Hall of Fame

How many important people can most of us remember? Like who won the MPV in 1998 for football, or baseball? Or who are the ten richest people in the world? Or who won Miss America in 2021? Stats lovers might, but I don’t. But ask me who made a difference in my life and I can remember those.

The first is the woman who mentored me in the early years of my Christian life. And of course my parents whose sense of humor and loving instruction never leave me. Or the aunt who let me sleepover and put me in the highest, softest bed in her home. Or the teachers at Bible school who reinforced my theology and challenged me to think and act more like Jesus. And my hubby who is an amazing example in many ways.

As author Phil Callaway says, “Standing ovations end. Applause dies down. Awards collect dust. Things we thought so important today are forgotten next week. ‘Failure,’ perhaps, could be defined as succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.”

Every sport has a hall of fame. Musicians too, and others skilled in their line of work are in museums and art galleries, but who would be in my hall of fame? It has to be those whose lives accepted me and led me deeper into the goodness of God. 

Turning that around to what God wants from me, it is easy to see that His hall of fame is filled with people who listened to Him and in faith did what He said. Read Hebrews 11 for a good number of MVPs in the kingdom of God.

As Callaway says, success has to do with the direction we point others who follow us. From God’s hall of fame, I most often think of Moses, not so much by what he did but because of what he didn’t do:

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. (Hebrews 11:24–28)

This man refused entitlement and personal glory. He accepted being ‘one of the people’ and all that went with that, rather than wanting what he could have had as a result of the opportunities that sin would give him. He chose boldness rather than fear and obedience, rather than letting the opinion of others govern his actions.

I also think of Joshua who led the people and obeyed God’s almost laughable command. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.” (Hebrews 11:30) These two OT men, plus Isaiah and Jeremiah, have shaped my life even though they are not alive on earth today.

Yesterday we had lunch with two people whose words were a blessing. We haven’t seen them for a long time so how did they know the words they said? It can only be explained that they were listening to the Holy Spirit and He put His encouragement on their hearts.

So have some authors. Stephen Charnock has changed my life and is still doing it, more than 100 years after he died. John Piper and other contemporary Christian leaders also affect me. So do those ‘iron sharpens iron’ people in our church, sometimes with words, sometimes with actions. Our pastors are amazing and it is easy to tell them so. These actions are not about headlines or statistics, but about simply living in the power of the Holy Spirit and doing what He gives each of us to do.

PRAY: Jesus, from all this I am even more certain that to bless others, I need to listen to You, be filled with Your Spirit, and in His leading, just say and do what You put on my heart. It might not make sense to me, but You are able to use it to enhance the hall of fame in the lives of others, just as You have used others the same way to edify and encourage me. Walk by faith in the simple life of: “He has told me what is good; and what does the Lord require of me but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with my God?” (Micah 6:8)

Faith is about His will, not mine…

 

Most of the time I think of faith as trusting God to do something that I want Him to do. However, reading Hebrews 11 this morning describes faith differently. It is not about my wants but about receiving what God wants or is doing, trusting His actions and commands. In other words, faith is trusting that whatever God decides or does is okay by me, and not necessarily asked for or expected by me.

Not only that, the examples of faith in this chapter are far bigger and more significant than my prayers for myself, or family and friends. The first one is:

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 11:3)

Most of the scientific world tries to decipher the origin of the universe. For those whose faith is in God, He says He created it and we believe it, not because of the evidence but because we know that God does not lie, and that by a word, He can do whatever He wants.  

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. (Hebrews 11:4)

Abel knew what God wanted and offered it. Cain offered what he wanted to give, trusting his own judgment. Even today, I need to remember that my ‘great’ ideas need to be from Him, not mine alone.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

Noah listened and obeyed. The ark and the flood were not his idea or his prayer request. It was the same for Abraham who “obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8) He lived “in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise” and his wife “Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.” Then “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son.” (Hebrews 11:8-17) None of these were prayed for as human wants. 

More are mentioned, Moses particularly. His life was preserved because his parents hid him, trusting God to preserve his life. But the result was beyond anyone’s prayers as He became a great leader who “By faith, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” and “left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” By faith, “he kept the Passover, crossed the Red Sea as on dry land” and led God’s people to their gifted land. 

Later, God told His people to conquer Jericho with a strange battle plan, and “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.” (Hebrews 11:30)
These accounts give ample reason for prayer that listens more than prayer that treats God like a genie in a bottle. In love, He does hear and answer my smaller requests for such things that are significant to me, yet would I respond in faith to His requests? And to the revelations He gives me concerning His will?

PRAY: Forgive me Jesus for talking more than I listen. My will is so imperfect. I need to pay greater attention to Your will and in faith, act on what You say instead of always asking You for what I want. While You often put requests into mind that are Your will, I cannot assume anything. Far better to ask You to surprise me than tell You what to do.

Why prayers are not answered…

After USA election results came in, some will rejoice and others will wonder why God did not answer their prayers. Today’s devotional reading offers a simple reason: lack of faith. But this is not the only reason that God does not respond to requests. Several sources group the reasons, such as this example:

• Spiritual sins - doubt, hypocrisy, pride, flippancy etc.
• Poor relationships - rudeness, unforgiveness, malice, anger, wrath, divisiveness.
• Major sin - things categorized as doing evil indicating no faith or walking in the flesh
• Praying amiss - lack of persistence, not fasting, not using Jesus' name etc.

Unconfessed sin is a major reason. When I fall short but fail to agree with God and neglect 1 John 1:9, I cannot assume God will answer me: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18) The psalms are filled with verses about God hearing those whose life is righteous.

Lack of faith is also a problem. Hebrews 11 says that people must believe in God and that he rewards those who seek him. If this is my issue, my lack of faith must also be confessed. Since faith comes by hearing the Word, then I need to be diligent in reading it! The lack of Scriptural knowledge has done more damage to prayer than anything in the church. As Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

Poor relationships cover a wide spectrum, mostly obvious. One is plainly stated but often ignored:

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

I’m not a husband, but as the “likewise” in this passage points out, I have a responsibility to be respectful with a gentle and quiet spirit, paying attention to my hubby’s leadership. While this is not a popular teaching, doing what God says in my marriage makes a huge difference in my prayer life too.

Of course God isn’t hearing prayers if major sin is present. His priority is my obedient faithfulness to walk in the Spirit and demonstrate the life of Christ to those around me. If not, my prayers are not at the top of His list. He is going to deal with my sin first, either by exposure, trials, or conviction. I better listen if I want Him to listen. My behavior is God’s priority.

I can pray wrongly too. One obvious example is not praying at all. James 4:2 says, "You don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.” This passage goes on to add another: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.” God isn’t interested in granting me my selfish I-wants or prayers that come from the wrong side of being double-minded.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5–8)

If faith is right, and my life is right, and I’m keeping short accounts, then delays are not necessarily a denial of the request. God's timetable may be different from mine. I know He is more invested in the outcomes than I am. An example from Jesus: If an unjust judge would answer the request of an unconnected widow, how much more will a loving, righteous, generous God hear the prayers of His chosen ones. God is my heavenly Father. I are not coming before a tyrant; I are coming before a friend who is also my heavenly Father. 

Jesus also said, "Ask, and it will be given. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened." He reminds me that a good father knows how to give good gifts to their children. How much more does God love to bestow the Holy Spirit on those who ask? Being filled with the Spirit in my praying is vital. It begins with confession and is followed by obedience:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)

This is the passion that comes from loving the Lord, my God, with all my heart, mind, and soul —  and praying with fervent trust in what God will do.

PRAY: Jesus, as I go to prayer today, may I speak to You in demonstration of complete faith and total trust — and in the power and zeal of the Holy Spirit. May You grant me the words to say and eagerness to look forward to Your responses, even exceedingly above all I can ask or imagine.  

Rewards later and now

 

This week I’ve felt some pressure to add my quilts to an upcoming show. My old life was extremely competitive. Since Christ came in, I’ve increasingly wanted others to do well, succeed and be encouraged. It does not matter to me to have people praise my efforts because I know when God is enabling me and have an increasing desire that He is praised.

Today’s devotional is about enduring persecution because there is a reward in heaven. It made me think of ribbons won in a quilt show. That used to be important, but not so much anymore. For me, the greatest reward is the joy experienced by those who receive a quilt, and the joy of those who receive a ribbon.

Yes, a quilt takes many hours and considerable dollars to design, gather fabrics, and construct, and that could be considered a sacrifice, but when something is done in love, that is not an issue either. Moms who love their children do not gripe because the child needs them at three in the morning. I do not gripe because someone needs the comfort of a quilt no matter what it costs me to give it.

For the same reason, the promise of my reward in heaven is not a motivation to share Christ with others. That can make it too much about me, me, me when the good news is about Jesus and about those who need to hear of His love for them and who need to experience His unconditional love.

A woman once said to me, “I love helping people because it makes me feel so good.” I didn’t say it then, but have thought often, ‘but what if it doesn’t make you feel good?” What if love means hanging on a cross until you suffocate and die? What if loving others costs you your back account? Or health? Or all your spare time?

The beatitudes are not about love, but about attitudes and results. Some will want pride and confidence more than they want poverty of spirit and the kingdom of heaven. However, when Jesus comes in and puts us in His family, He also brings in a love that is so powerful that dumping pride and self-confidence becomes a delight, replacing that me, me, me with great joy in doing something good for someone else, regardless of the cost.

Yes, it is in the Christian experience to be persecuted, but the love of Christ endures . . .

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:1–4)

He endured for the joy set before Him so He could give His people that joy, not only in the future but in the middle of our suffering.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11–12)

Lord Jesus, some people are future oriented, always looking ahead. I’m not, nor do I think much about what is past. I understand why rewards could appeal to others. For me, living for You and loving others like You do is about joy right now. That means being filled with Your Spirit. The Spirit gives joy, even during hardship. I appreciate Your words in Matthew 5 and Your promises for the future yet I also am very grateful for the vitality of life You grant to me each moment of each day. You know my weaknesses and You supply the grace and peace to get me through, even enable joy when otherwise I might be devastated and filled with grief. Besides that, Your love drives me to speak up, to tell others the good news, without thinking how they might react negatively but with hope of the opposite and delight that I’ve done what You ask me to do. So what if I suffer? You suffered far more!

READ Hebrews 11 and note the results of faith. How are they all positive?

 

 

 

Faith in the impossible . . .

 

 

READ Matthew 17-20

Sometimes those Christmas gifts under the tree are a disappointment. We give them with well-meaning, but the recipient only unwraps them and never uses them. Both giver and receiver are haunted with disappointment and a sense of ‘what do I do now’ rather than the joy intended.

The NT says that faith is a gift from God, an ability to believe that we cannot conjure up ourselves. This gift comes through listening: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” and we wonder about those who never hear it, but the next verse says everyone hears it one way or another: “But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for 'Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ ” (Romans 10:17–18) Romans 3 explains why God gives it this way. It is because without God’s help, “No one seeks God . . . .” We need that gift.

Faith is defined as believing God exists, and believing He rewards those who seek Him. It is an inner assurance involving hope and a conviction that what God says is true, even if we cannot see it with our eyes. (Hebrews 11)

Yet this raises another question. Some who profess faith in Christ seem to assume that faith for salvation is sufficient. Yet we also are told to walk by faith, pray in faith, and trust the Lord for all things. This seems a most obvious thing to do, yet I wonder if the Lord sometimes becomes frustrated with believers today as He did with His disciples on a certain occasion . . .

And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:14–20)

Later Jesus told them they needed to be more like children, humbling themselves with childlike trust if they wanted greatness in His kingdom. He also said they had to agree and be united in their prayers to experience His presence with them (Matthew 18:3–4; 17-20)

In other words, living a life of faith requires abandoning former values. Greatness was not about power and huge confidence in ourselves. It was not about externals either, like prosperity and being popular or having the admiration of others. While He used wealth in this example, He could have used any other respected and sought-after value system to say the same thing:

“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.”

This astonished the disciples. Their faith was too little. When they heard Him say it, they asked, “Who then can be saved?” Then Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:23–26)

I can relate. I note the words “all things” and then listen for my own voice that so easily mumbles: “I can’t do that” or “She will never change” or “This is too difficult” — and listen to other believers for the unbelief in our lives, lives that claim to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ but have slid into negativity concerning the power of God to do the impossible.

I need to remember that “whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23) and like any other sin, this “little faith” needs to be confessed and forsaken, for without faith, it is impossible to please God — and along with that doubt, in my mind a whole lot of other things become impossible as well.