I’m going to talk more about sanctification next week, but today I feel like recapping and focusing on the point. I was once enslaved to sin, traveling down a dark road that led only to more darkness. The Psalms speak of being stuck in a pit, stuck knee deep in so much mud and mire that you can’t get out. That’s where I was. Pride, legalism, and judgment owned me. It dominated me. I thought I knew everything there was to know about God, but God changed my heart of stone for a heart of flesh. I saw people for who they really were, the beloved of God. My arrogance no longer had dominion over me.
Now I’m daily growing into the image of Christ. I’m learning to love all people with grace and mercy as my Lord does. In my life is reflected the beauty of sanctification. Regardless of who I’ve been and what I’ve done God loves me and extends grace. He doesn’t just reach out His hand to help me out of my pit, He stepped out of eternity over 2000 yrs ago and became a man so that He could pay the price for my sin. He who knew no sin became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God. He got in the pit with me and helped me out. Now He helps me daily by His power to become more and more like Him. How beautiful. How amazing.
One thing I remember from my trip to India is our day of shopping. Those of you who are Indian totally understand what I mean when I say that there are days devoted to nothing but shopping when you visit India. (Especially when you go there with women, wives, sisters, moms, grandmas….it’s all the same. They get to India and all of a sudden it’s confessions of a shop-a-holic.)
On one such day during my trip I went to a ton of stores. Every Hindu and Muslim we met treated us with the utmost respect. They took great care of us and were so kind and courteous. At the end of the day I figured it would be nice to pick up some books from the Christian book store for my dad. Of course, the only place all day where anyone was rude to us had to be the Christian book store. As we walked out my wife (who I think will show up in a lot of blog posts from now on) asked, “What was the guys name who helped…uh, didn’t help you?” I had no idea what his name was, the only thing I knew was that he was a Christian.
Often, unbelievers know what we believe, or more importantly, in whom we believe. People may not remember your name, what you do, or where you’re from. But, if you claim to be a Christ follower you better believe that they will remember that. There is an African Proverb that states, “When deeds speak, words mean nothing.” Christ called us to a commitment. We are called to walk a narrow path, the one that many do not choose.
Remember, you always represent Christ. You can invite people to church all day. You can even share the gospel with a person everyday, but you must know they are watching the kind of person you truly are. May your words, thoughts, and actions reflect His character.
“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – Mohandas Gandhi
The staff of LifeChurch.TV participated in a 21 day fast at the beginning of 2010. Fasting has always been a very personal experience for me, but I’ve never done it for such an extended period of time.
As I began my time of fasting one thing was continually revealed to me. I could not get away from it. “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
I’ve read this scripture a hundred times, but I was compelled to really evaluate how much I have LIVED on the word of God. In the past year and a half I believe my love and passion for the scriptures has waned. I wish I could tell you why, but I can’t. It crushes my heart to admit that the truth is, maybe I would only immerse myself in God’s word so I could teach it to others and not so God could speak to me. I fear many pastors run into this wall.
I have been invigorated by God’s word this month. I pray that it will continue to come to life in me so that I may find life in it.
We have at our fingertips a most powerful and most under-utilized weapon. Check out YouVersion.com for a number of Bible reading plans to choose from, and get started today.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double‑edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Be Blessed
Have you ever been stuck in traffic and cursed at the car in front of you? I know I’ve done it. Once, a news helicopter flew over while I was cursing the Chevy Malibu sitting in front of me in park. I eventually took the exit and found another way home, but later as I watched the news footage from the helicopter I found out there was a huge accident about two miles ahead of where I was. That was two miles ahead, but all I could see was the car right in front of me.
We do this a lot don’t we? Maybe not cursing the car stuck in front of us, but we certainly curse situations. Sometimes we curse God. However all we see is what is right in front of us. All we see is the relationship that didn’t go as planned, the sickness we didn’t expect, losing a loved one too soon, losing a job we loved, and so on. But God sees what’s going on two miles ahead. He is sovereign and His providential will is working in our lives daily.
I know today it seems like that thing will be the end of you, but it’s not the whole story. You just don’t have the best view.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
I had a conversation with some peers recently concerning how much we rely on our gifts instead of our character.
We posed the question “Why do we focus more on our gifts than our character?”
I believe there is a desire for acceptance and affirmation within everyone of us, whether we like to admit it or not. A person’s character is sometimes very internal. In fact, the true character of a man or woman may be something that nobody ever sees. You can easily present a fake self-image before people which inflates the perceived quality of your character.
Now, your gifts are a different story. These are on constant display for all the world to see, therefore we lean heavily on our gifts. I mean really, in the end it’s about looking good in front of people right? I have to hash out my character in private. I can convince people that I’m honest and trustworthy without really being either. However, if I want them to think that I’m an eloquent speaker or a talented musician I actually have to be up to par. So I work on these things. I practice a sermon for 4 hours and pray for thirty minutes. I rehearse what I’m going to tell people, and do something completely different. (I believe Jesus’ metaphor of white-washed graves is on the spot here.)
Here is the trouble with this. Perception is fleeting, but character is permanent. The crowds will cheer for you one day, and be sick of you the next day. Your boss will call you the best and brightest one year, and tell you to start exploring your options the next year, but the true mark of who you are, your character, remains steadfast. You won’t always be the hippest, coolest, latest, brightest thing, but you will always be who you really are in the depths of your spirit.
Mold your character. Work toward honesty and integrity. Put others first and live for the pleasure and approval of God, no one else.
My cousin passed away a few days ago. He lives in India, and everything happened very quickly. My family is grieving and that is understandable. God created us for relationship and when our loved ones die those relationships end, there is a real sense of loss and sorrow.
My heart has been troubled the last few days. Yes, I’m mourning the loss in my family, but death comes to us all, I know there is no such thing as an unexpected death. God is sovereign and we live for His glory. In death the Christ follower glorifies God for eternity so I believe our mission doesn’t change much for our eternal soul. My heart is not troubled by death.
My pain comes in knowing my cousin went to church his whole life. He was active in church at the time he died. However, I don’t believe he was a follower of Christ. If we believe in the brevity of life then we must believe in the urgency of the gospel. Don’t waste opportunities with the ones you love. The price you pay in discomfort or embarrassment, even momentarily interrupted relationships is worth the treasure of Christ. He is all.
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14 (NASB)
Many people who I know are facing chaos in their lives today. It seems that I’m receiving daily phone calls and e-mails about a different tragedy. Yesterday I received one such phone call, and I don’t know if it’s just that the pain of our sheep is beginning to be overwhelming or if the confusion that may often accompany these circumstances is becoming overwhelming….whatever it is, I felt overwhelmed.
In reading Acts 3:13-18(NIV) Peter is speaking to the people of Israel during his second sermon (remember the first one resulted in 3,000 receiving the word and being baptized). As Peter goes through the things the people of Israel were responsible for, “..Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned.”, “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.”, “You put to death the prince of life.”….I imagine the chaos.
Pilate stands ready to release either a murderer or Jesus in whom he has found no fault….and the crowd screams for Barabbas. It’s utter chaos, nothing makes sense. Nothing is right. Everything is wrong. The situation is completely out of control.
But then Peter says in verse 18, “But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” I had a moment when I read this passage and it dawned on me what those closest to Jesus had endured during this time. They experienced the chaos of the crucifixion first hand. Their whole world had fallen apart. But now Peter says God was in control the whole time. He knew what he was doing all along. In the midst of complete chaos was providence.
If you are enduring trials that seem as they might overtake you I urge you to look to the cross. Just as God’s mighty hand was in complete control then He is sovereign in your life now.
Trust Believe Know
In my reading this verse hit me across the face Matthew 3:8 (NIV) “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentence.”
Here John the Baptist is talking to the Pharisees and Sadducees who are coming to him to be baptized. John is preaching that all must repent for the kingdom of God is at hand, and he says to these Pharisees and Sadducees what the heck are you doing here. You have to bear fruit that is in line with repentence. The Greek word Metonia for repentance defines the word as a change in mind accompanied by regret and a change in conduct.
It’s not enough to know the law or know what’s right. Remember, the Pharisees were experts in the law, but they were legalistic and hypocritical. The Sadduces knew the law, but they were politically minded always seeking their own gain. Neither group was bearing the fruit of repentance.
Matt 3:10 (NIV) says, “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” We will all stand before a holy judge one day, and you know a tree by its fruit. Who does your fruit say you are?
Oral Roberts passed away yesterday, and when I got home from work there was a special on TV that followed his life. (It was very well made, leading me to think they must have put this together a while back in preparation for his death.) Dr. Roberts’ did endure some criticism during his ministry, but that’s not what came to mind this morning.
As I watched this documentary what struck me was this. Yes, this man made mistakes (He was human, and he who is without sin should cast the first stone.) but countless young people were sharing how their lives are forever changed because of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. It struck me that in the midst of everything, God did many great things through Dr. Roberts and many lives were changed through his ministry.
What is your legacy? Remember, your life is a like a vapor, here one second and gone the next. The length of your days is like the width of your hand in comparison to eternity. Gain perspective on what truly matters. Your legacy is not about building an organization, or a bigger house. It’s not about the new car or the private school where you send your kids. It’s not about the awards hanging on your wall or the newspaper clippings in your office. All those things will end with this life and this life…is just a vapor.
Oral Roberts built a university! That’s a huge accomplishment that most people could never dream of, but his legacy is each of those young people who will now carry the gospel of Christ to the secular workplace. His legacy is each soul that was introduced to the gospel of Christ through his ministry. You see, that lasts forever.
May our eyes be opened to what truly matters. The pursuit of wealth and luxury may bring joy in this world, but it’s quickly fleeting. Pursue that which lasts forever, that which has eternal purpose. Leave a legacy.
Joshua 4:1-7 is a passage we are all familiar with. If not take a moment to look it over.
Joshua is commanded to have the leaders of the tribes of Israel set up stones on the shore as a memorial of what God has done. When their children ask what do these stones mean they are to tell them what God did on that day.
I was constantly reminded as a child just how good we had it. Every night when we sat down to pray as a family my mom and dad would share stories of their childhood and how far God had brought them. Those stories were the stones in my house, and every time we asked why are you making us listen to this again (What do these stones mean) my dad told us about what God had done.
I have a friend who goes through family pictures weekly with his kids. Those are his stones. He tells them about his grandparents and great grandparents. He tells them about coming to America and learning the language and culture. He is the CFO of a large hospital in the Midwest now, and he always tells me they (his kids) have to know what God has done.
I have a friend that grew up in the inner city of Oklahoma City. He was the smartest, hardest working guy I met in college. He is a medical resident in Houston, TX today, and he serves local schools with his wife and 5yr old boy in the most dangerous areas of Houston. Those are his stones, and one day when his son asks, “Dad, why do we come to this neighborhood? (What do these stones mean?) He will tell him about what God has done.
What stones have you set up as a memorial for what God has done in your life? How will you share the greatness of God with your children?
