Love

Love is deeply grounded in humility.
Love disciplines.
Love is unafraid.
Love obeys.
Love patiently waits for the rainbow.
Love acts.
Love is willing to be poured out--emptied.
Love responds spontaneously to the needs of others.
Love restores.
Love forgives seventy times seventy. And is eager to lose count.
Love weeps with those who weep.
Love dances with joy with those whom God blesses.
Love embraces the giver and graciously gives thanks for the gift. In that order.
Love is at peace in quietness.
Love is unaffected by criticism.
Love only gives good gifts.
Love readily sacrifices for the good of others even at its own expense.
Love labors tirelessly.
Love lifts up the fallen--and holds on tightly.
Love seeks the one.
Love adores simplicity.
Love treasures and upholds the truth.
Love is.

Best Bible Teacher Ever!

I spent some time today with the very best Bible teacher ever! Talk about insights into the Word--amazing, challenging, enlightening. By the way, he mentioned that he knows you too. And would be more than happy to spend some time teaching you as well. How do you get in touch with him? Open your Bible and pray: "Holy Spirit, open my eyes to your truth today." Try it. You'll like it.

Six Months from Now

I think one of the Devil's most effective strategies is to get us to live our lives six months from now. He encourages us to imagine what our life will look like then--and we always imagine the worst--and by doing so he robs us of this day--and the joy and opportunities it affords us to serve others in His name. We so easily doubt God's love when we are blinded by our fears. This is the day God has given you. Use it. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness--day by day. Don't be discouraged or disheartened by the possible problems tomorrow may bring, let alone what your life will be like months from now. And you know what? If the absolute worst happens that I can imagine, I will be the same thing five months from now that I am today: a joint-heir with Jesus Christ of all things for eternity. OOOOH, won't that be terrible.

Clouds without Rain

I always find it sobering how often the New Testament writers tell us to "be alert," "be on guard" against false teachers that will permeate the church family and attack the message of the grace available through Jesus Christ. I can't think of a single New Testament writer who doesn't talk about it. In fact, Jesus Himself, warned His disciples that wherever He plants His people, the enemy, Satan, comes right along behind Him and plants his people. And they are really hard to identify at times. We certainly need to be students of the Gospel. Obviously, indifference to error is deadly for the saint who desires with his whole heart to be faithful to Jesus.

Jude describes those false teachers this way:
"They care for no one but themselves."
"They are like clouds driven by the wind, but they bring no rain."
"They are like trees with the leaves of autumn but without a single fruit--they are doubly dead because they have no roots."
"They are like raging waves of the sea producing only the spume of their own shameful deeds."
"They are like stars who follow no orbit, and their proper place is the everlasting darkness of the regions beyond the light."
"They 'talk big' but will pay men great respect if it is to their own advantage."
"They are mockers who live according to their own godless desires, splitting communities, led by human emotions and never by the Spirit of God."

They come, I think, with two major lies, two messages that twist the Scripture and the truth of God's grace. One is that grace is not enough. Works are required for redemption. How a man can add to Jesus' sinless life, willing sacrificial death, and death-defeating resurrection is beyond my comprehension. But so they imply. Or subtlety infer. The ironic thing is that they usually turn around and say that any sincere attempts to please God--any system of works--will be enough to redeem you. Anything but faith alone in the work of Christ, who said, "This is the work of God to believe on Him whom He has sent."
The other lie they bring is that grace is the foundation for licentiousness--for living immoral lives. God's gift of grace means that you can live any old way you want. Forget obedience to His clear commands to live holy lives. In fact, if you live immoral lives you elevate grace. Paul sums up our Lord's response to that lie this way: "God forbid! No way is such a lifestyle pleasing to Christ! Why would He set you free from bondage to sin and then say, "Here put these chains back on. Let sin be your master; you don't need to follow Me."

Our loving Savior and every New Testament writer cries out, "Be on your guard. Be alert. Don't be led away from the life of true liberty and grace experienced only by the obedient bond-slave of Christ." As I'm sure I've said before, the freest men and women on earth are His lovingly obedient bond-slaves--those who have confessed their sins and a need for the Savior and willingly given themselves to the life of faith that pleases Him and radiates His grace.
Radiates His grace? Yes, for Jude under the inspiration of the Spirit urges us to use all means possible--from compassion to fear--to bring such people into God's family, to bring such people into a true understanding of the "marvelous grace of Jesus, greater than all our sins."
Be on guard. Recognize the lies. Refute the lies. Defend the Savior. Pursue with His gracious promise of forgiveness the liars.

Clinging

No matter the depth of the disappointment, the greatness of the loss, the density of the confusion and lack of understanding, the intensity, the magnitude of the personal earthquake, there is one truth to cling to for joy, grace, clarity, and steadfastness: God is good. And even more--God is good--to me. Always in all things remember what you know: Romans 8:35-39.

Spiritual Busyness

Sometimes I think that the greatest detriment to a deepening intimacy with Christ is Christian busyness. In fact, I think we hide behind our busyness making others think we are embracing God when in actuality we are holding Him at arm's length. Christian busyness puts me in control of what God gets from my life, impresses others with my "spirituality," while at the same time refuses to allow God to be in complete control. Activity is so much less threatening than access. We are afraid of what He will ask of us. And we are afraid of what people will think of us is we set aside our busyness and take the time to be at His feet alone and learn of Him. The first fear is a denial of God's goodness and love. The second fear is hypocrisy--doing the right things for the wrong reason--in perhaps its most subtle form. An ever deepening walk with Christ demands that I spend time just listening and waiting for His leading. Will I be ready to take my most costly perfume and pour it on His feet in surrender and gratitude even if the Apostles themselves are sitting there criticizing me? Only if I have learned through time alone with Him that He is the only one whose "well done" I need. And want.

God-consciousness

Pride and arrogance are the enemy of the fear of the Lord. The prideful man has no consciousness of his need to please God. He spontaneously surrenders to his iniquitous heart, readily rebels against God's commands, and smugly practices sin. Turning his back on the truth, he self-righteously--the essence of sin is self-righteousness--claims to be a truth seeker, or worse, a truth teller. He is "ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
The wise man--the one who fears the Lord--is always God-conscious. His every thought is to please God in every situation, and his faith rests in God's character unaffected by the smog of his circumstances. He knows that God is, and that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. The wise man's greatest attribute is a teachable spirit; seeing God's hand in everything, his constant learning deepens his understanding of God and His truth.
Pride and arrogance lead a man down the evil way--broad, wide, pulsating with the neon lights of the devil's lies, and leading to destruction. It is a path of thorns, lit with blinding darkness.
The fear of the Lord leads to the wise way, the prudent way, the way of understanding, the way of trust--narrow but straight. Every step is enlightened by the Word of God, the lamp of the Light of the World. The darkest storm cannot put out the light, cannot even dim it.
Are you wise in your own eyes? God says you are "walking blindfolded in a world of illusion." He--the omnipotent One--will resist you every step of the way.
Are you humbling yourself in the sight of the Lord? God says you are on "the path of life." And you will never take a single step alone. He will be your strength and shield--your Rock, your rest. Your life will be lavished with His grace.

The Pursuit of Life

Spend your life pursuing happiness, all you'll get is the frustration, the lack of fulfillment, that comes from the temporary quality of all things earthy.
Spend your life pursuing the applause of men, all you'll get is the increasing pressure to do wonders again and again--bigger and better.
Spend your life pursuing personal freedom: "I'll do what I please, when I please, how I please"--all you'll get is a life wrapped up in the ball and chain of sin.
The pursuit of life always ends up in the same place: everyone dies. You can't "catch" life. You must receive the gift of life through confession of sin and through faith in the One who is "the way, the truth, and the life.": For those who do that, life never ends. The "best" is always yet to come--an inheritance that is undefiled, incorruptible, and will never fade away.

Appetite

The spiritually healthy Christian is a hungry Christian.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness"
"O taste and see that the Lord is good."
"Like brand new babies hunger for the milk of the Word."
"Thy Word is sweeter than the honeycomb."

You are only as spiritually healthy as your daily appetite for God's truth.

The First Commandment

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart:
"Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You." "Love not the world, neither the things in the world." "Set your affections on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father." "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

You shall love the Lord your God with all your strength.
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." "Rejoice in the Lord always and again, I say, rejoice!" Joy endures the absolute worse, is unaffected by criticism and verbal abuse, and empowers you to finish the task God has called you to do. "That My joy may be in you so that your joy will be full." "I can do all things through Christ who is my strength."

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your mind."
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Let each of you consider others better than yourself; in a very practical way view their needs as greater than you own." He made Himself of no reputation . . . He took upon Himself the manner of a servant . . . He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." "Whatever is lovely, worthy of praise, think on these things." "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all His demands, and moves toward the goal of true maturity.'

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul."
Be God conscious at all times. See His presence everywhere. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good." "Lo, I am with you always. I will never leave you or forsake you." There is not one moment in your life when He is not with you.

Love the Lord your God with all.

Disheartening

Nothing is more disheartening than to see someone take God out of his life (not a god, the God), and replace His truth with their own opinions. His commands are not just so he can "boss us around." They are our fortress, our protection from harm, our guide to lead us through a world satiated with self-interest to the detriment of others--a world of people wanting to be their own god. And how inane is that to anyone honest enough to admit who they are in all their finiteness? And not only am I heart-broken when I see it taking place, I fear for those who make that choice. How dangerous to trust in an idol that can offer no help in a time of crisis and despair! And to the one who claims to be His child, discipline is inevitable--He will not let you go your own way. It's not that He cannot, His love will not! And how sobering if discipline does not come. Every child that is His, He lovingly disciplines. Every child. Every time. "The Lord, He is God. Choose you this day whom you will serve." No choice is more critical or dangerous.

A Reminder and an Encouraging Hope

I find a great reminder and encouraging hope in our Lord's "encounter" with the Sadducee over the issue of the resurrection. They thought that their religious pedigree as scholars and their impeachable logic using the illustration of the woman with multiple husbands would render this untrained rabbi from the backwoods speechless before them. They were, after all, the highly educated Old Testament scholars of their day. No one knew the books of Moses like they did.
The great reminder: Jesus replied to their arrogant intellectualism something like this--"You guys don't understand the Scripture at all. You never get it right. If you were in my Pentateuch 101 class, you would undoubtedly fail. You always err!" There are many today with all kinds of degrees behind their name, years of Bible study, masters of Hebrew and Greek, who haven't the faintest idea what the Bible teaches. What's missing? The Holy Spirit; they don't believe in Jesus as their Savior. As Paul says, "the natural man--the unregenerate man--has no chance of understanding God's Word. No chance! The thoughts of God need the Spirit of God to be understood." Don't be impressed by pedigree and supposed scholarship and the "logic" of the erudite. There are many country preachers with less than stellar education who know more of God's truth than many a "biblical scholar." No faith in Christ, no Holy Spirit, no chance of understanding. "They do always err." Don't be intimidated! You know God's Word better than many a so-called expert on the Bible.

The encouraging hope: Jesus put it this way--"I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I am not the God of the dead; I am the God of the living. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive today." Rejoice! Those that I love who have "passed away" are alive. Today. And with Him. And it's not that they are just still alive, they are more alive than they have ever been.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in me will never die!"

Have confidence in the indwelling Spirit to guide you into all truth. Rest in the confidence of your immutable hope. We serve the only Eternal Living God of the living.

Heroes

The world today is always looking for heroes. And invariably they pick the world's heroes and not God's. The danger in that is obvious. Our heroes are our role models. We consciously or unconsciously admire their values, their lifestyles, their goals.

But who are God's heroes?'

The widow who has practically nothing, but willingly gives the practically nothing to God to be used to help the poor. She knows that her needs will be met from His resources one day at a time.

The husband or wife who loves unconditionally the one they promised God that they would love until death parts them. Nothing life threw at them was greater than their love, could undermine their vow to God and the one He had given them to love in His place.

The missionary who gives up his life that others may know of the One who gave His life for them.

The one God has blessed with resources but gives those resources to help others in such a way that no one ever knows he was the one who gave.

The little child who is physically or mentally handicapped but boldly tells everyone the most important thing he does know: the love of Jesus for him and the whole world.

The parent who faithfully prays for the child that has gone astray waiting expectantly for his return, not to a relationship with him or her alone, but to a renewed relationship with their loving eternal Father.

The man or woman who faithfully serves behind the scenes doing all those things that anyone could do, but few have the humility and love for God to do. They not only get no recognition, they would be embarrassed if you gave it to them. They serve Him willingly.

Who are your heroes? Who are those whom you pattern your life after? If they are not walking in the footsteps of Jesus, they are not heroes. And you know what the saddest thing of all is? We see those people, God's heroes, and we notice their deep joy, their contentment, their gentleness toward others, their unshakeable spirit, and we still seek heroes elsewhere. May God grant you and me the wisdom to notice God's heroes and emulate their lives of love for God.
And may we, also, be able to echo Paul's testimony: "Be an imitator of me as I am of Christ." If someone is looking up to you, watching you, where will you lead them if they choose to follow in your footsteps?

True Love

Yes, love needs to be expressed in words. But genuine love is expressed in actions. Love not in word only but in deed. Yes, "true love" cannot help but express itself in both ways. If someone tells you that they love you, concentrate on what they do, not just what they say. Then, you will know the depth of their love--how genuine it is. See the prime example: John 3:16. "For God so loved . . . He gave" . . . the greatest gift.

Rahab

I think at times as we study through the Old Testament events, we overlook God's mercy and grace at work. For example, when Joshua and the Israelites invaded the land, every Canaanite that sought God's mercy received it and escaped God's judgment whether it was a single woman like Rahab or an entire city like the Gibeonites. The sad thing is that so few came to Him. They had forty years. As Paul tells us, He deals with the nations of the world that men groping in the dark might seek Him and be found. Rahab said the entire land knew they were doomed and couldn't defeat Israel; yet, they trusted in their gods and their walls--only a very few sought His mercy. Only a few like Rahab said, "The Lord, your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." And she and her family were recipients of His mercy and His grace.
By the way, why did the Lord have Joshua send spies into Jericho? Did he really need to know the weaknesses of the city and its defenses? The Lord was going to knock down the walls! No, I have no doubt that the reason God had the spies go into Jericho was because He was seeking His Rahab--a woman living in a culture that God said was so wicked they couldn't get any more wicked--"their iniquity was full"--desired to become His follower. So much so, that she was willing to risk her life to help His people. "Seek and you will find." "He is not far from each one of us." The only way for God to find this believing young woman was to send someone to her. So, of course, He did. Sent two. How greatly did God rejoice in her seeking and believing faith? You know. She is in the lineage of the King--one of our Savior's distant grandmothers. And do you know the rest of the story, the rest of the lavish grace God bestowed on her family? She had a son; his name was Boaz, married some gal named Ruth--another Gentile seeker, the great-grandmother of some kid named David.
"Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe; you who are longing to see His face, will you this moment His grace receive? Grace, grace, God's grace."

"No, Lord"

Remember that when we follow God in obedience, we do not take control of the outcome of our choice, but instead we give up all control over the outcome of our obedience to Him. That's His choice. The height of arrogance is to see His working and say, "No, Lord."

Filled

Paul--under the Spirit's inspiration--parallels two phrases: "Be filled with the Spirit" and "Let the Word of God dwell in you richly." Those, of course, are not suggestions. And the characteristics of the disciple who obeys these commands are the same. In other words, to "be filled with the Spirit" and to "let the Word of God dwell in you richly" are the same command.
The filling of the Spirit is contrasted with drunkenness. The issue is not one of someone having more of the Spirit than someone else (if someone does not have the Holy Spirit living in them, he or she is not a disciple, not a Christian); the issue is someone being more under the control of the Spirit, and that as Paul explains is directly related to one's relationship with the Word. Just as the more alcohol someone consumes the more the inebriation controls his every action, so the more richly one feasts on God's truth, the more control the Spirit can take of their every action.
Now, what are the benefits of the Spirit's control? The first is a singing heart, speaking to ourselves and to those around us with spiritual songs, while bringing joy to heart of our Father. Dynamically powerful action. As the Spirit controls me, I always find a song in my heart. Often, in the most discouraging moments, at moments when you are spiritually weary, have you not experienced a song coming to your mind, filling your heart, even when, especially when, the circumstances say, "this is no time for a song?" And you even remember the words of the song though you haven't sung it for ages. It's the Spirit in your heart saying "You are not alone in this moment, this trial. I have not forsaken you. I bring you joy in song; I bring you strength. Sing with Me. Let Me lift your soul." A singing heart is a gift to the Spirit-filled disciple.
The second attribute of a disciple who is under the Spirit's control is a submissive heart. To God, yes--"Thy will be done." But submissive to others as well. Submission--the desire to provide the strength and encouragement that someone else needs to be all that God intends for them to be--motivates their actions. Those controlled by the Spirit are never focused on themselves; they are always other focused. They are the least important person in their life. Their prayer: "Lord use me today to be your comforter, your encourager, your exhorter--a pillar to those in my life who need to sense your strength and your presence. The Spirit-filled disciple has a submissive heart.
The third attribute of a disciple who is under the Spirit's control is a thankful heart. No time for a pity party. No time for fear. No time for doubt in His provision. From a deep sense of His amazing saving grace to the minutiae of the day, His hand is seen and felt in every step. Their heart's cry: I will "in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus. Yes, in everything." It is the Spirit's voice. The Voice that takes your deepest prayers, said and unsaid, to the heart of the Father, agonizing for the accomplishment of His will in those prayers. Do you think the Father has ever denied the Spirit's prayer on your behalf? The Spirit controlled heart is a thankful heart.
The fourth attribute of a Spirit-filled life is the establishment of God-honoring relationships--in the home, at work, everywhere. The interactions are the same. The disciple's purpose is to love the other person as Jesus has loved him. The disciple's purpose is to submit to the other person within the boundaries of God's truth just as Jesus submitted to the will of the Father: "I do always those things that please Him." The disciples purpose is to do what they do for the other person in the exact same way as if that person was Jesus Himself. The Spirit-filled person has Jesus' heart toward everyone in his life--whether that person is a spouse, a child, a parent, an employee, a boss, or someone he has interacted with for the one and only time he will ever interact with them in his entire life. The Spirit-filled disciple honors God in his relationships.
The last attribute of the Spirit-controlled disciple is that he goes into battle each day fully clothed in the armor of God activated in every situation by the power of prayer. The enemy--never a human being--spiritually powerful, invisible, and fully dedicated to their destruction has no chance at victory. Fully armored and armed for the spiritual warfare, the Spirit-filled disciple rest in the confidence of the Life that is in him and His ability to defeat all foes. The Spirit-filled disciple is ready at any moment, sword drawn, for the battle.
So, do you want to live each day, each moment of each day, spontaneously, with a singing heart, a submissive heart, a thankful heart, committed to God-honoring relationships, fully armed and praying without ceasing in the spiritual battle, then you must be "filled with the Spirit." And to "be filled with the Spirit," you must be daily letting "the Word of God dwell in you richly." Daily.
Feast on the milk and the meat of the Word--both--and the Spirit will take control of your every step, every word out of your mouth, all that you are and do. Your heart will be His heart. And His heart will be your heart.

"And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Faithfulness

God defines faithfulness very simply: complete trust in Him. We are unfaithful when we rely on someone or something else to deliver us from our trials and to sustain us in our daily walk and warfare. What are the characteristics then of one who is faithful? He never puts faith in the blessings God has given him but instead trusts only in the God behind the blessings; he doesn't fail the test of prosperity. He doesn't become indistinguishable from the world, from those who are trusting in everything but God for their success and satisfaction. The things they trust in are immaterial to him, worthless except as they can be redeemed and used in His service as He directs to help others. They are things to be given not things to be accumulated and relied on for one's security. In addition, the faithful believer sows the seeds of love: compassion, lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness. All he needs to sow those seeds is a heart that trusts in God. Nothing else is required. There is never a time when he cannot sow those seeds and trust God with the harvest. How can the faithful one live so "unwisely" in the world's eyes? He knows that the battle is not to the strong or the resourceful or the wealthy but to the one who trusts totally in his gracious, enabling God. He knows that it is God's faithfulness that sustains him. His security is in God's character. He can walk through the darkest night and never be afraid and never kindle a fire to light his own way. He will not turn back for he knows that He in whom he delights will make his path straight. "To the true and the faithful, victory is promised through grace."

Genuine

The genuine Christian is the one who spontaneously responds to the needs of others--physically and spiritually. The Holy Spirit has such control over his or her life, that that person just "automatically" responds as Christ would respond. There's no thinking about what's the right thing to do--they just find themselves doing it. And, often, I think, they are surprised that it is so--and the praise for Him is spontaneous as well. We need to so saturate ourselves with God's Word that we are daily filled with the Spirit and become more genuine every day.

The Two Commandments

Jesus told us that there are two commandments that sum up all the law and the prophets. We all know what they are. First, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Second, to love your neighbor as yourself. ("Updated" in the New Testament to "love your neighbor as I have loved you.") And, by the way, everyone is your neighbor. Yes, everyone. But how do I do those two things? After all, there are times in my life when it doesn't appear that God is too much in love with me. And there are certainly times when loving my "neighbor" is not high on my list of priorities. Yet, God doesn't ever stop loving me. His love is active moment by moment throughout my entire life. If I can't sense His love in my circumstances, it's because I'm walking by sight and not by faith. I'm evaluating things in the present tense and not in the light of eternity. And if my neighbor doesn't seem to be worthy of my love right at the moment; in reality, he or she have never been more in need of it. How can they know what unconditional love is until I love them unconditionally? It's the fact that they have needs that makes them my neighbor in desperate need of loving actions.
So, how do I keep the two commandments? Solomon puts it in simple language that I think we all can understand. "Rejoice and do good." When I love God with my whole being, I never doubt His will, His wisdom. or His love. No matter what happens I rejoice in who He is! I know that His will will result in my good and His glory. I know that His wisdom will make all things in my life a source of delight when I view them from eternity with Him. I know that His love is inescapable. And when I love my neighbor as He loves me, all I can do for him is good. And doing evil--and doing nothing can be the most insidious evil--is the farthest thing from my mind. Why? Because I know that as I do whatever I do for the least of mankind, I'm really doing it for my Savior. It doesn't even matter if my neighbor knows what good was done for him. My Savior knows, smiles, and leans down from heaven to whisper in my soul, "Thank you."

The two commandments. We fulfill them with joy in our hearts and goodness in our actions--every moment of every day everywhere we find ourselves.

Prisons

It is foundational to the impact of the book of Philippians to understand that Paul wrote it while a prisoner of Rome. We say that so glibly at times that we do not understand the physical and emotional hardships of such circumstances. We have not been there ourselves. Yet, despite the circumstances, the epistle is a celebration of joy. The key, I think, is discovered in the very first chapter. Twenty-five times in that chapter Paul mentions his Lord or the Gospel. The focus of Paul's life--wherever He was and whatever the circumstances--was Christ and His saving work, and the end result of such a focus was nothing but joy. Joy is a matter of attitude and mind--what one thinks about and how one thinks. And Paul's thoughts were on Him who is altogether lovely.
I don't know what has you feeling imprisoned by life; what you think has entrapped you into your misery and self-pity, a subtle form of self-idolatry. Focus on Christ and the cross and the "prison walls" will fade away into insignificance compared to the joy of knowing Him who is able to overcome all circumstances for your good and His praise. Don't let your "imprisonment" lead you to a choice of escape that dishonors you and hurts the ones you have been called to love; and, even more importantly, reflects negatively on Him who is your Savior. Don't let a "jail" of any kind steal your joy and replace it with a deepening bitterness toward the God of all comfort. Set your sight on the Captain and Finisher of your faith who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. Focus on Him and the world will be a joyous, beautiful place no matter where you are in your life.

Respect

We often struggle with the desire to be respected. We feel slighted when the respect we think we deserve is not forthcoming. Jesus had no such misgivings. And as God, He may have deserved a little respect from mankind, you think? Yet, He was called a liar, accused of being demon possessed, sneered at as being out of His right mind--crazy, and labeled a party animal and a friend of sinners. Talk about no R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!
His response? He lived a life full of grace and truth. He kept on telling them the truth and how important it was for their eternal destiny to believe it. He kept on casting out demons, explaining to those accusing Him that they were the ones who were sons of their father, the Devil. He kept on telling them that they were absolutely right; He spent His time with sinners. They knew what He had to offer and embraced the forgiveness He gladly gave them as their friend. He kept on lovingly accepting people where they were spiritually without in any way soft pedaling their spiritual condition and needs. And as the final show of disrespect, He didn't say a word in self-defense. He just kept doing what He was called to do. The only well-done that mattered was His Father's. So, He kept His Father's Word. He kept on doing what He knew was right. That alone mattered--not what men might think of Him.
Now, I'm not saying that if you have somehow gained man's respect, there's something wrong with you, and you should run out and do something stupid to be sure you lose their respect. What I am saying is that you don't need it to perform the task God has called you to do. You must not worry or fret over not getting the respect "that you deserve," and thereby allow the "slight" to keep you from your task. Man's respect is not essential. If it gets in the way of your doing what God wants you to do, find another way to get it accomplished. And we must not let the fear of losing man's respect keep us from doing what we know is God's desire for our lives and what we know is right because of the commandments in His Word. We must simply walk on in obedience to God's Word, and through the power of the Holy Spirit do the task He has called us to do. Nothing else matters. If we are wrapped up in gaining man's approval and the respect we deserve, our heart's treasure is not on heavenly things but on the things of earth. Man's opinion of me has no impact on who I am in Christ, and if I think it does, I'll live a pretty miserable life.

Just Imagine

I've been letting my imagination run wild again. Sorry, but . . .

Can you imagine walking down an old dusty road in the heat of summer with your best friend--and the last week of your life has been the worst week of your life. The great good thing that you were expecting to happen imploded. Depression grips your heart. Confusion, uncertainty. What do we do now? And suddenly a stranger falls into step with you and asks what's bothering you--your sadness is so palpable. A little irritated--how can he possibly not know what's been going on in Jerusalem lately--you explain to him your sorrows. Instantly, he starts going through the Old Testament, opening your eyes to the truth that the implosion was God's planned miracle of grace. It was eternally designed to happen that way. Joy overwhelms the sorrow. The stranger joins you for lunch, says the blessing, breaks you off a piece of bread, and . . . Danced on air right back to Jerusalem, don't you think? And wouldn't you love to have that conversation on tape: "Dusty Road Theology 101: Beginning in Genesis?" Or "The Implosions in Your Life are Grace Gifts."

Can you imagine? You're sitting in a room, weary from doing the work God has called you do. Alone. Dare I say depressed. To make matters worse, a young man you had been training to join you in the work, has just told you that he's leaving. "Forget it Paul. I'm going back to really live life! Forget this Jesus stuff." "Ah, Demas, my heart breaks for you. I'm all alone here, Lord. I know, you promise us that you're always with us. Sure feels like I'm alone, though, Lord." A knock at the door. "Titus, my good friend! Where did you come from? The work is prospering? Growing by leaps and bounds? Oh, Titus, so good to see you! What? Feeling lonely? Who me? Yes--I was. But we're never alone you know. He's always standing at the door, knocking." Feeling lonely? Say, is that a knock at the door? Do I hear your phone ringing? Well, look at that . . . a note in the mail. "Lo, I am with you, always."

Imagine you're a prisoner. Yeah, you brought in on yourself. Just got a letter from an old jailer friend in Philippi. He's discouraged--how could the Lord allow you be locked up? (And no Silas there to sing the melody.) How to encourage that church? The new guard walks in, shackles himself to your leg. Smirks, "I hope you're not expecting me to show you any mercy you old Jew." Ahhh---"no, my young Roman, I'm not. But I know this story all about mercy, can I share it with you? I mean, where are you going to go? All chained up like that. Me and you! All afternoon! Can I write a quick letter, first? Dear friend: My time here in prison is wonderful! Caesar's best soldiers are, like you and your family did, coming to find our Savior--and spreading the news throughout Nero's house." The worst of times for the believer is always an opportunity for the best of times. You do have a story to tell.

Imagine! You've just discovered that your great zeal for God was actually a violent rebellion against God! You've been attacking Him by persecuting His children. Blind fool! How can He ever use me for His service again? Why would He even want to? "Paul?" "Yes?" "My name is Ananias. God has an assignment for you. You won't believe what it is?" God's never met a failure that He couldn't use to do His marvelous work of redeeming a lost world.

Just imagine . . .

Two Days I Can't Change

Christians get caught up in the world's desire to repair yesterday and control tomorrow. Both of those days belong to God. A false sense of guilt and worry are both a lack of hope. A false sense of guilt comes when we feel that God can't repair the damage we have done or that we have done so many wrong things that God can't use us anymore. Nothing you have done will stop the God of grace in anyway from doing what is best for His children. That is His delight. We have to understand that God doesn't use us because we are so stupendous and indispensable to His plans but because we are so weak that He can rightfully glorify Himself through us.
Worry comes when we feel as if we are somehow in control of tomorrow and not God. We lose hope because we fear imagined events instead of trusting the God in control of every event. Sometimes, I think, we imagine that God is surprised by what happens--caught off guard.
Both of these "conditions"--false guilt and worry--are products of pride--the greatest lust of the flesh. And they destroy our ability to take full advantage of this day that He has given to us. "Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He might exalt you at the proper time."

Reliability

I love the Old Testament prophets thundering through Israel "Thus says the Lord!" God's mouthpieces, empowered with His authority, they brought the words of God, His witness, His testimony. It could always be relied on. If God said it, it was settled and sure, whether you believed it or not.
My father's favorite verses are found in I John 5: "If we received the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater . . . He that has the Son has the life; and he that does not have the Son of God does not have the life . . . These things I have written to you that you may know that you have eternal life." There is no chance of disappointment by trusting in the testimony of God--"you may know."
It is to the Word, then, that we should go for insight, guidance, and counsel. The testimony of the Lord should be our counselor for it will provide light and understanding whatever decision is to be made. Certainly, it is the Word that the Holy Spirit uses to "guide us into all truth." Those who come to God's reliable testimony give evidence that they are in need of help and unwilling to trust in their own puny wisdom to reach decisions that are sound and wise and right. Only a fool can become wise--and then only a fool who recognizes what he is. It is the Scripture that provides "instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped for all good works." If only we as Christians would not only verbally acknowledge the reliability of the testimony of the Lord, but live as if we believe it--trusting fully "Thus says the Lord" as the only sure way to make wise decisions that will glorify Him. How bizarre that we call Him the truth and then don't believe Him!

No decision is too big or too small in the eyes of the Lord. All decisions are beyond the wisdom and discernment of the simple. Only a simple man can be made wise. We need enough discernment to recognize our lack of it apart from His provision, the Word of God taught by the Holy Spirit of God. "Thy testimonies are wonderful, therefore, does my soul keep them. The entrance of Thy words are light; it gives understanding to the simple."

Significance

If you asked an historian to discuss the significance of Augustus Caesar, he could give you volumes. God gives him one line. If you asked historians to discuss the significance of Abraham, you might get a chapter. God says that all the nations of the earth are blessed through Abraham. We must never get caught up in the world's definition of significance. It is not God's definition. Those who are significant from God's perspective are those who live by faith. They don't need to understand God's directions in order to believe Him. They believe Him, act on His Word, and come to understand His character. Faith precedes understanding, and faith acts in obedience to the commands of God. The man that ruled the greatest empire in history at the peak of its power is not of any importance to God. The man who left everything, lived in tents, but believed God when He told him his descendants would be as uncountable as the stars in the heaven is one of the most significant people the world has ever known. We will find the same to be true when we stand one day in the halls of glory. Countless, nameless, men and women will receive the praise of God because they were faithful to Him. They lived their lives in context. And the context of life? God is on the throne. He is always in complete control. Grace and justice triumph. God honors those who honor Him. And how do I honor the omnipotent, all-wise God? I believe what He says--I please Him by a walk of faith. Each day, every day, I would be like Jesus.

Assyrianism

Did you know that eggs are mentioned in the Bible? In Isaiah 10:14 the king of Assyria is bragging about what a great guy he is. He said that he had captured and destroyed all the kingdoms of the world as easily "as one gathers eggs" from an empty nest. No one even "peeped." They knew that to resist him was futile. He was invincible.
What was God's response? I think you know--the destruction of Assyria. And the job God did was so thorough that for centuries historians didn't even believe that the nation of Assyria had ever existed.
The principle that God was reinforcing was that He is the one who has given every man whatever talents and successes he has. Thus, all the glory belongs to Him and to Him alone. How is that applicable to you and me? The person who is special in God's eyes is not necessarily the one who excels. If you have better athletic skills than someone else, that's not to your credit. God gave you that ability. If you are more intelligent than the other guy, that doesn't make you better than he is, God gave you those brains. If you're more attractive--externally--than the other person, that's God's miracle, not your makeup. He's the one who made you--and the other person--exactly the way He wanted.
What then is the criteria for gaining God's approval? Not the talents you have, nor--in reality--how you use them. But rather, who gets the glory and praise for what you do--for how you use those talents. To boast of your gifts and talents--athletically, academically, even spiritually--is to have a bad case of Assyrianism. To use the old cliche, "you've got all your eggs in one basket"--the basket labeled "Pride." No one has ever carried that basket very far without dropping it. And then every one of those eggs is instantly worthless. Scrambled. Not all they're cracked up to be.
There's only one cure for Assyrianism. I don't think you'd like it. Stop being proud of what you are and begin thanking God for what he made you to be. Don't end up with all your eggs mingled in the dust that was once Assyria.

Any Old Bush

When God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush, the power was in the blaze, not the bush. As someone has said, "any old bush would do." It was the glory and the character of God that Moses needed to see. Not what God was doing, but God. When Moses turned to look, and God was sure He had his attention, then He spoke. God uses a variety of "burning bushes" to get His servants' attention. The problem is we get wrapped up in the bush and fail to see God's glory in the midst of the circumstances. We fail to see that He wants our attention focused on Him so that He might speak to us and call us to greater service. He wants us to worship Him--that alone makes us fit for service.
Who is the God who gets Moses' attention? He is the God of promises Who keeps them all. He is the God of compassion Who comforts His people in all their afflictions. He is the God of blessing yearning to take His people from the bondage of the world to the liberty that is in Christ Jesus. He is the God of battle Who always gains the victory. (Yes, the place of blessing is always occupied by the enemy; you can't gain the victory without a battle.) He is the God of personal presence. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." "I am with you always." He is the God Who uses those who see things as He sees them. He is the God of today, the I AM. He is our God.
Impressed by a burning bush --a great work God is doing in your life or in the lives of those around you? Remember, any old bush would do. God wants you to see Him--His glory, His character. When you see Him, He can use your humility and meekness to reveal His glory to those you encounter, friend or foe alike. "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Captain of our faith."

Pride

One of the subtlest demonstrations of pride--I struggle with it all the time--is to let people love me. Strange, I know, but we often refuse to let people do things for us out of love. God has given them a heart for service, a heart for us, and we try to keep them from helping us or, in simple ways, to say "I love you," through an act of kindness. The reason, I'm afraid, is pride. Oh, it's all right for us to do something for them--and draw attention to ourselves, but we refuse to let them do something for us. You don't "deserve" it, you say. Who does? God loved us before we loved Him. His people who are sensitive to the Spirit are such lovers too. We--and they--need to learn to let God love us through others. So, the next time someone loves you on behalf of the Savior, say "Thank you, I'm glad God put you in my life today to remind me of His never ending love." Trust me, it's not a sin to let God love you through His children. It is a sin to reject His gifts of love.