As a kid my new clothes were often someone else's old ones, and I was always excited to have them. Sometimes we would receive a bag of gently used clothing from a church friend or a cardboard box would be shipped from my cousin up north. Some of my favorite clothes did not come from a store, but from the kindness and generosity of friends. My brother, sister, and I always enjoyed searching for new treasures to wear.
Our family recently sold our old car and bought a much newer, hopefully much more reliable vehicle. Before we sold it Laura and I talked about the potential of donating it to a charitable organization. I started thinking about the distinction between an "offering" and a "donation." Our new car made the old one expendable. At our fellowship the ushers pass bags to "receive tithes and offerings." Tithe literally means "10 percent" and an offering is to be the best of the first-fruits which are most treasured. A donation is a "gift" of convenience, but an offering is a gift of faith. A donation can be second-hand or simply given instead of throwing it away! Donations can be left over scraps, while offerings to God are to be the choicest selections.
A few years ago God challenged me with how I give. For my birthday I was given three identical Aerobies by different people, a throwing ring similar to a Frisbee. The main differences are it flies very far without much effort and can be tuned by bending up or down. Though the Aerobies were identical, they were not the same: one of them had been stored in such a way it was permanently warped right from the package. While we were playing with them, one of my friends was especially enamored with the throwing discs. I decided I would give one away: but which one would I give? The one that was "second" quality, or one of the perfect ones? Following the Golden Rule, I believe I made the right decision!
It is to our shame if we donate to God rather than offer our best to Him. I'm forced to ask myself: do I only give when it is convenient or easy? Or do I give God my first and best? God doesn't need our donations, nor will he accept them. But He does delight in our offerings! What a gracious God we serve, a God who deserves only our first and best! God is more worthy than our greatest offerings. He's gracious to receive anything from us.
27 May 2010
24 May 2010
Essential Fundamentals
When I was a kid, baseball was my favorite sport to play. As much as I loved tracking down fly balls during practice, I could never seem to get my fill of hitting. No matter how much I wanted to hit, however, at some point fatigue placed a limit on quality swings. After a while the hands would become sore and blistered, and the bat began to feel heavier and heavier. My dad always cautioned me about fatigue leading to bad habits. Compensation for pain and soreness leads to a complete breakdown of fundamentals. This is true not only in baseball but in the spiritual realm as well.
I ran cross country in high school and was blessed to have good coaching. People may not think there is much "form" to swinging a bat or running, but there certainly is! Though everyone may have distinct running styles, there are basic fundamentals common to every good runner: pace, the degree of the bend of the arms, the posture of the back, arm swing, breathing, footing, length of stride, and more. The more a runner is fatigued the more he must focus on the basics of breathing and technique. There is no prize for wasted motion, and a runner falls off the pace quickly when mechanics break down.
Waiting on the LORD is hard work. Paul described his Christian experience in terms of a race set before Him. He ran with certainty, choosing to waste no motion. As I wait on the LORD to direct me in ministry, I have certainly experienced a difficult season. It is challenging to maintain focus on Jesus when we are battle-weary and surrounded with distractions. But it is when we are fatigued we must focus on the fundamentals of our faith! When I was tired during my run today, my thoughts were on my form: leaning forward slightly on the uphill terrain, bending my arms at 90 degrees, and exaggerating my arm swing a little help me climb without losing pace.
A verse which helps me is Hebrews 12:2: "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." I'm never to be the focus of my life, but I should examine how I run the race God has set before me. We talk about "getting back to basics," but it's important I never forsake the fundamentals of faith. Trust in Christ is absolutely essential as I rest in Him by His grace, being led by the Holy Spirit in all things. When we are hurting and struggling to hold on, we must look to Jesus! He is the Author and Finisher of my faith. I shouldn't have to or need to look to anything but Him, for He is my LORD, Savior, and King. Heaven itself pales in the glory of His face.
Have you begun to focus on your shoes or gym shorts instead of the fundamentals of running? Is all your spiritual food found in sermons and commentaries when Christ is to be our Source? Has fatigue and battle wounds drawn you to seeking peace and comfort apart from Christ? God has fresh manna for all daily to be gleaned from His Word. He has granted us the Spirit given without measure. Keep the main focus your main focus. God provides the strength and breath: let us use it for His glory.
I ran cross country in high school and was blessed to have good coaching. People may not think there is much "form" to swinging a bat or running, but there certainly is! Though everyone may have distinct running styles, there are basic fundamentals common to every good runner: pace, the degree of the bend of the arms, the posture of the back, arm swing, breathing, footing, length of stride, and more. The more a runner is fatigued the more he must focus on the basics of breathing and technique. There is no prize for wasted motion, and a runner falls off the pace quickly when mechanics break down.
Waiting on the LORD is hard work. Paul described his Christian experience in terms of a race set before Him. He ran with certainty, choosing to waste no motion. As I wait on the LORD to direct me in ministry, I have certainly experienced a difficult season. It is challenging to maintain focus on Jesus when we are battle-weary and surrounded with distractions. But it is when we are fatigued we must focus on the fundamentals of our faith! When I was tired during my run today, my thoughts were on my form: leaning forward slightly on the uphill terrain, bending my arms at 90 degrees, and exaggerating my arm swing a little help me climb without losing pace.
A verse which helps me is Hebrews 12:2: "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." I'm never to be the focus of my life, but I should examine how I run the race God has set before me. We talk about "getting back to basics," but it's important I never forsake the fundamentals of faith. Trust in Christ is absolutely essential as I rest in Him by His grace, being led by the Holy Spirit in all things. When we are hurting and struggling to hold on, we must look to Jesus! He is the Author and Finisher of my faith. I shouldn't have to or need to look to anything but Him, for He is my LORD, Savior, and King. Heaven itself pales in the glory of His face.
Have you begun to focus on your shoes or gym shorts instead of the fundamentals of running? Is all your spiritual food found in sermons and commentaries when Christ is to be our Source? Has fatigue and battle wounds drawn you to seeking peace and comfort apart from Christ? God has fresh manna for all daily to be gleaned from His Word. He has granted us the Spirit given without measure. Keep the main focus your main focus. God provides the strength and breath: let us use it for His glory.
23 May 2010
How can we understand?
Last Friday I attended a patriotic production at Abel's school. Kindergarten through grade three were involved in singing, dressing up in costumes of American historical figures, and reciting lines. Abel was J.F.K. and wore a cute little suit for the occasion. I was impressed with the kindergarten classes which recited the Preamble to the United States Constitution verbatim, a feat which I did not do until eighth grade! I memorized it during Mr. Kennedy's history class at Emerald Junior High during a single class with the assistance of the School House Rock jingle! "We the people of the United States in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, promote domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do proclaim and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."
Listening to these five and six-year-old children recite the Preamble was pretty amazing. It reminded me of reciting and listening to people recite Bible verses in Awanas or Sunday School. Having grown up attending church, many people through the years have rewarded children for their ability to memorize scripture. It was not so much memorization for the sake of truth but for rewards like patches, pencils, stickers, and gum. But as I listened to these children repeat five-dollar words they could not possibly understand I thought, I wonder if one of those children could explain to me what is significant about the Preamble. I wonder if they could explain a single word of it, say "tranquility." I seriously doubt they would be able. This brought me to my second thought: Understanding something is more critical than repeating it word for word. Yet it is paramount to apply truth to my life than to just repeat it or even understand it.
I remember hearing J. Vernon McGee talk about what it means to hide God's Word in your heart. When most people reference Psalm 119:11 which says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!" it is used to prop up the concept of rote memorization. McGee refuted this notion, saying that when God's Word is hidden in your heart it will be evidenced in a consecrated life lived out for God according to His truth. The Pharisees memorized the entire Torah word for word! They had all the words in order, and even had a working knowledge of what the words meant. They searched the scriptures daily, thinking they had in them eternal life. It seems like many Christian parents these days feel good about having their kids memorize scripture because the truth is going in. This is true - to a point: it would be better to have a child be able to explain John 3:16 than to rattle off the entire Gospel of John without understanding.
Kids are so good at acting for the benefits of their teachers and parents - to their own hurt. "Do you understand?" you ask your child. Based on your tone and look they can see you are upset, and they do not want you upset. This could potentially make their lives difficult. So the child will nod, looking very serious. In Sunday School many kids love to read their Bibles out loud. Some labor through reading, while others breeze easily through the passage. But just because a kid can read a word, it doesn't mean he understands it: just because he can remember a definition, doesn't mean he has personally applied that truth in faith! How many teachers and parents rest easy at night without bothering to pray for their children or students because of good conduct and works at church or school! Do not fall for this ploy of Satan! We need to pray for our kids! Scripture must be broken down and explained slowly and carefully so all will understand.
To memorize is good, but understanding is better. There is great value in committing scripture to memory. But take care that you do not substitute memorization for understanding. Repeating a verse does not give you mastery over the truth it contains. It must be lived out! And even verses which are understood on a foundational level contain deeper and deeper layers of truth only revealed through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Ethiopian Eunuch was an avid reader, and read aloud Isaiah from his chariot. Yet when Philip asked him if he understood what he read the eunuch said, "How can I unless someone explains it to me?" We cannot discern spiritual truth without the help of the Holy Spirit. When we open our Bibles, let's invite Him to teach us. He will also help us to teach our children in the way they should go so they will not depart from it.
Listening to these five and six-year-old children recite the Preamble was pretty amazing. It reminded me of reciting and listening to people recite Bible verses in Awanas or Sunday School. Having grown up attending church, many people through the years have rewarded children for their ability to memorize scripture. It was not so much memorization for the sake of truth but for rewards like patches, pencils, stickers, and gum. But as I listened to these children repeat five-dollar words they could not possibly understand I thought, I wonder if one of those children could explain to me what is significant about the Preamble. I wonder if they could explain a single word of it, say "tranquility." I seriously doubt they would be able. This brought me to my second thought: Understanding something is more critical than repeating it word for word. Yet it is paramount to apply truth to my life than to just repeat it or even understand it.
I remember hearing J. Vernon McGee talk about what it means to hide God's Word in your heart. When most people reference Psalm 119:11 which says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!" it is used to prop up the concept of rote memorization. McGee refuted this notion, saying that when God's Word is hidden in your heart it will be evidenced in a consecrated life lived out for God according to His truth. The Pharisees memorized the entire Torah word for word! They had all the words in order, and even had a working knowledge of what the words meant. They searched the scriptures daily, thinking they had in them eternal life. It seems like many Christian parents these days feel good about having their kids memorize scripture because the truth is going in. This is true - to a point: it would be better to have a child be able to explain John 3:16 than to rattle off the entire Gospel of John without understanding.
Kids are so good at acting for the benefits of their teachers and parents - to their own hurt. "Do you understand?" you ask your child. Based on your tone and look they can see you are upset, and they do not want you upset. This could potentially make their lives difficult. So the child will nod, looking very serious. In Sunday School many kids love to read their Bibles out loud. Some labor through reading, while others breeze easily through the passage. But just because a kid can read a word, it doesn't mean he understands it: just because he can remember a definition, doesn't mean he has personally applied that truth in faith! How many teachers and parents rest easy at night without bothering to pray for their children or students because of good conduct and works at church or school! Do not fall for this ploy of Satan! We need to pray for our kids! Scripture must be broken down and explained slowly and carefully so all will understand.
To memorize is good, but understanding is better. There is great value in committing scripture to memory. But take care that you do not substitute memorization for understanding. Repeating a verse does not give you mastery over the truth it contains. It must be lived out! And even verses which are understood on a foundational level contain deeper and deeper layers of truth only revealed through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Ethiopian Eunuch was an avid reader, and read aloud Isaiah from his chariot. Yet when Philip asked him if he understood what he read the eunuch said, "How can I unless someone explains it to me?" We cannot discern spiritual truth without the help of the Holy Spirit. When we open our Bibles, let's invite Him to teach us. He will also help us to teach our children in the way they should go so they will not depart from it.
21 May 2010
Rest or Relax?
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."
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."
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