Relax! Rejoice!

11.18.2010

2 Corinthians 13:11 11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. ESV

Can you remember a day when you rejoiced in the Lord? Can you remember an occasion or a season when you were just bursting with immovable pleasure, happiness, contentment, and joy over what the Lord had done or was doing in your life (or maybe in the life of someone close to you)? Joy is an interesting thing.

Paul urged the Corinthians to rejoice. He urged the Philippians to rejoice always. He urged the Thessalonians to rejoice. Thirty-four times in his epistles he mentions the word, rejoice. I think he was trying to say, “Relax folks, everything is going according to plan – God’s plan!” That didn’t mean he didn’t have tough words or strong discipline, it meant he would rather slap someone upside the head in love, than to allow them to become prey to the flesh or the devil.

Rejoicing is a mind-set. Rejoicing is accepting that everything no matter the difficulty is going just as planned and that our eternal future is secure. It means we joyfully know and accept that God is with us in the midst of the storms.

Psalm 124.1-8:
1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side — let Israel now say — 2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (ESV)

Rejoice!

Breaking Point

11.17.2010

2 Corinthians 7:12 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. ESV

I cannot speak for you, because I don’t know, so I’ll just have to speak for me – for many years, times of testing were lost on me because my focus was in other places rather than on what God was teaching me. It seems even now I go through some of the same things over and over that bug the crap out of me and I wonder, does this ever go away!? I can admit however, I am getting smarter – after all these years, I am seeing things a bit differently.

Paul saw something in this church that he wouldn’t let go of: the presence of God among them. Paul saw something else we might not see a lot of these days: a confidence in himself and in his message that could only be the presence of God. We see many pretenders, but there aren’t many ‘Pauls’ walking among us.

When Paul wrote, “…that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you…” he was utterly convinced that a spiritual transaction had taken place in Corinth, that that they were in fact God’s children; he knew they just needed to see it. He knew that the proof of it would be in the display of their earnestness for [him] and their accepting it. Might sound arrogant, but not from Paul.

Often in spiritual matters our hearts (which are deceitful above all things, and desperately sick (Je 17:9 ESV)) need convinced. The catalyst for that, is times of heartbreakingly painful circumstances; the heart must be broken in order to receive the truth. There are truths that God desires for each of us to see and embrace that will only come by comparing our current miserable or apathetic experience to the gloriousness of His promises; and when our earnestness for Him is revealed to us.

So who knows but that the seasons of humiliation and disappointment we’re living through now, aren't but to open our eyes to the glorious acceptance and love of God for us at some point in the future, when the reality of His presence within us is revealed through our earnestness for Him? 1+1=2

Father in Heaven,
You never let go! You love us with such a magnificent love and You never let go. Help me to see Your love in new ways today as the process of breaking my heart continues. And help me to see my earnestness for You revealed as my flesh is crucified by my pain – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Wow

11.16.2010

2 Corinthians 5:21 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ESV

Tonight I get the privilege of sharing (albeit briefly) the doctrine of sin with a bunch of 7th and & 8th graders. I’d rather share about God making Jesus to be sin (who knew no sin) on our behalf so that we could and would become righteous in His sight. I’d rather share about the cure than the sickness. But the truth for tonight is simply this: for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

God offers us friendship. God offers us eternal life. God offers us a quality of life that will never spoil fade or perish. Our problem is we have to wait for these things and endure what we have in the meantime. But our endurance of human life on earth is lighter and brighter because in the midst of it God offers us His fellowship and presence so that nothing on earth may prevent us from reaching our goal of eternal togetherness with Him. So God even made a way for our disease to be removed simply by trusting that what Jesus Christ did for us, He did that we may enjoy Him forever. God allowed His Son to take upon Himself the curse of sin for all mankind so that all mankind could become right before Him. Wow!

So, between now and tonight, and along with every moment that passes between then and the day I die, Jesus Christ is my Righteousness; for my sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him I might become the righteousness of God. And so, because of that I know I am accepted by God – not because of what I’ve done – but because Jesus is my Righteousness and took my sin issue away forever. Yeah!

Father in Heaven,
You made a way for my disease to be eternally cured by placing my faith in an event that happened 2000+ years ago. When I was born I didn’t know that but throughout my life You made it known and now today I celebrate what You did for me that I could come to know You in all of Your goodness and majesty. Help me share the good word tonight that some of these kids might understand – in Your Name, amen.

Make Sure He Knows

11.15.2010

2 Corinthians 2:5-8 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. ESV

What a picture Paul paints for us on how to treat one among us who falls. If what I am told is correct, Paul is referring to the Corinthian brother in chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians who has fallen morally. Paul said we are to exclude a member of the family who sins and (I’m assuming) denies his actions. Apparently some knew about it because Paul was told and commanded them to correct the situation. So they did what he told them to do but now (again assuming) several months have passed and Paul now tells them to forgive and comfort the sinning one and bring him back into fellowship lest he be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Some sorrow is necessary. More sorrow is redemptive. Excessive sorrow is damaging. Grace covers all.

I had to stop and reflect about this one – I’m not sure what I’d do and I’m not sure how to think about the one who sins – I think our society is mostly too afraid to confront the situation and do what is right. Somehow we seem to think it’s no one’s business what another does or how one acts even though that one may call himself a brother in the Lord.

Tonight I’m thinking about two prisoners – one guilty of murder and one guilty of sex with minors; both known to me and both claiming son-ship in the Lord. I pray that both will be spared the pain and loss of excessive sorrow and that both will remain strong in their faith regardless of their crimes… I’m also thinking about how I think of them – they are truly my Kingdom relatives who’ve been caught up in their actions and are suffering the consequences for their sin. They need my love, my pity, and my prayers. My hope is they remain strong in their faith…

Father in Heaven,
Your word says You are the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Co 1:3-4) Tonight I pray for my friends and family members who are sitting out their sentences and await the day when society says they have paid for their crimes. I pray that You strengthen them in their faith and teach them to trust You with all of what they’ve done and where they are as a result. I pray that we have courage in the church to get to know one another deeply and to confront one another lovingly but firmly when necessary so that by doing so we could hopefully avoid possible prison sentences by hopefully avoiding possible criminal activity. Fill us with the Holy Spirit to love one another and lay done our lives for each other; keep us safe in holy peace. Big prayer – Big God; amen.

Change I Can Live With

11.14.2010

1 Corinthians 15:51 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed... ESV

That’s what I’m hoping for – change. I find myself desiring change almost everyday. I want to change my personality; I want to change my location. I want to change my vocation. All these desires come upon me in waves. And so as I read Paul’s letter to his beloved church in Corinth I hear the words I so want to hear, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…. Yes! Be patient little one, your redemption draws near.

In Christ I will be changed in order to live in eternity; in Him, I’ll be changed in order to live and thrive in Heaven. I’ll no longer feel the friction of the physical but will experience eternally the exquisite, well-oiled freedom of the spiritual. That’s change I’m hoping for.

When the burdens of this life become too much and the oft insanity of living in western society comes in full-force like a tsunami, I remember my hope and what lies ahead for me and all who hope in Jesus – change I can live with!

Jesus,
You have prepared a life for me way beyond the blue; and one day, I’ll be changed forever, for eternity. And if this life has promise and purpose then so does the eternal, only infinitely more. May I rest today in Your promise and in humility walk in Your purpose that I may be prepared for that day when death will die and life will sweep in like a flood forever and ever. In Your Name I hope… and pray – amen.

A Place and a Purpose

11.11.2010

Psalm 122:3-4 3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. ESV

Jerusalem, a place with a purpose. Jerusalem was for centuries the center of worship for Israel. It was the place where the tribes were to come for their religious festivals; it was the place of the Temple, the centerpiece of worship for the people of God. Jerusalem was and it to this day, a special place for many – almost magical.

But Jerusalem was also a place of weakness and war. Jerusalem to this day is a place of controversy and sometimes chaos. Jerusalem, the purposed place was the destination of death on a hill outside the gates where Jesus bore, upon Himself, our sins in His death upon the cross. Jerusalem – decreed for Israel to be a place to give thanks to the Name of the Lord.

Today, the decreed place for God is in our heart; our spirit. Today, the Lord meets with us because to His own, He is in us. The purpose hasn’t changed; there is still a meeting place – and one day Jerusalem will regain her majesty as the City of the Great King. But for now, the sanctuary of God is in the heart of the humble; the space of the seeker.

I give thanks to the Lord when I realize it is only because of Him that I am where I am; have what I have; and have experienced what I’ve experienced. Thanking God is not for me just an expression but also the recognition of His presence and mercy in my life, and upon those who call on His Name. There is still a place and a purpose…

Father in Heaven,
Thank You for all You’ve done, do and are doing for me and my family in Christ. Thank You that Your ultimate purpose will be accomplished exactly as You’ve planned from before the beginning of time. Thank You that one day I will worship You in the New Jerusalem where the true temple will be Your tangible presence with me, in me; and with all who give thanks to the name of the Lord. Amen.

Whatever Whenever

11.10.2010

1 Corinthians 7:24 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. ESV

How often I would change my circumstances – I would have more time, more money, more charm, more whatever… The changes I would have are pretty well summed up in the grass is greener syndrome. Sunny days always seem sunnier and more appealing when I have to work – I’d rather not be working when it’s sunny. But when the bills come due and the car needs gas and the groceries need purchased, I’m glad I worked on those sunny days.

One phrase of the Serenity Prayer is, “Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time…” The wisdom of this is learning to accept whatever whenever, and in the midst of it all, to find God. Paul seemed to be saying to the Corinthians, “in whatever condition [you] were called, find God; He’s there.” And He is. The safety-valve to the desire to manage our circumstances, be it the job, relationships, leisure, affliction, is this: find God whenever, wherever and focus solely upon Him. There is great relief when we do.

Whatever my condition today, my reminder is to focus wholly and solely upon God. That isn’t a free-pass to be irresponsible or lazy, but to remember wherever I am and whatever I’m doing to be ‘in the presence’ of the Lord because wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, He is with me.

Father in Heaven,
You know Your child has a restless heart and wishes things would be different and could be under his control, but that isn’t Your heart and You and I both know I would soon screw things up. Help me today to focus on Your presence and to enjoy Your company as I go about my day – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.