Finding a good church…

After moving many times and attending many churches, humanly speaking I liked best the congregations that made me feel welcome. All about me. Yet in deeper reflection, those that increased my knowledge and love for God were those that glorified Him the most. 

Feel good churches can be all about me. Glorifying God is far more important. Reading 1 Corinthians clarifies why this is important. A church that puts the emphasis on God will praise Him for a good message instead of boasting they have a pastor who is a good speaker. They will not compete with one another, nor will they boast.

Paul wrote to this church at Corinth to admonish them for their fleshy behavior. They were gifted by God yet boasted in themselves as if they were the source of these gifts. They argued about who was the best leader and teacher. Their focus was on human qualities rather than the glory of God. His words to them through Paul were sharp, yet given to put their focus where it should be;

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31)

When I hear someone critical of the church they attend, I want to say “Find a better one” because they do exist. Yet I hear of those who quit attending any church thinking they are all the same. How sad. Is it better to leave? Or to do what Paul did and remind them of the One that has given them new life and wants them to live accordingly?

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. . . . Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. . . . And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. . . . The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:1–16)

These words are both humbling and uplifting. They kick my pride and restore my thinking to the One who saved me from wanting to be “the best” to being glad that He is merciful. Our granddaughter, broken from a fall and covered in bruises, said, “I’m the dumbest smart person that I know” and that reflects a biblical truth. The Christians at Corinth had Christ and His mind, but they put the wisdom of God aside to boast about themselves. To this, Paul adds:

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:18–23)

PRAY: Just because I figured this out does not make me wise — instead it shows that You are my wisdom. I cannot know truth from You unless You reveal it to me. Pride in myself is a huge barricade to living for You and glorifying You. And it is one thing to know this — but the challenge is doing it — giving You the glory for all that You are and do. Rebuke me whenever I take credit instead of putting it where it belongs.

Whose glory?

Those gifted in teaching are quick to gather information, eager to share it with others, yet often slow to apply it to themselves. I tend to assume that most problems are caused by errors in thinking. That leads to assuming if I think right, then I am okay. But that is an error because my thinking is the root of my actions and if they are lacking or lagging… then something is missing. If God is not telling me what to do, or I am not listening or obeying Him, it could be that I think too highly of myself.

Lately the Bible verses that speak to me often reveal my inabilities and weaknesses in contrast to the power of God. Instead of applying this to myself, I get annoyed at others who err in their thinking. For instance, if another Christian says, “I led so and so to the Lord” I want to say, “No you didn’t. The Holy Spirit did the work in their heart.”

I’ve also sung lyrics like, “To God be the glory, great things He has done” and see His hand in the lives of all the doers, whether they give Him credit or not. And those on the ‘not’ side use their personal pronoun far more than the name of Jesus, making me wonder if the flesh is busier in their lives than they realize. And I am critical for their fleshy words. Then I look in the mirror and cringe — because I do this too.

What is it about us that desires the credit, or at least some of it, for what God does? This attitude has been called “practical atheism” defined as living our Christian lives as if God does not exist, or does not keep His promises or even hears our cries for help. Or I make myself God’s helper when it is me who needs His help. Others are so uncertain of God that they fall into the attitude that “I must do something” or they will lose their salvation. I know the verses that say this is not faith and am critical. God says:

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)
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24)

I know that Jesus saves. Jesus keeps, protects, leads, intercedes, picks me up when I fall, forgives and cleanses my sin, says “It is finished.” He also says,

Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:3–5)

He also promises and works to transform my life and put to death (separation from God) my fleshy old nature so that it has no value or bearing. Fleshy actions are only a waste of time that produce nothing of eternal value. As for my weaknesses, it is in them that God perfects His strength. Where does “I” fit in? No where, except I am to glory in those weaknesses and rejoice in the glory of the Lord, not put myself on a pedestal.

PRAY: God, forgive me for such sinfulness as wanting glory that belongs to You and You only. Forgive me for being annoyed with those who rob You of Your glory, forgetting I do the same. Like me, they may want to be important, not weak or incapable of doing anything apart from You. Forgive me for letting my insecurities drive me to God-playing instead of being thankful for Your great mercy and grace. Please cleanse my heart and deepen my faith and my love for You.

Who gets the glory?

The author of the devotional I am using puts focus on faith in the gospel, not only for saving sinners as our Substitute, but also for His grace in our everyday lives. Today he writes of our desire to see the glory of God. Some of what he says feels like a rebuke for not believing, yet he also writes of the reasons to see God at work.

For me, it seems easier to be critical of the lack of faith in others and in myself than it is to rejoice in what God is doing, both in my life and the lives of other Christians. This is my fleshy, old nature side: critical, never satisfied, always wanting more, and so on. However, as I praise God in worship, study the Bible, and pray in Jesus’ name, it is easier to trust God for all things, including the biggies, like the mess in the world, and including the salvation of hard-hearted people that seem far from faith.

Early in my walk with Jesus, He gave me this passage, and my focus back then was on the first part. . . .  

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28–30)

Finally I realized that the “good” was more than what made me feel good; it is about transforming my life to be like Jesus. Then I began to see God's glory in a far different way. Since then, even as I see others going through various circumstances, my prayer is that God will use it for that kind of good — to bring spiritual growth into their lives. That is the glory of God.

Yet far too often, something else is given credit for our victories. I cannot be critical for I do it too. When I was in the hospital last year, I told others that I came out with far more empathy for those who are sick. I should be saying that the Lord gave me this empathy instead of sounding like it dropped out of thin air. This is because. . . .  

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)

Years ago I was involved in a seminar where one of the attendees was often giving God glory. Another Christian said, “Who is that woman doing all the God-talk?” as if to make fun of her. Is that why giving God glory is difficult or avoided? That others will mock me? Or treat me as if I am odd? This fear is more than mere selfishness; it is dangerous. Jesus said:

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)

So the Lord’s Word to me today is very clear — I am to not only seek His glory but speak it. For instance, Jesus answered prayer and healed BF of back and knee pain that has bothered her for years. My hubby met a man last night who gave him affordable information about a problem in our home, totally providential, thank You Jesus. I prayed for someone to want an odd desk that I could not seem to sell, and it was sold the next day.

PRAY: This is a short list. God, You hear, care, and often answer prayer before it is prayed. It is easy to write about it and toss it out into the world on the Internet. Help me to do the same with my words and actions every day, because You give me so many opportunities to glorify You!


 

Is it wrong to seek perfection?

 

“You are a perfectionist” my friend said, with a hint of accusation, like striving for excellence was a negative ambition. She didn’t understand that being ‘perfect’ is different from doing the best you can.

Part of my desire to do the best I can do came from my parent’s work ethic. Part of it came from the feel-good results of good marks in school, praise for other accomplishments, even the teasing of my peers if I didn’t get 100% on a pop quiz.

This morning’s devotional takes a look at striving for excellence in the most positive way possible — wanting to stand blameless before God.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9–11)

MacArthur tells of a pilot who lost instrumentation and had no idea where he was, but he remarked, “The good news is, we have a strong tailwind and are making great time.” This is like many people who have no direction but glad to be “getting there fast.”

As for direction, I’ve never been one of those Christians with a ‘call from God’ to do a particular thing, like start a Bible school, or take the gospel to a far-off tribe. For me, walking daily, step-by-step, can seem aimless to others, but with each direction from the Lord, He wants my 100% obedience given in the best possible way that I am able — filled with His Spirit and with whole-hearted love for Him and His people, one step at a time.

The above verses describe that this is not a natural excellence that comes from human talents or traits, even though they are God-given. It is knowledge from God through His Word, discernment from the Holy Spirit so I can know good from evil and even know best from better. It is about purity of heart and motive, without selfishness or any sinful motivations. It is not about getting praise for myself but . . .

Letting my light shine before others, so that they may see my good works and give glory to my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, personalized)

“Excellent” in this context is not about good marks, superiority over others, or any other human measurement. It is about bearing “the fruit of righteousness” that comes from God. It is also about knowing the value of that fruit, about thinking Biblically and focusing my time and energy on what really counts. As the devotional writer says, it also involves cultivating spiritual discipline and not being controlled by emotions, whims, moods, circumstances or the pressures of peers and the world around me.

Today, I am convicted by the phrase “focusing my time and energy on what really counts.” I can rest (and need to) now and then. Sometimes I rest reading an Agatha Christie or putting together a puzzle or playing solitaire. Does that count? I spent way too much time last week with a computer problem. I know that pursuit did not lead to glory for my Father. This verse is giving me much to think about.

Lord Jesus, I know that fellowship with other believers is an excellent pursuit. So is any activity that sorts out worldly values from what You value, time spent in Your Word and reading anything that builds my faith. I’m also convinced that prayer is vital. You want me to pray alone and with others far more than I do. Give me discernment, not only in the selection of activities, but in seeing how Your grace can change even ordinary events into occasions where You can be glorified. I want to be a perfectionist when it comes to that!

“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, Your anger turned away . . . You comfort me . . . You are my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid . . . You are my strength and my song . . . I will call upon Your name, make known Your deeds among the peoples, proclaim Your name is exalted. Sing praises to You, for You have done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, for great in our midst is our Holy God.” (Isaiah 12:1–6, personalized)

TAKE NOTE: Daniel was a man who pursued excellence. Read Daniel 1:1–2:23. How did Daniel and his three friends compare in wisdom and understanding to the magicians? What principles can I see in this narrative that apply to my life?