How Long Does It Take to See Things Clearly? {A Personal Note From Harry}

Text – Mark 8:22-26

You have most likely noticed that I have not recorded any posts for the last month. I thought it might be helpful to give some explanation as to why this has occurred.

On August 1st, I had a surgical procedure on my left eye that will help to alleviate the damaging effects of glaucoma. I had a similar procedure done on my right eye last summer. One of the side effects of the procedure is that one’s vision can be blurry for up to one month. And that is exactly what happened to me. I found myself being able to see things from a distance, but things that were up close, like print on a page, was extremely difficult to decipher.

For the first two weeks it was discouraging. Then I called my doctor and asked if this condition of blurriness was going to be permanent. He reassured me that part of my problem was the medicine I was taking. He also said that my ability to read small print would return in the near future. As I write this post, my ability to read has greatly improved—thanks to the Great Physician and a very good eye doctor!

My recent experiences with limited vision reminded me of the account in Mark 8 that is cited above. 

The story seems to drop out of the sky into Mark’s Gospel without warning. It's a story of a blind man who was brought to Jesus, with the hope that the Messiah would heal him. Jesus did, but this is the only account of a miracle in the gospels that was not immediate and complete. It is also strange that Jesus took the man outside of the village, spit on the man’s eyes and then laid His hands on him. When Jesus asked what he saw, he said he saw people, but they looked like “trees walking.” Jesus then touched the man’s eyes a second time, and he could see clearly. What are we to make of this strange episode that seems to come out of nowhere?

Please go back and begin your reading now in verse 11.

Jesus had just finished the miraculous feeding of the 4000. The religious leaders then confronted Jesus and asked for a sign, apparently hoping that they could discredit His ministry in some way. Jesus would have none of it! He left with His disciples and traveled by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Prior to leaving, the disciples forgot to take food with them. So when Jesus started talking about the “yeast of the Pharisees,” the disciples assumed He was rebuking them for their apparent neglect in not bringing food. 

In reality God was warning them to not develop hearts that were hardened to truths about God and His Kingdom.

Once the boat arrived on the other side, Jesus had the encounter with the blind man that is recorded in Mark 8:22-26. I would suggest that the miracle was not just for the blind man’s benefit.  It was also for the slow learning, spiritually impaired disciples.

All too frequently our spiritual insight is slow and hindered by our own self-interests. But God gives us spiritual insight through the ministry of His Holy Spirit.

While I was recovering from my recent surgery, this story found in Mark 8 kept coming to my mind. It was as if the Holy Spirit was saying, “You can have all kinds of knowledge, but that doesn’t mean you can make sense of it. You can have healthy eyesight, but that doesn’t mean you can clearly see the things of God."

You and I cannot rely on knowledge alone—whether it is our own knowledge or someone else’s. 

Yes, we need to be good students of the Bible.  But that’s just the starting place.

We need to call out daily for God to teach us. 

So read God's Word.
Meditate on what God is saying.
And ask the Spirit of God to help you see things as God sees them.

Faith In An Upside-Down World

Text: Psalm 130

A “disciple” is someone who learns the ways of a master. Disciples follow their masters through life as pilgrims on the way to a richer and fuller life. Those who sung the Old Testament psalms of ascent where “disciples of Yahweh.” They made regular journeys to Jerusalem to worship their LORD for His majesty and grace.

In similar ways, Christians are “pilgrim-disciples.”

One might think that following Jesus would lead to a life with little or no problems. But nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, the New Testament is filled with stories of Christians who suffered for their faith in Jesus (cf. Hebrews 11:32-40). Their lives were turned upside down because of what they believed and how they lived.

Some disciples reading this blog know the reality of a faith that is interrupted with pain. Maybe you are going through the sorrow of divorce, job loss, the betrayal of a one-time friend, or the horrible diagnosis of a terminal disease.

If your world is in turmoil, then you desperately need Psalm 130 in your life. 

We know this is a psalm about personal turmoil because of the words recorded in verse 1: "Out of the depths I call to you, Yahweh." The word “depths” refers to a life that has made a sudden turn in the direction of pain and confinement. It is a term that emerges out of doubt and fear—the fear that maybe God has forgotten us and we are all alone.

So what should we do in these painful circumstances?  Psalm 130 is making an unusual appeal:

When life turns upside down, God wants us to practice redemptive waiting.

WHAT IS REDEMPTIVE WAITING?

It is the practice of one who believes intellectually that God is at work, but there is little evidence that He is currently working in our lives. As a result, we have to WAIT for God to act and to rescue us.

HOW DO WE PRACTICE REDEMPTIVE WAITING?

1. WE MUST WAIT & PRAY.  Stop right there! The psalmist is not talking about some polite, well-phrased prayer. No, it is a prayer of “crying out” to God about the pain we are facing. Notice in verses 1 and 2 that the writer “calls from the depths” to a God he expects will listen with attentive ears.  Yes, that is the kind of God we have in Christ Jesus. So while you are waiting, pray with intensity to the God who hears you.
2. WE MUST WAIT & WORSHIP. Notice that in verses 3 and 4 that the psalmist realizes something majestic about Yahweh, the God or redemption. He doesn’t hold on to our sins, considering how terrible they are. He doesn’t keep throwing our past sins in our faces. This psalm tells us that our God is a God of forgiveness who is to be “revered.” So while you are waiting, be sure to worship Jesus, who has forgiven all your sins—past, present, and future.
3. WE MUST WAIT & WATCH. According to verses 5 and 6 we are to make the most of our waiting. We are to be like ancient “watchman” who spent the night on constant alert to make sure no enemies would breech the city’s security. In the same way, we are to watch and anticipate that God cares and that He will act on our behalf.
4. WE MUST WAIT & PROCLAIM. According to verses 7 and 8 the psalmist called the entire nation of Israel to put their hope in God. He was calling for his fellow pilgrims to speak truth to one another as they traveled to and from Jerusalem. He knew that life is best lived in community where we share our faith with others. When some are emotionally discouraged, others will be there to remind them of God’s love and power. So with the psalmist of old we are to wait and tell others that God will eventually come to our rescue.

WHAT DOES REDEMPTIVE WAITING LOOK LIKE?

So if we practice redemptive waiting, does that mean that every broken relationship will be healed and every problem resolved in this life? No, that may not be the outcome. God may very well deliver us from the problems we are currently facing. But ultimate redemption will come when Jesus returns, and we enter into His presence forever! So with His promise of rescue before us, we have good reason to WAIT!

No More Excuses!

Text: Psalm 122

Prior to my “blogging sabbatical,” which I wrote about in my last post, I introduced you to the Psalms of Ascent.  I mentioned that they were most likely songs that were sung as the Hebrew people made their way to Jerusalem three times a year (cf. Ex 23:14-17 & Ex 34:22-24).  These fifteen psalms (120-134) are musical arrangements designed to reflect a wide spectrum of emotional reactions from fear to joy.  They are the songs of God’s people in all generations, who travel through life’s unending challenges on their way to eternity.

Psalm 122 expresses an enthusiasm for corporate worship. Does that seem odd to you?  It does to me!  When I listen to other people, as well as to my own heart, I hear a lot of excuses when it comes to corporate worship.  “Why should I go to church?” we ask.  We often think things like: “It’s too cold, and the people are not that friendly. The sermon probably won’t be to my liking. Maybe it would be best to just stay home.” 

But Psalm 122 turns those excuses (any many others) upside down. You see, the Jews understood that life was designed to revolve around God, not our human feelings.  And that is why David was glad when he heard the chants of the people who were headed to Jerusalem yet again!  What David understood can revolutionize our worship experiences as well - 

We will worship with enthusiasm when God is the sole focus of our worship experience.

How did I come to this conclusion? Let me share with you three reasons for enthusiastic, corporate worship embedded within Psalm 122. 

1. GOD REQUESTS.  Verses 1 & 2 move from an invitation to a reality.  That is, people were saying, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”  They realized that God had invited them to leave their homes and occupations for a short period of time and enter into his presence.  Verse 2 expresses the reality of actually following through in obedience.  That is, God’s request turned into a reality.  The same is true for you. God invites you to worship (Ps 95:6 & Heb 10:24-25).  He is the sole reason for doing so—not how we feel or even how others will respond to us.  
2. GOD REVEALS.  That is, the ancient people gathered in Jerusalem, and when they did, they would often marvel at the way the city had been carefully put together.  These observations in turn led to expressions of thanksgiving and praise (vv. 3-4). But even more important, these worshipers would often come with burdens and stresses from the lives they experienced “back home.”  Therefore, God structured these worship gatherings as times to inquire from Israel’s teachers as to how God wanted them to live in righteousness and peace (v. 5; cf. Deut 17:8; 2 Chron 19:8).  Corporate worship brought instruction for life.  And the same is true for us.  When we gather as God’s people, God’s Word is proclaimed in a variety of ways, so that we can know and obey the wisdom God has for his people (Col 3:16).  
3. GOD REFRESHES.  It appears in vv. 6-9 that David is praying specifically for the city of Jerusalem. You will want to notice two words that are repeated in this last paragraph, the words “peace” and “security.”  David wanted peace and security during this time of corporate gathering because he knew that once the festival was over, the people would be returning to…LIFE!  Therefore, they needed to be refreshed while they were gathered as the people of God.  They needed “peace” and “security” in their souls.  And so do you!  In fact, that is one of the by-products of corporate worship according to Hebrews 10:19-25.  Jesus gives us access to God the Father.  In turn, having been cleansed from all sin, we can live in spiritual peace and security after our corporate worship is complete. 

Reflect on these thoughts as we move toward another Sunday - 
It would be easy to listen to your feelings and stay away from meeting with other believers.  But that is not the way of a Christ-follower.  So stop the excuses!!!  Look to the God who invites you to come into his presence. 

God alone is worth the time and effort it takes to come together as the people of God and worship.

GUARDING YOUR HEART AGAINST DISAPPOINTMENT

Read: Proverbs 4:23; Nehemiah 1:1-11

We recently celebrated our nation's independence. All across our nation celebrations took place in the smallest of towns and in our great urban centers.  On the surface, it likely seemed like everyone was celebrating. But many were disappointed with recent Supreme Court rulings.  Some were saddened by estrangement from family and friends.  And still others saddened by the fact that long held dreams are no longer within reach.   

Disappointment can become a spiritual cancer that corrupts our souls. 

So what is the solution? How does God want us to guard our hearts?

The Book of Nehemiah is more than a diary about a great building project. It is a resource that informs us as to how we can move from near spiritual ruin to revival. At this point, be sure to read the biblical text in Nehemiah 1. Keep in mind that Jeremiah’s prophesy of seventy years of captivity had been fulfilled (cf. JER 24:11,12). Two groups of exiles had already returned to the land of Israel.  And Nehemiah, who was under the employment of the King of Persia, ASSUMED that the city of Jerusalem would be thriving with hope and prosperity. But Nehemiah learned from one of his brothers that Jerusalem was in disarray, both physically and spiritually.

Notice how the text of chapter 1 unfolds. Nehemiah gets word that the city of Jerusalem was burned and broken. In verse 4, he mourned for many days.  In verses 5-8, Nehemiah calls out to God to intervene in the midst of his and Israel’s great disappointment.  And then in verses 9-11, the demeanor of this great builder is changed. His sadness appears to be turned into confident hope.  Why? Nehemiah was learning a principle that “disappointed people” in the 21st century need to learn as well.

God sometimes allows us to face disappointment, so we can engage in 'pre-revival' self-examination.

What does 'pre-revival' self-examination mean?  It refers to the foundational thinking that has to occur before we can experience real intimacy and hope in God. It refers to the kind of steps Nehemiah took in his disappointment prior to experiencing the revival that occurred in chapters 8 through 10. And just what were those initial steps of self-examination? Our text reveals at least three responses that are worthy of our consideration. 

1. Disappointments invite us to examine our weakness amidst God’s power. 

Notice what Nehemiah said in verse 4, “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days.” We don’t like to admit our weaknesses, but there is no personal renewal without admitting that we are helpless without God’s intervention. That is what Nehemiah had to acknowledge. And then notice how he addresses God in verse 5. The Almighty is viewed as the “great and awesome God.” He is the One who can empower the helpless to ultimately experience renewal and hope.

2. Disappointments invite us to examine God's truthfulness.

Nehemiah did not put all of the blame on the Israelites for the hopeless situation they were in (cf. 1:6).  In verse 8, Nehemiah acknowledges that God was true to His Word, even when the Israelites were not (1:8-9).  To put it another way, Nehemiah realized human sinfulness in contrast to God’s holiness.  And yet God was restoring the people even as He had promised in Deuteronomy 4:25-31.  Nehemiah probably would not have realized these truths about God if he had not first faced his own disappointment. 

3. Disappointments invite us to examine the God's providence. 

Nehemiah's closing statement in chapter one was a request to God that he would have God’s favor as the king’s cup bearer. He realized that his job was more than tasting the king’s wine. And he knew that he was more than an ancient secret service agent who protected the monarch from poisoning and assassination. Nehemiah realized that he was placed where he was by means of God’s providential care. He had access to the king that many others did not! Yet the magnitude of this truth would not have occurred unless Nehemiah first experienced disappointment and dashed expectations. 

What disappointments are you facing?
You could complain and tell God how unfair life is. However, God has another way He wants you to look at your life. Those disappointments are invitations to behold God in all of His greatness. And when we see Him for who He really is, revival will not be far behind.

GUARD YOUR HEART, TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

READ: Proverbs 4:23; 1 Peter 4:7-11

I was watching the NBA championship series recently. It was one of those typical nail-biters that sports fan everywhere love to see. The game went into overtime for the second consecutive time in the series. What struck me as the game progressed was that the players played differently in the end than they did at the beginning. With time running out, both teams tried to do more things in a limited amount of time. It reminded me a lot of God’s will for believers as the Lord’s return approaches.

We can debate the time of the Lord’s return, the place of His return, and the events surrounding His return. But there is no debate about the certainty of the event.

In fact, the Apostle Peter states rather matter-of-factly that the “end of all things is at hand” (1 Peter 3:7). The verb the author uses is in the Greek perfect tense. This means that the countdown alluded to in the verse started in the past and continues up to the very present. What I find interesting is that the actions Peter describes in verses 7-11 are more "outward" focused than "inward" focused.  That is, they are more “others-directed” than “me-directed.” Peter is saying:

Since the Lord's return is certain, we need to guard our hearts with active love.

What do we mean by “active love?”

Go back to the basketball analogy at the beginning. If you follow the sport, you're probably aware that in the closing minutes of the game, coaches tell their players to do two things: be aware and make the best choices. That is, be aware of the fact that the game clock is running down. Then make sure that the best shots and the best passes are taken by reducing risks as much as possible. It is the same in our Christian lives.

With time running out, we need to be aware that we have less time to serve Jesus than ever before. We need to make choices that will have an eternal difference on people.

What does active love look like?

1 Peter 4:7-11 gives us four specific action steps we can take immediately:

• We are to love God. Peter doesn’t say that specifically in the text, but it is implied in verse 7. To be “serious and watchful” means that we are to be thinking about what the Lord wants more than what we want. And the best place to practice serious thinking and watchfulness is when we pray. Or to put it another way, we are to pray as if Jesus was coming back at any moment.
• We are to love our fellow believers.  In verse 8 the phrase “one another” is focused on Christians. The apostle must have assumed that loving other believers was more difficult than what one might think. He quotes from Proverbs 10:12, when he says, “Love will cover a multitude of sins.” He means that loving actions will look beyond the sins of another believer.  Instead of holding on to hurt feelings, we choose to actively love all members of the Body of Christ.
• We are to love people with needs that we can meet. In verse 9 Peter calls us to show hospitality. The word “hospitality” literally means, “love for the stranger.” In the first-century world there were people who traveled from city to city, who may have been left to sleep at night in the town square. With time running, Peter was encouraging believers to show compassion and hospitality to people facing specific, physical needs. And no matter where we look in our own day, there are people in need. There are people with needs that we have the means to meet.
• We are to love generously. In verses 10 and 11 the writer seems to be referring to spiritual gifts. These gifts, graciously and freely given to believers from God, are to be used to build up the Church. But it is not out of context to say that everything we have is a gift from God.  These undeserved gifts are to be used in such a way that human needs will be met, and Jesus will be exalted in all things (cf. v. 11)

It's a fact, time is running out. We have less time today than we have ever had before, but please do not misinterpret what I am saying. The text is not telling us to live hurried and fretful lives, where we are trying to earn points with God. The text instead tells us that:

We must be aware that the promise of Jesus to come back for His own will soon be fulfilled. So let us do the most powerful thing as humans that we could ever do - Let us love one another in both word and deed. When we do this, we will guard our hearts from spiritual harm.

Guarding Your Heart Against Agitation

 READ: Proverbs 4:23; Psalm 37:3-7

It is a rarity on network news programs to hear much that is positive.  In fact, as I write this post, I am hearing a litany of reports about potential riots in large cities across our country.  In addition, there are reports of people in corporate and government positions of power that are being investigated for potential criminal activity.  Chances are, if you are like me, you feel personally betrayed and cheated. These kinds of experiences happen all the time.  And our emotions go from confusion to outright frustration and anger. 

The problem is that our agitation with the way things are brings damage to our souls that we may not realize at first.  And since we are commanded in Scripture to “guard our hearts” (PROV 4:23), we must meet life’s agitating moments with a biblical alternative.  And that alternative is found in Psalm 37.

You will want to notice in verse 1 that we are met with a very direct command.  That is, we are told to “not be agitated,” a directive that is repeated in verses 7 and 8.  However, it is one thing to be told what NOT to do.  The ultimate question is, “What SHOULD we do?”  Read Psalm 37:3-7 one more time.  Did you notice on further review that the LORD is mentioned four times in our passage?  The very mention of His name should give us insight into an important principle that will help us to protect our souls from spiritual danger.  That is, WHEN EVIL SEEMS TO BE WINNING, NURTURE A GOD-CENTERED HEART.  Let’s take a look at how we might nurture this kind of heart for God.

The first step, according to the psalmist, is to “trust in the LORD and do what is good.”  The concept of doing good is more than helping those in distress or giving time and money for good causes.  The “good” in this context has to do with our daily responsibilities—going to work, loving the people around us, and caring for the things entrusted to us.  The second half of the verse gives even further clarification. We are told to “dwell in the land and live securely.”  That is, we are to go about our daily responsibilities, not just believing that God exists, but believing He is present to protect us and use us for His purposes.

To nurture a God-centered heart means that we believe God is with us in everything that we do.

The second means of nurturing a God-centered heart is found in verse 4.  The psalmist tells the reader to “delight in the Lord.”  The word “delight” is translated in some places as an action of treating something with care as a great treasure or delicacy.  In this verse the imperative has the idea of giving extended time to looking at the beauty, greatness, and majesty of the LORD.  In the end, the psalmist tells us “God will give us our heart’s desire.”  The interesting thing about delighting in the Lord is that the more we delight in Him, the more His desires become our desire.

To nurture a God-centered heart is to focus on the character and attributes of the living God.

A third way to nurture a God-centered heart is found in verses 5 and 6.  Here the psalmist exhorts his readers to “commit their way to the LORD.”  The picture behind the command is one of packing up all that represents our plans, our hopes, and our dreams, and then giving them to God for His use.  It is like saying, “Here I am, LORD, do with my agenda whatever you want.”  In the end we are told that evil might seem to be winning for a season, but God will ultimately vindicate His people (cf. v. 6). 

To nurture a God-centered heart means that we will surrender our lives and plans to Him to do with them whatever He wants.

A final means of nurturing a God-centered heart is found in verse 7.  The psalmist says “be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him.”  These back-to-back imperatives emphasize the single action of waiting for God to act.  It’s a lot like waiting at the airport in baggage claim for a loved one to return from an extended trip.  You notice from the airport monitor that the plane has landed.  And yet you watch the gate, knowing that your loved one will walk through the door any minute. Sometimes the “wait” seems to last forever! Then the door opens and the person you have been hoping to see stands in your very presence.  That kind of waiting is similar to what we are to do with the LORD. Scripture tells us that He will eventually eliminate sin and evil from the earth.  Until that happens, we must believe He will do what He says in His perfect timing. 

To nurture a God-centered heart is to trust in the perfect, wise timing of God to complete what He says He will do.

Maybe one of the best things we can do is to stop listening to the evening news.  It only seems to exalt how bad things are in our world.  But don’t just wait around and continually get agitated.  No, guard your heart!

Nurture a God-centered lifestyle that will sustain you for time and eternity!

On Guard Against Bitterness

Read: Proverbs 4:23; Hebrews 12:14-17

In October of 2012, Psychology Today published an article about a phenomenon simply labeled as “EC.”  “EC” stands for emotional contagion.  It is that unseen, powerful force where one person’s feelings and attitudes can influence the thoughts and feelings of another, especially those with whom they have close contact.

If you stop and think about it, the concept of emotional contagion is self-evident. When you are around a person who complains all the time, chances are you will start complaining. When you visit with someone who talks only about their illnesses, chances are you won’t feel very happy at the end of the conversation. And if you are around a person who tells you how bad life is, and how God has let them down, you may very well start to think they are right. Yes, you will think in those terms unless you take steps to GUARD YOUR HEART from negative emotional energy.

You will not find the phrase "emotional contagion" in the Bible. But there is a term that comes close to what the Psychology Today article addressed. It is the term “bitterness.”  When we think of “bitter” people we often picture someone who is at the level of a “slow boil,” ready to explode because of one’s frustration with life. And the influence of these individuals is greater than what we might first imagine.

Our anchor text, Hebrews 12:14-17, provides us with God-given insight into how we can deal with the bitter emotions and attitudes of others. But first take a look at our text’s structure to uncover an important truth.

• Notice that the author was attempting to encourage “discouraged people” from abandoning their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 12:1-11 he reminds them that the troubles they had been facing were being used by God to transform them into holy people (cf. HEB 12:10).
• Then in Hebrews 12:12-13 the writer was basically saying, “If God is using trouble to train you, then persevere. Don’t quit!” He uses metaphors of “strengthening feeble arms and knees,” and “moving ahead in life on a righteous path.”
• And then we come to our main text. There is a basic command in verse 14 telling the reader to continually pursue peace with everyone. In addition, these believers were to pursue holiness. The reference to “holiness” was a subtle way of telling the readers to remember that God had set them apart as his people for his purposes. This primary command is followed by a series of present tense participles (implying continuous action) that gives greater clarification to what it means to pursue peace and holiness. And the one phrase that gets our attention is the warning to “see that no bitter root grows up to defile many." (v. 15) What is a bitter root? It is an allusion to Deuteronomy 29:17-18, where Moses warned the people to NOT let anyone enter the Israelite camp, especially in the midst of difficult times, to lead them away from faithfulness to Yahweh!

So how do we guard our hearts against bitterness?  It won’t be easy, but it can be accomplished.

BITTERNESS WILL BE UPROOTED WHEN WE GUARD OUR HEARTS WITH HOLY PERSEVERANCE.

There is so much more that we could say about this passage, but let’s consider what we might be doing if we were to continually practice “holy perseverance.”

• First off, holy perseverance means that we continually keep in mind that even in our most difficult times, God is always at work. He is training us to be holy (cf. HEB 12:10-13). Therefore, it would be wise for us to trust God, and allow him to do his good work in our lives. To help remember that God is working in and through you, plan on memorizing Hebrews 12:11-13 this week.
• Second, holy perseverance means that we must continually make it our aim to encourage our fellow believers to persevere even when life is hard. That is what the biblical writer was saying when he encouraged his readers to see that no one falls short of the grace of God (cf. v. 15a). Is there someone you need to encourage in the faith before this day ends?
• Third, holy perseverance means that we must continually surround ourselves with brothers and sisters in the faith who desire to serve the Lord Jesus more than anything else. On the flip side it will mean separating from those who are less than enthusiastic about the things of God.  That is what the writer is referring to when he speaks of Esau in verses 15-17 (cf. GEN 26:34-35 & 27:46). 

So are there any contagious people in your life? People who are “emotionally contagious” and disrupting your faith?  If so, be on guard!

Protect your mind and soul through holy perseverance.

Yes, you may have difficulties in your life, but God is at work to transform you into the servant he wants you to be.

THE GREATEST SECRET EVER REVEALED

Read: Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:10-13

One of the ongoing problems with life in a materialistic culture is that the things we think we want soon lose their luster. The problem with the things we own is that they talk.  Yes, they become the mouthpieces of the culture, telling us that we need an “upgrade.”  And every time we listen our hearts grow discontented with what we already have or where we live. 

But it’s not just with material things.  We can become discontented with our jobs, with our relationships, and even with God.  And when the Almighty is brought into the picture, we subtly accuse him of not giving us the happiness that we think… EVERYONE…else has. 

Ahhh!  There’s the real culprit—comparison.  We compare ourselves with our neighbors, with our friends, with our co-workers, and even with celebrities on TV.  We tell our hearts that we deserve “better,” whatever “better” means.  In turn our hearts talk back to us and the dialogue leads to increasing unhappiness with our current circumstances.

Are you in this kind of a situation right now? 

Stop LISTENING to your heart and start TALKING to your heart!  

In fact, the Bible gives us insight into the very dialogue we need to use in addressing our hearts.  “What is it?” you ask. It is described in the words of the Apostle Paul as a “SECRET.” However, it is a secret that God’s messenger is very willing to make known to anyone who will listen.

In Philippians 4:10-13 the apostle acknowledges that he is grateful for a gift the Philippian Christians had recently sent to him during his Roman imprisonment.  Following this acknowledgement in verse 10, Paul told his readers that he had experienced a lot of things in life—experiences where he had a lot and experiences where he had very little (cf. v.12). And then Paul adds that he has “learned the secret of beings content in every situation” (cf. v. 12b).  And what was that secret?  Paul simply says in verse 13, “I can do everything through him who gives the strength.” 

Read that verse again.  There is a good chance you have memorized verse 13 in the past and can even recite it from memory.  But what does it really mean? Our English translations don’t capture the significance of a present participle that Paul used near the end of the paragraph.  Verse 13 could actually be translated, “I can do everything through him who is CONTINUALLY giving the strength.”  Or another way of saying this might be, “I can be CONTENT in every situation through Jesus, who is constantly giving me the strength, endurance, and contentment I need.”

Take a few more minutes to ponder what Paul is saying here.  In the apostle’s mind was an understanding that God the Holy Spirit was living within his soul--constantly!  In fact, he had access to the power of the God of the universe every single day.  In addition, Paul trusted in the goodness of his God, who controlled all things, no matter what the Heavenly Father might allow into his life.  Therefore, Paul kept on trusting this all-powerful, always-present God of the universe to get him through every single situation he faced.  And you can do the same.  After all, the same indwelling, loving God is living within every single Christian.

However, I find that understanding the verse is not so much my problem as living out the truth moment-by-moment. Might this be your challenge as well?  If so, let me suggest you take some steps to learn the secret of contentment.

• Start by memorizing Philippians 4:13 if you have not already done so. 
• Then make sure that you are feeding your heart every day with biblical truth. When we engage in Bible-intake we are discovering the character of God.  We will learn that he is powerful, sovereign and good. 
• Finally, pray.  That is, ask the Heavenly Father right now to give you the strength you need to endure whatever circumstance you are in—whether it is a “good one” or “something very different from everyone around you.” 

So let me tell you a secret.  Feel free to tell others who might be unhappy with their circumstances as well...

CHRIST’S CONTINUAL PRESENCE AND POWER ARE OUR GREATEST RESOURCES FOR FINDING CONTENTMENT.

So call on him to help you with whatever you are facing.  After all, you CAN do EVERYTHING through King Jesus, who gives you his strength!

GUARDING AGAINST A DEMANDING HEART

TEXT: Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 20:1-15

We all have expectations.  We expect that if we put in a day’s work, we should get a day’s wages.  We expect that if we carefully plan for special events and special days, everything should turn out just as we want.  And we often expect that if we do a good deed for someone, that same person should return the favor to us.

However, the problem with expectations is that they subtly become demands.  And if our demands for ourselves and other people go unchecked, we will end up with a boatload of disappointment simmering in our souls. So how SHOULD we think about our expectations?  How should we work, plan, and relate to other people?  Jesus provides us with needed insight in Matthew 20 that can help us to guard our hearts against the dangers of a demanding spirit.  But read this parable cautiously, since what Jesus portrays will run counter to the way we normally think—especially about God!

Matthew 20:1-15 is a story about the kingdom of heaven.  That is, it was a description of how a person was to live and think as they came under the rule and reign of the Messiah.  In this parable Jesus tells of a landowner who needed workers to care for his vineyard.  It was common in the first century for an “employer” to go into the marketplace, negotiate a wage with anyone willing to work, and then send the hired hand to the worksite.  As the story unfolds we are told that the landowner went to this marketplace four more times to hire workers.  Very little is said about what they would be paid.  When evening came (probably 6 PM), the landowner sent his foreman to pay the workers.  He started with the last ones and gave them a denarius—a typical day’s wages.  Those who were hired first saw what happened and “assumed” they would get more.  But to their great surprise and disappointment, they got exactly what was agreed upon in the beginning of the day. 

The parable ends with an exchange between the workers hired first and the landowner over what seemed like gross unfairness.  Be sure to notice the landowner’s response in verse 15, “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my business?”  Another translation says, “Don’t I have a right to be generous?”  This verse is the key to understanding what Jesus was teaching. You see, this parable is not a story about good or bad labor relations.  It is a story about God.  And if we are going to guard our hearts against the evil influences that swirl about us, we need to know clearly the will and ways of God.  Or to put it another way:

IF GOD REWARDS HIS SERVANTS AS HE PLEASES, IT’S OUR JOB TO DELIGHT IN HIM INSTEAD OF DEMANDING FROM HIM. 

Why is that the case? Why should we seek to please God as a way of life?  It is because in everything that He does, God is good.  He is merciful.  He is perfect, and extends perfect love to His redeemed ones (cf. ROM 8:31-39; COL 2:13; 1 JN 1:5).  There is no way that we can charge Him with being unfair.  So our response to God should be one of seeking to please the righteous, perfect, sovereign of the universe (cf. COL 3:17). 

And what will it take for us to please our God and Savior? It might be best to start with a change of perspective.  That is, we need to take stock of who we really are as Christ-followers.  We were redeemed out of our sin-infested lives to worship and serve the King.  God would be perfectly just if He didn’t extend any blessings at all.  But in Christ we have more than we can imagine or think (cf. EPH 1:3-14). 

So stop demanding that the Heavenly Father owes you, or that you should get more than someone else.  You already have spiritual riches beyond what you deserve.  So guard your heart against a demanding spirit, and choose to delight in our good and gracious God.

GUARDING AGAINST LUST

Read: Proverbs 4:23; 1 Corinthians 6:12-13

A man gets up in the middle of the night, pulls on a robe to dispel the cool night air, and heads to his office in the basement.  He glances back to make sure no one else is up.  Closing the office door behind him, he quickly turns on the computer.  In a matter of seconds he starts surfing scandalous websites he has been looking at for months.  In his mind he reminds himself that no one is getting hurt, and better yet, no one really sees what is going on.

A woman agrees to meet an old high school “flame” while on an out-of-town business trip.  She tells herself that their romance ended years ago.  And after all, she has been married for the past ten years, even though there have been struggles in the marriage in recent months.  The woman and her former “flame” have a couple of drinks in the hotel bar. He then asks her if she would like to come to his room to look at some pictures from last year’s class reunion.  At first she tells herself that accepting the invitation would be inappropriate. But then she shrugs off her cautious fears and convinces herself that looking at some pictures is basically harmless.  Better still, she tells herself that if something  “inappropriate” does take place, no one will ever know.

Pastors and counselors who mentor Christians that have fallen into sexual sin will tell you that at the heart of sexual betrayal is self-deception.

People assume they are doing “innocent” things, joining in “friendly” exchanges, and participating in nothing that is really that harmful.  Even worse they assume that no one will see them if things turn out worse than they planned.

GOD SEES!  HE SEES…EVERYTHING!

In fact, the problem is even more serious for those who profess faith in Christ.  How so?  Consider one of our texts for this week—1 Corinthians 6:12-18.  In the context Paul was writing to a church that was located in the middle of one of the most sensual cities of the ancient world. The church itself was riddled with belief systems that pushed the envelope of morality and modesty.  We get a hint of their belief system by what appear to be common quotations from the general public in verses 12, 13, and 18.  In summary, these Corinthian citizens and their counterparts in the Christian subculture assumed that they could do whatever they wanted with their bodies. 

Isn’t that true?  Isn’t that what our own culture tells us in commercial after commercial and movie after movie?  “Everything is permissible.  You deserve as much pleasure as you want.”  However, the Apostle Paul brings sobriety to our sexually inebriated thinking when he states: “Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price.  Therefore glorify God in your body." (1 COR 6:19-20)

These two verses contain a principle and a command.  The principle is that God lives within the bodies of every single Christian.  We often do not sense His presence, but God the Holy Spirit still takes up residence in every believer’s life.  Not only is He omniscient about what is going on, but He is also present with us in every single context of life.  Add to this principle the logical command that follows: glorify God in your body! (v. 20)

If you are finding yourself enslaved to sexual temptation and sin more than you want to admit, do something right!  Let me say it another way: do something RIGHTEOUS!  First off, you will want to get help from a wise pastor or Christian mentor.

Take every step necessary to come out of the darkness and into the light of God’s truth.  

Second, start challenging the untruths of our culture when it comes to the subject of sex.  Remind yourself in every way possible that God is within you.  He is present in absolutely everything you do.  And for that reason, you will want to “run from sexual immorality” and glorify Jesus in your body (cf. vv. 18 & 20). 

A WARNING TO HEED EVERY DAY (Part 2)

[Guarding Your Heart Against Idolatry]

TEXTS: PROV 4:23; PS 95:3-6; ROM 6:12-13; ISA 40:30-31; PHIL 2:5-7

In my last post I called your attention to the concluding verse in 1 John 5. The apostle wrote, “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” (v. 21) We know from the context that the original readers were being challenged in their beliefs that Jesus was the Messiah, the only One who can deliver us from the penalty and power of sin. So to abandon their faith was essentially to trust in “another.”

And if we trust someone else or something else other than Jesus to give us a “sense of life,” then we are falling into idolatry. Therefore, John appeals to his readers to guard against idolatry and remain faithful to trusting in and worshiping Jesus. Or to put it another way, if Jesus is truly God (cf. Titus 2:13), then we exist to worship Him continually.

Some will say that the idea of exclusive, continual worship is unrealistic. And yet this seems to be the thinking behind Paul’s statements in 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:17. Worship is not something that we do once a week and in a specific location. 

Everything we do is to be an act of worship and trust in Jesus our God. 

So how do we do this?  

Consider four things that we must “choose” to do daily and often throughout the day:

• First we need to “bow down” to the reality that God is God and we are NOT!  This is what the psalmist was saying in Psalm 95:3-6.  He acknowledged that God had created everything that exists.  And then after declaring God as the Creator of everything, the psalmist says, “Come, let us bow down and worship, let us kneel before the LORD our creator.”  The act of “bowing down” is a declaration that essentially says, “God is God, and I am not!”  
• Second, we need to “offer up” to God all that we have in service to Him.  When Paul challenged the Roman believers in Romans 6:12-13 to “offer” every part of their bodies to God, he was essentially telling them to engage in worship.  Instead of falling prey to idolatry and serving the pleasures of this life, we are to use all that we have to worship Christ.  When we do, we advance the Savior’s cause, and live up to our calling as worshipers.
• Third, we need to “trust God” through the tough circumstances of life.  In Isaiah 40 the prophet had just informed the people of Judah about all they would face in coming judgment.  But in the midst of prophesying disaster on the nation, Isaiah also called the righteous in the land to “put their hope (trust) in the Lord.” (ISA 40:31) That is, they were to live as worshipers!  And that is what we must do as well.  The more we develop a lifestyle of worship, the more we will continue to worship when difficult times come into our lives.
• Finally, we need to “serve sacrificially” toward the people God places around us.  In Philippians 2 the Apostle Paul encouraged his readers to reflect on the earthly ministry of our Lord. 

As the eternal God, Jesus was the last One who should have lived as a servant. But that is exactly what He did. In the same way, Christians are called to worship through sacrificial service—seeing the needs of people all around us and meeting those needs in Jesus’ Name.

If we are not careful, we can easily fall into the very idolatry the Apostle John warns against. But if we…CHOOSE…to declare ourselves to be worshipers first and foremost, our lives will be enriched.

Examine your heart to see what you are trusting to give you life and hope.  

If it is something other than the Lord Jesus, confess your sin as idolatry, and return immediately to worship Him in all you do!

A WARNING TO HEED EVERY DAY (Part 1)

Guarding Your Heart Against Idolatry
READ: PROV 4:23; DT 32:39; ISA 43:11-13; 1 COR 10:7-14; 1 JN 5:21

Have you ever wondered why Christians (of all people) find themselves in places of great disappointment? For instance, a man and a woman exchange their vows before family and friends. Some people say the wedding was “made in heaven.” And yet ten years later, the couple sits in a counselor’s office contemplating whether divorce isn’t a better option.

Two guys tell how they were “best friends” from the first day they started school. And then after college they decided to start a business together. But two years into their new enterprise, they find themselves in constant arguments over what the business should be. Their relationship can hardly be called a “friendship.”

And then consider the parents who did all they could to raise their children to get good grades, a good education, and a good start in life. But during a family Christmas gathering a passing comment turned into a family feud. And the parents and children have not spoken to one another in months. 

The core problem behind these scenarios (and hundreds more) is found in a rather obscure comment the Apostle John makes in 1 John 5:21. (Please read this text and the others cited at the beginning of this post.)

John writes,“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” If you are like me, you are inclined to say, “This verse has absolutely nothing to speak into my life. After all, I’m not an idolater!” 

Are you sure? That’s what I thought as well, but my worldview has been radically reshaped by John’s exhortation. Consider just two texts that set the stage for how Christians are to think about God:

• Deuteronomy 32:39 declares that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is the One who gives life and ordains death. He alone is God.
• Isaiah 43:11-13 declares that there is absolutely no other God but the Triune God of the Bible. He is supremely and exclusively God.
• And then in conjunction with this idea of God’s exclusivity and supremacy, there are consistent appeals in the Old and New Testaments commanding God’s people to “flee from all forms of idolatry.” Apparently, human beings, including Christians, often revert to practicing idolatry as a way of life. 

IF GOD ALONE IS GOD, OUR IDOLATROUS PROPENSITIES MUST BE ELIMINATED. 

In this post I want to define what idolatry is, and why it must be taken seriously. Then in the next post I want us to see what steps we can take to pull down the idols that we have erected in our lives.

First off, what is an idol? You might be inclined to think that an idol is something carved out of wood or stone. That certainly fits the imagery we read about in the Bible. 

An idol then and now is a “representation.” It can be any idea or thing that is perceived to have power that can somehow meet our needs.  

What fuels our desire to erect these idols in the form of ideas and things is our inherent selfishness!  

We want someone, some substance, or some activity to satisfy the deep longings of our hearts! Unfortunately, the idol we give our allegiance to means that we are actually rebelling against God—the ONLY ONE who can meet all of our longings perfectly.

Second, why should we be concerned about idolatry? Because it’s real!

We don’t like to think of ourselves as idolaters but the truth is that idolatry is behind so many of the heartaches we face in life. 

You can get a glimpse of the symptoms of idolatry by reading 1 Corinthians 10:7-14. Citing three examples from the people of Israel, the Apostle Paul points out that idolaters are impatient when it comes to waiting on God (v. 7); they are pleasure-seekers (vv. 8-9); and they are complainers about the situations they have to face in life (v. 10). And behind all three of these examples is a “demanding spirit” that says, “I want what I want, and nobody should stand in my way.”

We need to remember is that all forms of idolatry let us down and ultimately lead to a withdrawal of God’s blessings in our lives.

There is so much more that could be said about idolatry. In the next post I am planning to identify some ways we can move away from idolatry to be all that God wants us to be. Until then, take some time to read the texts listed at the beginning of this post.

Take time this week to check to see if any of the three symptoms of idol worship identified in 1 Corinthians 10:7-14 are evident in your life. If they are, pray this simple prayer, “O God, deliver me from my spiritual rebellion, and make me the person you have always intended for me to be. Amen.”

A Cure for a Common Sin

Guarding Your Heart Against Selfishness
Text: Romans 12:3 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

A man and his wife sat across from us not long ago recounting some poor choices the husband had made just a few weeks earlier. His wife was next to him with her head hanging down, tears starting to stream down her cheeks. He paused the conversation for only a few seconds, and then said in a very “matter-of-fact” tone, “I am such a selfish man! I have brought all this pain on my family.”

I was supposed to listen and then give some pastoral counsel. After all, that was the reason why they asked to meet with Carol and me. But I was having difficulty responding, since the Spirit was doing something in my own heart. I had not done the things this man had done; yet I found myself saying, “His problem is my problem. I’m just another version of a selfish human being!”

And…SO ARE YOU! 

Selfishness is part of our sinful human nature. It is the “default sin” that we resort to almost every single day. And oh how devastating our selfish choices can be! The word itself refers to an obsessive focus on what we want over against the needs that others around us might have. And when we are selfish, very seldom does any good come from our choices. Selfishness leads to a loss of faith (cf. PS 78:16-21). It brings conflict to our most important relationships (cf. JS 3:16). And perhaps worst of all, selfishness renders our prayer life utterly powerless (JS 4:3).

So what can we do? You probably won’t be surprised after reading my most recent posts that the answer begins in the heart—in the very core of our existence. Take a look at our two anchor texts. Read them again if you have not yet done so. And as you do, listen to the voice of God. He wants you to know:

ONLY CHRIST’S RESCUING LOVE CAN FREE US FROM THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF SELFISHNESS.

Ok, but how does that work? How does Christ’s rescuing love actually free me from the selfish acts I commit almost every day? There are two things that God wants us to do.

First, God’s Word is telling us that we need to take time to think. The primary command from the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:3 is to “not think more highly than we ought, but to think with sober judgment.” The word he uses that is translated “sober judgment” has the idea of deliberate reflection about important things. Within the context of our two texts, we are to think “deliberately” about Jesus. As for Christians, Jesus is our Redeemer, our Rescuer, and our King! At the same time, we are to think “deliberately” about who we are. As believers we were once enslaved to sin, but when Christ died, we too died (cf. 2 COR 5:14). We were released from our bondage to sin and selfishness through the death of Christ. However, we need to remind ourselves daily that we are not the people we once were. We are Christ’s subjects, and citizens of His kingdom.

The other thing we need to do is to act. In writing to the Corinthians Paul said that we are “no longer to live for ourselves (i.e. selfishly), but for the one who died and was raised." (2 COR 5:15) The resurrection of Christ has changed everything. Christians are now freed from their sin, so that we can live every day in service to Christ. That means that we serve Him by extending the love of Christ to others—our family members, our neighbors, our colleagues at work, and the people we see in need.

There is no act motivated by the love of Christ that is insignificant or overlooked by God Almighty.

Yes, my friend’s confession ended up being used by the Holy Spirit to reveal my own selfish ways. 

In fact, if you look carefully, you will probably see selfish actions in your own life as well. 

Don’t keep walking in the devastation of your selfishness. Determine to live for the Savior today. 

Find people who have needs you can meet, and serve them in Jesus’ Name. It is God’s antidote for self-centered living.

“Oscar the Grouch” Thinking (Part 2)

Guarding Your Heart From Cynicism
Text: Philippians 4:4-9

In the last post I made the point that cynicism can often dominate our lives. A cynic is someone who believes that people are inherently selfish and can’t be trusted. If there are no “checks” on their thinking, cynics will become increasingly negative. Cynicism fosters a mindset that believes we CANNOT trust the government, the people for whom we work, or the people who work with us. Cynicism is not always taken to its fullest extreme, but if it is given a foothold in our minds, it can negatively impact our most important relationships. Even worse, cynicism can hamper our ability to live productive lives for the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we need to be on guard against even the smallest degree of cynicism in our thinking. So what can we do specifically?

I challenged you from our “anchor text” in Philippians 4:4-9 to guard against cynicism by embracing the joy-filled life. You will want to keep in mind that a joy-filled life is not simply “thinking positively about everything.” No, it is thinking “biblically about everything”! Joy is that inner sense of confidence that God is in control, and that God is good in all that He does. Our text reveals five steps that we can take.

• First, we need to intentionally and consistently reflect on the Lord. Intentionality is behind Paul’s thinking when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (v. 4). It is a matter of focusing on all that we Christians have in Jesus Christ (forgiveness; Holy Spirit power; eternal life; etc.). The promises of the world will ultimately let us down, but Jesus is our life and hope. Therefore, we must rejoice in the majesty of Jesus.
• Second, we will want to be fair and gentle with everyone. That is the thought behind verse 5 where Paul exhorts believers to let their “graciousness” be known to everyone. One translation renders the same word as “reasonable.” That is, we are to seek to hear all sides of a debate without forcing our view on the other person. We need to extend grace and listen, even as the Lord has been “gracious” to us.
• Third, we will also want to be people of prayer. As we noted in the last post, one of the spiritual dividends of pursuing a joy-filled life is the “peace of God.” When prayer becomes a regular pattern of our lives, we end up interceding and being thankful for others, instead of looking at all of their faults.
• Fourth, we will also want to be intentional about finding praiseworthy attributes in others, especially those with whom we have daily contact. In verse 8 Paul identifies seven attributes that we are to try to identify in others. Those of us who are prone to cynicism can always see another person’s faults. God wants us to see those things for which we can commend them and build them up in their faith.
• Finally, the joy-filled believer will model the “best-practices” of other believers. In the case of the Philippians, Paul challenged his first readers to obey the things he taught and modeled when he was with them. In the same way, there are people in your sphere of Christian fellowship who have lived commendable lives. Find out how they think and how they live. Then start practicing those same habits in your own life.

My concern is that you will read this article and assume that I am advocating another form of “positive thinking.” It’s just not the case. But let’s face it:

When we think God’s thoughts and obey His scriptural commands, we really do end up being positive people in a very negative world. 

So take an inventory of your thoughts—especially how you view others. Replace your cynicism with God’s thoughts, and watch your Kingdom influence increase more and more.

“Oscar the Grouch” Thinking (Part 1)

Guarding Your Heart From Cynicism
Text: Philippians 4: 4-9

When our sons were growing up, we used to allow them to watch Sesame Street. I must admit that I was drawn to some of the characters that would assist children everywhere in learning how to count and how to read. One of my favorite puppets was the indignant, smelly Oscar the Grouch. If you are a fan of Sesame Street you may recall that Oscar lives in a garbage can. Even worse, any proposal, any good idea, and any good deed is viewed by Oscar as wasted energy and unworkable. Oscar isn’t only a “grouch”—he is a cynic!

I only mention Oscar because there are a lot of grouchy, cynical people in the world today. If cynics formed a club, I regret that I would probably be a member—maybe even one of the officers. But the scriptures are clear that there is no place for cynicism in the life of a Christ-follower. That is why we come back to our anchor verse in Proverbs 4:23, where we are commanded to “guard our hearts” against all kinds of false ideas, including cynicism.

So how do we guard our hearts from cynical thinking? I’ll answer the question in part this week and then add some additional steps in next week’s post. But for starters, go back and read today’s text. In fact, read it two or three times. As you do, I pray you will see in the context that the Apostle Paul was attempting to settle a conflict that was brewing in the Philippian Church. It started between two women, but Paul was concerned that it would permeate the rest of the congregation. So he challenges the readers to practice five basic commands that are to be repeated over and over again. If you look closely at these commands, I hope you will see a principle that emerges.  

YOU CAN GUARD YOUR HEART FROM CYNICISM WHEN YOU LIVE A JOY-FOCUSED LIFE.

But what is a joy-focused life? Keep in mind that it is not the same as positive thinking. It is not putting a nice spin on life’s problems with the hope that maybe things will turn out better. And a “joy-focused life” is not “Pollyannaish” – it is not an approach that simply says, “Let’s just grin and bear with all the bad things that surround us.

When we speak of a “joy-filled life” we are drawing on Paul’s command to “rejoice” in verse 4. You will notice that the apostle is very specific in saying that we are to “rejoice in the Lord.” That is, we are to remember that the Lord is in control of all things. History is headed in the direction where God intends for it to go. Nothing happens without His permission, and better yet, He constantly cares for His people in loving, purposeful ways. To rejoice is to take comfort in God’s control of all things and his love for me!

OK, I am aware that the “cynic” in all of us will say, “Why in the world would I want to pursue this “joy-filled” way of thinking? There are two answers given in our text. First, we are told in verse 5 that “the Lord is near.” I understand Paul to mean that God in the person of the Holy Spirit is always present and active in our lives. He sees everything. He knows everything. And He hears everything we say. Therefore, we will want to pursue joy because the Lord is constantly in our presence. [Do you really want to be a cynical thinker when the Lord is so close at hand?]

The other reason we will want to pursue a “joy-filled life” is because of what Paul says in verses 7 and 9. When we embrace the fact that the Lord is in charge of all things, then we will experience “peace from God.” It will be a peace that transcends space and time, and gives us hope for as long as we have life.

So enough with “Oscar the Grouch” thinking.

Guard your heart from cynical thoughts. God is offering you a joy-filled life today. Ponder what it means and embrace it as your very own!

Guarding Your Heart Against Shame

“CURTAINS WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH!” 

Guarding Your Heart Against Shame

Text: Romans 10:11; 1 Corinthians 6:11

Not long ago I was walking around the track of our local park district as part of my morning exercise routine. I came upon two ladies who were walking and talking at the same time. I picked up my pace to move around them, when I heard one of the ladies say to the other, “I told him to get some curtains, and keep them closed. That way, no one would see all the junk he had inside!” I had no idea who the lady was describing, but I got the impression that she was embarrassed for some other individual (maybe a son or an elderly father) in her life.

There are times when we think curtains can cover up what we don’t want others to see. We may even try to engage in a “cover-up” with what is going on in our souls as well. We try to suppress the sins of our youth, but they keep popping up in our memories. We try to forget the nasty words that a boss, a parent, or a spouse has hurled in our direction. Yet the words keep coming back, and the hurts are often unbearable. Curtains—real or figurative—just won’t work when it comes to dealing with shame.

So what can we do? For starters read again the two texts for today’s devotional. In Romans 10:11 we are reminded that those who believe on Jesus exclusively, will NEVER be put to shame! That is, God will never remind us of the sins of our past. The Heavenly Father will never use the false accusations of others to put us down.

Our second text, 1 Corinthians 6:11, is even more helpful in dealing with shame in our lives. However, it requires that we exchange shame-based thoughts for God’s thoughts. According to this life-giving text WE CAN NEUTRALIZE SHAME WHEN WE REGULARLY REVIEW OUR REDEMPTIVE BENEFITS. Take a look at what these benefits are and how we might possibly implement them into our lives.

1. We have the redemptive benefit of deliverance. When Paul says, “You were washed,” he is taking the reader back to the ordinance of baptism. Baptism is a public declaration of one’s faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. It also symbolizes our spiritual cleansing from all sins—past, present, and future. In baptism we are saying that we are Christ-followers, and God is saying to us, “You are my child.” So go ahead. Say it out loud if necessary: “God has cleansed me from the sin and guilt of my past. I am going to live as one who now belongs to Jesus!"
2. We have the redemptive benefit of sanctification. When Paul says, “You have been sanctified,” he means that we have been set apart for God’s purposes, prepared to do whatever the Father might want to ask us to do. Therefore, we need to remind ourselves throughout the day, “God is my ultimate employer, and I am ready to serve Him in any way He asks.” Say it now to yourself, and say it several times throughout the day!
3. We have the redemptive benefit of justification. When Paul says, “You have been justified,” he means that God has made a legal declaration that our shameful sins have been removed once and for all. Therefore, if you are a believer, you need to remind yourself what God has already declared: “I am a citizen of God’s Kingdom; God no longer sees me in my sin; I am declared righteous in His sight!”

Have you been trying to suppress the shame and guilt of your past? Do the hurtful words of a spouse or a parent get you down? Stop trying to cover things up! Instead, make it a practice to review your “redemptive benefits” several times throughout the day. You might start by scheduling the words “WASHED-SANCTIFIED-JUSTIFIED” as a “prompt” that would appear on your “smart phone” at specific times throughout the day. Yes, keep rehearsing what God says about you. After all, what God says is the best solution you will ever find in dealing with guilt and shame.

Be On Guard! (Anger Part 2)

Text: 1 Samuel 25

Two powerful emotions seep through the narrative of 1 Samuel 25. The first is a lightly veiled hint at grief. Surely David was struck with grief when he learned of Samuel’s passing (cf. v.1). Samuel was the one who had introduced David to his “royal” future, and now he was gone.

In addition, there is an expression of intense anger in verses 20-22. David had asked a wealthy landowner for food to feed his troops. After all, David and his men had protected Nabal’s flocks from predators while they were grazing in the wilderness. But Nabal harshly rejected the request, making David feel unappreciated and abused (cf. 1 Samuel 25:21-22).

The story has a commendable ending, but not without the heroic intervention of Nabal’s wife, Abigail. She spoke into David’s life in such a way that his anger was replaced with a calming realization of who he really was. And from Abigail’s words we can learn an important truth about dealing with rejection and hostility in our own lives. That is, ANGER WILL SUBSIDE THE MORE WE REALIZE OUR SPIRITUAL IDENTITY. Three things about our spiritual identity are illustrated in our text.

First, we are the unique possession of God. In verse 26 Abigail reminded David that “the Lord had kept” him from bloodshed and unrighteous vengeance. She was telling Israel’s future king that he belonged to God, and as a result the Father was intervening to protect him. The Apostle Paul says much the same thing about you. He writes, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1Corinthians 6:19-20)

Second, we are servants of God with a unique destiny. That is what Abigail was intending to communicate to David in verse 28. She reminded him that he would have a lasting dynasty as Israel’s next king. Therefore, he was to fight “the Lord’s battles” instead of petty grudges against a foolish man like Nabal (v. 28). In a similar way the Apostle Peter refers to Christians as a holy nation, a chosen people, and a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Those are noble terms, but they remind us that we are servants who exist to declare the praises of Jesus.

Third, we are a people protected by God. Abigail used vivid terminology to remind David that his life was like precious gems “bound securely in the bundle of the living” (v. 29). It was an image of valuable items tucked into a small pouch and carried secretly inside the owner’s gown to keep the items secure. The Apostle Peter says something similar about believers when he says that we are protected by God’s power until the day of our ultimate salvation (cf. 1 Peter 1:5).

Yes, anger is a powerful emotion. It can destroy us if we are not careful. 
Counter the anger that creeps into your thinking by rehearsing daily who you really are in Jesus Christ.

Are You Still on Guard? (Anger Part 1)

TEXT: Colossians 3:8
It has been far too long since I posted any devotional thoughts on Caring for Souls. You don’t need to hear all the details as to what has been going on in my life. Suffice it to say, “Life has been busy!” I want to get back to connecting with you through these weekly devotional thoughts.

The more important matter is this: “how is it with YOUR soul?” We have been talking about guarding our hearts against the world, the flesh, and the devil (cf. EPH 2:1-3a). All three are powerful forces in distracting us from living fruitful, joy-filled lives in Christ Jesus. That is why Proverbs 4:23 serves as an anchor verse for our spiritual life. We must always be on guard against fleshly and devilish sniper attacks that tend to keep us from living for the glory of God.

One of the most prominent attacks to the soul comes in the form of anger. Suffice it to say that there is a place for what theologians call “righteous indignation.” That is, we should be angry and prone to take righteous action against all forms of injustice and malice against other human beings. But most of the anger that emerges from our hearts is destructive and demoralizing. It corrupts marriages; demolishes parent-child relationships; and ruins long-term friendships.

Notice how Paul describes the emotion of anger in our text for today. He refers to “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language.” All these terms are references to the kind of emotion that becomes more and more intense the longer we fail to examine what is going on in our hearts. Ultimately our strong feelings against people and events erupt in words and deeds that are anything but constructive.

So what can we do about anger—unrighteous, harmful anger? If you look carefully at the context that surrounds Colossians 3:8 you will notice that Paul was calling his readers to at least three actions steps.

• First, we must affirm every day (and throughout the day) that Jesus is in charge of every aspect of our lives. We are not! He can allow anything into our lives He wants. We are His servants, since He sits at the right hand of God in charge of everything (cf. COL 3:1b). 
• Second, we need to constantly be seeking after God’s will as it is revealed in His Word. That is what Paul means when he says to the Colossians “set your minds on what is above” (cf. COL 3:2). By all means you have the freedom to check on your investments and the latest sports scores. But are you putting in as much or more time finding out what pleases Jesus, our King?
• Third, remember who you are. You are a slave of Jesus, the King of the soon to be revealed Kingdom of God. That is what Paul means when he tells his readers that the Messiah is our life and will be revealed. Better yet, we are going to be revealed as His servants in dazzling glory for all to see (cf. COL 3:4). So remember who you REALLY are.

Take a moment to read Colossians 3:8 one more time. Then read the three steps outlined above. Don’t do it just once, but rehearse these steps every single day. After all -
ANGER WILL NOT GET THE BEST OF YOU, WHEN GOD IS GUARDING YOUR HEART!

TALK TO YOUR FEARS (Part 2)

TEXT: PROV 4:23; JN 15:2; JS 1:2-4; 2 COR 4:17; 2 COR 5:1-4

What is it with America’s love affair with “reality" TV? It seems that every Fall we are invited to tune into some strange, voyeuristic obsession with the adventurous, the dramatic and (most frequently) downright weird! Some of our political leaders are getting into the act with their own versions of reality television. Call me judgmental if you want, but I am shocked that the producers consistently dish up what is foolishly called “reality.”

Here is “real” reality:

• People work hard to provide for their families, and they lose their jobs. 
• People take care of their bodies, but by some strange twist they are diagnosed with a debilitating disease. 
• Parents love and nurture their children, yet some of their offspring turn against them and against the faith.

The bottom line is that life doesn’t always work as we had planned. Needless to say, people in these circumstances are not only living in reality; they are living with fear!

In my last last post, I challenged you to face your fears and counter them with the truth. You will remember that in a metaphorical sense, our fears "talk" to us. The fear of failure tells us that we are not as competent as others. The fear of the future tells us that we might not have enough money to protect us from danger. And the fear of people tells us that we need to do whatever someone else wants, so that we will be “acceptable” and “liked.” But “real” reality is often hard, and from a very earthly perspective, reality is accompanied with many fears. 

So what can be done? We need to tell ourselves the truth—over and over again. God’s truth is an antidote to the fears that reality produces. 

When troubles enter your life, refocus on all the good that God is doing.

Have you been aware that in your current situation, whether good or bad, God is at work? He is! And we would be wise to guard our hearts with the truth about our great and loving God.

Take a moment to read the passages I’ve listed above and then meditate on the following truths.

TRUTH 1: In the midst of our trials, God is working to prune our lives (John 15:2). Several times over the course of a growing season, a vineyard keeper would “prune” or “clean” the vines. Clearing away some leaves and branches allowed for greater fruit bearing. And the same is true in our spiritual lives. 

God allows pain and disappointment to prune away what might subtly become idolatrous. But the by-product is a life that pleases the Lord and glorifies Him.

TRUTH 2: In the midst of our trials, God is working to strengthen us emotionally and spiritually (James 1:2-4). Life can be tedious at times, so we need endurance.

God allows trials to produce spiritual “muscle” for the days He gives to us here on planet earth.

TRUTH 3: In the midst of our trials, God is working to create in us a longing for heaven. Unfortunately many Christ-followers plan their lives around career advancement, a vacation home, or comfortable retirement years. However, God is preparing us for eternity (2 COR 4:17; 5:1-4). It’s not that we should ignore the blessings and joys of this life, but God wants us to live our lives for His glory and praise, even in the midst of our trials.

Reality? It is not always a laughable, nor “happy, happy, happy” situation. Life can be hard. In fact, life can be frightening! But don’t focus on the pain of the moment. Meditate on what God is doing. He will never abandon us or forsake us. Therefore, let’s set our minds on loving Him and enjoying Him forever!

TALK TO YOUR FEARS (Part 1)

TEXT: Proverbs 4:23; Psalm 118:5-9

Have you listened to your fears recently? Chances are they sound something like this:
• “Who do you think you are to start another career at this point in your life?”
• “Don’t you dare make that suggestion! Everyone in the group will just laugh at you!”
• “What makes you think you’re qualified to even apply for the new position in the company?”
• “What if the cancer comes back? What will I do then?”

Everyday, and several times throughout the day we have to do battle with thoughts that make us immobile…at least emotionally. Even after we have had good success in an endeavor, we find that the voices of intimidation are hard to “shut down.” But like every other experience we face in life, our first line of response should be to guard our hearts against the intimidating giants of fear.

Psalm 118 is a psalm of triumph and thanksgiving. The writer does not give us the details of what he was facing, other than the fact that the Lord delivered him from some kind of “distress” (v. 5). The Hebrew word for “distress” implies that the psalmist may have been in confinement or imprisonment. Then through God’s powerful intervention, he was released into a “spacious place,” a place of freedom (v. 5b). This experience of supernatural deliverance led the psalmist to declare...

• “The Lord answered me” (v. 5)
• “The Lord is for me” (v. 6)
• “The Lord is my helper” (v. 7)
• In fact, the writer of psalm 118 became so confident in what God had done that he would go on to say: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in nobles.” (vv. 8-9)

I don’t think it would be wise to conclude that the psalmist never had another moment of fear in his earthly life. However, he did learn a lesson that is preserved in Scripture for our benefit.

ANY FEARS YOU HAVE CAN BE REPLACED WITH GOD-FOCUSED FAITH.

So what is “God-focused faith”? It is a moment-by-moment choice to focus on God. His character, His will, and His ways. Instead of any frightening experience we might be facing.

Have you watched a college or professional basketball game, where a player is trying to shoot a free throw? Fans are waving signs, trying to distract the player. But the best players focus on the task before them, not the distractors. That is what God-focused faith is like. It reflects on God’s presence and power instead of what seems intimidating. 

But how do we ever get to the point in our fears where we have the presence of mind to think about God? Two things we talked about in previous posts can help: meditation and memorization. Meditation requires that we first spend time in God’s Word on a regular, systematic basis to discover what He is really like. Memorization is that process where we review a verse or series of verses from Scripture multiple times until we can recite those verses from memory. The value of memorization is that we can recall biblical truth and apply it to any given situation, even while we are engaged in other tasks.

So if you want to be on guard against all your fears, counter those fears with the words God has given us in Scripture.

Start nurturing a God-focused faith.
HE  IS  OUR  REFUGE!  What can any man or object do to us?

Stop listening to your fears, and tell them the truth!