True Freedom

 

Freedom means different things to different people. We listen to stories of refugees and realize oppression and bondage takes many forms, most of which we have never experienced.

Yesterday, one friend shared that the country she was born in forbid any criticism of government leaders. Those who did and were reported would likely not be seen again. When she moved to Great Britain and heard people speak badly about the Queen, she intensely worried for their safety.

Sometimes slavery is being forced to serve other people. Sometimes it is slavery to bad habits or a way of life. Always it is slavery to that power that holds people from being all that they could be — slavery to sin. When Jesus came, He said:

“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 (religious leaders) 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)

I’m thinking of what can enslave me in terms of my current life in my part of the world. One is fear, fear of future events, and current threats in political decisions. We just had an election in which the winner has a vague history in ruling a country and the opposition leader lost in his riding and must resign. Talk and promises can sound good, but fear of what happens next could put many in bondage to their fears.

Another threat is aging. A former friend died this month at 103. I can hear her laugh. Will I live that long? Be healthy? I realize that God could call me home anytime. I could be in bondage to concerns about who will be the first in our household to die and how will the remaining person manage? If it is me, will I need to move again? Many questions, but the future is never known or made certain.

I could also be a slave to my I-wants. A big one is wanting to see ALL my family knowing and walking with Jesus. Some do. Some are far from it. Praying daily for them, yet this burden could ruin my freedom to think or do much else.

I could also be a slave to ignorance. We listen to people rant about something they read on social media but didn’t check it out — a total pack of lies. I hear others go on about their problems yet never seem to look for solutions. They enjoy being in the dark? They like to occupy their minds with stuff that is not true? I don’t understand this, but realize I could also be a slave to lies.

Yet Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” The key? “If you abide in my Word… and you will know the truth…” Knowing and believing what God says and sticking to it (abiding) is the key to freedom, freedom from fear, life’s concerns, selfish ideas and habits, and even ignorance. It means reading it, not just as an exercise, but in search for truth that produces trust and takes away fear. Truth that makes me know the folly of worry, the futility of my wants in comparison to the wonderful will of God, and truth that breaks the power of ignorance.

PRAY: Oh Lord Jesus, I am so glad that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life that is offered to me as a gift because of Your amazing grace and mercy. I can be confident, not fearful or worried as I read it, joyful and assured of Your wisdom and care. This isn’t just about me either, but about the state of the world near and far. You are God and those who try to be will eventually discover that they are not. Amen.

Emotional Maturity

Today’s reading is about emotional stability and maturity. It made me think more about the results of our Sabbath rest this week. For a long time I’ve felt tense, concerned with a lack of routine and so many days that were not ‘normal’ in that something new confronted me, not always negative but making me tense just the same.

Then we rested. We escaped the usual, spent time with God, each other, and doing some ordinary things that settled our thoughts. The past two days I’ve felt calmer than usual, and all that tension is gone. I attribute this to God's grace and am thankful, but today reminded how emotional maturity is about walking in the Spirit not the flesh. Considering this:

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 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. (Galatians 5:19–24)

Which of the fleshy works involve emotions? Certainly immoral activity, but all sorts of impurity, idolatry, etc. and more commonly, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, rivalry, dissensions, divisions, and envy. While most of these vary in degree, they still affect emotions. Last week, I noticed the tension in my body while watching an Agatha Christie movie. I cannot define the emotion but something adverse to rest was happening and this kind of entertainment should not produce tension or negative emotions.

This week is different. No tension. I have company coming today and was tense about that for weeks, but it vanished yesterday. This alone is a God-thing.

Today’s reading makes me think about what emotions are involved by walking in the Spirit. Certainly joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, goodness, and self-control, all positive.

Emotional maturity does not come with trying harder or with shutting down feelings. I’ve known those who ‘control’ their anger and lose their ability to feel positive emotions. It is only through the power of God's Spirit that emotions are as they should be. The NT even says: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26–27) This indicates anger might not be sinful (Jesus became angry). The key is to deal with it properly, as God would.

As for the other negatives, confessing them as self-centered sin is important. I’d been annoyed by the behavior of others. Confessing that as unloving disobedience made a huge difference to the tensions that were bothering me. While it seems obvious to recognize what gets blamed for negativity, a proper analysis is important. Too many times people say, “You make me so mad” putting the onus unfairly on the other person instead of taking responsibility for our own reactions.

PRAY: Jesus, when I admit my old nature has usurped Your Spirit and opened the door to all sorts of ‘stinkin’ thinkin’, You forgive and cleanse me, but You are also become free to produce Your fruit in me. You want the Spirit in control, not my negativity and sin. And that is the reason that You saved me, as 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. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:16–17)

The reward is far more than the ability to be a conduit for Your positive emotions because walking in the Spirit means You will also answer my prayers and enable me to love others as I ought!

Surprising Sabbath Rest

 

Yesterday’s message from the pulpit was incredibly refreshing. Our pastors started a four-week service on Sabbath rest with a delightful departure from legalism or rules about what we are to do or not do on our day of rest.

In fact, it wasn’t about a particular day but about the rhythm of work then rest that God established in Genesis. Six days He worked, then rested on the seventh. The Jews made that Saturday but added a long list of things not to be done, even a rule about how far a person could walk on that day without breaking the Sabbath. We normally think of Sabbath as Sunday but it does not have to be that day.

Instead the message was about the love of God that knows how badly His people need the rhythm of work then rest. We were told many ways to do that, from having a nap, to taking a walk, to relaxing with a hobby, and several other to-do’s rather than a list of do-not items, like playing or shopping. We live in such a fast-paced world and need to slow down and relax.

I appreciated the emphasis to avoid tradition. Today’s devotional reading addresses some  traditions that can lock us into rules and regulations instead of the rest that God intended. Jesus was not big on tradition either, and much more concerned with the state of our hearts:

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” (Matthew 15:1–9)

I read about traditions this week. Some of them come from assumptions, like three wise men because there were three gifts brought to Jesus, but nowhere are the number of Magi listed. Another is that ceasing from labor means not turning on the stove to cook a meal, or never going to a store because we are out of milk. Jesus did say; “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27–28)

Our pastor pointed out that Jesus did many healings on the Sabbath and was teaching on that day, much to the consternation of the religious establishment. Doing good is not considered “work” and pointed out that “rest” could simply be a change of pace, a focus on the goodness of God instead of stressing or even pampering ourselves. Why not turn off mobile phones, remove some to-do items off calendars, stop watching TV, stop using social media, email, and instead engage with people fact-to-face. The idea is to work from rest, not work for rest. If I say TGIF, I’m not thinking God’s way about rest. Instead, spend time with God, alone or with others, and drawing strength from Him, learning more about Him, and doing life-giving activities.

My hubby and I drove around the neighborhood where we now live, seeing what it is like. Then, since we both like books we spent most of the afternoon in a large, nearby library reading material that did not add to the pressures of life and work. It was lovely.

PRAY: Jesus, these ideas about Sabbath rest make me realize afresh that waiting on You, slowing down to think about You, is life-giving. I come into today with past worries forgotten and a renewed sense of what is important. I’m thankful that You put this series into the hearts of our church leaders and give them truth to share rather than judgment about how to spend time at rest. For me, it was refreshing. Being on life’s fast track 24/7 is not Your will. Thank You for the rhythm of work and rest and for giving us the Sabbath and inviting me to time with You to renew my strength.

Loving them all…

The dad in a family that has become our family became a Christian in a country that does not tolerate Christians. His family beat him, nearly killed him. He fled to another country and lived there for a decade. He and his wife were able to work and bore three children before realizing they had to move again. Now in Canada, they enjoy the freedom of being able to worship Jesus without threat.

This persecution still happens in many places in the world. Jesus predicted it to the degree that even fathers would give their children up to death and children their parents:

And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. (Mark 13:12)

Being a child of God does not guarantee health, wealth, and a comfortable life. Not every family escapes it as our friends did. In today’s devotional, Piper uses the words of Jesus about children to point to my responsibility toward the children of God:

Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me. (Mark 9:37)

For me, the point isn’t that I’m to give particular care to youngsters who know God, but to His children of any age who believe in Him. I have favorites, but there are a few in His family that irk me for various reasons, or I don’t enjoy being around them for various reasons. God is using this devotional to speak to my sinful attitude.

Piper says: “The question is not whether caring for children is easy and safe, or whether they are responsive and thankful, or whether caring is depleting. The question is whether Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

In other words, I need to do what He says, and I cannot use any excuse such as ‘this is too hard’ because the Bible is clear. Not only did Jesus want loving attitudes toward little ones, but also adults, for we all are His children. Besides that, Jesus is still available to enable such love. The Bible says these truths for my situation:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
“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. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14–19)
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:12–16)

PRAY: Loving others is always about being filled with Your Spirit, never about them being lovable. Certainly You do not find me lovable. Love is who You are and that should be who I am, in Christ. The love of Christ goes beyond knowledge and beyond reasons. I appreciate the depth of fellowship with many and am not thrilled about the lack of that with others, but You died for all — meaning my old nature died with You and You have given me the Holy Spirit to enable me to love Your children — all of them and all ages.

For unto us a child is born…

 

Some parts of the world devalue children, even use them for selfish gain. One writer remembers being in another country and men on the street offered him 8-9 year old girls for ‘his pleasure’ — and he was horrified.

Jesus valued children. Piper makes a list with verses, first pointing out that Jesus came as a child. I wrote an article called “That perfect Child” exploring the idea of what it might have been like to raise Him. One thing is certain; Jesus knows what it is to be a child.

As an adult, He invited children to Him: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them.… And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.” (Mark 10:14, 16)

He also healed children, cast a demon out of at least one child, and raised another (or more?) from the dead.

Jesus did not ignore the service offered by a boy who offered his lunch so the Lord could feed five thousand people.

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. (John 6:9–10)

He also accepted, even applauded praise from children:  

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “ ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” (Matthew 21:14–16)

I’m horrified too by the abuse of children. Evil people see them as helpless to defend themselves and naive to many dangers around them. Very young children can be easily drawn from safety to grave danger. This gives pause to these words from the Savior:

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2–4)

Does being like a child make adult Christians open to exploitation? Those who think so are foolishly unaware that God protects His people. Not only that, a childlike person is aware of their weaknesses and inabilities and the need to rely on the Lord. A failure to do so can put us in all sorts of dangers. The world is filled with those who take advantage of weakness and the needy. Without the protection of Jesus and the care of other Christians, we could be exploited by spam, or greater abuses, some inflicted by even our own families.

I don’t mind being like a child in that I know who my Father is and know what it means to experience His care. God is not controlling me but I’ve learned that when I step outside of His care to make my own choices and do my own thing, the consequences are never good. Far better to be in His family like a child than to do life thinking I’m all grown up now.

PRAY: Jesus. I don’t remember that my folks ever said, “Oh, grow up” to me when I made decisions as a child. I’m glad for that. I’m also glad that childlike thinking makes trusting You easier. Some think that a willing and obedient child is suffering some sort of emotional abuse, and while that is possible, those children who are confident in the care of their parents have much less difficulty being confident in the care of our Heavenly Father. For this, I also give thanks.

Sometimes God wants me to go first…

Where I live, spending time with widows is relatively easy. Not so concerning orphans. For instance, the local children’s hospital has rules about visitors. If a child has no family or no family visits (it happens), I could not visit those children without special vetting and permission. Orphans are protected by laws to keep the public from seeking time with them. This is, of course, protection from predators, but it also keeps me for obeying all of this verse:

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)

Piper points to an OT verse that speaks about caring for those who are unable to care for themselves:

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. (Isaiah 30:18)

While this is not as specific as James about those to whom God shows mercy, it is clear that He does it to show His glory. I can transfer that to the description in James and rightly assume that caring for needy people exalts the Lord. Piper puts it this way: “One mark of great, self-sufficient poise is the willingness to get down low with the weak.”

That opens the door to far more than two groups of needy people. It even puts me in that category because God gets personal by using “you” to describe those He wants to be gracious toward. He is talking about those who wait for Him. Needy people do that, also people who are humble and realize that God is eager to help. It is not about those who take matters into their own hands. Instead, I am to wait on the Lord. However, the point is that God exalts Himself by showing mercy.

Since mercy is taking pity on and showing compassion to those who do not deserve it, this covers the entire human race. Salvation is a mercy because our sin means sinners should be punished, yet to be merciful is to be like God.

This gets personal. It tells me that if I am not merciful with those who are weak, I’m not being like the Lord. In the Bible, “weak” can describe those who are feeble, sick; morally weak; or those lacking in knowledge or faith. I know several who fall into each of those definitions. The feeble and sick are easiest to be merciful toward, but I get annoyed with those who seem dim about God and dim in their faith. I get  the same reaction in my heart when Christians disobey.

In other words, my ability to be merciful has great flaws. I do better when I remember how much mercy God has shown me, but pride and self-righteousness often jump in instead of treating others  in humility and with His compassion.

Maybe this is why God illustrates with widows and orphans. It is much more likely to feel tender-hearted to them than to others who are weak as a result of their own choosing or because they fail to seek the truths of God that will strengthen them. Yet I’m faced this morning with a similar challenge. Will I be strengthened in my faith and walk with God by being merciful to those whose sins and spiritual neglect usually annoy me? To do this, I must first do this:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

PRAY: Lord, I’m acutely aware of the people who disregard Your principles and choose to do life their way, even when their Bible is open in front of them. I pray that You will change their hearts but You have not done so, indicating that it is my heart that You first wish to change. Piper’s line of being willing to get down low with the weak points to my bad attitude of not being willing to put up with others who are unwittingly feeding their old nature and as a result fail to glorify You. This does not mean that I endorse what they do, but that I should have mercy on them and bless them, releasing them to experience Your grace in their hearts because You have worked forgiveness in mine.

Help my unbelief

Piper’s devotional for today contains this line: “Let us spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things, not by coercion, but by compelling conviction.” I’m not sure how that is done by coercion, but agree whole-heartedly that it must be by a deep conviction. If I’m doubting that God is in control, it will show up. While lack of faith could be the problem, doubt could arise from a proud attitude that I know better than God. It happened to Peter. Jesus spoke of His death…

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:22–23)

The disciples had much to learn about God’s sovereign power. So do the rest of us. Some evidence of not knowing, or forgetting truth about God can be: arrogant pride, or questioning doctrines (which isn’t always a bad idea), or emotionally responding to bad news, or questioning God’s fairness or goodness, or always wanting evidence, or feeling disconnected perhaps by His silence or lack of answered prayer, or fear of the future, or failure to read and meditate on His promises, or just plain disobedience.

When a distraught father brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus, he said, “if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22–24)

This man knew that faith and doubt can co-exist. He trusted the Lord in one way or he would not have brought his son to Jesus, but he recognized his doubts too. The boy’s problem seemed beyond fixing and perhaps the father’s unbelief was blocking the miracle he wanted. He also recognized that he needed help from the Lord to fully believe He would do what was needed. In other words, faith is not something this man could just conjure up on his own. He knew it was a gift from God. Paul later affirmed this:

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)

Without that compelling conviction, which is often called the assurance of faith, my mind will waffle between trusting God when I see or feel Him at work, and not being certain when nothing is happening. I fall into ‘walking by sight’ which is not faith at all.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

When my assurance is missing and I am waffling, the Lord is merciful with a solution. He says “faith comes by hearing” to those who did not yet have the NT. To me, faith comes that way and also by reading — because the Holy Spirit uses both to enlighten me. He wants me to know:

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. 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 5:13–15)

There is one element most necessary though, and that is to recognize and confess whatever is blocking or replacing faith. Just the list above points to the most common avenues of doubt: questioning doctrine, following emotions, questioning God’s goodness, seeking evidence, thinking He is not listening, fear, failure to read or remember His promises, or just plain disobedience that assumes my way will work, or is better than His way. If I have these or any other unconfessed sin in my life, the first thing to snap is being certain that God is who and what He says He is. It happened to Eve in the garden and “Did God really say…” is still the devil’s favorite tool.

PRAY: Jesus, I know the answers to doubt. Doing what I know is another issue — and it suggests that I don’t really believe the answers. I believe. When I falter and fail to trust You, help my unbelief.

Sharing Jesus?

 

Many Christians struggle with sharing their faith with those who do not yet believe in Jesus. When I was teaching Bible classes, getting them to share what they believed with other Christians was also a challenge. However, doing this paves the way for being more confident to share with those outside the church.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)

God reminded me of this last night. Our complex has a dinner once a month for bungalow owners. We sat at a table with people we had not yet met and the conversation quickly turned to  a pending decision to add more living spaces to our complex. Some at our table were very concerned that this would not happen because of various problems it might cause. I turned to the chatty lady beside me and said, “I am a Christian and am not worried about this and trust God to take care of me no matter what might happen. I’m not concerned because worry means I’m not trusting Him.” She lit up and told me she believed that also. Our conversation became mutually edifying.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. (Psalm 63:3)

This morning Piper says to “speak to people of God’s supreme worth in creative and persuasive ways” referring to those not yet in a relationship with Him. My long practice of telling Christians to practice with one another, not as a rehearsal or role-play, but during normal conversation, is so helpful. If I have devotions that touch my heart, share them. If God uses a verse to speak to a current need, share that. If He answers even a small prayer, tell another believer. Make it a normal part of conversations with like-minded souls and no surprise — it becomes easier to share with others, even those I don’t have any idea of their beliefs, like the lady at dinner.

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1)

Right now, we have this freedom. In some places in this world, Christians dare not share, even at times with other Christians. There are countries where people infiltrate groups of believers only to betray them to oppressive authorities. This can lead to imprisonment or even death. We are blessed here that we can talk about our faith because of tolerance and even laws that protect us from violence. Jesus is a God-given gift that should be not be hoarded but unwrapped and used to bless others.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:3)

PRAY: Jesus, there are times when I am silent. One of them is when others are obviously set to curse You and You put the thought of “not casting my pearls before swine” into my head. That does not happen very often. Usually my mind is blank because the Spirit puts in nothing to say. I may not know the reason (bad timing?) but obedience is important. I cannot be pushy because You listened to what God wanted said and are teaching me to do the same. Yet being silent out of fear or self-centered reasons is not how You want me to think. Instead, my attitude needs to be, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8) Thank You for this confidence in You.

Only a glove. . . .

 

While Christians cannot ‘save’ others, nor can unsaved people all by themselves make a decision to believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit works with God’s people to make things happen. Like a hand in a glove (we are the glove) He moves and reveals Himself through our obedience and our lives. Consider what the Bible says about the effect our actions can have:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)

My obedience to God can cause others to glorify Him. Loving other Christians tells unbelievers that I follow Jesus. Obedience and a godly life may get me persecuted but when the Holy Spirit visits them, they will be receptive and glorify God because of what they saw.

I’ve heard said that as a forgiven child of God, I am free to live this new life, but that freedom is not about doing as I please. Gloves cannot move about or do anything without that almighty Hand that is in them.

Piper’s devotional points out that this is not just about spiritual activities. He talks about “all things” including business, industry, education, media, sports, arts, leisure, government, and all else. I’m aware that I’m not to be a mere ‘Sunday’ Christian, but to recognize Him and trust Him 24/7. Learning and doing this may take a lifetime, but His goal for me is transformation into the image of Christ. He exemplifies a perfect ‘glove’ in His yielded life.
Piper points out that there will never be a time before the return of Christ when all people will honor him as supreme. This emphasizes the importance of doing what He says now:

Since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10)

I’ve no idea whose lives will change because Jesus used me to show love to others, to behave as He obeyed in all areas of my life, to be motivated by the Spirit instead of following my “I-wants” instead of doing His will. But I’m finally learning that from the moment I rise up each day, to turn immediately to Him in worship and in an attitude of yielded listening. I’m only a glove so have no idea what He can do with that except that He says He can use it to change the lives of others.

PRAY: Jesus, You have a way of hugging me and making me feel very small at the same time.  I’ve no idea what this day will bring. I just want Your Spirit to keep my attention so that Your thoughts and Your will takes priority in whatever comes along.

How to be sure?

Nearly every Sunday, the message from the pulpit includes what it means to be a Christian. Our pastors do this because they know the abundance of false ideas about our identity. Despite hearing the gospel most of their lives, some still think they must be worthy, must do good works, must be in church, and other self-describing definitions.

If a description of myself is necessary, it always comes after the entrance of Christ into my life, and the changes that come because of faith in Him. Those descriptions do not tell me how to become a Christian but describe what I ought to be like because I am a Christian.

To illustrate, I could say of someone, “She acts just like a married woman” but if she is unmarried, the actions mean nothing, maybe pretense, or even delusion. She can go through the motions, but not be married at all.

It is the same with faith. It is about a genuine relationship with Jesus. A great many people are only playing church and not part of the body of Christ. After listening and studying what the Bible says about this, it seems that this happens because some people confuse the words written to those in the kingdom with the words written to those not yet genuine believers. The latter thinks that they must do what Christians do to get into the family of God, so try to live that way.

A few weeks ago, one of friends said, “Sin is not only what we do, but what motivates what we do. If it is self-effort, that is the root of sin.” His words came from this verse:

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)

To many, their own way seems fine and not sin at all as they are doing ‘good’ things, but that is not the point. The point is that self-effort is turning from God’s way — which is about faith in Him and living in forgiveness, new life, and the power He supplies through His Holy Spirit.

The only way to have that is to be given it by God. We cannot claim any of God’s forgiveness and power without faith in Christ in a love-faith relationship with Him where He changes us.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

And with that new life, He make a huge difference…

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14–15)

No one can be a Christian until they admit they cannot do it. The way is down not up, humility not effort, trusting Jesus and not myself, and realizing sin is just that, trusting me instead of what God says about all of humanity — we all fall short and cannot change by our own efforts.

Faith draws us to the Word of God and as we read it, faith comes and increases by hearing about Christ. As a seeker, or as a Christian, it is vital to remember that the good God tells us to do is impossible without trusting Jesus. The NT says “… For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23) No matter how good our actions look, they fall short because without Christ, “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.” (Isaiah 64:6)

For both non-Christians and believers, trusting the flesh is sin. Self-effort and selfish motives oppose faith. For believers, our lapses into ‘me, myself, and I’ are forgiven, but useless. True righteousness is about being constrained by the Spirit no matter how good my I-wants might seem.

PRAY: Jesus, life in the Spirit is hard to define because as soon as I start examining myself to make sure I’m doing Your will, I slide into fleshy, old nature thinking. Faith brings me back to trusting what I cannot see (yet others will see it in me) and a life of freedom with love, peace, joy, and the other fruit of the Spirit that You pour in and through me. I cannot take credit for any of that. Wow, may You be glorified.

Humbled before the empty cross and tomb…

 

Last week I had a conversation with a man we have known since he was a boy. He was not a Christian then but after being challenged to read the Bible by a woman who is now his wife, his life was transformed. As we talked about what it means to be a Christian, he stressed the importance of humility.

In other conversations with professing Christians, I often hear them say, “When I accepted Christ. . . .” and “I did this for the Lord” and wonder about the thinking behind those words. The Bible is clear. 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)

Scripture is also clear that any good thing we do does not earn our salvation, nor is it totally our doing when we obey Him:

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. (John 15:4–5)

This week someone mentioned a well-known preacher with admiration. Years ago I looked into his teaching and concluded he was a false teacher so said so. I’d forgotten why so checked again. This person, now deceased, taught that anyone who believed that faith in Christ made us eternally secure was demon-possessed. He was convinced that we chose faith in Christ and be saved, but then we could also chose not to believe in Christ and become unsaved. While I’ve challenged that on the meaning of “eternal” it is also evidence of a lack of humility.

Pride says “I can” and thinks we have more control over our eternal situation than God. The one who thinks we can override what God promises His children is a proud person to think that “my decisions” determine destiny. Yes, we can make choices, but Galatians and the rest of the NT tell how the Spirit of God changes our hearts for those who believe. Also this:

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14–15)

Yes there are warnings about turning from Christ, mostly for those who waiver at His Word, but there are also promises like this one: “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)

Salvation is by grace, not by works, by God’s calling not my decision. Walking by faith is also by grace, not earned by my performance. Without Christ, I am nothing and would be lost in an instant the very first time I thought or did something to ‘live for myself’ — and I cannot claim even as a Christian that I have no 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 1:8–10)

Humility means honesty about what we do — and fail to do — in our walk with Jesus. Sometimes we don’t listen — an activity of our old nature, which the Bible continually tells us is now dead, separate from God. When we do listen and obey, that is evidence of His grace and the new nature He gives His children. Our lives are filled with learning how to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh, and in the end, when we see Jesus face to face, we will be like Him. God says so (1 John 3:1-3) and God does not lie nor is He unable to finish His work of saving us.

PRAY: Jesus, hearing on Friday the details of Your suffering was incredibly humbling. If I could do any of what it means to walk with You, You would not have needed to experience the cross. Nor would Your grace be necessary, nor Your sustaining power. To say You cannot keep me saved is another way of saying I don’t need You, a pride-filled nonsense and the mark of false-teaching. Today we celebrate that You rose from the dead. That is true and vital. It is because of Your obedience that Your people can say: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) You have risen! This demonstrates Your incredible love for those who humbly bow before You. You have risen indeed!

The Ripple Effect

A few weeks ago, God showed me a small example of the ripple effect. It began with a whim to see a lottery home on the other side of our city. That was His idea but I didn’t realize it at the time. It was Sunday and a long weekend so our usual brunch at church was not happening. We were a long way from home, so after viewing the house we went to a nearby restaurant. It happened to have those newsletters that sometimes show up in eating places. This copy had an article about a city who build an inner city with structures for artists to paint murals. When we got home, I looked it up and was utterly amazed at the paintings, most of them done with the artist standing on a forklift or other machinery. They were done freehand and astonishingly beautiful. I know a young artist that lives on the other side of our country thinking he would already be aware of this place but just in case, and because he does outdoor art sometimes, I sent him a message with the link. He messaged back, very excited because he was thinking of taking a course involving mural work and when he saw the work done in that far away place, he was convinced to take the course. How delightful — because of a whisper that seemed like a whim.

Today’s reading offers a much more startling example of God at work making ripples. It tells how one book changed many lives:

A book by Richard Sibbes, one of the choicest of the Puritan writers, was read by Richard Baxter, who was greatly blessed by it. Baxter then wrote A Call to the Unconverted which deeply influenced Philip Doddridge, who in turn wrote The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. This brought the young William Wilberforce, subsequent English statesman and foe of slavery, to serious thoughts of eternity. Wilberforce wrote his Practical Book of Christianity which fired the soul of Leigh Richmond. Richmond, in turn, wrote The Dairyman’s Daughter, a book that brought thousands to the Lord, helping Thomas Chalmers the great preacher, among others.

Chalmers went on to write more than 30 books that also rippled out to affect others. This demonstrates the power of God to use the work of obedient people. It is about books, but could be about simple acts of obedience. Another author says, “You reflect the Spirit of God simply by the love you show to others. Your kindness will yield kindness. And, like a pebble tossed into a pond yields ripples, kindness flows outward from just one simple act, inspiring others.”

Another simple illustration is a yawn. Yawn and the whole room yawns. Smile at a stranger and who knows, that stranger is inspired to smile at another.

The book of Acts illustrates how God spread the Gospel like a pebble in a pond. Jesus told His disciples, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) then told them how it would happen:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Usually the effects of doing what God says or just being like Jesus in life’s situations is not obvious. Also, faith is the foundation for obedience, not any notions about what will happen because of it. One person insists that all we need to do is share what Jesus has done for us and others will want to know him too. That is not always the way it works. Ask those in the middle east. Many Christians have been persecuted and even slaughtered for telling others about Jesus. This does not stop God from using their obedience, but many of them will never see the results.

For me, this points to the worst event in history — putting to death the innocent man who is God. And God turned that into the best event, the most superior thing that ever happened. Yesterday we heard of the torture He experienced. Many in our church wore black and felt the pain of it — in a minuscule way compared to what Jesus endured. Tomorrow we look back at the reason we call Friday ‘Good’ and celebrate the reality that Jesus is alive and that the ripple effect that started with a few at the empty tomb has reached our hearts and minds. Millions live because He lives, and the ripple continues to use the obedience of His people to bring Good News to one person then another, then another.

PRAY: Lord, for a few days I’ve felt the deep sorrow that You, my best Friend, suffered as You did to save me from sin and the wrath of God. As tomorrow rolls closer, that sorrow turns to incredulous joy for the love that put You on that cross and the ripples that You used to bring me to join You there happened because of Your obedience — and because You rose and are alive!

One way to share Christ

Piper’s writing for today explains why I’m bothered when I hear someone say they never read anything. He says: “There are several reasons I write. One of the most personally compelling is that I read. I mean, my main spiritual sustenance comes by the Holy Spirit from reading. Therefore reading is more important to me than eating. If I went blind, I would pay to have someone read to me. I would try to learn Braille. I would buy books on tape. I would rather go without food than go without books. Therefore, writing feels very life-giving to me, since I get so much of my own life from reading.”

His words also encourage me. When God told me to publish my devotions online, it seemed a mysterious request and I balked at bit. In my experience, blogs were not important. Now that I’ve found many that are “life-giving” my opinion has changed. Even so, when hearing challenges to share my faith, rarely does anyone say to do it this way. Face to face or door to door are stressed. Making relationships also. Yet God has me at my desk writing, and I wonder if this “obedience” makes any difference to anyone.

Piper’s words say that the history of the church depends on writing. “God chose to send his living Word into the world for thirty years, and his written Word into the world for two thousand years. Think of the assumption behind this divine decision. People in each generation would be dependent on those who read.” I’ve not thought of that before, mainly because we live in a different time and culture, but we do have the marvels of modern technology. I can talk face to face with family members who live thousands of miles away. Communication is different. Lives are changed by email, phone messaging, and the Internet. And some still read books. Yet back in the day, writing was a key means to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. . . .  

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. (Ephesians 3:1–5)

God spoke to Paul and he wrote what God said and sent it to other Christians. When they read what he said, they could perceive what had been revealed. I cannot claim the same gifts or powers of a special anointing to do what they did — “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20–21) — these men wrote the Bible as the Holy Spirit led them. I write what the Holy Spirit speaks to my life which is not the same thing. However the value of writing and sharing validates what I do is one of God's ways to communicate, bearing in mind that He also says:

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. (James 3:1–2)

For that reason, I realize that no one should think that people who write about their spiritual lives are experts who know all there is to know about God. As Charnock says, “To be desirous to know the reason of all God’s proceedings in the matter of sin, is to second the ambition of Adam, to be as wise as God, and know the reason of his actings equally with himself.” I need to be careful that my desire to know God does not come from the same sinful desire that drove Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge and plunged humanity into the destructive grip of sin.

PRAY: Jesus, we call today Good Friday, good because You died to release us from the penalty and power of sin. That must always be my reason for wanting to hear You and wanting share what You say with others. May You keep me on target, and like John be able to say to anyone who reads my writing that Jesus did many things, but: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)


 

Patience

Last night’s Bible study raised an interesting question: why do we belittle “doubting Thomas” just because he said:

“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25)

How many times have we asked God to prove something by giving us what our eyes can see? After all, faith is defined this way: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)?

After some discussion, we determined that doubt is asking for proof in an attempt to build or reassure our faith or erase our doubts. However, God often answers prayer or does things we did not expect, giving us a faith-builder that was initiated by Him. There is a difference between asking for proof and Him giving us proof because He sees we need a boost.

As for doubt, it is related to impatience, like the child that wants supper now when supper has not finished cooking. Sometimes this is described to a human inability to deal with delayed gratification. This happens to adults too. We want something NOW.

Devotional reading this morning asks: Do I have the patience to wait on God’s timing? The Word of God describes the journey to patience this way:

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)

“Steadfast” means to endure patiently. It is a trait developed by having it tested by difficulties or challenges. Those tests usually start small.

For instance, when others learn that I quilt, they often say, “I don’t have the patience for that” meaning they want the quilt finished. When I started quilting, I enjoyed the process so much that finishing was often delayed. Now I’m very glad to have another one finished but have learned through making many quilts that the process is necessary. It also built my patience so I can persist on a project until it is done without being antsy about it.

The truth is, God patiently goes through a process to answer many of my prayers. He may give me a requested parking place in a few minutes, but when I pray for someone’s healing, or salvation, rarely do such things happen at the snap of a finger. He could do it that way, but takes time to soften hearts (or build immune systems) in respect to human situations. Not everyone is like Saul, who was persecuting Christians when God confronted him and changed his life. It seemed like an instant zap, and so did my salvation — at least to observers. No one could see the preparation going on in my heart for many years.

God’s process begins by convincing a person that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. But then they hear that they are sinners who need Him. That is a common parking place, but some admit it is true and find out that He loves them enough to die for their sin. If someone resists any of those things, He comes to them in different ways, always looking for a change in their hearts at whatever stage they are in so they can move toward Him.

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)

Thomas doubted that Jesus was alive. When I pray for someone and nothing seems to be happening, I could doubt that God is at work, but the entire Bible declares otherwise. I just cannot see it, like Thomas doubted until he saw Jesus. Basically, this man was saying to the other disciples, “I hear you tell me but I need to see Jesus for myself.” That sounds less like doubt and more like what Jesus wants for everyone — not to believe on hearsay but believe in Him because of a personal and very real encounter with Him.

PRAY: You are telling me again to be patient. I want what You want and I know that You could speak and make things happen instantly, but like most instant stuff in our world, it never turns out with the same power and potential as those things that take time to accomplish. I’ve been told not to pray for patience as it invites trials, but it also produces maturity. May Your will be done.

Apply this. . . .

Piper’s devotional for today gives an example of summarizing a passage to apply it.He used Luke 18. I tried it with Philippians 4 and here is the result. . . . 

Stay Firm

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Stay United

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Stay in Peace

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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.

Stay Mindful

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Stay Contented

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Stay Generous

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Stay Loving
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philippians 4:1–23)

This could be divided into more sections and have even more applications. I picked those that first caught my attention. Besides this, God spoke to me again in a dream. I was feeling yucky last night and complained about it. In my dream, He clearly said, “Choose joy” and reminded me of my ‘hero’ at church who is always “just fine’ when he has many things wrong with his body. His joy is infectious and an example of always being filled with the Holy Spirit who is the author of joy.

PRAY: Jesus, again You give me much to think about and to do. Stand strong in faith, promote unity not division, pray about everything, think godly thoughts, be satisfied and joyful no matter what, and be loving and generous to all. In other words, be like You! Thank You for living in me. Otherwise all this would be totally out of reach.

His strength perfected in weakness

 

Everyone knows what it is like to have a person’s name slip from memory, or fumble to find a word for something that is known but hiding somewhere in the back of their head. Some say this is old age, or dementia, but whatever it is, God is there to help.

This week I ordered a quilt pattern and downloaded the file. Since it was only a lap size, and I wanted a queen-size, I printed only the front page photo and redesigned it on a quilter’s app that does that sort of thing. I knew this pattern directions would not work for the changes I made. I had no idea what to do with it, so I prayed.

I went to bed wondering how I would assemble this project. It seemed a large challenge. Even though I’ve made more than 300 quilts, this one had me stumped. I prayed for guidance — and then fell asleep. And then I had a vivid dream. In that dream, I was shown precise instructions for putting that quilt together, totally different than anything I’ve ever done before! I shake my head in amazement at how God answers prayer when I cry for help.

Then to top it off, today’s devotional reading was short and about God helping the helpless. It included three references that were like exclamation marks for that dream:

He loves to be God for the weak and childlike, who look to him for all they need. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. (Isaiah 64:4)
But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 147:11)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

How could I doubt Him? Or turn to google for answers? Or try to find a Youtube? His answer is so perfect — a testimony to His ingenuity and goodness. The One who made the universe with a word has no trouble with how to assemble a mere quilt.

PRAY: What can I say to You? Thank You seems so small — even if this quilt is not an earth-shattering project, You knew exact instructions will save time and eliminate stress. What a blessing You are, my ingenious God!

Disappointments?

 

Yesterday God prompted me to think of the folly of those who put getting rich at the top of their priority list. All day I remembered this amazing promise from Jesus:

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:33–34)

And all day I was thankful that He blessed my life with abundance. Putting His righteousness at the top of the list resulted in blessings never expected. I often feel like a spoiled brat in His kingdom.

Yet this morning I woke up feeling anxious for tomorrow, for family who do not seek the Lord, and anxious for other things and commitments. I sang the truths but felt as if I didn’t mean them or believe them. The sermon yesterday was about disappointments and many of them coming from wanting the wrong things. Is my desire for the salvation of others a ‘wrong’ desire? I don’t think so. Why then this sadness?

Could it be that I wanted instant results? One unsaved family person was here — with no interest or desire in anything but what could be seen on her cell phone. But then we went to an event at church and a boy who spent much of his youth in our home was there and we had the most incredible conversation about our abundant life in Christ. I can rejoice that this boy now a man who seems more like family than some family does.

But this morning the burden for family stuck. Piper points to God and in mixing the order of these verses, reminds me that God…

… determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. . . .  His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. . . .  He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. . . . The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. (Psalm 147:3-11)

Reading them in this order seemed to calm my heart. This God who names the stars (and they do what He says) is able to deal with all whose lives are wounded, sometimes with their own sin. One person comes to mind who has been on a slippery slope for many years and is now in a slimy pit. Is there hope for her? Will this pit break the hardness of her heart?

I might as well ask if the God who tells the stars what to do can bind up her wounds. What folly to think that she is beyond His power. Yes, He could cast her to the ground, but I’m not asking for that, but thinking how He loves us even while we were sinners and I want Him to delight in the day when she hopes in His love rather than in the lure of all that is not only false but ruining her life.

PRAY: God, the burdens in my heart threaten to overwhelm me at times, even after the blessings and joy of deep and sweet fellowship with Your family and mine in the house of the Lord. Forgive me for letting those burdens overrule the peace and joy of trusting You totally and completely. You are fully able to accomplish Your will in the lives of those who seem to never give You a second thought. I know the Holy Spirit has the power to heal hearts that are broken and messed up by sin as well as other wounds. All I can say is ‘have at it’ — humble their pride and in stedfast love and mercy, bring them to their knees before Jesus.

 

How to view this messy world. . . .

We listen and watch the folly happening in the world and are dismayed, yet if I can keep my mind on the wonder of God, it is easier to not be bothered by it all. For one thing, those who strive for more money than even a large family could ever spend in their lifetime, fail to think about that last word — lifetime. What benefit is billions or power when someone turns to dust in his grave? What does it do for someone to spurn God for their own will to be done? What does  God think of all this:

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. (Psalm 2:1–4)

Those who mock God are mocked by God, forgetting or neglecting to know that He numbers the stars, even named them. Piper offers these statistics:

“The earth. . . .  is a small planet revolving around a star called the sun which has a volume 1.3 million times that of the earth. There are stars a million times brighter than the sun. There are about a hundred billion stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way, which is one hundred thousand light years across. (A light year is six million million miles.) The sun travels about 155 miles per second, and so it would take two hundred million years to make a single revolution on its orbit in the Milky Way. There are millions of other galaxies besides ours.”

And God placed them there and rules their orbits. Every detail of creation is subject to the law of God and to His commands. What do a few mere humans think when they grab for power? This God can rob them of their breath in an instant. While they delight in the chaos they create, God laughs.

Another psalm mocks the idea that “those with the most toys wins.” I deliberately left out part of this bumper sticker folly, for the Word of God says most clearly what happens to them:

Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:5–12)

No matter how much money is made legitimately, or by robbing a bank, or by insider trading, or by any other method, that money is useless to those who gained it for greed. The righeous can escape guilt in being generous to the poor, but both good and bad, no rich man can escape the consequences of being a mere human.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23–24) Is this not because those who are rich tend to suppose that they can get what they want because their wealth proves that God is blessing them — which is totally opposed to what the gospel says. We are saved by grace, never our financial or worldly status.

Jesus also tells such who seek wealth: “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” (Luke 6:24) Money may get them all it will buy, but that is all they will get. Not only that, hoarding it for themselves is folly because, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:9) There is more…

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. (James 5:1–2)
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:17)

PRAY: Lord, You tell me to pray for people who are “in high positions” and have influence that can ruin lives. They need wisdom and mercy more than being eliminated. With confidence, I just pray that Your will is done — for them and for those who suffer because of the chaos being created by their priority in gods that have no power over the stars.

Putting Jesus first. . . .

Christian books and Christian preachers say to put Jesus first. The Bible is clear; He is to be the priority of our lives, and telling others about Him is supposed to be a the top of our to-do list. It is easy to write about this, to discuss it with other believers, but doing it is more challenging.

My hubby shared Christ this week as easily as some people talk about the weather. The response was favorable. He was not ridiculed, a fear that keeps many mouths shut. I’m both pleased with his example and convicted that my obedience is more talk and less action.

Today’s reading offers a strong example and more conviction. Paul is in prison for preaching the gospel. He writes as I do but his words reveal that he ‘walks the talk’ and is doing what he tells others to do. These several verses reveal much about the priority of his life and that he is a teacher but also a doer…  

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:12–30)

Paul’s first thought is to reassure those worried about him. He sees God’s purpose in having him in prison. Others are now also boldly sharing Christ, even those who have selfish motives. His priority is knowing Jesus AND making Him known. This is happening.

Not only that the “whole imperial guard” and others also are aware of this priority — because Paul is not keeping his mouth shut in jail but joyfully letting everyone know of his confidence in the Lord. He knows that such a response to his situation is affecting them. Christians will suffer for such boldness but Christ will be glorified, even if persecution and death are the result.

Earlier, Peter denied Christ in fear for his life, but when filled with the Spirit, he was bold to proclaim Him, just as did Paul, and just as many do today in places where their hearers will abuse and even kill them. This begs the question: what keeps my mouth shut other than fear? And since God is not the author of fear, all my talk about any desire to depart and be with Christ needs to be matched with action that proves it.

PRAY: Jesus, my heart is too often fickle in its loyalty to You, in putting You first in my life. It is easier to say it than actually live it out like I should. I confess unwarranted reluctance to practice what I preach. Grant boldness that I might honor You.

 

That Final Move

In my thirty-plus moves, this latest one feels more like “home” than any of the others. When we first viewed the property, I instantly felt this was our home. It did happen one other time, not in a house but a country. Our first trip to Scotland for a clan reunion in the north of Edinburgh, I felt as if I belonged in that place. My parents were not ever there, but the sense of being ‘home’ was strong.

This morning’s devotional reading suggests “at the moment of death, we will experience a deep at-homeness.” There will be a contentment beyond any other that gives peace and security not previously known. I agree with this:

Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

These days, more courage than ever is needed to feel at home here on earth. Our world has become increasingly unpredictable. Even without the political instability, since we moved to our present home, I’m hard-pressed to remember one day that was without an unusual or unpredictable event, sometimes more than one. For example, just when I thought we were settled, we had an invasion of ants, mild in number but annoying and a scramble to cure that problem. Such a small thing compared to the persecution many Christians endure. Yet even this helps me think of Paul’s words:

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:23–26)

Even as I feel the effects of aging, unpredictable days, and the mess in this world, there is still a sense that God isn’t finished with me being here and not home with Him. I have no idea what will happen next but He continually surprises me, often with answered prayer. This week one answer related to what seemed an impossible situation in the life of a needy working mom. God changed things using an unexpected visitor and a big fight in her life — both worked together creating a perfect solution that we would never have imagined.

Another surprise happened when my hubby was raking grass, something he didn’t have to do. However the maintenance man stopped to help, then said something that prompted hubby to share the gospel with him. The man admitted he had been thinking about God and needed to know more.

One day our Father will call us to our eternal home and we will gladly go. Right now, the task is remains that I listen to Him and do what He says.

PRAY: Jesus, sometimes the days seem shorter than my to-do list, but I know that You are in charge. The necessary tasks will be done and our desire is to give You glory for Your hand in our lives in this place — and also be delighted to see You when we move to Your home.

Never-ending Mystery. . . .

Observation: when 83, a person thinks more about death than when 23, or 33, or even 73. Far too many of my Christian friends seem to dread it, fight to stay alive (and healthy) and are not ready at all for that transition.

This past week, I asked God to give me the right attitude about death. And without anything happening (other than the usual aches and fatigue) I began getting excited to the adventure of stepping into eternity. This is sort of like reading a good mystery. I like best those that I cannot figure out until the ending. Since God reveals very little information about eternity, it is a mystery, intriguing and each day is a page-turner. Yet I do know one thing — I will see Jesus! For that reason: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

The ‘gain’ part is easy. I will be like Him. What greater gain is that? The Word of God testifies to this truth:

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus. . . .  (Hebrews 12:22–24)

While I don’t agree with the usual definition of ‘perfectionist’ yet always want to do the best I can, and being made perfect goes far beyond all my intentions and abilities. Being perfect is even a mystery. It will be solved, yet as appealing as that is, seeing Jesus is even more appealing.

Herein is the mystery. How is He both fully God and fully man? What does He look like? Will He still bear the scars of being here? What will the expression on His face say? I can barely think of His touch or a hug, but I do long for the wonder of meeting Him face to face. No more tears, no more pain, nothing can hold a candle to seeing Him like He is and realizing that the mystery will be over — even though I will spend all of forever finding out all there is to know about my amazing Lord.

PRAY: Jesus, You are my life now, my joy and peace. The wonder of You is in every breath yet there is more, and more, and more. Yes, to live is You — yet to die and be with You is an incredible hope that fills my heart and mind with the excitement of discovering that the lovely mystery of You will satisfy my soul — for eternity.