Where Are You Going?

The other day I was in a parking lot when a mother and her two daughters exited the store.  One of the daughters walked past the car and her Mom yelled "Where are you going?" The daughter turned around and strode back to the car door.  I thought about the mother's question  in light of a Bible Study on Philippians I have been doing. Paul in Chapter 3 encourages the readers to "Go on and go on and go on". He encourages them to have a singular purpose. Paul knew what he was called to do and he set his aim on that goal. He was to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles.  Nothing dissuaded him.

What is your singular goal? What one thing is required? What one thing is necessary? We are so busy running around doing a lot of things. Even good things often weigh us down. We have more than one aim in our sight..  A good friend of mine encourages her children to "focus" when she teaches them in her home. I can her hear her say it in my head.  "Focus".  I think the Holy Spirit is often telling us the same thing. "Focus". There is only one thing that matters. Pursue Christ. Fight the good fight of faith. Hold fast and persevere. Live the Gospel. Let others see your testimony and realize there is a living God in heaven. What is your purpose? Where ARE you going?

War of Words

The person who talks to us the most is ourselves. The estimates vary from study to study but our internal dialog impacts us greatly One pastor said that the greatest thing we can do is to quit listening to our inner dialog and to speak truth to our hearts.  As a man thinks so is he.  What we tell ourselves day in and day out is best framed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to preach truth to our hearts if we want to be transformed into the likeness of the Savior. 

There is much power in words. Proverbs 18:21 states: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit."  We must fight to preach biblical truths instead of the flesh or the world system.  Words don't create a reality but they do have consequences which at times can be severe. We can either use our tongues to build up others or tear them down. We can encourage or discourage them. We can affirm or condemn them.  We do the same inside our own heads. We are called to be good stewards of our speech.

Matthew 12: 36 is sobering: "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment." Our words have eternal significance. We must battle daily against negative and unbiblical speech.  Not only what we speak out loud but also what we think internally.  Meditation and memorization are two ways to better ensure that what you say lines up with what God says.  May we all strive to use our words in ways that please the Lord.

Whatever is True

I was talking with a friend today about the world's wisdom.  She has COPD and had gone to a meeting of a group of people with similar diagnoses.  The leader showed a video about the end stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  It so disturbed my friend that she left the meeting early. As we talked I wondered about the wisdom of such a video and the motive behind it.  My friend was distraught for awhile thinking about what might come to her in time.  But we don't know for sure that will happen. She might pass away some other way like a sudden heart attack. Perhaps the rapture will occur.  Who knows but it certainly upset her to view the pain of such a death.  Even if she were to pass away from COPD she doesn't have grace today for tomorrow's battle.

I had a similar incident about a year ago. I was in meetings where movies were shown that were most unhelpful to my situation. I did the same as my friend, I walked out. I later took issue about the wisdom of showing such videos to the people involved. The more I thought about what happened to my friend today and me in the past, the more grateful I was for Philippians 4:8: " Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."  I am not saying we should stick our heads in the sand and pretend things aren't as they are.  I am saying we need not borrow trouble and think on things that are of good repute and excellent.

I use this verse as a screen for what I see and hear. It is a wonderful test of what we should allow into our hearts.  Oh to be faithful to obey it at all times. Sadly, I must admit I don't. I wonder how much grief might be spared me if I were to hold fast to this verse and obey it totally.  I'm grateful my friend was able to take every thought obedient to Jesus Christ quite quickly. It saved her a lot of unnecessary pain. We need not be ostriches but the Scripture says to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Jacob in Egypt

The biblical character Joseph is one of my favorites in Scripture.  We are studying Genesis in BSF and I arrived in time for Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.  We are in chapters 46 to 48 where Jacob is relocated to Egypt after Joseph was reconciled with his family.  Change is hard and I hate it frankly.  If I had my way, I'd be doing the same thing at the same place with the same people.  When Jacob was to relocate God gave him a midnight vision telling him not to be afraid.  There was a time when God commanded Jacob not to go to Egypt.  Now the Lord's plan was exactly that.  Does that mean God is whimsical or arbitrary? No it means that a sovereign and loving God is in control of our lives and what may be right at one time isn't right in another. we should never presume upon God but listen to him speak through His Word.

Once Jacob heard God he moved out immediately. Partial obedience is still disobedience.  God wanted to bring Jacob and his family to a greater maturity.  When things change in our lives, God is working to make us complete in Jesus Christ.  He is forming our character to resemble that of His Son.  Changes stretch us.  That may be why they are so hard for me.  God wants us to thrive not just to survive.  This past year has been full of changes--some good and some bad.  But I have grown because of them.  Ofttimes God will send adverse and even hostile environments in order for us to mature.

When we depend on God we can conquer even in the most hostile of environments. The more we recognize our dependence on God, the better the outcome.  We truly are dependent on Him even for the very breath we take.  When we are discouraged, we need to remember God's promises.  Jacob remembered God's Promised Land. He told Joseph to bury him with his fathers. Jacob knew that one day Israel would occupy Canaan.  Before Jacob dies in Egypt he blesses Joseph's two sons. Contrary to tradition once again the older son would serve the younger.  God often opts to act in unconventional ways.  Even if we don't understand Him we are to follow His commands. God is in the business of maturing our faith. He did so with His people in Genesis and He is doing so today. We are to listen to God, believer His Word and obey Him fully.

Be Careful How You Walk

Today I took Sister Frances to Costco for a few things for Sister Maggie. When we were in the parking lot I was loading the car and Sister went to return the cart.  As she was coming back, she didn't see the parking block. She tripped and fell flat on her face.  I ran over to her to find her profusely bleeding. Her nose was scarped and she had cut the inside of her mouth with her two front teeth.  Some good Samaritans were near and helped with Kleenex and moist towels.  The manager came out with cold packs and forms.  Sister wanted to go back to Sunrise.  I called them to see what to do.  One of the coordinators told me to bring her back and the nurse would check her out.

When we got back to Sunrise, one of the staff after hearing what happened said: "Be careful how you walk!"  Sister is getting older.  She isn't good at watching were she walks. She also tends to shuffle rather than lift her feet.  It was good counsel for her. ( Although frankly it may be time for a walker). Please pray for her.  She went to the Rangers' game tonight.  Gratefully a physician friend took her so she will be in very good hands.

  As I heard the comment though I thought about Ephesians 5: 15-17: "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."     Christians need to be very careful how they walk too.  We aren't to be foolish but to know what is God's will.  We should be mindful at all times where we step and more importantly why.  We must make it our ambition to be pleasing to the Lord.  Sister's face took a beating because of her fall. Christians do the same thing when they fall.  It is a messy ordeal and takes time to heal.  Let us all be careful how we walk.

I Just Wanted to be With You

I had lunch today with an old friend from BSF. She was one of my discussion leaders and we have always had an affinity for each other. It may have to do with the fact that we both are devout "Bueno Heads."  I haven't seen her in a long time and today we got together. It was a sweet visit.  Much had changed in two years. She has two and a half grandchildren now. I've gone through some things that have radically changed my life in the past year.  As we were parting she hugged me, backed away, looked over her shoulder and said "I just wanted to be with you."  It was a tender sentiment.

As I walked to my car I thought about my relationship to the Lord. Do "I just want to be with Him?"  Gratefully I do more and more.  But there was a time when I was very busy doing my own thing and prayer was just a matter of trying to get His stamp of approval on my plans.  That's changing praise His name.  I have had more consistent times of worship and intercession. I read His Word more systematically now. I look for ways He wants me to change my life. Things I should have done all along.  I am thankful I can now tell Him "I just wanted to be with You."

Christian Job Description

I am memorizing Romans 12: 9-13. I think it is a good example of a Christian "job description." I figured that out when I started to look at the verbs and gerunds in the passage.  If you are needing help (like apparently I did) to discover what it is believers are to do--looky here:

• Let love be without hypocrisy
• Abhor what is evil
• Cling to what is good
• Be devoted to one another in brotherly love
• Give preference to one another in honor
• Don't lag behind in diligence
• Be fervent in spirit
• Serve the Lord
• Rejoice in hope
• Persevere in tribulation
• Be devoted to prayer
• Contribute to the needs of the saints
• Practice hospitality

I think that makes short work of it.  Don't think the job is for rookies. It takes time to mature in the faith and for the grace of God to grow in our lives.  Yet we are responsible too.  We must know what to do and then ask the Lord to give us the strength, wisdom and power to obey Him.  This will keep you busy for awhile I presume.  I know it will me.  As you were....

Spiritual Tapout

Tonight I served as a volunteer BSF with the school program. I was in the room with the first and second graders. The lesson was about Jacob wrestling with God. The teaching leader for the class mentioned the UFC and the tapout.  A tapout is a method in which a fighter submits to his opponent by tapping his opponent, himself or the mat. Verbal tap outs are also allowed. Jacob after wrestling with God all night "tapped out" and held on until God blessed him. It was then that God changed his name from Jacob which means cheater to Israel which means prince.

God desires His children to "tapout" often with Him.  I've been fighting God for some time now.  I think I finally have tapped out.  His way is better, brings more joy and allows for a settled peace in your heart. It's funny how there can be overt sins and sins that are hidden until God chooses to reveal them.  I've been in a dark valley for some time but believe that God is working in my heart to correct some long standing sin. Sins I just didn't see because they were so habitaul.  How faithful He is to work out our salvation in our hearts.  A verse that I continue to hear and one that gives me hope happened to be the memory verse for the children tonight.  It's Hebrews 12: 11:
"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

For the Love of Christ

I'm reading a book called "Gospel Centered Discipleship" by Jonathan Dodson. He speaks of the concept of religious affections. Jonathan Edwards wrote much about religious affections.  Essentially such true affection is a genuine adoration of God that results in changed lives. We love the Lord therefore we obey His commands. Only true believers can have such a love for Jesus Christ.  The unbeliever remains hardened against the things of the Lord.  The result of such a love for Jesus Christ is joy.  It is an eternal, wondrous and marvelous joy in knowing the Savior and tasting to see that He is good.

Dodson writes:

" The gospel changes our motivations; it is an altering of joy. In Christ, we secure a new heart, capable of untold and altogether superior joy.  Religious affection, then, is a gospel motivation because it is a new taste for God that arises from His work of new creation.  Affectionate faith in Jesus is the gift of the gospel...We possess the strength to deny sinful pleasures because of our delight in a superior pleasure."

Crucify or Release Christ

A friend of mine from BSF sent me a packet of sermons written by her father.  The first is entitled "To Crucify or Release."  He lists some ways we can release Christ into the world today.  First, "We can release Christ into our world of strife, by loving as He loved."  Second, "We can release Christ into the life of the church through courage like His own." Third, above all "it is within our own hearts that we crucify Christ or release Him daily.  It is all very well to speak of releasing Him into the world, or releasing Him within the church. But first we must unchain His hands in our own lives."

Our own hearts form the hardest of places to release Christ.  We will either worship the Lord and bring Him glory or we will worship ourselves.  One or the other is on the throne of our hearts at all times.  Unfortunately I've realized that much of the time it's me on the throne and not God.  I am self focused and self absorbed unwilling and unready for Christ to ascend on the throne which is His due.  He alone is worthy.

The Joy of the Lord

I went to BSF tonight.  We had a fellowship before the study began and were informally sharing some things.  One member quoted Dr. Erwin Lutzer: "When God gives a command it is so your joy may be made complete."  I was some stunned by that.  I've been choosing rebellion and refusing to spend quality time with the Lord.  Yet I wanted joy.  How foolish for me to think that I can get joy through my own devices and not through the commandments of God. I've been preferring broken cisterns rather than the true God.  Jeremiah rightly warned: "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water." It certainly is a desolate place. Such unbelief hinders the Spirit of God and hampers any witness of Jesus Christ.

James 4: 8-10 gives much hope. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."  So does the whole of the Old Testament. We are studying Genesis in BSF and II Samuel in Sunday School. Both books display a gracious and merciful God ready to forgive even the sins of murder and adultery.  What a Savior we have!   What a loving Father who undertakes to discipline us so that the fruit of righteousness may be made clear in our lives.

"The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life" Charles Stanley

Its been years since I first read Charles Stanley's "The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life."  I wished I had paid more attention to it when I first read it twenty years ago. Stanley takes a very balanced approach to the Spirit filled life and there is a red alert warning I want to post here.  It's one to which I took no heed and it has cost me dearly.  Stanley says this:

Like so many people, I wasn't always careful with what I allowed myself to think about. When I got serious about setting my mind on the things of the Spirit, I realized just how polluted my mind really was. God used one verse in particular to help me get on, and stay on, track in this area:
          We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. II Corinthians 10:5.
...There is no legitimate place in the mind of the believer for ideas, notions, dreams or fantasies that have as part of all their content things that are contrary to the truth of God. To entertain such thoughts for even a moment is to set our minds on the flesh and therefore walk after the flesh.
Stanley continues:

Look again at the standard by which we are to judge our thoughts:
Is it true?
Is it honorable?
Is it right?
Is it pure?
Is it admirable?
Is it excellent?
Is it praiseworthy?

Charles ends with :
If you are like me, you will be shocked at how many times a day you are tempted to take hold of one of these deceitful speculations and dwell on it. I am convinced that most Christians aren't aware of what they are doing. It becomes habit. As long as we don't follow through with what we are thinking, we usually don't consider our thoughts much of a problem. That is the trap. Without knowing it, we have begun walking in the flesh--and we aren't even aware that anything is different. But remember. "those who are [walking] according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh." Our mind-set is the chief indicator as to how or what we are allowing to lead us.

Returning to Dog Vomit

I  it's a gross title but it is scriptural.  Proverbs 26:11 states: "Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly."  My dog Spirit is sick and I am always reminded of this verse at times like this.  Oh how many times I have been like the dog returning to the very things that keep it sick.  We are sin sick. I return to deep habitual patterns of sin from which Christ died to set me free.  I go back to depressed or anxious thoughts that are from my own sinful heart.  God wants me to take every thought captive and to bring everything under submission to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I think I really want to do so.  At times I am more successful than others. I never realized how easily and deeply patterns of fleshly thought gets encapsulated in our hearts.I love how Galatians 5: 19 -23 contrasts the deeds of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit.  Far too often I engage the deeds of the flesh.  But I have seen much progress as I cling to Christ daily and submit to His authority.  I need the body of Christ desperately to war with me. I need the Spirit of the Lord. I need the Lord's Word. Gratefully He has provided all of that.  Psalm 84: 11: "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly."  Praise Him.

Malted Milk Balls and The Why Question

It never ceases to amaze me what competes for my heart.  Today after Pastor Brent's sermon on asking yourself the "why" question, I tried it all afternoon. We are commanded to examine our hearts and asking why we do some things helps us to discern our motive.  It can reveal some pretty ugly things.  Today I was getting impatient with Kellie my dog who wanted to lick Spirit's food bowl a while longer before we went for a walk.  "What a glutton" I thought to my self righteous self.  I ate the first malted milk ball.  These weren't just any malted milk balls either. They came from Sprouts bulk candy and the chocolate covering is massive.  All the more appeal to my gluttonous heart.

Kellie came around the bar stools and sat to get her leash on.  Now I'm past a bit of frustration and into aggravation. I grabbed two more malted milk balls as we went out the door.  We walked and I talked to the Lord.  Rather I complained to Him.  All about Kellie and her disobedience. "When's the dog going to learn her lesson about gluttony".  "Her eating habits have cost me more money and aggravation".  Blah, blah , blah. 

We came in and I had three more malted milk balls. I unhooked the dogs' leashes and polished off two more gigantic pieces of candy. Now I'm really into my thoughts about Kellie.  Then I spied my church bulletin. I remembered to stop and ask why.  Not only why the frustration and aggravation but also why my own gluttony?  The answer wasn't pretty.  It revealed just how easier my soul is captured by things of this world and not the next. How quickly I crawl up on throne and shove the Lord and Savior off.  How much I turn to the comforts of this world and forget the rewards to come in the next for those who make it their ambition to please the Savior.  Eight malted milk balls was of greater import to me than pleasing the Savior who gave His life for me.....Sobering conclusion: apparently Kellie isn't the only one with a gluttony problem.  Lesson: keep asking the why question, search your heart and repent of the sin you find within it.  Oh by the way, don't even ask me about the chocolate covered raisins.

Christian Growth in Love

As one of my homework assignments I am studying II Peter 1: 2 to 8. One of my observations is that sanctification is not easy work but requires much diligence.  The Christian lives on a battleground not a play ground. The flesh wages war against the Spirit. The deeds of the flesh are antithetical to the Spirit's fruit.  Some of the marks of a believer given in this passage include: faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.  The opposite of these virtues is worldly corruption.  The passage is very direct in stating that if we don't pursue these qualities intently we are rendered useless or unfruitful.

The Spirit of the Gospel cuts right through our selfish natures.  We are commanded to love God with all our heart, mind, body and soul and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Note that self love is the standard.  We loves ourselves all too well. Scripture repeatedly indicts the believer to die to self and to live to the Spirit.  Love is often defined as giving someone what they need (note: not want) because you have it to give and it pleases God. 

Love is active not passive.  In fact, I Corinthians 13 defines love in terms of active verbs and not some sentimental emotion. Love is patient, kind, not jealous, doesn't brag and is not arrogant. Love is not unbecoming nor seeks its own. It is not easily provoked and refuses to take a wrong into account.  Love doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It is the greatest of Christian virtues for it never fails. May we all strive to do our part in the sanctification process. May we all be grateful that the Spirit works also in process.  The ultimate end is that we emerge looking a bit more like the Lord and Savior.

Remember the Rebar

A good friend and I were talking today about the cracks in her swimming pool, her deck and even her driveway. Part of what the crew discovered when they were fixing the problem is that there was no rebar underneath to support the cement and plaster. It may or may not have stopped the cracks (the Texas Drought has something to do with it).  Rebar would have strengthened the structures however and made them more resilient and stronger under duress.

I think there is an analogy to Matthew 7: 24 to 29 when Jesus spoke of two houses one built on sand and one on rock. The rock isn't the Lord Himself in this case but rather obedience to Him.  Without the life changing application of the Word of God to our lives, we are building structures without rebar. It isn't enough to know ABOUT the Lord or His Word.  It is imperative TO know Lord and His Word.  The personal component of relationship is nonnegotiable.  Anything less is doomed to crack. Many are the lives of believers who are forgetting the rebar.

There is an interesting analogy also to the repair of the pool and deck.  First, it is a time consuming task. Second, it takes many different kinds of workers adding layer upon layer for a sound repair. Third, the climatic conditions need to be favorable. Fourth, there is a great investment to be made.  These are all true when one's life cracks apart.  It is often over a very long time that healing and wholeness occur.  It takes all kinds of gifts within the body to minister to the "cracked" member.  Third, conditions have to be favorable such as confession, repentance and a true willingness to work hard toward obedience. Finally, it takes a great deal of investment on every one's part to make the cracked whole again.

My hope is for those young believers we all know to "remember the rebar." Don't just give lip service to the Lord's commands.  Obey Him.  Don't intellectualize your relationship with the Lord but know Him personally and intimately.  Don't compromise early on by skipping the rebar or you'll pay heavily in time. Do it right the first time and avoid the high cost of cracking.

Are You Dressed Appropriately?

Today was visit the doctor day again at the Senior Residential Living Center. We made two runs--one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It was cold with snow still on the ground.  One resident came to the door dressed in a light jacket.  No gloves, no scarf, no hat just a light jacket.  He got on the bus and nearly froze to death waiting for the heat to come on.  Of course he was dressed for spring and not for winter.  The employee got off the bus and went inside.  She came out with a blanket, gloves, another jacket and a scarf in which to wrap him.  I sat across the aisle from him. It took nearly the whole trip to the doctor before he got comfortable.  On the way back as soon as we got out of the elevator He wanted me to dress him again in all his outer wear.  I was happy to do so.

Later that afternoon, granted it was a bit warmer, we took another resident to get her eyeglasses.  She was wearing mittens, a warm coat, a hood and boots.  She did much better in keeping warm.  She was appropriately dressed for the winter like climate.  One was dressed appropriately and didn't suffer. The other was way under dressed and felt the consequence of it.  Gratefully someone else was there to fit him in more appropriate attire.  I think there is a lesson here.  We are called to put on the full armor of God. In fact, only then can we stand against the enemy's schemes.  If we are under dressed, we are asking for trouble.  We'll suffer negative consequences; some of them very extreme.  But if we take the time to dress ourselves in all the armor God provides we can safely and confidently defeat the enemy's darts, his schemes and his ploys against us. Next time it snows, I bet the first guy comes to the bus fully dressed....

The Attentiveness of Spirit

Most of you who read my blog or know me realize I have two dogs.  One is a white and tan medium sized fox hound lab mix and the other is a black and tan small dachshund and miniature pincher mix.  The white dog is Spirit and the black one is named Kellie.  Kellie reminds me of Esau in the Bible. She'd sell her birthright for a bowl of pottage.  She loves her creature comforts and on cold days is more than willing to run out, do her business and zoom back in to bed.  She can be bought with a biscuit which often comes in handy when I need her to do something.

Spirit is different. She is focused far more on her mistress and pleasing me.  If she were to find a piece of filet Mignon and I told her to drop it, she would.  Kellie would fight to the death for it or gag herself trying to swallow it too quickly. Spirit watches my every move. Kellie watches those toward the food bin.  Spirit wants to please me. Kellie is more about herself.  Spirit will mind usually on the first or second command.  Kellie minds when it is convenient or something is in it for her.  Spirit is content most of the time. Kellie is content when things go her way.  Like her food bowl is filled and her bed warm.  I think you can guess which one I want to be more like when it comes to pleasing the Lord. I want to follow Spirit's lead.  I want to please Christ in all I do yet I know I often fail.  I want Spirit's attentiveness when God speaks to me through His Word. I want to follow Him closely with both my face and my heart toward Him.