Why worry?

 

There is something in the human heart that likes to worry. Worry is a false sense of being in control rather than feeling totally helpless. A friend laughs saying, “Why pray when you can worry?”

Worry is taking a task that can be solved or accomplished by God and loading on ourselves, making it my responsibility to ‘fix’ even though I cannot fix it. When that happens, I have decide that I can ‘fix’ it by praying, but instead of asking God to attend to it according to His will, I am telling God what to do, another form of control.

Whether it is mine or another person’s dilemma, what if the problem is actually God’s will? He does allow tough circumstances and uses all things to make His children more like Jesus. We suppose that His will has the purpose of making us happy — without realizing that something might need to change in my heart before I experience the comfort of His joy.

I read this morning how God’s laws are not given in His authority so we will respect His glory, but given in wisdom with the purpose to benefit us.  

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:7–11)

The will of God is perfect. Without it, I would be like an animal, without justice, faith, and other things that are good for body and soul. His world would be changed if everyone could live according to what God wants for us. It be summed up by love God and love one another. Even those who break His laws tend to see and agree that they are good. All realize that love would bring an end to enmity, and the noise of groans and cursing would not be heard. Peace would prevail and much joy and singing would fill the air. As Job 36:22 says, “Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?”

Our problem is not that God wants good. We might agree on that in principle, but are not able to express it in practice. His love is not a mushy feeling and impossible is without the presence of faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. Note this brief description:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)

Mothers can be patient and kind with their babes, but as they grow and have minds of their own, that patience easily gets tainted with other attitudes that do not come from God’s kind of love. I boast about my kids; it makes me look good. I can be arrogant or rude or want my own way. Human love is so often selfish. The only cure is to be filled with the Spirit of God who gives what is needed by producing what I cannot do apart from Him:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22–26)

Love is a God-thing. Being crucified is a gospel event, another God-thing. Keeping in step with the Spirit is another God-thing. I cannot turn off my conceit, or any other bad attitude. I can only confess it as sin and experience the important God-thing of forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). Without that, faking it is a form of boasting (not love) and is also living in my own way (not love).

PRAY: Jesus, I know that worry is not love either. It is a God-denying self-effort to make right something that I cannot fix. It is an arrogance, not love for You or even respect for Your great power. Instead of worry, enable me to love You and encourage those who worry to also love You rather than worry about anything. You rule the universe and because You love us, You can deal with all our teeny problems!

Faith not sight

 

The bottom line — that is always what I want to see. I read mysteries because I love the endings, especially those that surprise me. When I pray, I’m eager to see the answers which are always something unexpected, a surprise.

The problem with this tendency comes when I am seeing only partial progress. Praying and not seeing answers is like reading a mystery story and stopping in the middle of the book. What happened? Who did it? What was the result? Earlier in this Christian life, God brought the realization that faith needs to endure, even without answers. He is always teaching me to be joyful over partial progress and thankful for baby steps. I still struggle with that.

This morning my prayers were for greater strides. Some on my prayer list seem to be the same for years — not at all interested in spiritual matters or in Jesus. I felt like I might die without seeing any answers. One of my friends said both her parents prayed for their children for years, then died, but she was the only one who had been saved. The rest were saved, but after their mom and dad were gone. I don’t want that either.

Today’s reading strongly scolds readers for taking burdens on themselves, burdens that belong to God. We trust Him to run the universe but not to run our own lives. It misses the mark for me because I am trusting Him to run my life. The problem isn’t lack of trust, but impatience. I’d like to learn all He wants me to learn from unanswered prayer and then quickly see what He does after that. In other words, turn the pages, God. I want to see the ending of this mysterious plot that You are writing!

Another reading from “Born to Battle” by R. Arthur Matthews tells me that the bigger issue is not about seeing the results but continuing to pray for the salvation of souls. I’m not to allow my desire for results to interfere with the work of prayer for those results.

Paul was in jail, yet thought about others: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3–6) His mind did not see results yet he was certain that God would complete His work.

Later, this man asked for prayer after describing the necessary ‘wardrobe’ and attitude for prayer. He said:

“…and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:17–20)

This is a rebuke too, milder yet a reminder to stop feeling anxious for results and keep praying for them. One more passage comes to mind:

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14–15)

PRAY: Jesus, I may not see the last chapter, but You remind that You are listening, and I know that You do not want anyone to perish, so I can pray for people to be saved according to Your will and know that You have already written their ending. Forgive my desire to ‘see’ and fill me with that faith that believes in You without any evidence in these matters except Your gracious promises. As a song says, make my heart believe. Amen.

Keeping short accounts with God…

 

A few weeks ago, a Christian friend said she didn’t need to confess sin as that had been done when she was saved. God had already forgiven all her sin, past, present, and future. She was startled at the teaching of keeping short accounts with God as the NT says:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:7–10)

This passage is not in past tense. God knows that if I sin, the guilt of it can cripple me as it puts my focus on failure and defeats future efforts. That is not the only reason for short accounts. Sin spoils fellowship with God and often with one another. When I am being selfish, no one wants to talk to me, and God does not use me until I clear it up with Him in confession and repentance.

That said, today’s reading speaks of a failure to grasp the “much more” of Scripture that tells me God wants to do things in my life that are above and beyond my imagination. The remedy given is to have more faith, to abandon forever our “much less” of unbelief, to accept as true God’s declaration of “much more,” and to claim at once the promised victory. It adds, “According to our faith it must and will be to us.”

But what can ruin faith more than sin and unconfessed sin? Sin comes when I put myself in the driver’s seat and run my own life according to my own ideas. They might seem good or be very selfish, but either way, I’m turning from the will of God and stopped trusting Him. Is God going to fill me with His Spirit and bless me with a fruitful life while I am like that? Of course not. It is only the promise of 1 John 1:9 that gives me forgiveness and a clean heart, and with that, He will fill me with His Spirit and direct my thoughts and actions according to His will. Otherwise, I’ve come up against a wall, a roadblock, and cannot advance. Sin separates. It cannot be ignored.

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)

The free gift of Christ’s righteousness is not going to show up in my life when I’ve turned from it to run my own life. Just as Jesus said that I cannot serve both God and money, I also cannot serve both God and myself. My work, attitudes, even worship, is something He pours in. In myself, I can do nothing and if sin blocks His blessings, I cannot deny it and carry on as if I’m okay.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4)

Abiding is about continuing or staying in harmony with the Lord. Sin messes with that and renders me useless in serving Him. I cannot serve Him and at the same time serve myself. Such sin, even the attitude of ‘me, myself, and I’ must be confessed, forgiven, and cleansed to get me back into abiding and living for Him.

PRAY: Lord, You are continually making me more sensitive to Your rebuke and correction. When I  neglect continual confession and become more and more self-centered, I know that I’ve lost touch with You and that Your focus for me changes. Instead of hearing my prayers for others who have needs, You concentrate on convicting and changing my attitude — my dire need. Thank You for loving me so much that You do not ignore any of my sinfulness, and will do whatever it takes to help me acknowledge it and bring it to the foot of the cross. You want me to be bold and guilt-free, knowing Your love and relying on You for all things.

Empty and Filled

Forty plus years ago, God called my husband to Himself. He responded to the gospel at the end of a sermon in a legalist church. Soon after, he decided we should go to another church and there he attended a class called, “Fundamentals of the Faith.” This was helpful. One of the elders in that church also offered instruction concerning his walk with the Lord.

He illustrated his point with an upright glass, saying that God would fill our lives with the Holy Spirit as long as that glass was empty of sin. However, if we disobey God, the glass would ‘tip over’ and no longer be ruled by the Lord’s fullness. This man tipped the glass. Then he said the next thing to be done was confessing the sin and repenting. The glass was again turned up, empty and filled by God’s Spirit. He added as he repeated the tipping and upright motions, “You can expect this, yet as you keep doing your part, you will stay upright longer” indicating that being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit depended on keeping short accounts with God concerning sin.

Both of us learned another truth, this time illustrated by pruning a tree. God begins with the obvious sin, the ‘dead big branches’ and it seems like an axe. Then He switches to the not so obvious and uses a pruning knife, eventually working to the sins that most people do not notice and cutting the useless twigs out with a scalpel. Both these illustrations are NT principles. A few verses:

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:15–18)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8–9)
  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1–2)

Being filled with the Spirit is not a matter of choice, but a matter of being emptied of anything else that would rule my life. Simple I-wants, being occupied with worldly matters, having my own agenda, rejecting the known will of God to do my own thing, even if it is not considered sinful. These reflect an attitude of not trusting God to run my life.

Today my body is tired and the to-do list is long. I’ve a meeting at 1:00 and a group Bible study this evening. Right now, I’d rather go back to bed and forget both things, never mind the chore list. Yet I need to listen to Jesus. He said, “Not my will but Thine be done” and under far greater pressure to tip over than my paltry excuses.

PRAY: Jesus, years ago You made us aware that there would be days like this. I can think of many excuses to stay home, if not just the depth of the snow and the icy roads. But out of love for Your Father and for a sin-filled world, You stayed at the place You were called to stay, and then suffered for me. Doing what You want me to do today is nada compared to that. I am such a whiner. Forgive me. Truly I need the fullness of Your Spirit, even if, and especially when I do not feel like moving forward into doing what You ask, even when those tasks will no doubt be totally enjoyable. I cannot will You to fill me, only confess that I’m up to here with a bad attitude and confess it so You can clean out my cup and set me upright and ready to move with You.

 

Saved by what?

 

The author of this year’s devotional seems to write for those who are in constant doubt of their salvation. I finally did a bit of research and discovered that this person was involved in the “Holiness Movement” in the USA. Churches aligned with the holiness movement teach that the life of a born again Christian should be free of sin. Their emphasis is on “a second work of grace” which is called “entire sanctification” or “Christian perfection.” The Bible says this about claiming no sin:

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5–10)

Striving to be sinless so as to be “entirely sanctified” and be a perfect Christian causes all sorts of problems. The Bible is clear that we will not have that perfection of behavior this side of heaven. It is also clear that our perfection is in Christ, not in ourselves or our ‘good works’ for we are saved by faith, not by anything we do. The verses that talk about being perfect are about wholeness in our faith, trusting Jesus alone for redemption. “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:8–11)

Another danger is that those who strive for perfection may not have Christ in their life at all. He was perfect and did not strive for it. Faith in Him means that I have all that He is. My striving is human effort and no one is saved by human effort. This ‘second blessing’ doctrine is dangerous for it puts faith in ‘how I am doing’ rather than in the One who does it for me. It also appeals to sinful pride.

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:9–12)

Where what I believe and what the holiness movement believes agrees is that all are sinners and depraved because of original sin. I believe that sin ruins all my choices for it makes all I do based on what I want and think. The author of this devotional believes that God’s grace gives them some sense of right and wrong and enough spiritual “light” to make a free choice for Christ. I agree that grace gives that sense, but it also grants faith — my choosing is not the issue. When faith is granted, we just know that we are saved as the Bible says: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

This may not seem an important issue. Those with either view can be genuine believers, or not. Both can be relying on their own works, either to be saved or to keep themselves saved, or to ‘grow’ in their faith. The biggest danger is not being saved at all because of refusing to admit the need to be saved. I hear “I don’t need that” and “I am a good person” far more than any claims to be a Christian for the wrong reasons.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, You know who belongs to You and You know what to do with those who do not, because You know the human heart. I’m so thankful that I don’t have to figure it out for others. I just know that You granted me the faith to trust You and not myself. I don’t like being helpless. However, it means knowing and loving You, so I’m glad to have realized it, and realize how much I need You, and how much You have done for me. Thank You.

The assurance of faith…

 

These days it seems much easier to see the evil and hardness of heart in the world than it is to see the grand things that God is doing. The focus on bad news fits with media’s mantra of “It bleeds, it leads” while the good news often has Jesus Christ stamped all over it and is filed away.

For example, we watched a narrowly won football game and in the interview of a winning team member, that player gives glory to the Lord for his ability to play well. Then the program abruptly switches to a commercial.

Months ago, a group of missionaries were abducted by criminals. When they returned home, the news reported their rescue, but the mission board website told of a miraculous escape with a locked door left open and they simply walked out and went home. No rescue involved, but the media does not like mysterious events that point to ‘only God’ so the story became tainted.
This builds a distrust in the media, and it goes two ways. I’m not sure anyone would believe it if they did report the God-events that happen.

The Bible says there will be events that are currently unimaginable, even for those who know and love God, except that God has a way of cluing us in:

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9–10)

Revelations from God are difficult to describe for they are not based on presumption, or some inner, strong ‘I want’ but on the power of God to communicate by faith without visible evidence. It is a sense of knowing. Some will say, “God told me” but this has been used by those who presume, or are listening to a strong inner desire, so it is has become a suspect reason to dismiss those statements.

One NT definition of faith uses creation, along with understanding God’s acceptance of His people, as an example:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1–3)

I just know that God created all things. I’ve read the evolution arguments and heard what is said, but in my heart, I just know the biblical account is true. I also know that God accepts me because of Christ and what He has done for me. Neither are visible in the sense of having a sensory proof, but faith just knows.

Without faith, all this seems ridiculous. No matter. The Bible also says:

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:14–16)

At times, my mind will get distracted by media, contrary reports, blah, blah, blah, but the mind of Christ is powerful. He keeps telling me to not listen to any feeble human attempts to describe the world, but pay attention to the powerful thoughts He gives, thoughts of faith that cover not only the personal problems that I struggle with, but the events in the world that seem so godless and filled with evil intent. Faith tells me that God remains sovereign, that He has a plan that will work out just as He desires. The news may report that ‘many have died’ but the language of the Lord says ‘much more are being saved’ whether I can see the evidence or not.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33)

PRAY: Faith in You has visible results, the main one being Your peace in my heart. I don’t know what You are doing in the world, nor my family, nor even in my own life at times. But I do know You are who You are — and You can be trusted. Your wisdom and knowledge are complete, total, and correspond to Your holiness, love, and plan for this world, and for my life. Unsearchable and inscrutable are big words, yet the little word ‘faith’ overcomes their power — because of You.

 

Pray up a storm — or rest in a calm?

 

Many of those on my prayer list do not call themselves Christian and show no sign of trusting Jesus Christ — for their salvation or in any way. They are unresponsive to spiritual conversation, not hostile but not interested. Today’s devotional reading is about having faith in God to do what He wants for their lives.

Because I trust God to take care of me, I can trust Him to take care of others, whether they believe or not. Not only did He send Jesus to die for them, but His sovereign care governs whatever happens in their lives.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Even if they presently do not believe, because God is “over all things” He is able to reach their hearts and as Jesus prayed: “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” (John 17:6)

And I can pray to this end too, for He is able to do it: “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

After praying for many years for most of them, the Lord impresses these things on me, and that those people are far more loved by Him than I am. I cannot keep them in my care as well as He can keep them in His care. In being anxious for their salvation, am I any more anxious than God?!

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

The reading tells of a mother who was anxious for her unbelieving sons. Finally she realized God’s care was greater than her own and she “put those she loved into the fortress of God by faith and left them there, abandoning them to the care of God.” Her anxiety vanished and she was filled with perfect peace, sensing these sons were God’s sons now and no longer hers. Because He loved them far better than she could, He would care for them far more wisely and effectually. She was ready to do whatever He wanted, but became content to leave them in His hands.

This is not a copout. Anyone who prays for loved ones knows the pain of unanswered prayer, yet to stop caring is unthinkable. In this ‘trial of faith’ the answer seems to be to witness to them, do something, at least keep praying, yet this story shows that God can be looking for total trust rather than building persistence.

PRAY: Jesus, You tell me to share with others, to pray for them. To knock and keep knocking and the door will be opened, but You also tell me to be still and know You are God. In spiritual battles for the souls of people, there are times to say things, or to pray without ceasing, but also times to rest on Your promises and trust You to answer my prayers in the best time and the best possible way. Help me, and all those who pray, to know the difference and respond according to Your will.

Love is not irritable…

Last night we met with friends to study and pray, particularly for our families, but also for ourselves and the things that keep us from being like Jesus, even with our grown children. Several of them are not walking with the Lord and that is a focus for our time together. We are studying 1 Corinthians 13 in depth, particularly each statement that tells what love is like or not like. Last night, our concentration came from:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful. (1 Corinthians 13:4–5)

Love is not irritable. This refers to not having a short fuse or a quick temper, but goes deeper. It is about retaliation when criticized, getting angry or just annoyed when things don’t go the way we want or expect. It is about a negative reaction when someone does something that is upsetting to us. If we love our adult children (or our spouse, or even God) it will not result in striking back in any way or even thinking it. Another way to say it is that love is gracious even when attacked. Jesus demonstrated it well:

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:19–24)

This example of how to respond to any sort of mistreatment is convicting. Even if I am not upset about personal harm, but irritable at anyone for anything, my response should be like His:

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1 Peter 3:14–18)

One example: in the realm of what makes me feel loved, I am blessed when others hear me, give attention to my thoughts and discuss ideas with me. However, if I say something and the other person seems to ignore it, forget it, or otherwise treat me as if they didn’t even hear what I said, I feel unloved. This is painful and to escape pain, I am like many others — I get ticked, annoyed, or outright irritable and retaliate with complaining. This Bible study made me realize the selfishness of such a response. Love does not respond like that. If I obey the two great commands to love God and love others, they are really only one command. I show my love for God by how I love others. But if my attitude is irritation to anyone, I’m not loving them, nor am I loving God.

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:20–21)

After all, whatever others do is under the sovereign will of God. If their actions bring out irritation in me, God is trying to show me something; that I’m not being loving. One quote says this: “… You have the choice to launch into your lousy habitual patterns, or to stay with the rawness and discomfort of the situation and let it transform you” to be more like Jesus, to trust Him even when things go awry.

PRAY: Jesus, not being irritated, even with small things, means being like You. You reserved ire for serious matters that offend God, and never reacted negatively to personal attacks, even in a small way. Oh my, I have a long way to go, with confessions and some apologies to make.

 

A Joyful Noise

An OT passage telling the Israelites about their future home says: “The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.” (Ezekiel 48:35) Another prophet says: “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord.” (Zechariah 2:10)

In the NT, Jesus ends the great commission with “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20) adding to what He’d already said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20) The last book sums it up:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3–4)

The entire Bible gives assurance to the people of God this one answer to our fears and anxieties of facing life alone, or without help, or worse — without Him. He says, “I will be with thee” and did not need to say more. His presence guaranteed all our needs would be supplied. At the moment of this assurance, all fear vanishes and bold confidence returns.

For most of the week, it seemed God was far away. I’ve not had that sense for a long time, not since a classic book described His presence being like the air around me. Yesterday, I expressed this horrible feeling of being abandoned, a return to my biggest fear. I did not want to pray as it seemed He was not here to listen. My emotions were low, as if nothing mattered. I had asked what to do with my time in this new place — no answer. It seemed He was saying nothing.

Then I went to my usual Thursday time of prayer. One other person came and we talked about our burdens and as we did, that promise about “where two or three are gathered in my name” became a reality. The sense of His presence returned along with assurance that He had never left.

This seemed a ‘new Christian’ test, not for old timers like me, but it was a test — and a reminder that the foundations are always important. God’s eternal presence with His people is a foundation. I do not need His surprises or answers to prayer to know that He is always with me. Was I headed in that direction? Not sure, but certainly glad that this test didn’t last longer than it did.

What amazed me (again) is that I did not do anything to get from darkness back to light. God did that. My praying friend started talking about a mutual concern and did not say anything profound, but in the middle of it, the Lord seemed to fill the room with light and my heart with joy. Later, when I got home, an email came with some good news about a lost item being found. Then later, more news of a relative who had a stroke and was expected to die, but he is laughing and communicating with a whiteboard. More answered prayer.

PRAY: Jesus, Your presence first, then joy, then answered prayers and more joy. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11) What more to say than to make a joyful noise to You with songs of praise!

When God seems far away…

 
There are times when it seems God is off somewhere and with His back turned. In reading about His great wisdom, it is obvious that He knows how I feel, why this is allowed, and what He wants from me in this time of feeling awry, even though I know that nothing has changed. I am His child, made righteous by faith in Christ, and able to live for Him because of Him.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction… (Romans 3:21–22)

He also knows that this righteousness is mine in that I don’t need to strive for it. It is the same as forgiveness. Confess sin and forgiveness is not only available on a sin-to-sin basis, but all taken care of more than two thousand years ago at Calvary. When He chose me, saved me, and gave me His Spirit, He also granted me His mind, gentleness, meekness, peace, love, joy, and all that I need to live for Him. His virtue is not a commodity in a cupboard that I have to go fetch; it is already mine. The only thing that prevents me from living like Christ is trying to do it without Him. Just as many try to be “Christian” in behavior, so also many of the OT people tried to do it, as Paul described:

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:2–4)

Jesus teaches me that He is my righteousness and trying to establish it on my own is folly. The OT tells me that:

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. (Isaiah 64:6–7)

This is not the only time that His face seems hidden, yet I’m getting a vague understanding that in His wisdom, there are times when it seems that He does it that I might remember how weak and blind I am without Him. I’m not aware of any particular sin that demands confession, only vague shadows flitting about. This is usually Satan who is up to one of his specialties. This is described:

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:10–11)

The enemy accuses even as Jesus defends. I’m okay in Christ. His blood secured my victory. My testimony reinforces it. Having little concern for my life compared to dying is also part of that victory. It is easy to criticize others who seem more concerned for comfort than God’s will, yet I also need to pay attention to this myself. Do the discomforts and burdens of life pull me away from God and how He might want to use it to change me in some way? Is the sense of His absence part of an important test or lesson?

You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! (Psalm 27:8–9)

PRAY: I’m glad that You know all things. I’m in the dark about my life all this week, a downer after weeks of a new blessing every day. Did I fall into loving the blessings more than I love you, or is that one of the devil’s accusations that is simply not true? May You make this plain, not so I am happier but that You are glorified and blessed. Thank You.

Later: God is amazing. Big prayers answered. He turns me around and then smiles at me!

Imputed Righteousness - a gift!

 

The author of today’s devotional reading says that few Christians really understand the meaning of Christ being our righteousness. Is that true? Or are there many people who call themselves Christians and simply have not had any revelation from the Holy Spirit about this and are trying to live the Christian life without the rebirth and imputed righteousness that comes as a gift from God?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17–21)

These verses describes what happens when a person is truly saved. Their life is changed because Jesus takes our sin and gives us His righteousness. As the Bible says,

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:28–31)

I have heard boasting. Proud voices say, “When I chose Jesus” yet Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16)

Salvation is a work of God. A genuine believer cannot repeat words like justified or made righteous as part of some religious vocabulary nor have a vague idea of what this means. These are truths God reveals. We can forget them at times (when flesh takes over), but because of the Holy Spirit, we know that His new life has even given to us.

The devotional writer rightly says “I cannot explain it theologically” yet speaks of righteousness as a supply we can draw from God when needed, as if behavior is the only meaning of righteousness. New life does change a person’s way of doing things, but it is first a statement of who we are in Christ. His righteousness is not a mere commodity to draw on in fresh supply as if it were a jug of milk or a head of lettuce. It is a declaration of how God now sees me because of this great trade made by Jesus Christ when He bore my sin and died for it.

The Bible essentially tells me who I am in Christ and how to live as who I am. It does not list the character traits of Jesus as something to draw on when I feel like it, but this is my new nature and He has given it to me. Because of Jesus, I am righteous, holy, set apart for Him. It was His choice to grant this, not anything I did or can boast about. Faith believes it, and faith glorifies the One who gives it.

PRAY: Jesus, if nothing else I am reviewing Your admonition to “defend the faith” as I read and try to understand ideas that put the onus on people for the work that You alone can and will do. To say I can draw a fresh supply of goodness when I need it is a sad understanding that makes some if not all of Your saving work my responsibility rather than Yours. Perhaps those who think this way have trouble with the “low and despised” part of salvation’s description and need something to boost their ego. I don’t know. All I know is that You saved me — for no other reason than it was Your choice to grant me forgiveness and new life. How can I express my gratitude other than glorifying You for what You have done?!

God is in the chaos

The human idea of peace is that it must be outward before it can be inward, that all conflict and problems must be solved before we can feel okay. But the Lord’s idea is an inner peace that can exist in the midst of turmoil and can be triumphant over it.

Jesus is peace. He is in control of what happens in my life and His intentions for me are good. He tells me that I can have joy in trials:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

Right now, most of my ‘trials’ are heavy burdens that others carry or thing happening to other people that make me feel pain for them. Personally, my trials are nothing compared to most of them, yet when my stomach churns over these and personal issues, I need to remember where my peace and joy come from. When life is not going well (or even when it is) Jesus tells me to abide in Him.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:1–11)

Abiding is sticking with Jesus, remaining in a mindset of trust. As always, trust is hand in hand with obedience. I’m to do what He says, even when circumstances are screaming at me and life is very challenging. He gives me something to do also:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

PRAY: Jesus, getting older brings challenges, questions of how much time do I have, what are the most important things on that never-ending to-do list, who and what to pray for, and how can I deal with a myriad of distractions? Lots of ideas, days not long enough, many responsibilities, a sense of nothing being important and everything being important. Today, this over-burdened mind needs rest, but You know best what I need, so I will lay it all at Your feet and take You up on that offer of peace that passes all understanding. Please guard my heart and mind today. Grant clear direction and that amazing sense of You being with me in the chaos of life this day.

Leaving the answers with God

 

There are two kinds of spiritual battles. One is a battle in prayer against the lies and purposes of my enemy the devil. The other is wrestling against God over something He wants and I don’t. The first is a battle of faith for the right ends. The second is a battle of “not Your will, but mine” which is contrary to faith and to my heart that trusts God to desire the best for me.

This second war is not always about a lack of faith. I know the power of God and that He can do all things, and I am not doubting that; I just don’t want the tough stuff. I have a friend who is very old, very sick and I do not want her to die, yet when I pray I know that I must trust God to do His perfect will in her life. He knows the best time to take her home; I don’t. This is just a small spat. There are others that are filled with turmoil. Again, these disagreements with God are not about doubts but about the I-wants that seem contrary to what He is doing. I trust His judgement but at times do not like it.

Concerning this wrestling match, today’s reading brings up the example of Jacob.

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh. (Genesis 32:24–32)

Jacob’s victory was not in wrestling but in becoming weak to the point that he was unable to continue. It was not Jacob who wrestled with the angel but the angel who wrestled with Jacob. Jacob was the one to be overcome. When the angel found that Jacob’s resistance was so great that he could not prevail against him, he was obliged to make him lame by putting his hip out of joint. Then the victory was won. Jacob gained power when he lost it; he conquered when he could no longer fight.

I can relate to this. The Lord wrestles with me to bring me to entire dependence on Him. I resist until I feel totally helpless and have to give up. As much as I am stubborn and hate to lose, He is teaching me what has become a very important lesson:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

 PRAY: Yielding to Your will has shown up as a bonus in so many ways. This move is only one. In surrendering my I-wants, You keep surprising me with better than I could have imagined. This brings to mind all the prayer requests that I make in deep conviction that the only possible answer is what I come up with — and many times praying seems like a wrestling match with You, not with the enemy and not putting my desires on the mat. You remind me again that giving up isn’t about ceasing to want You to act, but about ceasing to insist that the answers fit with my ideas of what You should do. In other words, I don’t need to let go of You, but only need to ask for a blessing and be totally surprised at what You do about the burdens on my heart.

God does not require my permission

Today’s reading is another ‘finger shaking’ admonishment to let the Lord take care of me, as if He does not do this without my permission. Three examples from this week alone are related to problems regarding our new home that needed fixing. The first was with a furnace and the ‘expert’ said we needed to get a new one or spend several hundred dollars to fix it. The next person came to do something else, looked at the furnace and fixed it, adding it was a superior model and should last for another decade.

The second was a tap that ran only cold water, nothing on the hot side. The plumber wanted over $300 to fix it. The same worker who fixed the furnace fixed that problem too — without charge and in less than five minutes. I said, “You don’t have wings but you are an angel.”

The third issue was a crooked appliance we could not fix. My love of geometry felt annoyance every time I looked at it. A bathroom renovator came to make an estimate on another project and I asked him to add “straighten this fixture” to the list. He laughed, and immediately did it, no charge.

Since I believe God is involved in all things, I called him an angel too and thanked the Lord for being in the details and looking out for us — without a prayer for help or even thinking “I must turn to God with this issue.” So when someone tells me “we are very slow to learn this. When temptations come, instead of handing the battle over to the Lord we summon all our forces to fight them ourselves. We believe, perhaps, that the Lord is somewhere near, and if the worst comes to worst, He will step in to help us. But for the most part we feel that we ourselves and we only must do all the fighting” I feel a bit insulted, yet mostly that God is being insulted. He promises to take care of us, knows all things, knows our needs, and is not standing over me with baited breath waiting for my “Go for it” as if I am in charge of His life and He needs my permission for anything.

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14)

I began life with Him by the power of His Spirit, yet like the church in Galatia, this is not to say that I’ve never tried to fight my own battles without thought that God would help me or that I must now rely on the flesh, as if I’m saved by grace but now must live by works. This is the posture of many Christians. We have a proud streak and like children we think, “I can do this myself.” Or we don’t know much about God and His care so assume we need to take care of all problems ourselves.

However, when someone else is trying to change that fleshy thinking, a finger-shaking accusation is seldom appropriate or helpful. Some need a gentle reminder of God’s love and trustworthiness. Most need encouragement rather than a strong rebuke. Not every Christian is so full of themselves and their own ability that they will turn down God’s help.

The other issue is being blamed that God is not helping because I won’t let Him. Really? How long does it take to learn that I don’t rule God? Not long. My will be done not Your will? Do any Christians pray that way? Maybe telling God what to do rather than accepting what He is doing borders on such thinking, yet only when He allows strong calamities to teach me that I cannot run my own life. I want to be comfortable, but He knows what I need.

Refusals to yield to His care suggest that such resistance is coming from someone who does not know Him at all. How can we think that the One who died for all our sin before we even knew He cared, is now unable to care about any other problem we have so we must take care of them ourselves?

PRAY: Jesus, human pride has to be at the root of such ideas, and thinking everyone struggles in resistance to Your help seems to be rooted in some idea that we control what You do for us, as if You have buttons we can push. This spells an ignorance of who we are, but even more, an oblivion to who You are. You are God and I am not. I don’t keep all my promises and I don’t control much of anything. I get involved in the world, sometimes find an appeal in Satan’s lies, and my old human nature is wrong all the time. None of that is true of You. You, like a parent, help me when I am dragging my childish heels in resistance. You died for me while I was still a sinner and You live for me every moment, every day doing things to help me know You and live for You. Whether I am being ornery or being obedient — You are God.

Oblivious to the obvious

Years ago someone asked, “If money, education, or any other circumstance was not an issue, what would you like to do with your life?” My selfish ambition gave what I thought was a noble response: “I would like to start a Bible school.” I later found out that several prominent schools had begun because of a woman, so that justified my ambition. At the time, I didn’t consider the will of God nor what changes my life needed to make that ambition happen.

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” (Matthew 20:20–22)

These two boys didn’t realize it either, nor did their mother. It didn’t matter what they thought of themselves. The reality was that their present lives contradicted what they asked for and they seemed oblivious to the obvious, just as I was in the same state of oblivion about my ambition.

Eventually they figured it out, just as God opened my understanding to the difference between such ambition and the humility required — plus a great many other character qualities and learning experiences. Another Christian servant and a half-brother of Jesus wrote this:

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13–18)

Sometimes I feel the pull of selfish ambition just by wondering why God didn’t give me much in the arena of important work, or at least how I would define important. This passage always convicts me. The description “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” puts me in my place. God isn’t looking for people who want to set the world on fire, or make headlines, or even do outstanding things. He wants an entirely different list of accomplishments — none that can be obtained by my efforts.

First, some self-examination. How am I like James and John? How do my words, attitudes, and choices contradict the very gospel that I love and defend? Am I impatient with people? Do I talk unkindly about others? How could I lead an educational institution if I was not able to live up to the principles that would govern the curriculum? What would my staff do with my weak faith or my  rudeness, or insincerity, or my irritability with them or others?

PRAY: Jesus, You are my patient teacher. To lead others requires far more gifts and a deeper character than I have. I’m just grateful to be in your classroom, gifted with your righteousness, and secure because of Your grace. Each time I eat the bread and drink the cup, You remind me of Your death and that I am united to your life. You call me to your likeness and I’ve no right to be upset over anyone’s sin but my own. Keep working to make me less oblivious to my obvious need for your transforming grace and change all my ambitions to the most important one — that I will always listen to You and obey what You say.

When “believers” stray…

 

When I was a new Christian, I attended a church for a while that taught the opposite of what I believed. They had the idea that a person willed to believe and could do the opposite and ‘unwill’ it and lose their salvation. They pointed to texts in Scripture that seemed to say that, often taking them out of context.

One verse says: “For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:14) and seems to put the onus on us to hang in there. In light of many other verses, I read it as saying that the mark of true faith was being firmly confident to the end.

These days my prayer list includes several young people that might be called prodigals. They started out in a Christian family, going to church, professing faith, but as they grew older, they walked away. Perhaps their faith was a choice, something like today’s reading suggests:

“Just take your childhood Psalm and say, ‘This is my Psalm, and I am going to believe it. I have always known it by heart, but it has never meant much to me. But now I have made up my mind to believe that the Lord really is my Shepherd and that He will care for me as a shepherd cares for his sheep. I will not question it again.’ ”

The problem is that this is not a good description of saving faith. The Bible says:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

As Jesus said, saving faith is a relationship. It is also a gift that comes through hearing God speak and gives deep assurance and a conviction of truth without being able to ‘see’ it. In other words, if my mom or anyone else told me what I should believe, spelled it out, gave me verses to read, but God did not apply them to my heart and I did not hear Him speak, then this ‘faith’ was learned, not the same as the gift that changed my life.

Sometimes those with that kind of ‘learned faith’ stay in the church, think they are a believer, do good things, but their faith is not what Jesus said it should be:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21–23)

A friend says that true faith knows Jesus and this results in them beginning to be like Him. That changed life is evidence that God has been at work. Paul said: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

Genuine faith, given by God, is a done deal. Once changed, I will never be unchanged. How can ‘eternal’ be temporary? How can the promises of God be turned back? Not by any doubts I might have, for if have such a problem. He simply does things to show me the reality of His grace and saving power.

My prayers for these ‘prodigals’ is not that they get sick of eating pig food (though that might help), but that they hear the voice of Christ, that He will speak grace to them and they will be offered His gift and accept it. Some do but let doubts move them from the congregation, but if they are God’s, He will finish what He started and bring them back. Some do not. They only heard people telling them what they should believe and do, not Jesus. They need to hear Him and know Him, not dogma and doctrine or they will not come back.

PRAY: Lord, You know hearts. I don’t, but I do know that Your firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19) and that You want no one to perish. Bring the stragglers home to Your great heart and help me to show them the love that also brought me to You and forever keeps me close.

What do we really need?

In last night’s group Bible study, the prayer requests brought sadness to our hearts. One friend just recovered from a fall with many broken bones only to be told her cancer had returned — and that her husband has stage four cancer. Three families have lost a wife, mom, sister, or parent. Relatives are in hospital with serious ailments. New immigrants struggle to find jobs and are needy. One couple is facing several challenges in serving Christ. Three young people in our church struggle with autism.

I felt odd to be the only one in our group with no physical problems. Not only that, the speaker in a video we watched said, “God brings trials into our lives for a purpose and when that purpose is accomplished, He removes the trial.” Most of the praying involved requests to remove the trials.

One topic of discussion involved reasons why people do not want to hear the gospel. We agreed that the main human goal is to be comfortable, and yet was that not our focus in praying for those whose lives are filled with trials? I face some, yet God keeps blessing me with verses like this:

I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. (Jeremiah 32:40)

He has shown me that my trials are to teach me that He is God and I am not. If I cannot see what He is doing in the trial, He at least gives me a mysterious ability to accept it as His will and trust Him to use it for my good:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

My friends around the table verbally agree, yet what they really want is the trial to  go away and for all those on our list of needy people to be happy and comfortable. For me, being happy and comfortable in the trials made me feel almost like survivor’s guilt. At the same time, I wanted everyone to deeply trust the Lord to the point that their trial was a source of peace rather than something to get rid of.

Many times Jesus did things for the troubled. He made water into wine when the wine ran out at a wedding. He raised to life the son of a grieving mother. He forgive the sin of an accused woman. He healed infirmities and gave sight to the blind… all this to show that He was doing the will of God. That is, God is not a meanie, yet for Him my holiness is more important than my comfort. He did make it a priority:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31–33)

As His child, I’m to want what He wants. The Scriptures make it clear that being like Jesus is His goal for me and since I’m not like Jesus in so many ways, I’m to be willing to accept whatever He uses to accomplish that goal.

So why then did Jesus heal and help the needy like He did then, and yet now uses suffering for that purpose rather than remove it? Jesus did say that “the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.” (John 5:36) In that time, He healed to show He was sent by God. Now, He uses the trials to build faith and to give us opportunity to show others that He makes it possible for His followers to be transformed by hardship.

God designed salvation’s plan. He is the only one who can open eyes to see the mysteries of Christ in it, to help us realize that “we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear.” (Luke 1:74) and to also know that even thought His righteousness gives us a title to heaven; there must be a holiness to make us fit for heaven.

PRAY: Jesus, only You know why some suffer as they do, and what You want to accomplish in their lives. I don’t. I don’t always understand Your purposes for my own trials. This issue is not asking You to remove them, but to use them for Your purposes, and to totally trust You with the trials You bring into my life and the lives of others.

Joy in listening for the next thing…

 

Years ago a friend and I attended a women’s conference featuring a well-known Christian missionary and author as the main speaker. At lunchtime, I suggested to my friend that we sit at an empty table and see who joined us. Long story short, that speaker sat at our table.

During lively conversation, someone asked her how she managed to get so much done in her busy life. She replied, “I just do the next thing — and I alway know what it is.”

This response told me that she also listened to the Holy Spirit for His instruction. From personal experience, I know that my old nature is not always that clear about what to do next. I can be easily confused or distracted, but when the Spirit is in charge, then her words made complete sense.

Today’s reading agrees. It says my part is simple; all I need to do is trust the Lord and follow what He says. He decides my day — when I wake up, the interruptions and interaction with others, who calls, and so on. I don’t have to plan.

However, this is not 100% for there are times when the “next thing” is planning. This move is one example. With so many boxes to unpack and decisions to make about what to keep and what to pass along, we didn’t sleep well. Too much on our minds. The Spirit gave me a solution: every night, write a plan for the next day, including regular activities such as worship, devotions and prayer, exercise, and even a menu for supper. It works. I know tomorrow before my head hits the pillow and do not need to stew about it then or when I wake in the middle of the night.

This is not the same as ‘taking matters into my own hands’ because doing this happens with a listening ear. Even though the Lord usually leads me with one step at a time, for this problem in life, He takes me ahead so I can rest. What a lovely Shepherd. I can rest in His plan and get things done without stressing over what is not yet done. There is no fear in following the leading of Jesus, for He is just as the psalmist wrote:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1–6)

This beloved psalm is often repeated yet living it provides a great experience. It uses words like not wanting and lying down, being restored, glorifying Him by righeous living, no fear even of death, being with me, being comforted by His protection and correction, overflowing blessing, goodness and mercy, and being with Him always. And most of all, finding these things true as I listen and do the next thing. His leading and control of my life is a blessing almost beyond description. With Him:

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:13)
Then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:6; 10)

PRAY: Lord, these days have been physically exhausting, yet rest for my soul. You know how to get things done without stress or feeling as if the burden is too great. With so much to do, I’d normally be anxious, yet listening to You for “the next thing” has deeply made a difference. I look around me at the order appearing out of chaos and bless Your wisdom and grace for allowing me to trust and follow You, and to do it with joy. Thank You.

Pride and worth…

 

Not too long ago, a professing Christian said to me, “I feel so unworthy…” and I replied, “That is exactly how God wants us to think.”

No one is worthy of salvation. There is no distinction for “all have for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24) The gospel is not for ‘worthy’ people for there are none. As it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:10–18)

Those who say they are not worthy often say this as a complaint, as a “I wish I were a better person” and are trying to make the gospel about them and their worth. It is a pride thing to want to earn my salvation, to be able to say I am worthy of such an incredible gift.

Pride shows up in so many ways. It focuses on the failures of others, is fault-finding, independent, wants to prove I am right, wants self-advancement, is confident, or self-conscious, quick to blame others, quick to cover up sin or excuse it, and so on. I have a list and try not to read it too often for it is very convicting. Nevertheless, the Lord knows how to humble a proud heart and the only way to avoid the pain of that is to say yes to it.

The above passage provides an outline for those who are washed by the gospel:

“You are given the righteousness of Christ and the Holy Spirit has blessed you with an understanding so that you now seek God. Rather than turning from Him, you now turn to Him and have great worth in His sight. You are now able to do good because He lives in you. Your words can tell others of His grace and bring good news to others who are still lost in sin. The goodness of God can now flow out of you as you praise Him in joy. You are quick to bring life to those who are spiritually dead because you now know the way of life and peace with God. Your distain for Him has become reverent love and respect…”

The flesh wants all the credit, even to say “I accepted Christ” even though Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16)

Humility admits no worth yet declares the incredible worth of the One who saves, the One who did all the work and declared, “It is finished” at the moment of His death.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

PRAY: Pride is easy to declare. Humility not so much. As soon as I think I have it, i’m reverting back to boasting. Jesus, You know my ups and downs, the things that mess with my mind and the struggle to wait on You without boasting about it. I know I’m set free and that freedom means living without thinking much about myself, but about You and about others. Keep me in the right place and frame of mind that most glorifies You. You are worthy — totally and completely!

A life given for our life...

In Canada, today is Remembrance Day. In the USA, it is called Veteran’s Day. Either way, this day we are to honor those who gave their lives that we might live in freedom from oppressive entities that tried to rule over us.

This day bears a vivid resemblance to what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us when He went to war against sin and Satan, dying on the cross that we might be free from sin that otherwise rules our lives. The Bible lists some of those extreme sins, such as murder, hatred, and so on, but it also spells out the root of all of them:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Doing my own thing is a sin that is expressed in so many ways, some extreme and some easily hidden, yet nevertheless my way rather than the way of the Lord.

As I wear a poppy and remember the men and women who gave their lives for our physical freedom, I also think about Jesus who gave His life for my spiritual freedom so I could be no longer a slave to sin but a child of God, able to truly have a choice in what I do. While an unforgiven sinner, my way was the only way, my only choice, but now, in Christ, I can choose to obey Him and enjoy freedom. It is just as He said to those who claimed to believe in Him:

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:31–36)

This isn’t about freedom to do as I please. It is the freedom from having no another choice than going my own way — which is sin!

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. (Romans 6:1–7)

The word ‘death’ has several meanings, yet most of them are about separation… separation of the spirit from the body as in physical death, or separation of the soul from God as in spiritual death, or separation from sin to serve Christ as in being dead to sin and alive to God in the new life that Jesus gives. This is a death most welcome because it set me free from the only choice of running my own life, to the two choices: walking in the flesh or walking in the Spirit. The NT describes this well. See Romans 6:8-18 and also:

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:1; 16–18)

PRAY: Jesus, the wonder of being able to walk in the Spirit certainly fills life with continual God-surprises. Not only do unexpected blessings happen to me, but I say and do things that are not premeditated and surprise me and bring blessings and smiles to others. Your freedom is utterly amazing and most certainly the way to live. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) And the red poppy reminds me also of Your great sacrifice.

Two kinds of Christians?

 

Years ago I was actively involved in a Christian writers organization. To join, a statement of faith in Jesus Christ was required. Most people had no problem with that, but one person did. She protested by saying, “You people think there are two kinds of Christians; ordinary ones and those who are born again. She refused to give testimony to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Now I’m encountering again that confusing idea. I know that there are not two types of faith in Christ. Genuine saving faith is about a changed life, about having a relationship with Jesus that transforms everything. Jesus Himself said it:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:3–7)

This and other passages make it clear that this new birth is a work of God. He choses whom He chooses and grants faith and new life.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Many testify to the power of God when this happens. Some even say they tried to resist, but found it impossible to say no to His invitation. However, today I read the following statement:

“We should be eager to trust God for salvation so that He may receive great glory and the whole world may be won to trust Him. If we will not let Him save us, if we reject His care and refuse to feed in His pastures or lie down in His fold, then we will be a starved and shivering flock, sick, wretched, and full of complaints. We will bring dishonor on Him and, by our forlorn condition, hinder the world from coming to Him.”

Those who reject Christ are not part of His flock, not His sheep. Unbelief and rejection are described as goats in other passages and those who appear to be ‘religious’ and do ‘good’ things, but He says to them:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21–23)

Later Jesus was asked, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28–29) In other words, people can do religious works and have an appearance of being part of God’s family, but without faith and without that new life that He gives. One author says “there are two kinds of Christians: those who sincerely believe in God and those who, just as sincerely, believe that they believe. You can tell them apart by their actions in decisive moments.”

This does not mean perfection in that new life. God also tells me: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 4:30–5:2)

I could behave badly and still be a Christian, yet in the kingdom of God, His saving power is at work to change my behavior to match my status as His child, His sheep, and part of His kingdom. For that, I’m told how that looks and given the desire to cooperate. He works in me to will and to do His will, and all for His glory, not for my comfort.. (Philippians 2:13)

PRAY: Oh Jesus, Yours is a wonderful salvation. I could have tried to be like You on my own — what a joke. Such a thing is impossible without You, without the Father’s love and the Holy Spirit’s power. The reading for today misses the reality that salvation is deeply experiential and existential—very real, very encouraging, and very humbling. I know it’s possible to grieve the Holy Spirit, yet You are so compassionate and forgiving. You do not call me to change myself or anyone else. I’m to be a broken perfume bottle that spreads Your aroma to all around me, without any sort of self-righteousness. May I live in that new life each day and honor You.