Last night as I went to bed I thought about the difference between resting and relaxing. Relaxing our bodies after a hard day's work is a gift from God. Enjoying an uneventful weekend can be a great blessing to help us recover. But when it comes to spiritual matters, when we relax we invite ruin upon ourselves. Did Jesus ever tell his disciples to relax? NO! Relaxing is synonymous with lowering your guard, becoming careless, the justification of inactivity. This is spiritual suicide. When a warrior relaxes his hand on the hilt of his sword it can be easily knocked from his hand. If a watchman relaxes his guard he will become distracted or maybe fall asleep. Relaxing gives opportunity for Satan to overpower us. The devil wants us to take it easy and relax concerning obedience, holiness, and actively seeking God with our whole hearts.
If you were to "rest," in our modern vernacular we have the sense of doing something mindless, taking a nap, or putting our feet up. When the Bible speaks about resting, it is faith in action. It is an inner repose that comes from knowing who God is, and who are are in Him. It is Christ who gives us rest for our souls. We can be laboring in a garden or on a jobsite and still be at rest. This resting occurs when our faith (active reliance) is consciously placed upon God. We can remain at rest even during trials because our lives have been founded on the foundation of Christ.
Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus says the Lord: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it." This "rest" is found. It will not be found accidentally, but only when you look, ask, and walk in it. It does not come to you when you are spiritually lazy or complacent. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is through Him we find rest. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-29: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." The rest Christ provides must also be received intentionally. Once He shows us the path of holiness, we have a responsibility to rest in Christ so we might be empowered to follow Him.
Are you at rest today, or are you only relaxed? One is a blessing, and one is a curse disguised as blessing. There is rest in Christ if you will seek Him with your whole heart. Don't be satisfied with relaxation when God has provided rest in His own Son! It's no holiday following Jesus, but eternal life in the presence of God is better than anything! 1 Thes. 5:5-10 entreats, "You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. [6] Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. [8] But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. [9] For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him."
21 May 2010
19 May 2010
Ordained Interruptions
Have you ever been irritated by interruptions? It is natural to want to obtain our goals easily according to our plans. Today I intended to go on a short run. Not even two minutes into the run, I "ran" into a friend. My plan to complete the run in a timely manner was thwarted. The run was finished in due time, and God blessed me with a wonderful time of fellowship as He moved upon both our hearts in a time of prayer. It was clear to both of us God had ordained that time for us to talk and share. Even through the run had been interrupted for half an hour, we parted rejoicing.
It is not always so easy to see God's hand at work in the little interruptions of our days. When I worked at the church office it never seemed to fail: there were always interruptions, but God always miraculously provided enough time to fulfill my responsibilities. How good it is to know that God sits on the throne in heaven, Jesus stands at His right hand as High Priest and Mediator, and He has sent the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts. When I say God "sits" on the throne it is not to suggest He enjoys a sedentary lifestyle or that He is distant and untouched by the happenings in the world. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God." In Him we live, breathe, and have our being. God is completely active in everything that happens on earth. He allows us to make mistakes, and orchestrates chains of events for our good and His glory. God even allows shocking tragedies we cannot explain or understand. But though the sea rages and the wind howl, the earth may shake and the stars may fall: God remains the great I AM. He is in control of all things.
So the next time your plans are thwarted by car trouble, sickness, or everything in your life appears to be a "worst case scenario," cast your cares upon the LORD for He cares for you. Some interruptions can be the enemy hassling us, but God even allows this to test our hearts to see if we will remain loyal to Him. Interruptions are often opportunities. Don't choose bitterness or frustration when God would have you embrace interruptions He allows in your plans. Proverbs 16:9 tells us, "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." God's ways are higher than ours, and by wings of faith we can soar upon His winds of grace. Come up higher, my friends! Rejoice in the truth that God remains in control!
It is not always so easy to see God's hand at work in the little interruptions of our days. When I worked at the church office it never seemed to fail: there were always interruptions, but God always miraculously provided enough time to fulfill my responsibilities. How good it is to know that God sits on the throne in heaven, Jesus stands at His right hand as High Priest and Mediator, and He has sent the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts. When I say God "sits" on the throne it is not to suggest He enjoys a sedentary lifestyle or that He is distant and untouched by the happenings in the world. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God." In Him we live, breathe, and have our being. God is completely active in everything that happens on earth. He allows us to make mistakes, and orchestrates chains of events for our good and His glory. God even allows shocking tragedies we cannot explain or understand. But though the sea rages and the wind howl, the earth may shake and the stars may fall: God remains the great I AM. He is in control of all things.
So the next time your plans are thwarted by car trouble, sickness, or everything in your life appears to be a "worst case scenario," cast your cares upon the LORD for He cares for you. Some interruptions can be the enemy hassling us, but God even allows this to test our hearts to see if we will remain loyal to Him. Interruptions are often opportunities. Don't choose bitterness or frustration when God would have you embrace interruptions He allows in your plans. Proverbs 16:9 tells us, "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." God's ways are higher than ours, and by wings of faith we can soar upon His winds of grace. Come up higher, my friends! Rejoice in the truth that God remains in control!
17 May 2010
Expect Suffering
When Jesus walked the earth He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief (Is. 53:3). Because His love is without limit, His suffering is beyond our ability to comprehend. When the Father placed the sins of the world upon Christ as He hung on the cross Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus knew from before the foundations of the earth were established He would reveal His love and grace through His death upon the cross. He also knew a vast majority of the people He suffered on behalf of would hate and reject Him. Jesus was compelled by His love and obedience to the Father to suffer, die, and rise again.
A servant is not above his master. The doctrine of suffering is real, and it is also real unpopular. Peter states in 1 Peter 4:12-13: "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; [13] but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." Jesus didn't build up people with only the "positive" aspects of following Him like communion with God, peace, forgiveness, love, and an eternal home in the heavens. The funny thing is our failures and struggles have the greatest positive effect upon our hearts, faith, and character! Here are samples of what Jesus told His followers concerning suffering: Luke 6:22 says, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake." John 16:1-2: "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. [2] They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. Also in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." We will have tribulation, but that does not move a man who is founded on the Chief Cornerstone who is Christ.
As I await God's leading in regards to ministry in Australia, I identify with Paul's words in 1 Cor. 4:11-13: "To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. [12] And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; [13] being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now." I do not paint ministry and service of Christ in Australia or America with a romantic hue, but have a sure expectation of this scripture being fulfilled in my life to a greater degree than ever before. This is what distinguishes Christians from all other people in the world. To die daily to self with the sure expectation of suffering, yet pressing on relentlessly because Christ has become exceedingly precious to us. The more we suffer, the more indispensable He is. We recognize more and more our need for Him to uphold and save us. There is genuine substance to a life in Christ. A man is willing to suffer anything and be seen as the offscouring of all things in the eyes of the world to simply have Jesus.
As a family we've been reading through 2nd Chronicles studying the life of King Hezekiah of Judah. It is packed with powerful stories and spiritual principles. Maybe someday I will have the privilege to preach out of these texts! I saw a verse yesterday that impacted me in a profound way. 2 Chron. 32:31 reads, "However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him (Hezekiah) to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart." Fascinating! The KJV says God left Hezekiah in order to test him, and this word means "to loosen, relinquish, permit." I wondered how God leaving Hezekiah affected him. Did he recognize this test as from God? Did Hezekiah even recognize God withdrew His hand from him? God always has a purpose, even in dry seasons. Hezekiah no doubt suffered greatly when God withdrew, but it was to reveal pride which had grown in Hezekiah's heart. It was a great day when Hezekiah confessed his sin, renounced it, and was restored to fellowship with God.
Christ has promised He will never leave or forsake us, and the meaning of these words is "desertion." Interestingly enough, when Jesus cried out to the Father "Why have you forsaken me?" the same Greek word is used. Christ was deserted on the cross because of the sins placed upon Him separated Jesus from fellowship with God. He was perfectly in tune with the Father, and has complete spiritual awareness. If we willfully depart from Christ and follow after sin, He has not deserted us: we have deserted Him! Choosing sin and rebellion separates us from the presence of God even after one has been born again. God be praised that He is a Restorer, Savior, and Deliverer is will never slacken His active love toward us. We see this with the children of Israel. They followed after idols and iniquity yet when they cried out to God he delivered them. There was a point, however, where He relinquished His people to the gods they had chosen. God permitted them to suffer at the hands of their enemies so they would see the futility and wickedness of idolatry. He did not forsake them but was willing to restore after they bore consequences for their sin.
I believe God is testing me right now, to see what is in my heart. Will I give up? Will I give in? Will I trust without knowing in full His plan and purposes? How long is too long to wait on God for direction? I am confident God is training and teaching me things I cannot fathom right now. Thank God He will never desert us! All will suffer in this life, Christian or not. Those who do not have Christ have no hope of salvation, but Christians have Christ and His promises! Thank God He will not desert us, and everything He does is good!
A servant is not above his master. The doctrine of suffering is real, and it is also real unpopular. Peter states in 1 Peter 4:12-13: "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; [13] but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." Jesus didn't build up people with only the "positive" aspects of following Him like communion with God, peace, forgiveness, love, and an eternal home in the heavens. The funny thing is our failures and struggles have the greatest positive effect upon our hearts, faith, and character! Here are samples of what Jesus told His followers concerning suffering: Luke 6:22 says, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake." John 16:1-2: "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. [2] They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. Also in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." We will have tribulation, but that does not move a man who is founded on the Chief Cornerstone who is Christ.
As I await God's leading in regards to ministry in Australia, I identify with Paul's words in 1 Cor. 4:11-13: "To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. [12] And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; [13] being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now." I do not paint ministry and service of Christ in Australia or America with a romantic hue, but have a sure expectation of this scripture being fulfilled in my life to a greater degree than ever before. This is what distinguishes Christians from all other people in the world. To die daily to self with the sure expectation of suffering, yet pressing on relentlessly because Christ has become exceedingly precious to us. The more we suffer, the more indispensable He is. We recognize more and more our need for Him to uphold and save us. There is genuine substance to a life in Christ. A man is willing to suffer anything and be seen as the offscouring of all things in the eyes of the world to simply have Jesus.
As a family we've been reading through 2nd Chronicles studying the life of King Hezekiah of Judah. It is packed with powerful stories and spiritual principles. Maybe someday I will have the privilege to preach out of these texts! I saw a verse yesterday that impacted me in a profound way. 2 Chron. 32:31 reads, "However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him (Hezekiah) to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart." Fascinating! The KJV says God left Hezekiah in order to test him, and this word means "to loosen, relinquish, permit." I wondered how God leaving Hezekiah affected him. Did he recognize this test as from God? Did Hezekiah even recognize God withdrew His hand from him? God always has a purpose, even in dry seasons. Hezekiah no doubt suffered greatly when God withdrew, but it was to reveal pride which had grown in Hezekiah's heart. It was a great day when Hezekiah confessed his sin, renounced it, and was restored to fellowship with God.
Christ has promised He will never leave or forsake us, and the meaning of these words is "desertion." Interestingly enough, when Jesus cried out to the Father "Why have you forsaken me?" the same Greek word is used. Christ was deserted on the cross because of the sins placed upon Him separated Jesus from fellowship with God. He was perfectly in tune with the Father, and has complete spiritual awareness. If we willfully depart from Christ and follow after sin, He has not deserted us: we have deserted Him! Choosing sin and rebellion separates us from the presence of God even after one has been born again. God be praised that He is a Restorer, Savior, and Deliverer is will never slacken His active love toward us. We see this with the children of Israel. They followed after idols and iniquity yet when they cried out to God he delivered them. There was a point, however, where He relinquished His people to the gods they had chosen. God permitted them to suffer at the hands of their enemies so they would see the futility and wickedness of idolatry. He did not forsake them but was willing to restore after they bore consequences for their sin.
I believe God is testing me right now, to see what is in my heart. Will I give up? Will I give in? Will I trust without knowing in full His plan and purposes? How long is too long to wait on God for direction? I am confident God is training and teaching me things I cannot fathom right now. Thank God He will never desert us! All will suffer in this life, Christian or not. Those who do not have Christ have no hope of salvation, but Christians have Christ and His promises! Thank God He will not desert us, and everything He does is good!
16 May 2010
Power of a Dream
During my second of three trips to Australia, I witnessed Jessica Watson embark on a voyage intending to circle the globe unassisted. It was yesterday I saw the news clip on cnn.com she successfully returned to the Sydney harbour after 210 days at sea. Jessica was welcomed by thousands of people at the Opera house and was cheered by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd himself. When called a hero by some of her admirers, she humbly brushed aside the title. She said in her speech, "I don't consider myself a hero. I'm an ordinary girl who believed in her dream...you just have to have a dream, believe in it, and work hard...anything really is possible."
First of all, I must say I am quite impressed by Jessica's accomplishments. To sail a 34' yacht around the world unassisted is amazing. Not being a sailor I wonder things like, "What happens when you fall asleep?" or "What kind of non-perishable food was she eating for 210 days?" I am also impressed by her resolve to spend such an amount of her life during her high school days to sail - maybe she's looking at is as an early "gap" year. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it is common for young Australians to take a year off between high school and university for travel, recreation, or a break from the stress of school. In America this is unheard of and clashes with our high value we place on production in the workplace, college education, and quick career decisions.
I am also impressed with Jessica's humility in not desiring to be seen as a heroine. The only thing lacking in her statements is the mention of God and giving Him glory for her accomplishment of her goals. I thought about what she said concerning the empowerment of young people to accomplish their dreams: "You just have to have a dream, believe in it, and work hard." Is that really the path to success? Not many people have the opportunity to sail a boat, much less have a 34' yacht outfitted to sail around the world. I have seen countless people who desire to be an "American Idol" and worked really hard and frankly are lousy at best. How many kids dream of being a professional baseball player or star quarterback in the NFL and never realize that goal? Did they work any less hard? Was it only the lack of privilege, skill, hard work, or the fact their dreams reached far beyond their own potential to fulfill? Sailing around the world involves a terrific amount of training, dedication, and hard work. Jessica Watson was able to fulfill this dream of hers through the grace of God, the training and equipment provided by her parents and sponsors, and refusing to give up.
How does this philosophy help a child born blind who dreams to one day see again? Almost on a weekly basis I talk with a woman who has never been able to walk because of a physical deformity. Her dream is to walk, but no amount of hard work, effort, training, or medical treatment can make this dream come true. The fact is, some dreams are far above our ability to obtain through any means. It is only God who puts in our hearts a wild, impossible kind of dream and fulfills it by His grace, mercy, and power. That a man could live forever in heaven with his Creator! No more pain, no more sorrow, no sin, sickness, or death! This is not an impossible dream but a reality for those who are born again by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. No amount of hard work can aid a man in obtaining heaven. I am not saying that everyone born blind will be made to physically see again (even though Jesus opened the physical eyes of many) but God will grant the desires of His children's hearts because He put those there.
Whenever the deeds of men are lifted up, man boasts against the God who created him. The people who united to build a great tower intended to reach heaven were easily confounded by the One who saw the pride in their hearts. Their dreams fell into ruin when God confused the people by changing languages. The tower was called Babel, which literally means "confusion." Man's best efforts come to nothing when attempting to fulfill our heavenly dreams. I have an uncle who was fond of saying, "If your mind can conceive it and your heart can believe it, you can achieve it." Sometimes this is true, for the conception must precede the action. But there are some dreams God has placed upon our hearts which only He can do. The dream has no power in itself to make it come to fruition. With men things are impossible, but with God all things are possible!
First of all, I must say I am quite impressed by Jessica's accomplishments. To sail a 34' yacht around the world unassisted is amazing. Not being a sailor I wonder things like, "What happens when you fall asleep?" or "What kind of non-perishable food was she eating for 210 days?" I am also impressed by her resolve to spend such an amount of her life during her high school days to sail - maybe she's looking at is as an early "gap" year. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it is common for young Australians to take a year off between high school and university for travel, recreation, or a break from the stress of school. In America this is unheard of and clashes with our high value we place on production in the workplace, college education, and quick career decisions.
I am also impressed with Jessica's humility in not desiring to be seen as a heroine. The only thing lacking in her statements is the mention of God and giving Him glory for her accomplishment of her goals. I thought about what she said concerning the empowerment of young people to accomplish their dreams: "You just have to have a dream, believe in it, and work hard." Is that really the path to success? Not many people have the opportunity to sail a boat, much less have a 34' yacht outfitted to sail around the world. I have seen countless people who desire to be an "American Idol" and worked really hard and frankly are lousy at best. How many kids dream of being a professional baseball player or star quarterback in the NFL and never realize that goal? Did they work any less hard? Was it only the lack of privilege, skill, hard work, or the fact their dreams reached far beyond their own potential to fulfill? Sailing around the world involves a terrific amount of training, dedication, and hard work. Jessica Watson was able to fulfill this dream of hers through the grace of God, the training and equipment provided by her parents and sponsors, and refusing to give up.
How does this philosophy help a child born blind who dreams to one day see again? Almost on a weekly basis I talk with a woman who has never been able to walk because of a physical deformity. Her dream is to walk, but no amount of hard work, effort, training, or medical treatment can make this dream come true. The fact is, some dreams are far above our ability to obtain through any means. It is only God who puts in our hearts a wild, impossible kind of dream and fulfills it by His grace, mercy, and power. That a man could live forever in heaven with his Creator! No more pain, no more sorrow, no sin, sickness, or death! This is not an impossible dream but a reality for those who are born again by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. No amount of hard work can aid a man in obtaining heaven. I am not saying that everyone born blind will be made to physically see again (even though Jesus opened the physical eyes of many) but God will grant the desires of His children's hearts because He put those there.
Whenever the deeds of men are lifted up, man boasts against the God who created him. The people who united to build a great tower intended to reach heaven were easily confounded by the One who saw the pride in their hearts. Their dreams fell into ruin when God confused the people by changing languages. The tower was called Babel, which literally means "confusion." Man's best efforts come to nothing when attempting to fulfill our heavenly dreams. I have an uncle who was fond of saying, "If your mind can conceive it and your heart can believe it, you can achieve it." Sometimes this is true, for the conception must precede the action. But there are some dreams God has placed upon our hearts which only He can do. The dream has no power in itself to make it come to fruition. With men things are impossible, but with God all things are possible!
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