. . . God who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began . . . . 2 Timothy 1:9
Grace. That one little word must be one of the most used words in sermons and prayers for any Christian but it must be one of the least understood. Or maybe it's just me. Intellectually, I get it. I've read my Bible over and over and am amazed by what God has done for us in his mercy, love and grace -- and continues to do! But, deep in my heart where I still struggle with that need to prove to God that I'm worth all his love, grace is a tough concept to grasp. Maybe because it is just so wonderful and undeserved that our sinful selves fight against accepting the knowledge of it. There must be something more we have to do! It's just too good to be true, right? We have to say our prayers, spend just the right amount of time studying the Word, live good lives, be kind, etc., etc., etc. But, what I've come to know is that my time in the Word and in prayer is a response, not a duty. Jesus calls me to come and sit with him for a while - he wants to spend time with me. That's grace.
A few years ago, I experienced a season with the Lord unlike any I've ever known. His presence was so near, so real; my quiet time with him was so fruitful and so full. I would wake up at at 4:00 a.m. - wide awake - and know that I needed to go up to my study for some quiet time. In those quiet hours, so peaceful, I experienced such a sweet time and such an outpouring of the love of the Lord. So much grace.
God calls us and saves us because he loves us. We get to be part of his plans and purposes - it's all grace - and we were part of his plan from the very beginning. I will never be able to grasp that concept. Out of all eternity, all the people, all the civilizations, God's purposes and plans include me - here and now. Amazing! And it's not because I said the right prayers, polished the brass on the altar when I was a teenager, or reached out to a homeless person. It's grace.
My response to that grace and to the love of God that fills me to overflowing is that I can't help but want to reach out to someone in need, serve in my church, and spend time in prayer. Those things aren't done to earn brownie points or jewels in my crown. God, in his mercy, would forgive me (and does!) when I miss the opportunity to reach out, to speak a kind word or go out of my way for someone in need. Thank goodness it's not up to my good works but God's love, mercy and grace.
One of my favorite verses that came out of that awesome season with the Lord is from Jude, verse 1. I love the version from The Message. Spend some time with these few little words - put your own name in front of it. We are "loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ". That's grace.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Generosity
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.
In the days we're living in, with the worries over the economy and what the future will hold, the temptation is strong to hang on tight to what we have. We watch the stock market going on wild roller coaster rides and start thinking seriously about keeping our money under the mattress. But the Lord knows our fears and he knows our future; and especially in times like these, it's important to remember God's blessings, promises and provision. He will never leave us or forsake us; that's his promise. He has never failed to keep a promise and isn't about to start breaking them now. It would be interesting to know how many times in God's word, he tells us not to be afraid, to "fear not". Whatever is happening in the world around us, we are God's children and he loves us and watches over us. Keep your eyes on him! And remember all he's done - his many blessings.
Keeping our eyes and hearts focused on God keeps our eyes and hearts open to the needs around us. You might be just the person the Lord has chosen to bring a blessing to someone in great need. Whether it's a tangible need or an intangible one, we're not to be stingy with the gifts we've received. In Matthew 10, as Jesus sends out his disciples to minister to the "lost sheep of Israel", his instructions and his sending forth are based on the fact that freely they have received and freely they are to give. We give out of a full cup - a cup that God, himself, continues to fill. His heart is for the poor and needy, the oppressed, the widow and the orphan; we are not to pass by and look the other way or turn our heads making excuses for why that person isn't "worthy" of our assistance. And, again, it may not be financial assistance that is called for but rather a helping hand, a tender heart, the gift of time and a listening ear. As a prayer minister, I hear many times from people I pray with how much they need and miss human touch. We are a touch-starved world and the one thing someone may need more than anything else is a reminder that they matter, that someone cares.
Whatever we do, however we minister to the ones sent our way, the Scripture tells us we are doing it to the Lord and he will bless us, he will continue to empower and enable us to give and we will be better for having reached out. It changes us from the inside out: transforms pride into humility, selfishness into open hearts, a blind eye to eyes that look at the world through the eyes of love.
In the days we're living in, with the worries over the economy and what the future will hold, the temptation is strong to hang on tight to what we have. We watch the stock market going on wild roller coaster rides and start thinking seriously about keeping our money under the mattress. But the Lord knows our fears and he knows our future; and especially in times like these, it's important to remember God's blessings, promises and provision. He will never leave us or forsake us; that's his promise. He has never failed to keep a promise and isn't about to start breaking them now. It would be interesting to know how many times in God's word, he tells us not to be afraid, to "fear not". Whatever is happening in the world around us, we are God's children and he loves us and watches over us. Keep your eyes on him! And remember all he's done - his many blessings.
Keeping our eyes and hearts focused on God keeps our eyes and hearts open to the needs around us. You might be just the person the Lord has chosen to bring a blessing to someone in great need. Whether it's a tangible need or an intangible one, we're not to be stingy with the gifts we've received. In Matthew 10, as Jesus sends out his disciples to minister to the "lost sheep of Israel", his instructions and his sending forth are based on the fact that freely they have received and freely they are to give. We give out of a full cup - a cup that God, himself, continues to fill. His heart is for the poor and needy, the oppressed, the widow and the orphan; we are not to pass by and look the other way or turn our heads making excuses for why that person isn't "worthy" of our assistance. And, again, it may not be financial assistance that is called for but rather a helping hand, a tender heart, the gift of time and a listening ear. As a prayer minister, I hear many times from people I pray with how much they need and miss human touch. We are a touch-starved world and the one thing someone may need more than anything else is a reminder that they matter, that someone cares.
Whatever we do, however we minister to the ones sent our way, the Scripture tells us we are doing it to the Lord and he will bless us, he will continue to empower and enable us to give and we will be better for having reached out. It changes us from the inside out: transforms pride into humility, selfishness into open hearts, a blind eye to eyes that look at the world through the eyes of love.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Rejoice
1 Chronicles 16:10: Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
This verse is from the song of praise written by David on the occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant "home". King David appointed priests to play the instruments and lead the Israelites in worship and song as they processed into the city. Everything was handled with reverence and according to the law of Moses. David, himself, was dressed in fine linen and priestly garments as befitted this holy occasion. But this reverent event wasn't a somber, dry occasion. On the contrary, you might remember the story of David's wife witnessing the scene from her window and being embarrassed by her husband's dancing in the streets. The verse in 1 Chronicles says "she despised him in her heart." It wasn't as if David was the only one celebrating in this manner. The Bible says "all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres." (1 Chron. 15:28)
The psalm David wrote also contains this verse: "Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day." (1 Chron. 16:23) David and his people had much to celebrate: they had been victorious in battle, David was the Israelites' much-loved new king after Saul's death, and, at long last, the ark was coming home where it belonged among God's chosen people. It was important to remember and re-tell the many ways God had been faithful to his people - to recount his works of salvation.
Paul writes, in Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes". Paul suffered so much on behalf of the gospel he so boldly proclaimed and yet he never stopped preaching and spreading the Good News. His life was truly a life of hardship and yet he wrote verses like these:
This verse is from the song of praise written by David on the occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant "home". King David appointed priests to play the instruments and lead the Israelites in worship and song as they processed into the city. Everything was handled with reverence and according to the law of Moses. David, himself, was dressed in fine linen and priestly garments as befitted this holy occasion. But this reverent event wasn't a somber, dry occasion. On the contrary, you might remember the story of David's wife witnessing the scene from her window and being embarrassed by her husband's dancing in the streets. The verse in 1 Chronicles says "she despised him in her heart." It wasn't as if David was the only one celebrating in this manner. The Bible says "all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres." (1 Chron. 15:28)
The psalm David wrote also contains this verse: "Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day." (1 Chron. 16:23) David and his people had much to celebrate: they had been victorious in battle, David was the Israelites' much-loved new king after Saul's death, and, at long last, the ark was coming home where it belonged among God's chosen people. It was important to remember and re-tell the many ways God had been faithful to his people - to recount his works of salvation.
Paul writes, in Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes". Paul suffered so much on behalf of the gospel he so boldly proclaimed and yet he never stopped preaching and spreading the Good News. His life was truly a life of hardship and yet he wrote verses like these:
- I am overflowing with joy (2 Corinthians 7:4)
- for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, (1 Thessalonians 3:9)
- making my prayer with joy (Philippians 1:4)
We have the same opportunity to recount the ways God has been faithful, to tell of his provision, comfort, peace - his salvation. We, too, should be dancing in the streets! When we gather as a faith community to worship God, to remember and recount his faithfulness, what do we see on each other's faces? Is it a somber, dry occasion or do we see faces reflecting joy and thanksgiving? When we sing our hymns and songs of praise, what is showing on our faces: boredom? complacency? distractedness? Or do we take the time to reflect on the words we're hearing and singing and respond in praise and thanksgiving? Tomorrow morning, many of us will be gathering in our churches for our time of worship. Just as King David prepared himself dressing in fine linen and priestly garments - putting on his "garments of praise" - let's prepare ourselves to approach our gathering time with hearts filled with joy and thanksgiving, ready to "enter his courts with praise".
"Sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him,
strength and joy are in his place.
Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness . . . . " (1 Chron. 16:23-29)
Pray that we can know in our hearts the truth of Paul's words "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation" and know in our spirits the joy of the Lord.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Love
Psalm 5:12 in the New Living Translation: "For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love." What a beautiful image that is - to be surrounded by a shield of God's love! The Scriptures tell us his banner over us is love; he fills us with his love; we abide in his love; we are empowered in love to share love with others. There is no part of our being that isn't covered and touched by the love of God. And, since God IS love, that simply means there is no part of our being that isn't covered and touched by God himself.
Psalm 139 has this beautiful verse and image: "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?" (verse 7) No matter how it seems to us, how far we may feel from God, we are never out of his presence and his love. It seems to me that this is the message the world needs to hear and know. And experience! We can tell someone over and over that God loves them and while that is true, how much more meaningful it is for them to have an experience of God's love for them - an up-close, in your face encounter with the love of God.
As a prayer minister, I witness people experiencing that love in powerful and profound ways through the Lord's ministry to them as he heals their deepest wounds, fears, or doubts. Sometimes, for the very first time, they realize that Jesus is showing up in a very real way to heal a broken heart or a wounded spirit; they're surprised by his tenderness, his compassion, his presence right there - just for them! Other times, God's love is shared through a kindness, a touch or hug; perhaps a person who feels invisible because of homelessness, disease, etc., is acknowledged, loved, cared for and affirmed as a child of God regardless of life's hardships.
We as Christians, walk through this life with the light of Christ shining through us; with the power to share that love and minister to people in ways our human eyes may never see or understand. Pray for those divine appointments then watch for them to come along. That is a prayer I can assure you the Lord will be quick and pleased to answer! If the person you encounter is challenging your own capacity to love, then pray for the Lord to give you a little piece of his heart for this child of His and watch what happens. Again, another prayer he'll love to answer! You'll be surprised at what you feel for this person - a compassion, understanding and tenderness unlike anything you may have expected.
Take a chance. Be bold. You are wearing God's love - inside and out. Walking out the Christian life as a disciple is never dull. If you're bored and you're a Christian, may I suggest that you ask the Lord to use you in new and unexpected ways? Then enjoy the ride!
Psalm 139 has this beautiful verse and image: "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?" (verse 7) No matter how it seems to us, how far we may feel from God, we are never out of his presence and his love. It seems to me that this is the message the world needs to hear and know. And experience! We can tell someone over and over that God loves them and while that is true, how much more meaningful it is for them to have an experience of God's love for them - an up-close, in your face encounter with the love of God.
As a prayer minister, I witness people experiencing that love in powerful and profound ways through the Lord's ministry to them as he heals their deepest wounds, fears, or doubts. Sometimes, for the very first time, they realize that Jesus is showing up in a very real way to heal a broken heart or a wounded spirit; they're surprised by his tenderness, his compassion, his presence right there - just for them! Other times, God's love is shared through a kindness, a touch or hug; perhaps a person who feels invisible because of homelessness, disease, etc., is acknowledged, loved, cared for and affirmed as a child of God regardless of life's hardships.
We as Christians, walk through this life with the light of Christ shining through us; with the power to share that love and minister to people in ways our human eyes may never see or understand. Pray for those divine appointments then watch for them to come along. That is a prayer I can assure you the Lord will be quick and pleased to answer! If the person you encounter is challenging your own capacity to love, then pray for the Lord to give you a little piece of his heart for this child of His and watch what happens. Again, another prayer he'll love to answer! You'll be surprised at what you feel for this person - a compassion, understanding and tenderness unlike anything you may have expected.
Take a chance. Be bold. You are wearing God's love - inside and out. Walking out the Christian life as a disciple is never dull. If you're bored and you're a Christian, may I suggest that you ask the Lord to use you in new and unexpected ways? Then enjoy the ride!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Discipleship
I spoke with a delightful young man yesterday - one who loves Jesus with all his heart and lives his life as a true disciple. What a blessing and what a witness! The love of Jesus is like a magnet; the light that shines through the believer draws people in. That's what I saw in this young man. I knew before I spoke to him that he lived a life completely sold out to Jesus. I could see it in his face when he worshiped. That's what true discipleship looks like: an inner light that shines out like a beacon. In Matthew, Jesus says: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Christian discipleship is more than showing up at church on Sundays, praying, singing, enjoying the fellowship of the other members of your church. It means sacrifice: sacrifice of time, resources, energy, your plans. It means that your life will get interrupted, your idea of how your future will unfold will probably be completely different from the reality of Jesus' plans. The much-quoted verse, "Well done, good and faithful servant", is found in the parable of the talents and the servants' industriousness and faithfulness in using the resources they were given to bring a greater return to their master. My Bible notes explain that the amount of the talents given to the servants would equate to billions of dollars in our currency. Imagine receiving that huge sum of money. Would we be inclined to run through it, spending it on vacations, fun, maybe paying off debts? Or would we save it for our future? How many would use it to bring joy to the one who had gifted us?
God has "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1:3). EVERY spiritual blessing! How are we responding to that incredible gift? How are we living our lives out of that blessing? I so want to hear my Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant". But the way I serve Jesus has to come from my grateful heart, from the love of Jesus overflowing to the people he sends my way; not from a "what's in it for me?" mentality. That's what I saw in that young man yesterday - a heart sold out to Jesus, a life lived for his Lord, and a passion to share his love of Jesus with a lost soul who didn't yet know that love.
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:23-26)
"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me." (John 12:26 The Message)
Christian discipleship is more than showing up at church on Sundays, praying, singing, enjoying the fellowship of the other members of your church. It means sacrifice: sacrifice of time, resources, energy, your plans. It means that your life will get interrupted, your idea of how your future will unfold will probably be completely different from the reality of Jesus' plans. The much-quoted verse, "Well done, good and faithful servant", is found in the parable of the talents and the servants' industriousness and faithfulness in using the resources they were given to bring a greater return to their master. My Bible notes explain that the amount of the talents given to the servants would equate to billions of dollars in our currency. Imagine receiving that huge sum of money. Would we be inclined to run through it, spending it on vacations, fun, maybe paying off debts? Or would we save it for our future? How many would use it to bring joy to the one who had gifted us?
God has "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1:3). EVERY spiritual blessing! How are we responding to that incredible gift? How are we living our lives out of that blessing? I so want to hear my Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant". But the way I serve Jesus has to come from my grateful heart, from the love of Jesus overflowing to the people he sends my way; not from a "what's in it for me?" mentality. That's what I saw in that young man yesterday - a heart sold out to Jesus, a life lived for his Lord, and a passion to share his love of Jesus with a lost soul who didn't yet know that love.
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:23-26)
"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me." (John 12:26 The Message)
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