"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Today it seems that all of life is about the individual. It is all about what "I" think and how "I" express myself. People are going to greater and greater lengths to distinguish themselves from others. This neo-individualism manifests itself most tragically as selfishness. We can become so consumed with satisfying ourselves that we begin to do so at the expense of others. Adultery is an act of selfishness. Murder is an act of selfishness. Theft is an act of selfishness. And getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an act of selfishness. The opposite of love is not hate, but selfishness.
Beloved, God's design for humanity is togetherness and selflessness. It was God who looked down on Adam and decided that he should not be alone. It was God who told Adam and Eve to populate the earth. It was God who gathered a people who would carry forth his message of reconciliation to Himself, to one another and to all peoples. It was the Lord who said that we should love God with all of ourselves and similarly, love others as we love ourselves. We have been taught that it is better to give to others than to receive from others and to prefer others over ourselves.
The fact is we need each other. None of us were designed or destined to be alone. We heard the good news of the Lord's love from someone who cared and as a result are called to share that same good news with someone else. The benefit is that we all benefit. If we would all strive to take care of others, we ourselves would be taken care of by others and we would cease to know need. More so than ever we must bind ourselves together in the love of the Lord that we might live out his will for our lives and accomplish his good.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, December 27, 2019
Friday, December 13, 2019
The Treasure in Subtleties
"Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established." Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV)
There are subtle nuances in the words we read in today's bible. Most, however, escape us completely. The reason for this in large part is due to the fact that we are reading an English translation of another language. And though translators do the best they can to capture either word for word or thought for thought translation, depending on the version you use, there are times when meanings can only be approximated.
Consider how the above Scripture might be interpreted. Paul once said, "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing," Romans 7:19 (NIV). We can all identify with this sentiment. We were raised to know right from wrong. Our bible teaches us the difference. The laws of the land are designed to communicate and enforce behaviors associated with society's definition of right and wrong. We still, however, find ourselves nudging our cars just over the speed limit. We still sin, sometimes willfully. And we still wonder why we do these things when we know better.
The word of the God says that if we just apply our minds to doing the things He has set before us to do, this will give us something good and beneficial to focus on, thus crowding out the desire to do otherwise. Done long and well enough, it becomes second nature and many unrighteous desires within us will simply fade away.
The word translated as "thoughts" can also be translated as "plans." Do you have a desire to be successful in any or all of your endeavors? How do you go about them? Is God a part of your plans? Did you seek Him out in prayer? Are the plans themselves godly? The word here also says that if you would focus on Him, align your will with His and submit to His commands, He will make your plans successful. How can you lose with God on your side?
Beloved, the subtleties dovetail in the most delightful ways. From this short verse alone, we can see the loving kindness of our benevolent God. We can see the purpose for which we were created. We can see solutions to our sin problems. We can see how to regulate our minds and gain focus. And we can see guarantees of success in whatever we purpose to do that is in keeping with His will. Just imagine the assurance that can be found in all of the other subtleties that exist in the Scriptures. We are barely scratching the surface.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
There are subtle nuances in the words we read in today's bible. Most, however, escape us completely. The reason for this in large part is due to the fact that we are reading an English translation of another language. And though translators do the best they can to capture either word for word or thought for thought translation, depending on the version you use, there are times when meanings can only be approximated.
Consider how the above Scripture might be interpreted. Paul once said, "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing," Romans 7:19 (NIV). We can all identify with this sentiment. We were raised to know right from wrong. Our bible teaches us the difference. The laws of the land are designed to communicate and enforce behaviors associated with society's definition of right and wrong. We still, however, find ourselves nudging our cars just over the speed limit. We still sin, sometimes willfully. And we still wonder why we do these things when we know better.
The word of the God says that if we just apply our minds to doing the things He has set before us to do, this will give us something good and beneficial to focus on, thus crowding out the desire to do otherwise. Done long and well enough, it becomes second nature and many unrighteous desires within us will simply fade away.
The word translated as "thoughts" can also be translated as "plans." Do you have a desire to be successful in any or all of your endeavors? How do you go about them? Is God a part of your plans? Did you seek Him out in prayer? Are the plans themselves godly? The word here also says that if you would focus on Him, align your will with His and submit to His commands, He will make your plans successful. How can you lose with God on your side?
Beloved, the subtleties dovetail in the most delightful ways. From this short verse alone, we can see the loving kindness of our benevolent God. We can see the purpose for which we were created. We can see solutions to our sin problems. We can see how to regulate our minds and gain focus. And we can see guarantees of success in whatever we purpose to do that is in keeping with His will. Just imagine the assurance that can be found in all of the other subtleties that exist in the Scriptures. We are barely scratching the surface.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, December 6, 2019
Doing Right While Being Done Wrong
"But Jesus said to him, 'Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?' When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, 'Lord, shall we strike with the sword?' And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, 'Stop! No more of this.' And He touched his ear and healed him." Luke 22:48-51
Almost without fail, our natural reaction to being offended or wronged is to retaliate. It is practically an automatic response. The fact is that many parents, Christians among them, teach their children from the earliest age to hit back if someone hits them first, rather than to "turn the other cheek." This and other teaching helps establish how we handle conflict as adults.
This said, it is not suggested that we should refrain from teaching our children to avoid conflict and/or defend themselves nor that we should not do similarly. Offered for your consideration; however, is the example of Jesus. He was under near constant scrutiny, threat, persecution and intent to harm once he began his ministry in earnest. Despite this, he never deviated from his mission to seek and save you and me. Even as he was betrayed and accosted by soldiers with clubs and swords, he still advocated for peace and would see no one harmed despite what he faced. Among his last words on the cruel cross were, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
Beloved, let us always think twice about how we react. Let us remember the Christianity that we claim, the God that we serve, the Son who saves us, and all of the thinking and behavior that goes with them. Let us also consider the relative smallness of the things that cause us injury or offense, yet how easily and quickly we respond. It is easy to talk the Christian talk but quite another thing to walk the Christian walk. And though we may suffer in the name of the Lord personally, great good can come of it. Peter wrote, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened" 1 Pet 4:14. He further states, "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" 1 Pet 4:19. This is what Jesus did. Let us do all we can to emulate his example.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Almost without fail, our natural reaction to being offended or wronged is to retaliate. It is practically an automatic response. The fact is that many parents, Christians among them, teach their children from the earliest age to hit back if someone hits them first, rather than to "turn the other cheek." This and other teaching helps establish how we handle conflict as adults.
This said, it is not suggested that we should refrain from teaching our children to avoid conflict and/or defend themselves nor that we should not do similarly. Offered for your consideration; however, is the example of Jesus. He was under near constant scrutiny, threat, persecution and intent to harm once he began his ministry in earnest. Despite this, he never deviated from his mission to seek and save you and me. Even as he was betrayed and accosted by soldiers with clubs and swords, he still advocated for peace and would see no one harmed despite what he faced. Among his last words on the cruel cross were, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
Beloved, let us always think twice about how we react. Let us remember the Christianity that we claim, the God that we serve, the Son who saves us, and all of the thinking and behavior that goes with them. Let us also consider the relative smallness of the things that cause us injury or offense, yet how easily and quickly we respond. It is easy to talk the Christian talk but quite another thing to walk the Christian walk. And though we may suffer in the name of the Lord personally, great good can come of it. Peter wrote, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened" 1 Pet 4:14. He further states, "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" 1 Pet 4:19. This is what Jesus did. Let us do all we can to emulate his example.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Saturday, November 30, 2019
The Message to the Messenger
“'Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.'" Ezekiel 3:17-18
Every now and then I run across a Bible passage that makes my blood run cold. Ezekiel 3:17-21 is just such an example. The prophet Ezekiel was being sent by God to the rebellious people of Israel to deliver a warning from Him. One of the reasons he was being sent was so that the people would know that a prophet, and by extension, God Himself was among them. In turn, the message he was sent to deliver was designed to warn the people to turn from their wicked ways and return to the previously established covenant relationship lest they die.
The message God gave Ezekiel to deliver was a critical one, however, before he was given a word to speak, God impressed upon him the importance of carrying out the assigned task. In short, He told his prophet that if anyone perished (due to their own iniquity) without him having delivered the assigned message, he would bear responsibility.
Beloved, the reason this passage caused a chill to run down my spine is due to the realization that we have been given the same charge and bear that same responsibility. Those of us who call upon the name of Jesus are the messengers of God. We are sent to all nations to bear witness to the love of the Lord and to deliver His message (Matthew 28:19-20). We are to fill our mouths with His word and warn the stubborn, obstinate and unrighteous about the dangers associated with pursuing their current course. We are charged with nothing less than attempting to literally save the lives of the lost. Our failure to speak up and speak out condemns to death the people we refuse to warn just as if we failed to take the keys from an inebriated person attempting to get behind the wheel of a car. It is not our fault that the person is drunk, but we would bear responsibility for refusing to intercede if that person tragically died or worse, caused the death of someone else. Chilling indeed.
Let us not view our Christian lives simply as "going to Church," attending bible studies, participating in pot luck dinners and fellowshipping with those of like faith. Let us instead act as fire marshals engaged in literal fire prevention and fire fighters engaged in literal rescue of those in danger of being lost in the fire.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Every now and then I run across a Bible passage that makes my blood run cold. Ezekiel 3:17-21 is just such an example. The prophet Ezekiel was being sent by God to the rebellious people of Israel to deliver a warning from Him. One of the reasons he was being sent was so that the people would know that a prophet, and by extension, God Himself was among them. In turn, the message he was sent to deliver was designed to warn the people to turn from their wicked ways and return to the previously established covenant relationship lest they die.
The message God gave Ezekiel to deliver was a critical one, however, before he was given a word to speak, God impressed upon him the importance of carrying out the assigned task. In short, He told his prophet that if anyone perished (due to their own iniquity) without him having delivered the assigned message, he would bear responsibility.
Beloved, the reason this passage caused a chill to run down my spine is due to the realization that we have been given the same charge and bear that same responsibility. Those of us who call upon the name of Jesus are the messengers of God. We are sent to all nations to bear witness to the love of the Lord and to deliver His message (Matthew 28:19-20). We are to fill our mouths with His word and warn the stubborn, obstinate and unrighteous about the dangers associated with pursuing their current course. We are charged with nothing less than attempting to literally save the lives of the lost. Our failure to speak up and speak out condemns to death the people we refuse to warn just as if we failed to take the keys from an inebriated person attempting to get behind the wheel of a car. It is not our fault that the person is drunk, but we would bear responsibility for refusing to intercede if that person tragically died or worse, caused the death of someone else. Chilling indeed.
Let us not view our Christian lives simply as "going to Church," attending bible studies, participating in pot luck dinners and fellowshipping with those of like faith. Let us instead act as fire marshals engaged in literal fire prevention and fire fighters engaged in literal rescue of those in danger of being lost in the fire.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Are You as Happy as You Think You Are?
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
More and more it seems that society equivocates on religion or rejects it altogether. Of course there are many reasons for this but among them is the perception that a relationship with God is too restrictive and too burdensome. There are so many bright, shiny, comfortable and sensually pleasurable things out there that seem to be prohibited by the Christian faith. As a result, many people choose to fulfill their momentary desires rather than secure their eternity.
A closer look reveals that the pursuit of pleasure and the rejection of the structure and discipline of righteous living comes with their own cages and are often difficult and costly to maintain. When our interpersonal relationships are our number one priority, there is no one who does not know the effort this can take and the heartbreak that it can involve. It is only Jesus who has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," Hebrews 13:5. When we make working our priority for the sole purpose of gaining more and more and then conspicuously consuming it, we find that it is never enough and become trapped in a cycle of trying to protect what we've accumulated while attempting to gain even more. Jesus asked the question, "For what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose or forfeits himself [his soul]," Luke 9:25. Lastly, what of the things that look, feel and taste good to us? Does not the pursuit and enjoyment of some of these things cost us dearly in health, relationships, finances, time and inner peace? It is written, "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?" James 4:1.
Beloved, a relationship with the Lord and membership in his body is not the trap that some would make it out to be. It is submitted to you that living outside of a relationship with God is the true trap. We should know that from the Garden of Eden. All of the things outside of Him that are dangled in front of us are merely bait designed by the adversary to trap us and keep us imprisoned. Jesus offers freedom: freedom from worry, stress, strife, the eternal consequences of our sin and everlasting destruction. Are there observances that we must maintain, obey and respect? Absolutely, just as there are with everything from traffic laws, to work policies and procedures to family rules. None, however, are more beneficial than Jesus' offer of rest from the burdens and weariness generated by the detrimental choices we make. Available to us is an easier yoke with a lighter burden. Let all who have ears hear and let all that hear understand.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
More and more it seems that society equivocates on religion or rejects it altogether. Of course there are many reasons for this but among them is the perception that a relationship with God is too restrictive and too burdensome. There are so many bright, shiny, comfortable and sensually pleasurable things out there that seem to be prohibited by the Christian faith. As a result, many people choose to fulfill their momentary desires rather than secure their eternity.
A closer look reveals that the pursuit of pleasure and the rejection of the structure and discipline of righteous living comes with their own cages and are often difficult and costly to maintain. When our interpersonal relationships are our number one priority, there is no one who does not know the effort this can take and the heartbreak that it can involve. It is only Jesus who has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," Hebrews 13:5. When we make working our priority for the sole purpose of gaining more and more and then conspicuously consuming it, we find that it is never enough and become trapped in a cycle of trying to protect what we've accumulated while attempting to gain even more. Jesus asked the question, "For what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose or forfeits himself [his soul]," Luke 9:25. Lastly, what of the things that look, feel and taste good to us? Does not the pursuit and enjoyment of some of these things cost us dearly in health, relationships, finances, time and inner peace? It is written, "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?" James 4:1.
Beloved, a relationship with the Lord and membership in his body is not the trap that some would make it out to be. It is submitted to you that living outside of a relationship with God is the true trap. We should know that from the Garden of Eden. All of the things outside of Him that are dangled in front of us are merely bait designed by the adversary to trap us and keep us imprisoned. Jesus offers freedom: freedom from worry, stress, strife, the eternal consequences of our sin and everlasting destruction. Are there observances that we must maintain, obey and respect? Absolutely, just as there are with everything from traffic laws, to work policies and procedures to family rules. None, however, are more beneficial than Jesus' offer of rest from the burdens and weariness generated by the detrimental choices we make. Available to us is an easier yoke with a lighter burden. Let all who have ears hear and let all that hear understand.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, November 15, 2019
God Does Not Supply Faith
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
During a recent Bible study, I made the statement, "God does not supply faith." This was a shock to some, confusing to others and confirming to others still. The context was that we were contemplating faith in Mark 9:14-29, particularly verse 24, in which a distraught father desiring healing for his son cried out to Jesus saying, "I do believe; help my unbelief." To most present, it was felt that the man was asking Jesus for an additional measure of faith as if it was something that could be inserted, integrated and made to be a thought and behavior influencing part of a person as if it were some type of software upload. It does not work like that.
God gave all humans free will. This means we have the ability to choose God or not. We can believe in Him or not. We can have faith or not. To have faith, we must make a deliberate decision to believe and put confidence in all things, God. Romans 10:10, 17 states, "for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation... So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." What this reveals is that the Lord provides the information. Having been exposed to it via sermons, classes, study or any other presentation of the word, we then can choose to have faith based upon the information supplied.
Beloved, we so often pray that things would be given to us. While there is nothing wrong with this, it is important to understand how things typically work. God does His part but requires a part from us. We pray for strength. God does not supernaturally impute our bodies and psyches with enhanced ability, but he does put us in circumstances through which that strength can be developed and grow. It works the same way with faith. If after having a favorable response to information from and about God, faith is developed and grown by learning more about Him, spending more time with Him, trusting self less, and trusting Him more (Prov 3:5-7). Through these and other ways of living righteously, He will manifest himself to us more and more. We will ever more clearly see Him moving in our lives and this is what builds faith over time.
We all have gaps, lapses and failures in our faith. Even the disciples felt the sting of the words, "oh ye of little faith" from time to time. When these very human moments occur, let us not hope for some magical increase in our ability to stay on the narrow path. Let us instead avail ourselves of more information from and about our Lord and resolve to trust in Him with a renewed enthusiasm. Faith is a choice.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
During a recent Bible study, I made the statement, "God does not supply faith." This was a shock to some, confusing to others and confirming to others still. The context was that we were contemplating faith in Mark 9:14-29, particularly verse 24, in which a distraught father desiring healing for his son cried out to Jesus saying, "I do believe; help my unbelief." To most present, it was felt that the man was asking Jesus for an additional measure of faith as if it was something that could be inserted, integrated and made to be a thought and behavior influencing part of a person as if it were some type of software upload. It does not work like that.
God gave all humans free will. This means we have the ability to choose God or not. We can believe in Him or not. We can have faith or not. To have faith, we must make a deliberate decision to believe and put confidence in all things, God. Romans 10:10, 17 states, "for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation... So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." What this reveals is that the Lord provides the information. Having been exposed to it via sermons, classes, study or any other presentation of the word, we then can choose to have faith based upon the information supplied.
Beloved, we so often pray that things would be given to us. While there is nothing wrong with this, it is important to understand how things typically work. God does His part but requires a part from us. We pray for strength. God does not supernaturally impute our bodies and psyches with enhanced ability, but he does put us in circumstances through which that strength can be developed and grow. It works the same way with faith. If after having a favorable response to information from and about God, faith is developed and grown by learning more about Him, spending more time with Him, trusting self less, and trusting Him more (Prov 3:5-7). Through these and other ways of living righteously, He will manifest himself to us more and more. We will ever more clearly see Him moving in our lives and this is what builds faith over time.
We all have gaps, lapses and failures in our faith. Even the disciples felt the sting of the words, "oh ye of little faith" from time to time. When these very human moments occur, let us not hope for some magical increase in our ability to stay on the narrow path. Let us instead avail ourselves of more information from and about our Lord and resolve to trust in Him with a renewed enthusiasm. Faith is a choice.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, November 1, 2019
From Whom Will You Hear It?
"And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house --for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:27-31
A man known only as being rich, dressing well and eating sumptuously, found himself in the unenviable position of being in a place of torment after his death. During his life, it is evident that he did quite well for himself; however, there was a man named Lazarus whose place of torment was at the rich man's gate. Despite seeing him there begging and covered with sores, the rich man could not be bothered with displaying the slightest grace or mercy toward him. In the end, their places were reversed. Lazarus, in death, enjoyed peace and comfort.
The point being made here is not so much about the current situation of either man, but the pleas of the tormented to get the truth and reality of life after death to his relatives. In short, he begged that a warning, even one from beyond the grave, be sent to them that they might avoid his fate by seeking the righteousness that he failed to embrace. Unfortunately, the request was refused. Why?
Beloved, there are scant few of us who have not been exposed to the truth. What is determinative regarding our afterlife is what we do with the information. Jesus' "Parable of the Sower" is an excellent example of what can happen when we receive the word of truth and why. It is demonstrated in the parable that the spreading of the seed (the word of truth) is both ample and wide ranging, allowing everyone access. The impartation of the information originated with God communicating directly with man, then through His son and now through the written, preached and taught word of the Bible. It is available to everyone everywhere. We have every opportunity to embrace it while we yet live. Abraham refused the rich man's request because if there was/is no willingness to receive and repent based on all the ways righteousness is offered now, offering it yet another way will also fail to convince.
There is no better evangelist than the living Lord (Heb 1:2). Let us strive to hear him and encourage others to do so through us.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
A man known only as being rich, dressing well and eating sumptuously, found himself in the unenviable position of being in a place of torment after his death. During his life, it is evident that he did quite well for himself; however, there was a man named Lazarus whose place of torment was at the rich man's gate. Despite seeing him there begging and covered with sores, the rich man could not be bothered with displaying the slightest grace or mercy toward him. In the end, their places were reversed. Lazarus, in death, enjoyed peace and comfort.
The point being made here is not so much about the current situation of either man, but the pleas of the tormented to get the truth and reality of life after death to his relatives. In short, he begged that a warning, even one from beyond the grave, be sent to them that they might avoid his fate by seeking the righteousness that he failed to embrace. Unfortunately, the request was refused. Why?
Beloved, there are scant few of us who have not been exposed to the truth. What is determinative regarding our afterlife is what we do with the information. Jesus' "Parable of the Sower" is an excellent example of what can happen when we receive the word of truth and why. It is demonstrated in the parable that the spreading of the seed (the word of truth) is both ample and wide ranging, allowing everyone access. The impartation of the information originated with God communicating directly with man, then through His son and now through the written, preached and taught word of the Bible. It is available to everyone everywhere. We have every opportunity to embrace it while we yet live. Abraham refused the rich man's request because if there was/is no willingness to receive and repent based on all the ways righteousness is offered now, offering it yet another way will also fail to convince.
There is no better evangelist than the living Lord (Heb 1:2). Let us strive to hear him and encourage others to do so through us.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, October 25, 2019
Follow Me
"The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9
In today's social media driven world, one of the things by which people are known and sometimes evaluated is by how many followers they have. Whether it is the number of friends on Facebook or followers on Twitter, it says something about your fame and popularity (or lack thereof). For this reason, we are constantly invited to "friend," "like," or "follow" individuals, companies and institutions. The question, however, is why?
When you follow your favorite athlete, singer or actor, what is the benefit? You may be among the first to know about their next event. You may be a part of the "in crowd" that learns what happens to them before the news media blasts it all over the world. Mostly what you will get are their opinions (qualified or not) about other people and their circumstances. It is virtually an every day occurrence that someone is forced to apologize for something they said about someone else our of anger, retribution, jealousy or influence of substances via social media because so many are following them.
Beloved, the apostle Paul made an audacious yet qualified "follow" request 2000 years before it was the mainstream thing to do. He was able to do this for three very important reasons. First, he was personally commissioned by the Lord to do it (Acts 9:15). Second, the example he offered was one designed to benefit the follower (Galatians 2:20). And finally, the destination of the follow-ship he requested was not himself, but Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Let us be mindful of who we follow, why we follow them and most importantly, where we are allowing ourselves to be led. Jesus once famously said, "If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit" Matthew 15:14b.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
In today's social media driven world, one of the things by which people are known and sometimes evaluated is by how many followers they have. Whether it is the number of friends on Facebook or followers on Twitter, it says something about your fame and popularity (or lack thereof). For this reason, we are constantly invited to "friend," "like," or "follow" individuals, companies and institutions. The question, however, is why?
When you follow your favorite athlete, singer or actor, what is the benefit? You may be among the first to know about their next event. You may be a part of the "in crowd" that learns what happens to them before the news media blasts it all over the world. Mostly what you will get are their opinions (qualified or not) about other people and their circumstances. It is virtually an every day occurrence that someone is forced to apologize for something they said about someone else our of anger, retribution, jealousy or influence of substances via social media because so many are following them.
Beloved, the apostle Paul made an audacious yet qualified "follow" request 2000 years before it was the mainstream thing to do. He was able to do this for three very important reasons. First, he was personally commissioned by the Lord to do it (Acts 9:15). Second, the example he offered was one designed to benefit the follower (Galatians 2:20). And finally, the destination of the follow-ship he requested was not himself, but Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Let us be mindful of who we follow, why we follow them and most importantly, where we are allowing ourselves to be led. Jesus once famously said, "If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit" Matthew 15:14b.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, October 18, 2019
Keep Your Feet (Don't Stumble)
"But Peter said to Him, 'Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.' Jesus said to him, 'Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.'” Matthew 26:33-34
Imagine what it must have been like for Jesus to be experiencing his last night before being hung on a cruel cross and dying. Spending time with his inner circle, he had just partaken of what we know as the Last Supper and informed them that one of them would betray him. Subsequent to this, however, he told them that they would all fall away (or stumble). He quoted Zachariah 13:7 which states, "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered." We all know that it was Judas that betrayed the Lord but what of those who stumbled? What does it even mean to stumble? And why was Peter pointed out in particular?
The simple truth is that most of us avoid trouble at all costs. Jesus was considered to be and treated as a criminal and the apostles were his closest associates. On that same night, while in the company of some of them, he was arrested, beaten and taken to trial. That is most certainly trouble. As it was predicted, the apostles, with the exception of John, all scattered. Peter in particular followed Jesus to the trials at some distance but did in fact deny him three times when people recognized that he had been one who walked with Jesus. It is also known that the apostles did not busy themselves carrying out the training and mission they had received but instead hid, returning to their prior vocation as fishermen. This is stumbling.
Beloved, we must ask ourselves if we ever stumble in our faith and purpose. Though Jesus is no longer physically being dragged through the streets and falsely accused, his cause is still under indictment by some. When atheists attempt to legislate the Lord out of our lives, do we make our voices heard? When we are attacked for our stance on God ordained relationships do we hide and cower? When Satan tempts us personally do we give in or tell him to go away? The potential to stumble most surely continues to exist among the followers of the Lord. Even the most ardent, such as Peter, can find themselves out of position. We therefore must guard against the impulse to flee the one who left heaven to seek and save us. Let us not stumble but let us keep our feet.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Imagine what it must have been like for Jesus to be experiencing his last night before being hung on a cruel cross and dying. Spending time with his inner circle, he had just partaken of what we know as the Last Supper and informed them that one of them would betray him. Subsequent to this, however, he told them that they would all fall away (or stumble). He quoted Zachariah 13:7 which states, "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered." We all know that it was Judas that betrayed the Lord but what of those who stumbled? What does it even mean to stumble? And why was Peter pointed out in particular?
The simple truth is that most of us avoid trouble at all costs. Jesus was considered to be and treated as a criminal and the apostles were his closest associates. On that same night, while in the company of some of them, he was arrested, beaten and taken to trial. That is most certainly trouble. As it was predicted, the apostles, with the exception of John, all scattered. Peter in particular followed Jesus to the trials at some distance but did in fact deny him three times when people recognized that he had been one who walked with Jesus. It is also known that the apostles did not busy themselves carrying out the training and mission they had received but instead hid, returning to their prior vocation as fishermen. This is stumbling.
Beloved, we must ask ourselves if we ever stumble in our faith and purpose. Though Jesus is no longer physically being dragged through the streets and falsely accused, his cause is still under indictment by some. When atheists attempt to legislate the Lord out of our lives, do we make our voices heard? When we are attacked for our stance on God ordained relationships do we hide and cower? When Satan tempts us personally do we give in or tell him to go away? The potential to stumble most surely continues to exist among the followers of the Lord. Even the most ardent, such as Peter, can find themselves out of position. We therefore must guard against the impulse to flee the one who left heaven to seek and save us. Let us not stumble but let us keep our feet.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Thursday, October 10, 2019
When You Are Down Look Up
"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning." Psa 30:5
David was a man of vast experience with God. He is well known as one who was "after God's own heart." Also well known are both his triumphs and his utter failures, yet he maintained his vast love for the Father and never ceased trying to please Him and live according to His will.
There were times that David endured the depths of despair. There were times when he was literally punished by God, but the love between them never ceased. David realized that among the most temporary things in life were God's anger with him and the commensurate suffering he endured. Vastly more prevalent was the grace and mercy given and the resultant joy experienced.
Beloved, we all have times in life when we are down. Sometimes it is because we have brought it upon ourselves. Other times it is due to happenstance. Regardless of the causality, we must remember that we are God's own and that He will never leave us or forsake us. If we be chastised know this: "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" Heb 12:11. If it be happenstance or even persecution know this: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Each life is filled with things that are good and things that are not so good. It is part of the human existence. The Christian, however, has hope in the One who made all. When you are down, look up.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
David was a man of vast experience with God. He is well known as one who was "after God's own heart." Also well known are both his triumphs and his utter failures, yet he maintained his vast love for the Father and never ceased trying to please Him and live according to His will.
There were times that David endured the depths of despair. There were times when he was literally punished by God, but the love between them never ceased. David realized that among the most temporary things in life were God's anger with him and the commensurate suffering he endured. Vastly more prevalent was the grace and mercy given and the resultant joy experienced.
Beloved, we all have times in life when we are down. Sometimes it is because we have brought it upon ourselves. Other times it is due to happenstance. Regardless of the causality, we must remember that we are God's own and that He will never leave us or forsake us. If we be chastised know this: "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" Heb 12:11. If it be happenstance or even persecution know this: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Each life is filled with things that are good and things that are not so good. It is part of the human existence. The Christian, however, has hope in the One who made all. When you are down, look up.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Friday, October 4, 2019
Trials, Trust and Love
"Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.'” Genesis 22:10-12
It is well known that God promised Abraham a legitimate son through whom nations would be built long before He delivered on that promise. It is also well known that Abraham was 100 years old when the child was born thereby proving the hand of God in his life. One can only imagine the overwhelming love Abraham must have had for his son Isaac. Contemporary parents are head over heels after nine months. Abraham must have been out of his mind with adoration for his child. Can it be at all imagined what it must have been like to hear God tell him, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you,” Genesis 22:2?
Beloved, as was the case with Abraham and many others we read about within the pages of inspiration, God tests us. Through these tests, it is not He who learns things about us (He knows all) but we learn things about ourselves. More specifically, it is through our trials that we can see where are love truly is. When the night is darkest and our health is failing, a loved one is hurting, our finances are flagging, our relationships in trouble and our hope threatened, to whom do we turn? Do we seek the face of God for our relief or do we become angry with Him for allowing the situation to occur and seek other means of relief and resolution? Could any of us have done what Abraham did in Abraham's circumstance?
As much as he loved his son, Abraham loved God more. If you are anything like me, the words "how," "what" and "why" come to your confused mind when you consider how Abraham could have done such a thing even if he had 26 children. The word of God contains the answer in Hebrews 11:19: "He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type." Abraham loved, trusted and believed God so much that it did not enter his mind that he would not walk back down that mountain without his beloved son (Genesis 22:5). Through our trials, whatever they may be, let us prove to ourselves that God is first in our lives.
As an epilogue, consider the fact that Moriah is likely the place on which Jerusalem was built. That being the case, the same mountain on which Abraham offered his son was the same place God gave His. Like Isaac, Jesus even had to carry the wood. When the scripture mentions that Abraham received Isaac back "as a type," it means that it was a foreshadowing of us all receiving Christ back from the dead through the power of God that we all might live, and that the promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3) would find their delivery. What an amazing display of love.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
It is well known that God promised Abraham a legitimate son through whom nations would be built long before He delivered on that promise. It is also well known that Abraham was 100 years old when the child was born thereby proving the hand of God in his life. One can only imagine the overwhelming love Abraham must have had for his son Isaac. Contemporary parents are head over heels after nine months. Abraham must have been out of his mind with adoration for his child. Can it be at all imagined what it must have been like to hear God tell him, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you,” Genesis 22:2?
Beloved, as was the case with Abraham and many others we read about within the pages of inspiration, God tests us. Through these tests, it is not He who learns things about us (He knows all) but we learn things about ourselves. More specifically, it is through our trials that we can see where are love truly is. When the night is darkest and our health is failing, a loved one is hurting, our finances are flagging, our relationships in trouble and our hope threatened, to whom do we turn? Do we seek the face of God for our relief or do we become angry with Him for allowing the situation to occur and seek other means of relief and resolution? Could any of us have done what Abraham did in Abraham's circumstance?
As much as he loved his son, Abraham loved God more. If you are anything like me, the words "how," "what" and "why" come to your confused mind when you consider how Abraham could have done such a thing even if he had 26 children. The word of God contains the answer in Hebrews 11:19: "He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type." Abraham loved, trusted and believed God so much that it did not enter his mind that he would not walk back down that mountain without his beloved son (Genesis 22:5). Through our trials, whatever they may be, let us prove to ourselves that God is first in our lives.
As an epilogue, consider the fact that Moriah is likely the place on which Jerusalem was built. That being the case, the same mountain on which Abraham offered his son was the same place God gave His. Like Isaac, Jesus even had to carry the wood. When the scripture mentions that Abraham received Isaac back "as a type," it means that it was a foreshadowing of us all receiving Christ back from the dead through the power of God that we all might live, and that the promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3) would find their delivery. What an amazing display of love.
Pursuing a transformed life,
Lee
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Handling Adversity
“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour." John 12:27
Soon after Jesus' triumphant and final entry into the city of Jerusalem, he shares yet another prediction of his own death with his apostles. He begins by saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified," John 12:23. This statement is loaded with meaning. What caused it to be said was a request by Greek proselytes relayed to Jesus by Philip and Andrew, to see him. Referencing his coming passion, not only does it mean that the Lord, having completed his mission, would regain his heavenly home, but that having done so, these same Greeks (and the whole world) would have access to him that was not available at the moment.
At the same time, Jesus in his humanity was conflicted about the ordeal through which he was about to go. Most of us are familiar with his plea to "let this cup pass from me" plea in the Garden of Gethsemane. The foreknowledge of such a painful death and more importantly, the taking on of the sin of the whole world must have caused unimaginable agony that exceeded even that of the suffering of the cross. Yet, we are also familiar with his faithful and committed, "Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Beloved, each of us is faced with a variety of monumental situations and decisions throughout our lives. Though none of them carry the weight and implication of Jesus' sacrifice, there is much that can be learned from how he responded to the most difficult circumstance in history. Of course this is not an exhaustive list but consider the following:
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Soon after Jesus' triumphant and final entry into the city of Jerusalem, he shares yet another prediction of his own death with his apostles. He begins by saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified," John 12:23. This statement is loaded with meaning. What caused it to be said was a request by Greek proselytes relayed to Jesus by Philip and Andrew, to see him. Referencing his coming passion, not only does it mean that the Lord, having completed his mission, would regain his heavenly home, but that having done so, these same Greeks (and the whole world) would have access to him that was not available at the moment.
At the same time, Jesus in his humanity was conflicted about the ordeal through which he was about to go. Most of us are familiar with his plea to "let this cup pass from me" plea in the Garden of Gethsemane. The foreknowledge of such a painful death and more importantly, the taking on of the sin of the whole world must have caused unimaginable agony that exceeded even that of the suffering of the cross. Yet, we are also familiar with his faithful and committed, "Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Beloved, each of us is faced with a variety of monumental situations and decisions throughout our lives. Though none of them carry the weight and implication of Jesus' sacrifice, there is much that can be learned from how he responded to the most difficult circumstance in history. Of course this is not an exhaustive list but consider the following:
- He stayed on mission-Jesus knew who he was, whose he was, what he came to do and accomplished the task to the benefit of all mankind our of love for and obedience to the Father.
- He persevered under dire stress-Jesus clearly agonized but remained focused.
- He understood the importance of succeeding-It was so much more about us than it was him. Not only was the defeat of Satan, the fulfilment of prophecy and our deliverance at stake but so was the example that millions would follow.
- He understood sacrifice-Nothing can be achieved without sacrifice. Had he not been willing to be that sacrifice, nothing would have been achieved.
- He held close the ultimate faith-Being willing to die, he placed himself in the hands of God, trusting that all things would work together for good and launched himself into the unknown territory of death.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Thursday, September 19, 2019
What's in Your Heart?
"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." Luke 16:45
It does not take spending much time on social media, or simply watching the news for that matter, to understand the current quality and content of communication and interaction in society today. It is not unusual to see conversation deteriorate into vitriolic name calling and character assassination over the most mundane things. Interestingly enough, this is particularly prevalent when things can be said in relative anonymity. Tragically, membership in the household of faith does not seem to exempt some from engaging in wars of words or the levying of aspersions.
When considering the source of some of the amazing things people say to one another, the answer is obvious: it comes from the heart. While we are typically expressing something honestly and earnestly when we claim that it comes from "the bottom of our hearts," it is suggested that nearly everything, good or bad, that comes out of our mouths, does. More succinctly put, it cannot come out of us unless it exists within us. A current credit card asks the question, "What's in your wallet?" We must consider, "What's in our heart?"
The good news, beloved, is that the soothing, comforting, reassuring and encouraging words we speak also come from the heart. While these things can surely be insincere, the truth is born out over time by other factors that will support or discredit them. It is written of the tongue, "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?" Jam 3:9-11. Instead, we are encouraged to "let (y)our speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" Col 4:6. In order for us to be able to accomplish this, we must continually strive to sow goodness internally so that it may be shared externally.
Let us remember that it is not those things that we take in that can corrupt us, but those things that come out of us (Mk 7:14-15). Seek righteousness that we may: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from (y)our mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear" Eph 4:29. This surely pleases God.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
It does not take spending much time on social media, or simply watching the news for that matter, to understand the current quality and content of communication and interaction in society today. It is not unusual to see conversation deteriorate into vitriolic name calling and character assassination over the most mundane things. Interestingly enough, this is particularly prevalent when things can be said in relative anonymity. Tragically, membership in the household of faith does not seem to exempt some from engaging in wars of words or the levying of aspersions.
When considering the source of some of the amazing things people say to one another, the answer is obvious: it comes from the heart. While we are typically expressing something honestly and earnestly when we claim that it comes from "the bottom of our hearts," it is suggested that nearly everything, good or bad, that comes out of our mouths, does. More succinctly put, it cannot come out of us unless it exists within us. A current credit card asks the question, "What's in your wallet?" We must consider, "What's in our heart?"
The good news, beloved, is that the soothing, comforting, reassuring and encouraging words we speak also come from the heart. While these things can surely be insincere, the truth is born out over time by other factors that will support or discredit them. It is written of the tongue, "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?" Jam 3:9-11. Instead, we are encouraged to "let (y)our speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" Col 4:6. In order for us to be able to accomplish this, we must continually strive to sow goodness internally so that it may be shared externally.
Let us remember that it is not those things that we take in that can corrupt us, but those things that come out of us (Mk 7:14-15). Seek righteousness that we may: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from (y)our mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear" Eph 4:29. This surely pleases God.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Thursday, September 12, 2019
One Thing
"Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, 'One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property." Mark 10:20-21
Most every Christian is familiar with the story of the rich young ruler. Famously, he approached Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus directed the man's attention toward six of the Ten Commandments. Parenthetically, each of them had to do with how we are required to treat others. The young man assured Jesus that he had obeyed all of those commandments since he was a child. Then Jesus, with love and compassion for him, uttered the words, "One thing you lack."
Fully embraced and understood, those words are jarring, shocking and terrifying. Before reading further, close your eyes and meditate on them and what you think they mean.
***
Imagine going through your life and doing the very best you can to serve and please God. Imagine feeling that you had done everything that you knew how to do to adhere to being the type of person the Creator of the universe made and desires you to be. Imagine feeling really good about it and being ready to take the next step to secure your eternity. You've attended worship faithfully, prayed and studied daily, sacrificially given of your means, been morally upright and shared the gospel with others. Now imagine having it revealed that there is "one thing you lack."
Beloved, it is critical that we are cognizant of any such "one thing" that may exist in our lives. This means that we must constantly take inventory of anything that could cause us to turn away from God, despite our best efforts to live lives that honor Him. For the rich young ruler, it was his unwillingness to give up his vast and valuable earthly possessions that cost him the heaven that he had modeled his life to obtain and specifically requested.
What can be required of you by the Lord that you would refuse? Do not be quick with your answer. Recall, for example, that Abraham was asked to sacrifice his promised son. Would any of us do that? And let us not simply focus on things we may be asked to do on the spot. The implications are far greater when we consider the things that do not please God that are a part of our daily lives, despite our Christian claims. These are things to which we might have become blind or we may be fully aware of but unwilling to cease. Do not let "one thing you lack" keep you from the place that has been prepared for you.
Remember this also: despite claiming to keep all of the commandments all his life, his decision to not share his wealth for the benefit of others showed the truth about his claims. We are rarely as pious as we might think.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Reassurance for the Tired and Afraid 9/5/2019
"Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, 'So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.' And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.' 1 Kings 19:2-4
Have you ever done all that you think you can to lead a righteous life while doing the work of the Lord only to feel like you have accomplished nothing and still experience fear at the hands of your enemies? This was Elijah's problem.
Elijah had just famously taken on 450 prophets of the god Baal in an epic "whose God is real" showdown and prevailed. In so doing, Yahweh was proven to be alive, real and responsive and powerful. This resulted in the demise of the false god's prophets and the turning of people's previously corrupt hearts.
Of course, the person who introduced the worship of Baal and therefore managed the prophets was the king's wicked wife Jezebel. As might be imagined, she was none to happy about such a stunning loss. She therefore threatened to end Elijah's life in the most vehement way she could.
Beloved, it was human of Elijah to run, hide and request to be removed from God's service. Depending on one's level of activity and commitment, the work of God is not for the faint of heart. While many of us make excuses about not attending worship, sharing the gospel, helping our fellow human being or reading God's word, this man had stood alone with God against a king, 450 adversaries and an entire nation that was not rooting for him. Even after prevailing, his life was in danger. It is natural for us to become weary. This is particularly the case when those who claim to be members of the household of faith and should be standing with us, retreat or even array themselves against us. It is at times like these, however, that our faith must be at its strongest, because it is at times like these that God makes his presence felt most.
Elijah slept. An angel from the Lord woke him and instructed him to eat, drink and refresh himself with nourishment the angel himself had provided. Once done, Elijah laid down and the same thing happened again. This time the angel told him about a great journey ahead of him and how he needed to strengthen himself for it. The effects of this meal lasted 40 days. And when the journey reached its conclusion, God met Elijah at the entrance to a cave in the form of a small whisper on the wind.
If you are tired and afraid, know that God has you, God provides for you,
God sustains you, God protects you, God still has work for you to do and in the end, God will meet you.
In pursuit of a transformed life,
Lee
(In prayer for my covenant brother)
Thursday, August 29, 2019
A Change in Perspective 9/30/2019
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking
the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your
mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden
with Christ in God. When Christ, who is
our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
I once knew a person who always seemed to be rooted,
grounded, positive and happy. It was not
because he had enjoyed a trouble-free life in the lap of luxury. On the contrary, he had been through storm
after storm, yet was an example of how to keep one’s head up and remain
faithful. It was not that he was a
perfect man; far from it. But he never
claimed to be more than he was and always seemed to re-route any praise given
him, to God.
Upon being asked how he did it, particularly in view of some
significantly painful life events, he gave an answer that made all of the sense
in the world but was no less amazing in that it involved the most basic of Christian
principles. He said, “I not only believe
in God, but I believe Him.” By that he
meant that it was easy to acknowledge God’s existence but through the course of
his life, he had come to have a significant level of faith in Him due to his
experience with God. He therefore made
every effort to surrender his own will in favor of God’s. This being the case, he went on to say, “God
has told us that this life is just a vapor and that the things we go through in
our day to day lives are not worthy to be compared with the things that will be
revealed and experienced in an eternity with Him. I believe that with my whole heart, and that long-term
view makes the limited trials of this life bearable and temporary.”
Beloved, this is the perspective that all children of God
should have. This is not to say that in
our human condition, we do not occasionally worry, fret, hurt, get anxious or
angry, but that we should always be brought back to who God is, what He has
promised and our faith in Him. Further,
we should conduct our lives as those who accept all He has told us as
established fact. Paul told the church at Colossae, and by extension all
believers, that we are to “set our minds on things above and not on earth…for
our life is hidden with God in Christ.”
How powerful in the Lord would we be if we truly embraced this directive? How effective would the church be?
Let us, as spiritual beings, diligently shift our
perspective to spiritual things. Our
burdens will surely be lightened and hearts made glad.
Pursuing a transformed
life,
Lee
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth 9/22/2018
“But Naaman was furious and went away and said, ‘Behold, I
thought, ‘He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the
Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of
Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be
clean?’ So he turned and went away in a
rage.” 2 Kings 5:11-12
Naaman was
the captain of the army for a king by the name of Aram. By all accounts he was highly respected and a
valiant warrior, but he had a problem.
Naaman was a leper. Through a
series of events, he found himself at the door of Elisha, a prophet of the
living God to whom he was referred.
Elisha sent a servant to the door with a message to go and dip himself
in the Jordan river 7 times and he would be clean. As the Scripture records, he was incensed
about the way he was treated as well as the prescription. Is this not reminiscent of the popular “gift
horse” colloquialism?
It is easy to be critical of Naaman until we take honest
stock of our own behaviors. How often do
we put ourselves in jeopardy of not receiving our blessing because we are not
satisfied with the method of delivery or the content? We so often pray for deliverance from health,
financial, relationship or other circumstantial situations but reject God’s
means because they do not agree with what we expect or desire. We are far more rigid than we think we are,
even when we find ourselves in the greatest need. The rich young ruler famously
asked Jesus for eternal life, but rejected the method by which he might acquire
it, thus infamously losing it.
Beloved, we must be people of faith at all times. This means trusting God with all of our
hearts and not leaning on our own understanding (Prov 3:5). When we only trust God “so far,” and resort
to our own means when He does not deliver on our timetable or by our preferred
method, we demonstrate faithlessness. In
so doing, we put ourselves in danger of not receiving the blessing that God so
graciously offers.
Naaman’s servants rhetorically asked if Elisha had required
some herculean task of him, would he not have done it to be rid of his
leprosy. Fortunately, he got the point,
complied with the instructions and was cured as he was told he would be. When we go to God, let us do so in humility
and be willing to accept His will in whatever form it may come. There may even be a blessing in a “no”;
however, let us not cost ourselves a “yes”, knowing that in God, all things work
together for our good.
In pursuit of transformed life,
Lee
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