What’s Not To Love

7/22/2009

I Peter 1.22 22Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, NASB

Life isn’t always so picturesque; even president’s approval ratings fall. Peter makes a statement in his first epistle that defies that; he says we’re to have a sincere love for the brethren (and ‘sister-en’) because we obey the truth. He goes on to say that we’re to love one another fervently from the heart.

Who lives in our heart (John 14)? Whose love flows from within us because of our belief in Him (John 7)? Love must never be based upon behavior or we’d all be unloved because we all do things that are unlovely. But if we love one another because of Who lives in our hearts then our love originates and ends with Christ for one another.

When I look at another believer

What do I see?

I see Jesus Christ

Looking back at me.

What’s not to love?

I must remember Peter’s words and remember that life isn’t always picturesque. People fall and people fail but the presence of Christ in a believer is an unchanging and unmovable truth. Their behavior may make me wonder, but His word holds me in place and keeps me from doubting. When I am with believers I must cling, no matter what, to the truth of Christ in them; when I am with unbelievers I must cling, no matter what, to Christ in me. My response to all succeeds or fails on how well I do in remembering Christ’s words, “I will be with you and I will be in You…”

Father in Heaven,

That You have placed Yourself in me and also in everyone who believes, is a miraculous marvel; a marvelous miracle. Father, as You love me and look at Christ in me, may I love others and see, if not Christ in them, then Jesus in me and live according to their needs and His presence – I pray in His Name, amen.

Resource of Rescue

7/21/2009

James 5.19-20 NASB 19My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

To turn a sinner from the error of his way means two things: care for God and care for the sinner. It is the care of what God says and who God is. When the mocking question is posed, “Who cares about that (i.e. spiritual things and God’s Kingdom)?”, this person says, “I do!” When the mocking statement is made, “They’re only getting what they deserve!” this person says, “No, they don’t deserve it, they need God to save them!” Care like this only comes from the Spirit of Christ who cares enough about us to dwell in the cesspools known as our hearts.

That is why Jesus put rivers of living waters in me – to cleanse my own cesspool and to enable me to be a resource of rescue to one who has strayed from the truth and needs turned back. The upside is that I am doing what Jesus has called me to do and enabled me to be. The downside is that the one being turned back may become quite uncomfortable and resistive to such an act of love and may not understand or respond in a docile and loving manner - it may be a bloody fight - the flesh doesn't always give up so easy...

Father in Heaven,

By Your Spirit, You have placed rivers of living water within me that I may be a resource to others in the Body of Christ. Father help me to remember that I have been helped by You so that I may love and help my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You for the gifts You give and the love You have for us all – in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

In My Heart

7/20/2009

2 Chronicles 29:10 10 “Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that His burning anger may turn away from us.

New American Standard Bible

In his heart, Hezekiah began his reign by repenting of sin and restoring true worship of the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem and throughout Judah. It started in his heart as he looked back over the history of Israel and saw that their troubles began when their hearts began to wander from the Lord and His leadership. So Hezekiah mourned over the sins of his ancestors and decided enough was enough – he would lead a national revival and he would restore true worship in the land.

Restoration, renewal, recovery – all these things begin when a person has their focus redirected to the goodness of God, and compares that view to the evil and wickedness in their own life. When one sees the goodness of God everything else looks pretty lame. A view of God ought to lead us to repentance and to the removal of all the crap that’s in our own hearts so that we may return to God and be restored.

That’s why daily introspective sojourns into the Scriptures are so vital and necessary. That’s why stories like this in 2 Chronicles are so powerful – they get me to thinking about my own life and what my own worship (or lack thereof) looks like. It is all designed to get me to keep the Lord as the Focus of my life in everyday living. So I read and reflect and refocus; I repent and am restored; and in renewal I go back into the battle (see James 4.1) of everyday life and strive to live as God calls me to live. Because great is my reward if I do so (see Hebrews 11.6).

Father in Heaven,

You never said it would be easy but the cleansing and consecration process is so necessary. It starts in my heart when the Holy Spirit begins to reveal what to remove that is offensive and bring in what is holy and pleasing in Your sight – righteousness and true worship. Father give me strength this day to lean upon You and fight the good fight – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Psalm 27.4 - FOCUS!

James 222

7/18/2009

James 2:22 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; (New American Standard Bible)

The 70’s TV show, Room 222 was created to take an entertaining, insightful and sometimes poignant look at modern life (through the filter of current events) and to cause the viewers to ask questions about the things going on around them, and perhaps see things in a different light in the American socio/political realm of the day. The program never aired an episode entitled, “James 222.” (Although, I always thought Karen Valentine was way cute…)

James wrote about practical Christianity and seemed to have the belief that faith (or trusting belief) ought to be represented by action that matched the belief. So it’s no wonder that James wrote, “You see that faith was working with [Abraham’s] works, and as a result of [his] works, [his] faith was perfected…” (James 2.22 NASB) If money is the lifeblood of power (cf. our current US governmental machine), then action is the lifeblood of faith.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, my actions are to (really, must) match my words. Period. Unfortunately, all too often, they do – in hypocrisy, unbelief, arrogance, and ineffectiveness. But just because I miss the mark at times doesn’t mean I settle for less than desired; I’m to strive to live as God calls me to live, and to do as God tells me to do – all the while believing that’s the way I’m to live! In living a life of increasing faith, my actions will more and more match my words and because of my actions my faith will mature and become perfected – the lifeblood of faith in God is action based upon a belief!

Father in Heaven,

You called me to believe in You and as a result of my belief my actions give credence to my belief as I follow You and obey You. Father, help me to increase in faith and let my actions always show how much I love You and that I believe You – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

View and Value

7/17/2009

James 1:2-3 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

New American Standard Bible

What a masterful statement by James – the half-brother of Jesus and a former unbeliever (see John 7.5). James understood what effect trials and pains have (and are supposed to have) upon us as children of God: they produce faith, patience and repentance. A favorite and familiar verse in Romans says, “…God causes all things to work together for good to those who love [Him], to those who are called according to His purpose.” (8.28)

In other words, if God is in control then He’s not using trials and difficulty to punish us but to change us; change in the heart of a believer is a good thing because, James says, it produces endurance; endurance is a key element in the Abundant Life (John 10.10) and in the process of salvation (1 Peter 1.9).

I am learning to view and value my life’s circumstances, whether good or bad; whether people, places, or things, as gifts in my life from God that are specifically there to produce in me patience and increased faith. I am striving to look past my pain in whatever form it takes and look to the promise of endurance with all the glory it brings… So I’m endeavoring to relax and smile when the crap hits the fan and life doesn’t go the way I want - trusting that God is using whatever I go through for my good; and I get endurance as a reward!

Father in Heaven,

Thank You for every good and perfect gift You give me that is producing increased faith and endurance – I give You praise in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Strengthened by Grace

7/16/2009

Hebrews 13:9 9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

New American Standard Bible

“Hebrews” was written to Hebrews; God’s plan of redemption started with the Hebrews. He also extended His plan to encompass everyone, but He started with His people – the Hebrews. So this particular admonishment had special meaning because they understood what the writer – also a Hebrew – meant by pointing out the deficiency of religious laws and regulations that though they look good, accomplish no meaningful change in the heart of the ones who live by them. He says that the only way to change is by God’s unmerited favor – His grace.

Grace was never ever meant to be (as some see it) a license to live as we please; it is God’s vital ingredient for success in the life of His disciple. His grace is His favor and His favor is His seal of approval and the guarantee of His love. Grace is not the Holy Spirit but the Spirit resides in us by His grace. Grace is not Jesus Christ but grace set the stage for Jesus to offer Himself up as our Perfect Sacrifice and the Way of Atonement for us all. Religious regulations and traditions about food can never communicate this or cause us to live successfully. We must be strengthened by God’s grace.

I must be careful never to substitute any self-imposed rule or regulation in place of God’s grace to me; I am who I am and believe what I believe by His grace alone and His grace is sufficient to see me through this life to that place where I meet Him face to face.

Father in Heaven,

You grace strengthens me because it reveals the magnitude of Your love in all that You have done to secure my heart for eternity with You. I strengthen my heart this day with the knowledge of Your grace knowing that it is for the success of my life here on earth that I may rejoice with You someday in Heaven – thank You for grace! Through Jesus and by Your grace I pray, amen.

Returning the Favor

7/15/2009

Hebrews 12:28 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; New American Standard Bible

The Apostle Paul once wrote, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual (rational) service of worship.” (Romans 12.1) Here in Hebrews 12 the writer shares the same encouragement, “…since we receive… let us show gratitude by…service with reverence and awe.” It’s the least we can do for all God has done for us and that for which we are conscious.

Every time I am full of praise and thanksgiving for something God has done for me ought to be the precursor for when I offer myself to God for service of some sort. His kindness and goodness ought to spring me into action in the Kingdom. It may be through prayer and intercession; it may be through a kind word to someone. It may be through some kind of action (and attitude) that shows His kindness and goodness are having such an effect upon me that I show my thanks to Him by serving Him. Jesus said, “If you obey My commands, you will remain in my love…” Obedience implies action and action implies service and service implies attitude and attitude implies gratitude. The way to return the favor to God is to obey.

Father in Heaven,

You have done so much for me; it’s not too much that I do something for You. You have given me so much, it’s not too much for me to say “thank You!” by giving my life to serve in Your Kingdom and Your Business in the world. Since I have received so much may I show gratitude by getting off of my behind and involving myself in the lives of others for Your sake – in Jesus’ Name, amen.