Thursday, May 24, 2012    

Doing It “My Way”

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Paul is talking about the people of Israel, but I think the truth of his statement applies to most of us (myself most definitely included):

Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. (Romans 10:1-4, NLT)

I hate to admit it, but what Paul says here strikes a cord with me today. I may have the right level of enthusiasm for God, but am I directing it in the right direction? Am I refusing to do things God’s way because I want to do them my way? Am I clinging to my own way of doing things…including getting right with Him and walking with Him…or am I truly trying to do things God’s way?

Sometimes His way is the hard way. He doesn’t do things the way I want them done. He doesn’t do things when I want them done. Sometimes it’s not even about me–SHOCKING!!

At the same time, His way is so much easier. After all, Christ has already done the hard work…the part I couldn’t do myself. He has made me right with God. All I have to do is truly believe in Him. I’m going to work harder at letting go of “My Way” and embracing “God’s Way”…with His help of course! ;o)

26.07.2011 Devotional, Discipleship, Jesus, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Pointing Fingers

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

I think we’ve all been told at one time or another that we shouldn’t point fingers at others. Why? Because when you point your finger at someone, there are three more pointing right back at you.

I know it’s cliche and even a little lame. But it’s also got a seed of truth in there somewhere.

This morning I was reading in the second chapter of Romans. Heavy book…lots of deep theological teaching. Yesterday I finished the first chapter of Romans…a chapter far too many Christians use as a battering ram for some of the most controversial social topics in our day (you can read it for yourself to figure out which topic(s) I’m referring to).

The problem is that too many of these “well meaning” Christ-followers (myself included at times) don’t continue reading on into chapter two. Instead they start using Romans 1 as a sledgehammer on someone else. So what does Romans 2 say?

Just this…

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. (Romans 2:1, NLT)

Ouch…and oops! Consider me guilty as charged. I have no excuse. I’m in the same boat as everyone else…guilty of disobeying God and falling far short of His holiness. I mess up all the time. I think I’ve got life figured out and then I mess it all up. Thank goodness that Paul doesn’t stop with the lines above, but continues…

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that this kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (Romans 2:4, NLT)

Thank goodness for God’s patience, kindness, and tolerance with me. I certainly need it. Maybe I’ll put down the sledgehammer and turn to Him a little more often.

14.07.2011 Devotional, God's Love, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings 2 Comments

Sinner by Trade

Monday, March 28th, 2011

I am increasingly convinced that everyone now and again, God chooses to speak to me through repetition. He sends me the same message through various sources. Maybe that’s what it takes to get my attention…and I must confess that it seems to work (is that because I’m just slow?).

This week’s topic? My nature…more specifically, my sinful nature.

The topic came up during a LifeGroup discussion yesterday afternoon (thanks again to Danny & Suzanne for letting me sit in with them). The group started talking about how little we tend to get out of our comfort zone and talk with others about God. Then it turned to how the church has often alienated itself from those who need God (I’ll let you fill in this list).

During this discussion, it struck me that maybe the issue is that we think a little too highly of ourselves. We’ve convinced ourselves that we’ve “arrived”…that’s we’re “holy” and “righteous”. None of that is true. At our core, we are sinful creatures that God has redeemed to Himself (Romans 3:9-26). I didn’t do it…God did.

With this perspective, who am I to think for one nano-second that I have the right to withhold God’s love from others (even for my own comfort)? I can’t fix myself much less anyone else. It’s just my job to love on others and let God the rest. My fear and my own self-righteousness too often gets in the way.

And then this quote from my reading today in Richard Foster’s book on Prayer:

We are not sinners because we commit sinful acts; rather, we commit sinful acts because we are sinners. (page 46)

I get this one backwards all the time. It’s good for me to remember that God has saved me from myself. Being a pastor doesn’t change my condition. Being a good person doesn’t change my condition. Only Jesus can change me (or those He’s placed in my life). I just need to accept His free gift and follow Him with everything I’ve got (which I often fail at doing because of the above truth).

I needed this reminder this week. I think I was getting a little too big for my own britches.  =0)

28.03.2011 Faith, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Message Received

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Last week I was attending one of our LifeGroups—which is one of the best parts of my job—and we where having a great discussion on the second part of Romans Chapter 5. This is one of the “headiest” sections of the book. Paul is introducing an entirely new theological concept and he is being very “Greek” in his explanation. It’s hard to follow. It’s hard to digest. It’s hard to understand.

But the LifeGroup leader was doing a great job guiding the discussion and keeping the group on the right track. Paul is talking about how Christ overcame Adam’s sin…how His sacrifice conquers our legacy of sin. He’s talking about how Jesus brings us into right relationship with God. He’s talking about the power of grace over sin. Great topics and great discussion.

Like I said, the leader was doing a great job. And he had just finished making this great point…bringing some of the discussions together…when someone’s cell phone sang out: “Message Received!” The timing was brilliant. It brought a laugh and drove the point home.

Message received.

I wish I had that more often in my life—some external indicator to tell me when the message is received. For me and for others.  ;o)

24.05.2010 Humor, Life Group, New Pastor Journal 1 Comment

Chosen

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

I have taken a little hiatus from blogging this month as I tried to find a new “life equilibrium” once school let out. I have been trying to spend time with family and with God to be sure my priorities are right. Blogging paid that price (and that’s as it should be). Life is getting back to “normal” (whatever that is) and the blogging itch is slowly returning. It’s a creative outlet for me…and hopefully it gives back a little too.

This morning I was reading in Romans and had one of those “light-bulb” moments. Here is the passage I was reading and meditating on:

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son…
he called them to come to him…he gave them right standing
with himself…he gave them his glory.
Romans 8:29-30, NLT

I have read this passage, and other like it, without much thought to this notion of being “chosen” by God. I have been in classes that explored the theological implications of us being “chosen” by God. I understand the theological concepts (and “controversies”) behind the word and the concept.

God gave me new insight this morning. It might not be new to you—I pray it isn’t—but it was fresh and new to me…my “light bulb”.

Here it is: God chose me! (I know…groundbreaking isn’t it?). I mean…he actually chose me. He made a conscious decision. God wants to know me.

This goes back to the adoption metaphor that Paul uses earlier in Romans chapter 8. I wasn’t born into God’s family (like my own children were born into our family)—God adopted me. He chose me. God wants me so much that He actually selected me—God picked me! I wasn’t the last kid left to be picked for kickball…He chose me to be His son…and to be like His Son.

That is mind boggling and life changing. The God of the universe…the God who spoke worlds into existence…chose me to be adopted into His family.

It feels good to be chosen.

25.06.2009 Devotional, God's Love, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Holiness Too

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

I had another topic in mind for this morning, but God had other plans (I’ll get to the other topic later this week). I am on day seven of my 31-day journey with the Spirit. This morning was about our obedience to God being a pre-requisite for the indwelling of the Spirit in our lives (we often get that backwards). The author then makes this statement:

While the freedom of grace and the simplicity of faith have been preached, the absolute necessity of obedience and holiness has not been equally presented.

—The Indwelling Spirit, page 66

This is the second (or third?) time this concept has come up this week (I am learning not to ignore these moments). We teach and preach grace and mercy, but we don’t focus on holiness and obedience as much as we probably should. Both are in Scripture and both are important:

So you must live as God’s obedient children.
Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.
You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do,
just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say,
“You must be holy because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:14-16, NLT

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were.
But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death,
now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God
and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:20-21, NLT

We need both. We need God’s grace and we need to be obedient…we need holiness and righteousness. The church as a whole may have over-emphasized His grace, but both are critical to our spiritual lives. And we need the right balance between the two. If you err too far on side over the other you either get legalism (been there, done that) or a faith with no real life-changing power.

So here’s to grace and holiness. :cool:

18.03.2009 Devotional, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Musings No Comments

The Source

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

I was doing a little journal reflection this week as part of my Spiritual Formations and discovered, rather quickly, that God had brought me to two very different passages this week with a very similar message:

There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy.
Psalm 43:4, NLT

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely
with joy and peace because you trust in him.
Romans 15:13

Do you think maybe God is trying to tell me something?

This morning I looked up the definition of “source”: “Any thing or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained.” I kind of already had that in my head, but it never hurts to get some confirmation.

So I have to ask myself, where is my source for joy and hope? Where is my source for life in general? It is suppose to be God…and I think most times that is the case. But not always. Sometimes the source may even be something “noble”…but if it’s not God it just isn’t good enough. It falls short.

So this week I am focusing on this: Making sure God is my source.

13.12.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Hope Springs Eternal

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

“Hope springs eternal in the human breast.”
-Alexander Pope

The themes of hope and peace have been front and center this week. God has been speaking them into my life in more ways than one. Through His Word. Through others. At church. In my devotions.

Our times certainly call for a measure of hope and peace—we are getting enough fear and anxiety to last a few lifetimes lately. But this idea of hope and peace is not so simple as it might at first appear. It’s not so easy to shut out the world and simple decide to have hope and peace.

We have to hope in something. And we we need to get peace from somewhere. The good news is that both of these come from the original author…God Himself. He doesn’t just give peace and hope. He IS Peace. He IS Hope. And He promises to give them both to us if we will simply turn to Him…walk with Him…trust in Him.

Sounds simple right?

That’s another theme I’ve been working on recently…making things simpler. Simple does not mean easy, it just means getting rid of the clutter and the complicated. Focusing on what’s important.

I’m working on it…:smile:

I pray that God, the source of hope,
will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.
Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13, NLT

08.10.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

It’s probably just me (I am a little slow), but God keeps repeating the same two themes in my walk with Him over the past few weeks. Life has been busy and stressful. School is out for a week and I am getting back on track (whatever that means).

So what has God been repeating? Two themes…

Theme #1: Turn to Him When Things Get Rough

I have said it before, but I have had the tendency in the past to turn to unhealthy things instead of God when the chips were down. This is a lesson that has taken, and is taking, time to really learn. God is undoing old, bad habits and teaching me how to turn to Him. Here’s the latest passage He has given me on the topic:

Dear children, keep away from anything
that might take God’s place in your hearts.
1 John 5:21, NLT

Theme #2: It’s All About Relationship

This one has been repeated in many different venues: Church, Men’s Group, School, Devotions, et al. And it’s the most exciting. Life is about relationships…it’s how God made us…it’s WHY God made us. And God wants to have a personal relationship with me and with you. That’s exciting! And it changes everything when I think about living my life with God as my friend…in relationship with Him. It came up last night in Men’s Group:

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God
because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Romans 5:11, NLT

So those are my lessons. How about you? What has God, or is God, continually teaching you? Are the repetitive themes in your life?

10.09.2008 Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Fear or Faith?

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

I have been reading out of the book of Mark for the past few weeks. It moves fast, Mark rarely beats around the bush…he gets right to the point of the story. No fluff, no filler. The entire book moves fast…sometimes so fast you can miss important details.

This morning I was reading out of chapter 11. In this one chapter mark covers the Triumphant Entry, Jesus cursing a fig tree, and Jesus clearing the temple, and Jesus’ authority is challenged. So what stood out this morning? A picture of contrasts.

As Jesus is clearing the temple, the Pharisees are flaming hot angry at him. In fact, they decide right then and there that they are going to kill Jesus (that’s murder one in case you’re keeping track). But they don’t do it right away. Why?

But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at His teaching.
Mark 11:18, NLT

That’s kind of where that story ends. The next day the religious leaders decide to challenge Jesus…ask Him where He gets the authority to do what He does (they never learn). Jesus refuses to answer them unless they tell Him by what authority John the Baptist came from. Oops…now they are stuck! They refuse to answer. Why?

For they were afraid of what the people would do,
because everyone believed that John was a prophet.
Mark 11:32, NLT

No matter how wrong these guys were, at least they were passionate about being so wrong. Yet, they were afraid. But not afraid of what Jesus might do or afraid of what God might do (or what He wanted for that matter). What were the afraid of? The people. They were afraid of losing what mattered most to them: popularity, power, and influence. They loved the spotlight and would do anything they had to to keep it. Sound familiar?

This attitude (and the actions that go along with it) stand in stark contrast to the way Christ followers should think and act. It’s the very attitude that God seeks to change deep within our hearts. He wants to transform this part of our spirit and change where we seek this kind of praise:

A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
Romans 2:29, NLT

The Pharisees lived a life of fear…fear for what they could lose. We are called to live a life of faith…faith in a God that makes all the difference. Fear or Faith? It’s our choice. It’s a lesson I am still learning. How about you?

26.08.2008 Devotional, Faith, Spiritual Musings No Comments

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