Monday, June 4, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Commitment to Race
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
(Acts 20:24)
There was a time long ago when I considered this to be my life verse. It was that word of scripture that best explained my feelings and attitude toward life and all that awaited me in the future. I thought then that I didn't care what happened, whether I got married, had a family, found myself in the jungle in Africa or a pulpit in the USA, all that mattered was that I was serving God and making him known. It will soon be 18 years since I first happened upon this verse. I wish I could say I've lived it out faithfully and fearlessly. Truth is I've done a few things here and there that I think show my commitment to Christ and his Kingdom. I've served a number of people in all kinds of various contexts and situations. But there's been so much worry and concern for my own life that this verse has changed for me.
When I was a young 20 something it seemed the verse spoke my heart and sincere desire, my unshakeable commitment to go where the Lord would lead and do and say whatever he told me to do or say. Now as an older 30 something it speaks of desire, but more like the out of reach kind. I don't mean it is not attainable, all things are possible, but I just see how different my life is today than it was at 20. I don't have a wife and kids but I do have a family and I have made decisions about how and where I'll live my life for them, so I can help them and be available. (Am I like the man who told Jesus, "first, let me go and bury my father?" Can I hear Jesus' stinging rebuke, "let the dead bury the dead?") The older I get it seems like the dream of serving in foreign lands gets pushed farther and farther away. I have fears. I want to be bold, and I do have a great confidence in Christ for many things, but call it age, wisdom or whatever, I know today that when I read this passage that whatever I might have once thought, I am no Paul, Church Planting missionary, willing to go wherever whenever just to have opportunity to share the love of Christ. I think I am a little bit like those disciples of Jesus when he asked if they too would leave him, like the crowds and other disciples did when they no longer liked his teaching. Peter, I believe, answered for them all saying, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Don't get me wrong there is a commitment in the words but not the kind of fearless determination we see in Paul. It's not the ringing endorsement you or I would want from a potential spouse, "well, there's nobody better out there. So, yea, I'll marry you." They're basically saying they don't know what else to do, where else to go.
That is a little bit like how I feel at times. I don't know what else I could do other than ministry. And I see the danger in that kind of attitude. I don't want it to be that way. I really do love the Lord, and I love serving Him. I love preaching and teaching and getting to know people and helping people. But sometimes it feels like there ought to be more. Maybe not more to do, but more focus, more passion, a greater desire to see people come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Every once in a while I get glimpses of those desires in my heart but they definitely are not what they once were. In a phrase, "the fire doesn't seem to burn as bright." It seems an indictment to admit it, and I certainly don't mean I don't enjoy ministry, but i have to confess that my heart isn't where I think it should be. So I guess more than anything this verse has become for me a prayer, "Lord, do work within me, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that I may truly consider my life worth nothing to me, that I may finish the race and compete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Maybe, just maybe, there is some hope for me. Maybe this race is not a sprint, but a marathon, as they say. Maybe there is a place for a steady commitment and the warmth of hot coals. They may not burn bright but the heat they generate can be trusted. I pray this is the truth of my faith and life, for I do want to finish my race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.
(Acts 20:24)
There was a time long ago when I considered this to be my life verse. It was that word of scripture that best explained my feelings and attitude toward life and all that awaited me in the future. I thought then that I didn't care what happened, whether I got married, had a family, found myself in the jungle in Africa or a pulpit in the USA, all that mattered was that I was serving God and making him known. It will soon be 18 years since I first happened upon this verse. I wish I could say I've lived it out faithfully and fearlessly. Truth is I've done a few things here and there that I think show my commitment to Christ and his Kingdom. I've served a number of people in all kinds of various contexts and situations. But there's been so much worry and concern for my own life that this verse has changed for me.
When I was a young 20 something it seemed the verse spoke my heart and sincere desire, my unshakeable commitment to go where the Lord would lead and do and say whatever he told me to do or say. Now as an older 30 something it speaks of desire, but more like the out of reach kind. I don't mean it is not attainable, all things are possible, but I just see how different my life is today than it was at 20. I don't have a wife and kids but I do have a family and I have made decisions about how and where I'll live my life for them, so I can help them and be available. (Am I like the man who told Jesus, "first, let me go and bury my father?" Can I hear Jesus' stinging rebuke, "let the dead bury the dead?") The older I get it seems like the dream of serving in foreign lands gets pushed farther and farther away. I have fears. I want to be bold, and I do have a great confidence in Christ for many things, but call it age, wisdom or whatever, I know today that when I read this passage that whatever I might have once thought, I am no Paul, Church Planting missionary, willing to go wherever whenever just to have opportunity to share the love of Christ. I think I am a little bit like those disciples of Jesus when he asked if they too would leave him, like the crowds and other disciples did when they no longer liked his teaching. Peter, I believe, answered for them all saying, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Don't get me wrong there is a commitment in the words but not the kind of fearless determination we see in Paul. It's not the ringing endorsement you or I would want from a potential spouse, "well, there's nobody better out there. So, yea, I'll marry you." They're basically saying they don't know what else to do, where else to go.
That is a little bit like how I feel at times. I don't know what else I could do other than ministry. And I see the danger in that kind of attitude. I don't want it to be that way. I really do love the Lord, and I love serving Him. I love preaching and teaching and getting to know people and helping people. But sometimes it feels like there ought to be more. Maybe not more to do, but more focus, more passion, a greater desire to see people come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Every once in a while I get glimpses of those desires in my heart but they definitely are not what they once were. In a phrase, "the fire doesn't seem to burn as bright." It seems an indictment to admit it, and I certainly don't mean I don't enjoy ministry, but i have to confess that my heart isn't where I think it should be. So I guess more than anything this verse has become for me a prayer, "Lord, do work within me, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that I may truly consider my life worth nothing to me, that I may finish the race and compete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Maybe, just maybe, there is some hope for me. Maybe this race is not a sprint, but a marathon, as they say. Maybe there is a place for a steady commitment and the warmth of hot coals. They may not burn bright but the heat they generate can be trusted. I pray this is the truth of my faith and life, for I do want to finish my race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Fruit Tree
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
Proverbs 11:30
I was reading recently in Proverbs and came across this verse. As I was reading it struck me as interesting that the fruit of the righteous isn't fruit at all but a tree. Now there are all kinds of fruit trees, but I know of no fruit that is a tree. Fruit comes from trees but a tree can't be considered a fruit. And yet Solomon says the fruit of the righteous is...a tree? While his words may offend our agricultural sensibilities the truth behind Solomon's statement is pretty profound. Fruit is generally something used to provide pleasure and nourishment until it is used up. But the fruit of righteousness is never used up. It keeps giving and giving and giving. We see this in the way a righteous person's wisdom and love continue to bless those who receive it over and over, even after they are gone. I bet you know someone in your life of whom this is true. We also see it as the person's righteous life continues to yield blessing after blessing for themselves as they partake of the fruit of their labors. Righteousness is it's own benefit, its own reward, and it's fruit is an ever giving tree of life's blessings. I hope you're reaping the benefits of a righteous life. God Bless.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Refuge
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11
A prayer. A hope that God will grant a request. But it isn't the kind of request you and I make. We ask for things and stuff. Maybe direction in buying a new car or a new house. Maybe help in being able to put our kids through college or in a private Christian school. We ask for all kinds of things; comfort and shelter from the troubles of the world. But that's not what David asks from the Lord. He asks for the ability to rejoice and sing. He asks for joy and gladness in the midst of the trials and struggles of life. He asks for these things because he hasn't run from adversity but has found a shelter in the midst of adversity. He has run to the Lord when trouble has struck. And get this, his expectation is that the Lord will not only shelter him from the pain and grief of such trials but that he'll actually be given the blessing of being able to rejoice in such circumstances. WOW!! Just the fact that he expects God to do this should be reason enough for us to run to Him in every trial. How many of us in our trials struggle with doubts that it will never end, or that we'll never get over it? Compare that to David's expectation of rejoicing. Doesn't that make you want to run to the Lord?
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11
A prayer. A hope that God will grant a request. But it isn't the kind of request you and I make. We ask for things and stuff. Maybe direction in buying a new car or a new house. Maybe help in being able to put our kids through college or in a private Christian school. We ask for all kinds of things; comfort and shelter from the troubles of the world. But that's not what David asks from the Lord. He asks for the ability to rejoice and sing. He asks for joy and gladness in the midst of the trials and struggles of life. He asks for these things because he hasn't run from adversity but has found a shelter in the midst of adversity. He has run to the Lord when trouble has struck. And get this, his expectation is that the Lord will not only shelter him from the pain and grief of such trials but that he'll actually be given the blessing of being able to rejoice in such circumstances. WOW!! Just the fact that he expects God to do this should be reason enough for us to run to Him in every trial. How many of us in our trials struggle with doubts that it will never end, or that we'll never get over it? Compare that to David's expectation of rejoicing. Doesn't that make you want to run to the Lord?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Listen
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19
We don't listen. We don't listen to God, we don't listen to each other, we don't even listen to ourselves. We do things we know aren't good for us. We do things we know the Lord doesn't want for us. We do things we don't even want to do. All because we aren't listening. Even when we're not talking, we're still talking to ourselves, trying to tell ourselves what we want and what we need and how we can have it all if we'll just get strong enough or bold enough to go after it. But the truth is we don't know what we want or what we need. We'll never know until we stop talking and start listening; first to the Lord, then to one another, and finally to ourselves. For all that we need and most of what we want can be achieved though our relationships with each each other if we'll put God first and listen.
James 1:19
We don't listen. We don't listen to God, we don't listen to each other, we don't even listen to ourselves. We do things we know aren't good for us. We do things we know the Lord doesn't want for us. We do things we don't even want to do. All because we aren't listening. Even when we're not talking, we're still talking to ourselves, trying to tell ourselves what we want and what we need and how we can have it all if we'll just get strong enough or bold enough to go after it. But the truth is we don't know what we want or what we need. We'll never know until we stop talking and start listening; first to the Lord, then to one another, and finally to ourselves. For all that we need and most of what we want can be achieved though our relationships with each each other if we'll put God first and listen.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Vulnerability
Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
1Samuel 18:4
Relationships call for vulnerability. Jonathan gave over to David his weapons. These were the things he used to defend himself and attack his enemies. He left himself vulnerable to David because he trusted him. In our relationships we're to give up our weapons of defense and trust the other person to look out for our well-being. This is God's calling for us, the only way to find peace and joy in those relationships.
1Samuel 18:4
Relationships call for vulnerability. Jonathan gave over to David his weapons. These were the things he used to defend himself and attack his enemies. He left himself vulnerable to David because he trusted him. In our relationships we're to give up our weapons of defense and trust the other person to look out for our well-being. This is God's calling for us, the only way to find peace and joy in those relationships.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Blessed
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
What does it mean to be blessed? Some of you may read various translations that translate the word here as happy instead of blessed. But I want to explain why blessed is the better word to use. This is not a technical issue, so much as it is a cultural one. The word used here can be properly translated happy, just as well as blessed. But that is because the ancient Israelite did not have the same idea of happiness that we have in 21st Century America. The idea of happiness for the ancient Israelite had to do with the scope of the entire life, not just a few moments in that life. In America today, we think in terms of immediate feelings and situations. If we say I'm happy, we mean right now, in this moment I feel happy. To the ancient Israelite to be happy was to have an entire life that was full of happiness and God's blessings. There are certainly moments of struggle and hardship and difficulty. Moments even of sadness and/or anger. But taken as a whole, one's life is happy because they have all the good things God provides for a happy life. And here's what's really important. The blessed person recognizes his blessedness, his happiness, because he delights in God's law and meditates upon it day and night. I hope we'll all spend our energies getting to know the Lord. I know we will then have truly blessed lives. God Bless You.
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2
What does it mean to be blessed? Some of you may read various translations that translate the word here as happy instead of blessed. But I want to explain why blessed is the better word to use. This is not a technical issue, so much as it is a cultural one. The word used here can be properly translated happy, just as well as blessed. But that is because the ancient Israelite did not have the same idea of happiness that we have in 21st Century America. The idea of happiness for the ancient Israelite had to do with the scope of the entire life, not just a few moments in that life. In America today, we think in terms of immediate feelings and situations. If we say I'm happy, we mean right now, in this moment I feel happy. To the ancient Israelite to be happy was to have an entire life that was full of happiness and God's blessings. There are certainly moments of struggle and hardship and difficulty. Moments even of sadness and/or anger. But taken as a whole, one's life is happy because they have all the good things God provides for a happy life. And here's what's really important. The blessed person recognizes his blessedness, his happiness, because he delights in God's law and meditates upon it day and night. I hope we'll all spend our energies getting to know the Lord. I know we will then have truly blessed lives. God Bless You.
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