I've been thinking a lot over the years about wisdom, but especially lately. Being married and having a family really puts things into perspective. I want to lead my wife well and I want to teach my children how to live for Christ - and all of that takes much wisdom.
The Proverbs are full of wisdom sayings. The rest of the Bible speaks repeatedly of wisdom as well, using examples and making strong statements in much the same way as the Proverbs. If the Bible spends so much time talking about being wise, then it seems obvious that this should be a common pursuit among all Christ followers.
I know for myself that this is a constant struggle. I ask myself what is the wisest decision in a situation, if what I just did was wise, or if people think me wise. I know that the opinion of others' doesn't matter more than that of Christ, but it sure is a helpful indicator of how I'm doing in my attempts to be like Him.
All that thinking aloud aside, I came across this verse a while back that really captures the heart of wisdom, it's James 3:17:
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
It's a high standard to be sure, and it certainly indicates that I have a long way to go before I'm anywhere near the expectation that God has of me regarding wisdom. But, I gotta be honest - I like a good list! And this absolutely helps me think about how I am dealing with my family and friends, and even strangers in line in front of me at the bookstore. It's also, if I'm even more honest, an incredibly humbling list because there's no way I can do any of it in my own strength. That's why Christ came - because we couldn't save ourselves with our own efforts. And that's why living our faith is such a process - the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to mold us more and more into the image of Christ, including growth in the area of wisdom.
So, that's my prayer for you (and me) today - that God would give us wisdom from above that we may glorify Him first and most. That the gospel of Christ would be made known to the world through our life and witness, and even through our wisdom.
12.30.2011
11.16.2011
I AM
I don't know about you, but lately the stresses of life have really been weighing on me. So much so, that even my quiet time has suffered. Honestly, for the last couple of weeks my mornings have been dry, weary, and...well, work. I have felt like I was trudging along trying to stay consistent but not seeing any results. To be completely honest, at times I've felt discouraged in my walk with God, almost to the point of giving up...almost.
Ever been there?
But I choose to stay faithful, even if I do feel a bit discouraged, because God calls me to be faithful regardless of how I feel, or how busy I am or anything else.
All that said, I was reading in Matthew 14 and I am so thankful for my faithfulness because God showed me something that I had never seen before. He made clearer a passage that I thought I had understood reasonably well. It's the passage where Jesus walks on water. To give a little bit of context, right before this event Jesus feeds the 5000 and then goes up on the mountain for some alone time and prayer. Then He decides to come down and walks on the water to the disciples who have gone on ahead in the boat. They're terrified, because a storm has begun and they're thinking they see a ghost, but Jesus says something curious to them in verse 27:
What I found was like discovering high definition television for the first time after a lifetime of silent black and white films.
Here's another translation:
I AM.
Jesus didn't casually say to His disciples, "Hey guys, remember me? It's Jesus. We've been hanging out for a while now. There's no need to be afraid!" That really wouldn't have calmed anyone down. Though he was identifying himself, Jesus was also (not so subtly) saying, "I AM Yahweh, God over creation and God over you. In me all things find their being, even the wind and the waves. You have no reason whatsoever to fear."
Seen in this light, it easily explains why the disciples were so quickly calmed of their fears. Or why Peter so quickly believed he could walk on water if Jesus asked him to do so. Or why they respond at the end of this whole story by worshiping Jesus, saying "truly you are the Son of God." They knew that He was in control and they were reminded that they could trust Him.
Jesus says the same thing to us that He said to the disciples and it's so comforting.
In life...and in death - I AM.
In joy...and in sorrow - I AM.
In success...and in failure - I AM.
But it's also incredibly convicting.
When the storms of life are bearing down on you, who do you put your trust in?
When the past is haunting you or the future seems uncertain, who do you put your faith in?
Do you trust other people? They will eventually disappoint you.
Do you have faith in yourself and your own strength? You will eventually fail.
But God never fails or disappoints.
He shows up, time and again, stepping over all of our junk, and whispers ever so gently in our ears,
I AM.
It is finished.
Trust in me.
And so I rest in that truth. I know that in the good and in the bad (from my perspective) is still what's best for me from God's perspective. Does it mean that I understand it all? No. Does it mean things don't hurt? No. It simply means that I'm part of something greater than myself. It means that I follow a God who is bigger than my circumstances and sees farther than my perspective. He is worthy of my trust and my faith and my worship.
Ever been there?
But I choose to stay faithful, even if I do feel a bit discouraged, because God calls me to be faithful regardless of how I feel, or how busy I am or anything else.
All that said, I was reading in Matthew 14 and I am so thankful for my faithfulness because God showed me something that I had never seen before. He made clearer a passage that I thought I had understood reasonably well. It's the passage where Jesus walks on water. To give a little bit of context, right before this event Jesus feeds the 5000 and then goes up on the mountain for some alone time and prayer. Then He decides to come down and walks on the water to the disciples who have gone on ahead in the boat. They're terrified, because a storm has begun and they're thinking they see a ghost, but Jesus says something curious to them in verse 27:
"But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'"The Holy Spirit just grabbed my attention there. "It is I" is a weird phrasing and all the other versions say the same thing, so I did some digging to find out exactly what Jesus was saying.
What I found was like discovering high definition television for the first time after a lifetime of silent black and white films.
Here's another translation:
"Have courage; I AM. Don't be afraid."The surface-level meaning ("It's me.") is literally Jesus identifying Himself. Beneath that however, the implication of Jesus' words is clear. The disciples understood it. Peter certainly understood it.
I AM.
Jesus didn't casually say to His disciples, "Hey guys, remember me? It's Jesus. We've been hanging out for a while now. There's no need to be afraid!" That really wouldn't have calmed anyone down. Though he was identifying himself, Jesus was also (not so subtly) saying, "I AM Yahweh, God over creation and God over you. In me all things find their being, even the wind and the waves. You have no reason whatsoever to fear."
Seen in this light, it easily explains why the disciples were so quickly calmed of their fears. Or why Peter so quickly believed he could walk on water if Jesus asked him to do so. Or why they respond at the end of this whole story by worshiping Jesus, saying "truly you are the Son of God." They knew that He was in control and they were reminded that they could trust Him.
Jesus says the same thing to us that He said to the disciples and it's so comforting.
In life...and in death - I AM.
In joy...and in sorrow - I AM.
In success...and in failure - I AM.
But it's also incredibly convicting.
When the storms of life are bearing down on you, who do you put your trust in?
When the past is haunting you or the future seems uncertain, who do you put your faith in?
Do you trust other people? They will eventually disappoint you.
Do you have faith in yourself and your own strength? You will eventually fail.
But God never fails or disappoints.
He shows up, time and again, stepping over all of our junk, and whispers ever so gently in our ears,
I AM.
It is finished.
Trust in me.
And so I rest in that truth. I know that in the good and in the bad (from my perspective) is still what's best for me from God's perspective. Does it mean that I understand it all? No. Does it mean things don't hurt? No. It simply means that I'm part of something greater than myself. It means that I follow a God who is bigger than my circumstances and sees farther than my perspective. He is worthy of my trust and my faith and my worship.
11.09.2011
Colors
Have you ever been somewhere when someone said something absolutely awkward and unexpected?
I know I have. And a couple of times that person was me, so I know all too well what that is like. I don't know what's more painful - having to suffer through the awkwardness of the moment or realizing you're the person who caused it all in the first place.
This very thing happened to me the other day, though (thankfully) it was while I was driving with Isabella. In fact, we were the only people who present.
I was scanning through radio stations and stopped on a station playing "Someone Like You" by Adele. I commented to Isabella that it was a really good song (her voice is incredible!) and we continued driving, listening all the while. About halfway through the first chorus Isabella asked a question that (insert awkward moment here) blew me away,
"Is she black?"Umm...what?? Where did she learn that? I can promise it's not from me and Beth - we love people of all races and proudly have friends from all over the spectrum of race, nationality, and culture. Regardless, this is what I (and countless others, I'm sure) refer to as a "teachable moment."
So, we talked. For a long time. About how there are all varieties of people, from all over the world. They have different skin color, language, culture, personal experiences. All things that make them unique and beautiful and wonderful.
But they all have one thing in common.
God loves them.
He made them in His image.
He sent His beloved Son to die for them.
He wants them to worship Him with all of their lives.
And He commissioned us to tell them.
I don't know about you, but talking with my daughter about the gospel was even better than the song playing in the background. I hope we have many more like it.
Starting a new thing on this post - question of the day. Leave your comments in the space below!
QOTD: What interesting or deep questions have your children asked you? How did you respond? If you don't have kids, what questions did you ask your parents? How did they respond?
10.14.2011
Big
What characteristics of God do you take for granted?
As I was reading through Jeremiah this morning, I came across this verse and it just grabbed my attention.
"I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me?" Jeremiah 30:21A few observations.
God is so undeservedly gracious to us. In addition to that, God makes Himself so accessible to us. He says in His Word that we may "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." What a personal God we have!
This verse is also an incredible reminder of the fact that we can do nothing to earn our salvation - it is God who draws us to Himself. Honestly, if it depended on me coming to God or being "good enough," I would never come to God for salvation or be saved from my sin in the first place. I'm entirely too selfish and prideful.
At the same time though, because of how easy it is to access our Father and how extravagant His grace is, I'm convicted of how small I tend to make God. Whether we're experiencing the mountain or enduring the valley, we tend to make much of our selves and our needs - it's all about us, right? As a result, we severely underestimate who God is and what God is capable of doing. It's not that we can actually limit God in reality, but it's almost like we put Him in this box so that we can understand Him better and then forget that God never fit into that box in the first place. No, not even the smallest facet of God can be contained in such a way!
Praise Him for His bigness! Praise Him for His fearful and awe-instilling size! Were our God able to be stuffed into a box, only to be pulled out when we had exhausted all other resources or wanted something from Him like some cosmic genie in a bottle, we would serve a small and incapable God indeed!
How glad it makes me to read this morning the words of Jeremiah and to be challenged to expand my understanding of the big-ness of God and to have an appropriate fear before Him. How convicting it is to me to think about how much I presume of God - as if I deserve anything other than the hell He saved me from. I'm praying that today I live in the confidence of Christ's blood. But I'm also praying that today I live with a healthy fear of the God I serve, who says to Jeremiah "who would dare of himself to approach Me?"
This verse is also an incredible reminder of the fact that we can do nothing to earn our salvation - it is God who draws us to Himself. Honestly, if it depended on me coming to God or being "good enough," I would never come to God for salvation or be saved from my sin in the first place. I'm entirely too selfish and prideful.
At the same time though, because of how easy it is to access our Father and how extravagant His grace is, I'm convicted of how small I tend to make God. Whether we're experiencing the mountain or enduring the valley, we tend to make much of our selves and our needs - it's all about us, right? As a result, we severely underestimate who God is and what God is capable of doing. It's not that we can actually limit God in reality, but it's almost like we put Him in this box so that we can understand Him better and then forget that God never fit into that box in the first place. No, not even the smallest facet of God can be contained in such a way!
Praise Him for His bigness! Praise Him for His fearful and awe-instilling size! Were our God able to be stuffed into a box, only to be pulled out when we had exhausted all other resources or wanted something from Him like some cosmic genie in a bottle, we would serve a small and incapable God indeed!
How glad it makes me to read this morning the words of Jeremiah and to be challenged to expand my understanding of the big-ness of God and to have an appropriate fear before Him. How convicting it is to me to think about how much I presume of God - as if I deserve anything other than the hell He saved me from. I'm praying that today I live in the confidence of Christ's blood. But I'm also praying that today I live with a healthy fear of the God I serve, who says to Jeremiah "who would dare of himself to approach Me?"
10.11.2011
Satisfaction
There's a verse that's been bouncing around in my head lately, so much so that it's taken over a good portion of my thoughts. Let me share it with you and expand a little about what the Lord has been teaching me through this verse.
Some days I feel like I've learned so much during my time with the Lord that my heart will burst for want of sharing it with someone. I get this feeling inside that everything is okay because God is vibrantly showing me Truth in His Word. I feel truly satisfied in my relationship with God. I feel like I really do "taste and see that the Lord is good."
Some days, however, it's all I can do to read my Bible. Those days I feel like I've let sin get between me and God, that my relationship with Him is hindered because I didn't "get" as much out of my time with Him, and I don't feel satisfied in my relationship with God. Basically, I'm not tasting or seeing much of anything at all.
The problem is, my relationship with God is not based on my effort...
or how much I'm learning...
or how good I feel like I'm doing...
Jesus already perfectly paid the price that God required on the cross. I can't add anything to His sacrifice to make it any more complete. No matter how satisfied (or not) that I feel about my walk with the Lord, God is satisfied with me. In His eyes I'm redeemed. My relationship with God is no longer as a hopeless sinner before a righteous judge but as an heir and a son before a gracious Father.
I guess what I'm trying to preach to myself is this:
Quit trying to do what Christ has already done. No work (regardless of intention) can make God any more or less satisfied with you than He is already. Don't measure your walk with the Lord by how well you've done. Instead, honestly seek to "taste and see that the Lord is good" and follow where He leads.
And if you have a "bad day" (I know I will), well...isn't that what faith in Christ is all about? Rest in God's grace and praise Him for second chances.
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" Psalm 34:8Basically, I've been asking myself the question, "What is my satisfaction based upon?"
Some days I feel like I've learned so much during my time with the Lord that my heart will burst for want of sharing it with someone. I get this feeling inside that everything is okay because God is vibrantly showing me Truth in His Word. I feel truly satisfied in my relationship with God. I feel like I really do "taste and see that the Lord is good."
Some days, however, it's all I can do to read my Bible. Those days I feel like I've let sin get between me and God, that my relationship with Him is hindered because I didn't "get" as much out of my time with Him, and I don't feel satisfied in my relationship with God. Basically, I'm not tasting or seeing much of anything at all.
The problem is, my relationship with God is not based on my effort...
or how much I'm learning...
or how good I feel like I'm doing...
Jesus already perfectly paid the price that God required on the cross. I can't add anything to His sacrifice to make it any more complete. No matter how satisfied (or not) that I feel about my walk with the Lord, God is satisfied with me. In His eyes I'm redeemed. My relationship with God is no longer as a hopeless sinner before a righteous judge but as an heir and a son before a gracious Father.
I guess what I'm trying to preach to myself is this:
Quit trying to do what Christ has already done. No work (regardless of intention) can make God any more or less satisfied with you than He is already. Don't measure your walk with the Lord by how well you've done. Instead, honestly seek to "taste and see that the Lord is good" and follow where He leads.
And if you have a "bad day" (I know I will), well...isn't that what faith in Christ is all about? Rest in God's grace and praise Him for second chances.
10.06.2011
Restored
 |
| "...rend the heavens..." |
So, I got a bit behind reading through the Old Testament on my journey through the Scriptures this year. This week (Fall Break!) I've been playing catch-up.
(Note to self - in reading through Isaiah a lot of things really stuck out to me. I need to make sure I go back and really do some in depth study of some of the themes there - it's a great book!)
Today, I've been thinking and meditating on Isaiah 64:1-4.
"Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence - as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil - to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!"I don't know about you, but that gets me right in my soul. Isaiah has all this bad stuff going on - judgment, wrath, punishment - and right here near the end (and woven throughout the book, as well) is this passionately worded picture of the fact that God has made a way to redeem His people and is coming back to restore everything to how He intended. I get chills just thinking about it! I found it quite refreshing today to ponder the sovereignty of God in this life (amidst all the terrible things that happen), and even how God is sovereign when it comes to the end of this life.
Don't forget about God's future promise in the midst of your present trials. He has it all under control - past, present, and future. All we have to worry about is trusting and obeying God (a huge task in and of itself) and He'll take care of the rest.
10.01.2011
Glorious
I took some time to go back through a lot of pictures that I've taken over the past few years. I've always had this fascination with the sky. It's just plain beautiful. So, a lot of pictures I have are of various skies that, when I looked, just took my breath away for one reason or another.
As I'm sitting here thinking about it, though, I'm reminded that God created it all! He made it so that the sky would have the particular make-up it required to be unique every single day. I'm reminded that this same Creative Genius made each human on earth. We also, are unique. Each in our own personalities, looks, desires, and gifts. I can easily see why God stopped at the end of each day of creation and said, "It is good!"
Today is a short post because I just wanted to post some pictures of the majesty of God's creation - which points directly to the glorious presence of God in this world.
Thank you, Father, for creating such a magnificent world.
As I'm sitting here thinking about it, though, I'm reminded that God created it all! He made it so that the sky would have the particular make-up it required to be unique every single day. I'm reminded that this same Creative Genius made each human on earth. We also, are unique. Each in our own personalities, looks, desires, and gifts. I can easily see why God stopped at the end of each day of creation and said, "It is good!"
Today is a short post because I just wanted to post some pictures of the majesty of God's creation - which points directly to the glorious presence of God in this world.
Thank you, Father, for creating such a magnificent world.
 |
| Mississippi College at Sunrise |
 |
| Calm Before the Storm |
 |
| Mississippi Sunset |
 |
| My Girls |
 |
| Paris Lights |
9.06.2011
Suffering
*Note: I started writing this a month or so ago and am just now getting around to editing and posting it. School got a little in the way (sorry). There is good news, though - the gospel is relevant regardless of time, place or circumstance. Read on.*
.........
In my journey through the books of the Bible (I'm almost done!), often I find that I'm reading a passage from the Old Testament that directly relates to the passage in the New Testament that I'm also reading. I know they all relate together, ultimately pointing to Christ, but I guess my point is that sometimes it's so obvious that even someone as dense as me can see it.
Today is one of those days.
I happened to be in the book of Job and the book of Luke at the moment. Job, of course, is all about suffering. Why do bad things happen to good people? Often, like Job, we have no idea…specifically. Job touches on this himself, but at the end of the day we all face difficulties in life and it has everything to do with the sovereignty of God and His will for our lives. I struggle with this idea constantly.
The redeemed part of me is completely okay with saying that God is sovereign, He does as He pleases, He knows what's best for us, and we may suffer but it's only for a little while because eventually we'll be in heaven and see the real purpose behind it all.
"Easy for you to say," my sinful, selfish side says. The human side of me struggles with and fights against the same ideas that people have struggled with and fought against since the Fall - "I'm not that bad, why should I have to suffer, that guy over there is so much more sinful than I am!"
Back to my reading for today (and the point). Job questions and struggles and fights with the idea of suffering, tries to maintain his integrity before God, eventually is rebuked by God and restored back to his former good health. Contrast that with Jesus, specifically his statement in chapter 17 verse 25 of Luke:
"But first he [the Son of Man] must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation."
Must? Jesus just said must - you mean, like, it's a requirement? Yes, actually. This verse…man...it just works at me. Here I am, bee-boppin' along, agreeing with Job and empathizing with his struggles, feeling justified in my own questions and difficulties and…BAM!
Jesus puts it all on the table. The Son of Man must suffer. If Jesus had to suffer to fix this broken world, to bring us back into right relationship with the Father - what does that say about our own suffering? I would submit that we must also suffer. I would even go so far as to seriously question our lack of suffering. I've even said as much in a previous post.
I heard it said recently that American Christians don't suffer because they aren't worthy of suffering, they aren't worthy of the persecution that Christians all over the world face every day. How convicting! Am I honestly willing (not just saying it because it sounds good) to suffer for Christ? Am I willing to lay aside my personal preferences, my comforts, my stuff, my very life so that Christ can be glorified? Am I willing even to set aside my pride and reputation, risking ridicule and mockery to share Christ with unbelievers that I encounter on a daily basis?
I have to admit, much to my shame, that I often fail in this area. Often, I would not be considered worthy to suffer for Christ. All too often my own comfort, pride, and reputation take priority over sharing the rich blessing of God's grace and the eternal reality of God's wrath with every person that I meet.
The take away? Pray for me. I want to live in a way that results in suffering for Christ.
I'll pray the same for you.
7.30.2011
Praiseworthy
"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise." Proverbs 27:21
It strikes me just now, reading this verse for it seems like the hundredth time - I think I may just now be understanding part of it's meaning and for once might have peered momentarily into the depths of understanding this passage.
Crucibles and furnaces test the quality of these precious metals, and even make it possible to refine them into something better. True. That part is probably obvious. Am I so dense as to have missed the second part for so long?? I probably am, and need the humbling enough to admit it in public.
Check out that second part: "...a man is tested by his praise." What?! How do I test the quality of a man? I examine the things that he praises. How do I refine a man into a better man? I change the things he praises.
The man in this story, of course, is me. It's you. None of us can escape the implications here.
How obvious! How simple! Why haven't I seen this all along?
Do I praise the things of this world or the things of God? Do I praise the temporary or the eternal? Praise implies value, and what I value in my life, what I spend time pursuing, what I talk about and read about and sing about and think about - those are the things that I'm praising and those are the things that I'm telling anyone who's watching that I'm praising.
Am I a man after God's own heart or the world's own heart? Easy - do I praise and value God with my whole heart or do I praise and value the things of this world instead? Do I spend more time reading Facebook or God's Word? Do I spend more time gossiping about people or praying for them? Do I spend more time at work or communing with God?
You get my meaning. Somewhere along the way we lost our perspective. We got so caught up trying to build our little kingdoms here on earth that we forgot our original task of preparing for the Kingdom to come ("Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...")
One final verse:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
What are you and I pursuing and is what we're pursuing truly praiseworthy? What needs to change in our hearts and minds to make this verse true in our lives?
It strikes me just now, reading this verse for it seems like the hundredth time - I think I may just now be understanding part of it's meaning and for once might have peered momentarily into the depths of understanding this passage.
Crucibles and furnaces test the quality of these precious metals, and even make it possible to refine them into something better. True. That part is probably obvious. Am I so dense as to have missed the second part for so long?? I probably am, and need the humbling enough to admit it in public.
Check out that second part: "...a man is tested by his praise." What?! How do I test the quality of a man? I examine the things that he praises. How do I refine a man into a better man? I change the things he praises.
The man in this story, of course, is me. It's you. None of us can escape the implications here.
How obvious! How simple! Why haven't I seen this all along?
Do I praise the things of this world or the things of God? Do I praise the temporary or the eternal? Praise implies value, and what I value in my life, what I spend time pursuing, what I talk about and read about and sing about and think about - those are the things that I'm praising and those are the things that I'm telling anyone who's watching that I'm praising.
Am I a man after God's own heart or the world's own heart? Easy - do I praise and value God with my whole heart or do I praise and value the things of this world instead? Do I spend more time reading Facebook or God's Word? Do I spend more time gossiping about people or praying for them? Do I spend more time at work or communing with God?
You get my meaning. Somewhere along the way we lost our perspective. We got so caught up trying to build our little kingdoms here on earth that we forgot our original task of preparing for the Kingdom to come ("Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...")
One final verse:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
What are you and I pursuing and is what we're pursuing truly praiseworthy? What needs to change in our hearts and minds to make this verse true in our lives?
5.24.2011
In The Secret
I had a few moments this morning before starting a busy day and decided to grab a cup of coffee from our local Starbucks. Walking out, coffee in hand, I had everything I have to do today, this week, even this next month running through my head. Long story short, I was distracted.
Getting in the car though, I happened to look up and seen the sun, ever so slowly rising through the clouds, greeting me as it does every day, and a song came to mind that I hadn't sung in ages.
And so I ask myself, "What are my priorities today?"
"Am I not just waiting for, but seeking out opportunities to tell other people about how He's affected my life and how they can know Him as well?"
"Who is most important in my life today? God or myself?"
When we get into the hustle and bustle of 'today', we must not forget to lift up the name of the One who gave it to us in the first place. Jesus told us so perfectly in Matthew 6 what our first priority should be. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..."
Getting in the car though, I happened to look up and seen the sun, ever so slowly rising through the clouds, greeting me as it does every day, and a song came to mind that I hadn't sung in ages.
"In the secret, In the quiet place, in the stillness you are there. In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait, only for you, 'cause I want to know you more."The words just hit me and I think the reason is that God was gently reminding me that my day isn't about the stuff I get accomplished or the to-do list items I check off, it's about Him. It's never been about me, no matter how hard I try to make it so.
And so I ask myself, "What are my priorities today?"
"Am I not just waiting for, but seeking out opportunities to tell other people about how He's affected my life and how they can know Him as well?"
"Who is most important in my life today? God or myself?"
When we get into the hustle and bustle of 'today', we must not forget to lift up the name of the One who gave it to us in the first place. Jesus told us so perfectly in Matthew 6 what our first priority should be. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..."
5.11.2011
Worship
I watched a man worship tonight.
Really, truly, whole-heartedly worship.
Actually, it was two men. The first I've had the privilege of getting to know over the past two years. We've been in small group together, we've been to Paris together, He loves the Lord and leads his family well. Basically, he's awesome. The other I've only gotten to observe from afar. He is a man of few words, but when he says something it is from God. If I didn't have my Dad, he would definitely be on my top five 'Guys I Want To Be Like When I Grow Up' list.
Long story short, I was standing in the sanctuary tonight and there was a song in the music set that I hadn't heard before. Believe me when I say this - I love new songs. They get me out of my comfort zone a bit. They make me think about the lyrics and really examine my heart as I worship.
So as I stood and contemplated, I had the joy of watching the first guy pour his soul passionately into his worship as he sang and played electric guitar. It was an awesome display of his love for God overflowing out of his love for music - and it was for no one other than the Father.
On the other side of the stage was the second guy. While his mouth may not be filled with words, his fingers spoke volumes. Playing the bass guitar during that song wasn't just playing an instrument - it became an overwhelmingly expressive shout of praise to God. I don't know that I can even put words to it. He lost himself in his praises and I know with everything in me that the entirety of what he was doing up there was for the glory of God.
I couldn't help but smile to myself and praise my God and Father, my Lord and Savior, for such a beautiful picture of worship. The Lord reminded me tonight of the purity of genuine worship before Him and the truth that Jesus spoke in John 4:
Really, truly, whole-heartedly worship.
Actually, it was two men. The first I've had the privilege of getting to know over the past two years. We've been in small group together, we've been to Paris together, He loves the Lord and leads his family well. Basically, he's awesome. The other I've only gotten to observe from afar. He is a man of few words, but when he says something it is from God. If I didn't have my Dad, he would definitely be on my top five 'Guys I Want To Be Like When I Grow Up' list.
Long story short, I was standing in the sanctuary tonight and there was a song in the music set that I hadn't heard before. Believe me when I say this - I love new songs. They get me out of my comfort zone a bit. They make me think about the lyrics and really examine my heart as I worship.
So as I stood and contemplated, I had the joy of watching the first guy pour his soul passionately into his worship as he sang and played electric guitar. It was an awesome display of his love for God overflowing out of his love for music - and it was for no one other than the Father.
On the other side of the stage was the second guy. While his mouth may not be filled with words, his fingers spoke volumes. Playing the bass guitar during that song wasn't just playing an instrument - it became an overwhelmingly expressive shout of praise to God. I don't know that I can even put words to it. He lost himself in his praises and I know with everything in me that the entirety of what he was doing up there was for the glory of God.
I couldn't help but smile to myself and praise my God and Father, my Lord and Savior, for such a beautiful picture of worship. The Lord reminded me tonight of the purity of genuine worship before Him and the truth that Jesus spoke in John 4:
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
5.09.2011
Beautiful
We went to a "send off" party this afternoon for some friends of ours. Turns out, it was actually a surprise wedding! Through it all, I couldn't get the imagery of the bride of Christ out of my mind. As beautiful as the bride was, the Church is that much more beautiful to Christ.
In fact, the song 'Beautiful' by MercyMe comes to mind every time we go to a wedding, as I think through the idea that Christ was willing to face "death, even death on a cross" for our sake. For me, the wedding this afternoon was yet another incredible reminder that Christ didn't just save us from our sins (though that would be enough) - we were adopted and made beautiful by the blood of Christ. Where our sins would condemn us to eternity without God, there He stands, our Father, calling His children beautiful through the work of Jesus on the cross.
I think ultimately what I'm trying to say is that you are valuable to God. You matter to Him. No matter what you face in life, no matter what anyone says, God cherishes you. Come to Jesus. Let Him wash away the stains of sin and clothe you in garments of white. Let Him whisper in your ear, the gentle reminder that:
In fact, the song 'Beautiful' by MercyMe comes to mind every time we go to a wedding, as I think through the idea that Christ was willing to face "death, even death on a cross" for our sake. For me, the wedding this afternoon was yet another incredible reminder that Christ didn't just save us from our sins (though that would be enough) - we were adopted and made beautiful by the blood of Christ. Where our sins would condemn us to eternity without God, there He stands, our Father, calling His children beautiful through the work of Jesus on the cross.
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us..." Galatians 3:13
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17Paul says later in 2 Corinthians that Christ "became sin" so that we could become "the righteousness of God." There has been a miraculous work done for our sakes, one that I still can't get my head around, but it was done nevertheless. It will never cease to amaze me that this redemption work was done to restore and renew our relationship with God. It will perpetually put a smile on my face and a song in my heart that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
I think ultimately what I'm trying to say is that you are valuable to God. You matter to Him. No matter what you face in life, no matter what anyone says, God cherishes you. Come to Jesus. Let Him wash away the stains of sin and clothe you in garments of white. Let Him whisper in your ear, the gentle reminder that:
"You're beautiful. You are treasured. You are sacred. You are His."
4.28.2011
Free To Be Me
I was finishing up Judges the other day, and the last verse of chapter 21 not only stood out to me - it struck me as a good theme for entirety of the book.
The reason this particular verse stood out to me, I think, is because I started wondering how many times that would be said about my own life. How often, were there a book of Jacob, would there be a verse that said, "And Jacob did what was right in his own eyes." It scares me, really. Every day, probably every hour and minute, I do what I want, when I want to do it. And the way I choose isn't always the way God expects from a follower of His.
I am realizing more and more that while I laugh to myself at how silly and dense the Israelites were at times, I can be just as silly and dense - if not more so. Lessons like these are hard to learn because they strike at the core of the issue, my pride. In order to truly work on being more like Christ in this area, I must first swallow my pride and admit my fault. It is also lessons like these that make me glad for verses like Romans 8:29:
So, if you catch me being like the Israelites, you have my complete permission to give me a gentle reproach - in the form of an all-out head-knocking, if necessary...
"In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25If you aren't familiar with Judges, the short version is this: the Israelites would do evil in the sight of the Lord, they were then taken captive or invaded by the enemy, then they cried out to God for deliverance, then a judge came and helped them out, then they had peace for a while, and then the process was repeated all over again. The first time you read a cycle you kind of feel for the Israelites a little bit. The sixth time through, not only is it redundant, but you're almost screaming at the page - "Why don't you get it already?!" The Israelites can be pretty dense at times.
The reason this particular verse stood out to me, I think, is because I started wondering how many times that would be said about my own life. How often, were there a book of Jacob, would there be a verse that said, "And Jacob did what was right in his own eyes." It scares me, really. Every day, probably every hour and minute, I do what I want, when I want to do it. And the way I choose isn't always the way God expects from a follower of His.
I am realizing more and more that while I laugh to myself at how silly and dense the Israelites were at times, I can be just as silly and dense - if not more so. Lessons like these are hard to learn because they strike at the core of the issue, my pride. In order to truly work on being more like Christ in this area, I must first swallow my pride and admit my fault. It is also lessons like these that make me glad for verses like Romans 8:29:
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." (emphasis added)God is daily working to conform me to the image of his Son. It is a work in progress and I am not nearly there. It is a long road to travel toward Christ's completed work of sanctification in our lives, but the good news is that we are in it together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, if you catch me being like the Israelites, you have my complete permission to give me a gentle reproach - in the form of an all-out head-knocking, if necessary...
3.29.2011
Consistency
Last night we were talking about a lot of things, life choices and parenting being the top two. (*News flash: parenting = the hardest and most rewarding thing we've ever done)
As we talked, this idea of consistency kept coming up. Whether it's how consistently you live your life and make your choices or how consistently you stick to the boundaries that you've set for your children, it seems like everything in life comes down to how consistent you are.
For me, it has been especially apparent in the Old Testament as I have read about how the Israelites were to consistently live up to the standard of the law. In parenting, we've seen time and again how consistency (or lack thereof) can make or break a child. In life, people watch you whether you know it or not and they see plain as day whether you live life consistently or hypocritically.
The problem, however, comes in the fact that we are sinful human beings. We can try our whole lives to be consistent, to live up to the standard that God has called us to, and we will always fail. The Bible is clear - "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Our strength is never going to be enough because we were sinful from the moment of our birth.
Back to the discussion from last night. The feelings of difficulty in living this life can get overwhelming if you think too much about it, maybe even to the point of despair.
"I try to be consistent but keep failing - so, why bother?!"
Ever felt that way? I know I have.
Back to my wonderful bride. I woke up this morning to a note. Handwritten. From her :)
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26Thank you, Beth (and the psalmist), for the reminder that if we are in Christ it is not our strength by which we live, but Christ's in us. It is not our works by which we're made righteous, it is Christ's work in us.
It's true. We can never be consistent in and of ourselves.
BUT, Christ in us? He is our strength and our portion forever! He is our righteousness. He is our consistency.
Live today in gratitude and praise to God that we can be consistent - through Christ.
3.23.2011
A Heart Issue
Let me just preface today's entry by saying that I have discovered a new love for the Old Testament. Ever since I started reading through the whole Bible this year, I've grown to look forward to reading each passage from the Old Testament. For me, it's because every page points forward to the Savior, every passage speaks of the hope we have in Christ. It's a beautiful picture of what God has had in mind for us all along.
There I go rambling...
Deuteronomy 9 and 10 were part of my reading this morning and they spoke volumes. Here's my favorite verse, from chapter 10 verse 16:
The great thing is that while we don't physically signify our covenant with God, this still continues to hold true today. Set apart your heart to be in covenant relationship with the Lord. But, how do we do that? Verse 12 gives some pointers:
Is it going to be easy to do? Not by any stretch of the imagination. Just like the real procedure has pain associated with it, for God to do a circumcision work in your heart will be painful. We all have sin that we have to confront and deal with and God will have to cut it out of our lives through His redeeming work. Don't forget the end of this verse, though. "...for your good." This whole process is for our good, for our benefit. Ultimately, it's for the glory of God the Father. As painful as it may be, in the end it's worth it all.
So, the take away is this:
Quit being stubborn. We have a heart issue that needs to be taken care of.
There I go rambling...
Deuteronomy 9 and 10 were part of my reading this morning and they spoke volumes. Here's my favorite verse, from chapter 10 verse 16:
"Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn."It's a graphic picture, I know, but I think Moses got it exactly right. He perfectly captures a striking truth for me today. The CEV says, "Remember your agreement with the Lord..." Moses knew that his audience would understand exactly what he meant when he used the word 'circumcise.' They would immediately think back to God's arrangement with Abraham. They would be instantly reminded of the physical representation of covenant relationship with God.
The great thing is that while we don't physically signify our covenant with God, this still continues to hold true today. Set apart your heart to be in covenant relationship with the Lord. But, how do we do that? Verse 12 gives some pointers:
"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commands and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?"This passage reminds me of Micah 6:8 quite a bit, but regardless it's a calling to live a life set apart. Fear the Lord. Walk in His ways. Love Him. Serve Him. Keep His commands.
Is it going to be easy to do? Not by any stretch of the imagination. Just like the real procedure has pain associated with it, for God to do a circumcision work in your heart will be painful. We all have sin that we have to confront and deal with and God will have to cut it out of our lives through His redeeming work. Don't forget the end of this verse, though. "...for your good." This whole process is for our good, for our benefit. Ultimately, it's for the glory of God the Father. As painful as it may be, in the end it's worth it all.
So, the take away is this:
Quit being stubborn. We have a heart issue that needs to be taken care of.
3.21.2011
Jamais Forget
This morning as I progressed in reading through the Bible in a year, the passages (Deuteronomy 5 and 6) continued to reflect a theme I've been noticing throughout the Old Testament, especially the past few mornings of readings.
The Old Testament is full of references for being sure not to forget the lessons of the past, of passing down these lessons to our children and our children's children, and of obeying the commands of the Lord.
It's interesting to me that Moses, who wrote this book, was so insistent about not forgetting
the Lord. Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter) devotes 7 verses to the faith of Moses and credits Moses with "choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin" and says that he "considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt." Moses taught his children never to forget, they taught their children, and so on. Eventually Moses' faith became his legacy - remembering the Lord and teaching God's truths to our children.
Our eyes are to be set on the Lord and our hearts are to be seeking Him. One of the easiest ways to do that, to set our eyes and focus our hearts, is to tell future generations about the works the Lord has done, about the favor He has shown, about the grace and mercy He has so generously poured out on us - and to bring glory to His name in doing so. Just as it is a lesson to the younger generations, so also is it a reminder for ourselves of just how faithful the Lord has been.
I met a new friend and brother in Christ last week in Paris named is Amir. As the week ended and we were saying our goodbyes he told me, "Jamais forget" (jamais is French for 'never'). Amir's mixture of French and English has even more meaning to me now. He meant for me to never forget our trip to Paris, to never forget the work that is being done or the people that we met or the souls that still need saving.
But it's bigger than that.
Never forget the Lord or His works. Never forget the great sacrifice that's been paid for your sins. Never forget to share these truths with your children and your children's children.
Jamais forget.
"You shall teach them diligently to your children..." Deut. 6:7Teaching. Passing down. Leaving a legacy.
The Old Testament is full of references for being sure not to forget the lessons of the past, of passing down these lessons to our children and our children's children, and of obeying the commands of the Lord.
"then take care lest you forget the Lord..." Deut. 6:12I don't want to forget any lesson the Lord teaches me. I don't want my children to grow up and not know about the impact the Lord has had on my life. I want to leave a legacy of faith for my family to cherish.
It's interesting to me that Moses, who wrote this book, was so insistent about not forgetting
the Lord. Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter) devotes 7 verses to the faith of Moses and credits Moses with "choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin" and says that he "considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt." Moses taught his children never to forget, they taught their children, and so on. Eventually Moses' faith became his legacy - remembering the Lord and teaching God's truths to our children.
Our eyes are to be set on the Lord and our hearts are to be seeking Him. One of the easiest ways to do that, to set our eyes and focus our hearts, is to tell future generations about the works the Lord has done, about the favor He has shown, about the grace and mercy He has so generously poured out on us - and to bring glory to His name in doing so. Just as it is a lesson to the younger generations, so also is it a reminder for ourselves of just how faithful the Lord has been.
I met a new friend and brother in Christ last week in Paris named is Amir. As the week ended and we were saying our goodbyes he told me, "Jamais forget" (jamais is French for 'never'). Amir's mixture of French and English has even more meaning to me now. He meant for me to never forget our trip to Paris, to never forget the work that is being done or the people that we met or the souls that still need saving.
But it's bigger than that.
Never forget the Lord or His works. Never forget the great sacrifice that's been paid for your sins. Never forget to share these truths with your children and your children's children.
Jamais forget.
3.05.2011
Suffer
According to dictionary.com, there are four definitions of the word suffer. All have to do with loss, distress, pain, disadvantage, disability, or death. There is one thing missing from each definition, though - Christ. None of the definitions have anything to do with the life of a believer and what we are guaranteed to go through because of our faith in the Savior who has called us to Him.
I've been reading through 1 Peter the last five days. The theme of the whole book is suffering and rejoicing in the suffering that we go through. He views suffering as a good thing:
Do I truly suffer for the name of Christ?
If I do, then there is nothing more to be said. My suffering is proof enough of the genuineness of my faith. But if I do not...then the question that will forever haunt me is...
Why not?
I've been reading through 1 Peter the last five days. The theme of the whole book is suffering and rejoicing in the suffering that we go through. He views suffering as a good thing:
"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." 1 Peter 4:14A great friend, Wesley, and I meet on Friday mornings and part of our discussion yesterday had to do with putting together a working definition of Christian suffering.
"The patient and willing endurance of pain, loss, disadvantage, distress, and even death because of Christ."There is a lot that can be said about the suffering of the believer. I'm sure there are books and books on the subject. The most convicting part of my thinking about suffering, particularly the fact that my faith in Christ guarantees my suffering, is:
Do I truly suffer for the name of Christ?
If I do, then there is nothing more to be said. My suffering is proof enough of the genuineness of my faith. But if I do not...then the question that will forever haunt me is...
Why not?
2.20.2011
Blood
I'm starting to get a glimpse of how the Jews might feel about the Old Testament sacrificial system.
Burdened. Overwhelmed. Hopeless. Lost.
My Bible reading plan for 2011 involves reading through the whole Bible. Part of that includes the book of Leviticus - which I've been avoiding (most likely subconsciously) due to its content. I mean, who wants to read rules we don't even follow anymore? Right?
I have to be honest, though, reading through the book of Leviticus so far has been a very eye-opening experience. I think I came across the whole point of Leviticus in today's reading. Chapter 11, verse 45. "You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
My thoughts are all jumbled when it comes to the subject of Leviticus because I'm still new to the concept of ritual sacrifice. I'm still processing all that Leviticus means to me and how it affects my faith and my relationship with God. In words, the idea that keeps coming to mind and weighing on my heart is "burden." I mean, I read through the first 7 chapters and literally got up from each reading feeling heavy. I felt weighed down and burdened by the amount of blood that had to be shed just for the atonement of the priest, not to mention all the Jews who also had to sacrifice for their sins. I started to think about my own life, my own sins, and what I would have to sacrifice were I living during that time. How much blood would I have to offer for myself and my family? It's too much! How can anyone live under that burden? How can anyone exist knowing that what you offer will never be enough, will never satisfy the burden of sin that is on your life and can never be fully atoned for? It's just too much!
"You shall be holy therefore, for I am holy."
And yet God's standard is the same. For all of us. Be holy.
You might recognize Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
It's a verse that makes it clear - none of us has met the standard God has set for us. None of us are perfect.
Maybe less recognized, but all the more important, are verses 24 and 25:
"O, praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!"
Burdened. Overwhelmed. Hopeless. Lost.
My Bible reading plan for 2011 involves reading through the whole Bible. Part of that includes the book of Leviticus - which I've been avoiding (most likely subconsciously) due to its content. I mean, who wants to read rules we don't even follow anymore? Right?
I have to be honest, though, reading through the book of Leviticus so far has been a very eye-opening experience. I think I came across the whole point of Leviticus in today's reading. Chapter 11, verse 45. "You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
My thoughts are all jumbled when it comes to the subject of Leviticus because I'm still new to the concept of ritual sacrifice. I'm still processing all that Leviticus means to me and how it affects my faith and my relationship with God. In words, the idea that keeps coming to mind and weighing on my heart is "burden." I mean, I read through the first 7 chapters and literally got up from each reading feeling heavy. I felt weighed down and burdened by the amount of blood that had to be shed just for the atonement of the priest, not to mention all the Jews who also had to sacrifice for their sins. I started to think about my own life, my own sins, and what I would have to sacrifice were I living during that time. How much blood would I have to offer for myself and my family? It's too much! How can anyone live under that burden? How can anyone exist knowing that what you offer will never be enough, will never satisfy the burden of sin that is on your life and can never be fully atoned for? It's just too much!
"You shall be holy therefore, for I am holy."
And yet God's standard is the same. For all of us. Be holy.
You might recognize Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
It's a verse that makes it clear - none of us has met the standard God has set for us. None of us are perfect.
Maybe less recognized, but all the more important, are verses 24 and 25:
"and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood..."If there is one thing I come away from reading Leviticus with, it's an even greater appreciation for my salvation. Christ, a perfectly sinless man, died a cruel death on a Roman cross, so that through the shedding of His blood, we who are sinners - who have no hope and would otherwise be "dead in our trespasses" - can be justified and redeemed. In light of that, how can we do anything but praise Jesus for His sacrifice and tell others about this incredible gift we've received?
"O, praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!"
2.08.2011
Trust and Obey
Obedience.
This theme keeps coming up in my life lately - through conversations, sermons, experiences - so I think the best thing I can do is write it down. It's a guaranteed way for me to remember it.
Sunday night in small group we were talking about Romans 12:1-2 and the topic came up. "...present your bodies as a living sacrifice..." "...be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." To do these things requires obedience.
Every time Isabella does something (whether it's doing what we asked her not to do or not doing something that we asked her to do), we talk to her about obedience. For right now, it goes something like this: "Isabella, you need to listen and obey."
In church we've been talking about Abraham's life, the most recent installment being where he is commanded by God to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. What does the Bible say that Abraham did? "So Abraham rose early in the morning..." He obeyed.
It's an interesting thing, this obedience. I looked up the definition of the word and the dictionary says that to obey means "to submit or conform in action to." I guess technically that is a correct description of obedience. However, growing up I learned a different definition. My parents always described obedience something like this:
Right away - the task is to be done at that very moment, no questions asked.
Right attitude - the task is to be done without grumbling, complaining, pouting, etc.
It adds a whole new element to obedience, doesn't it? Yeah, I didn't really like it much either. But here's the thing, the point I'm trying to get at. God expects the same from us. God wants us to obey Him with that same frame of mind. Right away. Right attitude.
Look at Abraham's example. He "rose early in the morning" to go kill his only son - simply because God commanded it to be done.
Or what about Jesus' example? He willingly went to his death, on the most brutal form of punishment known at the time, because God commanded it to be so.
I know sometimes we have questions about what God is doing and why He's doing it. I have them all the time. I don't think God gets mad at us when we question Him either (within certain boundaries, check out Moses' run-in with that). It's important to remember though, that we can't see everything that God sees. Think about it this way (Thank you, Dad, for this example - it's stuck with me all these years):
You are out in the front yard tossing a football with a friend and one of you clumsily drops it. The ball rolls ever so conveniently out of the yard and into the street. Of course, not wanting to miss a single second of this riveting game of catch, you immediately dash toward the street to retrieve the ball. From the front porch you hear your Dad (who has spied a car coming entirely too fast down the street in your direction) yell, "STOP!!!" At this point you can do one of two things: you can either continue on your way and get the ball or you can listen to your Dad and stop. Which do you do?
For us, the third party observer, the choice is simple. Stop. Listen. Obey. Easy choice, Jacob, why ask?
Think back to the time when that was you, though. Obviously if you continue in your path, you will be struck by a car and potentially killed because of your disobedience. Your Dad doesn't have time to explain all the details of what he sees. He barely has time to get the words out that save your life. If you wait until you have all the explanation, it's too late. If you wait until it all makes sense to you, it's too late. The same is true with obedience to God.
It may not be necessary for you to know the "why" behind God's plan for you. It may not be possible for you to understand every detail of what God has commanded you to do. All we know is that we must trust that God knows what He's doing and obey Him.
Regardless of how we feel about it.
This theme keeps coming up in my life lately - through conversations, sermons, experiences - so I think the best thing I can do is write it down. It's a guaranteed way for me to remember it.
Sunday night in small group we were talking about Romans 12:1-2 and the topic came up. "...present your bodies as a living sacrifice..." "...be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." To do these things requires obedience.
Every time Isabella does something (whether it's doing what we asked her not to do or not doing something that we asked her to do), we talk to her about obedience. For right now, it goes something like this: "Isabella, you need to listen and obey."
In church we've been talking about Abraham's life, the most recent installment being where he is commanded by God to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. What does the Bible say that Abraham did? "So Abraham rose early in the morning..." He obeyed.
It's an interesting thing, this obedience. I looked up the definition of the word and the dictionary says that to obey means "to submit or conform in action to." I guess technically that is a correct description of obedience. However, growing up I learned a different definition. My parents always described obedience something like this:
"Jacob, when we ask you to do something we want you to do it right away and with the right attitude."You see, as a child growing up in my parents house, obedience was much more than just "doing what you're told to do." Did you catch emphasis in my definition? Right away. Right attitude.
Right away - the task is to be done at that very moment, no questions asked.
Right attitude - the task is to be done without grumbling, complaining, pouting, etc.
It adds a whole new element to obedience, doesn't it? Yeah, I didn't really like it much either. But here's the thing, the point I'm trying to get at. God expects the same from us. God wants us to obey Him with that same frame of mind. Right away. Right attitude.
Look at Abraham's example. He "rose early in the morning" to go kill his only son - simply because God commanded it to be done.
Or what about Jesus' example? He willingly went to his death, on the most brutal form of punishment known at the time, because God commanded it to be so.
I know sometimes we have questions about what God is doing and why He's doing it. I have them all the time. I don't think God gets mad at us when we question Him either (within certain boundaries, check out Moses' run-in with that). It's important to remember though, that we can't see everything that God sees. Think about it this way (Thank you, Dad, for this example - it's stuck with me all these years):
You are out in the front yard tossing a football with a friend and one of you clumsily drops it. The ball rolls ever so conveniently out of the yard and into the street. Of course, not wanting to miss a single second of this riveting game of catch, you immediately dash toward the street to retrieve the ball. From the front porch you hear your Dad (who has spied a car coming entirely too fast down the street in your direction) yell, "STOP!!!" At this point you can do one of two things: you can either continue on your way and get the ball or you can listen to your Dad and stop. Which do you do?
For us, the third party observer, the choice is simple. Stop. Listen. Obey. Easy choice, Jacob, why ask?
Think back to the time when that was you, though. Obviously if you continue in your path, you will be struck by a car and potentially killed because of your disobedience. Your Dad doesn't have time to explain all the details of what he sees. He barely has time to get the words out that save your life. If you wait until you have all the explanation, it's too late. If you wait until it all makes sense to you, it's too late. The same is true with obedience to God.
It may not be necessary for you to know the "why" behind God's plan for you. It may not be possible for you to understand every detail of what God has commanded you to do. All we know is that we must trust that God knows what He's doing and obey Him.
Regardless of how we feel about it.
1.30.2011
Full
For almost a week now I've been reading through the book of Acts (continuing the L3 Journal Bible reading plan that my church provides) and I've been struck over and over by the example of the early Church. Their effectiveness, boldness, faith, passion - basically, everything they did - is exciting to read about!
Even more than exciting, it's convicting to read as well. Seriously. When's the last time you saw a miracle? Not that they don't happen - I believe they still do - but it's not an every day occurrence like seems to be the case in Acts. So while the passionate, Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching side of me loves to read the book of Acts, at the same time my complacent, comfortable-where-I-am, safety-seeking side doesn't like to read it at all. Conflict of interests...
Stephen is the man I encountered in today's reading. If there was ever a person to make me feel convicted about how I currently live my life, it's Stephen. He was "full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people." He was called to the synagogue for a little argument and "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." Talk about a man who is on fire for Christ! He so frustrated the Hellenistic Jews who confronted him that they had to call in people to give false testimony about him just so that they could have something to hold against him. As sad as it makes me to see people so against this man, it is absolutely an example worth living up to. I hope all believers today come to the point where they would be a modern day Stephen in the face of persecution.
One thing I noticed about Stephen that I just had to write down (before I forget!) - he is described as "full of grace and power." Not "half full". Not "half empty". Not "a few little drops at the bottom of the cup that's mostly backwash anyway". FULL. As in, "if you touch this cup water is spilling out" full. If I were writing the book of Acts, this is how I would have phrased it:
Father, fill me up. To overflowing. Fill up the Church. Help us spill out all over the world so that people will know and worship the name of Christ.
Even more than exciting, it's convicting to read as well. Seriously. When's the last time you saw a miracle? Not that they don't happen - I believe they still do - but it's not an every day occurrence like seems to be the case in Acts. So while the passionate, Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching side of me loves to read the book of Acts, at the same time my complacent, comfortable-where-I-am, safety-seeking side doesn't like to read it at all. Conflict of interests...
Stephen is the man I encountered in today's reading. If there was ever a person to make me feel convicted about how I currently live my life, it's Stephen. He was "full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people." He was called to the synagogue for a little argument and "they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking." Talk about a man who is on fire for Christ! He so frustrated the Hellenistic Jews who confronted him that they had to call in people to give false testimony about him just so that they could have something to hold against him. As sad as it makes me to see people so against this man, it is absolutely an example worth living up to. I hope all believers today come to the point where they would be a modern day Stephen in the face of persecution.
One thing I noticed about Stephen that I just had to write down (before I forget!) - he is described as "full of grace and power." Not "half full". Not "half empty". Not "a few little drops at the bottom of the cup that's mostly backwash anyway". FULL. As in, "if you touch this cup water is spilling out" full. If I were writing the book of Acts, this is how I would have phrased it:
"Stephen was so full of the grace of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that there was no room left inside of him for petty personal preferences or selfish ambitions or any desires that might take him away from the work that the Lord had for him to do here on this earth."It took me reading this passage a couple of times before I got it, but once I did...well, let's just say I have a lot of work to do. Let me rephrase, God has a lot of work left to do in me. There's no way I can do this on my own. There's no way I can fill myself with the power of God to the point of overflowing. That's a work only He can do. But it's a work that I desperately need Him to do.
Father, fill me up. To overflowing. Fill up the Church. Help us spill out all over the world so that people will know and worship the name of Christ.
1.28.2011
Quadragesima
Lent is coming soon and, while I'm not a typical observer of the tradition, I love the idea of giving up something in order to spend the forty days before Easter in prayer, anticipating Easter Sunday when we remember and celebrate Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the grave.
To me, it's a chance to sacrifice (albeit temporarily) something I spend time doing and to spend that extra time remembering the permanent and ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. A worthy endeavor, to say the least.
For some reason, it's a little over a month before that time is supposed to begin and I'm already thinking about Lent and what I want to give up during those 40 days. I'm selfish, to be honest, and I want so badly to say "Look what I gave up! Isn't that such a sacrifice?" (*pats self on back) The problem is, that's not the attitude Christ had while here on earth and it's not the point of Lent. I think that maybe God is trying to teach me that His plan is so much bigger than myself and that the world doesn't revolve around me.
So, I suppose I'm just posting this as a reminder not to forget the true meaning behind Lent and the posture of humility that Christ had during His time here on earth. I know it seems like a long time from now, but wouldn't it be awesome if we were already in the right mindset before Lent and Easter get here? Wouldn't it be awesome if we were praying and lifting that time up to the Lord, that He would be magnified during that time, that His name would be heard across the world as believers celebrate the single, perfect death that made eternal life a possibility?
To me, it's a chance to sacrifice (albeit temporarily) something I spend time doing and to spend that extra time remembering the permanent and ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. A worthy endeavor, to say the least.
For some reason, it's a little over a month before that time is supposed to begin and I'm already thinking about Lent and what I want to give up during those 40 days. I'm selfish, to be honest, and I want so badly to say "Look what I gave up! Isn't that such a sacrifice?" (*pats self on back) The problem is, that's not the attitude Christ had while here on earth and it's not the point of Lent. I think that maybe God is trying to teach me that His plan is so much bigger than myself and that the world doesn't revolve around me.
So, I suppose I'm just posting this as a reminder not to forget the true meaning behind Lent and the posture of humility that Christ had during His time here on earth. I know it seems like a long time from now, but wouldn't it be awesome if we were already in the right mindset before Lent and Easter get here? Wouldn't it be awesome if we were praying and lifting that time up to the Lord, that He would be magnified during that time, that His name would be heard across the world as believers celebrate the single, perfect death that made eternal life a possibility?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)