Calling, Life, and God's Will

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

Helen Keller

This morning I have yet another doctor's appointment.  I am thinking about several different topics, but I do not have the hour to write these thoughts here.  Instead, I will share two different posts/quotes I have been given this week.  I find it interesting that when the Lord is trying to tell you something He often repeats it.  At least I have such deaf ears that I need His repeating!

Both of these selections concern the topics of vocation, calling, determining God's will, and joyful living.  I completely agree with Keller that so often I stare at closed doors instead of having the faith to look for what God is opening.  How about you?

The second selection is from Dan Miller's website, www.48days.com from the February 22 post.  This selection is a story I have heard often.  I will let it speak for itself.  I will say that I believe it overlaps perfectly with the Keller quotation because so often as the door is shutting, we keep banging our heads against it demand that it open as we wish.  Where does God fit into such actions?

Here is Miller's post.

Last Sunday night, after speaking at a church, a lady approached me with her question. She was obviously very discouraged with low self-esteem, poor eye contact and overall weak personal presentation.  But her question was – “Why should I keep trying when God keeps closing the door on my calling?”  Wow – now there’s a question designed to stump even a theologian – which I am not.  If God “calls” us to something, wouldn’t He open the doors to make that happen?  Is this like asking if God can make a rock so big He can’t move it?

Frankly, I don’t think her question is that complicated.  I think she needs to take a fresh look at her “calling.”  She said she’s always wanted to be a counselor.  She got a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then was rejected from entering graduate school in counseling.  So she spent three years and went deeply in debt to get her Masters of Divinity (MDiv) degree, thinking that would open the door.  She then applied for the graduate counseling program again but was rejected once more.  She took an entry level job with a community counseling agency but was let go after a couple of months.  She told me she has never married, lives alone and has few friends.  I asked her if people were coming to her for her advice and opinion now.  To which she replied – No – that’s why she needed the degrees in counseling.

I think this is a mis-interpretation of “calling.”  If God’s calls us to something there will be affirmation of that in many ways.  If God is calling you to be a musician you will likely already have shown talent in that area and have lots of people telling you to move in that direction.  If God is calling you to counsel or coach, I’m confident people are already telling you their problems and you are surprised by the wisdom you are frequently able to offer.

Yes I do think it requires work and struggle to be effective even in our “calling.”  But I don’t think God “calls” us to something that does not line up with our passions, talents, personality traits and dreams.

– Thomas Merton said:

 “A tree gives glory to God by being a tree. For in being what God means it to be it is obeying Him….  The more a tree is like itself, the more it is like Him….” 

Don’t try to be a rose bush (as good as that may be) if you’re a tree.  Be a great tree.

Hindrances to Conversion

Today I have an early doctor's appointment for my daughter.  She has really hurt her knee, and we get to have a MRI to determine the nature of the damage.  Since I will be leaving soon, I do not have time to post something original.  As I woke up this morning, this post was on my heart.  So was prayer for the person who asked the question.  May the Lord bless this material to each of our use!

"Behold, I am with you always,

to the end of the age."

Jesus in Matthew 28:20

"A disciple is not above his teacher, not a servant above his master.

It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher,

and the servant like his master.

If they called the master of the house  Beelzebul, 

how much more will they malign those of his household."

Jesus in Matthew 10: 24-25

This past week, I had a message from a young lady in south east Asia who shared her desire to see people come to know Christ, but her deep concern for the lack of conversions and spiritual interest she was experiencing.  She shared about hearing of God working in and through others in great ways, but she was not seeing the action of God in her life.  I could tell she really wanted to see God work in and through her!  Yet, through her witness, only a few had expressed interest in Christ.  She asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"

I replied to her message, but I wanted to give a fuller explanation.  I believe her experience marks the experience of many!  I know for times and seasons in my life, it matched perfectly with my experience.

So, is she doing something wrong?  I would guess the answer to be no.  While she probably could be better at knowing and presenting the gospel, I can read between the lines to see that her heart is in the right place!  She desperately wants to see God's name exalted in her life and in the lives of her not-yet-believing friends.

This heart attitude is where most believers fall short in being used by God.  For many, complacency and selfishness drive our Christian life.  We view Jesus and the Holy Spirit as our personal saviors and helpers.  We seek to be healed of our hurts and hang-ups, and then we might tell others about Jesus.  

Unfortunately, this attitude is why so many people do not grow in their faith!  The Holy Spirit must go somewhere in our life.  His purpose is to exalt the name of Jesus and the bring glory to the Father.  As we share about Jesus' work in our life and the truth about who He is, the Holy Spirit shows up to bring glory to Christ.  In the process, we are changed and transformed!  

Yes, the biggest reason most of us do not grow and do not see people come to faith is that we do not share the life-changing message of the gospel!  Our "fear of rejection" illustrates a profound lack of faith.  Our desire to "be made right and holy" before we share our faith illustrates a profound misunderstanding of how we grow in grace.

So, what could be wrong?  If she is sharing her faith with a right heart, why is there so little fruit?

I labor and work in an area of America known for the highest levels of secularism in our country.  We also have the lowest percentage of church attendance while boasting the highest level of "noners" (those claiming absolutely no religious affiliation or preference) in the United States.  New England, and Maine in particular, has been called the grave-yard of preachers because of the rocky spiritual soil.  I know many sincere pastors and Christians who have seen little or no conversions through their witness.

Does this mean we are all failures?  I know many need to get past the fear of rejection and witness.  Others need to stop thinking of Christ as their personal savior and see Him as the answer to virtually all human questions and needs.  Their friends and co-workers need Jesus!  But there is something more at work here.

In scripture, we are told that Satan has blinded the eyes of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4).  In my experience and in the book of Acts, I have seen some groups of people responded more favorably to the gospel, while other entire groups of people rejected the gospel.  Even Paul witnessed little conversions in Athens (Acts 16:16-34), while seeing great revival in Berea (Acts 16:10-15).  Did he do something wrong in Athens?

Some would argue yes, but I think not!  The people of Athens were more worldly and secular than the people of Berea.  By this I do not mean "evil" but instead I mean that they looked and believed in natural cause more than spiritual answers.  Secular folks rule out the work of God from consideration.  Obviously it is harder to witness to these folks!

For example, the Stoics mentioned in Acts 16:18 most likely would have been very moral people marked by great self control.  They might be "more righteous" in their conduct than anyone we know!  Yet, they rejected the supernatural as superstitious "babbling" from a weak mind.  Of course they reject Paul's message.  They probably did not even listen to it.

I would argue that such thought is the very definition of worldliness.  It is also the mark of those controlled and dominated by the blinding influence of the Evil One.

This young lady labors to witness for Jesus in an area dominated with the same worldly and secular thought.  I also labor in such an area!  What can we do?

First, pray like your life depends upon it!  In fact, pray like the lives of those to whom you witness depend upon it.  Ask for the Lord to send a spirit of revival and transformation.  Pray that the veil will be lifted so they may see their real need and embrace Christ.

Second, do not give up!  Keep praying, witnessing, and most importantly washing yourself in the gospel.  It will be easy to forget the gospel if you do not have others around you to remind you of its beauty and truth.  Find a community of like-minded believers to encourage and pray with you.

Finally, rejoice in the spiritual interest and conversions you do see.  It may not match the volume or experience of others in different towns or place, but who cares!  You do not live in those places.  God has called you to your specific place and to these people.

In other words, please remember that there is nothing wrong with you!  In fact, God has shown great trust in you by placing you in such a difficult environment.  Keep witnessing to the truth and praying for God to send His Spirit to open the eyes of unbelievers.  Immerse yourself in the gospel.  Gather with a community of believers who share the same Lord and the same struggles.  Remember that today may be the day the revival starts through your witness.  To God be the glory in that wondrous revival!

Religion as opposed to the Gospel

"The underlying conviction of my preaching, pastoring, and writing is that the gospel- this eternally fascinating message craved by the angels- can change a heart, a community, and the world when it is recovered and applied.  The gospel is life giving, because it generates changes that are received only by grace through faith.  This foundational truth, however, gets bypassed, obscured, and forgotten, because, as Martin Luther noted, religion forms the default mode of the human heart.  It is essential, then, that we distinguish religion from the gospel.  Religion, as the default mode of our thinking and practices, is based upon performance: "I obey; therefore, I am accepted by God."  The basic operating principle of the gospel, however, is, not surprisingly, an about-face, one of unmerited acceptance: "I am accepted by God through Christ; therefore, I obey."  To truly understand this paradigm shirt at a life-altering level requires that the gospel be explored and "looked into" at every opportunity and in regular, systematic ways."

Tim Keller in the forward to J.D. Greear, Gospel: 

Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary. 

Today we begin a new week in Christ!  This means that His mercy are new and fresh to those in Christ.  As I just preached at Grace yesterday the call for all of us is "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus." Acts 3:19-20

Why do so many of us not enjoy the presence of the Lord?  I am not talking about those who do not believe, but those of us who believe.  So often we become satisfied with the status quo, ministry, church, work, home, family, and the rest of life.  We still believe.  We might even find brief times of refreshing.  But a life enjoying the refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord?  This seems so foreign!

As Keller notes, the primary reason for our lack of intimacy with God is the sorrowful condition of our heart.  Even as believers, the default mode of our heart is to walk in religion instead of grace.  Even worse, our churches are full of people just like us!  We gather around others who struggle to believe the grace of the Lord is needed for everyday life.  

If we do not continually come back to the gospel, we will fall away from grace so we can walk in religion.

The result will be frustration, stagnation in our growth, and a growing coldness to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  We will become self-concerned and focused.  We will become increasingly miserable.  

What should we do?  Repent and believe!  Confess the self-focused nature of your heart and life.  Look into the gospel again.  Claim the promises of grace.  Ask the Spirit to lead and guide into a life of love and ministry.

Today, the mercies of the Lord are new and fresh!  Repent and believe them.

Oxen and Computers

"Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox."

Proverbs 14: 4

Today we get to celebrate a great milestone in our household.  We bought a new computer!  This is not a common event as both my wife and I buy quality and then use it until it won't work anymore.  Unfortunately, our computer was coming to the place where it would not work anymore.  Slowly but surely, our processor was dying a horrible, slow death.  

We had bought our computer almost seven years ago, and it has seen so much use by all of us in the family, but particularly by my 16 year old son.  About two months ago, we started to smell smoke when we turned the computer on.  I thought perhaps it was dust, so I cleaned it.  It was not dust or dirt.  It was the end of the line.

I found that seemingly simple processes like forwarding e-mails or downloading webpages became marathon operations.  In fact, one post this week was deleted because the computer stopped working!  For the past couple of months, programs that have always been stable would crash in the midst of operations.  Why?  The death of an old computer.

While I hate to spend money, it was time!  Yesterday we headed to Portland and the closest Apple store.  I am now the happy owner of a 27 inch, crystal clear, blazingly fast ox!

In the above Proverb, Solomon is making an observation about life.  We might dismiss it as irrelevant if we are not careful.  Solomon makes a simple observation about oxen: oxen leave evidence of their presence.  This evidence must be picked up.  It is smelly and difficult work.  Yet, if you wish to have abundant crops, the strength of an ox for plowing and harvesting is a huge plus.

What does this mean?  Labor is needed to provide for the means of gaining further labor.  To have a strong ox, we must take care of the needs of our ox.

In today's age, to have a car to take us to work or a computer to do our work, we must labor to provide the money to buy these modern "oxen".  We have to work to "clean the manger" and it might be dirty and difficult.  Yet, if we labor, we enjoy the benefits of reliable transportation and easy computing power.  Having these modern oxen allow us to be more productive than we could be without them.

In today's culture, this message is often misunderstood.  Instead of laboring to achieve the means of buying modern oxen, many buy on credit.  Somehow they have misunderstood that credit means getting something now in promise of future labor.  You still must labor!

Even worse, we have many today who do not wish to "clean the manger" so they do not have.  They blame others, bemoan their fate, and declare it unfair that others have what they do not have.  Some demand that others give them cars, computers, and other modern oxen to make it fair.

To this I ask, is it "fair" to rob the worker to pay for those who refuse to work?  In any culture, does everyone "deserve" an ox?  I would think it is obvious that the answer is no!  Yet, in today's world many argue the opposite.

I am thankful for a new computer.  I do pray that this modern ox will allow me to be more productive than I could imagine.  I am also thankful that I literally had to keep the manger clean to pay for this computer!  I paid for it with the proceeds of several years of taking care of cattle and finally selling these cattle.  Such labor makes the enjoyment even more sweet!

Freedom, Deadness, and Grace

"Go and say to this people:

'Keep on hearing, but do not understand;

keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'

Make the heart of this people dull,

and their ears heavy,

and blind their eyes,

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed."

Isa. 6: 9-10

As a pastor, I have served churches in many parts of the United States.  I have also served as a witness for Christ in a 10 week summer mission trip to southeast Asia.  Lord willing, I hope to be a witness for Christ in many other parts of the world in the next 20 years.  In every place I have gone, I have seen people come to know Jesus and others who have been completely hardened to the gospel.  Why is there such a range of response?

In the passage above, Isaiah has just seen the Lord, and he has fallen before Him.  The Lord took a burning coal, touched his lips, and made him a vessel ready to bring the Word of the Lord.  In other words, Isaiah just experience repentance and faith from seeing his true condition before the Holy God and calling out for mercy.  Such a cry the Lord always answers!

After this conversion, Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"  Notice the plural "us", which demonstrates the multiple personhood of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  In response to this question, Isaiah says, "Here am I!  Send me."  The above passage is the message the Lord gives Isaiah.

So, why do some believe the message of the gospel and many others reject it?  The human condition apart from God's grace is that of deaf, blind, and hard-hearted to spiritual truth.  As Paul says, "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins."  Dead people cannot respond to outside stimuli!  Apart from being made alive again, they cannot respond.

I know this biblical teaching goes against what so many of us wish to believe.  Yet it is true.  We are dead to true spiritual situation unless the Lord opens our eyes, unstops our ears, and changes our hearts.  When He does, we turn or repent and we find healing!  

This teaching does not mean that we do not have a measure of a free will.  We can love our families and friends.  We can be honest.  We can be generous.  We can have good self-control.  We can even give up drinking or anything else we call a vice.  In other words, we are not robots!  Being created in the image of God gives us great gifts and abilities.

So what happened?  What is dead within us is the gift of Faith which brings us in repentant and trusting faith to the living God.  Such faith is foreign to our fallen human nature.  Without God's grace, we will not have living faith!

We need true revival because apart from God's grace we cannot bring lasting transformation to anyone. We may improve someone's morals.  We may help them have a positive outlook.  Yet, we cannot bring repentant faith apart from God's grace.  We cannot unstop their ears, open their eyes, or soften their hearts to the gospel.  Why?  Because apart from God's grace, they freely choose to walk in their own paths and decisions apart from repentant faith.

We need true revival in most parts of the world today!  Let's pray that God will send it.  Pray for individuals and groups of people that God will open their eyes and ears so they may see and hear the gospel.  Pray that they may have hearts softened and ready to respond.  May many turn and find healing for their souls!

Trials, Joy, and Growth

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, wherever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." 

James 1: 2-5

Today I began a look at James in my devotional reading and prayer time.  I was immediately struck by this first passage in the entire book.  Why would I consider it joy when I face trials?  Like most of us, I avoid trials and I complain when I am in them!  How can I consider it joy?

I have to say that the past year and a half have been a time of trial for me.  I have seen betrayal in ministry, disappointment in my personal life, began to suffer from irritating health issues, and I have listened to a nagging string of condemnation from the Evil One.  As the time of trial began, I complained to God.  I knew I was innocent, or at least not directly causing any issues, so why did I have to go through them?!  Have you ever been there?

As weeks turned into months, I began to ask God different questions.  Lord, what do I need to learn from this?  What are you doing?  What do I need to see?  I think this is the process that James describes in this passage.  

Finally, I began to ask for wisdom.  I also began to grow and develop as a person in different directions.  I must admit that the change was slow and at times imperceptible.  Still, I can now see how God was changing me.  As I persevered through the trials, I developed a new level of maturity.  I know I am still lacking in much, but I thank God for allowing me to develop and be transformed by His grace.

I share this experience because I wonder how God has worked to shape each of my readers?  Trials promote humility or bitterness.  Which one marks your life?  

Trials promote an attitude of blaming God and turning away from a walk with Him or trusting him more (perseverance in our faith).  Which one marks your life? 

I am thankful for His faithfulness that He did not allow bitterness and unbelief to dominate my life.  I know that the only true anchor and rock is my Lord and my God!  Not because I declare it or believe it, but because it is true.

The next few sentences of James are very interesting, and even this morning I puzzled over them.  "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." vs. 6  What does this mean?  It sounds so harsh!  Is this a new idea or part of the past one concerning trials, perseverance, and wisdom?  I believe it is part of the preceding idea. When you ask for wisdom, do not doubt it when you get it!  God will answer your prayer for wisdom, but do not doubt what He is trying to tell you.

I often find that people only move to a different place (spiritually, physically, emotionally, etc.) when pressed to do so.  Most of us would prefer to stay in a bad situation or place because it is more comfortable than the unknown.  Truly a body at rest, stays at rest.  God loves us so much that He knows what is best for us.  He knows our sin tendencies and our hang-ups.  He wants us to grow out of them because they are harmful to us.  He desires a great and promising future for us.  He wants to lead us to this future!  The question becomes will we follow His leading?  Most of the time no.  Thus, trials come to awaken our body at rest.

I think this is the answer to James' thoughts concerning doubt.  We all doubt many things.  This is a natural consequence of our fallen state.  Doubt is a broad category, and this passage is not saying that all doubt is bad.  When doubt leads to questions, it is often good because we will find the answers in Christ!

The key to understanding this passage is in the context of praying for wisdom.  When we pray for wisdom, we should not doubt it when we hear it.  Through God's word, inner impulses and instruction, and most importantly the counsel of others, we can hear God's voice.  When we hear it, often we are like Gideon or Moses and we say, "You have the wrong guy!"  Unfortunately, some of us are not as honest as Gideon and Moses.  We don't talk back to God and question Him.   No, we ignore His leading and voice.  Then, we wonder why trials keep coming and why God does not change our current situation to meet our needs.  

"When we ask, we must believe and not doubt."  God loves us so much that He wants what is best for us.  We are so short-sighted that we simply do not know what is best for us.  In our pride, we think we do, but often we are wrong.  

May the Lord lead and guide each of us.  May we learn to walk with Him through the trials and difficulties that naturally come from living in a fallen world.  May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven for His glory.  Ask for wisdom and believe His love and grace for you!  Who knows what blessings you are missing out on because of your lack of believing.

The Gospel story of Grace

The gospel is not just the minimum required doctrine necessary to enter the Kingdom, but the way we make all progress in the kingdom.  We are not justified by the gospel and then sanctified by obedience, but the gospel is the way we grow and are renewed.  It is the solution to each problem, the key to each closed door, the power through every barrier.

Tim Keller, "The Centrality of the Gospel"

On Monday I began a discussion about the gospel.  We laid out two key ideas that frame the definition of the gospel: all was created very good and yet it is fallen from its good created state.  We explained that these two premises are the basis for almost all great literature and stories.  

These first premises explain why we long for something more, why we know the inherent goodness of creation and people, and why we cry out against the injustice in this world.  The second premise explains why we should long for more, why creation and people have such tragic flaws, and the cause of the injustice in the world!

If we were left at this spot, the story of the Bible would make for good philosophy, but it would offer no hope.  Thankfully, the story of the gospel is hope!  God has launched a rescue operation into our fallen world.  He has launched a rescue mission to transform our individual fallen worlds!  

Knowing our need, God planned and executed the plan of bringing redemption into our fallen world.  This redemption is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  

Jesus lived a perfect life in the midst of a fallen world.  As a reward, people like us killed him.  Actually, we tortured him and then killed him in the most painful manner possible.  He was buried.  On the third day, by the power of God, he rose again to break the power of sin and death.  He then appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days before he ascended to sit at the right hand of the throne of God.  From there, he poured out the Holy Spirit to bring people to faith and to build his church.  We have the promise that one day He will come back to restore all things to their created good!

Jesus is hope.  If you are reading this today, the Spirit is leading you to a deeper dependence upon Jesus.  The Spirit is leading you to repent and believe.  

I can see the question some are asking.  "Does he think we don't believe?"  No, I know that most who read this blog already believe!  The problem is that we do not believe the rest of the story of the gospel. We focus on being redeemed by faith, but we do not realize that the message of Jesus, the gospel story, applies to all of life!  It is not something we believe once and then we are done.  The gospel is how we are changed and transformed every day!

I began with a quote from a contemporary writer, Tim Keller.  I will end this post with an older author who also impacted many with the message of the gospel.  We will return to this theme over the next week or so.  I will end today with a quote from Francis Schaeffer's True Spirituality (1971).

Yet, having said this about the beginning of the Christian life, we must also realize that while the new birth is necessary as the beginning, it is only the beginning.  We must not think that because we have accepted Christ as savior and therefore are Christians, this is all there is in the Christian life.  In one way physical birth is the most important part in our physical lives, because we are not alive in the external world until we have been born.  In another way, however, it is the least important of all the aspects of our life, because it is only the beginning and then it is past.  After we are born, the important thing is the living of our lives in all their relationships, possibilities, and capabilities.  It is exactly the same with the new birth.  In one way, the new birth is the most important things in our spiritual lives, because we are not Christians until we have come this way.  In another way, however, after one had become a Christian, it must be minimized, in that we should not always have our minds only on our new birth.  The important thing after being born spiritually is to live.  There is a new birth, and then there is the Christian life to be lived.  This is the area of sanctification, from the time of the new birth, through this present life, until Jesus comes or until we die.

Schaeffer, True Spirituality, 4-5.

Suffering and our Growth

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing 

with the glory that will be revealed in us." 

Romans 8: 18

Suffering.  Even as I mention it, I recoil.  It is not a subject I enjoy thinking about, and I enjoy going through it even less.  Often it seems like all I can do is endure.  Right in the midst of suffering, I don't even learn that much.  It takes time and reflection to learn, and in the midst of intense suffering I often lack the strength for reflection.

Perhaps this is why many Christians avoid the subject of suffering.  Entire breeds of Christians have banished all talk of suffering under the guise of spirituality by claiming Christ suffered for us so we do not have to suffer.  All I can say is, tell that to Paul!  He endured beatings, imprisonment, rejection, and other sufferings for the lost and for the Church.  In the preceding verse, he mentioned that "we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."  For Paul, sufferings were a way into deeper dependence and identity in Christ.

So what does this mean for us?  In the midst of broken relationships that cause so much pain, in the midst of the death or impending death of those we love, in the midst of our bad decisions, how should we deal with suffering?

First, admit to God, yourself, and others that you are suffering.  Understand that we live in a fallen world marked by suffering.  All of creation "groans as in the pains of child birth" and is subject to "frustration" by the effects of sin.  

Furthermore, suffering is often caused by our sin, the sin of others, or the effects of living in a sinful world.  In the midst of suffering, call sin, sin.  In yourself, in others, and in events confess what is not as it should be.  Confess what is not according to its created good.  Cry out to God about the pain of separation.  Ask Him to restore and redeem what the consequences of sin have brought about.  We were not created to suffer through separation like death, but God can relate as He and Jesus were separated on the cross as Jesus suffered to do away with sin and death.

Second, remember the gospel.  We have a taste of redemption, adoption, and freedom now in Christ.  One day, He will set all things aright, and we will know in full a restored relationship with God, others, ourselves, and creation.  If you have not believed, repent and accept His love!  Then, hope in the ultimate reality that you belong to Christ.  This life is fleeting.  Eternity is forever.  Pray for grace to "wait patiently" for our final hope.

Third, pray.  This is how the gospel gets applied to our life.  Take time to be before God and ask the Spirit to lead you to pray for what is really needed (8:26-27).  Pray for healing of your soul.  Pray for restoration of broken relationship.  Pray in confession of your sin and the sins of others.  Whatever the cause of the suffering, take time to pray about it.  We were made to live a life of faith.  Prayer is the avenue into an active faith.

May the Lord use our sufferings to bring about our growth in grace, truth, and love.

The Gospel Story

I remember taking a Philosophy of Religion course many years ago in college.  We were asked as an assignment to define "God".  I was a young believer at the time, and I thought this would be easy.  I opened the Bible, started to look for passages to help me arrive at a definition, and I quickly began to realize this was a tough assignment!  At that time, I did not know that people before me in the faith had written excellent scriptural definitions concerning many topics, including the character and person of God.  I had not be taught as a believer that these Confessions of Faith are vitally important.  

What I learned from this assignment was to be careful about attempting to define anything.  It is much easier to critique or comment on other's work than to clearly define your own.  Unfortunately, easier is not always better!  In fact, this past week I shared with someone that the mark of an inferior mind is that of critiquing others without offering positive comments or definitions to the argument.

Today, I am going to begin a discussion toward defining the gospel.  I appreciate any comments that help me in the definition as this is tough work.  I am so thankful that others have walked this path before me!  

My hope is to work on a definition or understanding that allows us to build a "gospel-centered life."    As is often the case, the real rub with a definition is how to apply it.  I wish to define the gospel in such a way that is not merely a statement of faith, but rather a statement that explains why life is like it is and how to make it better!  (How's that for a grandiose goal?)

As I see it, the gospel is really a story of life.  It is an explanation for why we are here and what we experience.  In the past hundred years, (post) modern philosophy has told us that grand "meta-narratives" are impossible and should be abandoned.  To this claim, I ask why?  Because some philosopher told me to give it up?  Because some wish to "make their own reality"?

I have found that gospel story is the basis for all great stories in literature.  It resonates with people from every continent.  It has the ring of truth within it.  Why?  Because it is foundational truth!  It is an understanding of the world that makes sense of the often senseless experience we have.  It is not just "personal" as postmodern philosophy would wish to make all truth, but it applies to every situation.

So what is the gospel story? It begins with God- a creative, loving, and holy being.  God loves His creation and He made it all for relationships with Him.  God creates everything from nothing.  This is vitally important.  In most religions, God uses the substance already present to fashion a world.  In the Biblical gospel narrative, God speaks through the Word to bring everything into existence.  This makes God above and beyond all the so called 'gods' of the ancient world.

God creates the entire universe good.  In fact, when he is through with the foundations of creation, He declares everything very good (Gen. 1:31).  Included in this creation is man and woman, who together reflect the image of God.  We were created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.  We were created for relationship with God, others, and creation.  Furthermore, we were created to be stewards of creation- exploring, protecting, preserving, and using creation wisely.

This explains why sensitive people love the beauty of creation.  It explains why we enjoy the fellowship of others.  It explains why we value elements of culture, art, and music since human creation continues the creative work of God.  As all of these dimensions of our experience reflect the created good, they are beautiful.  As all of these dimension of our experience stray from their created good, they move in the direction of ugly and distorted.

So how do we move away from our created Good?  The Gospel declares that creation is fallen because of the fall of humanity from a state of perfect relationship to a state of animosity toward God because of sin.  

I know we do not like being called "sinners" but what word better explains our situation?  We often know the good we ought to do, but we lack the will to carry it out.  This is the state of fallen.  As we move further and further away from the way were made to be, we find it easier and easier to walk in sin without blushing.  Why?  Because sin piled upon sin leads to hardness of heart.  Such a condition refuses to acknowledge its need for God, need for others, or need for being in good relationship with creation.

Does this not describe accurately where most of us live?  I will attempt to pick up here next time!

Spirituality of the Entire Person

"Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God."

Ps. 42: 5

Psalm 42 begins with the affirmation and cry, "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and appear before God?"

This week I have struggled with a minor cold.  I am glad to say it is the first even minor sniffle I have had all year!  My older children missed three days of school each with the bug, so I feel pretty good about making it through with just body aches and a headache.  I did not miss any work, but I also did not have much energy or a clear mind.  

On Monday, I began to write in my journal about last weekend's journey and ministry at Pleasant Street CRC in Massachusetts.  I got one brief paragraph written, and I stopped.  I just did not know what to write.  Why?  The illness got me!

As I wrote in my journal for today, "It is amazing the tie between our spirituality and our health.  I feel this is so often forgotten or ignored.  When I do not feel well, it is hard to feel Your presence and love.  You might be carrying me (think of the poem Footprints in the Sand), but I do not feel the embrace."

Every week I have the privilege and calling to deal with folks who struggle with depression and anxiety.  I find these folks feel the same way I do when I am sick!  Their physical issues cause a spirit of dryness.

In Psalm 42, the Psalmist confesses that he has been crying and he feels taunted by those who ask, "Where is your God?"  I do not think these folks are mocking him, but saying, "Where is your faith?  Don't you know that God is faithful?"  How often as believers do we do the same to those who are struggling!  How often do we as believers beat ourselves up when we are struggling!

The Psalmist answers his doubts and struggles with an affirmation of the gospel.  He confesses where he is: struggling for his very life and faith!  He then reminds himself over and over again of God's faithfulness in the past.  He also affirms that this present reality of struggle will not last forever.  In fact, he affirms God's faithfulness by repeating the same verse twice in this Psalm.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my salvation and my God.

Ps 42: 5 and 11

Please remember there is a direct tie between our health (physical and mental) and our spirituality.  Such a tie is a result of being embodied spiritual beings!  Jesus understands as he also was at times tired, emotionally drained, hungry, and deeply saddened.  Illness is not weakness.  It is a result of the Fall, but it is common to us all.

When struggling confess you are struggling and look to the gospel!  Remind yourself of God's past work and His promise of a good future.  I encourage you to use Psalm 42 as a guide.

Living in the Present

"'Do you believe in life after death?'  What can one say as a Christian?  Of course I do.  I believe that Jesus died and rose for us and in him we have eternal life.  But I felt there was a danger of putting off to some future date what should be ours now- life, and life in all its fullness.  Too many sad folks project their own desires to a future world when they should be living by faith in this world.  I believe in life after death but I also believe in life before death.  We need to make sure we are living now." 

Adam, The Road of Life, 122.

If we do not live out the gospel, we are always in danger of projecting true life somewhere else other than to our current experience.  Some project true life back "in the day" when they felt alive and free.  They often forget that at the time they were likely projecting forward looking forward to true life in the future!

Others, particularly those who lived or are living through times of struggle, project true life into the future.  My family on my dad's side often lived this way.  They projected into heaven all of their desires for life, and they complained about their physical ailments and difficulties in the present.  For these good hearted folks, the present was something to be endured and not really enjoyed.  They are models for a brand of Christian spirituality that many live.

The gospel compels us to live in the present.  God is with us right here and now.  His presence is around us, in us, and near us.  We can meet with Him in repentance and faith.  He promises us life right now- at work, at home, at play, or in difficulty.  His lightest touch can make even the most difficult tasks enjoyable.  So why do we project His presence backward or forward in time when His life changing power is here and now?

I know this is hard to live out.  Here is an example from our life.  Currently, we are trying to toilet train a two year old.  How do we view this task?  With every puddle, do we only look forward to the future?  I am afraid so!  We have this intense longing for the future.  To a time of no more diapers, no more grossly stinky diapers!  We have to consciously enjoy the present by asking for God's presence in the now.  We need to talk with Him, thank Him for every success, and ask for His love to be with all in the process.  

All of this does not diminish our longing for the future.  What it does is place God's presence squarely in the present.  This is where He belongs, but in my fallen state I often don't live that way.  Another opportunity to walk in repentance and faith!

May the Lord dwell in your present this day.  No matter what "potty training" experience you are going through, may the Lord give you joy in the present!

Why we need Revival

"Go and say to this people:

'Keep on hearing, but do not understand;

keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'

Make the heart of this people dull,

and their ears heavy,

and blind their eyes,

lest they see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed."

Isa. 6: 9-10

As a pastor, I have served churches in many parts of the United States.  I have also served as a witness for Christ in a 10 week summer mission trip to southeast Asia.  Lord willing, I hope to be a witness for Christ in many other parts of the world in the next 20 years.  In every place I have gone, I have seen people come to know Jesus and others who have been completely hardened to the gospel.  Why is there such a range of response?

In the passage above, Isaiah has just seen the Lord, and he has fallen before Him.  The Lord took a burning coal, touched his lips, and made him a vessel ready to bring the Word of the Lord.  In other words, Isaiah just experience repentance and faith from seeing his true condition before the Holy God and calling out for mercy.  Such a cry the Lord always answers!

After this conversion, Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"  Notice the plural "us", which demonstrates the multiple personhood of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  In response to this question, Isaiah says, "Here am I!  Send me."  The above passage is the message the Lord gives Isaiah.

So, why do some believe the message of the gospel and many others reject it?  The human condition apart from God's grace is that of deaf, blind, and hard-hearted to spiritual truth.  As Paul says, "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins."  Dead people cannot respond to outside stimuli!  Apart from being made alive again, they cannot respond.

I know this biblical teaching goes against what so many of us wish to believe.  Yet it is true.  We are dead to true spiritual awakening unless the Lord opens our eyes, unstops our ears, and changes our hearts.  When He does, we turn or repent and we find healing!  

This teaching does not mean that we do not have a measure of a free will.  We can love our families and friends.  We can be honest.  We can be generous.  We can have good self-control.  We can even give up drinking or anything else we call a vice.  In other words, we are not robots!  Being created in the image of God gives us great gifts and abilities.

So what happened?  What is dead within us is the gift of Faith which brings us in repentant and trusting faith to the living God.  Such faith is foreign to our fallen human nature.  Without God's grace, we will not have living faith!

We need true revival because apart from God's grace we cannot bring lasting transformation to anyone. We may improve someone's morals.  We may help them have a positive outlook.  Yet, we cannot bring repentant faith apart from God's grace.  We cannot unstop their ears, open their eyes, or soften their hearts to the gospel.  Why?  Because apart from God's grace, they freely choose to walk in their own paths and decisions apart from repentant faith.

We need true revival in most parts of the world today!  Let's pray that God will send it.  Pray for individuals and groups of people that God will open their eyes and ears so they may see and hear the gospel.  Pray that they may have hearts softened and ready to respond.  May many turn and find healing for their souls!

Am I doing something wrong?

"Behold, I am with you always,

to the end of the age."

Jesus in Matthew 28:20

"A disciple is not above his teacher, not a servant above his master.

It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher,

and the servant like his master.

If they called the master of the house  Beelzebul, 

how much more will they malign those of his household."

Jesus in Matthew 10: 24-25

This past week, I had a message from a young lady in south east Asia who shared her desire to see people come to know Christ, but her deep concern for the lack of conversions and spiritual interest she was experiencing.  She shared about hearing of God working in and through others in great ways, but she was not seeing the action of God in her life.  I could tell she really wanted to see God work in and through her!  Yet, through her witness, only a few had expressed interest in Christ.  She asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"

I replied to her message, but I wanted to give a fuller explanation.  I believe her experience marks the experience of many!  I know for times and seasons in my life, it matched perfectly with my experience.

So, is she doing something wrong?  I would guess the answer to be no.  While she probably could be better at knowing and presenting the gospel, I can read between the lines to see that her heart is in the right place!  She desperately wants to see God's name exalted in her life and in the lives of her not-yet-believing friends.

This heart attitude is where most believers fall short in being used by God.  For many, complacency and selfishness drive our Christian life.  We view Jesus and the Holy Spirit as our personal saviors and helpers.  We seek to be healed of our hurts and hang-ups, and then we might tell others about Jesus.  

Unfortunately, this attitude is why so many people do not grow in their faith!  The Holy Spirit must go somewhere in our life.  His purpose is to exalt the name of Jesus and the bring glory to the Father.  As we share about Jesus' work in our life and the truth about who He is, the Holy Spirit shows up to bring glory to Christ.  In the process, we are changed and transformed!  

Yes, the biggest reason most of us do not grow and do not see people come to faith is that we do not share the life-changing message of the gospel!  Our "fear of rejection" illustrates a profound lack of faith.  Our desire to "be made right and holy" before we share our faith illustrates a profound misunderstanding of how we grow in grace.

So, what could be wrong?  If she is sharing her faith, why is there so little fruit?

I labor and work in an area of America known for the highest levels of secularism in our country.  We also have the percentage of church attendance.  We have the highest level of "noners" (those claiming absolutely no religious affiliation or preference) in the United States.  New England, and Maine in particular, has been called the grave-yard of preachers because of the rocky spiritual soil.  I know many sincere pastors and Christians who have seen little or no conversions through their witness.

Does this mean we are all failures?  I know many need to get past the fear of rejection and witness.  Others need to stop thinking of Christ as their personal savior and see Him as the answer to virtually all human questions and needs.  Their friends and co-workers need Jesus!  But there is something more at work here.

In scripture, we are told that Satan has blinded the eyes of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4).  In my experience and in the book of Acts, I have seen some groups of people responded more favorably to the gospel, while other entire groups of people rejected the gospel.  Even Paul witnessed little conversions in Athens (Acts 16:16-34), while seeing great revival in Berea (Acts 16:10-15).  Did he do something wrong in Athens?

Some would argue yes, but I think not!  The people of Athens were more worldly and secular than the people of Berea.  By this I do not mean "evil" but instead I mean that they looked and believed in natural cause more than spiritual answers.  Secular folks rule out the work of God from consideration.  Obviously it is harder to witness to these folks!

For example, the Stoics mentioned in Acts 16:18 most likely would have been very moral people marked by great self control.  They might be "more righteous" in their conduct than anyone we know!  Yet, they rejected the supernatural as superstitious "babbling" from a weak mind.  Of course they reject Paul's message.  They probably did not even listen to it.

I would argue that such thought is the very definition of worldliness.  It is also the mark of those controlled and dominated by the blinding influence of the Evil One.

This young lady labors to witness for Jesus in an area dominated with the same worldly and secular thought.  I also labor in such an area!  What can we do?

First, pray like your life depends upon it!  In fact, pray like the lives of those to whom you witness depend upon upon it.  Ask for the Lord to send a spirit of revival and transformation.  Pray that the veil will be lifted so they may see their real need and embrace Christ.

Second, do not give up!  Keep praying, witnessing, and most importantly washing yourself in the gospel.  It will be easy to forget the gospel if you do not have others around you to remind you of its beauty and truth.  Find a community of like-minded believers to encourage and pray with you.

Finally, rejoice in the spiritual interest and conversions you do see.  It may not match the volume or experience of others in different towns or place, but who cares!  You do not live in those places.  God has called you to your specific place and to these people.

In other words, please remember that there is nothing wrong with you!  In fact, God has shown great trust in you by placing you in such a difficult environment.  Keep witnessing to the truth and praying for God to send His Spirit to open the eyes of unbelievers.  Immerse yourself in the gospel.  Gather with a community of believers who share the same Lord and the same struggles.  Remember that today may be the day the revival starts through your witness.  To God be the glory in that wondrous revival!

Abuse, Betrayal, and Forgiveness

This weekend I have the privilege of speaking about the gospel at Pleasant Street CRC in Massachusetts.  Please pray that the gospel will run freely and strong as I and three other presenters speak.  I knew I would be short on time today, so yesterday I was looking through old posts to come up with some ideas.  I came across this post concerning sin and betrayal.  

Those who know me know I went through an awful betrayal in ministry about 20 months ago.  It was hurtful and wrong.  In my 20 years of pastoral ministry, I have had four or five other cases of extreme betrayal and active harm done to me.  As I speak with others in ministry, my experience is neither extreme or strange.  Most have had to endure willful and harmful actions of others, especially from "believers", that negatively impacted their life and ministry.

This is nothing new!  Notice the following Psalms:

"Even my close friend, 

in whom I trusted, 

Who ate my bread, 

Has lifted up his heel against me." 

Ps. 41:9

"Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;

all day long an attacker oppresses me;

my enemies trample on me all day long,

for many attack me proudly. 

When I am afraid,

I put my trust in you. ...

You have kept count of my tossings;

put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?"

Ps. 56: 1-3, 8

The Psalms are refreshing because they are honest.  In Psalm 41, David is writing about a betrayal from a friend.  It begins with a prayer of thanks to God that He has not forsaken him.  David clings to the promises of God and claims God as his deliverer, his protector, the one who blesses him, his sustainer, and the one who restores health.  Then David confesses the realities of his enemies.  They seek to harm David by speaking evil of him.  Even a close friend has betrayed him.

Yesterday I was getting two new tires put on the van at Sams club.  A guy in his 20s pulled his car up to a bay, left it running, and went inside.  One the workers lamented, "What is wrong with people?"  He continued to mutter and complain.  I was standing there, and I told him it was simple.  All of us are incredibly selfish and self-centered.  I told him until our parents or life beats that out of us, we remain self-centered, and we even grow more self-centered.  I concluded with the comment, "If you understand this one truth, much of life and what people do make so much more sense."  He agreed and we continued to talk about its application.

As I continued to walk around Sams and on the way home, I thought of that discussion.  This Psalm came to mind.  In ministry, with people who should know better, I have been betrayed and harmed more by people's selfishness than anywhere else in the world.  I have seen it since I first became a Christian.  We see it in church splits, church conflicts, petty "turf wars" in ministries, and in our "friendships" that have gone astray.  Why do folks, particularly believers, act the way they do?  

Well, selfishness and self-centeredness never fully leaves us!  In a fallen world, it is the stain of the flesh that mars our soul.  We have to be constantly on our guard against it in ourselves, and we should never be surprised when we see it in others.  When it happens, we, like David, should repent and believe God's promises.  Then we should push for others to repent.  

The problem is that often the betrayer does not repent, and they do not understand nor care about the pain they have caused.  Why?  Because they are radically self-centered (just like us!).  Most of us demand grace for ourselves, but we figure everyone else "gets what they deserve." We are called to forgive them, but that does not necessarily mean that we trust them again.  Some people through betrayal illustrate their character's weaknesses, and we should not put ourselves, unless we are very careful and led by God, back in an abusive situation.  Still, we are called and commanded to forgive others as we have been forgiven.  

Does this mean, "Forgive and forget?"  In some situations, I think not.  First, it is impossible apart from God's grace.  We just cannot forget; and in many cases, it is a defense mechanism put in place by God to protect us from further harm.  Still, we can daily ask for grace to forgive.  We can declare our forgiveness.  We can ask God to be our deliverer, our protector, our sustainer, and our grace.  In other words, we believe the gospel and claim its promises.

What I have discovered is that forgiveness is a process.  It is like peeling an onion.  When confronted with our friend/enemy fresh pain arrives.  We must forgive and ask for grace to forgive.  Just when think we are getting better, then another layer of the onion comes off.  It could be anything that brings up the memory.  Fresh pain and tears.  We must forgive and ask for grace to forgive.  I know this sounds hard, but what is the other option?  Bitterness.  Anger.  Hardness of heart.  None of these sound good!

Who do you need to forgive today?  What pain has someone caused you?  Turn to Psalm 41 and take an honest look at your pain and God's faithfulness.  Begin the process of being restored.  Repent, believe, and walk in grace.