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This Is Your Life was a television documentary series hosted by Ralph Edwards. It originated as a radio show in the late 40’s, and then movrd to television for a decade long run in the 1950s.
The format of the show consisted of the host, who would surprise someone, usually a celebrity or public figure, and on occasion an ordinary citizen. The host would follow a research dossier outlining the guests life achievements, thereby presenting a biography of the subject before a live studio audience. The subject would be presented with family members and old friends, reunited with old acquaintances, and often shed a tear when a personal tragedy was recounted.
The celebrity guests were essentially ambushed by host Ralph Edwards and frequently intimidated by the microphone and cameras. People were usually very uncomfortable being caught off-guard Some in fact hostile and angry, at having their personal and private lives made public. There was no opportunity for a guest to review the script in advance or offer a different perspective on one’s life events.
One day, each one of us will be center stage in a sort of “This Is Your Life” documentary review of our life... lived as a so-called follower of Christ. Our host for this momentous event, who will recount our individual life biographies, will be Jesus himself. There will be no cameras, no microphones, and we won’t be caught off-guard. Since the day we said YES to his grace, we’ve known this day would eventually come. We won’t be alone.... there will be a heavenly audience observing the mercy and judgment meted out by the Lord and Savior of humanity. Somehow, the picture I’ve created in my head for that day, when I stand before the creator of the universe and listen to His perspective of my life, is not a very comforting prospect. It’s unsettling. It causes internal agitation of the heart and mind.
The day we make our commitment to Christ, our individual dossier begins. Every detail, every event, every missed opportunity, every ignored responsibility.... everything we do from that point forward, good, bad and indifferent, is being noted by the Lord of the Universe. If you’re not scared now.. give yourself a few moments... you will be!
Many who claim the title “Christian”, who regularly attending church, and are at least acquainted with the gospel, God’s plan of salvation and requirements for living as a Christian, never seem to get with the program. They are comfortable with the world around them. They have little or no problem with sin. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Christians like these, will speak an occasional sentimental thought about Christ for posturing purposes. They acknowledge Christmas and Easter and now and then will engage in basic discussions of Biblical truths, but never at a depth that allows self-exposure or personal conviction. Sadly, these folks who call themselves Christians, demonstrate little or no evidence that they have experienced the transforming power of the gospel in their lives. (Romans 8:1-9; 1 Peter 1: 15-16; Colossians 2:6)
Yet in spite of the overwhelming evidence against them, carnal or worldly Christians consider themselves “heaven bound”... next stop the pearly gates! How absurd! The only Christians who will arrive at heaven’s gate and hear those hoped for words spoken to you by Jesus... “ welcome home good and faithful servant”, are those Christians who have lived transformed lives in total unconditional commitment to serving the Lord’s interests... not your own! (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:17-24)
At our baptism, God takes us out of the world and embues us with citizenship in heaven. But at the same time, he places us right back in the midst of this sin-filled world. Why? We have a job to do... to be a living witness for Christ. To seek and save those searching for something better than what this sin-filled world offers. We are expected to be “salt and light” to the world. Christians are to be a global throng that “stands in” for Jesus Christ. We are to be noticed and recognized for who we claim to be... followers of Jesus Christ. We are to "walk the walk" and "talk the talk" everyday of our lives in Christ.
The plan is clear and simple to comprehend. We have a blueprint... the Bible. It teaches us how to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading so we can be transformed into worthy vessels for use by the God. If that’s not where you are right now today, then your mind and heart are in serious need of reconditioning. If God’s will is not defining your direction in life... then you are simply not in sync with God... you are a Carnal Christian.
This world and all of its allies are passing away... be transformed NOW.... so when you stand before Him and God recounts your life... He will do so full of grace, mercy and joy for a life lived passionately in Him... for His Kingdom. There is no other way!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Spirit Brings Us Together... We Pull Ourselves Apart
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I'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU DON'T! You've heard that taunt from your children, haven't you? Maybe you’ve said it yourself a few times. It's okay... you can admit it. We’ve all said things like that to one another at some point in our adult lives.
One of the most serious problems with our personal passion and strong commitment to follow Christ, is that we allow it to overpower our balance... our view of ourselves and others. You might be wondering how something so good, so rich and rewarding as a life commitment to serve the Lord could be a threat to our spiritual growth and standing before God.
Here’s the problem. We often deceive ourselves with an all-too-human spirit that says my experiences or my spiritual practices or my commitment or my doctrinal understanding give me a better connection with God than you have.
You have deceived yourself into believing that what you’re doing for the Lord and His Kingdom are better than what others are doing and therefore God recognizes "you" as better than others. You might even see yourself as sort of a “savior” for your congregation.... as if they couldn’t get along without you... your teaching, your insights, your wisdom and so on. In your eyes, you think of yourself as humble... a person “extra” blessed by God, working passionately and diligently in doing God’s will. Thinking like this is a sure sign that you're not what you think you are. Said another way... expressions such as these are quite literally a "holier than thou" attitude.
It's great to have spiritual experiences, right doctrine, knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. It’s great that someone can explain and teach the Word of God effectively. But such gifts are not a “measuring stick” to be used in evaluating one person over another. Having what you equate as more skills and talents, does not mean that God has imbued you with more, thereby making you better than others.
Working to bring people together is a responsibility for all of us. But some of us just seem to have a knack for pulling people apart. Here’s a short list of skills many of us seem to have mastered rather well: starting arguments; spreading gossip; creating cliques; carrying grudges; backstabbing; deliberately undermining those in authority; pitting one person off against another; lying; setting up rules in order to create social barriers; being a racist or sexist or elitist; giving orders and demanding obedience; using principles or even 'righteous' anger as an excuse to cut off contact; personalizing a dispute; raising the stakes in disputes; having an 'I win, you lose' attitude; acting without concern about how it affects others. That’s enough! More than enough to undermine your personal relationship with Jesus and cause competitive divisiveness in a congregation.
God have never given us any evidence that He “measures” one person against the other based on skills, abilities, or knowledge. God loves us all equally. Jesus died on the cross not only for all... but for each of us.
God seeks to work within each one of us, thereby achieving His purposes through a collective gifted body of believers whom He empowers to work harmoniously together. The Holy Spirit works for the good of the whole body of followers, doing so by assisting us in cultivating the personal gifts each one of us possesses. God’s treatment of his children is impartial with grace for all and blessings bestowed on sincere hearts.
When we worry about measuring one another, especially when you set yourself up as the “measuring stick” for evaluating the contributions and value of your Christian brothers and sisters, we craft an ugly picture for the whole world to see. You can’t hide this type of attitude, it shows forth like a flashing neon sign giving a poor witness to onlookers of the Christian experience. The unbelievers in the world use various forms of measuring people, but they expect something better from those who say they believe in the concepts of unconditional love and acceptance of all.
Harboring such attitudes will cause a body of believers to be less effective in using the gifts God gave to each of us. The tighter the group is, the worse these attitudes can be. God designed His Church to be a tightly knit body of believers... so it stands to reason that we will succumb to feeding on one another from time to time like ravenous wolves!
In many churches, this is what church life is like. Just ask the steady stream of once-active Christians who walk away from the Church in disgust. Instead of finding acceptance, hope, joy, edification and building up by the Spirit, enthusiastic members frequently get torched with flame-thrower-like legalism imposed by the "extra gifted".
Jesus gave us a better way. He taught us to love one another with God's love. An unconditional love without expectations of anything in return (John 13:34-35) Paul laid out the strategy for how we are to use our personal talents... when he wrote about spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Our gifts, abilities and talents are to be used to build up one another, thereby making the body a powerful unit able and capable of being used by God to accomplish his purpose.
The Christian faith is full of struggles and conflicts among brothers, but also healing and strengthening, conflict resolution, spiritual nourishment and growth. Rather than measuring how much better you think you are than others in your congregation, spend your time figuring out how you can “fit into the plan of God” working in harmony with your fellow Christians... using your gifts to enhance, to encourage, to build one another up in love.
If you need to measure someone... try measuring yourself against Jesus. Then get on your knees and thank him for not measuring you against His gift.
I'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU DON'T! You've heard that taunt from your children, haven't you? Maybe you’ve said it yourself a few times. It's okay... you can admit it. We’ve all said things like that to one another at some point in our adult lives.
One of the most serious problems with our personal passion and strong commitment to follow Christ, is that we allow it to overpower our balance... our view of ourselves and others. You might be wondering how something so good, so rich and rewarding as a life commitment to serve the Lord could be a threat to our spiritual growth and standing before God.
Here’s the problem. We often deceive ourselves with an all-too-human spirit that says my experiences or my spiritual practices or my commitment or my doctrinal understanding give me a better connection with God than you have.
You have deceived yourself into believing that what you’re doing for the Lord and His Kingdom are better than what others are doing and therefore God recognizes "you" as better than others. You might even see yourself as sort of a “savior” for your congregation.... as if they couldn’t get along without you... your teaching, your insights, your wisdom and so on. In your eyes, you think of yourself as humble... a person “extra” blessed by God, working passionately and diligently in doing God’s will. Thinking like this is a sure sign that you're not what you think you are. Said another way... expressions such as these are quite literally a "holier than thou" attitude.
It's great to have spiritual experiences, right doctrine, knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. It’s great that someone can explain and teach the Word of God effectively. But such gifts are not a “measuring stick” to be used in evaluating one person over another. Having what you equate as more skills and talents, does not mean that God has imbued you with more, thereby making you better than others.
Working to bring people together is a responsibility for all of us. But some of us just seem to have a knack for pulling people apart. Here’s a short list of skills many of us seem to have mastered rather well: starting arguments; spreading gossip; creating cliques; carrying grudges; backstabbing; deliberately undermining those in authority; pitting one person off against another; lying; setting up rules in order to create social barriers; being a racist or sexist or elitist; giving orders and demanding obedience; using principles or even 'righteous' anger as an excuse to cut off contact; personalizing a dispute; raising the stakes in disputes; having an 'I win, you lose' attitude; acting without concern about how it affects others. That’s enough! More than enough to undermine your personal relationship with Jesus and cause competitive divisiveness in a congregation.
God have never given us any evidence that He “measures” one person against the other based on skills, abilities, or knowledge. God loves us all equally. Jesus died on the cross not only for all... but for each of us.
God seeks to work within each one of us, thereby achieving His purposes through a collective gifted body of believers whom He empowers to work harmoniously together. The Holy Spirit works for the good of the whole body of followers, doing so by assisting us in cultivating the personal gifts each one of us possesses. God’s treatment of his children is impartial with grace for all and blessings bestowed on sincere hearts.
When we worry about measuring one another, especially when you set yourself up as the “measuring stick” for evaluating the contributions and value of your Christian brothers and sisters, we craft an ugly picture for the whole world to see. You can’t hide this type of attitude, it shows forth like a flashing neon sign giving a poor witness to onlookers of the Christian experience. The unbelievers in the world use various forms of measuring people, but they expect something better from those who say they believe in the concepts of unconditional love and acceptance of all.
Harboring such attitudes will cause a body of believers to be less effective in using the gifts God gave to each of us. The tighter the group is, the worse these attitudes can be. God designed His Church to be a tightly knit body of believers... so it stands to reason that we will succumb to feeding on one another from time to time like ravenous wolves!
In many churches, this is what church life is like. Just ask the steady stream of once-active Christians who walk away from the Church in disgust. Instead of finding acceptance, hope, joy, edification and building up by the Spirit, enthusiastic members frequently get torched with flame-thrower-like legalism imposed by the "extra gifted".
Jesus gave us a better way. He taught us to love one another with God's love. An unconditional love without expectations of anything in return (John 13:34-35) Paul laid out the strategy for how we are to use our personal talents... when he wrote about spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Our gifts, abilities and talents are to be used to build up one another, thereby making the body a powerful unit able and capable of being used by God to accomplish his purpose.
The Christian faith is full of struggles and conflicts among brothers, but also healing and strengthening, conflict resolution, spiritual nourishment and growth. Rather than measuring how much better you think you are than others in your congregation, spend your time figuring out how you can “fit into the plan of God” working in harmony with your fellow Christians... using your gifts to enhance, to encourage, to build one another up in love.
If you need to measure someone... try measuring yourself against Jesus. Then get on your knees and thank him for not measuring you against His gift.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
When was the last time you walked on WATER?
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The 14th chapter Matthew tells of two significant moments the disciples had with Jesus. The first was the feeding of five thousand people with fives loaves of bread and two fish. The second is seeing Jesus walk on water. The Bible says the disciples were afraid at first, until Jesus made himself known as he walked toward them. Once the dicisples knew it was Jesus, something quite remarkable happens, Peter asks "Lord, if it's you," "tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus then told Peter to come and Peter began walking on the water toward Jesus.
There is something quite significance in this well known story. Peter was not the only disciple in the boat, but he was the only one to walk on water. This implies so much: Peter did something no one else did and he experienced something only the other disciples could talk about... second hand. This is such a life application for us all.
Each of us enters this world with the same potential. Each of us is gifted by God with talents that can bring honor and glory to Him. We have something to offer and give back in this world. The question is are we utilizing our gifts and potential. God has put something in you very special that no one else can do. Remember... God is not a respector of persons, but He is a respector of faith because the Bible declares it is "impossible to please Him" without faith. The same opportunity that was presented to Peter was available to all those who sat in the boat. Yet only Peter took advantage of that opportunity. He asked Jesus to help him do the impossible.... and it became possible.
When opportunities come your way to use your gift or potential, are you taking advantage of those opportunities? If we are using Peter as an example, nothing in scripture states why Peter asks Jesus to beckon him to come. Yet something on the inside of Peter dared to do the impossible, the burning to go beyond the norm.
Jesus even said in his own words greater works you will do if you believe. Someone who walks on water makes things happen, whereas someone sitting in the boat is waiting for something to happen.
Someone who walks on water is a history maker while someone sitting in the boat is a history reader. Someone who walks on water is a risk taker, while someone who sits in the boat is an excuse maker.
God has given us this life to glorify Him and yield ourselves to be used by Him in His mission. Make no mistake about it... stretching our capacity and pushing the limits of our abilities for God takes courage.
Consider these questions..... what are you going to do with the gifts and potential inside you? Do you trust Him enough that you will courageously jump in to whatever He lays before you and let him fill the gaps in your limits and abilities? Are you going to sit in the boat or will you dare to walk on water?
The 14th chapter Matthew tells of two significant moments the disciples had with Jesus. The first was the feeding of five thousand people with fives loaves of bread and two fish. The second is seeing Jesus walk on water. The Bible says the disciples were afraid at first, until Jesus made himself known as he walked toward them. Once the dicisples knew it was Jesus, something quite remarkable happens, Peter asks "Lord, if it's you," "tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus then told Peter to come and Peter began walking on the water toward Jesus.
There is something quite significance in this well known story. Peter was not the only disciple in the boat, but he was the only one to walk on water. This implies so much: Peter did something no one else did and he experienced something only the other disciples could talk about... second hand. This is such a life application for us all.
Each of us enters this world with the same potential. Each of us is gifted by God with talents that can bring honor and glory to Him. We have something to offer and give back in this world. The question is are we utilizing our gifts and potential. God has put something in you very special that no one else can do. Remember... God is not a respector of persons, but He is a respector of faith because the Bible declares it is "impossible to please Him" without faith. The same opportunity that was presented to Peter was available to all those who sat in the boat. Yet only Peter took advantage of that opportunity. He asked Jesus to help him do the impossible.... and it became possible.
When opportunities come your way to use your gift or potential, are you taking advantage of those opportunities? If we are using Peter as an example, nothing in scripture states why Peter asks Jesus to beckon him to come. Yet something on the inside of Peter dared to do the impossible, the burning to go beyond the norm.
Jesus even said in his own words greater works you will do if you believe. Someone who walks on water makes things happen, whereas someone sitting in the boat is waiting for something to happen.
Someone who walks on water is a history maker while someone sitting in the boat is a history reader. Someone who walks on water is a risk taker, while someone who sits in the boat is an excuse maker.
God has given us this life to glorify Him and yield ourselves to be used by Him in His mission. Make no mistake about it... stretching our capacity and pushing the limits of our abilities for God takes courage.
Consider these questions..... what are you going to do with the gifts and potential inside you? Do you trust Him enough that you will courageously jump in to whatever He lays before you and let him fill the gaps in your limits and abilities? Are you going to sit in the boat or will you dare to walk on water?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Are you a Peacemaker?
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PART II
A Renovation of the Heart is Needed
Some people pray a lot about revival. Revivals... infused with enthusiasm and excitement are thought to be a way to reorient our thinking and focus towards God and his purposes. Light the fire once again. I'm all for that. But revivals seem to be needed much to frequently in today’s church. It’s frustrating that we Christians continually need a “relighting of the fire” to get us moving in the direction God wants us go. I believe the revival that God wants us to experience requires hard decisions that can only emanate from within our hearts. The changes he wants in us... do not require revivals to relight and reignite the fire and passion to live the Christian life and be immersed in his service. He wants us to be willing to allow him to finally and completely renovate our hearts... to make us "new creations" suitable for his purposes.
It’s not easy to humble ourselves before God. We usually wait for someone else to lead the way. But each one of us.... must choose to deal with his or her own pride, self-importance and ego.
Confessing and telling God what He already knows about the sinfulness of our hearts and our selfish ways is real hard to do... like pulling teeth without Novocain. We need to ask God and others to forgive us for our critical spirit. This is a very hard thing and the normal reaction from us is.... “why me... why not him or her?” Whether we think our sinful attitudes are major or minor, we need to voice it in prayer to God and take that really hard step and confess it in the church. We tend not to confess our sins where people would hear them and think less of us. Who of us is not guilty of this? It’s pride that holds us back and it will be pride that blocks the gate to eternity, if we don’t humble ourselves before the Lord and let him remake us... NOW!
Do we seek to protect our elders and leaders? Protection here is a complex Godly standard not easy to learn and even harder to put into practice. The standard means not hiding their shortcomings but also not allowing them to be criticized when not present. God has called them to minister on your behalf. Support them in their roles and work. When we cannot endorse what they are doing, we need to go and tell them, not someone else. That’s grumbling at its worst. Openly attacking them to discredit them and destroy there ability to serve God as He has called them, is an affront to God the Father and shows disrespect for the governing authority of the church as ordained by Christ to carryout the Great Commission.
Make a commitment not to speak negative things about people. Our goal should be to speak to people not about them behind their back. We need a return to Jesus' statement on this in Matthew 18:15-18. Read it... it’s a simple model and it works.
If you have problems in your church, with divisions and divisiveness among brothers, think of what is at stake. Jesus' reputation in the world today depends on the world's perception of our unity. John 17:20-23 makes this clear. Read it.... and ponder your attitude and conduct among brothers. Together, one to another, united by the Spirit, let us guard the reputation of His Body, the Church.
PART II
A Renovation of the Heart is Needed
Some people pray a lot about revival. Revivals... infused with enthusiasm and excitement are thought to be a way to reorient our thinking and focus towards God and his purposes. Light the fire once again. I'm all for that. But revivals seem to be needed much to frequently in today’s church. It’s frustrating that we Christians continually need a “relighting of the fire” to get us moving in the direction God wants us go. I believe the revival that God wants us to experience requires hard decisions that can only emanate from within our hearts. The changes he wants in us... do not require revivals to relight and reignite the fire and passion to live the Christian life and be immersed in his service. He wants us to be willing to allow him to finally and completely renovate our hearts... to make us "new creations" suitable for his purposes.
It’s not easy to humble ourselves before God. We usually wait for someone else to lead the way. But each one of us.... must choose to deal with his or her own pride, self-importance and ego.
Confessing and telling God what He already knows about the sinfulness of our hearts and our selfish ways is real hard to do... like pulling teeth without Novocain. We need to ask God and others to forgive us for our critical spirit. This is a very hard thing and the normal reaction from us is.... “why me... why not him or her?” Whether we think our sinful attitudes are major or minor, we need to voice it in prayer to God and take that really hard step and confess it in the church. We tend not to confess our sins where people would hear them and think less of us. Who of us is not guilty of this? It’s pride that holds us back and it will be pride that blocks the gate to eternity, if we don’t humble ourselves before the Lord and let him remake us... NOW!
Do we seek to protect our elders and leaders? Protection here is a complex Godly standard not easy to learn and even harder to put into practice. The standard means not hiding their shortcomings but also not allowing them to be criticized when not present. God has called them to minister on your behalf. Support them in their roles and work. When we cannot endorse what they are doing, we need to go and tell them, not someone else. That’s grumbling at its worst. Openly attacking them to discredit them and destroy there ability to serve God as He has called them, is an affront to God the Father and shows disrespect for the governing authority of the church as ordained by Christ to carryout the Great Commission.
Make a commitment not to speak negative things about people. Our goal should be to speak to people not about them behind their back. We need a return to Jesus' statement on this in Matthew 18:15-18. Read it... it’s a simple model and it works.
If you have problems in your church, with divisions and divisiveness among brothers, think of what is at stake. Jesus' reputation in the world today depends on the world's perception of our unity. John 17:20-23 makes this clear. Read it.... and ponder your attitude and conduct among brothers. Together, one to another, united by the Spirit, let us guard the reputation of His Body, the Church.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Harvest is Great... but the Laborers are Grumbling!
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PART I
When love and unity mark the church, God the Father is honored and glorified. Jesus' prayer in John chapter 17 makes this clear, especially verses 20-26. In Gethsemane just prior to His arrest, trial and crucifixion, Jesus prayed for us. "For those who will believe" (v. 20)—this includes all Christians living today.
What did He ask the Father on our behalf? He didn't pray that we would be happy or healthy or go unhurt by the actions of others. He prayed that we would get along with one another, that we would be one. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me" (v. 23).
When a congregation of believers are “one”, we reflect the unity and character of the triune God we have committed our lives to serving. The glory of God is thus seen in His people, and the Father is well pleased.
Disunity is the Devil's Delight
Anything that pleases God is a target of His enemy. Satan, our adversary, promotes disunity. He is out to destroy the church. He is highly skilled and experienced in using church people to accomplish this. These are not demon-possessed people. These are true believers, well-meaning saints. Often they are pillars within the church community with strong personalities, deserving of respect, but they are sometimes used unwittingly by Satan... to divide the church.
Satan can use us by filling our hearts with self-seeking motives. He is an expert at taking our unresolved anger and causing great pain to everyone it touches. We easily become blinded to what we are doing, and soon we become his instruments for causing divisions in the Body.
The real enemy is not the person we are reacting against because of some disruptive behavior in the church or a personal grudge against a brother. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world" (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy is the Devil, who delights in creating disunity. He hides in the background, preferring we not recognize his role in our conflicts. Riding on our selfishness and insecurities, he can work through well-meaning folks like us to wreak havoc in the church. Most of the time we don't even realize he is using us to create mischief and discord.
He can even encourage us to quote Bible verses to prove our point and in the process widen the schism among brothers. He comes as "an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). He enjoys our sanctimoniously asking special prayer for the "terrible things that are going on." This raises suspicions that weaken the church and destroy its credibility before the watching world.
Paul rightly warned the church to "watch out for those who cause divisions" (Romans 16:17). He also appealed "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought" (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Division Today
We should hate sin in the church. We should deplore the inroads worldly thought has made in subverting the purity of the church. The obvious ones make us look like we've cloned the world's values: materialism, pride, the sins of the flesh.
But the one most prevalent in the church today is the one that cripples the local church most often - division, divisiveness. This sin concerns most of the letters in the New Testament. Divisiveness is what the false teachers brought to the Early Church, and divisiveness is having a heyday in the church today.
Divisiveness seems to originate from tried and tested seeds that bring forth division and discontent. We see it most often in the following:
The worship wars: “Why don't they sing the right kind of music?” (Translation: “My kind.”)
Who really leads the church: The preacher? The elders? “We don't like the preachers or the elders leadership style.”
Wrestling with change: “We've always done it this way. How dare you suggest changing.”
Sinful Acts
Usually the real issue is one of power. Each person wants a rightful place as one who knows what needs to be done. After all, we often think we have been around long enough to have some influence with others. So we create an issue, if not a crisis. Paul, in Galatians 5:19-20, reminds us that the acts of the sinful nature include, "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like" . A divisive spirit is listed with sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft. Dissension keeps wicked company.
Jude describes these people in verse 16 as "grumblers" who are governed by their own evil desires. They "boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage."
If you ask Christians today to write down words or phrases that best describe their church, "grumbling" would likely be mentioned at the top of the list. We seem to think it's all right to complain. After all, ours is a free country with the right of free expression. But the Bible does not teach this sort of freedom within the Church. "Freedom in Christ" does not translate to "open season" on anything and everything that you don't like about the church, its operation, it's leaders or it's members.
Acceptable Sins
"There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (Prov. 6:16-19).
God hates the actions and attitudes that stir up dissension among brothers. Yet when was the last time elders in your church have personally addressed people who sowed dissension through grumbling?
More is said in the New Testament about love and unity in the church than about divorce or even adultery. Yet we tend to let the grumblers and gossips get away with their remarks. Are these "acceptable sins"?
As laborers in the Kingdom, we work hard to bring the good news of Jesus the Christ to all people. The world sees us and asks, "Why can't you get along with one another?" Ouch... that hurts! No wonder Paul was always exhorting the New Testament churches to pursue unity. Perhaps Godliness is best demonstrated when we speak the truth to one another and among one another in love.... when we learn to bear with one another's weaknesses... when our expectations for one another do not exceed that set by our Lord. Unity must be the benchmark of Christian brotherhood regardless of our personal preferences and assumed rights. If you find yourself squabbling, grumbling, bickering and complaining about your brothers and sisters... then maybe it's time for a renovation of your heart and mind. There is still time.
PART I
When love and unity mark the church, God the Father is honored and glorified. Jesus' prayer in John chapter 17 makes this clear, especially verses 20-26. In Gethsemane just prior to His arrest, trial and crucifixion, Jesus prayed for us. "For those who will believe" (v. 20)—this includes all Christians living today.
What did He ask the Father on our behalf? He didn't pray that we would be happy or healthy or go unhurt by the actions of others. He prayed that we would get along with one another, that we would be one. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you have sent me" (v. 23).
When a congregation of believers are “one”, we reflect the unity and character of the triune God we have committed our lives to serving. The glory of God is thus seen in His people, and the Father is well pleased.
Disunity is the Devil's Delight
Anything that pleases God is a target of His enemy. Satan, our adversary, promotes disunity. He is out to destroy the church. He is highly skilled and experienced in using church people to accomplish this. These are not demon-possessed people. These are true believers, well-meaning saints. Often they are pillars within the church community with strong personalities, deserving of respect, but they are sometimes used unwittingly by Satan... to divide the church.
Satan can use us by filling our hearts with self-seeking motives. He is an expert at taking our unresolved anger and causing great pain to everyone it touches. We easily become blinded to what we are doing, and soon we become his instruments for causing divisions in the Body.
The real enemy is not the person we are reacting against because of some disruptive behavior in the church or a personal grudge against a brother. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world" (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy is the Devil, who delights in creating disunity. He hides in the background, preferring we not recognize his role in our conflicts. Riding on our selfishness and insecurities, he can work through well-meaning folks like us to wreak havoc in the church. Most of the time we don't even realize he is using us to create mischief and discord.
He can even encourage us to quote Bible verses to prove our point and in the process widen the schism among brothers. He comes as "an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). He enjoys our sanctimoniously asking special prayer for the "terrible things that are going on." This raises suspicions that weaken the church and destroy its credibility before the watching world.
Paul rightly warned the church to "watch out for those who cause divisions" (Romans 16:17). He also appealed "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought" (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Division Today
We should hate sin in the church. We should deplore the inroads worldly thought has made in subverting the purity of the church. The obvious ones make us look like we've cloned the world's values: materialism, pride, the sins of the flesh.
But the one most prevalent in the church today is the one that cripples the local church most often - division, divisiveness. This sin concerns most of the letters in the New Testament. Divisiveness is what the false teachers brought to the Early Church, and divisiveness is having a heyday in the church today.
Divisiveness seems to originate from tried and tested seeds that bring forth division and discontent. We see it most often in the following:
The worship wars: “Why don't they sing the right kind of music?” (Translation: “My kind.”)
Who really leads the church: The preacher? The elders? “We don't like the preachers or the elders leadership style.”
Wrestling with change: “We've always done it this way. How dare you suggest changing.”
Sinful Acts
Usually the real issue is one of power. Each person wants a rightful place as one who knows what needs to be done. After all, we often think we have been around long enough to have some influence with others. So we create an issue, if not a crisis. Paul, in Galatians 5:19-20, reminds us that the acts of the sinful nature include, "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like" . A divisive spirit is listed with sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft. Dissension keeps wicked company.
Jude describes these people in verse 16 as "grumblers" who are governed by their own evil desires. They "boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage."
If you ask Christians today to write down words or phrases that best describe their church, "grumbling" would likely be mentioned at the top of the list. We seem to think it's all right to complain. After all, ours is a free country with the right of free expression. But the Bible does not teach this sort of freedom within the Church. "Freedom in Christ" does not translate to "open season" on anything and everything that you don't like about the church, its operation, it's leaders or it's members.
Acceptable Sins
"There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (Prov. 6:16-19).
God hates the actions and attitudes that stir up dissension among brothers. Yet when was the last time elders in your church have personally addressed people who sowed dissension through grumbling?
More is said in the New Testament about love and unity in the church than about divorce or even adultery. Yet we tend to let the grumblers and gossips get away with their remarks. Are these "acceptable sins"?
As laborers in the Kingdom, we work hard to bring the good news of Jesus the Christ to all people. The world sees us and asks, "Why can't you get along with one another?" Ouch... that hurts! No wonder Paul was always exhorting the New Testament churches to pursue unity. Perhaps Godliness is best demonstrated when we speak the truth to one another and among one another in love.... when we learn to bear with one another's weaknesses... when our expectations for one another do not exceed that set by our Lord. Unity must be the benchmark of Christian brotherhood regardless of our personal preferences and assumed rights. If you find yourself squabbling, grumbling, bickering and complaining about your brothers and sisters... then maybe it's time for a renovation of your heart and mind. There is still time.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Reasonable Expectations can ease tensions
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Expectations are an important part of life aren’t they? I’m not sure we could function without expectations... as they’re a way of expressing our hopes and dreams for something better in the future. We hear a lot about expectations today. All of us expect the economy to stabilize and improve, it’s just a matter of when. Some of us expect our favorite sports team to go the distance this year and win the championship. I’ve been expecting the Eagles to win the Super Bowl for a along time.... I’m still hoping they will someday. See, there’s that quality of hope connected to expectations. Expectations are woven into our thinking about every aspect of life... business... family... relationships... and even our Churches.
Expectations come in several forms: High Expectations.... Unrealistic Expectations... Failed Expectations to name a few. These forms have less to do with the enduring quality of “hope”, and more to do with unsavory characteristics such as arrogance, self-sufficiency, superiority, independence, conceit and a sense of entitlement. Expectations are a manifestation of pride.
We know that Pride, is cunning, baffling, and powerful. So “expectations” that emanate from “pride” can be more harmful than good.
Let me briefly illustrate how “expectations” can have an adverse affect on relationships. Troubled marriages are often plagued by the perception of “failed expectations”. “You’re not what I expected in a wife. You don’t clean the house like Mom used to... you’re not a good cook”.... It goes both ways... “You’re not what I expected in a husband.... you care more about your buddies than you do me and the kids”. The perception of “expectations” not met, spills over to the kids who feel a sense of failure right along with their parents who feel they are failing in their relationship.
Sadly, one of the greatest sources of pain in our families and in our congregations come from unrealistic, high-unattainable and frustrated expectations. Expectations not properly grounded, are a recipe for failure in family relationships, in fellowship with christian brothers and sisters and they represent a serious impediment to our spiritual growth.
Now I know what you're thinking. Shouldn't we expect the best out of one another? From our marriage mates... our children... even from associates in the workplace? Shouldn't we encourage each other to strive for excellence and never settle for anything less? Absolutely. But... we must use the power of expectations properly. Christ taught us how to use expectations. Somewhere along the line... we seem to have forgotten that lesson. We need to relearn it.
Okay, let’s review our Lord’s expectations. Does He demand a lot? You bet he does. Does He expect much from us? Only our best. Does He have expectations? Oh yes...just that we leave everything, deny all, and follow Him. WOW.... high expectations to say the least, right? So what’s the difference with His “expectations” and ours? Jesus' expectations were accompanied by forgiveness and acceptance. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.... Romans 5:8
Jesus went to the cross with no expectations that anyone would even care what his sacrifice would mean to the human family. Of course we know that he was confident that humanity would indeed recognize why he gave his life for us. But he made no bargain in advance of the cross with humanity. You see, expectations create conditional love. "I love you, but I'll love you more if........." The love of God is unconditional... totally and completely without expectations. His sacrifice, was not conditional or dependent on our performance by any measure.
When we love with expectations, we say, "I love you.... but I'll love you even more if......?" Christ's love is not like this. No strings, no expectations, no hidden agendas, no secrets. His love for us was, and is, up front and clear. "I love you," He says, "even if you let Me down. I love you in spite of your failures." “I love you the way you are”.
The expectations of Christ also deliver something totally unique.... His forgiveness and tenderness. Fail, sin, stumble, ignore Him.... feel terrible about it and you land safely in His arms of tolerance by grace.
Alone, human evolved expectations can be bullets that kill relationships, ignite strife and bickering in a congregation... but when buffered by acceptance and forgiveness, they can bring out the best in us and everyone around us.
Expectations are unconsciously premeditated resentment... waiting to pounce on someone who has no clue they’re about to be measured and evaluated by unrealistic expectations.
Do we set ourselves up to resent others when they don't live up to what we expect? Who owns the expectation? And then who owns the resentment? It is amazing how often we ourselves get in the way of our own best intentions. If you want to see the harmful effects of expectations in full bloom... look around your congregation... they’re working overtime and causing untold harm.
Often people in a congregation expect pastors and their wives to be people who can walk on water. Always saying the right the thing, with the right look on their faces, working around the clock for the congregation... perfect in every way. They’re not and never will be. They are people just like the sheep they minister to. You need only reflect on the criteria established for the hiring of your last preaching minister to understand how “expectations” can set up both the man hired and the congregants for future misunderstandings and unrealized expectations. I have seen congregations set expectations for a minister so high and unrealistic that only Christ himself could meet the standards of those expectations.
Many in a congregation expect the preacher to feed sheep the same way he feeds lambs, babes in Christ, and that's the worst expectation you could have for a minister. Grown sheep need to be shown the pasture for themselves.
Failed, unrealistic, unattainable expectations have broken the spirit of more preachers and their families than one can probably count. I shudder to think of the emotional wasteland our “expectations” have created for these men who seek to follow the calling of God and use their talents to minister... only to find themselves cast into a lion’s den and fed upon by a ravenous congregation with expectations gone array.
Ask yourself, do your expectations crush people? Or do they challenge and encourage? Husbands, wives, do unrealistic expectations of each other cause tensions in your relationship? To the members of a congregation, are the expectations for your minister and even the elders, reasonable and realistic? Is it easier for the people who associate with you and live with you to walk with God because of you?
As you ponder those questions... I also want you to think about the often used expression... Pride goes before a fall. The verse is from Proverbs 16:18 and it actually reads this way.... “Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 11:12 and 18:12 express similar sentiments.
What goes before, or “leads to” a fall? The Bible says it’s ‘Pride’. What is pride? The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines pride as ‘overarching opinion of one’s own qualities and merits, proud, haughty, arrogant.
With “pride” at the root...all forms of “expectations” are conditional. They are imposed on others to govern, control and manipulate and they are in fact an unsavory manifestation of pride and arrogance. Pride separates us from others, by seducing us into thinking that we are better than others. Pride is the root cause of every caste system, every class system, and every system of racial hatred that man has even known. Expectations are the chief means to manage these ungodly systems.
Pride is basically nonproductive and unteachable: “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice”. (Proverbs 13:10) Pride is self-destructive: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:10) Pride is the spirit of the mocker: “The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.” (Proverbs 21:24).
The Bible admonishes us: “Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” (Romans 12:16) Pride goes before a fall.... walking hand-in-hand with close ally... unrealistic expectations. God has made a solemn promise to the prideful.... you will fall... HE will bring you down.
What expectations are reasonable among Christians? Rather simple if you see and hear what the Scripture teaches us.
If you say you love the Lord, then demonstrate your love unconditionally... in devotion, faithful service, obedience, care and acceptance for all who profess the same love for the Lord.
That’s what Jesus expects... and he declared his “expectations” in John 13:34-35.... "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Somehow, Christians have lost their understanding of this powerful command from our Lord.
Do you use expectation like God does... to challenge, encourage, and nurture? Or do you use expectation like Satan does... to discourage and crush? God's expectations nurture people by building relationships that can endure for an eternity.
Expectations are an important part of life aren’t they? I’m not sure we could function without expectations... as they’re a way of expressing our hopes and dreams for something better in the future. We hear a lot about expectations today. All of us expect the economy to stabilize and improve, it’s just a matter of when. Some of us expect our favorite sports team to go the distance this year and win the championship. I’ve been expecting the Eagles to win the Super Bowl for a along time.... I’m still hoping they will someday. See, there’s that quality of hope connected to expectations. Expectations are woven into our thinking about every aspect of life... business... family... relationships... and even our Churches.
Expectations come in several forms: High Expectations.... Unrealistic Expectations... Failed Expectations to name a few. These forms have less to do with the enduring quality of “hope”, and more to do with unsavory characteristics such as arrogance, self-sufficiency, superiority, independence, conceit and a sense of entitlement. Expectations are a manifestation of pride.
We know that Pride, is cunning, baffling, and powerful. So “expectations” that emanate from “pride” can be more harmful than good.
Let me briefly illustrate how “expectations” can have an adverse affect on relationships. Troubled marriages are often plagued by the perception of “failed expectations”. “You’re not what I expected in a wife. You don’t clean the house like Mom used to... you’re not a good cook”.... It goes both ways... “You’re not what I expected in a husband.... you care more about your buddies than you do me and the kids”. The perception of “expectations” not met, spills over to the kids who feel a sense of failure right along with their parents who feel they are failing in their relationship.
Sadly, one of the greatest sources of pain in our families and in our congregations come from unrealistic, high-unattainable and frustrated expectations. Expectations not properly grounded, are a recipe for failure in family relationships, in fellowship with christian brothers and sisters and they represent a serious impediment to our spiritual growth.
Now I know what you're thinking. Shouldn't we expect the best out of one another? From our marriage mates... our children... even from associates in the workplace? Shouldn't we encourage each other to strive for excellence and never settle for anything less? Absolutely. But... we must use the power of expectations properly. Christ taught us how to use expectations. Somewhere along the line... we seem to have forgotten that lesson. We need to relearn it.
Okay, let’s review our Lord’s expectations. Does He demand a lot? You bet he does. Does He expect much from us? Only our best. Does He have expectations? Oh yes...just that we leave everything, deny all, and follow Him. WOW.... high expectations to say the least, right? So what’s the difference with His “expectations” and ours? Jesus' expectations were accompanied by forgiveness and acceptance. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.... Romans 5:8
Jesus went to the cross with no expectations that anyone would even care what his sacrifice would mean to the human family. Of course we know that he was confident that humanity would indeed recognize why he gave his life for us. But he made no bargain in advance of the cross with humanity. You see, expectations create conditional love. "I love you, but I'll love you more if........." The love of God is unconditional... totally and completely without expectations. His sacrifice, was not conditional or dependent on our performance by any measure.
When we love with expectations, we say, "I love you.... but I'll love you even more if......?" Christ's love is not like this. No strings, no expectations, no hidden agendas, no secrets. His love for us was, and is, up front and clear. "I love you," He says, "even if you let Me down. I love you in spite of your failures." “I love you the way you are”.
The expectations of Christ also deliver something totally unique.... His forgiveness and tenderness. Fail, sin, stumble, ignore Him.... feel terrible about it and you land safely in His arms of tolerance by grace.
Alone, human evolved expectations can be bullets that kill relationships, ignite strife and bickering in a congregation... but when buffered by acceptance and forgiveness, they can bring out the best in us and everyone around us.
Expectations are unconsciously premeditated resentment... waiting to pounce on someone who has no clue they’re about to be measured and evaluated by unrealistic expectations.
Do we set ourselves up to resent others when they don't live up to what we expect? Who owns the expectation? And then who owns the resentment? It is amazing how often we ourselves get in the way of our own best intentions. If you want to see the harmful effects of expectations in full bloom... look around your congregation... they’re working overtime and causing untold harm.
Often people in a congregation expect pastors and their wives to be people who can walk on water. Always saying the right the thing, with the right look on their faces, working around the clock for the congregation... perfect in every way. They’re not and never will be. They are people just like the sheep they minister to. You need only reflect on the criteria established for the hiring of your last preaching minister to understand how “expectations” can set up both the man hired and the congregants for future misunderstandings and unrealized expectations. I have seen congregations set expectations for a minister so high and unrealistic that only Christ himself could meet the standards of those expectations.
Many in a congregation expect the preacher to feed sheep the same way he feeds lambs, babes in Christ, and that's the worst expectation you could have for a minister. Grown sheep need to be shown the pasture for themselves.
Failed, unrealistic, unattainable expectations have broken the spirit of more preachers and their families than one can probably count. I shudder to think of the emotional wasteland our “expectations” have created for these men who seek to follow the calling of God and use their talents to minister... only to find themselves cast into a lion’s den and fed upon by a ravenous congregation with expectations gone array.
Ask yourself, do your expectations crush people? Or do they challenge and encourage? Husbands, wives, do unrealistic expectations of each other cause tensions in your relationship? To the members of a congregation, are the expectations for your minister and even the elders, reasonable and realistic? Is it easier for the people who associate with you and live with you to walk with God because of you?
As you ponder those questions... I also want you to think about the often used expression... Pride goes before a fall. The verse is from Proverbs 16:18 and it actually reads this way.... “Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 11:12 and 18:12 express similar sentiments.
What goes before, or “leads to” a fall? The Bible says it’s ‘Pride’. What is pride? The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines pride as ‘overarching opinion of one’s own qualities and merits, proud, haughty, arrogant.
With “pride” at the root...all forms of “expectations” are conditional. They are imposed on others to govern, control and manipulate and they are in fact an unsavory manifestation of pride and arrogance. Pride separates us from others, by seducing us into thinking that we are better than others. Pride is the root cause of every caste system, every class system, and every system of racial hatred that man has even known. Expectations are the chief means to manage these ungodly systems.
Pride is basically nonproductive and unteachable: “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice”. (Proverbs 13:10) Pride is self-destructive: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:10) Pride is the spirit of the mocker: “The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.” (Proverbs 21:24).
The Bible admonishes us: “Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” (Romans 12:16) Pride goes before a fall.... walking hand-in-hand with close ally... unrealistic expectations. God has made a solemn promise to the prideful.... you will fall... HE will bring you down.
What expectations are reasonable among Christians? Rather simple if you see and hear what the Scripture teaches us.
If you say you love the Lord, then demonstrate your love unconditionally... in devotion, faithful service, obedience, care and acceptance for all who profess the same love for the Lord.
That’s what Jesus expects... and he declared his “expectations” in John 13:34-35.... "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Somehow, Christians have lost their understanding of this powerful command from our Lord.
Do you use expectation like God does... to challenge, encourage, and nurture? Or do you use expectation like Satan does... to discourage and crush? God's expectations nurture people by building relationships that can endure for an eternity.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
New Heals, Half Soles... and a Hearing Ear!
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When I was a kid growing up in the late 50’s and early 60’s, my parents would buy me a new pair of shoes when I needed them, not when I wanted them. My feet had grown to almost adult size early on, so it was expected that I would wear a pair of shoes for at least a year or longer. I remember vividly how my shoes would disappear for about a week in early August, returning before the start of school with new heals and half-soles. All shined up with new laces.... good as new. I was also destined to wear the same jeans if they fit... patching holes in the knees was no problem for my Mom. I didn’t seem to mind the patches as most other guys I went to school with wore the same kind of patched jeans and didn’t complain, at least not that any of us noticed. We certainly didn’t gather at recess in the school yard and complain about wearing patched jeans and last years shoes. Pretty much my entire wardrobe, which would fit in two dresser drawers, was good for another year if I hadn’t managed to totally destroy some wearable item.
Then... as if someone had flipped a switch.... with a new school year approaching, I descended into full blown rebellion at the idea of wearing “last years” clothes, shoes... anything! This was not a small rebellion here folks... it was the fit of the century! All my pals were doing the same thing. We all wanted the latest styles, new looks, new shoes and a pair of sneakers for everyday wear. Wearing patched jeans... are you nuts Mom... no one wears patched jeans anymore!
Times were changing and I wanted to change right along with the times, and didn’t care what it cost or who had to pay the bill! Being “cool”... that was the thing! I was a teenager in the mid-60’s and America was picking up speed. Our great society and culture was on the verge of plunging headlong into the age of conspicuous consumption, unbridled excess, unlimited indulgences and self-gratification. Money was flowing, capitalism was king and everyone wanted to capture their piece of the great American dream. The 70’s taught us how, the 80’s perfected the art, and the 90’s made excesses and self-gratification seem like normal acceptable everyday behavior. After all, this was the beginnings of the American dream being lived to the fullest.
Now, here we are in the year 2009, and things have changed. Things aren’t so good, and could get a lot worse before they get better and will likely never be the way they once were. The country's economic situation is affecting how we live and how many of us will have to live in retirement... if that prospect even exists. People are taking fewer vacations, looking for sales and putting off large purchases.
Society is heading toward a major shift, there is no guessing where it is going to take us. We just know it’s not going to be like it was. To many of us are unprepared to deal with the enormity of the new reality heading our way. We’ve carried the weight of meaningless things and have fallen victim to an insatiable appetite for things of fleeting worth and value.
But then again, maybe you have recognized the future and you’re adapting. Maybe you loved shopping.... but now you get more pleasure out of paying off a credit card than maxing one out. Maybe you are reengaging with old hobbies, simple things, and you actually make the time to pursue them now.
Job losses have been devastating on many Americans. But maybe there’s a valuable unintended consequence of job loss. Families are growing closer, reconnecting, and the not-so-young-anymore-kids-now-adults, are moving home with their kids living with Dad and Mom to make ends meet. Maybe they lost their house and job. For some, this is most certainly humbling and embarrassing, but it has made many realize how little time families spent together during the “decades of decadence".
We’ve also seen tragic events. Lives wiped out in anger, frustration and bitterness as stark realization sets in, that the America dream has failed to satisfy many. Greed has taken an awful toll on many many lives. So, what about the future? Once our country recovers from this recession, will we go back to the way we were? Will we want to go back? Living simply now may be our refuge from the drowning weight of excesses, but will we be satisfied with a simpler America in the future?
We have to accept that our nation has had a massive heart attack! Fortunately she will survive. But like all heart attacks, they serve as a warning that changes must be made. Lifestyle changes. Lasting changes to ensure that life can and will go on.
What an incredible time of opportunity! Just suppose.... that without the din of consumerism, spending beyond our means and pursuits of meaningless excesses... Americans might be more tuned to “hear” the word of God?
A simpler, less hectic, less pressured lifestyle leaves time for humans to think, to ponder, to reflect and to consider what all of this life really means. Remember, inside every human is the longing and desire to connect with the divine.... to contemplate something better than our fleeting life span.
One of my favorite passages of Scripture in all the Bible is... "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear".
In the Gospels, Jesus cried out time and time again: "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9,23; 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35). And in Revelation 13:9, as the New Testament draws to a close, we read it again..... "If anyone has an ear, let him hear."
People don’t hear too well when they’re distracted. Distractions can come in many forms... hunger, poverty, violent surroundings, and of course the lures of materialism, excesses and self-indulgence as it has been for decades in America. When the mind is occupied by personal needs, wants and desires.... everything else drowns out.... especially God.
America claims to be a nation of Christians, even though one can hardly compare the beliefs of this generation with what the Bible teaches.
Americans are increasingly comfortable picking and choosing theological views they deem to be helpful in endorsing their lifestyle of choice and are quite comfortable discarding the rest of the Bible’s teachings. Still, most people say their faith is becoming increasingly important as a source of personal moral guidance.
But maybe now with all the encroaching change, this nation of so-called Christians will begin to listen... to hear what the living God is saying.
It may sound cliché, but there is no time like now, to rediscover the true meaning of what it means to call yourself a Christian. Remember, it’s not about us anymore... the party is over. If you are concerned about your future.... then you should reflect on that which Jesus Christ has bought and paid for.... you.
How important can “hearing” really be? When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, God the Father spoke from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Hear Him!" (Matthew 17:5).
Not everyone will give a hearing ear no matter what happens in their life. Jesus explained that some would simply refuse to hear: "For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their heart and turn, So that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear" (Matthew 13:15,16). Jesus presented the truth on a take-it-or-leave-it basis: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 11:15). Anyone who has children knows it is possible for audible words to be ignored and simply "not heard"!
What does it take to really hear? In the parable of the sower, Jesus said that “good hearts” will hear and obey the word: "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15).
Jesus also warned: "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given" (Mark 4:24). He once told a crowd... "Hear Me, everyone, and understand" (Mark 7:14). And on one occasion He told His disciples: "Let these words sink down into your ears" (Luke 9:44).
Jesus explained that the family of God consists of those who listen to the Father: "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it" (Luke 8:21). He also said: "He who is of God hears God's words" (John 8:47); "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27); "Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:37).
Paul warned Timothy that some people will turn their ears away from the truth: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Seven times in Revelation, in the letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor, Christ commands: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). The Spirit speaks through the Bible: "We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19-21). Are we listening?
Are we heeding the prophetic word? Are we hearing what the Spirit says to the churches? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
Most people who call themselves Christians in our fast paced contemporary society, are not listening to what the Spirit is saying. Far too many churches are failing in their mission to be beacons of truth. Sadly... the truth is not found in them... making all you should be hearing of little value. Individuals prefer to follow their own way, the latest trend, and churches have compromised truth in favor of the less restrictive and flexible traditions of men.
NOW... is the time to think about taking that comfortable pair of shoes to your local repair shop and get some new heals and soles. Make ‘em last. Your future, your eternal future, is far more important that whatever excesses and self-indulgences you’ve been chasing. God wants you to last...forever!
Are you listening to your Father in Heaven? As we claim the title “Christian” are we willing and obedient “hearers” of the word of God?
Times are changing... you still have a chance to reflect on what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Ponder the quality and quantity of your personal commitment to Him. Start with prayer.... listen and you will hear... God will renovate your heart and mind, just like a cobbler makes an old pair of shoes... new again.
When I was a kid growing up in the late 50’s and early 60’s, my parents would buy me a new pair of shoes when I needed them, not when I wanted them. My feet had grown to almost adult size early on, so it was expected that I would wear a pair of shoes for at least a year or longer. I remember vividly how my shoes would disappear for about a week in early August, returning before the start of school with new heals and half-soles. All shined up with new laces.... good as new. I was also destined to wear the same jeans if they fit... patching holes in the knees was no problem for my Mom. I didn’t seem to mind the patches as most other guys I went to school with wore the same kind of patched jeans and didn’t complain, at least not that any of us noticed. We certainly didn’t gather at recess in the school yard and complain about wearing patched jeans and last years shoes. Pretty much my entire wardrobe, which would fit in two dresser drawers, was good for another year if I hadn’t managed to totally destroy some wearable item.
Then... as if someone had flipped a switch.... with a new school year approaching, I descended into full blown rebellion at the idea of wearing “last years” clothes, shoes... anything! This was not a small rebellion here folks... it was the fit of the century! All my pals were doing the same thing. We all wanted the latest styles, new looks, new shoes and a pair of sneakers for everyday wear. Wearing patched jeans... are you nuts Mom... no one wears patched jeans anymore!
Times were changing and I wanted to change right along with the times, and didn’t care what it cost or who had to pay the bill! Being “cool”... that was the thing! I was a teenager in the mid-60’s and America was picking up speed. Our great society and culture was on the verge of plunging headlong into the age of conspicuous consumption, unbridled excess, unlimited indulgences and self-gratification. Money was flowing, capitalism was king and everyone wanted to capture their piece of the great American dream. The 70’s taught us how, the 80’s perfected the art, and the 90’s made excesses and self-gratification seem like normal acceptable everyday behavior. After all, this was the beginnings of the American dream being lived to the fullest.
Now, here we are in the year 2009, and things have changed. Things aren’t so good, and could get a lot worse before they get better and will likely never be the way they once were. The country's economic situation is affecting how we live and how many of us will have to live in retirement... if that prospect even exists. People are taking fewer vacations, looking for sales and putting off large purchases.
Society is heading toward a major shift, there is no guessing where it is going to take us. We just know it’s not going to be like it was. To many of us are unprepared to deal with the enormity of the new reality heading our way. We’ve carried the weight of meaningless things and have fallen victim to an insatiable appetite for things of fleeting worth and value.
But then again, maybe you have recognized the future and you’re adapting. Maybe you loved shopping.... but now you get more pleasure out of paying off a credit card than maxing one out. Maybe you are reengaging with old hobbies, simple things, and you actually make the time to pursue them now.
Job losses have been devastating on many Americans. But maybe there’s a valuable unintended consequence of job loss. Families are growing closer, reconnecting, and the not-so-young-anymore-kids-now-adults, are moving home with their kids living with Dad and Mom to make ends meet. Maybe they lost their house and job. For some, this is most certainly humbling and embarrassing, but it has made many realize how little time families spent together during the “decades of decadence".
We’ve also seen tragic events. Lives wiped out in anger, frustration and bitterness as stark realization sets in, that the America dream has failed to satisfy many. Greed has taken an awful toll on many many lives. So, what about the future? Once our country recovers from this recession, will we go back to the way we were? Will we want to go back? Living simply now may be our refuge from the drowning weight of excesses, but will we be satisfied with a simpler America in the future?
We have to accept that our nation has had a massive heart attack! Fortunately she will survive. But like all heart attacks, they serve as a warning that changes must be made. Lifestyle changes. Lasting changes to ensure that life can and will go on.
What an incredible time of opportunity! Just suppose.... that without the din of consumerism, spending beyond our means and pursuits of meaningless excesses... Americans might be more tuned to “hear” the word of God?
A simpler, less hectic, less pressured lifestyle leaves time for humans to think, to ponder, to reflect and to consider what all of this life really means. Remember, inside every human is the longing and desire to connect with the divine.... to contemplate something better than our fleeting life span.
One of my favorite passages of Scripture in all the Bible is... "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear".
In the Gospels, Jesus cried out time and time again: "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9,23; 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35). And in Revelation 13:9, as the New Testament draws to a close, we read it again..... "If anyone has an ear, let him hear."
People don’t hear too well when they’re distracted. Distractions can come in many forms... hunger, poverty, violent surroundings, and of course the lures of materialism, excesses and self-indulgence as it has been for decades in America. When the mind is occupied by personal needs, wants and desires.... everything else drowns out.... especially God.
America claims to be a nation of Christians, even though one can hardly compare the beliefs of this generation with what the Bible teaches.
Americans are increasingly comfortable picking and choosing theological views they deem to be helpful in endorsing their lifestyle of choice and are quite comfortable discarding the rest of the Bible’s teachings. Still, most people say their faith is becoming increasingly important as a source of personal moral guidance.
But maybe now with all the encroaching change, this nation of so-called Christians will begin to listen... to hear what the living God is saying.
It may sound cliché, but there is no time like now, to rediscover the true meaning of what it means to call yourself a Christian. Remember, it’s not about us anymore... the party is over. If you are concerned about your future.... then you should reflect on that which Jesus Christ has bought and paid for.... you.
How important can “hearing” really be? When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, God the Father spoke from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Hear Him!" (Matthew 17:5).
Not everyone will give a hearing ear no matter what happens in their life. Jesus explained that some would simply refuse to hear: "For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their heart and turn, So that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear" (Matthew 13:15,16). Jesus presented the truth on a take-it-or-leave-it basis: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Matthew 11:15). Anyone who has children knows it is possible for audible words to be ignored and simply "not heard"!
What does it take to really hear? In the parable of the sower, Jesus said that “good hearts” will hear and obey the word: "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15).
Jesus also warned: "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given" (Mark 4:24). He once told a crowd... "Hear Me, everyone, and understand" (Mark 7:14). And on one occasion He told His disciples: "Let these words sink down into your ears" (Luke 9:44).
Jesus explained that the family of God consists of those who listen to the Father: "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it" (Luke 8:21). He also said: "He who is of God hears God's words" (John 8:47); "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27); "Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice" (John 18:37).
Paul warned Timothy that some people will turn their ears away from the truth: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Seven times in Revelation, in the letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor, Christ commands: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). The Spirit speaks through the Bible: "We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19-21). Are we listening?
Are we heeding the prophetic word? Are we hearing what the Spirit says to the churches? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
Most people who call themselves Christians in our fast paced contemporary society, are not listening to what the Spirit is saying. Far too many churches are failing in their mission to be beacons of truth. Sadly... the truth is not found in them... making all you should be hearing of little value. Individuals prefer to follow their own way, the latest trend, and churches have compromised truth in favor of the less restrictive and flexible traditions of men.
NOW... is the time to think about taking that comfortable pair of shoes to your local repair shop and get some new heals and soles. Make ‘em last. Your future, your eternal future, is far more important that whatever excesses and self-indulgences you’ve been chasing. God wants you to last...forever!
Are you listening to your Father in Heaven? As we claim the title “Christian” are we willing and obedient “hearers” of the word of God?
Times are changing... you still have a chance to reflect on what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Ponder the quality and quantity of your personal commitment to Him. Start with prayer.... listen and you will hear... God will renovate your heart and mind, just like a cobbler makes an old pair of shoes... new again.
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