Chasing Truth

 "Buy the truth and do not sell it--wisdom, instruction and insight as well."  Proverbs 23:23

What are you chasing these days?  Is it pleasure, comfort, security, affirmation or influence?  By the way, have you noticed the new title for those who want to sway the culture in their direction?  They are now called 'Influencers".  Hmm.   Maybe you don't feel like you're really chasing anything in particular but you just want to be left alone to enjoy what makes you happy in peace.  Is that a bad thing?  After all, should any of us be telling another what they should be pursuing in this brief existence we call life?

Interesting to note that in John 14:6 Jesus never suggested that he was one of "many ways' or one of "many truths" or one of "many choices" in the path to genuine life and ultimately to the Father.  He simple stated, "I am THE WAY, and THE TRUTH and THE LIFE.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  Yet have you read some of the numerous articles out there that basically say Jesus didn't really mean what he said there?  What he really meant was... Huh?  It seems to me that the Son of God, the "God-Man", the one who died in order to pay for your sins and mine surely knew what he meant to say.

Can I suggest that what we need is not some ambiguous, non-threatening version of the truth?  What we need in this sin-saturated, self-affirming, ego-driven culture is THE TRUTH.  We need Jesus.  Let's stop apologizing for everything and start standing up for the truth - the truth about who Jesus is and what He wants to do in the lives of this hurting, crazy, mixed up generation we are all a part of.  They deserve better.

The world is looking for some genuine "Truth Chasers".  Isn't it about time?

Yet I Will Rejoice...

                                          Though the fig tree does not bud 
                                       and there are no grapes on the vines,
                       though the olive crop fails and the field produce no food, 
                     though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 
                     yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  
                                        The Sovereign Lord is my strength; 
                                     He makes my feel like the feet of a deer, 
                                      He enables me to tread on the heights.  Habakkuk 3:17-19


Preparation day has come and gone.  Boot camp is over.  This is our time.  He has made us ready.  We cannot trust our feelings.  We cannot rely on just what our eyes can or cannot see.  We WILL rejoice in the Lord.   We WILL man the lifeboats and rescue those who are drowning in doubt and fear.  We WILL hold tightly onto Him so that they can hold tightly onto us.  He is stronger than this enemy we face.  He is wiser than all the wisdom of men.  He is loving and compassionate with His children.  He WILL carry us through this season.

And when we are on the other side (and we WILL be)......

We WILL praise and glorify the One who walked us through.  

We WILL lift high the Name above all Names.

We WILL look back and remember...He is faithful!

Unfinished Business

"And say to Archippus, 'Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you."  Colossians 4:17

Do you have some unfinished business with the Lord?  

Is there something that you and He have talked about - maybe even wrestled with, that needs to be done or submitted to?  Perhaps there is someone you know you need to share Jesus with but you have been hesitating.  Maybe there is a fractured relationship in your life and God has been speaking to you to take the first step in making things right and forgiving.  Do you need to follow the Lord in baptism but you've been putting it off?  Could it be that the Lord has been speaking to you about tithing for awhile and you've been ignoring His voice?  Maybe you are called into some specific type of ministry and you have been running in the other direction like Jonah...

It's very uplifting to read through the last part of Colossians 4 and notice how Paul is sending encouraging words and greetings to those in that church from mutual friends including Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke and several others.  At the very end, however, he has a special message for one individual in particular.  He says to make sure that they say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you."  

Hmm.  I wonder what that "ministry" was and why Paul felt so impressed about it that he actually mentioned Archippus by name?  Scholars have differing opinions on whether this was a gentle rebuke or simply a work of encouragement for Archippus to stay true to his calling.  Either way, it certainly warrants some reflection.

What ministry has the Lord given you?  You don't have to be called be a pastor or a missionary to have a ministry.  If you know Jesus you have a calling, a ministry, a mission if you will.  No sideline spectators in this race.  If you are on the team then you are in the game.  Don't tell God what you 
will do.  Instead, ask Him what He would have you do.  Be willing to surrender to His call whatever that may be.  There and only there - is true fulfillment and joy.

Unfinished business?  Today is the perfect time to wrap it up.

Hanging Hope

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."  Hebrews 6:19

Hope.  Where do you hang yours?  When the storms of life catch you unprepared or the rising pressures seem to have the single goal of pulling you under, where do you turn?

It wasn't too hard to choose a life verse for 2019.  Hebrews 6:19 won hands down.  The twists and turns of 2018 were constant reminders that I needed that comforting and familiar anchor called "Hope".  No matter how strong the storm, if our anchor is securely fastened onto that which will not be moved, we are safe and secure.

My anchor is called Hope and it is forever chained to the One who gave up everything for me.  Thank you Lord Jesus.  I am blessed and humbled by your constant love and comfort.

Hope.  Where do you hang yours?

Hijacked Heart"

"Above all else guard your heart for it affects everything you do." Proverbs 4:23

"Lord, I just want my heart to be right."  Ever prayed that prayer?  I have--but not nearly often enough.  Honestly, much of the time I don't pay very close attention to where my heart is or what's going on inside of it.  I guess you could say I allow my heart to get "hijacked" more often than I would like to admit.

Hijack.  The dictionary definition says it all - "to illegally seize in transit and force to go to a different destination or use it for one's own purposes."

If my heart isn't surrendered and dedicated to my Lord then guess who has the easy opening to hijack it?  To whom have I given the power to seize it and force it to a different destination?  To whom have I handed over the power to use it for his own purposes?

This scripture reminds me that my heart is so fragile, so precious that it needs to be guarded.  Why?  Because the attitude of my heart affects every area of my life.  I must be deliberate about where my heart is and who has control of it.  It's my choice.

"Lord, I really do want my heart to be right..."

Starting Over

"The steadfast love of the Lord never cease, his mercies never come to an end: they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22-23


It's that time again.  New year, new goals, new outlook, and if you know Jesus--new mercies.  Aren't you glad that God invented starting over?  It was His idea.  That's why Jesus came.  He came to live a sinless life and suffer and die on that cross so that we could start over--every single day!

There is no other person, group or institution I know of that allows you to start over again...and again...and again. Why would they?  I mean let's think about it.  If you need to keep starting over it's because you keep messing up.  Keeping someone around who continues failing isn't very practical, or easy or cost effective.  In fact, it's down right stressful!  Honestly, how many times can one person say "I'm sorry" and turn right around and stumble and fall down again? What would make anyone tolerate that kind of behavior let alone be patient and long-suffering with someone like that?  

In Romans 8:38-39 the Apostle Paul gets ahold of the wonderful truth that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God:

        "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither
         the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything
         else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
         Jesus our Lord."

Thank you, Lord for your unwavering love for me and for always receiving me with open arms when I'm ready to start over....

Standing For Whose Rights?

"I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flash I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 ESV

Ever found yourself shouting in a moment of defensive passion, "I'm standing for my rights.  I want justice!"?  Click on an online news site or open the pages of your local newspaper and chances are it won't take you long to find someone doing just that.  It's kind of in us as westerners (and especially Americans) to stand up for ourselves and assert our rights as citizens, isn't it?  

That's not necessarily a bad thing.  Even the Apostle Paul asserted his rights as a Roman citizen when he was being mistreated in Acts 16.  But when it came to his rights as a christian, a believer, a servant of Jesus Christ, he willingly surrendered any real or perceived rights.  He reminds the believers in Corinthians that they are not their own:

"Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?  You do not belong to yourself for God bought you with a huge price.  So you must honor God with your body."  1 Corinthians 6:20 NLT

I often wonder if our independent spirit, stand up for yourself attitude, many times actually puts us at odds with our Redeemer.  How often do I stand up for me and totally forget to stand up for Him?  Is pushing my agenda overriding the passion and compassion that should cause me to want to surrender to His agenda?

I am struck by the stark visual that is reflected in Exodus 21:6 in the description of a servant willingly surrendering to his master for life.  Traditionally in this period, a slave was given his freedom after 7 years.  However, if the slave declares his love for his master (and his family) and does not want to go free, then his master must present him before God and the following had to take place:

"Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl.  After that, the slave will serve his master for life." NLT

What a humbling expression of a servant's love for his master.  No rights exerted or demanded there.  All authority surrendered.  No turning back.

Do The Math

"Do not be deceived.  God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
                                                                                                                             Galatians 6:7

Some things need little explanation.  Some spiritual truths need none.  They just say it.  There.  The words from Galatians 6:7 fit into that category.  No explanation necessary.

In my limited attempts at planting a vegetable garden I found an amazing truth that never changed--what I planted was ALWAYS what came up.  Imagine that!  I never had to wonder.   When I planted peas, I got peas.  When I planted pumpkins, pumpkins I got.  When I planted tomatoes--you guessed it!  I got tomatoes.  Never failed.  What went into the ground is what came back up in a few weeks 100% of the time.

We are accustomed to hearing this truth paired with financial blessings and there is certainly plenty of evidence and encouragement in the Word of God to firm that up.  But there is much more to receive from this chapter and the preceding one in Galatians.

Paul is reminding the Galatian church (and the contemporary church as well) that if we sow to our flesh (our sinful nature, selfish desires, judgmental attitude, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc...) then that is exactly what we will reap.  Why is it so hard for us to show grace to others when grace is what we need for ourselves?  Can we not see it?  Why is patience with our neighbor such a difficult thing to have when we need and receive patience in daily quantities from the Lord?  Why must we hold onto the offenses from the past when Jesus daily marks paid on our sin ledger?

Maybe self is the real issue here.  Whenever I spend way too much time thinking about me I always end up in a place that doesn't work.  I don't belong there because I have grieved the Holy Spirit that lives in me.  He thrives in the areas that I surrender completely to Him.  Just because I don't "feel" like surrendering doesn't mean I shouldn't.  My feelings so often lie.

Lord, please continue to remind me that when I sow to the Spirit I will receive the fruit that the Spirit offers...."love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control".  

It works every time.

God Is Not Your Life Coach

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."  Romans 12:1

I am often bewildered and confounded by the pictures and perceptions we as believers are offered of our Holy God by a host of popular leaders in our "relevant" and "cool" christian circles.  Now don't get me wrong.  I'm all for being culturally current and authentic in our conversations with each other and especially to those without Christ.  If we come across as stale and backward we are going to defeat our purpose of reflecting Jesus for who He really is.  However, understanding that Jesus is the "God-Man" (all God and all man) shouldn't we take extra care not to diminish His holiness by trying to make Him who we'd like Him to be rather than who He really is?

For certain, in John 15:15 Jesus said "...I have called you friends."  But He didn't say "I have called you buddies".  Get what I mean?  Can we become too familiar in the way we look at and even address the Lover of our Souls?  More importantly, can we get the misguided idea that He is somehow here to help us reach our goals?  I think we can.

In the last decade or so, the term "Life Coach" has become quite popular.  Sadly, this term fits very well in describing how we operate in many of our churches and small and large gatherings.   From my understanding, a Life Coach's sole purpose in a nutshell is to help you choose a course of action to make your life be what you want it to be.  Hmm.  Quite a few you's in there if you ask me.  I don't know about you but the last time I checked I was still a "Jar of clay" (2 Cor 4:7).  As far as I am aware, the potter always gets to choose what the clay will become.  See Romans 9:20-21 for a pretty good explanation of how this all works.

No thanks.  I don't need a Life Coach.  I need a life.  Thanks to Jesus Christ, I now have one.  I am continually aware of the need to ask Him to correct and redirect my wandering heart.  I am to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God...

Correct Me If I'm Wrong

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and now my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. " Psalm 139:23

"Correct me if I'm wrong...."  Ever started a sentence with that phrase?  Usually we say that believing full well that what we are about to say is right.  Even committed christians aren't really anxious to be corrected and we have a hard time admitting that we might be wrong.

King David learned the hard way that avoiding correction is a dangerous plan.  He learned that pride, self sufficiency and stubbornness kept him far from the one who loved him most.  Ultimately, he let his past mistakes drive him into the arms of his Redeemer.  

Proverbs 29:1 says, "Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed--without remedy."

I don't want to be stiff-necked.  I don't want to be deaf to His correction.  I can't afford that!

Perhaps one of the best prayers we can pray is simply "Lord correct me".  I'm not sure of very many things but one thing I do know without a doubt is that I am wrong--often.  I don't know everything.  I don't see everything I should.  Many times I am talking when I should be listening.   I need help - His help.

Lord correct me - today.

Martha Should Have Ordered "Take Out"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things..."  Luke 10:41     
                                                                                                          


"Worried and upset about many things..."  Poor Martha.  Poor Me.  I AM MARTHA!!!  How often I let the cares of this world and things that are really so small and insignificant in the scope of time and eternity steal my peace and my joy.

Martha was a woman after my own heart.  She was probably an event planner on the side.  She liked to get things done - Pronto.  You know the old saying, "Plan your work and work your plan."  She liked it when the plan came together and everyone did their job.  She wanted everything to go smoothly and look nice. That's not bad, is it?  No, but it's not always good either.  Why not?

Sometimes we get so busy working our plan that we lose sight of who we're working for.  The deadline becomes more important than the bottom line.  The side things begin to overshadow the main thing.  The presentation takes precedence over the purpose and we lose sight of why we're really working and why we're really here.

Notice earlier in this passage the scripture tells us that Martha was "distracted by all the preparations that had to be made" and later that she asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!".  Have you noticed that when you become distracted by the preparations you soon slip into the "don't you care" mode?  It always goes downhill from there.  Self pity is an ugly thing isn't it?  It doesn't look good on you or on me.

Mary had the right idea.  She chose to be focused on the most important thing in the room.  The Lord Jesus took priority over everything else - as He should!  We know that in our heads but why do we often struggle to make that choice?  Maybe because "we" are so often at the center instead of "He".  Maybe the preparations too often define us and that's why they have to be "just right".  

Maybe things don't have to be "just right" after all.  Maybe Martha should have ordered "Take Out".  You think???

Found Faithful

"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."               
                                                                                1 Corinthians 4:2

We often hear the encouragement that God doesn't want us to be successful, he wants us to be faithful.  In one sense that is certainly true.  However, I think that we can look at it as either or when success and faithfulness in God's dictionary are really one in the same.  As believers we don't have to choose success or faithfulness because with the Lord faithfulness is success!

The scripture reminds us in Isaiah  55:8-9 that God's perspective is so different from ours, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, " says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts."

The world's definition of success is wealth, position, power, influence.  In the kingdom of God, success is found in faithfulness - faithfulness in being generous, compassionate, loving, hardworking, honest, loyal and the list goes on.  If we get off on the world's definition we will always be lacking in genuine purpose therefore we will never feel we have succeeded.  If we stay faithful to God's desires and His direction for our lives, we will embrace such a sense of fulfillment and purpose that even in the hard times we will know that we know that He is accomplishing His greater plan for us. 

 Some of the most honored and beloved believers who have gone before us and blazed mighty trails for the gospel were not successful in the eyes of the world.  They were often lacking in material possessions and of little power or influence.  Yet we still read about their lives today because they were faithful.

Faithfulness equals success in the kingdom of God.

Authentic

"For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak Christ."  2 Corinthians 2:17

Webster's dictionary defines the word "knockoff" as a cheap or inferior copy of something.  

If you've ever been to New York City or any other major metropolitan city, you know that there are certain place to go if you want to purchase genuine designer label items like clothes, jewelry, shoes, etc...  You likely also are aware that there are often places to go if you want the look and feel of designer labels but aren't willing to pay the price--the part of town where there are smooth talking characters who are more than willing to sell you a "knockoff".

When you step out into the world of "knockoffs, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

First of all, the "peddler" selling the knockoff knows he (or she) isn't offering you the real thing.  He just hopes you don't know it.  Not a quality individual you are dealing with here.

Secondly, you either know you're getting a fake and just hope that everyone else will think it's real or you are so gullible that you "take the bait" because someone is telling you what you want to hear.  

Neither of the above look too good for you.

Sadly,  "business" in our current christian culture isn't much different.  How heartbreaking that the gospel is so often reduced to marketing techniques and emotional manipulation by crafty "peddlers" in order to suck the cash right out of our hands.  In our culture of cheap grace and blessings on clearance, authenticity is often hard to find and even harder to maintain.  

So called "peddlers" of God's word are everywhere-especially on television.  Scroll down the channels on much of christian TV or stroll down the aisles of  many American churches and it's as though the peddlers can't wait to grab the lapels of their suit coats and fling them open to reveal an array of "Spiritual Knockoffs".  Sow your seed, claim your blessing, declare this, stand on that, stand on this, stand on your head!  Give me a break!  Give all of us a break!  Don't insult me or my Lord by asking me to help you buy your own personal jet or build your million dollar mansion.  I WANT AUTHENTIC.  I NEED AUTHENTIC.  THIS HURTING WORLD IS BEGGING FOR AUTHENTIC.

James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  

What has happened to us?  When did we decide that the peddlers should be exalted and represent who we are as believers in Christ?

Lord, forgive us for cheapening the greatest gift the world has ever known.

Be My Witnesses

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  Acts 1:8

Ever tried to work without eating, or drive your car when the gauge is well past empty?  Sound like silly questions, I know.  Who would do those things and really expect to accomplish much?  When your body is weak, not much work gets done.  When the car is on empty, you will end up getting stranded and need someone to come and rescue you from your "not very well-planned" trip.

Often we hear or read Acts 1:8 in sermons or teachings on witnessing.  We evangelicals are big on that--it's what we do.  We are called to share Christ, to preach the gospel - to witness.  None of us would ever deny that is most definitely our calling.  But let's take a deeper look at this directive from Jesus himself that He knew would somehow find it's way into the very beginning of the book in the Bible that begins the narrative of the church - His Church.  

First of all there's the power part.  Notice it says, "But you will receive power..."  The reason for the word "but" here is that Jesus is answering a question posed a couple of verses earlier by his disciples.  They were asking him if this is the time that he was going to restore the kingdom to Israel.  His answer in today's terms was, "Don't worry about it.  It's not your business."  Then he turns the corner and says, "But you will receive power..."  When?  "When the Holy Spirit comes on you...".  Do you see it?  He doesn't even mention the being a witness part until he first points out the power part.

Although the Holy Spirit had not come to indwell believers yet in the Old Testament, there are plenty of examples of Old Testament powerhouses understanding the source of divine strength.  Remember Moses in Exodus having a conversation with the Almighty about making sure God's presence was going to be with him?  Exodus 33:14-15 says, "The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."  Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."  Without the Presence (the Holy Spirit) there is no need to go forward.  What was true back then is still true today.  We could say with Moses, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here."

When and where does the power come in?  That's the waiting part.  The early believers were hold up in that upper room doing what?  They were waiting and praying.  Waiting and praying for what?  FOR THE POWER!!!  They didn't demand it, they didn't claim it, they waited (and prayed) for it. And it came.

Waiting and praying are two disciplines that often don't come easy for me.  I hate waiting and praying can become meaningless if my heart isn't in it.  The more I'm meditating on the word and receiving, the easier the waiting and the praying part are for me.  I have to stay connected or everything gets messed up.  My focus gets off and then forget about the power!  

Wait and pray.  Keep focusing on him and the truth in his word and wait and pray.  He will do the rest.  He has to do the rest or it doesn't work.  Then we won't need to try and witness, we will be witnesses.  That's what he said.  

Light

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."            John 1:5

Simon and Garfunkel wrote a song in 1965 called "The Sound of Silence".  The words of the song resonated with a generation that was disillusioned from the Vietnam War, unbridled sex and materialism, and a continual wrestling with the hollow question that never goes away - WHY AM I HERE?  The first verse addressed the familiar face of darkness:

                                                "Hello darkness, my old friend,
                                               I've come to talk with you again,
                                              Because a vision softly creeping
                                              Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
                                      And the vision that was planted in my brain
                                                           Still remains
                                                   Within the sound of silence....

I remember as a youngster listening to the beautiful harmonies in this song and thinking, "This is so beautiful but it's so sad."  Simon and Garfunkel, as so many songwriters of that day, had a gift for pulling back the curtain and revealing the pain of their lost and confused generation but they didn't offer any real answers--because they had none.

Ironically, about the same time this song was being released, the roots of the Jesus People Movement were just beginning to break through the hard cynical ground of the late sixties and early seventies offering hope and life to a generation filled with despair and loneliness.  Many embraced the life transforming message of the gospel while others sneered and watched that train go right on by, choosing darkness and silence over light and life.

It is common knowledge that so often in nature when a poisonous plant is discovered, the antidote to that particular poison is growing very nearby.  How many people perish because they walk right past the antidote to their poison? 

There is a deep spiritual lesson here.  So often the Lord parallels in nature the spiritual truths He is trying to impart to us. 

 Darkness cannot overcome light but light must be chosen over darkness.

John 1:5 says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."  Some versions translate the last part of that verse, "...the darkness cannot comprehend it."  Darkness cannot comprehend light.  Light makes no sense to darkness.  When embraced, however, light quickly chases darkness away.  

Darkness is not an old friend--it's a familiar enemy.   It offers no relief to our pain, no answers to our questions, puts no joy into our moments.  It's not welcome.  It's not necessary.

The light of the gospel dispels our darkness if we choose to embrace it.  Don't miss the train.

When I Am Weak....

"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:10

Weaknesses.  We all have them.  Delighted in yours lately?  No really.  Have you?

The scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:10 that we are not to ignore our weaknesses, pretend they don't exist or matter.  We are not to make excuses for them or blame others for them or wear them like a badge.   We are also not to focus on them and let them keep us from reaching out to the Lord or others.  What in the world then are we to do with the pesky things?

The Apostle Paul says we are to "delight" in them.  Delight in weaknesses?  I don't get it.  Well it certainly doesn't fit in this crazy culture we are living in does it?  The last thing we are encouraged to do is to delight in the areas that we are lacking in.  That would make us, well --vulnerable, wouldn't it?  We certainly don't want to give the impression to anyone that we "can't handle it" do we?  

Actually, there is one person that already knows we "can't handle it" besides us.  He is the One who gave up everything for us.  He is actually waiting for us to tell him how weak we are because it's at that point that He can step in and make us strong through our shortcomings and at the same time glorify himself.  When we recognize our weaknesses we are admitting we need him.  That's ALWAYS a good thing!

Are you like me, tired of focusing on all the things you can't do--or can't do well in your own eyes?  He is waiting for us to trade in our weaknesses for His strength,  to trade our pain for His passion, our confusion for His purpose.  Don't get me wrong.  It's definitely an unfair trade--at least on His part.  But I think I'm smart enough to know a great deal when I see it.  But then, He doesn't offer bad deals, does he?

Feeling weak?

I Am Salt

"You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."  Matthew 5:13

I am salt.  This little phrase has been going over and over in my mind for the last month or so.  Pretty simple, I know, but pretty profound if you stop and think about it long enough. 

 I decided to go back to Matthew chapter 5 and refresh my memory on what it means to be salt.  The first thing that strikes me in this verse is that it says -"You are..."  See that?  It doesn't say, "You should be" or "You could be" or even "You should try to be".  That means I can't just get up every morning and spend time thinking about whether or not I want to be salt that day.  I am salt.  Whether or not I feel salty is not even part of the conversation.  

OK.  So I am salt.  Now what exactly does salt do?  Well I came across several uses or "responsibilities" of salt, if you will:

--Salt is probably the oldest seasoning known to man.  It's been around awhile.  It just is.
--Salt preserves food.  Especially in ancient times, salt kept food from spoiling.  Hmm.  OK.
--Salt gives flavor to food and also to other spices.  Salt brings out the best in what it's added to.  I see.

There's another word that keeps rolling around in my head now that I think fits in here - RESPONSIBILITY.  If I am salt as Jesus said then I have a responsibility to preserve, give flavor and bring out the best in every situation or circumstance that I become involved in.  I don't think these responsibilities will automatically kick in 24/7 just because I'm a Christ follower.  Looks like I need to make some decisions ahead of time about what I will and will not do.

1)  I will not just speak my mind whenever I "feel" like it because - I AM SALT.
2)  I will not cheat when no one is looking because - I AM SALT.
3)  I will not get mad and run away when things don't go my way because - I AM SALT.
4) I will not ride the wagon of self-pity, bitterness and unforgiveness around and around until I am the center of my world (and everyone around me has had just about enough) because - I AM SALT.
5)  I will not pass up an opportunity to do good because - I AM SALT. (see Heb. 13:16)
6)  I will clutch my basket of fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and run quickly to Jesus when I sense my supplies are low because - I AM SALT.
7) I will glory in my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9) because I AM SALT.

I think I'm catching on.  Don't ask me about pepper.  That's a whole different blog!

Reaching...

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."  Philippians 3:13-14    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

I don't belong here.

 Have you ever ended up in a place that you knew you didn't belong?  Maybe through a bad choice or indifference, a failure to plan or chasing after a dream that wasn't meant for you?  Maybe you jumped on the train of anger or unforgiveness or self-pity even when those closest to you and even the Lord himself were warning you not to ride.  Somehow on the way there it seemed like a great idea but soon after your arrival you realized something was wrong--very wrong. 

I can't stay here.

Is there something inside of you that says, "God must have something better in mind for me than this."  Is the Holy Spirit prompting you and reminding you that you were made for so much more?  Are you willing to ignore the comfortable in order to reach for the eternal?  Don't listen to the voices that tell you it's too late or that you've been here too long to change now. 

I must die.

Dietrich Bohnoeffer said, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Following Christ and maturing in him is a continual process of dying to ourselves.  We have to get that if we really want to be free - if we really want to climb out of our "junk".  It's not about prosperity or self-promotion or claiming this or that.  No!  It's about dying...everyday...dying.

I won't look back.

The old familiar chorus says, "The world behind me, the cross before me.  No turning back.  No turning back."   The world can mean different things to different people.  Maybe for you it's the world system, the culture, it's attitudes.  It could be your past with all it's regrets and disappointments.  Whatever it is--it's gone.  Dwelling on it or refusing to let it go will only cause more pain and frustration.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

Paul reminds us that finishing the race requires one thing - focus.  We must keep our eyes on the prize.  Jesus gave everything for us.  From day one his focus was the cross.  We are honored and blessed to serve and follow him.  There is no greater joy than to know that you are right where he has called you to be.  Life is too short to settle for less.

Keep reaching...

Broke But Not Broken

"The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.  You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God."  Psalm 51:17

As time blows over the calendar of my life and the weeks turn quickly into months and the months roll quietly into years, I'm learning (finally) some pretty powerful life lessons.  You would think that as I passed the mid-century mark, the light bulb over some of these truths would have clicked on long before now.

It has been my privilege and honor over the last 20 years in ministry to talk with and listen to some pretty awesome and amazing people.  I have come to believe that I can learn "something" from everyone I encounter if I just make the time to look and really take in what they say.  I have had the pleasure of talking to and interacting with the whole spectrum of humanity from the very wealthy and powerful in the halls of academia to the homeless and mentally challenged aimlessly walking the lonely streets of New York City.  When you get right down to it, we aren't really all that different.  By that I mean that the scripture says in Proverbs 22:12, "The rich and poor have this in common; The LORD made them both."  

I have come to understand that all of us come to certain crossroads on this journey we are on.  One of those pivotal points is when we hit something( or something hits us) that pretty much knocks us to our knees and we find ourselves in another realm that we didn't prepare for.  We all experience those monumental "exit ramps" that scream in our ears "It's over.  You're done - finished!"  You know what I'm talking about; the "I can't do this anymore" moments.  If you haven't had one yet, brace yourself - it's coming.

The girls in my Bible Study know I often use the line "There are two kinds of people..." when I'm trying to help them grasp what it truly means to passionately pursue Christ.  Well, I am learning there are two kinds of people; Those who are "broke" and those who are "broken."  As I look back now, I realize that so many of the times I really thought I was broken, I wasn't broken at all - I was just plain broke!  Sure I was at a point of being without, whether it was without money, or friends, or acceptance, or influence or respect.  And mind you - I didn't like the feeling of being without those things.  I felt angry and hurt and frustrated but I didn't let those feelings lead me to brokenness.  They didn't soften my heart.  I allowed them to harden it.  And I didn't even realize it.

Until one morning as I was walking and talking with the Lord I said, "Lord, whatever it takes to make me more like you; that's what I want."  Hmmm.  I don't believe now that I really understood what I was asking for in that prayer.  But He did.  And He answered.  The journey I started on that day has taken me to places I would have never gone with Him had I known ahead what was in store.  He knew.  He knows.   I never knew a person could be so crushed and survive.  He did.  I was.  I still am.  I'm ok.

Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

He is.  He does. 

Lord, Keep Me From Falling!

"Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.  All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time!  Amen"  Jude 1:24-25 (NLT)

Interesting thing about this little book of the Bible called Jude.  It kind of reminds me of the entry hall before you step into a huge theater.  It sort of prepares you for what you are getting ready to see and experience in the final book called Revelation.

More than likely this little book named Jude was written by Jude the half brother of Jesus.  He probably doesn't specifically tell us which Jude he is out of humility.  No desire for recognition here.  The only thing important is the message that he is bringing.  That message could probably best be summed up in 2 one syllable words--Watch out!

You see, the book of Jude was written to prepare us for the last days.  Each generation has assumed that they are in the last days but we need only to turn on the evening news to see that we very likely are living out the reality of the times he is describing.

  False teachers are everywhere.  Sadly, many are sprinkled throughout bookstores and christian television.  Jude says they have "wormed their way into Your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives" (vs 4).  Later on in verse 8, he also tells us that     " these people - who claim authority from their dreams--live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings."

Sobering, isn't it?  What's an everyday believer like me to do?  I sure don't want to get swept up into deception and fall away!  Jude reminds us that all glory belongs to God and He is able to keep us from falling away.  Our job is to stay faithfully anchored and connected to Him and He will do the rest.

  Now isn't the time to slack off in reading the scripture, attending church, spending time in serious prayer, keeping ourselves accountable to other believers and those God has put in spiritual authority in our lives.  Those things are His "safety net" so to speak for us His children.

Let our sincere prayer be "Lord, Keep Me From Falling!"