Called To Be Free

Adjustments

2007-12-26T21:17:00.000-06:00

I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NKJV)

Abiding in Christ truly is a requirement for those wanting to enlarge their borders. You see, I maintain our borders are more of our own making than that of God's! It is the truth:

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

So, why are we held captive by these borders? Why do these borders seem so difficult to overcome? Think about what John is saying. If Christ is the vine, then we as branches must adjust our mindset to conform to that principle. The branch can't do anything apart from the vine. Where the vine goes, the branch must follow.

Do you see the problem? We, Christians, do not adjust and abide in Christ in all we do! Therefore, the borders not only remain; they become reinforced by our own actions.

Quite the conundrum isn't it!

So what do we do? Blackaby and King have good insight into this dilemma and I suggest you read or reread their book, Experiencing God. In this, they posit seven realities of experiencing God in your life. One of those truly addresses the need let God expand and use you according to his will. "You must make major adjustment in your life to join God in what He is doing." Blackaby and King go on to say, "You can't stay where you are and go with God." I maintain this ideal is as much spiritual as it is physical.

We need to adjust our lives and lifestyles to God's! Our natural response to things begin with changing the external, but God wants to change the internal. Maybe the borders that need expanding are within us, not around us. If we want to enlarge our borders, then we must become more Christ-like in our daily habits!

Here is the way I see it...The enlarging of our borders begins with us. It is not a physical move, but it is a major move just the same. We are new creations, but in reality we don't change that much! He needs to expand our faith, our trust, our belief, our knowledge, our heart, our prayer, our worship, our...You get the point! We first go with God and let him change us; then, our circumstances begin to change as well.

Blackaby and King suggest that "the adjustment requires moving from doing God's work according to your abilities, your gifts, your likes and dislikes and your goals to being totally dependent on God and His working and His resources."

That is powerful! Totally dependent on God and His resources. Now, that is abiding. Make those adjustments and depend on God in your...

circumstances (job, home, finances)
relationships (family, friends, peers)
thinking (biases, methods, potential)
commitments (family, church, traditions)
actions (prayer, giving, service)
beliefs (God's ability, purposes, ways)

Paul is the quintessential model for these adjustments. Conduct a google search on Paul's life and see where he made adjustments to remain in Christ -- even unto death.

As you reflect on that, see where God began the work in Paul. It was not with his knowledge, but with his heart. The rest is quite clear to me! Paul, the Christian killer, became the new creation he was meant to be, a Christian leader. That map at the top of the page certainly becomes clearer doesn't it.

Now that is enlarging one's borders...

Be Blessed

Expanding

2007-12-25T12:06:00.000-06:00

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

Funny, isn't it; we hear no more of Jabez.

What territory was enlarged?
What pain was relieved?
What blessings did God bestow upon this honorable man?

If God won't tell us the rest of the story, how are we expected to apply it to our lives? It doesn't make much sense when I think about it. Yet, maybe we should just take it at face value. Perhaps we are analyzing a bit too much.

Let's take a look at this from our perspective. We live a life defined by borders we place around us, which ultimately dictate who and what we are, and how we deal with things around us.

Borders that limit:

Pride
Anger
Doubt
Envy

And the list could go on and on. In fact, take a moment or two and write down some of your borders -- be honest and forthright!

Now here is the relevance of these borders. People know us by these borders; we are comfortable within these borders; and, we make our decisions based on these borders. Yet, we get perplexed when things don't go our way and these borders remain intact. We ask again and again;

"God, why does this happen to me?
"How can I go on when you never change things?"
"Why, why don't you listen to me?"

Unfortunately, despair and anxiety become our guideposts as we attempt to manuever through the maze of uncertainty we find ourselves. Why operate in despair and anxiety? God certainly does not intend that for you. Let me have you start this study by examining some scripture that may speak to you and your circumstance...

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)

Now, look at this from a different perspective --> God's...Christians always begin with hard pressed and end with not destroyed. However, I think they forget one very, very important thing. Verses 8 and 9 are preceeded by "treasure in jars of clay." That treausre is Christ in us...

Therefore, let me ask this of you -- exactly how have you shown Christ in you as you go forward in your circumstance?

The next three posts will provide you some ways to make this a priority in your life as you let God expand your borders.

Be Blessed

Blessed

2007-08-05T18:08:00.000-06:00

The last post, Clarity, ended with Proverbs 3:13-18, which begins and ends with the word "blessed."

Have you ever considered what it means to be blessed?

Is it wealth?
Is it occupational?
Is it material?
Is it health?
Is it abundance?

For many Christians it is all of these things, but I truly see it as something different. You see, these are all products of something special -- something greater -- something wonderful -- something meaningful.

Blessed is how God views me...

How fulfilling it is to realize my submission to God and His ways is pleasing to Him. He looks at my heart and knows my motives and my purposes. Can you think of anything more wonderful than that?

Yes, I have a wonderful family
Yes, I have abundance
Yes, I have provision
Yes, I have a fantastic job

But, these are secondary to my main point...God is pleased with me even though I am still a work in progress. As my sanctification continues, I hold steadfast to the knowledge that God views me as special and cares for me in every way. Yet, I know this is not a product of my actions...

No, it is not my tithe
No, it is not my prayer
No, it is not my service
No, it is not my knowledge

Psalm 3:5-6 sums-up my part in being blessed...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on you own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

Be Blessed

Clarity

2007-08-03T19:38:00.000-06:00

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV)

In reading the comments from the last post, Wisdom, we all agree that godly wisdom is the desire of our hearts and the key to receiving that wisdom is the Holy Spirit. So, what is it we see that many fail to recognize and act upon?

Before identifying the attributes of godly wisdom, James, in 3:14-16, provides key insight to the fallible nature of man’s wisdom: bitterness, jealousy and ambiguity. Notice the inward focus of man’s wisdom. When I think about it, I alter the knowledge I attain because of my bias, my needs, my wants, my position, my…my…my…

You get the point…

Now, don’t take what I’m saying out of context. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 2:13, tells us “wisdom [man’s] is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.” I agree with that statement. The wisdom obtained through academic pursuits and life experiences are much more powerful than that of ignorance and the willful disregard of learning. In fact, a simple definition of folly is foolishness.

Yet, if we take Solomon’s statement juxtaposed with that of James’s statement, we see the clarity of our position.

Godly wisdom produces character rich qualities for those that operate in it: peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Man’s wisdom is more about the individual and image than anything else: envy, ambition, disorder and evil practices. What a difference! Godly wisdom changes us internally and is identified by good works (fruits), whereas man’s wisdom opens a wide range of corruptible consequences.

Let me leave you with Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV)

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed."

Notice how the scriptures start and end – Blessed

Be Blessed

Wisdom

2007-07-29T18:30:00.000-06:00

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Jam 1:5 (NIV)

James gives some very sage advice to the Christians of his time. Scattered abroad after the stoning of Stephen, the members of the new church were unsure of many things. Therefore, we should not be surprised to see wisdom in the context it is presented:

Testing of faith in trials leads to: Perseverance, Maturity and Completeness

Let me paraphrase James:

Christians do not let the trials get you down. Stand fast and face the trials in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. As you persevere, you will mature and your faith will be made complete. However, you need to remember this can’t be done on your understanding. You need the understanding only God can provide – ask Him for that wisdom. The wisdom only He can provide!

Don’t miss the importance of that concept. A footnote in the NIV suggests “wisdom is not just acquired information, but practical insight with spiritual implications.” You see, it is not just the attainment of cognitive processes. Wisdom combines the intellect and the motivation of heart as that person seeks and follows God.

Since the Epistle of James has a writing style very similar to Proverbs, it makes sense to look there for some additional insight into wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…”

Proverbs 2 begins with the moral benefits of wisdom – “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

As I read those verses, I can’t help but think about tablets of the heart and discernment that only the Spirit can provide. Do the “words of my mouth and meditations of my heart” please the Lord? You see, it is the godly wisdom I need, not the book knowledge!

Proverbs 4:7 (NIV) – “Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom.” The translation of supreme is “to get first.” So, in the context of this discussion, I must seek God first in all things. As I go forward and read the word, I begin to become a doer of word, and I experience the goodness of God on a personal level.

Listen again to James implore the Jewish Christians – “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God…” not for wisdom sake, but for the edification and glorification of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Before going to sleep tonight, read Proverbs 9:10-12 for more insight into the wisdom provided by the Lord.

Be Blessed

Tension

2007-04-22T15:49:00.000-06:00

Rom 7:15 (NIV) I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

Wow, that statement certainly doesn't sound very apostolic! But, then again, we need to view this statement with the filter of Paul's position regarding law and grace. In this verse, he sets forth the reality of man's inability to overcome the sinful nature.

He certainly begins this position in chapter one, but he wisely uses Romans 5:12 to make that very clear. Take time and read the verse carefully. At first, it is easy to think Paul is saying we are sinners because we have sinned, but that is not the case. He is establishing that man has no possibility of living a sinless life; the introduction of sin by the actions of Adam cement that very fact into every person's reality. No, we are not sinners because we have sinned! As Watchman Nee correctly states in his book, The Normal Christian Life, we are sinners because we are born into sin -- simple, yet so complex.

In Romans 7, we see Paul addressing this very nature within himself. Yes, I understand the context also centers around law, but notice how honest he is about sin and his own struggle. Follow his line of thought...The power of sin is real, and as the NIV note states that "struggle within creates tension, ambivalence and confusion. This, of course, is impossible to overcome by applying the law, for it is the law that made people cognizant of sin and its ramifications. But that very law is unable to overcome the sinful state. Yet, Christians struggle mightily with the doctrine of churches regarding that law -- and they remain a slave to sin.

Romans 5:18a succinctly establishes that we are condemned through the action of one man.

Paul's writings are replete with numerous accounts of how Judaizers held new Christians hostage under the bondage of ritual, tradition and the written code. He is establishing if we continue to be held under that yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1) we remain a slave to sin and sure condemnation.

Is Paul suggesting there is no hope for man against this sin nature?

No! Paul offers us hope with every verse as he lays out the sinful nature of man. Yes, man is condemned by that sinful nature, which brings on futile thinking and harden hearts, but he also has the only perfect hope of overcoming that nature as well.

Romans 8:1 (NIV) Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Yes, we will sin.
Yes, we will struggle mightily trying to overcome that sin.
Yes, we will be judged by those around us who view that sin.

But, here is the most important point. We will not be governed by that sinful nature since we have the full grace of Jesus Christ as our security. So Christian, armour up and get ready to battle and go forward in God's grace.

Be Blessed

Grace

2007-04-10T14:42:00.000-06:00

"...and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead; Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace..." Romans 1:4-5a (NIV)

Have you really meditated upon the grace you received from Jesus Christ? What exactly is that grace and why is it so important?

The grace most often described by Christians is known as salvation grace, which is best defined as "unmerited favor". According to Dr. Verda Thompson, "we can see from the Word that we are drawn by the Holy Spirit to Jesus, and then we are given grace to grow and stand." The first part of that statement truly illustrates the grace Christians are familiar with and understand --for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. Romans 3:24 (NIV) However, it is important not to miss the second part of her statement that suggests we grow and stand under that same grace.

Dr. Thompson's thoughts on this subject have been echoed by Pastor David Alsobrook of Sure Word Ministries. Alsobrook maintains that "grace is the means by which God accomplishes everything he does in our lives." So, it is here that many Christians need to revisit. Grace is not a one-time shot; it is not just defined as "unmerited favor."

You see, grace has power to effect change in a believer's life, attitude and action. It is Christ in us that enables us to realize that all things are possible. Alsobrook explains this as the operational power aspect of grace, which is defined as "the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life of the believer; a divine enabling."

When you read of grace in your quiet times this week, put grace into perspective..."Love is the motive, grace is the method; love is the why, grace is the how; and, love is the heart of God, grace is His hand."

Pastor Leo encourages us to "set our minds on spiritual things by making our new life the point of the day." Do you realize it is grace that enables you to do that?

I'll discuss this further after Sunday's sermon on -- you guessed it -- grace...

Be Blessed

Signs

2007-03-27T19:13:00.000-06:00

Driving to my mother’s house, which means driving the flatlands known as Illinois, I spend over seven hours reading road signs. For me, the direction signs keep me on track; for my wife, the billboards hocking antiques do the trick; and, for my children, a simple McDonald’s logo ignites pains of hunger. Each of us sees the signs in a different light which is interestingly developed by our current perspectives.

When I think about it, the writings of Paul in the New Testament are something like road signs. As we read, we find concepts woven throughout his writings, and many of us can develop a sound position pulling all those verses together. Yet, two problems are readily apparent with this concept.

First, we "mature Christians" develop doctrine based upon our interpretations, and unfortunately, that doctrine can be confusing and contradictory. The context of scripture is so often cast aside in order to solidify the position that it loses its original intent…

Second, many Christians do not have the time to examine the scripture fully, so it is almost impossible to track one topic through Paul’s works. This, of course, leaves these Christians at the mercy of the “mature Christians" who formulate the doctrine…

It sounds hopeless, doesn’t it? Rest easy, Christian…

God had us in mind when Paul wrote the book of Romans. You see, Romans has all the road signs of Christianity in full view with full explanations. The Book of Romans is Paul’s doctorate dissertation on the Christian faith: sin, salvation, grace, faith, righteousness, justification, sanctification, redemption, death and resurrection (NIV introduction).

Join me for the next 10 weeks as I post comments on these road signs along the Roman Road…

Be Blessed.

Meaningless

2006-12-01T19:36:00.000-06:00

Could we be included with those assembled listening to Solomon preach the message of Ecclesiastes?

Yes, I know we are Spirit-filled, born-again Christians, so we couldn’t possibly be included…could we?

Let’s follow the hypothetical and see where it leads…

Solomon opens his message with very deliberate and brutal language as he paints a picture of human endeavor. It is somewhat surprising that the king would express this sentiment, which is filled with pessimism and fatality. “Meaningless, Meaningless,” are the words etched on the parchment, yet it is directed at each person. I’m guessing most people would look with eyebrows raised and utter, “He can’t be talking about me!”

But wait just a moment!

Solomon is not talking to just anybody. He is delivering a message to the Jewish people who, by-the-way, are God’s chosen. The words are not directed at an unbelieving nation. Now, let’s be very careful here…Some of you may be thinking about Israel’s history of disobedience and idol worship. Some may even use that to form a line-in-the-sand mentality – “Well, they are different than me. Their consistent wanderings away from God made this message to them a necessity!” The Jewish people crossed the line that I never cross. Really?

Now, let’s look at reality…

Solomon is not just talking about any person. He is outlining his own experience. Yes, the man who was granted wisdom beyond all others is using himself as the model. He openly admits his inability to foster anything new or lasting. Moreover, he makes it quite clear how he was lured by dissatisfaction to the pursuit of pleasure and toil. His emptiness resonates quite loudly against the hope of other Old Testament books. Do you think those listening to the message understood it wasn’t just he who fell into this paradigm? Do you think Christians today experience this emptiness as well?

Powerful, thought-provoking prose painting a landscape of barrenness we will experience – are experiencing – have experienced.

Yes, Solomon is talking to us, and here is the question he posits:

Does man have any special significance?

What is your answer?

Perspective

2006-11-27T14:41:00.000-06:00

The sun’s rays illuminated the sky with colors only God could have thought to create. The purples, oranges, reds, yellows and blues splashed together to form a masterpiece signifying the setting of the sun. Soon, darkness covered the entire landscape, but for those precious moments, I was mesmerized by the greatness of God. As I climbed out of the treestand I couldn’t help thinking of how God, in his glory, magnificence and sovereignty, ensured all could clearly see His fingerprint in all of creation.

Yet, I should have recognized that far sooner than the setting of the sun. I am quite sure I made the same mistake countless others have made before me…

I focused only on the external.

Don’t we Christians do that a lot? Think of how we evaluate ourselves and each other, our ministries and our church. Isn’t it usually based on our results instead of our growth in Christ? The sticks, bricks and mortar of the church and its programs shape our perspective.

Perhaps that is where we get it wrong – We are not looking at things from God’s perspective.

I know, I know – scriptures about a light on the hill and under a bushel basket are raising flags as you read this. Bearing fruit in good season while being planted by water also comes rushing to the mind. Some would ask this question: “If we don’t focus on the external, how can we possibly evaluate how we are doing?”

Solomon had an opinion on this!

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Ecc 1:2 (NIV)

What a statement!

Solomon certainly does not pull any punches does he? Let’s see where this takes us as we explore Ecclesiastes in the next two months.

Perhaps, we just need to change our perspective!

Rejoice

2006-11-15T13:22:00.000-06:00

Phi 2:12b-13 NIV: …continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

What a conundrum!

How do we humans work out our salvation? And why should we do so with fear and trembling?

Can you see the churches of West Bend arguing the first question? Oh my, the division between work-oriented and grace-oriented salvation would grow even greater if this were discussed. “How dare men think they have anything to do with their own salvation,” would be the stance of many. Yet, we must be careful to identify Paul's intent. Is he really saying we have a hand in our own salvation?

Paul, first and foremost, succinctly argues his position on salvation in the entirety of his writings; so taking this to mean something completely different simply is not logical. He clearly establishes we do not gain salvation through any means other than Christ. His intent in Philippians is not counter to that position. Paul simply encourages us to rejoice in Christ, work in Christ and live Christ, which puts forth these valid points:

-- In Christ, we live life in a worthy manner
-- In Christ, we live in the light
-- In Christ, we live in victory
-- In Christ, He is our source for everything
-- In Christ, we live a life of service
-- In Christ, God finishes His work in us
-- In Christ, we do the work of the gospel
-- In Christ, we are united
-- In Christ, we develop a Christ-like attitude
-- In Christ, God reveals His will
-- In Christ, He is our strength

This is the working out of a person’s salvation…Notice there is nothing about the gaining of salvation. That, of course, was accomplished in Christ’s actions: cross, grave and resurrection. If we step back and think about it, the word ownership leaps off the page as we realize these are actions we choose. We choose to follow Christ’s example and live by biblical precepts; we choose to follow the Spirit-led promptings in our lives; and, we choose to show the love and compassion of Christ in all things.

And when we fail, we understand it is not held against us. Instead, we go forward with a repentant attitude and humble heart as we strain to reach our goal – Christ Jesus our Lord.

What a joy! We should do as Paul suggests and REJOICE mightily in the Lord, for he is our all-in-all for all things.

Now, do we do so in fear?

I say NO! We do not have a spirit of fear in Christ…

Paul is not actually addressing the physical fear one faces. I’m quite sure he knows about the sovereignty of God and its impact on each of us. He is, though, making a point to take these actions very seriously. It is not a game – All things eternal center on Christ, and we should seriously weigh our actions in this area.

I may fail, but my God is a mighty God who watches over me and protects me in all things. He supplies my every need and gives me the strength to grow in Him.

I believe this wholeheartedly and strive to make the choices to keep myself In Christ – the working out of my salvation…

Phi 4:13 NIV: I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.

Ownership

2006-11-09T09:10:00.000-06:00

Phi 4:13 NIV: I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.

With this short, concise sentence, Paul brings this letter to its most logical conclusion – Being in Christ makes all things possible for the Christian because Christ is the strength.

Let’s quickly review what Paul outlined in his letter.

-- Chapter 1 – Christ is the life
-- Chapter 2 – Christ is the example
-- Chapter 3 – Christ is the confidence
-- Chapter 4 – Christ is the strength

Now we see the joy of Paul in its fullest illumination. He is made complete in Christ because Paul chose to claim ownership in Christ. Many Christians simply do not experience the full joy of Christ since they fail to embrace Him and His word with the passion it requires, which puts Him as the center of their life: the example, the confidence and the strength. Claim ownership in Him and rely upon him is Paul’s cry to the Philippians.

Remember, this letter was written while Paul was under house arrest and chained to a Roman guard. You don’t hear that in his words, though…

MaryAnn wrote me an e-mail that addressed ownership in regards to the light of Christ within me, and I think it is very, very valid for each of us.

That light is yours to a certain extent in my opinion. You must maintain it. You are given charge over it. Think about it. The moon moved away from it and lost it! So it is our responsibility to hold on to the light that He gives to us and gives us charge over. Like you said, “Let your light shine.” Hmmmm, makes a person think. Yes, we get it from the Master and the Master is the Key light and it does rub off and
.....

I love her reinforcement of this ideal with the comment about the moon. In The Sweet Song of the Second Fiddle, the moon was not forced from the light. Simply put, it chose to move away from the source – It relinquished ownership of what it received from the sun. Aren’t Christians somewhat like that as well?

As you go forward into today’s circumstances, whatever they may be, identify for yourself the answer to this basic question: Do I claim ownership in Christ and the Word of God, or is it just a collection of good ideas?

Now, take that answer and respond accordingly…

Remember, we simply reflect the light of Christ, but it is a choice!

I choose Christ...

Consumed

2006-11-06T14:48:00.000-06:00

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…”

Can you appreciate Paul’s word choice in this verse? And do you take heed of the actions they portray?

Forgetting…Straining

If nothing else, you would have to agree that Paul had zeal and passion for what he believed. Of all the words he could have chosen…

Forgetting is a simple act of not reliving the past. Yet, Christians continue to dwell on what happened yesterday and never get beyond the circumstance or feeling. And that past becomes that person’s identity. If we look at this from the context established in the last post, “Shine,” the rehashing of past events certainly blocks the light of Christ within us.

Now, do not take this out of context…My argument centers on not reliving the past over and over again. I never suggest restricting the application of the past into the present. We learn from these events – both the good and the bad. So, just forgetting it in its entirety does not make much sense. But from a logical point of view, it should not dictate who we are in Christ.

Paul is a great example of this ideal. He put his past behind him for two very important reasons. First, he understood the celebrity of his life was not based on God’s will, and in his religion, Paul was doing for God instead of God doing through Paul. He left prestige, power and influence to be a disciple of Christ. "Called to the Son to reflect the Son," fits Paul's discipleship really well. Second, Paul knew he could not be a new creation and he could not have a renewed mind if he labored to hold onto what he once was! He had to change -- belief, attitude and habit.

When we submit to God, we do so of our own free will. We are not forced; we are not cornered; and, we are not marginalized. God, according to Ephesians, chose us, accepted us, adopted us, redeemed us and forgave us. We need not worry about yesterday. Instead, we, like Paul, must strain toward the prize of Christ.

Straining provides an image of a person with muscles tightened, eyes fixed and thoughts focused as he or she is consumed by one thing. What a vivid picture this word creates. It’s not just a reaching action; every fiber of a person’s being is involved when straining. It also speaks of the light we shine for Christ.

Paul, the tent-maker, Pharisee, Sanhedrin and Christian killer had zeal before his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. That zeal and effort, which we can say was straining, did not change after that incident. God just used that to His glory and honor, not that of Paul's. Paul zealously and passionately let Christ work in him and came to understood the real meaning behind his existence. He came to know and live Christ. His purpose was to edify Christ in all things. Read about Paul in the New Testament, and see the new creation he became in Christ. The Son consumed him!

What consumes you?

Shine

2006-10-31T09:41:00.000-06:00

“…Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…”

As Paul so eloquently states in chapter 2 of Philippians, our light certainly illuminates our Christian paths and is not hard for all to see. Many Christians, however, attempt to show that illumination by turning on and off a switch. From past experiences, we know that does not work. Living life while straddling a line simply makes us lukewarm and ineffective.

But Paul has an answer to this mindset!

-- In Christ, we do the work of the gospel

-- In Christ, we are united in all things

Like-minded, of one spirit and purpose

-- In Christ, we develop a Christ-like attitude

Many devoted Christians get a little confused about shining like stars. You see, stars shine of the own accord! In other words, they produce their own light. Often times, Christians feel as though they need to create the light! Although Paul writes of shining like stars, he certainly does not imply it is the result of a person's own doing. Notice what precedes the “shining” segment in the chapter – the humility of Jesus.

Subservient to His Father

No concern of reputation

Genuine, loving service to others

Jesus gives us the quintessential model for humility. He is the light we reflect.

The band, Salvador, sings a song titled Shine that so clearly states this premise. Click on the band's name to hear the entire song, but the chorus goes like this:

Lord let me shine, shine like the moon
A reflection of you in all that I do
Lord let me be a light for your truth
Light of the world,
I wanna be used to shine for you

The moon is a rock – it does not shine. It simply reflects the light of the sun.

Let us go forth and reflect the light of the Son as we grow in Christ enjoined in the work of the gospel spreading the message of love and generosity.

Joy

2006-10-30T13:38:00.000-06:00

Philippians, being the Epistle of Joy, certainly has a lot of reference to being in Christ. Scholars point out that Paul uses language to speak of his great joy. Well, I guess that works, but I am of the opinion that the joy is all about Paul's Christ-like attitude, actions and thoughts.

Stay with me for the next month or so as I speak of being in Christ as the best evangelism tool available to each of us.

It is good to be back

Be Blessed

Heir

2006-04-21T13:13:00.000-06:00

Wesley’s Conversion Hymn

By: Charles Wesley

Where shall my wondering soul begin?
How shall I all to heaven aspire?
A slave redeemed from death and sin,
A brand plucked from the eternal fire,
How shall I equal triumphs raise,
Or sing my great Deliverer’s praise?

O how shall I the goodness tell,
Father, which thou to me hast showed?
That I, a child of wrath and hell,
I should be called a child of God,
Should know, should feel my sins forgiven,
Blest with the antepast of heaven!

In our study of Galatians, much time has been spent discussing grace and law. Yet, the discussion, if left at its last point, screams for clarity and resolution. So many Christians get lost in the law verses grace argument and stop at this juncture. We hear the salvation prayer uttered from lips, but often times do not see the fruit of that salvation. Galatians 3:29 (NIV) establishes a very important point missed by many Christians. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Notice how Wesley’s assertion in the second verse establishes with clarity the statement of adoption: “Father, which thou…” and “…I should be called a child of God.” You see, it’s not just the justification established by the cross; it’s the adoption into the family of God that the cross makes a reality. An heir to the promise – the justification leads to the inclusion into the Christian family for those acting on that justification. In his book, Knowing God, J.I. Packer introduces a very thought-provoking assumption – “…adoption…is the highest privilege that the gospel offers: higher even than justification” (page 206). Many Christians will take exception to this statement because it seems to lessen this aspect of God’s love, but Packer goes on to stress that justification is “made basic to everything else.” So, justification is the starting point where many Christians get stuck! The knowledge of being made righteous in Christ’s sacrifice certainly overwhelms our understanding. As Wesley so eloquently penned, “That I, a child of wrath and hell, I should be called a child of God.”

Here, we see the full reality of Christ’s sacrifice. Justification, in reality, is a legal aspect in which we are redeemed. The blessing though finds its fruition as we live our lives in God’s fullness. Packer goes on to state that “to be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is greater.”

I guess Paul understood the importance of adoption.

Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV) “…God sent His son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of the sons.”

Planted

2006-04-10T13:12:00.000-06:00

Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT) “(1) Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. (2) But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. (3) They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.

As I said in the sermon yesterday, the context of the verses centers on the meditation upon God and His precepts and the result of that meditation. With that said, I also made the point that the church is the fertile ground where that happens. An intentional Christian, therefore, is planted and active in a local church!

I want to take this time and elaborate on a couple of my statements:

A non-churched, non-participative intentional Christian is an oxymoron.
An intentional Christian outside the local church is outside the purpose of God.

Yes, these are bold statements; yes, these are challenging statements; and, yes, these are biblically accurate statements.

In an article titled, Why Should Christians Go to Church, Dr. John Bechtle writes, “The New Testament never divides Christians into the church members and the non-church members. All the way through, it assumes that everybody participates in [his or her] local assembly. It gives no samples of Christians who belong to the "universal church" but have no link with a local church.”

I, wholeheartedly, agree with this statement. Of the many purposes behind Christ’s incarnation, one truth is very apparent in the Bible. Christ is the head of the church, and He equips that church to do His will. If Christ is the head, and we have the five-fold ministry found in Ephesians, how is it that an isolated individual can remain accountable and in the purpose of God?

So a Christian with the means and resources readily available seeks to be planted and active in a church. It is so much more than membership! The intentional Christian develops the Spirit-guided determination, dedication, deliberation and devotion while attending church surrounded by fellow Christians. In other words, intention is given feet through the encouragement and edification of others in God’s family. The family of God is the context because that is the intent of God!

Have you ever wondered why so many Christians struggle with this concept? Perhaps many Christians have an “I” problem! I know one way around that – participate in the activities of the church and develop the relationships required to make a difference for God, not for you. In other words, be a servant who is both accountable and guided.

Luke 10:43-45 (NIV) (43) It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. (44) Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. (45) That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served--and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage."

Traits

2006-04-03T10:57:00.000-06:00

Luke 10: 33-35 (NIV) “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”

Here is the key point – No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he only had good intentions.

I know; you think I’m throwing you a curveball (had to add a little baseball lingo since today is opening day). During the past two Sundays, I have identified four characteristics found in intentional Christians: Determination, Dedication, Deliberation and Devotion. I have hammered home the point that these are internal characteristics, not actions. In other words, the character of the Christian best describes who that person is and what he or she believes. However, it is important to identify that the actions of an individual, which are those demonstrated over time, do result from these strongly held and acted upon traits.

With that in mind, can you identify which actions of the Samaritan are the result of which trait? Go ahead and leave your thoughts on the comments page.

Intentions

2006-03-30T14:36:00.000-06:00

“Everyone wants to change, but change demands desire and discipline before it becomes delightful. There is always the agony of choice before the promise of change.”

Larry Lea, a Pentecostal minister and evangelical, surely illuminates a truth about Christianity that most Christians do not want to admit – a person is accountable for the change in his or her life. Sermon after sermon and study after study talk either directly or indirectly about this change!

Old man – renewed mind – new man

Many pastors, me included, talk a lot about letting God work within to create change, and we miss the point that really makes people so special – We have the ability to choose! But, those choices are often so hard to make, and our walk is greatly affected by that truth.

An intentional Christian, therefore, understands the ‘agony of choice’ regarding strongholds in his or her life, and seeks Christ’s guidance to overcome those areas. In other words, an intentional Christian adopts Spirit-guided determination, dedication, deliberation and devotion.

Think about the “agony of choice” for Abdul Rahman, the Afghan Muslim who converted to Christianity. While I take exception to some positions of the author, the article does illuminate some facts about Abdul’s choices. As you read the article, keep this in mind.

Justified

2006-03-16T13:49:00.000-06:00

Galatians 2:15-16 (NIV) "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”

Galatians, the “Magna Carta of the Reformation,” was used by Martin Luther to formulate his treatsie on justification by faith, not law.

We can do nothing to earn salvation

We can do nothing to earn God’s love

If we follow the logic of Paul’s argument as posited in Galatians, it is easy to see how the law entraps and enslaves those bound by its decree. More importantly, the ineptness of man to live by that decree becomes so apparent.

The Lenten season, practiced by mainstream religious denominations, is a glaring example of just how man deals with the law!

No meat on Friday during Lent

St. Patrick’s Day is on Friday this year

Change the law to eat meat

Bend the law, which also changes the spirit of the law, for the convenience of man! Somehow, I don’t think that works! I know, I know, you are thinking this is not a biblical law; it is something a religious denomination created…And your point is?

In my opinion, it is a perfect example of Paul's argument presented in Galatians? Paul sums it up pretty well in Galatians 2:21 (NIV):

“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Reality

2006-03-10T14:05:00.001-06:00

Galatians 2:19 (NIV) “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.”

Paul makes an extraordinarily strong statement in regards to the law of man. He basically states -- The Pharisees used their understanding of the law to nail Christ to a tree, but the crucifixion moots the laws of man. The resurrection of Christ established and set the standard and expectations for the Christian.

When you think about its context and understand Paul was talking to Judaizers, his statement can best be described as:

-- Controversial
-- Radical
-- Outrageous

The Old Testament illustrates just how much we need God’s grace. Even at our best, we cannot meet the outcomes established by law. Yet, we do our best to enact more and more laws…Go Figure! Just think about those gifts of the Holy Spirit. Can you think of a few laws man has enacted regarding these?

…That is reality

We forget Paul’s statement of faith, which also should be ours!

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Principle

2006-03-07T08:14:00.000-06:00

“The belief in the Bible as the sole source of faith is unhistorical, illogical, fatal to the virtue of faith, and destructive of unity.”

You might think this statement comes from an anti-Christian establishment, but it doesn’t. It comes from New Advent, which is a pro-Catholic organization that publishes and maintains information on the Catholic Church. This statement, taken from an article titled Protestantism, posits the position of the Catholic Church on the use of the gospel as it refutes the idea of Christians using the Bible as the “only infallible source and rule of faith and practice.” Now, I am not bashing Catholics, so let's not take this down some some rabbit trail.

But, listen to the power of those three words:

Illogical

Fatal

Destructive

After following Christ for some time, I have never heard the following of God’s Word described in these ways! Doesn't gospel mean "good news?"

I am really confounded by the use of the word unhistorical. The argument centers on the delivery of the message during the development of the early church. Since the text wasn’t written, it was taught by the apostles, so the Bible is viewed as a source to be taught, not discovered. The church’s position, quite overtly I might add, states only the “ordained” gain revelation from God; so don’t bother knowing about the scripture…

Let’s look at the historical result as seen from God’s Word:

The Pharisees supplanted God’s law with their own rules.

Churches of Galatia supplanted the New Covenant with their own rules.

We see the fallacy in both actions! Does the same thing happen today?

The Catholic Church supplants the gospel with its own rules.

Quite ironic isn’t it! It is a perfect example of just how up-to-date the Word of God is, and it really brings the Berean principle to mind.

Acts 17:11 (NIV) “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Freedom

2006-03-06T14:38:00.000-06:00

Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia clearly established the freedom found in Christ. Yet, churches of America still struggle mightily to realize that freedom.

No Hats

No Jeans

No T-shirts

No Tattoos

No Outreach

No Gifts

No…

No…

No…

Paul begins this circular letter screaming at the top of his lungs: “I am an apostle and the gospel I preach is not mine!”

Now, I can’t recall – help me if you can – any place in the New Testament that dictates what we are to wear during worship. I’m guessing we have some individuals who decided to supplant the gospel with their idea of how God meant it to be!

This sure sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it is the reality of many churches today. We, too, value the law!

Galatians 5:1 (NIV) “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Comparison

2006-02-28T20:20:00.000-06:00

Galatians 1:10 (NIV) “For now do I persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

It is really easy to pass on this verse because it seems so matter-of-fact. Why does Paul need to defend himself? He only wrote around 14 books of the New Testament. That is a pretty substantial argument in itself, isn't it!

Yet, we see him in this verse painting a picture of juxtaposition between his past and present.

Pharisee --- Apostle
Prosecutor --- Defender
Christian Killer --- Christian Leader
Popular --- Despised
Wealthy --- Homeless
Man-centered --- Jesus-centered

Old man – renewed mind – new man (Ephesians 4:22-24)

If I were to write a letter to a church plant, could I, like Paul, provide the stark contrasts between my present and former self? Yes, I could say I sin less; yes, I could say I love more completely; and, yes, I could say I place Jesus first – most of the time. Somehow though, it seems a bit weak!

More importantly, would my actions, like Paul’s, speak much louder than my words?

Difference

2006-02-21T11:24:00.000-06:00

Obedience, Love and Truth

After a two-month study of 1 John, it is clear we Christians are called to test our walk. Ours is a walk illuminated in Christ’s love: follow God’s precepts in all we do, demonstrate the agape love of Christ toward each other and stand firm on the doctrine of truth.

Ephesians 6:14-17 (NIV) “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Now, if we are the warriors on the Frontline for Christ, the study of 1 John should produce change in our lives!

Colossians 1:6 (NIV) “…All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.”

I ask you to look introspectively on what changed.

How are you different?
What has this new knowledge produced in you?
How are people seeing you differently?

And more importantly,

What changes or differences does God see in your heart?

Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) “As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.”