Keep Your Feet

In the movie, The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo is quoted as saying, "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road and if you don't keep your feet...there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."  Life is like just that way, it is easy to be swept away by the moods of a moment.

There are always destinations in life that are more necessary or more exciting.  There are place we would rather be.  It is easy to get distracted, and find yourself a thousand miles from where you intended to be.

The trick isn't staying in doors.  The trick is keeping your feet.  Determine where you are headed, and what needs to be done to get there.  You can't let wonderlust, boredom, or a sense of urgency, sweep you off the road you have determined to travel.

Sometimes, we miss a greater adventure, because we aren't engaged in the one we're on, we're dreaming about the one we're not.  Life presents a multitude of opportunities to grow and learn.  Experiences abound on every side.  It is just up to us to seize the moment, and enjoy where we are.

The next time you are tempted to veer off course, give thought to your feet.  Why are you on the path you are on?  Why do you want to change it?  Stay your course and move forward in the Lord.  Take your journey, don't let it take you.

Hear and Turn

"He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing" (Prov. 29:1).

Stubbornness in the face of reproof is dangerous business.  When someone is "reproving" us, that means they are pointing out the error of our ways.  They are flashing the warning signal so that we will slow down (and hopefully change directions).

A person who has been warned, but "stiffens his neck" is like a man who sees a "bridge out" sign and keeps speeding forward.  Danger is lurking up ahead, and he is barreling toward it.

God has warned us that his people must depart from wickedness.  Do we rush ahead, and do as we please? Or do we see the caution light, and turn?  If we fail to listen, we will be broken.

Leave Them with Regret

"And he departed with no one's regret" (2 Chr. 21:20b).

These are chilling words.  How bad does a person have to be if no one regrets their death?  I realize that not regretting someone's death and rejoicing at their death are two different things, but I doubt that they are that different.

Jehoram, king of Judah, executed his brothers (and probably some of his cousins) when he ascended his throne (2 Chr. 21:4).  He followed "the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done" (2 Chr. 21:6).  He extended pagan worship throughout the kingdom of Judah, angering the Lord.

Because of Jehoram's great wickedness, God sent a plague on the people, he stirred up the anger of the Philistines against Judah, and struck Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels.  His death was slow and painful.  His power and wealth were diminished. In spite of all his pain and suffering, no one cared.

I can't imagine being such a horrible human being that no one grieved my passing.  I would like to believe that my death would be mourned by several (for one because they deemed it untimely, and two because they thought I was a descent fellow).  Of course, I don't really want find out who all would come to my funeral.

As I am thinking about this passage, it occurs to me that wisdom dictates that we choose the best course in which to walk.  Jehoram was very foolish. There was no reason for him to execute his brothers, to extend false worship, etc.  It also teaches me that a life devoted to ignoring God will not be remembered in the long run.

If you want to be remembered, don't devote yourself to self-veneration.  Labor for the glory of God and the good of your neighbor.  People always remember kind people. Live in such a way that you leave people with regret over your loss.

Food for Thought

Seen on a church sign:

Not everything that counts can be counted, 

and not everything that can be counted counts.

Can you think of anything that counts, but can't be counted?  How about something that can be counted, but does count? Are you pursing the things that count?

FAQs Monday: How Do the Ten Commandments Begin?

Last week, we answered the question: "Where can we find a summary of the moral law?".  This week, we will begin an in-depth look at that summary, the Ten Commandments.  We'll start by looking at the preface.

What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?

The preface to the Ten Commandments is, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage" (Exod. 20:2).

 What does the preface of the Ten Commandments teach us?

 The preface of the Ten Commandments teaches us because God is the LORD, and our gracious Redeemer, his commands are for our good and he does not will for us to depend on ourselves in keeping them, but to trust his grace and power.  It is written,

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? . . .  Circumcise therefore the foreskin of you heart, and be no longer stubborn" (Deut. 10:12-13, 16).

Deuteronomy 30:6 states, "And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live."

Summary

The preface of the Ten Commandments reminds us that the Lord our God has delivered us from bondage.  By his grace he delivers his people from bondage, both physical and spiritual.  These commandments are not meant to enslave his people, but to liberate them to live in a way that pleases him.  Next week, we will answer the question: "What is the first commandment?".

Sunday Recap 7-25-10

Morning:  The message entitled, "For Between Here and Happily Ever After," explored Ephesians 6:21-24.  In this passage, Paul offers some words of encouragement. He expresses his desires for the congregation he loves. Paul sent them Tychius so that they might be encouraged.  He prayed for them to have peace, love with faith, and grace.  These are the things that enable us to make between here and happily ever after.

Evening: Proverb 26:11.  We looked at four reasons fools return to their folly.

1. They haven't developed a taste for better things.
2. They have a faulty view of God.
3. They love their sin.
4. They are enslaved to sin.


Love, prayer, and patience are the best resources

Life Lessons Learned from Baseball

We are headed to a baseball game this evening with the church.  It is faith and family night at the Bowling Green Hot Rods stadium.  It will be a fun filled night with peanuts, crackerjacks, and baseball.  In honor of the baseball game tonight, I thought I would list a few things we can learn from baseball.

Sometimes, you need to just "Play ball!"  Every human being needs a little bit of play in their life.  You work most of it out when you're little, but there is usually some play left in the corners or closets of your soul.  Get it out, shake the dust of it, and learn to enjoy life.  Go to a ball game, dance in the kitchen, sit around the table playing boardgames with the family, or take a child to the park.  Don't allow the process of growing older make you inert.  At least once a year, laugh so hard that you cry or pee your pants.  Remember, what it was like to be a child, and a have a great time. 

It's just a game.  I know there are a lot of religious nuts who worship at the altar of baseball. Baseball isn't life, it's a pass time.  It is one tool among many that offers a pleasant distraction from the cares of life.  We have to keep our priorities in proper order.  Enjoy it, but don't devote yourself to it.

Keep your eye on the ball.  This is, of course, a figurative statement, not a literal one.  I had the great misfortune of having a softball hit me in the eye during a game once.  Apparently, my hand-eye coordination isn't very spectacular.  In life, like baseball, you have to stay focused and alert.

Never swing at the first pitch.  I'm not sure where I heard this the first time, but I have heard it a lot.  Good things come to those who wait.  Watch. Learn. Swing.

If you're gonna go down, go down swinging.  Don't let fear paralyze you at the plate, because you think you might strike out.  Chances are you will strikeout, but if you don't swing you remove all chances of getting a hit.  Most players strikeout more than they get a hit.  But they still keep swinging.  Who bats a 1000?  After you let that first pitch go, start swinging for the fences.  Who knows, you might tear the cover right off the ball.  Everyone will think that's cool.  Or you might strike out, and everyone will think your normal.  Don't let life pass you by without taking a swing or three.  It's better to have tried and struck out, than to be struck out without having swung the bat.

There's no "I" in team.  I don't just mean that I didn't get picked to play during my school days.  Great plays have the ability to change the momentum of a game, but unless the team is functioning as a whole it doesn't always change the outcome.  There are many teams, of which we are a part, in life.  We need to strive to excel individually, as well as, develop the ability to work with others toward common goals.

It is never too late to get back in the game.  Unless, of course, the last team at bat has the lead, the bases are loaded, and their power hitter is at bat against your weakest pitcher.  Then, it's pretty much over, so learn to lose gracefully (it's called sportsmanship).  But in every other scenario, hustle matters.  Play hard.  If you realize you've "not really been in the game," work harder.  Give it all you got.  That way, if you fail you'll know at least two things: you gave it your best shot and you need more practice.

Everyone loves a winner--but even losers need love.  When the home team wins everyones happy (except the fans of the losing team).  If one side of sportsmanship is losing gracefully, the other side is winning gracefully.  If you gloat over your victories, you're not really a winner.


When your watching the game, cheer with the same enthusiasm you would want to hear if you were next at bat.  Sometimes in life, it's somebody else's turn to play.  Encourage them.  Maybe you're not up to bat or out fielding the ball, but you can motivate those who are.

Peanuts taste better at the ballpark.  But if you're allergic to them, they're still lethal, so skip the peanuts.

If you leave the game early, you run the risk of missing a major play.  If you checkout too soon, you might miss one of the most exciting and memorable events in baseball history--the kind of play people talk about for decades.   If you have to go, you have to go, but realize what you're risking. You might only miss the last few minutes of the sad end to a poorly played game, or you might miss the comeback of the century.

What lessons do you think we can learn from baseball?  When was the last time you watched a game? Hopefully, I'll see some of you at the game tonight.  And No, I won't be wearing the old uniform.

Some Thoughts

It amazes me how quickly a day can go.  I spent a lot of time yesterday working on a project related to goal-setting.  Today, I spent a good deal of time studying contemporary world religions.  I am sure that both topics will make for useful material in the days ahead.

I know when I am busy, I am tempted cut back on important things like my time with the Lord (prayer and Bible reading), my time with family, exercise, etc.  The only thing I don't struggle with getting rid of is the distractions in my life like t.v. and the internet.  Apparently, I always have time for distractions.

I working to change that, but as for now I still struggle.  I have found in the past couple of weeks, that I have gotten more out of my quiet time when I do them in the morning.  About a week ago, I was able to get up early a few days for Scripture reading and prayer.  My mind, although not super-alert early in the morning, seemed fresher, and more able to think through the implications of the passages I was reading. 

Usually, I do my reading late a night, just before I go to bed.  However, I find that I often rush through these readings, because I am tired and want to get to bed.  Also, my mind has been engaged in some many activities throughout the course of the day, that I struggle with mental fatigue. 

I am trying to shift my schedule, so that I can spend time with the Lord each morning.  When do you spend time with the Lord?  When do you find it the most beneficial? How to you approach your quiet time?  I would really like to hear from you.

Servant of All

"And he said to them, 'If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all'" (Mark 9:35).

Do you ever find yourself fighting for position?  Maybe you just want to be "recognized." Maybe you think you aren't appreciated enough.  Most of us deal with these feelings at times.  Jesus' disciples did.  It seems they were always fighting for position.

It is during on of these arguments that Jesus confronts his disciples.  They had been "discussing" who was the greatest among them, when Jesus says, "What have you all been discussing." Like guilty children, they all remained silent.  He called them together, and brought a child into their midst.  Taking the child in his arms, Jesus said, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me" (see Mark 9:33-37).

Jesus struck at their pride by telling them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."  In other words, service is the key to greatness.  Then, to illustrate exactly what he meant, he brings a child before them and says serve him.  Children were often little more than property in the first century.  They were to be seen and not heard, and certainly not served.

But Jesus didn't care what the culture said.  He came to serve.  His life was given for men, women, and children.  It was given for Jew and Gentile.  The fast tract to greatness is a life of service to others--all others, even the small and insignificant.  Even the culturally marginalized. 

I think children were actually given to parents to teach them how to become better servants.  A child, even one as beautiful, intelligent, and grateful as mine, continually wants more than they are given.  If you give them an hour of your time, they want six.  If you play one round of a game, they want three.  If you give them two cookies, they want ten.  Sometimes they thank you, sometimes the throw a tantrum.

Children are in a perpetual state of need.  They need someone to prepare their food, wash their clothes, help them in the potty, etc.  With each opportunity, a choice is given.  We can hone our skills as a servant, or we can blunt the blade with resentment and selfishness.

Training a child trains the parents as well.  The process of caring for a small child prepares your caring for your aging parent or spouse.  The impatience of a child can teach you how impatient you are when you realize you were about to throw a fit because the kids interrupted your favorite t.v. show.  The way a child is free to laugh at themselves can teach you not to take yourself to seriously. And so on.

Your pride wants to be first, but it doesn't want to pay the price.  Pride wants a kingdom without a cross. Pride is like gum on the sole of your shoe, it's messy and impedes movement.  You got to scrape it off, and throw it away.  As long as you are prideful, you can never be great in the kingdom of heaven.  It is only when we stop wanting to be "first," that we ever have the potential to truly become great. 

Having children won't necessarily make you a better servant (and not having children won't keep you from becoming a servant).  It will all depend on how you respond.  Are you really concerned with their needs?  Are you serving them in the love of Christ?  Does serving them make you more joyful, than being served yourself?

I know from personal experience just how difficult cultivating this mindset can be.  I find myself straining against it a thousand times a day, and 990 times I fail.  Serving others, for their benefit and God's glory, is a task that requires supernatural strength to accomplish it.  God must work in us to will and do his good pleasure.  And he does, but often we impede the process.

If your children can't get you to serve, God might send more difficult people your way.  The more we stumble, the more God sends difficult people our way for us to serve.  Because when we receive them (and serve them) in Jesus name, we're not only receiving (serving) them, but Jesus, too.  And we're not only receiving (serving) Jesus, but the Father, too.  Would you agree that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of our service?  Then dare to become a servant of all. Because it's all about being conformed into the image of Christ.

As You Wish

If you have seen the movie, The Princess Bride, you are familiar with the characters Wesley and Buttercup.  If you haven't seen it, how did you discover the internet.  You should crawl out of your hole, and go buy a copy of it.  No, don' t rent it, you'll just wind up wanting to rent it again.  It's that funny.  All kidding aside, it is a great movie--you should see it.

Anyway, Wesley is a young farmhand who is deeply in love with his master's daughter, Buttercup.  Wesley reveals his love to Buttercup by simply responding to her orders with the expression, "As you wish."  In time, Buttercup realizes that Wesley loves her and she loves him.  It's a touching story, with a lot of humor thrown in.

I was reminded of the story this afternoon when Sophia asked for a peanut butter and marshmallow (cream) sandwich.  Yes, I am aware that they are probably not very "good" for you, but they taste really good.  So from time to time I make her one.

I realized, as I was making the sandwich, that I enjoy serving her.  I find my spirits lifted in the act of serving others.  As her father, my desire is to give her the desires of her heart.  Yet, I know that I cannot give into her every wish--like marshmallow or pizza for breakfast.  Nor can I give it to her every time she asks.

At times, I feel crushed by the urgent.  There is so much to do.  Then a little voice calls to me, "Daddy, can you play with me?" The temptation is to think that what I am doing is more important than play time, but much of the time it isn't.  She needs me to serve her in this way.

So at times, I smile, put my stuff to the side, and say, "As you wish."  Because I know one day, she'll understand it means, "I love you (more than me)."

FAQs Mondays: Where Can We Find a Summary of the Moral Law?

Last week, we answered the question, "What does God require of man?".  Ultimately, we concluded that God requires that man respond to the moral law with an obedience that comes from faith.  The moral law it the obedience of faith.  This week, we will seek to answer the question, "Where can we find a summary of the moral law?".

Where is the obedience of faith given in summary form?

A summary form of the obedience of faith is given in the Ten Commandments.  Exodus 34:28 explains, "So he [Moses] was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights.  He neither ate bread nor drank water.  And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments" (see also Deut. 10:4).  The author of Hebrews states, "And to whom did he [God] swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?  So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief" (Heb. 3:18-19, see also Heb. 4:2).  The generation of Israelites who rejected the Word of God perished in the wilderness, because they refused to believe God's Word, and thus, disobeyed him.   Concerning the reason the Jews were unable to attain righteousness, Paul states, "Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were by works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone" (Rom. 9:32).

What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?

The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  When asked which is the most important command, Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'  The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'"(Mark 12:29-31, see also Matt. 22:36-40).

Summary

The moral law is summed up in the Ten Commandments.  The Ten Commandments can be summed up by the Great Commandments: "Love God and love your neighbor."  God requires more from humanity than simple obedience to the moral law.  In order to please God, and be counted righteous, we must first trust him, and out of that trust, we must obey him.

Now that we know where we can find a summary form of the moral law, we will spend the next several weeks looking at the Ten Commandments.  Focusing on each of the commandments will give us a greater understanding of what God requires of mankind.  This increased understanding will, in turn, enable us to measure more accurately our own response to God's standard.  Next week we will begin our look at the Ten Commandments by asking, "How do the Ten Commandments begin?".

Sunday Recap 7-18-10

Morning: The sermon, "On Prayer," focused on Ephesians 6:18-20.  In this passage Paul, instructs his readers on prayer.  Paul says:

• Pray in the Spirit.  This means we should pray under the Spirit's influence and with his help.  In Romans 8:15, Paul tells us that by the Spirit of sonship we cry out, "Abba, Father!"  In in Romans 8:26, Paul informs us that in our weakness the Spirit intercedes for us with groans to deep for words.

• On all occasions.  The believer is to pray in the good times and the bad.  We are to pray when we are on the mountaintop with the same fervor as when we are in the valley.

• With all prayers and requests.  The term prayer is generic for all types of prayer.  This would include prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, praise, etc.  The term requests refers to prayers of supplication or petition.  These prayers are where we ask of God.

• Keep watch.  Paul instructs us, as Jesus did his disciples in Gethsemane, to be vigilant and keep watch while praying.  The believer must not let down his guard.

• Always continue to pray.  Believers are to persevere in prayer.  They must pray continually (see 1 Thes. 5:17).

• For all the saints.  Believers are to pray for other believers.  There are several places where we can find prayer needs: the International Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, The Kentucky Baptist Convention, Voice of the Martyrs, etc. 

• A personal prayer request.  Paul asked for prayer for his ministry as well.  He asked for two things: the ability to express the gospel with clarity, and the ability to express the gospel boldly.  I ask you to pray that these to things would be a reality in my ministry as well.

Evening:  We looked at Psalm 86, a prayer of David, and discussed prayer.

Slothfulness

"Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger" (Prov. 19:15).

It is easy to make excuses when your lazy.  Solomon warns, "Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep."  There is a type of "tired" that accompanies laziness.  It isn't the same kind of tired that accompanies a hard day's work.  It isn't the same kind of tired that accompanies sleepless nights caring for a sick child.  It is the kind of "tired" that requires two naps to make it through the day.  It's the kind of tired that stays with you even when you haven't done anything in days.

Poverty accompanies laziness.  Not that all poor people are lazy, some work very hard.  Others have money, but are lazy.  Yet lazy people want and want, but never really get what they desire.

When we get comfortable with the routine of our life, there is a temptation to get lazy.  Once we have achieved our desired goals the tendency for some is to relax.  Solomon warns that this isn't wise.

Do you struggle with laziness?  How do you combat being lazy?

Justified by Faith

"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law" (Rom. 3:28).

I think a lot of people struggle with justification.  I was recently reading J. C. Ryle's Holiness in which he states that people often confuse justification and sanctification.  He explains that the act of being declared right in the sight of God (justification) is different from the process of becoming righteous (sanctification).

It is often difficult to "feel" right with God, because we don't always act righteously.  This failure to conform to God's standard generates conviction accompanied by godly sorrow.  This experience is meant to drive us to confession and repentance.  When we confess, we acknowledge our guilt for breaking God's righteous standard.  When we repent, we turn from our sin and pursue God's ways.

Now it is important to realize that the declaration of our righteousness, by God, is a fixed reality.  We cannot be more righteous.  By God's grace, through faith in Christ's work and person, we are extended full and free pardon.  In Christ, we are viewed as right with God.  The sin debt we owed to a holy God has been paid in full by Christ Jesus our Lord.

In our experiences; however, we need realize that the Holy Spirit is at work in us to bring about the righteousness we possess.  Growing in righteousness is a long and painful process, but one we can be sure the Spirit will bring to completion (Phil. 1:6).

If we do not keep these two realities separate in our minds, we will lack confidence in our salvation.  When conviction hits, Satan often attacks with accusations intended to hijack godly sorrow so that he can immobilize us.  Understanding that we stand right before God, by grace through faith, makes it easier to confess, repent, and move forward in obedience.  When we understand that our right standing before God is based solely on God's grace, it encourages us to cling more closely to him.

If we also understand that the Spirit is growing into the fullness of the righteousness that has been given to us in Christ, it will keep us from believing Satan's lies.  We are not right with God because of what we do. We are right with God because of what Jesus did.  By his grace, we walk in line with that truth.

To Forgive, or Not to Forgive

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flikr/45457114/in/photostream/

Sometimes I feel like an onion--all wrapped up in layers.  It's kind of like when Shrek tries to explain life as an ogre to Donkey. Ogres have layers; onions have layers.  People have layers, too (and so does cake).

Have you ever been in a situation where it feels like all your layers have been pulled back, and you have nothing left to offer?  Maybe you have had all of the more pleasant layers pulled back and all that is left is the anger layer?  You feel tense.  Your ready for a fight.  You can just see a certain person, and your blood pressure starts to rocket.  Does that sound like your experience?

If you find yourself peeled back to the anger layer, you are serious trouble.  It means that you a flirting with unforgiveness.  Actually, it is more than flirting, you're, most likely, married to it.  The grudge you are nursing against that particular individual or group or place delights you in some way.  As you nurture your anger, it deceives you into believing that you are empowered by it.

But the person most injured by your anger is not the other person.  It's you.  Once, I passed a sign that read, "Being angry with someone else is like drinking poison and waiting for them to die."  I believed it then, and I still believe it.  However, that doesn't mean I always practice it.

My default mode, when wounded, is to retreat to anger.  If a person hurts me emotionally or otherwise (intentionally or unintentionally), I get mad.  In fact, when I get physically injured, my first reaction is usually anger.  I'm hardwired that way I guess.  Although, I am not trying to excuse it.  Harboring anger in our hearts is a dangerous thing.  Anger kills.  Haven't you ever heard of a crime of passion?

When I am not careful, I find myself nursing anger in my heart.  The wound doesn't have to be life threating to trigger my anger.  It can be a real or perceived slight.  I don't want to come off sounding like a hothead.  I can take a lot before I reach my boiling point, but when I do it is hard for me to simmer down.

James warns, "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness God requires" (James 1:20).  Instead we are to cultivate meekness.  We should be gentle of heart.  As believers in Christ, we are the recipients  of tremendous grace.  We are freely forgiven of our treason against God, and adopted into his family.  We are all sinners in need of grace.  We all acted in terrible ways toward our holy and merciful God, yet, in love, he offered us peace and fellowship.

In light of this reality, we should seek to extend the same courtesy to those who have offended us.  We should meet their hurtful ways with loving concern.  We should offer them forgiveness, free and without condition.  We should extend to them grace.  You might say, "Wait a minute.  They don't deserve my forgiveness!"  To which, I would respond, "Duh. That is why we call it 'grace.'"  Grace cannot be earned.

When we fail to forgive it reflects a heart that does not understand grace.  Most often, a heart does not understand grace, because it believes itself to have sufficient merit to earn God's favor.  The owner of an unforgiving heart is the slave of a proud heart.

More importantly, when we fail to forgive we come under God's judgment.  Jesus warns, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt. 6:14-15).  You may be saying, "But wait, isn't that works salvation?".  It might sound that way, if we take it out of it's context.  This quote comes from Matthew 5-7, often called the Sermon on the Mount.  The sermon instructs those who follow Jesus to start off by acknowledging their spiritual poverty.  They must realize that they have no righteousness of their own; they must trust God to provide it.

As recipients of God's grace, they should be quick to dispense grace.  Who can swim in the sea of forgiveness, and begrudge someone else such joy?  Only those who have never truly experienced the liberating joy of forgiveness can continually refuse to extend forgiveness to others.  This is the truth Jesus is trying to communicate with his warning.  To be forgiven is to be forgiving; to be unforgiving is to be unforgiven.

What do we do when we find ourselves unwilling to forgive?

• We need to assess the state of our heart.  Have we turned from our sin, to the living God, through Jesus Christ? If no, we need to repent and place our faith in Christ, and then ask him for the strength to forgive.  If yes, then we need to repent of our hardheartedness.  

• We need to mediate on the grace that saves us.  God was super-abundantly gracious toward us.  We have to spend time (lots of time) carefully thinking about God's grace, as revealed in Jesus.  

• We have to remind ourselves (repeatedly) that we are sinners who wound others.  By walking in their shoes, we help to prevent our heart from growing prideful.

• We need to do things to show them we love them even when we don't "feel" like it.  The kind of love that pleases God is not primarily an emotion.  It is action oriented.  Show kindness to your (former) "enemies."  When you do, you're imitating God.

If we will honor the Lord in this way, we can be sure that the Spirit is going to peel back the anger layer, and reveal a tender, merciful layer.  That's the Jesus layer.  Has the Jesus layer been revealed in you, yet?  What are some of the ways you overcome unforgivenness?

I Hate It When This Happens

Have you ever had one of those days where your mind doesn't want to seem to land?  Sometimes it feels as if my mind is being pulled in a thousand different directions. Today was one of those days.  My mind was filled with numerous good ideas.  Each idea wanted me to focus on it, to the exclusion of others, but none of them got the upper hand.

If I was smarter, I would have written them down (although not necessarily in any order).  By writing them down, I could have figured out which ones could be pushed aside until later, which ones needed immediate attention, and which ones could have been knocked out today.

Unfortunately, that idea didn't come until just a few minutes ago.  When my brain gets overloaded with options, my mind grinds to a halt.  Without a clearly set direction, I have a hard time focusing.  I call it "log jamming."  All of my thoughts jam together like a bunch of logs trying to pass through a narrow section of a river.  They pile up on me, and I can't seem to get things done.

Some of the best ideas, get pushed to the bottom (from which they never return).  My brain stays a fragment mess.  After I get so bogged down, it can take hours for me to defrag my mind.  

Maybe you can relate.  How do you handle "log jamming" of your brain?  What are some of the sure-fire methods that have helped you sort through your ideas and get more accomplished?  I would really like to hear from you.

In Search of Inspiration

Have you every read a passage of Scripture, and wondered how it applies to your life?  Have you ever been struggling with some decision, but can't seem to find a passage in the Bible to offer you guidance? Have you been wrestling with a sin and can't seem to shake it?

There are times as I approach my daily Bible reading in desperate need.  I need to see the face of God.  I need to have my sins confronted.  I need vision and direction.  Yet, in spite of my deep need I come away from my reading feeling empty.

These times can make us feel as if the Bible doesn't really work.  Why bother reading it?  However, we need to realize what the real problem is.  The Bible says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).  Therefore, the problem cannot be Scripture, it must lie elsewhere.  

Often we approach Scripture in the the wrong way.  We treat the Bible as if it is any other book.  Sometimes we treat it like a Magic 8-ball.  We approach with unrealistic expectations.  Sometimes we approach Bible reading as just another task to be checked off our to-do lists.  When we make these mistakes, it's no mystery as to why we get little to nothing out of Scripture reading.

• Just another book: When we read the Bible like any other book, we disrespect the Bible. The Scriptures were written by holy men, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and are God's revelation of himself to us.  When we read the Scriptures, we meet God.  The Holy Bible reveals a holy God.  You can't just pull your Bible of the shelf like it's a self-help book or life-coaching manual. 

• A Magic 8-ball:  I have also heard this referred to as "lucky dipping." With this approach, one takes his Bible and opens it at random.  Without looking, he then points to a verse.  Once a finger lands on the page, the nearest verse is read and then applied to the individual's life.  This method leads to a lot of misinterpretation, because it neglects the rules for sound interpretation.  You can't just ask the Bible a question, shake it up, and expect God to "speak" to you. 

• Unrealistic expectations:  We often want quick fixes to our problems.  Sinful behavior that may have been a part of our lives for years, rarely go away because we read a verse of Scripture.  More often, it takes years of faithful obedience and hard work to overcome sinful tendencies.  We should expect quick fixes.  Our God is the Ancient of Days who revealed the Scriptures over a period of 1500 years.  He doesn't get in a hurry.  Maturing in Christ takes time and effort, there are no short cuts.

• Checking off our list:  When we approach Scripture as if it is just something to check off our list, we do ourselves a disservice, even as we disrespect it.  God desires that we meditate on the Scripture.  Contrary to modern concepts of meditation, that focus on emptying the mind, biblical meditation focuses on filling the mind with the Scripture.  Biblical meditation tries to understand all the implications and applications of a passage, in light of its context and purpose.  When you half-heartedly or absent-mindedly read the Scripture, it is not likely to have a lasting affect upon you.

When we approach the Scripture in the right manner, it will bring about transformation in us.  We must combine reverence and faith as we read.  We also need to give careful thought to what we are reading.  We are most benefited when we combine careful thought and heart searching, when we read the Bible.  May God bless you as you search his Word for help and hope.

What is your approach the reading Scripture?  What tips do you have to understanding and applying the Bible?

FAQs Mondays: What Does God Require of Man?

This week we return to our Frequently Asked Questions series.  This week's focus is on what God requires of man.  The previous post can be found here.


What is the duty which God requires of man?

The duty which God requires of man is the obedience that comes from faith.  Paul states, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" (Gal. 5:6).  Of his ministry Paul said, "For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed" (Rom. 15:8). Again Paul states, "but [the gospel] has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith" (Rom. 16:26). 


What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?                              
The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law. Paul states, "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even thought they do not have the law.  They show that the wok of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or excuse them" (Rom. 2:14-15).  Again he states, "for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.  Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come" (Rom. 5:13-14).

Summary

We have learned that God requires the obedience of faith as revealed in the moral law.  Next week we will begin to answer the question: "What is the moral law?".   

Sunday Recap 7-11-10

Morning: The message was entitled, "You've Got to Stand for Something," and came from Ephesians 6:13-17.  In this passage, Paul encourages his readers to put on the full armor of God so that they will be able to stand in the day of evil.  The full armor of God is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul describes the armor as:

The belt of truth: The belt was a necessary piece of equipment that pulled the soldiers outfit together.  The belt would allow a soldier to keep his robes or toga from hindering his movement as he tucked his outfit into his belt.  Believers needs to wrap the truth around them so that they will not be hindered.  Paul is speaking about the doctrinal truth of Christianity, as it is bound up in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The breastplate of righteousness: The breastplate protected most of the vital organs.  Righteousness protects the believer.  The question arises: whose righteousness are we to put on? One side suggests that it is Christ's righteousness.  Others suggest that Paul is speaking about the believers own righteousness.  The best suggestion might be to understand it as both.  Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, and his righteousness generates righteousness in them.

Feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel:  Paul reminds us that every soldier needs proper footwear.  The footwear of the saints is readiness.  They need to be prepared to share the gospel at every opportunity.  We are heralds of the good news of Jesus Christ.

The shield of faith:  The shield Paul has in mind is a large one.  It was meant for combat situations where a soldiers enemies were firing arrows and projectiles.  Paul says that our faith in Christ should be able to extinguish the arrows of our enemies.  Those arrows can be accusations, slander, temptations, lies, half-truths, etc.

The helmet of salvation:  The helmet protected the head.  The head was the source of life.  Salvation crowns the head with protection.

The sword of the Spirit: The sword of the Spirit is the word of God.  It the Spirit's sword, because he created it.  The Scriptures were written by inspiration of the Spirit.  Also, the sword can only be wielded properly by the Spirit.  As Paul says, elsewhere, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work our your salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Dressed in the full armor of God, the believer is able to stand firm through every circumstance.  In Christ, believers can weather any storm.

Evening: Business meeting.

Take a Stand

"You got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything" warns the old saying.  There is great wisdom in the contemporary proverb, but it doesn't go far enough.  The truth is that if we stand for the wrong things, we have already fallen.

Some people fall because they never take a stand.  Some people fall because they stood for the wrong thing.  Others fall because when they took their stand, they didn't stand firm.

Paul encourages the Ephesians, "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Eph. 6:13). Paul seems to be encouraging them to take a stand and persevere in it.  When the dust has cleared, we are to be the last people standing. 

The greatest struggle for most believers isn't knowing what to stand for, they know that.  The greatest struggle is wanting to stand.  The flesh presses us to make concessions at every turn.  This is too hard.  It's too uncomfortable.  What will people think?  We undervalue the eternal rewards.  As we concede to our flesh we barter long term rewards for short term pleasures.  We trade what has lasting value for that which has no lasting value.

We must fight tooth and claw for the truth.  We must wage war against the enemies of our soul with every fiber of our regenerated being.  To paraphrase Paul, "Stand in such a way that you are still standing when it's all said and done." We must be those who persevere in the truth.

What about you, are you standing firm in the Lord?  Have you ever fallen for something, because you failed to stand for something?  If you have fallen, are you willing to get up and take a stand?

You Are Not Your Own

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you have been bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

You are not your own. These words have been pounding in my heart and mind for weeks now.  Sometimes they comfort me.  Sometimes they confront me.  Sometimes they anger me. 

When I think about my life, I don't know that I have ever been my "own."  As a child, my parents set the rules, or the school, or a bully, or the "in" crowd.  Events and people molded and shaped me into the person I am today.  I had choices and opportunities, but not the reigns.  I couldn't run as wild and free as I pleased.

When I got older, I got a job.  "With money comes power and freedom," so I thought.  But it also comes with an employer who gives you a whole new set of rules.  If that weren't bad enough, then comes the tax man, insurance agents, etc.  To get the money to drive the car to do the things I wanted, I had to give away more of my self, my time, my life. 

I got married with a year of college left, and I thought now I can live my life.  But apparently, I didn't quite understand the commitment I made.  There was no longer my life (or her life), there was our life.  As the God-appointed head of the household, I was called to die to my desires and meet the needs of my wife.

After several years of building oneness, we decided to bring children into our family.  The introduction of a child into our household, while a blessing, brought great challenges.  Our first daughter, Ellie, was born prematurely with poly-cystic kidneys and in grave health.  She spent over four months in the children's hospital before we got to bring her home.  During the nearly five months the Lord allowed us to have her, she set the schedule.  Sophia, likewise, has stolen the show.

I don't say any of these things in order to complain.  Truly, I have been blessed beyond measures. My parents are great parents that did the best they could to give us a better life than they had.  I married a wonderful woman, who encourages and strengthens me daily.  Ellie's short life and Sophia's joyful presence have made me a better man.  But all of these blessings have come with a cost.  I am not my own, nor have I ever been.

When I say, I have never been my "own," I simply mean that I acknowledge that I am not an island.  Sure, I disobeyed my parents. Sometimes, I'm gruff with my wife and daughter.  I can be selfish and mean spirited, prideful and petty. But I am not what I could have been, if I would have been true to my self.  Had God not permitted the authorities and events that influenced my life, I shudder to think about what I might have become.

The words "you are not your own" should not come as a surprise to us.  Only a sociopath is his "own" person, but even a sociopath is driven by the dark forces of his heart.  The majority of human beings understand that there are limits to their freedom.  We don't pick our birthday or birth parents or the country of origin.  We grow up in a family unit, functional or dysfunctional, which is a smaller version of a larger culture.  We are driven by moral codes, familial obligation, and/or societal pressure.  We may keep these conventions, challenge them, or seek to change them.  But we are never able to totally erase the influences.

Paul's words remind us that we do not belong to ourselves.  As believers, even "American" believers,  we don't have the right to do as we please.  We cannot run as wild and free as we please.  No.  You are not your own.  You have been bought with a price.  Peter states, "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot" (1 Pet. 1:18-19). It was a tremendous price.

While my old nature may chafe at the words, "You are not your own," the new nature that Christ has created in me knows that there is freedom in that statement.  When I honor my parents or serve my wife or instruct my daughter, I living out the truth: I don't belong to me.  I have been freed to serve the Lord, and by serving him I find freedom.  Only as I give my life up, for the glory of God, do I find that I am being true to who God has made me to be.

I find comfort in the fact that I am not my own.  I am the Lord's.  He has purchased we at a tremendous price; he, most certainly, will never disown me.  Because I am not my own, I do not have to pay the price for my sins. Christ has covered them.  Because I am not my own, I do not need my own righteousness. Christ has given me his.  Because I am not my own, I am in an unbreakable fellowship with Christ and his saints.

You are not your own.  How do these words affect you?  Are you comforted? Challenged? Angry? Perplexed?

Beware the "Me Monster!"

This skit by Brian Regan is a humorous look at the sin of self-glorification.  At one time or another most of us have probably struggled with the "me monster."  If you haven't, God bless you, but I find that I struggle with it quite a bit.

Luke 14:1-14 sheds light on how to deal with the issue of  self-glorification.  The focus on self blinds us, it causes us to focus on our own honor at the expense of others, and it robs us of eternal rewards.

There are at least three things to which a focus on our selves blinds us:

•  The focus on self blinds us to the needs of others.  There is a man at the party who suffered from dropsy, a disease that caused swelling.  Yet, none of the guests were concerned with his well being, because they were too busy clamoring for position.

•  The focus on self blinds us to the work of God.  No one rejoices when Jesus heals the man (with the probable exception of the man himself).  They look on with disinterest or anger (the Scripture does not tell us in this instance, but we know from other events in Jesus' ministry that disinterest or anger were how the Pharisees often responded to Jesus' Sabbath day healings). God worked mightily through Jesus to bring about this healing, but no seemed aware of it.

• The focus on self blinds us to reality.  Jesus chastises the crowd for their hard-heartedness when he asks them, "Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on the Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?"  If the law makes provision for doing these kinds of good deeds on the Sabbath day, doesn't that logically extend to the healing of an injured person?  Jesus knew that none of those present would question the rightness of helping their child out of the well on the Sabbath even though they were angry that he help this man escape the illness of dropsy on the Sabbath. 

Self-glorification had eclipsed everything else in their lives.  Not only had it left them blind, but self-glorification has caused them to seek their own honor in a way that brought dishonor.

• By pressing to be honored, these people dishonored God.  As they were clamoring for the seats of honor (Luke 14:7), they ignored the fact that Jesus was present.  Although those present at this gathered do not appear to understand who Jesus truly was (and is), they were well aware of the fact that he was a unique teacher, a miracle worker, and that he was esteemed by the crowds as a prophet.  As such, he should have been awarded the seat of honor, and his friends should have been extended honor as well.  But the host and his other guests willfully chose to ignore Jesus and his disciples.  By rejecting God's anointed, Jesus, they dishonored God.

• By pressing to be honored, these people dishonored others.  They not only ignored Jesus and his disciples, they seemingly ignored each other as well.  Verse seven makes it seem like everyone (but Jesus and his disciples) were fighting to have the best seats.  They were not esteeming each other as better than themselves.  Their behavior appears rude and childish, just like person in the Brian Regan clip.

• By pressing to be honored, these people multiplied their chances at humiliation.  By seeking their own honor they actually increased their chances of being dishonored.  Jesus teaches them that taking the most important seat could lead to them being asked to move.  Jesus warns, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11).

Self-glorification not only brings dishonor, but loss of eternal reward.  When individuals focus on self they rob themselves of eternal rewards.

• Jesus warned against serving others who could serve us in return.  Individuals who seek to please God should not serve to be served.  The host of this party had filled his guest list with those who could return the favor.  He knew for his one feast, he would be invited to several others.  So his generosity was really fueled by his greed.

• Jesus said we should serve those who can't return the favor.  True generosity is an imitation of our gracious Father in heaven.  This kind of generosity pleases the Father, because it reflects his glory.  He responds to such generosity with a gracious outpouring of blessing. 

Here are three things we can do to slay the me monster within us:

• We must shift our focus from ourselves, and focus on Jesus.  We need to really know Jesus. This means we need to read about him.  The Gospels are a good place to start, but we should not neglect the rest of the New Testament or the Old Testament.  We need to pray to the Father in Jesus' name.  We need to pray to Jesus.  By the indwelling Spirit, Jesus is always present with us.  We need to converse with him.  We need to meditate on his person and his work.  As we draw closer to him, our hearts and minds will more closely reflect his own.

• We need to cultivate humility.  Understanding two things will aid us in this process.  First, we have to understand who God is.  We need a good understanding of God's holiness and his grace.  Second, we have to understand who we are.  We need a good understanding of our own sinfulness and rebellious nature.  If we understand these two things, we will grow in humility.

• We need to serve others to the glory of God.  We have seen that the tendency toward self-glorification blinds us to the needs of others and the work of God.  We have also seen that it causes us to dishonor God and our fellow human beings.  Thus, to combat this monster, we must follow in the steps of Jesus and serve others to the glory of God.  We shouldn't meet their needs so that they will praise us, but so that God will be praised.

The me monster is a hard one to kill, but if we will continually apply these three principles, in faith, we will experience victory.

What about you?  Do you struggle with the me monster? What are some of the ways you fight self-glorification in your life?

Lessons from a Traffic Jam

Bottlenecking is a testament to human depravity.  It seems most people revert to preschool rules when they see a highway narrow to one lane.  

All the kids are present.  The quiet kids, who follow all the rules, see the signs and make the necessary adjustments as quickly and orderly as possible.  The line-cutters zip in and out of traffic trying to get a better position while ignoring all the people who have been patiently waiting their turn.  The foot-draggers slowly join the procession. Traffic jams up as the line-cutters and foot-draggers decide to join the others.  

The line-cutters are jockeying for position.  They want to be first in line, without having to plan or prepare.  They don’t mind pushing their way to the front.  They don’t care how long everyone else has waited.  The rules don’t apply to them.  They’re special.

Their cousins, the foot-draggers, don’t care about anyone else, either.  They don’t want to be in the line.  They appear to be torn between cutting the line and following the rules.  They don’t want to be as rude as the line-cutters, but they hate being forced to do something against their will.  The line represents submission, and their wills balk, because they are special.

Somewhere in the mix is a bitter minority that wishes the other people would just play by the rules so everybody can get to where they are going a little faster.  They try to avoid getting angry at the line cutter who buzzes past them and forces his way into the line fifteen cars ahead of them.  Does he not realize that other people have been waiting in this line for the last thirty minutes?  Then there is that guy who won’t get over because he’s undecided.  Does he assume that another lane will open if he just waits long enough?

The clamoring for position in a traffic jam reflects the clamoring for position in the rest of life.   We may fight and strive for significance.  We may bump and nudge our way to advancement.  We may drag our feet when it comes to making commitment.  We may become bitter because others have pushed themselves ahead of us.  

When we are in Christ, we don't have to clamor for significance.  We have significance because we belong to God in Christ.  God has demonstrated his unconditional love for us by sending the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ, to come and die for our sins.  Because of this we don't have to jockey for position.  We don't have to cut ahead of others in life, there is no reason to drag our feet, and no reason to become bitter when we catch others trying to get ahead of us.  Because they cannot displace us.  Their clamoring cannot devalue us before God.

It may take us longer to get where we are going when we get stuck in a traffic jam, but if we patiently persist, we will arrive.  God allows the physical and spiritual traffic jams in our life, so that we can grow in patience.  He also wants us to learn to wait on him.  He is our significance, he is our value, he is our all in all.  And no line-cutter or foot-dragger can ever change that.

I'm Back

It has been over three weeks since I posted.  It was never my attention to take the time off, but I have found it difficult to return to writing.  The week I spent in Missouri was busy, and I didn't have access to the internet.  I returned home to a busy week, and then last week I was on vacation.  I began to enjoy the "free time" that not posting provided.  I can go to bed without wondering what I should write on, get up without thinking about my next post, and move throughout the day without thought of my blog.

The temptation to quit blogging has been great.  Sometimes it feels it like blogging is an exercise in futility.  Without feedback it is difficult to assess effectiveness.  I have often wondered if I were really accomplishing anything with this blog.

I can't say that I have come up with any firm answers, but I know I must continue to write.  Ideas keep coming.  And the old dream won't be put to rest so easily.  This post marks my return to blogging.  I'm sorry I stayed gone so long, and I hope you all will return daily to read my posts.  Do me a favor and help get the word out.  Thanks for your loyalty.