Remember and Rejoice

O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk of all his wondrous works. Glory in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvelous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth (Psalm 105:1-5)

So, where did this week’s Sunday school come from? Recently I was at my high school reunion. And for various reasons, it has been twenty years since I last attended one. So after spending just a few hours (and regretting that I didn’t stay longer) reminiscing about old times, and hearing what people have been doing since high school, I had to leave. I found myself pondering on several questions: Why did so many people I would have expected to be there not even respond to the invitation? Why did others that I never would have expected, go out of their way to be there? And why did I let so many years go by without even attempting to keep in touch with these people?

I’ll continue to consider those questions, and perhaps save them for a future Sunday school. But today I’d like to address the main point that I pondered: how much I really enjoyed the celebration! I had been looking forward to it, but I was concerned that the years would dampen things. I knew that we are very different people today than we were back then. I knew some people had gone through some major traumas in their lives that I couldn’t begin to identify with. But after a little while it all became natural again, as we started remembering past events and catching up on how far we’ve come. And I think that is the main blessing that comes from this type of celebration, as we see in Psalm 105. God calls us to remember the good things of the past, and rejoice in them. The psalm is specifically referring to our relationship with God, but I think I learned last week that it applies to human relationships as well.

Let’s look at three examples where God specifically instructed Israel to celebrate specific events annually:

Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD your God: for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you forth out of Egypt by night. You shall therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD your God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there. You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shall you eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for you came forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that you may remember the day when you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. (Deuteronomy 16:1-3)

In the Passover, God calls Israel to remember and rejoice in the good things of the past. It is repeated each year so that they may remember all the days of their lives.

Seven weeks shall you number: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as you begin to put the sickle to the corn. And you shall keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD your God with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand, which you shall give unto the LORD your God, according as the LORD your God has blessed you: And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite that is within your gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD your God hath chosen to place his name there. And you shall remember that you were a bondman in Egypt: and you shall observe and do these statutes. (Deuteronomy 16:9-12)

In the feast of weeks God calls them to remember where they used to be, and that they have things better now.

You shall observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that you have gathered in your corn and your wine: And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within your gates. Seven days shall you keep a solemn feast unto the LORD your God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD your God shall bless you in all your increase, and in all the works of your hands, therefore you shall surely rejoice. (Deuteronomy 16:13-15)

And in the feast of tabernacles again calls them to rejoice in their current and ongoing blessings from God.

Now, I know there is far more significance in these three feasts than I have mentioned, but I’d like to focus on one point for today. God wants us to remember and rejoice where we have been and where we are going. And I figure if God requires it for our relationship with him, then it applies to all relationships that we want to maintain.

Here’s the main thing I learned last week: “out of sight, out of mind” is a very bad thing in relationships. Sounds obvious now that I say it, but how often do we let the cares of life get in the way? We need to make the time to maintain and grow our relationships.

So, God calls us to celebrate regularly. He also gives us some other tools to help us remember. Let’s look at some examples:

And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:12-15)

Here we see how God established a token, as a reminder to us all that he will no more allow a flood to destroy all flesh. The token was given, and passed on to all generations to encourage us of one thing we do not need to fear ever again.

Let’s look at another device for remembering:

And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that you shall give me I will surely give the tenth unto you. (Genesis 28:18-22)

Here we see Jacob established the token, the pillar, as a point of remembrance. And how did God later respond to this token?

I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar, and where you vowed a vow unto me: now arise, get out from this land, and return unto the land of your kindred. (Genesis 31:13)

God used this reference point to confirm the relationship, and to reinforce his instruction to Jacob. Later on, we see that God also gave instruction to Joshua to build a similar pillar:

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, Take twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command them, saying, Take out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where you shall lodge this night. Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: And Joshua said to them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What do these stones mean? Then you shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. (Joshua 4:1-7)

So God also wants us to have memorials so that not only we can remember, but so that we can pass the lessons on to future generations.

So, as we go through this life, let’s make sure that we make time to remember, to rejoice, to celebrate the good times. Let’s establish and maintain these relationships, and not let them be choked out by the cares of this life. Let’s establish and watch the memorials and the milestones, and keep marking the progress as we travel through this life together.

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My Father’s Business

And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? Didn’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:49)

So, let’s get down to business - God’s business. As I like to tell my children, if we call ourselves Christians, that carries with it the responsibility of living our lives like Christ. And what is the earliest statement we have from Jesus on what he must be doing? He said he must be about his Father’s business.

So, how do we begin to go about our Father’s business? What was Jesus doing when he said this?

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why have you dealt with us like this? Behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? Didn’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business? (Luke 2:46-49)

So, we see that Jesus is in the house of God, listening to and asking questions of the religious teachers. So, I would conclude that if Jesus needs to be in God’s house involved in teaching and learning more about God, then we probably need it even more so. What instruction did Paul give to Timothy?

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

After all, the Bible tells us that one of purposes of Jesus coming to us was so that we might have life, and that more abundantly (John 10:10). And how does Jesus define eternal life? Let’s read:

These words spoke Jesus, and he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you: As you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:1-3)

Knowing the only true God is eternal life. Let’s begin to go about our Father’s business by becoming and staying students of God and of His Word.

Now, is this the entire scope of our Father’s business? What do we see from Jesus later on, as he begins his public ministry?

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:16-21)

So, what is Jesus anointed to do? Preach the gospel, heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, give sight to the blind, and so on. So, what should we be doing? You got it – we are to be about our Father’s business. As we’ve said before – it’s not all about us. It’s all about God and letting Him use us to minister to others.

So, how do we get started in ministering to others? Let’s look at the example of Saul of Tarsus:

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. (Acts 9:3-6)

It starts the minute we come to Jesus, and works best when we have the attitude “Lord, what will you have me to do”. So, not only do we need to learn and know God, we also have to get into the game – we have to be doing the Father’s business. We need to realize that it’s not a spectator sport. What did Paul write to the Romans?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:1-3)

Now here it gets interesting...

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)

What is Paul pointing out? This isn’t a one man show. Our Father’s business requires teamwork. It’s a team sport! We don’t go it alone, trying to save the world by ourselves. God designed this to be many people working as one body. What do we see from Jesus, our example?

And he goes up into a mountain, and calls to him whom he would: and they came to him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: (Mark 3:13-15)

Even Jesus gathered others to him, to share the workload and to establish into a powerful team - one that would turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). So, let’s get active in being about our Father’s business. Let’s

• Study, to know God and His Word
• Get in the game, doing the works of Jesus
• Fulfill our role on the Team, continuing to turn the world “right side up”

Remember our commission that Jesus gave us:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

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The Power of Obedience

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9)

I’m fascinated by these verses: Jesus, who is God in human form, needed to learn obedience? And “being made perfect” was the result? Note that this implies that He wasn’t automatically perfect as I used to assume – the obedience was the thing that made Him perfect. As we note from the fact that He was tempted of the devil, He had the opportunity to choose disobedience. But he always made the right decision and as a result He was made perfect.

Now, I know that it is too late for any of us to achieve the same perfection (Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”). But we ALL have the opportunity from this moment forward to choose obedience over disobedience. No matter what bad decisions we may have made in the past, we have many new opportunities for obedience every day, giving us more and more opportunities to grow in perfection!

So, I really want to look at examples of people stepping out in obedience, and at what resulted. Let’s start with something simple, as Jesus begins his ministry:

Then Jesus comes from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I need to be baptized of you, and you come to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:13-17)

So here we have John, thinking that it is not appropriate for him to baptize Jesus, yet he obeys Jesus anyway. And what is the result? John sees the Spirit and hears the audible voice of God! Let’s look at another example:

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason you in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto you, Arise, and take up your couch, and go into your house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. (Luke 5:22-26)

Now I know that the man with the palsy was expecting a miracle (why else would his friends have dug through the roof to lower him down to Jesus?), but think of the faith he showed by obeying Jesus. Here he was, bedridden, and Jesus says Arise, take up your couch, and go home. I might have thought: What? Arise? I’m sick and bedridden – DO something to heal me. But notice that it doesn’t say Jesus healed him and then he got up. Jesus told him to get up, and then he acted in faith and got up.

What is obedience to God? Isn’t it really just acting on the faith that we have? We can say we have faith, but do we really have faith if we are not willing to step out and act on it? (Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying we should tempt God by doing whatever strange idea comes into our head. But when we know that it’s from God and lines up with what the Bible teaches, let’s not argue with Him.)

Let’s look at the power of obedience as it transforms a man. We’re going to take a look at the life of Simon Peter.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fish: and their net broke. (Luke 5:4-6)

So Simon, the professional fisherman, defies his knowledge of the situation and obeys Jesus anyway. The result – an incredible catch, more than their net could hold. Now think of what would have happened if Simon had been stubborn and refused to obey. Can you recall a time in your life when you heard someone say something like “look, I know fishing (or any other trade, skill, or profession) and this will never work. Forget it.” Think about how easy it can be to ignore an instruction that goes against your natural understanding of what is possible.

Thank God, Simon responded by obeying. And what happened next?

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fish which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth you shall catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. (Luke 5:8-11)

Simon Peter, James and John walked away from all that they had to follow Jesus. That is how powerful this miracle was in their lives. And through their obedience God used them to help transform the world! Let’s look later in Simon Peter’s life:

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be you, bid me come unto you on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt? (Matthew 14:24-31)

Peter acted on his faith, and he DID walk on the water! But when he allowed himself to be distracted, doubt entered in and he started to sink.

Now, let’s not be hard on Peter – he didn’t wallow in this, he learned from it. What do we see later in his life? First, let’s look at what Jesus said in John 14, and then look at an example in Peter’s life.

Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:1-8)

So we continue to see the evidence of Peter’s faith, as he walks in obedience to Jesus, doing the works that he saw Jesus do! And we should also expect to do the same works as Jesus, as we step out in faith, obeying what Jesus tells us to do.

So, is there something that God is asking you to do that defies your natural understanding? Be careful that you are not tempting God, but if you truly believe that it is God, act in obedience and see what great thing he does for you!

Is there some area in the past where you failed to obey? Don’t let it hold you back – repent and move forward. Today is a new day, with new opportunities to obey and be made perfect through obedience.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (Philippians 3:13-15)

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Assembling Together

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Technically speaking, today’s blog is not a Sunday School. I am not able to be at the church today, as it is my turn to cover the IT Help Desk phone over the weekend for my job. Fortunately, that just means I need to stay online and be available in case someone calls for help. So, even though I can’t be at the church to teach a Sunday School, I can still add a brief message here online.

So, what better topic than “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is”? I often hear people talk about how “I don’t need to go to church – I can worship God wherever I am”. And that is true to a point – we are to worship God in everything that we do, no matter where we are. After all, we really can’t get away from Him:

Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. (Psalm 139:7-8)

But are we really better off on our own? I really think that it is critical for us to not try to go it alone. After all, what did God say after creating man?

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18)

Even better, Jesus promised that when two of us agree in prayer, anything that we ask will be done. And when we gather together in His name, He is there:

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:19-20)

Proverbs give many statements about the company that we keep. Let me share two:

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20)

God made us to be together, to work together, to build each other up. And it is best to be together with those that can sharpen us, those that can make us wise. Let’s consider a regular Sunday School lesson, as presented in a classroom setting, for example. I present the lessons and ideas on this website each week, but you really are missing out when you only read the lessons. When we share and discuss these lessons in the classroom with other people, there is far more LIFE in them. People share their experiences, and people ask questions to further the understanding of everyone in the class, including me. It is a much more effective method for teaching and learning.

The same is true of attending regular worship services and prayer meetings. What a wonderful opportunity to exhort one another, encouraging each other unto love and good works. We really aren’t living that abundant life that Jesus promised if we are only keeping to ourselves.

So, as I am missing out by not being able to be in church today, I want to encourage anyone that has not been assembling together in a church home regularly that you are missing out! Please, find a body of believers that can build you up, and that you can build up in return. As we actively stay involved with Christians, it will strengthen our own relationship with God.

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Whatsoever you do...

And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:23)

Today we’re going to talk about ‘doing’. We’ve talked about thinking, we’ve talked about attitude, let’s spend some time talking about actions. So much of our lives are done on auto-pilot – we do it because we’ve always done it. For example, I get up, I clean up, I drive to work, I do my work, I drive home, I eat dinner, I talk with my family, I do things that need to be done around the house, I read, I pray, I go to bed, I repeat it all the next day. If we’re not careful, we find ourselves just existing. What does the Bible say about the things that we do? Let’s look at three passages:

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you are called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:12-17)

Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:22-24)

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. … If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and you be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof: Conscience, I say, not your own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:23, 27-31)

So, what do we see in these verses?

• We see that we do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus
• We do ALL heartily, for the Lord and not ourselves or other men
• We do ALL for the glory of God

Doesn’t this make you stop and think? As you think about your day, are you doing ALL in the name of Jesus, are you doing ALL heartily, for the Lord and for His glory? Thinking about this for this week has really made me shift a lot of the focus of my daily routine. What is our motive as we go through our day? Is it about ourselves, or is it about God?

Let’s consider our level of effort - are we doing it all heartily, as unto the Lord? Let’s look at some verses about the Lord expects in terms of our level of effort:

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, you shall love thy neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:28-31)

Don’t you know that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

For if you love them which love you, what reward do you have? do not even the publicans the same? And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:46-48)

So, what should our level of effort be? ALL our heart, ALL our soul, ALL our mind, ALL our strength. The goal isn’t just to run (or exist), but to win the prize! So often people, especially religious people focus on the commandments, the “do this and don’t do that” of the Bible, and fail to realize that its about all that they do.

Now, what about Jesus telling us to be perfect? Does this statement make you feel uneasy? Or does it make you feel condemned? I have come across a couple of extremes among people who call themselves Christians. On the one hand, there are those that live openly in what the Bible clearly calls sin, claiming that God is a God of mercy and grace, and all things are lawful to them. On the other hand, there are those that feel condemned over every mistake that they make. When something doesn’t go well, they think that they have committed the unforgivable sin and that they need to get saved again.

Both of these extremes are dangerous. For today, I want to address those that feel condemned. Let’s look at some Bible truths:

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (Philippians 3:9-15)

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (Micah 7:8)

I figure if Paul can say he hadn’t already attained, that he wasn’t already perfect, we shouldn’t feel condemned if we are not already perfect. If Micah can admit that he still falls but he will arise, let’s not feel condemned if we fall. Let’s forget those things that are behind, let’s just get back up and press on toward the mark for the prize! But let’s not forget that we do NOT take the grace of God lightly – the Bible does say “God Forbid” to the question of “shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound”.

So, let’s start thinking about ALL that we do, and who we do it for, and how we do it - heartily, as unto the Lord.

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

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What About The Change?

Today we began by listening to a Steven Curtis Chapman song, “The Change”. Click here to read the lyrics.

I love how he sings about all of the external “stuff” – the T-shirt, the bracelet, the necklace, the Bible magnet, the welcome mat, the bumper stickers, and my favorite, the fish stuck on his car. It can be so easy to use these things. But is that really what we want people to see? “What About The Change?” What is “The Change” that he is talking about? Let’s read:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

When we are born again, we are immediately changed into a new creature – all things become new. After all isn’t that why Jesus said you must be “born again”? We go from being simply flesh and blood beings into spiritual beings. Let’s read another passage from the Bible:

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)

We are transformed from natural, earthy beings into heavenly. But is this the end of it? Or is it just the beginning? Let’s read one more passage:

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Here’s today’s Key Point Number 1: We Are Being Changed into HIS Image! And “The Change” is good! We are continually being changed into this same image, the image of our Lord Jesus! We sing the song “Just As I Am”, and that is a wonderful truth of how we come to Jesus. And after that it gets even better, as we are transformed into the image of Jesus! We need to recognize that the Holy Spirit desires to do this work in us, and we need to embrace The Change!

So how do we go about embracing The Change? Where do we start? Let’s see what Jesus said:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. You blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23:25-28)

Let me ask a question: What do “Religious” Systems, Prison Systems, Dictatorships, and Totalitarian Regimes all have in common? They try to control human behavior from the outside. Just like the Pharisees that Jesus chastised, they try to clean up the outside – “for man looks on the outward appearance” (from 1 Samuel 16:7). So, how is true Christianity different? “but the LORD looks on the heart” (the conclusion of 1 Samuel 16:7). Here’s today’s Key Point Number 2: The Change works from the Inside Out! Like it says in the song: “If God’s Spirit lives inside of me, I’m gonna live life differently.” It WILL happen! The Holy Spirit works on us from the inside, gently revealing the truth about ourselves to ourselves, as much as we can handle. And as our interior is cleaned up, the exterior takes care of itself.

So, what is our part in this change? We get to “put off” and “put on”:

But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (Colossians 3:8-14)

Now, I probably haven’t said anything Earth shattering in this lesson. And I do know that many people understand that there is a need for change. Here is the main point I want to leave us with today – Key Point Number 3: Don’t be Discouraged – God Loves You! As the Holy Spirit is transforming us into the image of Christ, it is a sign of God’s love for us! Let’s look at the Old Testament:

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

And from the New Testament:

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:19-20)

So the only question is: do you want to be wise, or a fool?

The ear that hears the reproof of life abides among the wise. He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding. (Proverbs 15:31-32)

God wants us to be like Jesus. He wants to transform us. Do not be discouraged if you make a mistake. Do not feel condemned when He points out something that He wants you to give up. If we love God, it will happen:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:28-39)

God loves you, and wants to see you change into the image of Jesus. Let’s embrace The Change! Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in our heart! Let’s put off the old man and put on the new! And let’s not get discouraged when it gets difficult – it WILL happen:

Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)

So let’s be eager and willing to hear the Holy Spirit guide us into The Change, changing us into the image of Jesus!

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Let This Mind be in You...

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5)

I got to thinking about this verse as I was reading recently. I finally picked up my Christmas present from last year - a secular ‘success’ book that claims to divulge the secrets of a certain type of mind (no need for specifics at this time…). The book has some good points and ideas, but I got to wondering about whether or not that type of mind was really worth pursuing. Which is when the above verse came to me, and got me to wondering exactly what “this mind” is, “which was also in Christ Jesus”. So, as we’ve discussed before, when we look at a verse in the Bible, we really need to look at the whole context. Let’s read:

¹ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
² Fulfill my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.
⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:1-8)

So, what mind does Paul want for us to have, to be likeminded with Christ? Verse 2 tells us to have the same love as Christ, being in unity with Him and His Spirit. Verse 3 tells us to do everything in lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than ourselves. Please note: we are NOT to be in competition with other Christians. Verse 4: look not to our own things (or interests or needs), but to the things of others. It sounds to me like we need to start by getting self out of the way and focus on others first.

And then take a look – Verses 6 & 7 point out something really amazing – in spite of the fact that Jesus was equal with God, he set that aside and became a servant. Just like we saw in the earlier verses, we set aside anything that would puff us up or put ourselves above others, and we instead become their servants. And how far do we carry this? Verse 8 – unto death.

Wow! I know we know all of this about Jesus. But how often do we really consider that we need to have ”this mind”? How does this passage fit in with the Bible as a whole? Do we see any other verses to support this point? Let’s look:

⁶ Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
⁸ Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
⁹ But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
¹⁰ But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.
¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
¹⁴ But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
¹⁵ But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
¹⁶ For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16)

Verses 6-9 reinforce what we saw earlier – those who exalt themselves (the princes of this world) cannot see the wisdom of God. It is hidden from them. Verse 10-12 shows the contrast – those of us that have the Spirit of God see the wisdom of God, that we may know what God freely gives us. We need the mind of Christ to discern the things of God. We need the Spirit of God to discern spiritual things. As we humble ourselves and exalt Him, we receive what the Spirit has for us.

So, what did Jesus have to say on the topic? Let’s read:

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:34-38)

So, we see it again – self denial, take up the cross, and obey the Lord. The true, eternal profit comes from living for God, not for your self. Let’s face it, this is a hard saying, one that goes against our natural mind, but that’s why we call the things of God supernatural, isn’t it?

In conclusion, let’s look a passage from the book of Romans:

For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. (Romans 11:34-12:16)

I think this passage is a great summary of what we are discussing. We are all members of one body, and when we are obedient to God’s will for us we will be fulfilling our role in the body. One member is no better than any other member, when we are all doing our job. It is the ultimate team sport! So, let’s have this mind of Christ, esteeming others above ourselves, and be totally given to obedience to God. Then we will have true, lasting success!

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Excited, Expecting!

And seek not what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of these things. But rather seek the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:29-32)

As a father, I got to witness something special this week – my kids had earned some free gifts through our health insurance provider, so we ordered them Last Saturday. The website said to allow 5 to 7 days for shipping, so from that moment on, it was a constant “when is it going to get here, Dad?” from both of them. Each day they were excitedly watching for the mail to arrive, and each day they would be asking how many more days until 5 to 7 days was here. They were excited, expecting to receive what they had been promised!

So Thursday came, and the first gift arrived; a Lego set for my son. Immediately he opened it up, pulled out the instructions and began putting the set together. It has become his new favorite toy. And then my daughter starts to constantly ask when her gift will arrive, with a new repeat question: “did the doorbell just ring?” Finally on Saturday morning the doorbell rang and my daughter ran to the door. Her gift had arrived and again the box was opened and the gift enjoyed.

And do you know what the best part of all this was? I as their father got to witness the excitement and joy in them as they anxiously anticipated the arrival of the gift. It filled me with the same excitement! And that’s when it hit me – our father God feels that same joy and excitement when he sees us excited, expecting to receive His promised gifts!

You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

We were created for God’s pleasure! In my prior life (before I became a Christian), I used to think of God and religion as just a bunch of rules and regulations to restrict my fun. But I have come to learn that God really wants us to have fun, true fun and joy in Him. Not the way the world defines fun, but through our relationship and fellowship with the God that created us.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:7-11)

What is your attitude while waiting on God? Are you excited, expecting God to do good things for you? Or are you constantly worrying and trying to work things out in your own strength? I find myself from time to time forgetting that my heavenly Father wants to give us good things. All he wants is for us to ask.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

Is there something in your life that you are seeking? Is there something that your heart desires? Let me give an example of God’s heart. During the last half of 2007, I really wanted to find a way to take my family to Disney World. We had gone there two years before, and it had been a wonderful time for us as a family. I could have taken things into my own hands and borrowed the money for the trip, but I really didn’t want to go that route.

So, as I would be paying bills each Saturday morning I would have this repeat comment to God – “you know Lord, I would really like to take the kids back to Disney World, but I can’t see any way to make that happen.” This went on every week for about six months, not exactly a prayer, more of an expression of a desire. And then in February of 2008 we got the word – my wife had won the grand prize in a contest. And the grand prize was a trip for four to Orlando Florida! And I know God delighted in watching us as we excitedly prepared for and enjoyed that trip!

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:3-5)

God loves it when we seek Him. He loves it when we trust in Him. And God loves to show his pleasure by granting our prayers and desires. And God especially loves to deliver on His promises to us, watching the excitement as we anticipate and the joy as we receive.

Is there anyone you know in need of God’s transforming power? God has given us His promise:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

So, let’s be excited, expecting to see God reach the people we love with the Good News of what Jesus has done!

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That your Joy might be Full

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:9-11)

And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you, Whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23-24)

From these two excerpts comes today’s main point: Jesus’ desire for us is that we be FULL OF JOY. Maybe it’s just me, but have you ever noticed how few truly joyful people you come across in life? Finding people that whine and complain is pretty easy, but finding truly joyful people seems to take some effort.

Now, if Jesus’ desire is that we be full of joy, why do there seem to be so few around? Well, what do we see in the above verses? John 15 points out the need to keep His commandments, and to abide in His love. John 16 points out the need to ask the Father in Jesus’ name. Putting these together I conclude true joy is a result and reflection on our relationship with Jesus. Let’s look at another excerpt from the Bible:

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For you will not leave my soul in hell; neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:8-11)

So again, we see that joy results as we spend time close to God: in His presence is fullness of Joy. Actually, as we see in Galatians, joy is one component of the fruit of the Holy Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against these there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)

So, if we lack joy in our life, I believe it is time to check our spirit, or more accurately our relationship with the Holy Spirit. If a “fruit” is the mature state in the life of a tree or plant, a lack of it in our life indicates a level of immaturity on our part. Not that we should feel condemned by that, but we should seek to grow in that area. A lack of joy indicates we need to get closer to the joy giver!

Now, what about when we are facing difficult circumstances in our life? What does the Bible say about those situations? Let’s read:

Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9)

Wow! You mean that even when we need to be in heaviness due to trials and temptations we should be greatly rejoicing? Maybe this is just a stray verse, right? Wrong:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. (James 1:2-3)

Again, wow! First it was Peter, now James is telling us that we should count it all joy when we fall into different temptations, as it will build our faith. What about Jesus? Did joy affect his life during the hard times? Let’s read:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

In Jesus’ case, we see not only was joy a result of His obedience to the Father (remember what John 15 said about keeping His commandments?), but joy was the thing that motivated Him to endure the cross! Looking toward His future joy carried Him through the pain and suffering of the cross.

In our church, there is a woman who has been battling for her health for years (fighting against cancer). And yet, when we see her in the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services, she exhibits extreme joy as she worships and praises the Lord. As I see how she experiences and exhibits joy through her circumstances, I find myself feeling convicted over the relatively minor things that can set me off.

Now, don’t get me wrong – there is a place for weeping and mourning:

Sing unto the LORD, O you saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:4-5)

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6)

So, in spite of the trials, tribulations and circumstance, we can and should expect joy. By keeping ourselves in the presence of God, and in the power of His Holy Spirit, we can experience the fullness of joy. One last thought: joy is a fruit, but it is also a choice:

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

So, let’s choose to go forth in the fullness of joy this week, as we dwell in the presence of the Lord!

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When a Nation Worships Money

Looking at the state of the economy today, one can easily wonder: “what happened?” America was prosperous, the stock market was climbing, and people were filling their garages with new cars, their homes with new high definition televisions, and other new “toys” and luxuries. Then it seemed like overnight the bottom dropped out. How could this drastic change take place?

Most of life on this Earth follows simple laws of cause and effect – we reap what we sow. Did you ever wonder what happens when a nation worships money?

• People, seeking ways to accumulate large amounts of money quickly, start using the stock market like a slot machine, seeking to hit it big on the new hot stock. Instead of “investing” in the stock market, diversifying and seeking long term growth, they start buying and selling stocks based on every tip, whim, or news event that comes along.
• Companies, seeking to please the fickle “investors”, need to turn a quick profit and start buying from the lowest cost suppliers (i.e., from overseas) without concern for what the impact might be on their nation as a whole. As a result, their manufacturing jobs have been sent to fuel another nation’s economy, at the expense of their own.
• The short term profits please the “investors”, the stock prices begin to rise, and people are encouraged to borrow money at low interest rates because they are told that the stock market returns will more than make up for the rate of interest.
• Companies now need new ways to please the fickle “investors” and start sending their engineering and technology based jobs overseas, again fueling those nations’ economy instead of their own.
• More and more people start finding themselves either out of work or taking lower paying jobs than they had, and are forced to start spending less money, making the economy “nervous”.
• "Fortunately", the nation’s government can step in and “encourage” banks and other financial institutions to make it easier for people to borrow more money, through high interest credit cards and through borrowing more money on their homes than people can afford to pay back.
• Banks profit from this for a while, as people are paying them interest on the loans and credit cards. But eventually reality sets in, and people without enough income start reaching the point that they can’t pay off their debt. And then what happens?
• Lawyers start encouraging people that are buried in debt to declare bankruptcy – after all, they deserve a new start, they were only victims of the big bad credit card companies and banks. After all, bankruptcy laws have made it legal for people not to pay for the things that they have acquired (a.k.a. stealing).
• Debt relief companies start encouraging people that are buried in debt to hire them to re-negotiate a lower settlement for them, because they “know the rules that the credit card companies don’t want you to know”. After all, you can often negotiate a lower payment to a company if you threaten to declare bankruptcy (a.k.a. extortion).
• Banks are then left with either no money in return for their loan, less money in return for their loan, or having to foreclose on mortgages on homes that people are unable to pay for. The result is a banking industry in distress, and unable to extend more credit, the same credit that was artificially fueling this nation’s economy in the first place.
• With no new credit, people have no choice but to stop buying, so the housing market is flooded with mortgaged homes that people can’t or won’t buy. The automobile market has more inventory than buyers, so their suppliers suddenly have no demand for their supplies. And all other industries take a hit, as people are forced to stop spending money.
• Companies that were able to use the tool of short term cost cutting to produce the profit that the fickle “investors” were seeking are now hit with a double whammy – they hit the limit of what costs they can cut, AND they no longer have buyers for their goods and services.
• And the stock market that was riding high during the boom artificially and temporarily fueled by the exporting of jobs and the infusion of borrowed money is going to have to take a nose dive as borrowed money can no longer support it.

Have I over simplified all of this? Probably. Do I have the benefit of 20/20 hindsight on this? Definitely. But I believe that it is easy to see that as this nation worships money, this nation will continue reap economic troubles. When people worship money, they seek instant self gratification, no matter what the impact on their neighbors is. When a nation worships money, you have a nation out of control. Every man does what seems right in his own eyes.

What is the alternative?

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance. (Psalms 33:12)

When a nation worships God, the people are more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing themselves. When a nation obeys God, they esteem others better than themselves:

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

When a nation worships God, they will not ONLY look to their own things, but ALSO on the things of others. Let me clarify that last verse, just in case someone is tempted to misinterpret it: It is saying that you look out for other people’s welfare, NOT look on their things in order to acquire them.

There was a reason that the United States had “In God We Trust” printed on the money. It was meant as a reminder that God was to be trusted as our provider, not our money. Obviously, this nation has lost sight of that and is now reaping the consequences.

There is an answer for this nation, and that answer isn’t going to come from Congress. That answer isn’t going to come from the Supreme Court. And that answer isn’t going to come from the White House. The answer to this and every other situation that human beings will ever find themselves in has to come from the original source: the God who created us humans and this world in the first place.

Step 1: We must think differently than the world thinks:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3)

When the world has a plan that is separate from God, it is doomed to fail. We have to resist the temptation to go with the flow, no matter how good and logical it may sound. For example, we shouldn’t be striving to acquire things, since God has promised to supply our things, if we are seeking first His kingdom:

And seek not what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of these things. But rather seek the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Luke 12:29-31)

Step 2: We (i.e., Christians) must turn from OUR wicked ways:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Christians: we need to set the example. We need to turn from our wicked ways. If we are truly living differently and living by God’s leading, then He will heal our land.

The LORD shall establish you a holy people unto himself, as he has sworn unto you, if you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in his ways. And all people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of you. And the LORD shall make you plentiful in goods, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give you. The LORD shall open unto you his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto your land in his season, and to bless all the work of your hand: and you shall lend unto many nations, and you shall not borrow. And the LORD shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if that you hearken unto the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do them: (Deuteronomy 28:9-13)

Step 3: We need to be givers, not consumers:

Where does true prosperity come from? Why does God want us to prosper?

But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains for ever. Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (2 Corinthians 9:6-10)

God prospers us so that we can bless others – He wants us to be sowing seed (i.e., giving to grow the kingdom of God), not consuming seed. Why does God give us work to do?

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs. (Ephesians 4:28)

Prosperity isn’t about acquiring all of the latest gizmos and gadgets. It isn’t about having all of the luxuries that your heart desires. We need to recognize that the things of this world are temporary, and not worth losing our soul over – as Jesus asked:

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark
8:36-37)

What did He tell us to do?

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Jesus said it, and that settles it!

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