"1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure." (NLT)
How is your satisfaction level today? Are you content with where you are, what you have, and where you're going? I can tell you that many days, I am not. I can be jealous of what other people have...really jealous. I can be looking ahead toward the 'next big thing', maybe that's more education or the new bedroom suite that I'm sure would make all my troubles go away. Yet, we know that this isn't true. A friend of mine who recently got his MBA told me that in class they told him the consumer's satisfaction, even for major purchases like a new car, would last on average only two weeks before they already start to dream about the next one!
God has been showing me that I am struggling not only with my contentedness, but also with my expectations. If my expectations were/are not met, then I cannot be content.
We were on a short trip recently, and I had a plan in mind of how the weekend was going to go. Looking back, I see that I was setting myself up for failure, but nevertheless, I was expecting it would go one way (and this particular way revolved all around me, of course) and when it didn't go that way, I was absolutely miserable to be around!
As I read the verses this morning, the following kept popping out to me, "You want what you don't have, so...". What is it for you? When you want what you don't have, you _______. What is the "so" for you? Do you scheme and manipulate, as verse 2 suggests? Do you kill, or as some translations say, hate others until you can get it? Do you fight with people verbally or physically? Or maybe you wage war on your family, friends, or spouse until you get what you want? I was waging some major war that day, though most of it seemed to be inside my heart. No one else was feeling the absolute turmoil I was because my expectations were not met! Just me. But they were having to deal with my attitude, and the "evil desires at war within [me]" (verse 10).
But it hasn't been only on the trip. I have had unmet expectations in many areas recently. Have you? Maybe a friend doesn't reach out to you as much as you think she should; maybe a friend or family member is seeing someone you wouldn't pick for them; maybe the money coming in is not what you thought it would be by now; maybe people are moving away who you care about; maybe your job is not going exactly as you were told it would; or maybe even someone has died that you did not expect. Whatever it is, James tells us that "You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it." That is our first step. We need to talk to God about it. Just tell Him about it first, and then ask Him for what you want and desire for yourself in this. Do you want to feel content in your current situation? Ask God to give you His peace. Ask Him for wisdom beyond what you would naturally have in this circumstance. Ask Him for what He thinks you need to get through this season.
And be careful not to fall into the trap of asking for your earthly wants. God loves to bless His children, even in the little things. I truly believe this! However, He is ultimately more concerned about your heart and what you NEED. Verse 3 says, "And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure." The Bible is misquoted so often when people say, "Well, the Bible says that God wants us to be happy." No! That verse does not exist in the Bible, I'm sorry to say. But, my friends, God didn't come to make us happy; He came to make us Holy. He is going to work IN your current circumstances, not once you are OUT of them. Ask Him for what He desires you have to make you more holy, not happy. Remember, He loves you, and we can trust whatever comes from His hand.
As I was sitting in my mopey-ness that weekend, I thought to myself in my deep distress, "well, if I can't count on these people, what can I count on?" And oh my gosh, if it wasn't God Himself speaking to me so loudly and clearly! Molly, I am the One you can count on. Everyone and everything else may fail you, but I will not. Trust in Me. I am the only thing in this world that is Sure.
Do you want something to count on? That day, I sure did. We have one thing that is sure every moment of every day: Jesus. And here is the promise in Matthew 6:33, "Your heavenly father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”
So whatever happens that might broad-side you today, and you have no idea what that is right now, that's okay. When it happens, you can live assuredly. God already knows what will happen today, tomorrow, and ten years from now, and He will give us all we need when the time comes. Release all of your expectations to Him, and live in His freedom and protection.
Coffee with Jesus
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
James 3:13-18 (Worldy vs. Godly Wisdom)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
In 1 Kings 3, when Solomon had first become king, God told him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." If you've been around church much, you know that Solomon asked for wisdom. I can remember as a middle-schooler thinking, Well that was dumb. You can have whatever you want, Mr. Solomon, and you asked for wisdom?! Of course, at 13, the only thing I wanted was a boyfriend and some new clothes, so maybe I should have followed in Solomon's steps. But as I get older, I realize the true worth in wisdom. Wisdom would play out in all of my friendships, my job, my marriage, my ministry...everything! Truly, I cannot think of something I would rather have.
But this gets messed up in our culture today, doesn't it? A dear friend of mine wanted to be wealthy so badly, but he wanted to do it the "right way" and with God's blessing, so he looked up all the verses in the Bible that he could on money -- anything that would support his cause. There aren't many that say, "yes, go make yourself rich." But I can remember there was one verse where Solomon talked about money making life "easier", and so he held to that. Yet, he was missing every other verse in the Bible! But as verse 16 says, he was still striving out of selfish ambition, and he was not content in the slightest. "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice" (vs. 16). Surely, the "wisdom" that this world has to offer is not really wisdom at all. Luckily, my friend discovered this while working with his very wealthy boss who wanted to do everything "under the table" and...illegally. He told me later, "I went to go learn what to do to be successful in business from this man who had 'made it', and yet, I went away having learned everything I will choose not to do in business." And who, do you think, is the happier, more contented person...?
It's not that money is bad. Solomon had wisdom and astounding amounts of money (read 1 Kings 10), but the Lord is so much more concerned with our hearts. When will I ever grasp this? Verses 17 and 18 tell us, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." It starts with the word 'but', so what does that tell us? To look for a contrast. The contrast that I see in this list of characteristics of wisdom verses the envy and selfish ambition is related to the person's character. True wisdom can be found in our character -- not in what we have made of ourselves! Actions speak louder than words. Boasting that you are wise, certainly isn't wisdom. But wisdom can be seen in your character.
Purity. Meaning it comes from God, not from the world.
Peace-loving. Let us not be people who stir up trouble, but seek to get along with others.
Considerate. Kind, patient, concerned for others.
Submissive. Selfless leadership. Putting others above yourself.
Full of mercy. You don't make people pay for every little way they "wrong" you because you are aware of your own failings.
Full of good fruit. The fruit of the spirit for sure, but also fruit in your relationships with others.
Impartial. No favoritism toward particular people or whole people groups.
Sincere. All of this listed about if real, not a show for other people. It comes from your heart, even when no one is looking.
No there's wisdom. Wouldn't you like to work for a boss like that?
But the neatest thing I learned in all of this this morning was when I read about Solomon asking for wisdom. This was Solomon's answer to God when He asked him what he wanted. What strikes you as you read this? “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
To me, I see his response soaked in humility. He knows from where True Wisdom comes, and he knows that he is asking The Source if wisdom. Solomon recognizes God's faithfulness to his father, David; then he recognizes the fact that he knows he is young and not-wise by nature. Finally, he doesn't use the word wisdom, but he asks for a discerning HEART.
That, my friends, is what we need to be asking God for. We need Him to change our hearts. Then, the list of character traits above will follow. Ask Him to do it in you starting today. He would love nothing more.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
In 1 Kings 3, when Solomon had first become king, God told him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." If you've been around church much, you know that Solomon asked for wisdom. I can remember as a middle-schooler thinking, Well that was dumb. You can have whatever you want, Mr. Solomon, and you asked for wisdom?! Of course, at 13, the only thing I wanted was a boyfriend and some new clothes, so maybe I should have followed in Solomon's steps. But as I get older, I realize the true worth in wisdom. Wisdom would play out in all of my friendships, my job, my marriage, my ministry...everything! Truly, I cannot think of something I would rather have.
But this gets messed up in our culture today, doesn't it? A dear friend of mine wanted to be wealthy so badly, but he wanted to do it the "right way" and with God's blessing, so he looked up all the verses in the Bible that he could on money -- anything that would support his cause. There aren't many that say, "yes, go make yourself rich." But I can remember there was one verse where Solomon talked about money making life "easier", and so he held to that. Yet, he was missing every other verse in the Bible! But as verse 16 says, he was still striving out of selfish ambition, and he was not content in the slightest. "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice" (vs. 16). Surely, the "wisdom" that this world has to offer is not really wisdom at all. Luckily, my friend discovered this while working with his very wealthy boss who wanted to do everything "under the table" and...illegally. He told me later, "I went to go learn what to do to be successful in business from this man who had 'made it', and yet, I went away having learned everything I will choose not to do in business." And who, do you think, is the happier, more contented person...?
It's not that money is bad. Solomon had wisdom and astounding amounts of money (read 1 Kings 10), but the Lord is so much more concerned with our hearts. When will I ever grasp this? Verses 17 and 18 tell us, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." It starts with the word 'but', so what does that tell us? To look for a contrast. The contrast that I see in this list of characteristics of wisdom verses the envy and selfish ambition is related to the person's character. True wisdom can be found in our character -- not in what we have made of ourselves! Actions speak louder than words. Boasting that you are wise, certainly isn't wisdom. But wisdom can be seen in your character.
Purity. Meaning it comes from God, not from the world.
Peace-loving. Let us not be people who stir up trouble, but seek to get along with others.
Considerate. Kind, patient, concerned for others.
Submissive. Selfless leadership. Putting others above yourself.
Full of mercy. You don't make people pay for every little way they "wrong" you because you are aware of your own failings.
Full of good fruit. The fruit of the spirit for sure, but also fruit in your relationships with others.
Impartial. No favoritism toward particular people or whole people groups.
Sincere. All of this listed about if real, not a show for other people. It comes from your heart, even when no one is looking.
No there's wisdom. Wouldn't you like to work for a boss like that?
But the neatest thing I learned in all of this this morning was when I read about Solomon asking for wisdom. This was Solomon's answer to God when He asked him what he wanted. What strikes you as you read this? “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
To me, I see his response soaked in humility. He knows from where True Wisdom comes, and he knows that he is asking The Source if wisdom. Solomon recognizes God's faithfulness to his father, David; then he recognizes the fact that he knows he is young and not-wise by nature. Finally, he doesn't use the word wisdom, but he asks for a discerning HEART.
That, my friends, is what we need to be asking God for. We need Him to change our hearts. Then, the list of character traits above will follow. Ask Him to do it in you starting today. He would love nothing more.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
James 3:3-12 (Taming the Tongue)
"3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
I don't have to ask you if you've ever been hurt because of someone else's tongue. I know you have. In fact, I would bet that you can remember things someone said about you decades ago because you still bear the scar of their stinging words. Worse yet, have we been the ones to do the stinging of someone else that can last decades.
Why is this so hard for us? Verse 8 tells us that no human being can tame the tongue. When I read that, I was shocked. No one can do it. We are going to continue to say things that we later regret; we will never get it perfectly. Yet, the Holy Spirit has been given to us to help us in this way. In Ezekiel 36, God said, "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees." The Holy Spirit can help us with this, reminding us when we have been mocked to be merciful, when we are provoked to be patient, and when we are taunted to speak tenderly.
Verse 6 above tells us that the tongue can corrupt the whole body and even one's course of life, and it is itself set on fire by hell. Satan himself uses our tongues for destruction and division. I find it interesting that when we picture snakes we tend to first picture legless, slithery creatures, but the second picture that comes to mind is that small, piercing tongue. Of course, we know in the Garden of Eden, satan was a serpent as he used his tongue to convince Eve to go against God. Tongues are so powerful. Yet, we do have to choose to have some control over them. There is some wisdom in the old saying, If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. David said, in Psalm 39, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” Not joining in with others can be half the battle. Praying for patience, so that we don't have to say the thing that immediately comes to mind, and praying for discernment to know what to say at the right time are two ways we can invite the Holy Spirit to help us with our tongues.
The opposite of all of this is true as well, however. The tongue can also be used for building up, encouraging, and inspiring. Some of the greatest women in my life have used their tongues to speak words of encouragement directly to me. My parents have spoken very wise words to me. My husband speaks very loving words to me. Let's not forget the total power our words have -- for the good or the bad! Proverbs 12:8 says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Destruction or healing? It's our choice today.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
I don't have to ask you if you've ever been hurt because of someone else's tongue. I know you have. In fact, I would bet that you can remember things someone said about you decades ago because you still bear the scar of their stinging words. Worse yet, have we been the ones to do the stinging of someone else that can last decades.
Why is this so hard for us? Verse 8 tells us that no human being can tame the tongue. When I read that, I was shocked. No one can do it. We are going to continue to say things that we later regret; we will never get it perfectly. Yet, the Holy Spirit has been given to us to help us in this way. In Ezekiel 36, God said, "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees." The Holy Spirit can help us with this, reminding us when we have been mocked to be merciful, when we are provoked to be patient, and when we are taunted to speak tenderly.
Verse 6 above tells us that the tongue can corrupt the whole body and even one's course of life, and it is itself set on fire by hell. Satan himself uses our tongues for destruction and division. I find it interesting that when we picture snakes we tend to first picture legless, slithery creatures, but the second picture that comes to mind is that small, piercing tongue. Of course, we know in the Garden of Eden, satan was a serpent as he used his tongue to convince Eve to go against God. Tongues are so powerful. Yet, we do have to choose to have some control over them. There is some wisdom in the old saying, If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. David said, in Psalm 39, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” Not joining in with others can be half the battle. Praying for patience, so that we don't have to say the thing that immediately comes to mind, and praying for discernment to know what to say at the right time are two ways we can invite the Holy Spirit to help us with our tongues.
The opposite of all of this is true as well, however. The tongue can also be used for building up, encouraging, and inspiring. Some of the greatest women in my life have used their tongues to speak words of encouragement directly to me. My parents have spoken very wise words to me. My husband speaks very loving words to me. Let's not forget the total power our words have -- for the good or the bad! Proverbs 12:8 says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Destruction or healing? It's our choice today.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
James 2:14-26 (Faith and Deeds)
As I read this section of scripture this morning, I couldn't help but to keep thinking I couldn't say it any better myself. I read this in four different translations of the Bible, and this version, The Message, just seemed to sum it all up. For an even greater understanding, I would encourage you to read it in the NIV or some other translation as well. With each translation, I always find an even deeper understanding.
"14-17Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
18I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department."
Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.
19-20Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?
21-24Wasn't our ancestor Abraham "made right with God by works" when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are "works of faith"? The full meaning of "believe" in the Scripture sentence, "Abraham believed God and was set right with God," includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named "God's friend." Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
25-26The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn't her action in hiding God's spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse."
And so I had to ask myself, "How am I doing?" Do my actions match this faith I claim to have? One way I have learned to test this over the years is to ask: How am I spending my time AND how am I spending my money? If a stranger knew nothing about me, but had to judge my faith by watching me for a week, would he find me guilty of being a Christ-follower?
I think this can be a great reminder to us -- just going to church and reading the Bible is not enough. Or at least it shouldn't be enough for us if we are truly wanting to follow Christ. We must "do what it says. " "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do," (James 1:22-24).
Pray that God would provide you opportunities to demonstrate your faith today. I am sure that He will do it.
"14-17Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
18I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department."
Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.
19-20Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands?
21-24Wasn't our ancestor Abraham "made right with God by works" when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are "works of faith"? The full meaning of "believe" in the Scripture sentence, "Abraham believed God and was set right with God," includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named "God's friend." Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
25-26The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn't her action in hiding God's spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse."
And so I had to ask myself, "How am I doing?" Do my actions match this faith I claim to have? One way I have learned to test this over the years is to ask: How am I spending my time AND how am I spending my money? If a stranger knew nothing about me, but had to judge my faith by watching me for a week, would he find me guilty of being a Christ-follower?
I think this can be a great reminder to us -- just going to church and reading the Bible is not enough. Or at least it shouldn't be enough for us if we are truly wanting to follow Christ. We must "do what it says. " "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do," (James 1:22-24).
Pray that God would provide you opportunities to demonstrate your faith today. I am sure that He will do it.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
James 2:10-13 (Legalism and Love)
I am the oldest of four girls. Now, if you believe what the studies say about birth order, than you might guess that I am a natural care-taker, a natural leader, and a natural team player...however, I am also a natural people pleaser, perfectionist and a great lover of order and boundaries and therefore, a rule-follower. Yes, as I told you yesterday, I had and have my moments of rebellion and freedom, but for good or bad, they are far outweighed by my rule following in most cases.
Rule-following is not always a bad thing. Rules are in place for a reason -- they are usually boundaries that exist to enforce some type of protection. However, as we see in James 2, even boundaries have a boundary.
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
The problem is that even the rules we follow can become gods to us. Rules and boundaries can be good. Margaret Manning says, "Clear boundaries become walls of separation dividing human relationships and community, and the enforcers quickly draw lines around the righteous and the unrighteous. Legalism prompts one to declare her "virtue" as the clearly superior standard." These boundaries can become divisions so quickly. We can quickly declare ourselves as having come out on top compared to someone else.
But look at what the Bible says in verse 10, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." We don't need salvation from Christ if we are perfect, but the moment we break one of God's laws and are no longer perfect, we need a Savior. And which of us hasn't broken one of God's laws? It's just after 6a.m., and sadly, I can tell you that I have already broken multiple! We are all fallen, and none of us will ever measure up...without Jesus.
So why do we do this? Perhaps it's easier to love the laws than it is to love the people. People are not constant and dependable. They are always changing. But if we can hold up a standard of a law or rule, now that is much easier to measure. But Jesus, in His life and ministry, shattered all of these boundaries. He ate meals with the lowest of the low; He had conversations in public with the most disgraceful people in town; He laughed with people who wreaked from their own sin and lifestyle. Jesus even healed people on the Sabbath (when one is supposed to rest), because He was not so concerned about the rigidity of people following the law -- He was concerned about the people. In fact, because of the way Jesus lived and with whom he spent time, the Pharisees accused Him of being a "glutton and a drunkard" (Matt. 11:19).
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom..." Christ came for freedom. He does not sit by and watch your life, clipboard in hand, saying, "Oh, she did do this. But she didn't do this. And he almost did this correctly, but not quite...no point for him." This verse tells us, His boundaries and laws are established to give us freedom. You can be free from guilt and shame. He desires that you would live with the weight lifted off of your shoulders, because He has taken it off! And we need to speak and act and encourage one another in the same way.
"...because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" What good news! Mercy triumphs over judgment! This verse is not referring to your eternal judgment and whether or not you'll receive salvation, because James is writing to a bunch of Christians who already have received salvation. So, He's referring to the rewards once they get to heaven. Now that we have Jesus, this is how we should live now. Today, we need to show mercy to people who we would naturally judge. Look at the people you will come in contact with today as Jesus sees them, and as Jesus sees You. What a challenge this is to me today! And the truth stated here is that if we don't show mercy, we will not receive mercy. God is just.
So, what rules do you follow and uphold more than you maybe should? Perhaps you are of the no dancing, no cards, no drinking, no long hair list of rule-following? Or maybe your rules have to do with energy-saving light bulbs only, no plastic bags, and no animal products? Or maybe your rules sound like no being late, no clutter in the house, no grades for your kids below an A, and no weeds in the lawn? Does no cussing, no sex before marriage, and no materialism sound familiar? Rules and boundaries can be so good for us; God did establish these things for our own good, and we should follow them. But we cannot love the rules more than we love the people. Let God do the judging. He will judge us in the same way. But we, my dear friends, should speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives FREEDOM. Mercy should always triumph over our judgment.
Rule-following is not always a bad thing. Rules are in place for a reason -- they are usually boundaries that exist to enforce some type of protection. However, as we see in James 2, even boundaries have a boundary.
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
The problem is that even the rules we follow can become gods to us. Rules and boundaries can be good. Margaret Manning says, "Clear boundaries become walls of separation dividing human relationships and community, and the enforcers quickly draw lines around the righteous and the unrighteous. Legalism prompts one to declare her "virtue" as the clearly superior standard." These boundaries can become divisions so quickly. We can quickly declare ourselves as having come out on top compared to someone else.
But look at what the Bible says in verse 10, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." We don't need salvation from Christ if we are perfect, but the moment we break one of God's laws and are no longer perfect, we need a Savior. And which of us hasn't broken one of God's laws? It's just after 6a.m., and sadly, I can tell you that I have already broken multiple! We are all fallen, and none of us will ever measure up...without Jesus.
So why do we do this? Perhaps it's easier to love the laws than it is to love the people. People are not constant and dependable. They are always changing. But if we can hold up a standard of a law or rule, now that is much easier to measure. But Jesus, in His life and ministry, shattered all of these boundaries. He ate meals with the lowest of the low; He had conversations in public with the most disgraceful people in town; He laughed with people who wreaked from their own sin and lifestyle. Jesus even healed people on the Sabbath (when one is supposed to rest), because He was not so concerned about the rigidity of people following the law -- He was concerned about the people. In fact, because of the way Jesus lived and with whom he spent time, the Pharisees accused Him of being a "glutton and a drunkard" (Matt. 11:19).
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom..." Christ came for freedom. He does not sit by and watch your life, clipboard in hand, saying, "Oh, she did do this. But she didn't do this. And he almost did this correctly, but not quite...no point for him." This verse tells us, His boundaries and laws are established to give us freedom. You can be free from guilt and shame. He desires that you would live with the weight lifted off of your shoulders, because He has taken it off! And we need to speak and act and encourage one another in the same way.
"...because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" What good news! Mercy triumphs over judgment! This verse is not referring to your eternal judgment and whether or not you'll receive salvation, because James is writing to a bunch of Christians who already have received salvation. So, He's referring to the rewards once they get to heaven. Now that we have Jesus, this is how we should live now. Today, we need to show mercy to people who we would naturally judge. Look at the people you will come in contact with today as Jesus sees them, and as Jesus sees You. What a challenge this is to me today! And the truth stated here is that if we don't show mercy, we will not receive mercy. God is just.
So, what rules do you follow and uphold more than you maybe should? Perhaps you are of the no dancing, no cards, no drinking, no long hair list of rule-following? Or maybe your rules have to do with energy-saving light bulbs only, no plastic bags, and no animal products? Or maybe your rules sound like no being late, no clutter in the house, no grades for your kids below an A, and no weeds in the lawn? Does no cussing, no sex before marriage, and no materialism sound familiar? Rules and boundaries can be so good for us; God did establish these things for our own good, and we should follow them. But we cannot love the rules more than we love the people. Let God do the judging. He will judge us in the same way. But we, my dear friends, should speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives FREEDOM. Mercy should always triumph over our judgment.
Monday, May 23, 2011
James 1:13-15 (Temptations)
[My apologies for being away for so long. I had an upper respiratory infection that literally zapped all energy out of me for over a week now. But, I have missed doing this with you every morning! I'm excited to get back into God's Word together! Okay, let's dig back into James...]
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death."
When was the last time you were really tempted? I mean really. Not just to eat an extra piece of cake, but something that you knew could bring total destruction. There seems to be an excuse for high-school and college kids to fall into temptation since they are "young", and I'm not sure why we give them a Free Pass to behave however they want during that time, but wow, did I ever give into temptation then! Some of my choices from those periods of life brought total destruction: on me, on my family, on ministries I was involved in, and on friendships. However, it didn't stop after college! Just last week, I was tempted in a way I had not been tempted for years regarding something that I thought was long gone. I hesitate to share details with you because I don't want to give my sin a platform of glory, but I would certainly welcome conversation with you if you find yourself in a similar place. But temptation will come! Quite frankly, I was shocked. Yet, there it was. Staring me in the face. And it was at that point, that I had some choices to make.
See, that's just it. Our death and destruction from our own sin should never come as a shock. Right here in James, he lays out the pathway that we can choose to take or not. Since the Bible is God's word, we know that God is the One saying these things to us. He knows us and our weaknesses...
"When tempted..." Oh, there it is. Notice it doesn't say "if you're ever tempted". It's not a matter of "if" but a matter of "when", and for me, it's often times when I am not walking closely with the Lord. As I told you, I had a week and a half "off" of my quiet times due to my illness last week...and that's when satan knew I was vulnerable. In high school and college, most of my "big" failings were during seasons that I wasn't living for Christ, but living for Molly. Though some were even just in a weak moment while I was living for Christ. We are so vulnerable! We should never think that we are in a place beyond temptation. We are just a few small decision away from the worst outcome possible.
"...no one should say 'God it tempting me'. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone." Your temptations are not coming from Him. He doesn't do that. It's not even in His nature...He can't! Does He sometimes allow trials and temptations? Yes. But remember, His plans are to prosper you, and not to harm you...if He allows it, it's for a good reason. Sometimes, that good reason could be our own needed consequences. Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." That is His design, but He allows it because He loves you. Hebrews 12 says, "the Lord disciplines the one He loves," and "God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness." Wow, our discipline will make us more holy! But make no mistake, it is not God trying to seduce you to sin, but the deceiver himself.
"But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire..." Sometimes we don't want to admit this, but we all have evil desires. In the depths of my own heart, I have thought some pretty evil things. They just...happen. But once we can come to this reality, we realize the need we have for a Savior, and the salvation of Christ is all that more glorious! We are evil apart from Christ. That's what this whole journey is about: the Holy Spirit working in me to make me more like Jesus and to better serve my Lord. Without Him, we are nothing. Without Him, we serve satan.
"...he is dragged away and enticed." These are words commonly used when referring to hunting! Who is hunting you? Satan. 1 Peter 5:8 says that satan "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." In this verse, there are two ways he might finally accomplish this: Dragged away, meaning you've come to a place where you either don't care to be dragged away, or you're too "unconscious" that you can be dragged away. Or enticed, which I think is satan's preferred method in my life of making whatever it is look so good that you just can't help yourself. Slowly, over time, we give into it. A friend once told me, "You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can prevent him from building a nest in your hair." It takes time for him to make a nest. There are many opportunities before that to stop the direction in which you find yourself going.
"Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death." The most important points about temptation are right here. It's a process. First, there is a desire. The sin is not in the desire, so the fact that you notice the handsome guy at the restaurant or you've had a hard day and you really desire something that will take the pain away, that's not the problem. But it's when the desire has conceived. You've made a plan. Or you've allowed your mind to think long and hard about something, and it begins to carry you away. This is where we start to compromise and head down the path of destruction. But here's the thing, according to 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." Thank you, Lord! Even when we're heading down that path, He sees us, and He will provide a way out! In high school, it was my mom asking me directly, "What are your plans tonight?" because she knew what was being conceived in my mind. I lied to her, and she let me bear the consequences of that decision. Last week, it was an e-mail sent from a ministry that is dear to me, and the Holy Spirit used that e-mail to convict me. God gave me a STOP sign, loud and clear, in both instances.
But did I follow that stop sign? In high school, I didn't choose to turn around, and later that night, my desire gave birth to the sin. That sin was followed by some pretty major destruction in my life, but God, in His great mercy, used it to actually draw me closer to Himself. Praise the Lord! In contrast, last week, after reading the e-mail, I was broken. I saw the path where I was headed, and I immediately called my girl friend who was working and usually cannot answer her phone. But, God gave me a way out, and she felt like she should answer! I shared with her the temptation I was having and immediately, the weight was lifted off of me! It does not hold power over me any more. I must admit, I was a bit embarrassed for even having to admit my temptation to her, but I felt so much better after it was no longer my own secret, stewing in the corners of my mind.
Will that temptation ever return? It might. And again, I can be assured that God will give me a way out, and if I choose to take it, no destruction will come to me. This was a big lesson for me last week, a humbling one, but I praise God for His faithfulness to us, even when we are not faithful.
So, what about you? Are there any areas of unconfessed temptation in your life? I can assure you that they will not hold the power any longer once you tell someone. If you are not being tempted right now, that is great, but I encourage you to live with the expectation that someday you will. And when the day comes, you will not be surprised, and you will know how to stop the bird before he makes a nest in your hair.
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death."
When was the last time you were really tempted? I mean really. Not just to eat an extra piece of cake, but something that you knew could bring total destruction. There seems to be an excuse for high-school and college kids to fall into temptation since they are "young", and I'm not sure why we give them a Free Pass to behave however they want during that time, but wow, did I ever give into temptation then! Some of my choices from those periods of life brought total destruction: on me, on my family, on ministries I was involved in, and on friendships. However, it didn't stop after college! Just last week, I was tempted in a way I had not been tempted for years regarding something that I thought was long gone. I hesitate to share details with you because I don't want to give my sin a platform of glory, but I would certainly welcome conversation with you if you find yourself in a similar place. But temptation will come! Quite frankly, I was shocked. Yet, there it was. Staring me in the face. And it was at that point, that I had some choices to make.
See, that's just it. Our death and destruction from our own sin should never come as a shock. Right here in James, he lays out the pathway that we can choose to take or not. Since the Bible is God's word, we know that God is the One saying these things to us. He knows us and our weaknesses...
"When tempted..." Oh, there it is. Notice it doesn't say "if you're ever tempted". It's not a matter of "if" but a matter of "when", and for me, it's often times when I am not walking closely with the Lord. As I told you, I had a week and a half "off" of my quiet times due to my illness last week...and that's when satan knew I was vulnerable. In high school and college, most of my "big" failings were during seasons that I wasn't living for Christ, but living for Molly. Though some were even just in a weak moment while I was living for Christ. We are so vulnerable! We should never think that we are in a place beyond temptation. We are just a few small decision away from the worst outcome possible.
"...no one should say 'God it tempting me'. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone." Your temptations are not coming from Him. He doesn't do that. It's not even in His nature...He can't! Does He sometimes allow trials and temptations? Yes. But remember, His plans are to prosper you, and not to harm you...if He allows it, it's for a good reason. Sometimes, that good reason could be our own needed consequences. Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." That is His design, but He allows it because He loves you. Hebrews 12 says, "the Lord disciplines the one He loves," and "God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness." Wow, our discipline will make us more holy! But make no mistake, it is not God trying to seduce you to sin, but the deceiver himself.
"But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire..." Sometimes we don't want to admit this, but we all have evil desires. In the depths of my own heart, I have thought some pretty evil things. They just...happen. But once we can come to this reality, we realize the need we have for a Savior, and the salvation of Christ is all that more glorious! We are evil apart from Christ. That's what this whole journey is about: the Holy Spirit working in me to make me more like Jesus and to better serve my Lord. Without Him, we are nothing. Without Him, we serve satan.
"...he is dragged away and enticed." These are words commonly used when referring to hunting! Who is hunting you? Satan. 1 Peter 5:8 says that satan "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." In this verse, there are two ways he might finally accomplish this: Dragged away, meaning you've come to a place where you either don't care to be dragged away, or you're too "unconscious" that you can be dragged away. Or enticed, which I think is satan's preferred method in my life of making whatever it is look so good that you just can't help yourself. Slowly, over time, we give into it. A friend once told me, "You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can prevent him from building a nest in your hair." It takes time for him to make a nest. There are many opportunities before that to stop the direction in which you find yourself going.
"Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death." The most important points about temptation are right here. It's a process. First, there is a desire. The sin is not in the desire, so the fact that you notice the handsome guy at the restaurant or you've had a hard day and you really desire something that will take the pain away, that's not the problem. But it's when the desire has conceived. You've made a plan. Or you've allowed your mind to think long and hard about something, and it begins to carry you away. This is where we start to compromise and head down the path of destruction. But here's the thing, according to 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." Thank you, Lord! Even when we're heading down that path, He sees us, and He will provide a way out! In high school, it was my mom asking me directly, "What are your plans tonight?" because she knew what was being conceived in my mind. I lied to her, and she let me bear the consequences of that decision. Last week, it was an e-mail sent from a ministry that is dear to me, and the Holy Spirit used that e-mail to convict me. God gave me a STOP sign, loud and clear, in both instances.
But did I follow that stop sign? In high school, I didn't choose to turn around, and later that night, my desire gave birth to the sin. That sin was followed by some pretty major destruction in my life, but God, in His great mercy, used it to actually draw me closer to Himself. Praise the Lord! In contrast, last week, after reading the e-mail, I was broken. I saw the path where I was headed, and I immediately called my girl friend who was working and usually cannot answer her phone. But, God gave me a way out, and she felt like she should answer! I shared with her the temptation I was having and immediately, the weight was lifted off of me! It does not hold power over me any more. I must admit, I was a bit embarrassed for even having to admit my temptation to her, but I felt so much better after it was no longer my own secret, stewing in the corners of my mind.
Will that temptation ever return? It might. And again, I can be assured that God will give me a way out, and if I choose to take it, no destruction will come to me. This was a big lesson for me last week, a humbling one, but I praise God for His faithfulness to us, even when we are not faithful.
So, what about you? Are there any areas of unconfessed temptation in your life? I can assure you that they will not hold the power any longer once you tell someone. If you are not being tempted right now, that is great, but I encourage you to live with the expectation that someday you will. And when the day comes, you will not be surprised, and you will know how to stop the bird before he makes a nest in your hair.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
James 1: 2-4 (Trials)
Talk is cheap. For a few dollars, we can have "whiter teeth," "cleaner clothes," or a "smaller waist." All these things and more are guaranteed to bring you happiness and a better life. And don't get me started on election campaigns! In all these things, there are lots of words, but soon the promises prove to be hollow and quite far from the truth.
Such is the same in our Christian lives. We tell people, "Jesus is the Way," "Believe in God," and "Come to my church with me." Yet, as Christians, sometimes our actions don't line up with our words, and oh, it is my fear that someone would one day say that my actions don't line up with my supposed love for Jesus Christ because I don't want to be a barrier between someone and their decision to follow Christ!
The book of James is a "how-to" book, per say, on the way to live a Christian life. It was suspected to be possibly the first New Testament book written, with maybe the exception of Galatians, so it can be seen as sort of like a manual for the very first Christians. After all, James addresses this letter to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations -- all the Christians.
A major theme of this book is that 'genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds'. No, we are not saved by our actions and the good things we do at all, but if we are genuine in our faith, we should live a certain way. One of the hardest examples of this in the book of James is right in the beginning. Let's dig into James...
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
"Count it all joy..." Joy? You mean to tell me that what I'm going through right now should be a 'delight' to me? Yes and no. The emotions we feel are human, so allow yourself to feel them. There is nothing sinful in our emotions and feelings, and those feelings may not feel delightful. However, you can count on the fact that if you stick it out to the end, these trials (and the verse tells us that they will come) will become a delight to you because...
"you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." Notice that James says the "testing of your faith". What you're going through today might be grueling on your faith. You may change your mind about what you believe a few times; you may question God and His love for you; you may wonder if it's all even real. According to the dictionary, a "testing" is just this: the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trials will be the ultimate test -- to see if you are genuine in your faith. You may wander all over in your belief for a time, but the question is, where do you end up at the end? What does this trial ultimately lead you to believe? Because it's only with the testing that true steadfastness can be produced. Steadfastness is defined as fixed in a direction; firm in purpose; unwavering. Is that not how we would desire that God would someday describe our faith?
"And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Out of our steadfastness, our unwavering faith, comes a maturity that is complete. But what a process it is! This does not happen in a matter of a few months or even years. Just last night, I was crying with my dad because I still miss my mom so much. Let me assure you, I was not feeling joy about the death of my mom last night. I am shocked sometimes that after two years, I still feel the depth of emotion and loss that I did a week after her death. I thought it would feel a little better by now. Some days, it most certainly does not. Yet, I do trust that God is producing a steadfastness in me that would not be equally produced without this trial. My prayer is to be mature and complete, and according to scripture, trials will be the catalyst to maturity if I can stay grounded in my faith in Christ and His plan for humanity.
So, again this morning, puffy eyes and all, I give my life to you, Lord. You are the Potter. I am the clay. I pray that you would continue to mold me into who You want me to be, who You made me to be. This testing is not what I would have chosen, but I know that all You have is love for me, so I can trust You with this, Lord. Produce a steadfastness in me, God, that is unwavering and focused solely upon You. That is all I want.
And give Mom a hug for me. I do miss her.
Such is the same in our Christian lives. We tell people, "Jesus is the Way," "Believe in God," and "Come to my church with me." Yet, as Christians, sometimes our actions don't line up with our words, and oh, it is my fear that someone would one day say that my actions don't line up with my supposed love for Jesus Christ because I don't want to be a barrier between someone and their decision to follow Christ!
The book of James is a "how-to" book, per say, on the way to live a Christian life. It was suspected to be possibly the first New Testament book written, with maybe the exception of Galatians, so it can be seen as sort of like a manual for the very first Christians. After all, James addresses this letter to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations -- all the Christians.
A major theme of this book is that 'genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds'. No, we are not saved by our actions and the good things we do at all, but if we are genuine in our faith, we should live a certain way. One of the hardest examples of this in the book of James is right in the beginning. Let's dig into James...
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
"Count it all joy..." Joy? You mean to tell me that what I'm going through right now should be a 'delight' to me? Yes and no. The emotions we feel are human, so allow yourself to feel them. There is nothing sinful in our emotions and feelings, and those feelings may not feel delightful. However, you can count on the fact that if you stick it out to the end, these trials (and the verse tells us that they will come) will become a delight to you because...
"you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." Notice that James says the "testing of your faith". What you're going through today might be grueling on your faith. You may change your mind about what you believe a few times; you may question God and His love for you; you may wonder if it's all even real. According to the dictionary, a "testing" is just this: the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trials will be the ultimate test -- to see if you are genuine in your faith. You may wander all over in your belief for a time, but the question is, where do you end up at the end? What does this trial ultimately lead you to believe? Because it's only with the testing that true steadfastness can be produced. Steadfastness is defined as fixed in a direction; firm in purpose; unwavering. Is that not how we would desire that God would someday describe our faith?
"And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Out of our steadfastness, our unwavering faith, comes a maturity that is complete. But what a process it is! This does not happen in a matter of a few months or even years. Just last night, I was crying with my dad because I still miss my mom so much. Let me assure you, I was not feeling joy about the death of my mom last night. I am shocked sometimes that after two years, I still feel the depth of emotion and loss that I did a week after her death. I thought it would feel a little better by now. Some days, it most certainly does not. Yet, I do trust that God is producing a steadfastness in me that would not be equally produced without this trial. My prayer is to be mature and complete, and according to scripture, trials will be the catalyst to maturity if I can stay grounded in my faith in Christ and His plan for humanity.
So, again this morning, puffy eyes and all, I give my life to you, Lord. You are the Potter. I am the clay. I pray that you would continue to mold me into who You want me to be, who You made me to be. This testing is not what I would have chosen, but I know that all You have is love for me, so I can trust You with this, Lord. Produce a steadfastness in me, God, that is unwavering and focused solely upon You. That is all I want.
And give Mom a hug for me. I do miss her.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Philemon (A Plea for Life)
This little book (it's the third shortest book in the Bible, only to 2 John and 3 John) packs a very powerful punch! I urge you to take some time to read through it today -- the whole thing is less than one page long -- and it tells a very touching story of Paul writing to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Onesimus was Philemon's former slave, until he stole something from Philemon and ran away. This sin was punishable by death at the time! However, Onesimus met Paul as he was running away, and Paul introduced him to Christ. Onesimus and Paul became very close (vs. 16), and now Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon (also a Christ-follower) and urges him to extend grace to Onesimus now that he is their brother in Christ also. It's a must-read for sure!
One of the main things that sticks out to me is Paul's wise way of going about this letter. Out of the 25 verses in this book/letter, the first 10 verses are spent greeting his friend and building rapport. How often do we sometimes just want to get to the point? He encourages and appreciates Philemon first, which also serves as a reminder to Paul of what kind of man he knows Philemon to be.
He begins his appeal on behalf of Onesimus in verse 8 when we reminds Philemon that he could order him to deal with his runaway slave (Paul was an elder and apostle, so he had the authority to say that). But Paul would rather spur his Christian brother to not follow what the law says, but to do this gracious act toward Onesimus based on his commitment to Christ! We can do the same in the way we interact with people -- spur them on gently but boldly to behave in accordance with their commitment to Christ.
Paul also uses a bit of humor to keep the tone light. Read verse 11, knowing that Onesimus' name means "beneficial, profitable" and notice the play on words. Clever!
Verses 11-15, Paul begins to "make his case" using facts that might persuade Philemon's mind. Whenever we confront someone, it is always important to use the truth. The truth of the situation and the Truth of Jesus and his Word.
Paul wraps up he appeal (vs. 16-21) making points that might persuade Philemon's heart. We can hear the love in Paul's tone as he writes to Philemon, calling him "brother" and saying confidently that he knows Philemon will do even more than he asks. According to verse 19, Paul was the one who also lead Philemon to Christ, so he reminds Philemon that he owes Paul his very life.
But one other thing worth mentioning is that Onesimus is the one who would be carrying this letter (vs. 12), and Paul was in prison when he wrote it, so there was no seal on it. We could infer that at some point, whether Paul showed him the letter or he read it on his journey, Onesimus probably read this letter. Imagine him reading all that Paul says about him -- how much he loves him, that he's willing pay whatever debts he owes Philemon, and that his mentor is willing to urge his former owner not to have him killed for what he's done but to now call him a brother! Who are the younger believers in your life? Are you as invested in them as Paul is in Onesimus? Do these young believers need you to demonstrate such self-sacrifice toward them in any way -- encouragement, Bible study, prayer, support, or my favorite, a coffee date?
As you think about any current grievances in your life, let's look at a few verses again, but this time, read them as Jesus would write this appeal about YOU to the Father. Look at verses 17-19: "So if you consider me a partner, welcome _____ as you would welcome me. If _____ has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Jesus, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back..." Sound familiar? Or I should say, look familiar? This IS the cross.
We are to live as Jesus lived. Paul did that right here! Paul and Jesus both urge someone to show grace on the behalf on another. Who are you in this story -- Onesimus, the one who needs forgiveness; Philemon, the one who needs to show grace; or Paul, the one who needs to speak on behalf of another and charge a fellow believer to live as Christ?
What life can you speak over someone today?
One of the main things that sticks out to me is Paul's wise way of going about this letter. Out of the 25 verses in this book/letter, the first 10 verses are spent greeting his friend and building rapport. How often do we sometimes just want to get to the point? He encourages and appreciates Philemon first, which also serves as a reminder to Paul of what kind of man he knows Philemon to be.
He begins his appeal on behalf of Onesimus in verse 8 when we reminds Philemon that he could order him to deal with his runaway slave (Paul was an elder and apostle, so he had the authority to say that). But Paul would rather spur his Christian brother to not follow what the law says, but to do this gracious act toward Onesimus based on his commitment to Christ! We can do the same in the way we interact with people -- spur them on gently but boldly to behave in accordance with their commitment to Christ.
Paul also uses a bit of humor to keep the tone light. Read verse 11, knowing that Onesimus' name means "beneficial, profitable" and notice the play on words. Clever!
Verses 11-15, Paul begins to "make his case" using facts that might persuade Philemon's mind. Whenever we confront someone, it is always important to use the truth. The truth of the situation and the Truth of Jesus and his Word.
Paul wraps up he appeal (vs. 16-21) making points that might persuade Philemon's heart. We can hear the love in Paul's tone as he writes to Philemon, calling him "brother" and saying confidently that he knows Philemon will do even more than he asks. According to verse 19, Paul was the one who also lead Philemon to Christ, so he reminds Philemon that he owes Paul his very life.
But one other thing worth mentioning is that Onesimus is the one who would be carrying this letter (vs. 12), and Paul was in prison when he wrote it, so there was no seal on it. We could infer that at some point, whether Paul showed him the letter or he read it on his journey, Onesimus probably read this letter. Imagine him reading all that Paul says about him -- how much he loves him, that he's willing pay whatever debts he owes Philemon, and that his mentor is willing to urge his former owner not to have him killed for what he's done but to now call him a brother! Who are the younger believers in your life? Are you as invested in them as Paul is in Onesimus? Do these young believers need you to demonstrate such self-sacrifice toward them in any way -- encouragement, Bible study, prayer, support, or my favorite, a coffee date?
As you think about any current grievances in your life, let's look at a few verses again, but this time, read them as Jesus would write this appeal about YOU to the Father. Look at verses 17-19: "So if you consider me a partner, welcome _____ as you would welcome me. If _____ has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Jesus, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back..." Sound familiar? Or I should say, look familiar? This IS the cross.
We are to live as Jesus lived. Paul did that right here! Paul and Jesus both urge someone to show grace on the behalf on another. Who are you in this story -- Onesimus, the one who needs forgiveness; Philemon, the one who needs to show grace; or Paul, the one who needs to speak on behalf of another and charge a fellow believer to live as Christ?
What life can you speak over someone today?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Colossians 4
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:2-6
Paul begins his closing of the book of Colossians with these words. There are quite a few little nuggets of wisdom found here! Paul urges the Colossians to "continue steadfastly in prayer". Steadfastly: fixed in a direction; unwavering. Are there topics you have been praying about for years, and you're not sure if God hears? Paul says, keep praying! Our persistence is an expression of our faith in God and His timing, not ours. When you feel tired of praying, know that God is there -- still listening, still answering, still present with you in your circumstance. "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15). Paul also says to be watchful with thanksgiving. In other words, pray expectantly! "Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3). We can trust Him.
Another part that sticks out to me is "that God may open to us a door for the word." Sometimes it seems to me like every time is a good time for the word! But here, Paul sets the example that we need to pray and listen for God's timing. Paul is currently in prison, or the equivalent of house arrest, as he writes this letter, so he is asking that they pray for a time for him to share the gospel. I can imagine this is just burning inside of him! Yet, he waits. And prays. Wow, I need to adopt this as my own and learn how to wait and pray more, instead of just doing whatever I "think" it right.
And how can we "walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time"? I would imagine Paul continues with the "how" of it when he says 1) always be gracious and 2) let your speech be seasoned with salt. What does it mean to be gracious? According to the dictionary: pleasantly kind, benevolent, courteous; characterized by comfort and ease; beneficent especially to inferiors. Would you not just WANT to be around someone with those qualities?! That's the point! Non-Christians should want to be around us because we are comfortable to be around, lifting others up above ourselves, and respecting them as we also want to be respected. The goal is to bring out the best in others. And salt, that which makes many foods even palatable -- as we speak of Christ and the ways in which we are to live, be wise in how you present this. We are not trying to "trick" anyone, but the fact is that Jesus brings the Good News. This is good news! Let's make sure that our non-Christian friends can see that in our speech and life. Give them a taste that makes them want more! Ask the Lord to help you with this...He knows what they need.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Colossians 3 (As We Begin Another Work Week)
So here we are. Another Monday morning. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for this one, because I have had a non-stop week, and I could just use one whole day all to myself today. But, that's not happening. However, the Lord has supplied what I needed. My attitude was not great as I rolled out of bed this morning, and yet, as I read through Colossians 3, there are two verses that I'm guessing would provide encouragement this morning for all of us:
"And whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (vs. 17).
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (vs. 23-24).
I didn't realize that both of these verses were from the same chapter! Yet, they are different. The first verse says to do and say everything "in the name of the Lord" which means we do everything on behalf of or by the authority of Christ. As we work, we are serving the others around us on behalf of Christ! He does not normally appear in human form to physically care for and serve people on Earth; yet, He has given us the authority to do work for Him and in His name. Think about this implication of this! You are representing Christ as you work in that hospital today, or as you teach those students, or as you type numbers into a computer, or as you swipe groceries at the check-out line, or as you study for your classes. Whatever you do or say today, remember that you are an ambassador for Christ. He is your boss.
The second verse tells us HOW we should do this work on behalf of Christ. "Work at it with all your heart." When you are doing something that you absolutely love, and are putting your whole heart into it, what does that look like? Here's what it would look like for me: I would keep going until the "job" is done; I would not take many (if any) breaks; I would do whatever it takes to make the end result as perfect at I can; and in all this, I would be working cheerfully!
Okay, Molly, but you don't know my job. You don't know the horrible people I work with or the type of work I have to do! No, I don't. But your God does! And even in THAT circumstance where you work, He wants you to be an ambassador for Him. So how can we do that, no matter what our work might be?
Something else hit me as I was reading through Colossians 3 this morning (and it only did because I have been reading through these books, not just pieces here or there). Colossians is just a small 4-chapter book, and yet, Paul has mentioned the words "thankful, give thanks, or thankfulness" six times! I was thinking this wasn't the only book where I've heard this recently -- sure enough -- at least 7 more times in Philippians and Ephesians that we've already read. And usually, Paul is always considered to be the go-to author on JOY, yet look how often he speaks of having a thankful heart. Hmm....a connection? I think so!
In Colossians 3, he has been listing many different things a Christian should do in order to live as Christ would have us live. As he's coming to the end of this long 15-verse list, he begins, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." But then I had to smile, because it's like he almost forgot, so he added a short sentence, "And be thankful." There. Got it in there. But Paul has room to talk! Remember the list of Paul's sufferings (read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Yet, he still continues to have joy because of the thankfulness in his heart.
What are you thankful for this morning? Allow that thankfulness to turn to joy in your heart, and then out of that joy, that comes only from the Lord, serve your co-workers, clients, patients, and students as if they were Christ Himself. Paul said it in verse 24, "It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
"And whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (vs. 17).
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (vs. 23-24).
I didn't realize that both of these verses were from the same chapter! Yet, they are different. The first verse says to do and say everything "in the name of the Lord" which means we do everything on behalf of or by the authority of Christ. As we work, we are serving the others around us on behalf of Christ! He does not normally appear in human form to physically care for and serve people on Earth; yet, He has given us the authority to do work for Him and in His name. Think about this implication of this! You are representing Christ as you work in that hospital today, or as you teach those students, or as you type numbers into a computer, or as you swipe groceries at the check-out line, or as you study for your classes. Whatever you do or say today, remember that you are an ambassador for Christ. He is your boss.
The second verse tells us HOW we should do this work on behalf of Christ. "Work at it with all your heart." When you are doing something that you absolutely love, and are putting your whole heart into it, what does that look like? Here's what it would look like for me: I would keep going until the "job" is done; I would not take many (if any) breaks; I would do whatever it takes to make the end result as perfect at I can; and in all this, I would be working cheerfully!
Okay, Molly, but you don't know my job. You don't know the horrible people I work with or the type of work I have to do! No, I don't. But your God does! And even in THAT circumstance where you work, He wants you to be an ambassador for Him. So how can we do that, no matter what our work might be?
Something else hit me as I was reading through Colossians 3 this morning (and it only did because I have been reading through these books, not just pieces here or there). Colossians is just a small 4-chapter book, and yet, Paul has mentioned the words "thankful, give thanks, or thankfulness" six times! I was thinking this wasn't the only book where I've heard this recently -- sure enough -- at least 7 more times in Philippians and Ephesians that we've already read. And usually, Paul is always considered to be the go-to author on JOY, yet look how often he speaks of having a thankful heart. Hmm....a connection? I think so!
In Colossians 3, he has been listing many different things a Christian should do in order to live as Christ would have us live. As he's coming to the end of this long 15-verse list, he begins, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." But then I had to smile, because it's like he almost forgot, so he added a short sentence, "And be thankful." There. Got it in there. But Paul has room to talk! Remember the list of Paul's sufferings (read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Yet, he still continues to have joy because of the thankfulness in his heart.
What are you thankful for this morning? Allow that thankfulness to turn to joy in your heart, and then out of that joy, that comes only from the Lord, serve your co-workers, clients, patients, and students as if they were Christ Himself. Paul said it in verse 24, "It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Friday, May 6, 2011
Colossians 2: 9-15 (Fullness in Christ)
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." Do you prefer picture books and/or movies to books with no pictures sometimes? I do. I like to see what I'm reading about. I'm very visual. If we want to know what God the Father and the Holy Spirit are like, we can just look to Christ. He is all the fullness of all of the Diety. As we read stories about Jesus in the Bible, we are also getting an exact picture of who "they all" are. Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
"In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands." Circumcision in the Old Testament was the symbol that you were consecrated (in covenant) to the service of God. It was a daily reminder Whose you were. I suppose some people may get tattoos or wear certain jewelry as reminders now, but Christ says that we don't need to be circumcised physically anymore in order to state our new covenant with Him. Christ is the One who performs our supernatural circumcision.
"Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God..." Our baptism is where Christ circumcised us! Because of Christ's burial and resurrection, we follow the new covenant. No more physical circumcision. Instead, our old sinful nature is symbolically "buried" as we are baptized, and we are "raised" in Christ because of our faith in Him. What a picture that is! We are symbolically circumcised (in a covenant of service to our God) in our baptism. (By the way, it's never too late to be baptized, or even re-baptized as a symbol to a new commitment to Christ. A woman in her 70s was re-baptized at our church recently, and it was an absolutely beautiful picture and reminder that God is never finished with us while we are still breathing on this earth.)
Not only that, but look what else God does when we decide to follow and serve Him with our lives:
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."
We were doomed. God is perfect. We are a filthy, completely repulsive sight compared to him. We cannot stand before Him because of our condition. For all that we do and have done that God has told us not to do, we owed him a lot. We would never be physically capable of paying for all that we owe God because of our sin. We were doomed to Hell, with no possible way out the moment we first sinned! Until Christ. HE canceled all our debt while it was staring us in the face, condemning us to Hell. Jesus paid it. All of it. Oh, how easily I miss the incredible breadth of that truth!
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Nothing and no one has more power than Christ! Jesus Christ is the only person, being, or thing that has ever defeated death. We can keep coming back to that. No feeling you may feel today, no situation you see in front of you, no person who is in a position above you, no illness, no tragedy -- nothing has more power than that of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
What a FULLNESS we have in Christ. Let us live with that reminder in our hearts today!
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." Do you prefer picture books and/or movies to books with no pictures sometimes? I do. I like to see what I'm reading about. I'm very visual. If we want to know what God the Father and the Holy Spirit are like, we can just look to Christ. He is all the fullness of all of the Diety. As we read stories about Jesus in the Bible, we are also getting an exact picture of who "they all" are. Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
"In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands." Circumcision in the Old Testament was the symbol that you were consecrated (in covenant) to the service of God. It was a daily reminder Whose you were. I suppose some people may get tattoos or wear certain jewelry as reminders now, but Christ says that we don't need to be circumcised physically anymore in order to state our new covenant with Him. Christ is the One who performs our supernatural circumcision.
"Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God..." Our baptism is where Christ circumcised us! Because of Christ's burial and resurrection, we follow the new covenant. No more physical circumcision. Instead, our old sinful nature is symbolically "buried" as we are baptized, and we are "raised" in Christ because of our faith in Him. What a picture that is! We are symbolically circumcised (in a covenant of service to our God) in our baptism. (By the way, it's never too late to be baptized, or even re-baptized as a symbol to a new commitment to Christ. A woman in her 70s was re-baptized at our church recently, and it was an absolutely beautiful picture and reminder that God is never finished with us while we are still breathing on this earth.)
Not only that, but look what else God does when we decide to follow and serve Him with our lives:
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."
We were doomed. God is perfect. We are a filthy, completely repulsive sight compared to him. We cannot stand before Him because of our condition. For all that we do and have done that God has told us not to do, we owed him a lot. We would never be physically capable of paying for all that we owe God because of our sin. We were doomed to Hell, with no possible way out the moment we first sinned! Until Christ. HE canceled all our debt while it was staring us in the face, condemning us to Hell. Jesus paid it. All of it. Oh, how easily I miss the incredible breadth of that truth!
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Nothing and no one has more power than Christ! Jesus Christ is the only person, being, or thing that has ever defeated death. We can keep coming back to that. No feeling you may feel today, no situation you see in front of you, no person who is in a position above you, no illness, no tragedy -- nothing has more power than that of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
What a FULLNESS we have in Christ. Let us live with that reminder in our hearts today!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Colossians 1:1-14 (Living Worthy of His Name)
Since we have already read two of the four books that Paul wrote while in prison in Rome, why not read the other two? So, now, let us dive into Colossians. Then, we will read the final letter -- Philemon. May I remind you that I have, sadly, not been one to just read through books of the Bible in the past. I'm a big Bible study junkie, but I haven't just read the Word as it is very much. This morning, when I started reading in Colossians, I felt a wave of excitement come over me as I realized that I am going to get to read a letter that Paul wrote to the people of Colosse! What a neat heritage, and I get to read it as he wrote it to them -- straight through, like a letter. The Lord is really building an excitement in me for this. For those of you doing your Bible study in the morning for the first time, too, I pray you are still encouraged and learning new things! Okay, on to the study...
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..." Paul's first words are his introduction to the readers in Colosse. They didn't sign their letters at the end, but rather told who was writing the letter first. But look at heart. He knows who he is. The reason he is an apostle (messenger of the gospel) and no longer a Christian-killer is because it was the will of God. Is that not true for us? Whatever we used to be we are no longer because out of God's great love for us. He has rescued us! Thank you, Lord! May we never forget that.
It is once we realize this truth, and the entire truth of the gospel, that we can have the reputation these new Christians in Colosse have. Paul says of them, "We have heard of your faith in Christ and of the love you have for all the saints -- that faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel..." (vs 4-5). Faith and love that just spring up! It's as if they are so full of faith and love that they can't help themselves but to BE faithful and loving. It is their reputation. People are talking about them, and it made it's way to Paul's ears. Why? It is because of the hope they have in heaven. "Our God is not dead -- He's alive! He's alive!"
As Paul continues in this early section of this letter, He talks about how he has "not stopped praying for them." What perseverance. Who am I praying for non-stop these days? Have you ever prayed for someone for YEARS?
What does he pray for? Look at verses 9-11: "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.." (For the day they heard what? These early Christians are needing endurance and patience because Stephen has recently been the first recorded martyr for the gospel of Christ, and the Christians were forced to scatter. Just like we discussed yesterday, we know we are stronger in groups rather than isolation. They are truly in need of Paul's encouragement at this time.)
"asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom..." The key verb here is be filled. Spiritual wisdom and understanding come only from the Lord. We cannot choose to have them. They are gift that only God can give. Ask God for these things in your life. He gives generously to all who ask.
"to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord." Yes, I want to do that! What does it look like? "bearing fruit and increasing in the knowledge of God." Apple trees produce apples. Grape vines produce grapes. And genuine Christians produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (yikes, that last one always gets me). How are you doing at bearing fruit today? If we want to bear more fruit than we are today, we need to continue to "increase in the knowledge of God." What are you doing to learn more about Him? You're reading this blog, so perhaps you are also having your own quiet times with the Lord. Soak Him up! This is a choice you can make for yourself and you can increase in knowledge of Him. Then, you will also bear more fruit. That is walking in a manner worthy of the Lord.
As we increase in knowledge, we will bear fruit AND we will "be strengthened...for all endurance and patience" (vs. 11). We have got to stay connected to Him. He will give us the power, His power, which far surpasses any strength we might ever be able to muster. Ephesians 1:18-20, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead...!" That's a lot of power, my friends. Call upon His name!
And amidst all of this, to do it "with joy" (vs. 11).
May this also be our prayer to God today: (read with excitement, I've changed some pronouns for you)!
Lord, I ask that I could be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of Your Name, Lord, fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of who YOU are. Lord, may I be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to You, who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. You, Lord, have delivered me from the domain of darkness and transferred me to the kingdom of Your beloved Son, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.."
Amen.
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God..." Paul's first words are his introduction to the readers in Colosse. They didn't sign their letters at the end, but rather told who was writing the letter first. But look at heart. He knows who he is. The reason he is an apostle (messenger of the gospel) and no longer a Christian-killer is because it was the will of God. Is that not true for us? Whatever we used to be we are no longer because out of God's great love for us. He has rescued us! Thank you, Lord! May we never forget that.
It is once we realize this truth, and the entire truth of the gospel, that we can have the reputation these new Christians in Colosse have. Paul says of them, "We have heard of your faith in Christ and of the love you have for all the saints -- that faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel..." (vs 4-5). Faith and love that just spring up! It's as if they are so full of faith and love that they can't help themselves but to BE faithful and loving. It is their reputation. People are talking about them, and it made it's way to Paul's ears. Why? It is because of the hope they have in heaven. "Our God is not dead -- He's alive! He's alive!"
As Paul continues in this early section of this letter, He talks about how he has "not stopped praying for them." What perseverance. Who am I praying for non-stop these days? Have you ever prayed for someone for YEARS?
What does he pray for? Look at verses 9-11: "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.." (For the day they heard what? These early Christians are needing endurance and patience because Stephen has recently been the first recorded martyr for the gospel of Christ, and the Christians were forced to scatter. Just like we discussed yesterday, we know we are stronger in groups rather than isolation. They are truly in need of Paul's encouragement at this time.)
"asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom..." The key verb here is be filled. Spiritual wisdom and understanding come only from the Lord. We cannot choose to have them. They are gift that only God can give. Ask God for these things in your life. He gives generously to all who ask.
"to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord." Yes, I want to do that! What does it look like? "bearing fruit and increasing in the knowledge of God." Apple trees produce apples. Grape vines produce grapes. And genuine Christians produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (yikes, that last one always gets me). How are you doing at bearing fruit today? If we want to bear more fruit than we are today, we need to continue to "increase in the knowledge of God." What are you doing to learn more about Him? You're reading this blog, so perhaps you are also having your own quiet times with the Lord. Soak Him up! This is a choice you can make for yourself and you can increase in knowledge of Him. Then, you will also bear more fruit. That is walking in a manner worthy of the Lord.
As we increase in knowledge, we will bear fruit AND we will "be strengthened...for all endurance and patience" (vs. 11). We have got to stay connected to Him. He will give us the power, His power, which far surpasses any strength we might ever be able to muster. Ephesians 1:18-20, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead...!" That's a lot of power, my friends. Call upon His name!
And amidst all of this, to do it "with joy" (vs. 11).
May this also be our prayer to God today: (read with excitement, I've changed some pronouns for you)!
Lord, I ask that I could be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of Your Name, Lord, fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of who YOU are. Lord, may I be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to You, who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. You, Lord, have delivered me from the domain of darkness and transferred me to the kingdom of Your beloved Son, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.."
Amen.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Ephesians 6 (The Real Battle)
"For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against the mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." Eph. 6:11
Do you believe in Satan? It's a valid question. According to a 2009 Barna poll, 40 percent of self-proclaimed Christians believe that Satan just represents evil, but that he is not a real being. And therein lies his success. John 8:44 says, "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." He is trying to get us to believe things about himself, ourselves, and our Savior that are not true. Satan and his demons try daily to use any device they can to turn us away from Christ and back to sin.
"Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand firm" (vs. 13). Apparently, Satan knows that we (Christ followers) are stronger when we're together, and so I notice how "stand your ground" paints a picture in my mind that there is not going to be some massive invasion of all the evil beings coming to attack all of us at once, but rather, Satan tends to work on us individually -- especially in our minds where no one else can hear our thoughts, little lies that chip away at us. This battle will often be an individual's choice to stand firm on a daily basis.
How do we win this battle? Look at verse 10, "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." Our human efforts will be inadequate, but our Lord's power is invincible. The next verse says we should "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." He will supply what we need, and normal military gear is not going to cut it, people! We need His supernatural armor to fight a supernatural battle, and we need each piece!
"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of TRUTH, and having put on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the GOSPEL OF PEACE. In all circumstances take up the shield of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD..." (vs.14-16).
Take some time to think about each of those five things. What do they mean to you, and how would each of those pieces be considered armor against Satan?
And that's not all. "And pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere" (vs. 18). Don't stop praying! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you distinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one and how you should respond. And pray for other Christians who are also in this same battle as you all over the world. We are a mighty army!
The great news? We already know who wins in the end. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 16, "Upon this rock (Peter) I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it (the body of believers)." But the battle for each individual's allegiance is going strong. Jesus will be victorious. Just keep your eyes on Him.
Do you believe in Satan? It's a valid question. According to a 2009 Barna poll, 40 percent of self-proclaimed Christians believe that Satan just represents evil, but that he is not a real being. And therein lies his success. John 8:44 says, "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." He is trying to get us to believe things about himself, ourselves, and our Savior that are not true. Satan and his demons try daily to use any device they can to turn us away from Christ and back to sin.
"Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand firm" (vs. 13). Apparently, Satan knows that we (Christ followers) are stronger when we're together, and so I notice how "stand your ground" paints a picture in my mind that there is not going to be some massive invasion of all the evil beings coming to attack all of us at once, but rather, Satan tends to work on us individually -- especially in our minds where no one else can hear our thoughts, little lies that chip away at us. This battle will often be an individual's choice to stand firm on a daily basis.
How do we win this battle? Look at verse 10, "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." Our human efforts will be inadequate, but our Lord's power is invincible. The next verse says we should "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." He will supply what we need, and normal military gear is not going to cut it, people! We need His supernatural armor to fight a supernatural battle, and we need each piece!
"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of TRUTH, and having put on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the GOSPEL OF PEACE. In all circumstances take up the shield of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD..." (vs.14-16).
Take some time to think about each of those five things. What do they mean to you, and how would each of those pieces be considered armor against Satan?
And that's not all. "And pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere" (vs. 18). Don't stop praying! Ask the Holy Spirit to help you distinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one and how you should respond. And pray for other Christians who are also in this same battle as you all over the world. We are a mighty army!
The great news? We already know who wins in the end. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 16, "Upon this rock (Peter) I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it (the body of believers)." But the battle for each individual's allegiance is going strong. Jesus will be victorious. Just keep your eyes on Him.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Ephesians 5 con't. (Husbands and Wives)
As the scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." Ephesians 5:31
Perhaps you've read this verse many times before. I certainly have. But this verse has begun to take on a new meaning to me in the past year. I come from a very close family -- a mom and a dad who loved me and three younger sisters. Complete strangers could tell we were sisters, and even two hours away from where I live a former student once told my sister Haley that she looked a lot like her teacher (me). Really, it was unreal.
We were and still are a very close family. But I soon started to realize after getting married, then losing my mom, then moving in with the family for a few months while we house-hunted, and only to move out months later, that a large my identity was and had remained unhealthily McCracken not Monroe.
Family is a gift from God. That is for sure, and I would not trade my family for anything! My sisters and I have moved out of the arguing stages of childhood and are now dear friends. That is a gift. But during the course of all these major life events (listed above), and those are just a sampling, the Lord has used these events to draw me closer to my husband -- emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. God knows His design. He knows that the way He planned for us to live is absolutely, 100%, ALWAYS the best way to live. There has been some purpose in my pain; I can see that now. Interestingly enough, I'm learning that sure, we don't worship golden idols anymore, but my family had begun to become an idol to me. Timothy Keller, in his book, Counterfeit Gods, says, "If we look to some created thing to give us the meaning, hope, and happiness that only God can give, it will eventually fail to deliver and break our hearts." My family had become an idol.
As relationships change in my family of origin, and people marry so that others join our family, and my family home begins to look different, and my mom is no longer there to treat me like her little girl and take care of me, I sense God saying to me, Molly, let all of that go. This is why I designed it the way I did. It's time to forget what is behind and begin moving toward what is ahead -- in your home with Josh. He is your family now. He is the one who you make decisions with and whom you love, serve, and share life with the most. More than anyone in your life, even your children someday. Cling to him, and enjoy your home with him. I certainly don't want to put Josh up on idol-status either, because I want God to come first in my life. Always. But I do want to honor God by following His design for marriage.
Also one other note. The verses in here on submission tend to get people a little riled up. In my Bible, this section today is under the heading Wives and Husbands and it starts at verse 22. But keep in mind that those little headers are not in the original text. They were added later. So if we read the book of Ephesians as one long continuous letter, verse 21 comes right before verse 22 and says, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This verse is not gender-specific. We are all called to submit to everyone! But I think the Lord knows how we are wired, and the verses following give some specific examples on how to submit to and serve one another (this is from The Message), starting at verse 22:
"Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. 25-28Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage.
29-33No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh." This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband."
If we are BOTH loving, serving, and putting the other's needs before our own, this is an absolutely beautiful picture of what God's design is for us. It is certainly something worth leaving your father and mother, your brothers and sisters for. In this form, the word 'submit to your husband' never makes me cringe. In fact, it's a pleasure.
Points to remember:
1. God first. Always.
2. Husband next.
3. Then children.
4. Then extended family.
Today was a bit of a mixed bag, but thank you for letting me share what I'm learning. I could've said a whole lot more on these subjects. Hopefully, I can be a little more concise tomorrow. Have a great Tuesday. :)
Perhaps you've read this verse many times before. I certainly have. But this verse has begun to take on a new meaning to me in the past year. I come from a very close family -- a mom and a dad who loved me and three younger sisters. Complete strangers could tell we were sisters, and even two hours away from where I live a former student once told my sister Haley that she looked a lot like her teacher (me). Really, it was unreal.
We were and still are a very close family. But I soon started to realize after getting married, then losing my mom, then moving in with the family for a few months while we house-hunted, and only to move out months later, that a large my identity was and had remained unhealthily McCracken not Monroe.
Family is a gift from God. That is for sure, and I would not trade my family for anything! My sisters and I have moved out of the arguing stages of childhood and are now dear friends. That is a gift. But during the course of all these major life events (listed above), and those are just a sampling, the Lord has used these events to draw me closer to my husband -- emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. God knows His design. He knows that the way He planned for us to live is absolutely, 100%, ALWAYS the best way to live. There has been some purpose in my pain; I can see that now. Interestingly enough, I'm learning that sure, we don't worship golden idols anymore, but my family had begun to become an idol to me. Timothy Keller, in his book, Counterfeit Gods, says, "If we look to some created thing to give us the meaning, hope, and happiness that only God can give, it will eventually fail to deliver and break our hearts." My family had become an idol.
As relationships change in my family of origin, and people marry so that others join our family, and my family home begins to look different, and my mom is no longer there to treat me like her little girl and take care of me, I sense God saying to me, Molly, let all of that go. This is why I designed it the way I did. It's time to forget what is behind and begin moving toward what is ahead -- in your home with Josh. He is your family now. He is the one who you make decisions with and whom you love, serve, and share life with the most. More than anyone in your life, even your children someday. Cling to him, and enjoy your home with him. I certainly don't want to put Josh up on idol-status either, because I want God to come first in my life. Always. But I do want to honor God by following His design for marriage.
Also one other note. The verses in here on submission tend to get people a little riled up. In my Bible, this section today is under the heading Wives and Husbands and it starts at verse 22. But keep in mind that those little headers are not in the original text. They were added later. So if we read the book of Ephesians as one long continuous letter, verse 21 comes right before verse 22 and says, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This verse is not gender-specific. We are all called to submit to everyone! But I think the Lord knows how we are wired, and the verses following give some specific examples on how to submit to and serve one another (this is from The Message), starting at verse 22:
"Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. 25-28Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage.
29-33No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh." This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband."
If we are BOTH loving, serving, and putting the other's needs before our own, this is an absolutely beautiful picture of what God's design is for us. It is certainly something worth leaving your father and mother, your brothers and sisters for. In this form, the word 'submit to your husband' never makes me cringe. In fact, it's a pleasure.
Points to remember:
1. God first. Always.
2. Husband next.
3. Then children.
4. Then extended family.
Today was a bit of a mixed bag, but thank you for letting me share what I'm learning. I could've said a whole lot more on these subjects. Hopefully, I can be a little more concise tomorrow. Have a great Tuesday. :)
Monday, May 2, 2011
Ephesians 5 (What Did You Say?)
James Dobson writes the following on communication in marriage: "Research makes it clear that little girls are blessed with greater linguistic ability than little boys, and it remains a lifelong talent. Simply stated, she talks more than he. As an adult, she typically expresses her feelings and thoughts far better than her husband and is often irritated by his reticence. God may have given her 50,000 words per day and her husband only 25,000. He comes home from work with 24,975 used up and merely grunts his way through the evening. He may descend into Monday Night Football, while his wife is dying to expend her remaining 25,000 words."
It paints a pretty helpful picture, doesn't it? Anyone who have ever been in a romantic relationship can probably attest to this. Josh just pointed out to me this past week that he walked in the door and I was a continual stream of talking for the first five minutes. He did not say one word. Luckily, we have learned this about ourselves, and we were able to laugh at it (couldn't have said the same for our first year of marriage though). Okay, so I talk a lot. So what? Well, according to scripture, each word is a pretty big deal.
In Ephesians 5 this morning, I want to focus on one verse. It really hit me today.
Verse 4 says, "Let there be no filthiness, crude joking, nor foolish talk, which are out of place, but instead, let there be Thanksgiving."
I read this and initially thought to myself, well, I don't tell sexual jokes, so I'm good! Ah, but what does the Bible say is filthy talk?
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" (Proverbs 11:13). We can't be trustworthy if we are gossiping!
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" (Proverbs 11:13). We can't be trustworthy if we are gossiping!
"Do not testify against your neighbor without cause or use your lips to deceive" (Proverbs 24:28). Even exaggeration is deception. We are being liars when we exaggerate.
"Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" Matthew 12:34. Our words don't lie to us. They are an outpouring of what is really going on on the inside. Check yourself: what words have come out of your mouth in the past 24 hours? What do those words say about the condition of your heart? I know I have had said some "filthy" things.
My favorite version of today's verse (Eph. 5:4) is found in The Message, "Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don't talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn't fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect."
Oh wow. That is powerful. A dialect is a reflection of where you come from -- your roots and heritage. As Christians, we are now citizens of Heaven! (Phil. 3:20 "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.") Our roots and our heritage are holy and pure. When people hear me talk, I want it to be evident in my speech that this is not my homeland. I am living in a foreign land. My citizenship is in heaven. Therefore, according to this verse, my speech should be full of Thanksgiving.
Have you ever been around a person who is always so thankful? Not falsely thankful. That would be deception. But truly thankful. How I long to be like that!
But some days I just don't feel thankful. But see, thankfulness is not a feeling, it's a choice. Actually, in 1 Thessalonians, thankfulness is a command. "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." God tells us to make the choice in all circumstances to be thankful. Even in the hard times.
But how can I do that? The season that I'm going through now is awful. There is nothing to be thankful about! Here's how. Remember the day we talked about where our roots are planted?
But some days I just don't feel thankful. But see, thankfulness is not a feeling, it's a choice. Actually, in 1 Thessalonians, thankfulness is a command. "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." God tells us to make the choice in all circumstances to be thankful. Even in the hard times.
But how can I do that? The season that I'm going through now is awful. There is nothing to be thankful about! Here's how. Remember the day we talked about where our roots are planted?
Read that verse again. What comfort and security! If we plant ourselves in Christ no matter what we're currently experiencing, not only will we have some thankfulness, we will overflow with it! Guess where that overflow will have to go? Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
It will come out of your mouth in your speech. All 50,000 words per day.
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