Category: Published

On Being Content

Genesis 50:19-21 (MSG) Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

Philippians 4:10-13 (Phillips) It has been a great joy to me that after all this time you have shown such interest in my welfare. I don’t mean that you had forgotten me, but up till now you had no opportunity of expressing your concern. Nor do I mean that I have been in actual need, for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me.

Observation

As I see it, Joseph and Paul have a lot in common to show us.  Both came from a position of privilege – Joseph as the favorite son, Paul as the “Pharisee of Pharisees”. Both suffered betrayal, false accusations, unjust imprisonment as a cost of their faithfulness to honor God and stand for truth. Both trusted God enough to keep to His plan and be content with their roles in it. Both had the power and favor of God demonstrated in and through their lives of faith and obedience because they learned the secret of relying on the strength of the One who lives within them.

Joseph recognized in hindsight the great good that his submission and obedience produced. Paul kept his focus on grasping and benefitting from every opportunity to preach and demonstrate the Gospel as the living word and power of God, regardless of his personal circumstances, and saw the fruit of his efforts in the spread of new converts and churches across the known world.  For us, we may have to trust and wait until we get to Heaven for clear insight into how our faithfulness and obedience has impacted God’s kingdom, how well we walked out our roles in His plan, how well we represented Him as we followed, served, and loved.

Impact on Me

For many years, the Holy Spirit has been diligently pointing out to me in my readings, in my reflections, in His still, small, insistent voice, that my obedience is worth immeasurably more than anything else I can do for or offer up to God.  He keeps telling me to be content and trust Him; in other words, to be like Joseph, Paul and so many others who have served Him faithfully and well regardless of the circumstances or consequences they faced.  I want my response to all circumstances of life to be “for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be”.

So, instead of praying for situations to change, I am learning to pray for the wisdom, strength and courage to be what He needs me to be in the place I am, and for contentment in the role He has asked me to play. That is what Joseph and Paul did; look at the results!  I want to put this life and the circumstances of it in proper spiritual, eternal perspective so that what I am and say and do reflects the reality and values of Heaven, not earth.  I want to be known in Heaven as a good and faithful servant. 

Romans 8:18-21 (Phillips) In my opinion whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us. The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own. The world of creation cannot as yet see reality, not because it chooses to be blind, but because in God’s purpose it has been so limited—yet it has been given hope. And the hope is that in the end the whole of created life will be rescued from the tyranny of change and decay, and have its share in that magnificent liberty which can only belong to the children of God!

Prayer

Lord of Heaven, You are eternal, almighty, Wisdom itself.  I lift up my life before You as an offering.  May I never forget the sacrifice You made for me so that I can be a child of Yours, living in hope, faithfulness and obedience on the earth and trusting in an eternity in Heaven with You.  May I see with the eyes of Jesus, looking past whatever cross I am currently bearing, willing to pay whatever it may cost me, having faith in the joyful result You will bring from my obedience. May I understand and embrace that I can do whatever You ask of me through the strength, power and presence of Christ in me.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.

On Deep Water in the Heart

Proverbs 20:5 MSG Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.

Observation

Knowing what is right in any circumstance is the first hurdle.  How many times do we immediately run off to execute our fix, our solution, for a challenge?  “I know what you need to do!”  However, our fix, our solution, may be temporary, ineffective or harmful because it is based solely on our own limited perspective, knowledge and understanding.  Finding what is right for myself or others takes time and effort to filter through all the options the mind and heart present.  So many of the options will be colored and influenced by my personal experience/perspective or how much my pride, position, power and influence will be impacted – what it might cost me personally.  If I make the decision regarding what is right to do without drawing on the ethics, values and standards of God’s Word, aren’t I just like those in the book of Judges who did what seemed right in their own eyes?  That didn’t work out so well.

What is truly right in any situation is only confirmed by having a well within that is filled with the water of the Word.  This water is made sweet and full of God’s truth by spending time in the Word and prayer, listening for God’s wisdom and instruction, hearing the counsel of Godly people, and just plain waiting on the Holy Spirit to confirm and bring peace to our souls and spirits regarding what God would have us do.  The second hurdle is to choose to do it!

Impact on Me

I know these are right for me:

It is always right to sacrifice my pride, position, and power on the altar to do what is necessary to fulfill God’s will and purpose – no matter the cost to me.

It is always right to be honest, living truthfully, before God and others, not appearing to be something I am not.

It is always right to be submitted to the authority God has placed over me – not insisting on my own way, but trusting God to give wisdom and direction to those He has placed in authority over me.

It is always right to speak the truth in love and choose to have faith to allow God to be responsible for the results.

It is always right to forgive personal offense while doing what is necessary to protect the innocent or those who are under my care – even if that causes conflict or makes me offensive.

It is always right to seek godly counsel before setting my plans in motion – even if that counsel does not change my course.  Hearing what I don’t want to hear or being pointed in a direction I don’t want to go or considering another perspective allows me to weigh it all so I will know that I have truly and clearly heard from God before I launch out.

It is always right to wisely use the gifts, talents, abilities, resources and counsel God has supplied me to help me be a valuable member of the team/church community He has formed to execute His plan and do His work.

Prayer

Holy One, Lord God, Wisdom Itself, Helper, Teacher, Lover of my soul, I submit myself to You without reservation.  Confirm in me what you would have me do and be in this season of my life.  I do not want to act out of any personal motive; I only want to act according to Your will, purpose, wisdom, Word.  Help me to allow You by Your Word and prayer to deepen the pool within me so I may draw from its depths the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, grace, strength and peace I need.  Speak to my heart so clearly that I will have no question in me regarding what to say and do as we go forward.  I am willing to be a sacrifice if that is what it takes.  I love You, Lord, with all my heart. In Jesus’ name, make it so.

On True Worship

Romans 2:28-29 (Phillips)  – I   have come to  the conclusion  that  a  true  Jew is not  the  man  who is merely  a  Jew outwardly,  and  a  real  circumcision  is not  just  a  matter  of  the  body.  The true Jew is one who belongs to God in heart, a man whose circumcision is not just an outward physical affair but is a God-made sign upon the heart and soul, and results in a life lived not for the approval of man, but for the approval of God.

Observation

This evidence of a “true Jew” has not changed.  The physical act of circumcision was intended to be physical evidence of a God-made sign on the heart and soul, evidence of living for the approval of God alone.  In Christ, our circumcision is of the heart.  Our physical evidence is how we represent the love and grace of Jesus in the way we live out our lives. 

We can’t be Christian in name only, acting piously in the company of other Christians, but no differently than the world around unbelievers.  We shame God and make a mockery of the Gospel if we do.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45) and the man acts.  So, looking good is not good enough (that life lived for “the approval of man”).  Our motives and heart behind what we do will be exposed as they are reflected in our actions. 

Impact on Me

I was talking with someone about worship and how it must be 24/7 and motivated by a heart of gratitude, not duty driven or to fit in with the crowd. The conversation has set me to thinking.  Worship should not be something I feel I owe but rather something that flows freely from my gratitude for my redemption.  True worship is more than singing or spending time in the Word.  True worship is when I honor my God, Father, Son and Spirit, by living a life that reflects His heart, His will, His purposes, no matter the cost to me. 

The King of kings and Lord of lords has His eyes on us all; can I believe that He sees me (can you?)?  Can I truly embrace that the Creator of the universe would even know who I am, and even die for me (can you?)?   He owes us nothing.  We are born at fault for our predicament, our circumstances.  He could have left us unredeemed, but He chose to reclaim us.  Those who are circumcised of the heart, full of gratitude for this unfailing Love, live a life of true worship, and their circumcision is evident to all.

Prayer

Lord God, Redeemer, Helper and Lover of my soul, I worship You.  Work in me to make that circumcision of the heart evident in my life so that others may come to know You because they meet You in me.  Mold and shape me so I will see with Your eyes past the outward appearance to the soul in anguish, scarred by life, needing Your healing.  Fill my heart with Your compassion, Your grace, Your goodness so all I do will be true worship to You.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name. 

On the Secret to Success

Joshua 1:8-9 (NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Observation

This simple instruction from 1000’s of years ago has not changed and God is as faithful in this promise now as He was then.  It is so simple that it seems too good to be true – just be obedient to follow God’s instructions laid out for us in His Word to find success!  This is when our humanity, culture and heritage kick in, and we begin to meditate on things such as: 

  • Surely prosperity and success is at least as dependent on the work, initiative and creativity invested on our part.
  • Surely we need to always consider common sense and human experience first to determine the risks of stepping out in faith on God’s Word alone.
  • Surely we must update this ancient command and interpret it to fit our current culture.
  • Surely God has not said/did not mean… (Seems to me this was first suggested in an ancient garden by a sneaky snake).

This passage in Joshua does not tell us not to plan, not to work hard and diligently, not to use our gifts, talents and experience to accomplish what He has set before us to do.  This passage does tell us to study and meditate on God’s Word so we can be courageous knowing that obedience to His Word and submitting our gifts, talents and abilities to His plan are the ways to guarantee prosperity and success – in life, in ministry, in all we do.

Impact on Me

I must confess that I have been guilty of the folly of trying to improve God’s plans for me.  I have been foolish enough to limit God to what I think is possible.  I have adapted or updated the interpretation of His Word to make me more comfortable in obeying it. Like Eve, so many times, I have allowed myself to be deceived into questioning God’s instructions, wisdom, intent and meaning or into rationalizing that my plan might improve on His.  Like Eve, I have always found that to be a bad choice with many unpleasant repercussions.  

God knows what I am thinking before I ever act on my thoughts.  As I study and meditate on His Word, He reveals Himself – Who He is, how He works, what His heart is for all of His creation.  He wants me to embrace His Word so that I can have the courage and confidence to be what He is calling me to be and do what He is calling me to do.  He is asking me to trust Him and His plan made before the Earth was created – one with no flaws, no unexpected repercussions.  His plan will not fail even if I do.

Prayer

Lord God, Creator, Eternal, All-Wise, All-Knowing God, ever to be praised.  Thank You, God, for inventing repentance, redemption and restoration so that my foolishness, my sin, my rebellion, can die and be buried in Your mercy, grace and love.  You have proven over and over again that Your Word, Your promises, and Your ability, power and faithfulness to keep Your promises to those who choose to obey are the same yesterday, today and forever.  Lord, may I embrace Your Word so I can become strong, courageous and wise enough to choose to obey without question.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.

On True Forgiveness

Luke 6:35-36 MSG  “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.”

Luke 23:33-34 MSG. “When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Observation

Both of these passages are in red letters in my study Bible, which means that Jesus is speaking.  Those who heard these words had so many that might fall into the category of enemy – the conquering Romans who worshipped pagan gods and ruled with a cruel hand, Samaritans who were half-breeds that had distorted the Jewish faith, other foreigners/Gentiles/pagans whom they must avoid, as well as those enemies arising from personal or family squabbles, the untouchable lepers and others with diseases, and even the religious authorities who disdained the “common folk” and kept heaping on rules for them to break which kept them out of God’s favor.

Today as then, these words are hard to swallow without choking on them. We struggle with both wanting to forgive and how to forgive those who have opposed, offended, hurt or damaged us in a way that has caused us to call them an enemy. How could Jesus on the Cross ask for the Father to forgive the man who drove the nails into His hands, the man who wielded the whip that laid open His flesh, the crowd which yelled, “Crucify!”, the religious leaders who planned and orchestrated His suffering?  Because it was for them and all of us He died.

Impact on Me

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

How do I get to this place – scorning the shame, setting aside my pride, disregarding what others may think of me – the place where, while enduring opposition, I can keep my eyes fixed on the joy of seeing my enemies, my untouchables, my socially unacceptables forgiven and redeemed?  Only by surforrendering my pride, being willing to endure that shame, and allowing the Holy Spirit to expose and cleanse the ugly places in me that have harbored offense and labeled someone an enemy. 

I need to recognize that the only true enemy who cannot be redeemed is Satan himself. His entire existence is focused on driving wedges between God and His creation, God and His children. The joy set before Jesus that allowed Him to endure the Cross was knowing that He was providing a way to remove those wedges so we can restore relationship with God and each other.  Forgiveness dissolves those wedges. Satan has no defense against me when I am, like Jesus, set to forgive even the worst.

Prayer

Father, You are gracious, merciful, loving, forgiving and perfect in it all. I am far from perfect in all these.  I give the Holy Spirit permission to seek out and expose the places in me where offense is evident or hiding. I ask  Your courage and strength to confront my pride and any shame so I can give Him the freedom to deal with and clean up these areas.  I commit to fix my eyes on Jesus as I minister Your grace and love to those You bring my way. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.