes a spark... destruction complete.
When I was a child in VBS and Sunday School I remember singing this song.
It only takes a spark,
to get a fire going.
And soon all those around,
can warm up to it's glowing.
I recall that being a very sweet song. Everybody sitting in a circle holding hands. I think it closely preceded by Kumbaya.
But today I'm thinking about how "sparks" have ignited some of the countries largest forest fires. How one spark has torched a home. How an innocent flame can quickly destroy lives. The spark is innocent. The consequences can be devastating.
I only got to verse one of Acts eight today in my Bible reading before I had to write. Luke, an incredible writer, does such a great job of moving through the story of the early church. In chapter seven we are introduced to a man names Stephen who is chosen to be a leader in the local church. But by the end of the chapter Stephen has preached an incredible message of hope in Jesus Christ to the Jewish leaders and was has been killed for it. Chapter eight verse one says, "Saul was one of the witnesses and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen" (NLT).
If you read the next few verses you would find out that a great persecution of the church broke out and that Saul was the ring-leader for it all. But I don't want to get that far. You see, in verse one I see a spark. A tiny flame. An insignificant act that would lead to one of the most horrific genocides in history.
You see, we take for granted the little things. A thought we dwell on a little too long. An action with seemingly no consequence. One. Simple. Word. Spoken without thought. A twist of the heart that drastically and quickly sends the path of our lives in a direction we never expected, could not have foreseen and still can't believe.
Perhaps this is why the Bible warns, "guard your heart..."
Every act. Every word. Every thought, has the potential to send our lives off course.
Guard your heart (Pro 4:23).
Do not be quick with your mouth (Ecc 5:2).
Capture every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:5).
May the only "sparks" in my life be used to spur others on to good deed in Christ Jesus.
It only takes a spark,
to get a fire going.
And soon all those around,
can warm up to it's glowing.
I recall that being a very sweet song. Everybody sitting in a circle holding hands. I think it closely preceded by Kumbaya.
But today I'm thinking about how "sparks" have ignited some of the countries largest forest fires. How one spark has torched a home. How an innocent flame can quickly destroy lives. The spark is innocent. The consequences can be devastating.
I only got to verse one of Acts eight today in my Bible reading before I had to write. Luke, an incredible writer, does such a great job of moving through the story of the early church. In chapter seven we are introduced to a man names Stephen who is chosen to be a leader in the local church. But by the end of the chapter Stephen has preached an incredible message of hope in Jesus Christ to the Jewish leaders and was has been killed for it. Chapter eight verse one says, "Saul was one of the witnesses and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen" (NLT).
If you read the next few verses you would find out that a great persecution of the church broke out and that Saul was the ring-leader for it all. But I don't want to get that far. You see, in verse one I see a spark. A tiny flame. An insignificant act that would lead to one of the most horrific genocides in history.
You see, we take for granted the little things. A thought we dwell on a little too long. An action with seemingly no consequence. One. Simple. Word. Spoken without thought. A twist of the heart that drastically and quickly sends the path of our lives in a direction we never expected, could not have foreseen and still can't believe.
Perhaps this is why the Bible warns, "guard your heart..."
Every act. Every word. Every thought, has the potential to send our lives off course.
Guard your heart (Pro 4:23).
Do not be quick with your mouth (Ecc 5:2).
Capture every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:5).
May the only "sparks" in my life be used to spur others on to good deed in Christ Jesus.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Standing on the promise.
I am not a patient man. I don't like to wait for things. In fact, I hate it. For years I have told God, "just tell me what you want me to do... and let me get to it." I don't like to sit. I don't wait well. I have always been a what's next guy. Get this done, so I can move on. That's probably why I'd much rather take a snap-shot than paint a picture.
This creates some problems. I rarely enjoy what I'm doing now. I only see it as a stepping stone for the "next thing" so I don't spend too much time in the moment. Relationships, children, church... same story. Hurry up and get through this, to get to the next thing. I couldn't wait to be married. Then I couldn't wait to have kids. Find a job, settle in and get to work on whats next.
But I'm now in my 39's (39 years, 3 months and 2 days to be exact!) and our oldest child is going to graduate this coming May. And now I'm not so sure I want to move on to the next thing. I'm trying to pull back on the reigns. I'm looking down the road at the changes coming and I'm pretty sure I've missed some things.
It must have been hard for Abraham. God called him to leave his hometown and head to a land of promise. So, Moses packed up and headed out, my kind of guy! A few pit stops and a re-issue of the call and finally he landed at the very spot God promised to give him and his descendants. But did Abraham get right to work? NO! God didn't give Abraham even "one square foot" according to Stephen in Acts 7:4-7! Abraham was standing on the very spot God was going to give his children but Abraham didn't get any of it. Instead, he got a promise. A promise that after some wandering and slavery and punishment and a bunch of years, Abraham's descendants would indeed be given the land and would make it there own.
I don't know if I could do it. Be exactly where God wanted me to be and not do anything about it. It's difficult for me to imagine. Abraham must have been a man of great faith and patience and trust - I guess I struggle with all of those. I want to get to work! I want to get moving! I want to do just about anything but sit and wait. But that is what is needed sometimes. God had to bring a whole nation up, raise them as His children, so they will trust Him and only Him. That couldn't be done if God just gave it to Abraham. So He leads, provides, guides, teaching them to trust.
Sometimes our feet need to be still.
Sometimes all we can do is look to the future and trust that God knows what He's doing.
That's hard for me, but I'm giving it a shot. I know that my life is an unfinished painting of what He has planned. If I sit still long enough, I'll see that picture come to life and be so glad I got to be His subject matter.
He's got a beautiful picture He's painting for you too. Be still and watch it take shape and be amazed at what He sees in you!
This creates some problems. I rarely enjoy what I'm doing now. I only see it as a stepping stone for the "next thing" so I don't spend too much time in the moment. Relationships, children, church... same story. Hurry up and get through this, to get to the next thing. I couldn't wait to be married. Then I couldn't wait to have kids. Find a job, settle in and get to work on whats next.
But I'm now in my 39's (39 years, 3 months and 2 days to be exact!) and our oldest child is going to graduate this coming May. And now I'm not so sure I want to move on to the next thing. I'm trying to pull back on the reigns. I'm looking down the road at the changes coming and I'm pretty sure I've missed some things.
It must have been hard for Abraham. God called him to leave his hometown and head to a land of promise. So, Moses packed up and headed out, my kind of guy! A few pit stops and a re-issue of the call and finally he landed at the very spot God promised to give him and his descendants. But did Abraham get right to work? NO! God didn't give Abraham even "one square foot" according to Stephen in Acts 7:4-7! Abraham was standing on the very spot God was going to give his children but Abraham didn't get any of it. Instead, he got a promise. A promise that after some wandering and slavery and punishment and a bunch of years, Abraham's descendants would indeed be given the land and would make it there own.
I don't know if I could do it. Be exactly where God wanted me to be and not do anything about it. It's difficult for me to imagine. Abraham must have been a man of great faith and patience and trust - I guess I struggle with all of those. I want to get to work! I want to get moving! I want to do just about anything but sit and wait. But that is what is needed sometimes. God had to bring a whole nation up, raise them as His children, so they will trust Him and only Him. That couldn't be done if God just gave it to Abraham. So He leads, provides, guides, teaching them to trust.
Sometimes our feet need to be still.
Sometimes all we can do is look to the future and trust that God knows what He's doing.
That's hard for me, but I'm giving it a shot. I know that my life is an unfinished painting of what He has planned. If I sit still long enough, I'll see that picture come to life and be so glad I got to be His subject matter.
He's got a beautiful picture He's painting for you too. Be still and watch it take shape and be amazed at what He sees in you!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Obediance
Acts 5:29. Often quoted by those who break the law. Wrongly.
Peter and John have been imprisoned for preaching the Gospel (and blaming the religious leaders for killing Jesus). They are, once again, hauled before the whole Jewish council to account for their actions and are told to, "never again teach in this man's name." To which they reply, "we must obey God rather than any human authority..." And there you have it. Every christian person who has been arrested for breaking the law uses this passage as their "get out of jail free" card. But they're wrong.
I wonder how many people have been arrested for doing what the Apostles were doing? Preaching the Gospel in a public place is not against the law. Unless you break the law in another way. Inciting a riot. Impeding traffic. Being too close to a school or something. See, Peter and John were not breaking ANY laws, and yet were thrown in jail and told not to preach (lawfully) to the people, when they made their defiant statement.
I know ministers who have rejoiced over the fact they got arrested protesting an abortion clinic and broke the law by getting too close to the clinic. That is not what Peter and John were talking about. Or, many Christians simply break the law for their own benefit and then claim that they only answer to God... and they will.
The Bible clearly states in several places that as Christians we are to obey the laws of the land we are in and every authority that has been placed over us. We can not use the Bible for our own personal benefit. We can not break the law and then claim that God told us to do it, or fool ourselves into thinking He is proud of it.
If you are lawfully presenting the Gospel Message of hope and life in Jesus Christ and are arrested (having broken NO laws) then you can claim, "I must obey God rather than men." But God does not condone breaking the law. He does not condone killing to stop killing. He wants us to live, "such peaceful and quite lives among the lost that they see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven."
It's about time we got so on fire that our preaching was once again so powerful to transform lives that the only way to get us to stop would be to put us in jail. Then, having obeyed every law and being punished wrongly for the cause of Christ, we could rejoice that we had been counted worthy to suffer.
Peter and John have been imprisoned for preaching the Gospel (and blaming the religious leaders for killing Jesus). They are, once again, hauled before the whole Jewish council to account for their actions and are told to, "never again teach in this man's name." To which they reply, "we must obey God rather than any human authority..." And there you have it. Every christian person who has been arrested for breaking the law uses this passage as their "get out of jail free" card. But they're wrong.
I wonder how many people have been arrested for doing what the Apostles were doing? Preaching the Gospel in a public place is not against the law. Unless you break the law in another way. Inciting a riot. Impeding traffic. Being too close to a school or something. See, Peter and John were not breaking ANY laws, and yet were thrown in jail and told not to preach (lawfully) to the people, when they made their defiant statement.
I know ministers who have rejoiced over the fact they got arrested protesting an abortion clinic and broke the law by getting too close to the clinic. That is not what Peter and John were talking about. Or, many Christians simply break the law for their own benefit and then claim that they only answer to God... and they will.
The Bible clearly states in several places that as Christians we are to obey the laws of the land we are in and every authority that has been placed over us. We can not use the Bible for our own personal benefit. We can not break the law and then claim that God told us to do it, or fool ourselves into thinking He is proud of it.
If you are lawfully presenting the Gospel Message of hope and life in Jesus Christ and are arrested (having broken NO laws) then you can claim, "I must obey God rather than men." But God does not condone breaking the law. He does not condone killing to stop killing. He wants us to live, "such peaceful and quite lives among the lost that they see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven."
It's about time we got so on fire that our preaching was once again so powerful to transform lives that the only way to get us to stop would be to put us in jail. Then, having obeyed every law and being punished wrongly for the cause of Christ, we could rejoice that we had been counted worthy to suffer.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
We often stop too soon.
I don't enjoy confrontation. Often my prayers go like, "God, did you hear what so-and-so said? That was crazy! Please convict them and shut them up so that I don't have to hear what Satan has to say through them."
My goal in prayer is to get my opposition to be quiet or that God would remove them so they won't "get in His way" anymore. I'm really small minded.
In Acts 4 Peter and John just spent the night in jail for healing a dude who'd been crippled and begging for 40 years. They were sternly warned the next day not to speak in the Name of Jesus anymore and set free. They go back to the house where the church met and told them what happened and then they prayed.
To my surprise they prayed just like me! Really! They prayed, "Lord, consider their threats..." Cool! They want God to get involved with those who would seek to shut them up or oppose them. They are asking God to consider the threats against them as threats against Him. Just like me! But then they go on...
"...and enable your servants to speak boldly." Crap. See, I often stop too soon in my prayers. I want God to get involved but I don't ask Him for boldness to continue speaking, or help to overcome my own fear so that Satan doesn't get the victory. You see, Satan doesn't need to kill us or destroy us or treat us like Job from the Bible. He just has to scare us enough to shut up. Then he's won.
So, how is Satan coming against you? Is it financial? The threat of loosing a car, your home, your job? My prayer today was, "God, consider Satan's threats against You and help me to continue to preach your word and share the Gospel no matter what. No car. No house. No income. No problem. As long as I continue to do what You've called me to do. Help me speak Your Word with great boldness."
My goal in prayer is to get my opposition to be quiet or that God would remove them so they won't "get in His way" anymore. I'm really small minded.
In Acts 4 Peter and John just spent the night in jail for healing a dude who'd been crippled and begging for 40 years. They were sternly warned the next day not to speak in the Name of Jesus anymore and set free. They go back to the house where the church met and told them what happened and then they prayed.
To my surprise they prayed just like me! Really! They prayed, "Lord, consider their threats..." Cool! They want God to get involved with those who would seek to shut them up or oppose them. They are asking God to consider the threats against them as threats against Him. Just like me! But then they go on...
"...and enable your servants to speak boldly." Crap. See, I often stop too soon in my prayers. I want God to get involved but I don't ask Him for boldness to continue speaking, or help to overcome my own fear so that Satan doesn't get the victory. You see, Satan doesn't need to kill us or destroy us or treat us like Job from the Bible. He just has to scare us enough to shut up. Then he's won.
So, how is Satan coming against you? Is it financial? The threat of loosing a car, your home, your job? My prayer today was, "God, consider Satan's threats against You and help me to continue to preach your word and share the Gospel no matter what. No car. No house. No income. No problem. As long as I continue to do what You've called me to do. Help me speak Your Word with great boldness."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Acts 2 - God's part/our part
It is really easy to get caught up in the story of Acts 2, storm sounds, lightning, fire, it's ever kids dream - a pyrotechnic miracle! But I'm praying that God will help me see Him and hear Him through His Word so I'm looking deeper than just the cool story of birthday of the Holy Spirit in the lives of men.
I see several things going on in this story that the church today could benefit from. First it seems that God caused a stir - that was His doing. There was a violent and loud sound that brought everyone running to where they heard the sound coming from. It was a different sound than they had heard before in Jerusalem so they all wanted to know what was going on.
Once they arrived to where the sound had originated they heard the Apostles speaking in their own language and telling of the Good News of Jesus resurrection so that those who came because of the sound, might hear the Word and believe and then respond appropriately by being immersed - putting to death the old self, the physical self (like Jesus did on the cross) and being buried signifying their death (as did Jesus in the tomb) and being reborn through the water into a new creation (as Jesus was upon His resurrection).
The people were so excited when they heard the message because it was clearly understood, the "wonderful things You [God] have done."
So I'm praying for several things today:
1. That God draws a crowd. That He does something among us that our community has never seen before so that they want to come and discover for themselves what is going on.
2. Once they are here I pray that we speak to them in their language - not super spiritual language that they don't understand, but like the opposite of "lost in translation" I pray that through God's Spirit each person "hears" exactly what they need to hear, supernaturally, so that they can make a decision for Jesus.
3. That we proclaim the message of Jesus Christ so that it is "clearly understood." We don't want to get the message mixed up and jumbled together, but to keep it clear so that those who hear would hear of, "the wonderful things You have done."
God draw a crowd. Speak to each one exactly what they need to hear. And help us to keep the message clear so that they hear about what You have done. You must increase, we must decrease.
I see several things going on in this story that the church today could benefit from. First it seems that God caused a stir - that was His doing. There was a violent and loud sound that brought everyone running to where they heard the sound coming from. It was a different sound than they had heard before in Jerusalem so they all wanted to know what was going on.
Once they arrived to where the sound had originated they heard the Apostles speaking in their own language and telling of the Good News of Jesus resurrection so that those who came because of the sound, might hear the Word and believe and then respond appropriately by being immersed - putting to death the old self, the physical self (like Jesus did on the cross) and being buried signifying their death (as did Jesus in the tomb) and being reborn through the water into a new creation (as Jesus was upon His resurrection).
The people were so excited when they heard the message because it was clearly understood, the "wonderful things You [God] have done."
So I'm praying for several things today:
1. That God draws a crowd. That He does something among us that our community has never seen before so that they want to come and discover for themselves what is going on.
2. Once they are here I pray that we speak to them in their language - not super spiritual language that they don't understand, but like the opposite of "lost in translation" I pray that through God's Spirit each person "hears" exactly what they need to hear, supernaturally, so that they can make a decision for Jesus.
3. That we proclaim the message of Jesus Christ so that it is "clearly understood." We don't want to get the message mixed up and jumbled together, but to keep it clear so that those who hear would hear of, "the wonderful things You have done."
God draw a crowd. Speak to each one exactly what they need to hear. And help us to keep the message clear so that they hear about what You have done. You must increase, we must decrease.
3 thoughts from John 21/Acts 1
Just a few observations about what is going on in this chapter that you might find interesting.
1. in vs 3 - Jesus has revealed Himself in resurrection glory to the disciples a number of times already but the disciples, while believing He had been raised from the dead, didn't move. They didn't do anything but sit around together in the upper room. They had seen the Lord, but not been moved to action yet. Then all the sudden Peter says, "I'm going fishing." And many of think that is a good idea so they get up and go with him.
-- observation -- when things get boring spiritually, you're not growing or going anywhere for Jesus it is easier to fall back into the same pattern of behavior you were in before you accepted the gospel message. Peter knew fishing so when things cooled down and they were just in coast mode he went back to what he knew. We often go back to the familiar, the things that once defined us when there is a pause in our spiritual growth. Jesus had to make the same call to Peter and the others that He did the first time he called them to be "fishers of men." This time though He said, "feed my sheep." Keep moving for God or you might slip back into your old habits and behaviors.
2. In vs 21 Jesus is talking to Peter and they are having a good conversation when Peter turns and looks at John and says to Jesus, "what about him?"
-- observation -- do you ever get the feeling we are so concerned about what everyone else is doing or where they're going or what our position is relative to theirs that we miss our own target? My prayer for this passage was, "God help me to focus on what You have called ME to do - not on what you've called someone else to." I see other ministers with big salaries and churches it get easy to say to God, "what about him?" But I need to let God take care of His business and I need to focus on mine.
3. Jesus finally makes His last accession to heaven and Peter and the others are standing there looking up into the sky when a couple of angles appear (unknown to the group who were busy) and say, "why are you staring up into heaven?"
-- observation -- I'm not sure why the group was just standing there but Jesus had left them with instructions, there was work to do! I wonder if sometimes we spend too much time staring up into heaven waiting on God's next move, His next big thing, another miracle or answer to prayer... but while were staring God is stewing. Get to work! There's stuff to do! This same Jesus whom you've seen go up into heaven will come back as you saw Him go, until then, get busy!
1. in vs 3 - Jesus has revealed Himself in resurrection glory to the disciples a number of times already but the disciples, while believing He had been raised from the dead, didn't move. They didn't do anything but sit around together in the upper room. They had seen the Lord, but not been moved to action yet. Then all the sudden Peter says, "I'm going fishing." And many of think that is a good idea so they get up and go with him.
-- observation -- when things get boring spiritually, you're not growing or going anywhere for Jesus it is easier to fall back into the same pattern of behavior you were in before you accepted the gospel message. Peter knew fishing so when things cooled down and they were just in coast mode he went back to what he knew. We often go back to the familiar, the things that once defined us when there is a pause in our spiritual growth. Jesus had to make the same call to Peter and the others that He did the first time he called them to be "fishers of men." This time though He said, "feed my sheep." Keep moving for God or you might slip back into your old habits and behaviors.
2. In vs 21 Jesus is talking to Peter and they are having a good conversation when Peter turns and looks at John and says to Jesus, "what about him?"
-- observation -- do you ever get the feeling we are so concerned about what everyone else is doing or where they're going or what our position is relative to theirs that we miss our own target? My prayer for this passage was, "God help me to focus on what You have called ME to do - not on what you've called someone else to." I see other ministers with big salaries and churches it get easy to say to God, "what about him?" But I need to let God take care of His business and I need to focus on mine.
3. Jesus finally makes His last accession to heaven and Peter and the others are standing there looking up into the sky when a couple of angles appear (unknown to the group who were busy) and say, "why are you staring up into heaven?"
-- observation -- I'm not sure why the group was just standing there but Jesus had left them with instructions, there was work to do! I wonder if sometimes we spend too much time staring up into heaven waiting on God's next move, His next big thing, another miracle or answer to prayer... but while were staring God is stewing. Get to work! There's stuff to do! This same Jesus whom you've seen go up into heaven will come back as you saw Him go, until then, get busy!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Couple thoughts on Goliath
1. Reading 1 Samuel 17 preparing for tomorrow's message. Goliath was a giant of a man. He was between 9'10" and 10'6" depending on who you read and the length of a cubit. The tip of his spear weighed 15lbs - imagine how big the shaft would have to be to hold that thing and carry it through the air, let alone how far Goliath could throw it! I'll bet that thing would fly! His shield was even 125lbs! Not even the men of Sparta with their rock-hard abs could carry shields that big! Goliath must have been impressive as he stood out in the valley alone and taunted the Israelites.
Wait, he wasn't alone. The end of verse 7 mentions something I never paid attention to before. It says, "His armor bearer went ahead of him." This was a common practice I'm sure, though maybe not the going before. I thought the armor bearer stayed to the side or behind. Usually the armor bearer was for kings, though I guess Goliath deserved one as the great warrior for the Philistines.
But what this means is that Goliath was not alone as he stood in the valley. Goliath was impressive but imagine how strong his armor bearer would have had to be to carry all that stuff! You've got this 10' guy standing there taunting and then this regular sized guy who surely had muscles for his muscles! My guess is the armor bearer for Goliath could have bested most of the fighting men in any army. Today, he stood before Goliath.
If the guy who carries the shield for Goliath is huge and muscular and built in his own right, what chance do the Israelites have against the man Goliath himself?
Sometimes I think we get so afraid of the wind we never face the storm. Satan wants to intimidate us into never picking up a stone to fight. The only way for Satan to win is to convince us the fight isn't worth the risk. But (I don't want to give it all away!) opposition is one dimensional. That's all I'll say for now.
2. Here's the other thing. We get so caught up in the story of David fighting Goliath that we don't think about what would have happened if he would have lost and how strongly the fighting men of Israel must have tried to get David to stay with them. It seems strange that Saul would send this boy out knowing the outcome if he lost!
Goliath's challenge was that the loser becomes the slaves of the winner. Had David lost the whole Nation of Israel would have become the slaves of the Philistines! Wow! The men of Israel must have tried desperately to get David, this young, inexperienced, boy not to go and fight.
You see, as long as the Israelites stayed on their line... as long as they never sent anyone out to meet Goliath they didn't have to fear becoming his slaves. They thought (wrongly) that by not moving they kept him at bay. But Satan doesn't always have to beat us or even fight us, he just has to get us to stop moving forward! If we aren't advancing, we don't have the chance to win... we let hundreds, thousands, millions or the next one, die in their sin.
Satan's goal? Make the fight "look" to difficult so he doesn't have to fight at all or simply keep the armies of God from moving forward. From advancing. From gaining ground. Satan has already lost the battle, he's only got tricks left. How many have you fallen for? I've lost count. But not any more.
Wait, he wasn't alone. The end of verse 7 mentions something I never paid attention to before. It says, "His armor bearer went ahead of him." This was a common practice I'm sure, though maybe not the going before. I thought the armor bearer stayed to the side or behind. Usually the armor bearer was for kings, though I guess Goliath deserved one as the great warrior for the Philistines.
But what this means is that Goliath was not alone as he stood in the valley. Goliath was impressive but imagine how strong his armor bearer would have had to be to carry all that stuff! You've got this 10' guy standing there taunting and then this regular sized guy who surely had muscles for his muscles! My guess is the armor bearer for Goliath could have bested most of the fighting men in any army. Today, he stood before Goliath.
If the guy who carries the shield for Goliath is huge and muscular and built in his own right, what chance do the Israelites have against the man Goliath himself?
Sometimes I think we get so afraid of the wind we never face the storm. Satan wants to intimidate us into never picking up a stone to fight. The only way for Satan to win is to convince us the fight isn't worth the risk. But (I don't want to give it all away!) opposition is one dimensional. That's all I'll say for now.
2. Here's the other thing. We get so caught up in the story of David fighting Goliath that we don't think about what would have happened if he would have lost and how strongly the fighting men of Israel must have tried to get David to stay with them. It seems strange that Saul would send this boy out knowing the outcome if he lost!
Goliath's challenge was that the loser becomes the slaves of the winner. Had David lost the whole Nation of Israel would have become the slaves of the Philistines! Wow! The men of Israel must have tried desperately to get David, this young, inexperienced, boy not to go and fight.
You see, as long as the Israelites stayed on their line... as long as they never sent anyone out to meet Goliath they didn't have to fear becoming his slaves. They thought (wrongly) that by not moving they kept him at bay. But Satan doesn't always have to beat us or even fight us, he just has to get us to stop moving forward! If we aren't advancing, we don't have the chance to win... we let hundreds, thousands, millions or the next one, die in their sin.
Satan's goal? Make the fight "look" to difficult so he doesn't have to fight at all or simply keep the armies of God from moving forward. From advancing. From gaining ground. Satan has already lost the battle, he's only got tricks left. How many have you fallen for? I've lost count. But not any more.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A Quickie on Faith and Belief
John 16:30,31
Jesus has been unloading a bunch of spiritual Truth on the disciples becasue He is getting ready to face His death. This is natural in fact, in verse 4 Jesus tells them He didn't say anything earlier becasue there was time... now the time is up and He's got to get them prepared.
After unlaoding all this stuff the disciples finally say, "...from this we believe that you came from God." But Jesus knows better and responds, "...do you finally believe? But the time is coming when you will be scattered and each of you will leave me alone."
Here's some quick thoughts on belief and faith - don't hang me by them, just quick thoughts.
You can believe in God all day but what do you do when when its dark and scary?
Faith takes over when what your belief in something runs out.
Belief is mental - faith has feet.
It's easy to believe when there is no pressure. Pressure reveals the faith belief talks about.
Faith happens where your belief and the unknown make contact.
If you believe in God but never have to test it through trial there is no faith. Belief comes natural, faith is developed in the fire.
That should get you thinking!
Jesus has been unloading a bunch of spiritual Truth on the disciples becasue He is getting ready to face His death. This is natural in fact, in verse 4 Jesus tells them He didn't say anything earlier becasue there was time... now the time is up and He's got to get them prepared.
After unlaoding all this stuff the disciples finally say, "...from this we believe that you came from God." But Jesus knows better and responds, "...do you finally believe? But the time is coming when you will be scattered and each of you will leave me alone."
Here's some quick thoughts on belief and faith - don't hang me by them, just quick thoughts.
You can believe in God all day but what do you do when when its dark and scary?
Faith takes over when what your belief in something runs out.
Belief is mental - faith has feet.
It's easy to believe when there is no pressure. Pressure reveals the faith belief talks about.
Faith happens where your belief and the unknown make contact.
If you believe in God but never have to test it through trial there is no faith. Belief comes natural, faith is developed in the fire.
That should get you thinking!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Prayer - it doesn't matter... (read carefully)
Spent some time in the hospital with a friend over the last few days. He's a biker. Yep. And been in to everything you are probably thinking a biker might get into. But he's also a believer in Jesus. Tattoos, prison time and all. I prayed with him before I left each day. This morning he's having open heart surgery and I stopped in to see the family. I knew they were there because there were a couple of bikes with ape-hangers in the parking lot. His daughter told me that before the ambulance got to the house to pick him up last week she asked him if he would like her to pray. His response, "I've been waiting for that."
So I was thinking about prayer on the ride back to the church. In some religions of the world you have to approach god in a certain way. If you don't, he won't hear your prayer. You have to spin something. Ring a bell. Wear a certain hat. Rub some beads. Assume a specific posture. Or face a certain direction. If you do everything right, god might hear you. Of course, you'd better make sure that your heart is pure and that your deeds are goods and your motives just.
John tells us that the God of the universe, "loves us so much..." That loves compels Him. Instead of insisting that we approach Him in a proper manner, He says, "draw near to me and I will draw near to you... I will never leave you" and "ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened." What does that mean to you and me and everyone else? It doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, what direction you are facing, what you're wearing or what you were doing the second before you said, "Dear God." He hears your prayer. Whether you've never done anything wrong or you've never done anything right, He's listening.
So, remember this truth about prayer.
Anyone. Anywhere. Anytime. For any reason. In any circumstance or setting.
God is listening and wants to answer... He loves you.
So I was thinking about prayer on the ride back to the church. In some religions of the world you have to approach god in a certain way. If you don't, he won't hear your prayer. You have to spin something. Ring a bell. Wear a certain hat. Rub some beads. Assume a specific posture. Or face a certain direction. If you do everything right, god might hear you. Of course, you'd better make sure that your heart is pure and that your deeds are goods and your motives just.
John tells us that the God of the universe, "loves us so much..." That loves compels Him. Instead of insisting that we approach Him in a proper manner, He says, "draw near to me and I will draw near to you... I will never leave you" and "ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened." What does that mean to you and me and everyone else? It doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, what direction you are facing, what you're wearing or what you were doing the second before you said, "Dear God." He hears your prayer. Whether you've never done anything wrong or you've never done anything right, He's listening.
So, remember this truth about prayer.
Anyone. Anywhere. Anytime. For any reason. In any circumstance or setting.
God is listening and wants to answer... He loves you.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Where's the bait?
Do you remember that little old lady in those commercials who would come in and say, "Where's the Beef?" Who knew how that little statement, intended to sell hamburgers, would catch on?! Of course the point was to show that the "beef" was at Wendy's and also to show you where it wasn't, those "other" hamburger joints. So, the bait was more beef and it was intended to get you to come to their restaurant.
Bait has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Commercials, info-mercials, political ads, they are all the same. I remember watching the old black and white movie, The Swiss Family Robinson. Do you remember that? The family that got shipwrecked on an island and built these elaborate tree houses to live in and had all these exotic animals for pets? Every kid's dream! In that show they caught a tiger. They dug a hole in the ground and covered it with branches, etc., then they hung some bait from a tree right over the center of the hole. The tiger was so interested in the bait that he didn't pay attention to the hole, until he was in it.
I think that Satan has mastered bait. He is so good at making the bait too tempting to pass up. Satan designs his bait to do two things.
1. It's designed to catch and keep our focus. He knows if we so busy looking at the bait, we won't see the hole.
2. It's designed to be so desirable that its determined to be worth the risk. You hear a lot of, "yea, butt..." kind of statements.
I think you see this in the life of Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus. When that father/daughter duo started out a few years ago they were very focused on remaining a Christan witness and not letting the "lime light" of fame and fortune distract them. Billy Ray made several statements about how he was going to keep his daughter grounded. But you probably know what happened if you've seen Miley lately.
I know so many Christians who have started out in their faith walk well, only to fall in the trap. Usually it is money. Satan baits his hook with dollar signs, a better job, a bigger salary, more power or popularity. They are so focused on the bait that they simply can't see the downside, longer hours means less time for bible study or personal growth. Pretty soon Sunday is the only day they "don't have to get up early" so church attendance starts to slip. And having money is a big deal today so I hear things like, "yea butt, if I make more money I'll be able to give more to God." News flash for you, God isn't depending on you alone to meet the needs of His church.
So what do we do? We continue to point out the scheme. We look at the surroundings and not just at the bait. We explore possibilities AND potential problems. We desire to be used of and know God so much that the bait can't compare.
And maybe we in the church take a lesson and put a little more thought into how we attract the lost. Since were calling them to experience not loss or pain or death, like Satan, but Real Life!
Bait has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Commercials, info-mercials, political ads, they are all the same. I remember watching the old black and white movie, The Swiss Family Robinson. Do you remember that? The family that got shipwrecked on an island and built these elaborate tree houses to live in and had all these exotic animals for pets? Every kid's dream! In that show they caught a tiger. They dug a hole in the ground and covered it with branches, etc., then they hung some bait from a tree right over the center of the hole. The tiger was so interested in the bait that he didn't pay attention to the hole, until he was in it.
I think that Satan has mastered bait. He is so good at making the bait too tempting to pass up. Satan designs his bait to do two things.
1. It's designed to catch and keep our focus. He knows if we so busy looking at the bait, we won't see the hole.
2. It's designed to be so desirable that its determined to be worth the risk. You hear a lot of, "yea, butt..." kind of statements.
I think you see this in the life of Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus. When that father/daughter duo started out a few years ago they were very focused on remaining a Christan witness and not letting the "lime light" of fame and fortune distract them. Billy Ray made several statements about how he was going to keep his daughter grounded. But you probably know what happened if you've seen Miley lately.
I know so many Christians who have started out in their faith walk well, only to fall in the trap. Usually it is money. Satan baits his hook with dollar signs, a better job, a bigger salary, more power or popularity. They are so focused on the bait that they simply can't see the downside, longer hours means less time for bible study or personal growth. Pretty soon Sunday is the only day they "don't have to get up early" so church attendance starts to slip. And having money is a big deal today so I hear things like, "yea butt, if I make more money I'll be able to give more to God." News flash for you, God isn't depending on you alone to meet the needs of His church.
So what do we do? We continue to point out the scheme. We look at the surroundings and not just at the bait. We explore possibilities AND potential problems. We desire to be used of and know God so much that the bait can't compare.
And maybe we in the church take a lesson and put a little more thought into how we attract the lost. Since were calling them to experience not loss or pain or death, like Satan, but Real Life!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
What's the test for successful ministry?
I was talking with some preacher friends of mine last weekend about a conference we had gone to recently. We hear a lot that it's not the size of your church but your faithfulness that matters. But the only guys teaching anything are the guys with 1000's of people in their churches. Seems a little inconsistent.
In this day and age it seems to be a lot about the size of your church. If you pastor a big church you must be a good leader, teacher, scholar, etc. But if you pastor a smaller church, well, nobody wants to go to a conference and learn how to be a small church pastor. In fact, television preachers would have you believe that if you are faithful then you are successful too. If you are faithful to God and let Him direct your path then you will have the job, car, home, family you want.
But is that really true? It is pretty clear that just because someone does what God wants them to in the Bible it almost NEVER means that they are successful.
Take John the Baptist. What do we know about him? Well, he was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth - only other person we could say that about is Jesus Himself. We know that he did exactly what God wanted him to do. We know that he never performed a miracle of any kind. We know that he lived alone in the wilderness. We know he wore camel hair clothes (imagine the stink and itchiness of that!) and that he ate locusts and wild honey.
Sound like a successful ministry to you? Oh yea, and he never "saved" anyone because salvation wasn't possible until the death and Resurrection of Jesus - which didn't happen for a few years after John's beheading! Another great sign of a successful ministry! You lose your head!
So, John the Baptist is NOT the poster child for getting into the ministry. But was he successful even though he didn't have a home, didn't eat in good restaurants, didn't have many friends, never grew a church or healed a disease? Yes. He was successful because he did exactly what God created him to do.
Sometimes I wonder why the church I pastor isn't bigger. Why people aren't asking me to speak at conferences. Well, Jesus said in John 6, "the work of God is to believe in the one that He sent." So that's what I'm gonna work on. If I've got that right then none of that other stuff matters. What are you trying to accomplish for the Kingdom? Don't be discouraged, believe and do. That's what you've been called to. Get that right and everything else is just gravy.
In this day and age it seems to be a lot about the size of your church. If you pastor a big church you must be a good leader, teacher, scholar, etc. But if you pastor a smaller church, well, nobody wants to go to a conference and learn how to be a small church pastor. In fact, television preachers would have you believe that if you are faithful then you are successful too. If you are faithful to God and let Him direct your path then you will have the job, car, home, family you want.
But is that really true? It is pretty clear that just because someone does what God wants them to in the Bible it almost NEVER means that they are successful.
Take John the Baptist. What do we know about him? Well, he was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth - only other person we could say that about is Jesus Himself. We know that he did exactly what God wanted him to do. We know that he never performed a miracle of any kind. We know that he lived alone in the wilderness. We know he wore camel hair clothes (imagine the stink and itchiness of that!) and that he ate locusts and wild honey.
Sound like a successful ministry to you? Oh yea, and he never "saved" anyone because salvation wasn't possible until the death and Resurrection of Jesus - which didn't happen for a few years after John's beheading! Another great sign of a successful ministry! You lose your head!
So, John the Baptist is NOT the poster child for getting into the ministry. But was he successful even though he didn't have a home, didn't eat in good restaurants, didn't have many friends, never grew a church or healed a disease? Yes. He was successful because he did exactly what God created him to do.
Sometimes I wonder why the church I pastor isn't bigger. Why people aren't asking me to speak at conferences. Well, Jesus said in John 6, "the work of God is to believe in the one that He sent." So that's what I'm gonna work on. If I've got that right then none of that other stuff matters. What are you trying to accomplish for the Kingdom? Don't be discouraged, believe and do. That's what you've been called to. Get that right and everything else is just gravy.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Confirming Signs
I know God's will for my life. Know Jesus and make Him known. But sometimes the road can get long and difficult. Doesn't mean that God isn't there. Or that I'm on the wrong path. Just means that Satan is active. But sometimes, with the passing of time we can get frustrated and begin to wonder if we're doing the right thing, especially when we're facing pressure! So it's nice when God gives confirmation of His plan.
That's what He did for John the Baptist. I was reading today in John 1:19-34 and saw something very interesting. A confirmation. A really cool confirmation!
So John is preaching and baptizing around the Jordan river and he's getting hammered by these religious leaders who are asking him a bunch of questions and probably hacking him off a bit. So he says (I hadn't caught this before), "right here in this crowd is someone you do not recognize...I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie his sandals." That meant this mystery person was pretty important! But the next day John sees Jesus coming toward him and says, "behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world! I did not recognize Him... but... I saw the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove... I didn't know He was the one...but when God sent me to baptize He told me, 'the one on whom you see the Holy Spirit descend is the one.'"
So, for 30 years Elizabeth (John's mom) had been telling him that his cousin Jesus was the Messiah. The day before when the leaders where questioning him John saw his cousin Jesus in the crowd but did not reveal him. The next day, as Jesus approached John, John saw the Holy Spirit - in the form of a dove - come down from heaven and rest on Jesus. Confirmation. His whole life and ministry had been lived up to this point with nothing from God. He did exactly what God wanted and yet lived in the desert. Was called a crazy man. Wore crudely fashioned clothes from camel's hair (itchy!) and he ate locust and wild honey (which means no one cooked for him, he was a loner). His whole adult life was lived as an outcast. Yet he was faithful. He was waiting. And though he knew his cousin, Jesus, was supposed to be the Messiah, and he knew that Jesus was in the crowd that day. He did not point Him out. He did not call Him to his defense. He waited for the confirmation. And He got it. Just like Moses. Just like Elijah. Just like Gideon. Just like Paul.
Don't assume that your circumstances are any indication of God's favor or punishment on your life or ministry. So often we confuse our present situation or circumstances or ministry success (or failure), with God's blessing or punishment. If God were pleased with my life and ministry He'd bless me is the thinking. Not correct. John "made clear the way for the Lord" for what could have been years with nothing in his life or ministry that would prove God's favor. He didn't perform miraculous signs or wonders. He wasn't financially blessed. He was comfortable. He probably didn't have friends (cause he stunk!). And he was opposed by the religious leaders and the general population. But he was faithful and received the confirmation that what he was doing had been the right thing.
Wrap up: Be on the lookout for God's confirmation. He will give them. It's your job to notice them when they happen.
That's what He did for John the Baptist. I was reading today in John 1:19-34 and saw something very interesting. A confirmation. A really cool confirmation!
So John is preaching and baptizing around the Jordan river and he's getting hammered by these religious leaders who are asking him a bunch of questions and probably hacking him off a bit. So he says (I hadn't caught this before), "right here in this crowd is someone you do not recognize...I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie his sandals." That meant this mystery person was pretty important! But the next day John sees Jesus coming toward him and says, "behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world! I did not recognize Him... but... I saw the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove... I didn't know He was the one...but when God sent me to baptize He told me, 'the one on whom you see the Holy Spirit descend is the one.'"
So, for 30 years Elizabeth (John's mom) had been telling him that his cousin Jesus was the Messiah. The day before when the leaders where questioning him John saw his cousin Jesus in the crowd but did not reveal him. The next day, as Jesus approached John, John saw the Holy Spirit - in the form of a dove - come down from heaven and rest on Jesus. Confirmation. His whole life and ministry had been lived up to this point with nothing from God. He did exactly what God wanted and yet lived in the desert. Was called a crazy man. Wore crudely fashioned clothes from camel's hair (itchy!) and he ate locust and wild honey (which means no one cooked for him, he was a loner). His whole adult life was lived as an outcast. Yet he was faithful. He was waiting. And though he knew his cousin, Jesus, was supposed to be the Messiah, and he knew that Jesus was in the crowd that day. He did not point Him out. He did not call Him to his defense. He waited for the confirmation. And He got it. Just like Moses. Just like Elijah. Just like Gideon. Just like Paul.
Don't assume that your circumstances are any indication of God's favor or punishment on your life or ministry. So often we confuse our present situation or circumstances or ministry success (or failure), with God's blessing or punishment. If God were pleased with my life and ministry He'd bless me is the thinking. Not correct. John "made clear the way for the Lord" for what could have been years with nothing in his life or ministry that would prove God's favor. He didn't perform miraculous signs or wonders. He wasn't financially blessed. He was comfortable. He probably didn't have friends (cause he stunk!). And he was opposed by the religious leaders and the general population. But he was faithful and received the confirmation that what he was doing had been the right thing.
Wrap up: Be on the lookout for God's confirmation. He will give them. It's your job to notice them when they happen.
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