Have Faith in God

4.14.2011

1 Chronicles 5:20 20 They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. NIV

The brief account of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4.9; where Jabez prayed and God granted his request. Jabez, it appears, trusted God in his circumstances and God responded. As we read along in 1 Chronicles we find again in chapter 5 that because the peoples of Rueben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh trusted God, He answered their prayers (specifically in delivering the Hagrites over to them in battle).

Jesus said in Mark 10, “Have faith in God,”… “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:22-25) Have faith in God. Jabez, the trans-Jordanites, and God’s people are to trust Him and pray to Him in faith.

Sometimes I think my prayers don’t get answered – at least the way I want them to be answered; but that is no excuse not to pray. Twice recently my wife and I have prayed for God’s intervention in specific issues and He granted our request. But request granting isn’t the focus here, it’s trust; the frosting on the cake then is what God does for people who trust Him. God takes care of His faithful ones...

Father in Heaven,
I trust You, and have seen and felt the futility of trying to manipulate my circumstances in my own power. I trust You with the outcome of the things that are beyond me over which I have no control, but am asking for Your help. I ask for faith to increase and my whining to cease as I give over control to You; and will celebrate Your deliverance in whatever means You’ve chosen to make it happen. Amen.

Passing the Test

4.13.2011

2 Corinthians 13:5 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? NIV

There are fallacies in life; there are things that are plain old wrong and then there are things that eventually prove wrong. We may choose a path of thinking only to get down the way a ways and realize our thinking was the wrong way. Keynesian economics comes to mind; so does a woman’s ‘right’ to choose. Often, unfortunately, we may have chosen a path and traveled so far down that path only to find that a course of correction is too painful, and so we, in fear, continue down that path perpetually justifying our choice. Being in a cult comes to mind.

I remember those little signs that people put in their car windows that said, “Baby on Board.” Like we were all supposed to see those signs and somehow give the car with the sign in it a wider birth because it had such precious cargo in it. Somehow babies always seem to be more special that anyone else; except of course in cases of rape, incest, or unwanted, unplanned parenthood. It seems a political ploy these days is to do something and justify it because it benefits “at risk” kids. Aren’t all kids, at risk? Aren’t there people everywhere who would take advantage of our kids (McDonalds, Mattel, Disneyland, The US Department of Education)?

Within the last decade or so we’ve had in the Church a, “What Would Jesus Do?” kind of fad. Sounds good; implies we ought to read our Bibles and investigate what Jesus did, so that we can go emulate the same behavior. Problem is, with WWJD, it relegates Jesus to somewhere else, “out there…” In the verse above Paul asks, “Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” All of our behavior collectively and individually can be judged under this standard. Paul seemed to insist that all of our behavior be judged under that standard.

The Good News is that wherever Jesus is, there is unquestioned obedience, submission to the Father, and compassionate, active love for others. If I am a believer and that ain’t happening the question ought to be, why? “Do [I] not realize that Christ Jesus is in [me]—unless, of course, [I] fail the test?” I shouldn’t be asking, what would Jesus do, but rather, Where is Jesus?” If I answer Jesus is in me, then shouldn’t all of my behavior, thoughts, preferences, and responses; as well as all of who I am, and think I am, line up with that truth? Paul sure seemed to think so…

Learning to do the Same

4.12.2011

2 Corinthians 12:9 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV

In his defense of his ministry, Paul gladly owned up to the things he had difficulties with. Now, though he wasn’t specific, he did admit that he had issues. The difference however between Paul and most of the rest of us is that Paul knew where the victory was and dealt with his weaknesses in the power and presence of Christ. And what Paul made up for in Jesus way overshadowed what weaknesses he had in himself.

Many Christians I know want to hear the Lord say to them on that day when they meet Him face to face, “Well done good and faithful servant!” That’s a noble goal. But what we have to attune our ears to now before that day occurs is this, “My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness.” And we need to hear this routinely and regularly in order to conquer the weaknesses we have by giving them to Jesus and allowing Him to deal with them by His grace.

Last night before I went to sleep I took the opportunity to pray for two relatives of mine who are going through hard times. What’s ironic is I criticized them earlier in the evening for what I think is their fault – the circumstances and their actions. But this thought occurred to me: Where Jesus is there is true compassion for those who don’t seem to get it. And so with that thought I prayed, Jesus You are the Compassionate One and I pray in Your compassion for these two because where You are is compassion, care, and concern; not cruel criticism or judgment.

I must learn that Jesus has chosen to dwell in the hearts of His people – and as such, He brings everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1). I must admit my weakness before Him and allow Him in His strength to overcome my weaknesses so that I may pray  and share the gospel effectively. Paul knew how to deal with his weaknesses in Christ by His grace – I must learn to do the same…

What You Want – What You Get

4.11.2011

2 Corinthians 11:30 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. NIV

Paul had received some ‘bad press’. There were those among the Corinthians who thought he was just a religious phony. And why not! He didn’t act the way they thought he should by lording over them as others had done - he was too humble and self-deprecating. Men are so weird – they don’t know what they want. They want leadership but unless a leader ‘acts like a leader (according to them) he is relegated to the class of leader-wannabe; cute maybe, but annoying. And how are leaders supposed to act according to this formula? They’re supposed to act like men have seen them act for centuries: mostly self-centered, demanding, and petty. No, certainly not every leader is this way, but the overwhelming majority of them are. Just look at the bunch leading us!

So when Paul came along and said he was the leader and didn’t act according to how men thought he ought, they wrote him off as a phony and a wannabe. Paul’s model in leading was that of Christ – sacrificially. You act sacrificially these days and folks will suspect your motives (or your mind).

I knew of a church that was looking for a pastor to fill the spot that had been vacated by the previous one. This is what it seemed they wanted: a handsome, youngish (mid to late thirties) guy married to a Proverbs 31 wife who looked like she just stepped off the cover of Glamour magazine with a Master’s degree in Christian education. They had to have to two flawlessly perfect, obedient, and well-behaved kids. (Pet ownership was optional but not required.) He had to have: 50 years of experience, having successfully led, and managed, several churches; an approved seminary degree; a doctorate in Theology, and another in counseling; with the management skills of a Fortune 500 CEO. He had to be a superbly gifted and entertaining public speaker with an uncanny ability to end the service at 12 noon, exactly. He had to know precisely when and where everyone in the congregation was at all times so that he could minister to their needs accordingly. He had to be perfect.

Paul wouldn’t have lasted through the first interview. So they settled for someone less that what they wanted and that allows them to criticize and complain. That’s what the Corinthians did to Paul and that’s usually what happens in ministry today. But a true leader knows that he can only boast in Christ and in his own weaknesses so that those he leads will follow Christ and in Him, admit their own weaknesses… In ministry papers and resumes aren’t the most important things – the heart is, and God looks at the heart.

Grown Faith

4.10.2011

2 Corinthians 10:15b-16a Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. NIV

Growing faith ought to effect global change.

I’m thinking that the Corinthians were having a hard time seeing the big picture. I’m thinking that they were a lot like many modern day churches, they majored on the minors. I’m thinking they were a church of faith, but it was weak faith and when Paul had written to them, they hadn’t done what was necessary to take a stand for the Lord or the faith. They might not have really understood what their true calling was (See Matthew 28.19-20).

And Paul shared their true calling right here in the verse above: Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Ever the visionary, Paul saw the strategic potential this church had in its people, location, and effectiveness to preach the gospel in places where it had never been presented. That is what they were called to and Paul worked hard to prepare them for that calling.

And that should be the calling of every church of Christ on the planet – to preach the gospel in regions beyond them. And the battle of every church from then to now has been to see faith in God and in the mission grow in the hearts of their people so that the potential of the church be unleashed to do good and bring about godly change everywhere it goes.

So, today, there should be two things happening: the local folks faith ought to grow in faith through preaching, teaching, and through opportunities to reach out; and missionaries ought to be identified and be sent out, locally, nationally and internationally to regions beyond where the message has not been preached or fully presented. The potential is enormous!

My prayer is that our faith would grow and that we all would see and accept our calling in Christ and our potential in Him!

Giving God Something That Matters

4.9.2011

1 Samuel 6:3 3 They answered, “If you return the ark of the god of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means send a guilt offering to him. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted from you.” NIV

Whatever you do, offer Israel’s God something that will mean something to Him! We may not be His followers but we know what gods can do and we know what this One did to Egypt and the early peoples of Canaan – this God means business!

You know, you can only stand so much devastation and chaos and the Philistines had had, after about seven months, about enough. They wanted to get rid of the lost Ark because as raiders of it, they we paying a heavy price to keep it around. (Today, at the store, we waited on a customer who made a $1,000+ purchase – but what we had to go through to help this person might not have been worth the sale! Some customers…)

The Philistines hadn’t figured on a real Deity – they were used to theirs and theirs were just like all the rest, idols made of wood and stone that really didn’t do anything. So when they bumped into God, they knew there was something different going on; and tens of thousands of dead people from the plagues and the tumors. And they remembered history and what happened when Israel’s God was offended by the Egyptians. They were smart enough to know that messing around with this God meant big trouble, so whatever else they thought to do, they thought to apologize, and make an offering admitting their guilt for taking something that wasn’t theirs.

God isn’t interested in the blood of bulls and goats; God isn’t interested in our money or our talents – what God is interested in is the heart, and how each one of ours individually relates to Him. There is no offering we can give that out-gives God or the Sacrifice He gave us in Christ. But, we can be honest with Him; we can give Him our undiluted devotion; and we can give Him our unquestioning obedience. I guess if we feel like we have to give God something that matters, we could start with those things…

For Dennis, Steve, and All the Rest

4.8.2011

Psalm 77:10-12 10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. NIV

Today is the third day in a row I’ve read a psalm and stopped on the issue of God’s hearing/listening to our prayers, our cries, our pleas. I believe God hears us when we cry out to Him but sometimes His answers are delayed; often, His answers are simply wrapped around some miracles of long, long ago.

Recently, a reader asked me this question about my perspective: “Relating to Mark 16:17-18, am I a believer if I don't see the fulfillment of Jesus' words regarding the signs following those who believe?”

To maybe answer that, I had to think about this: Asaph was a believer, but I think Asaph was acquainted with hard times which led him to ask questions of God – “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” (Ps 77:7-9) There were few miracles recorded in the days of Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, the Kings, and the Chronicles. Conversely, there was a lot of national unbelief and a lot of individual backsliding. Kind of like our days.

So, to answer the questions of my reader and Asaph, I turn again to Asaph himself who said, “Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.’ I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”

Whoever we are, wherever we are, and whenever we see what we think is a dearth of God’s miraculous activity, we must remember that this God of ours (the same yesterday, today, and forever) is the same God of mighty miracles; and what He did then, should serve as a real-time reminder of who He is now, and what a Resource He is to us whether we see signs and wonders following us or not. Asaph didn’t have any right-now miracles to hang his hat on but he sure knew of some that had happened  and by faith he accepted them as if they had happened that day. It’s not as much what we want God to do today, but for us to accept by faith what God has already done in the past; and to believe that His power and presence have never diminished or died out in the annals of human history.