How's Your Faith?

CHOOSE TO EVALUATE YOUR FAITH (John 5:41-47)
We can quickly rate our faith with this brief test at the end of John 5. These 7 priorities determine how strong our faith really is. Take some time and think about each of the seven.


1--GLORY (v41) Who's glory (affirmation/approval) do you seek?

2--LOVE (v42) Who & How big do you love? (1 Cor. 13)

3--RECEIVE (v43) Who do you receive/accept? (Jesus? ...the least of these?)

4--BELIEVE (v44) Who/what do you believe (trust)?

5--HOPE (v45) Who/what do you hope in?

6--He WROTE (v46) Who do you read about? (Jesus? Bible?)

7--My WORDS (v47) Who do you hear/listen to? (Jesus?)

Faith grows from the bottom up: Get ready to Hear the voice of Jesus-->Read what the Bible says about Jesus-->You will begin to put your hope in Jesus-->Hope turns into trust-->Trust allows you to receive any and all that God sends-->Once you're receiving, your on your way to loving-->God affirms and approves loving sacrifice.

CHOICES: Who Do You Choose to Listen To?

#1--Listen to more than just your own thoughts (Jn 5:31-32)

#2--Listen to well-known truth-tellers (Jn 5:33-35)

#3--Listen to those whose actions back up their words (Jn 5:36)

#4--Listen to those who resemble our Dad in heaven (Jn 5:37-38)

#5--Listen to those who speak with a biblical accent (Jn 5:39-40).

The Storehouse Principle

The primary text for "The Storehouse Principle" is found in Deuteronomy 28:8, "The Lord will command the blessing upon you in your storehouses and in all that you put your hand to..." Only two other times in the Bible does God "command" a blessing. In this case, the blessing is commanded upon our storehouses. So what exactly is a storehouse?

King David created one in order to gather supplies for the building of the temple (1 Chronicles 27:25). Nehemiah had storehouses for the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 7:70-72; 13:12-13). Hezekiah had storehouses (2 Chronicles 31:6-10; 32:27-30). Of course, Joseph was made famous for his storehouses (Genesis 41). A storehouse is simply a place of savings--a place where you put your surplus. It's like a savings account.

Here's a couple of things that we need to grasp in order to have a complete biblical understanding of finances. First of all, God has already provided more than we need. He is the God of more than enough! He has never done anything without providing more than enough. There are numerous examples throughout scripture. When the Israelites were picking up manna in the desert--there was always more than enough. When Jesus fed the 5000--everyone ate until they were full and then 12 baskets of leftovers were collected. God is not limited in His resources. The second thing to understand about our finances is that we tend to either hoard or spend if we believe that resources are limited. People, however, with an abundance mentality are able to wait and save. You and I will be able to set up a storehouse only if we come to believe that there are plenty of resources. A third thing to understand about your finances is that God blesses us so that we can bless others. He doesn't give to you so that you can just selfishly use His blessings just for your own purposes. We are stewards (managers) of all that God sends our way. God owns everything and He allows us to simply manage a portion of His resources.

How do you begin a storehouse? A storehouse begins with anything that we set aside to save. If you find a penny--pick it up and put it in your storehouse. If you get a extra money--out it in the storehouse. You can have a garage sale. You can sell stuff that you no longer need on Craig's List or something like it. You can dedicate a percentage or an amount of each paycheck to go into your storehouse. When you get enough money collected you might want to take it to the bank and open a "Storehouse Account". Don't worry about starting small--just start! Then once you've begun, ask God to "command a blessing" upon your storehouse (Deut. 28:8).

When can you spend your storehouse? Only when God says that you can. Consider it His money. Never use it unless you are absolutely sure that God has asked you to.

Here are some New Testament passages that might provide a bit more insight: Luke 16:10-13; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 19. You might want to look these up and read them and ask the Spirit to give you some application in regards to starting a storehouse.

Now, go and get started!

The Word on Work...

"Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and woking with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others" (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Why do we work?

We work to EAT (2 Thessalonians 3:7-13). A big part of having a job is earning the resources needed to live. We should each do everything that we can to earn the necessary resources to live without unnneccessarily depending on others. The time may come when we all need help from our brothers and sisters and we shouldn't be ashamed to ask for it. The first step, however is making sure that we are doing all that we can under God's providence to provide for ourselves.

We work to GIVE (Ephesians 4:28). God blesses us so that we can bless others. When we understand that the resources that we receive belong to God and that He is merely resourcing us to do his work then we are free to give generously. Our perspective changes when we see our job as a way to finance ministry rather than a way to enrich ourselves.

We work to WORSHIP (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-23). Our work is worship when we do our work as unto Christ. In every moment of every task, we can do our work's activity as worship of God. This may be especially true when our work is difficult or without reward. Do it for Christ. We never look more like Christ than when we are lovingly taking up our cross--those difficult tasks that force us to deny self.

How to Hear from God

"And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent" (1 Samuel 3:1).

I grew up with a God who was silent--at least that's the way that I learned it. I was told that it was very important that I do the "will of God" and yet I never learned how to discern God's seemingly mysterious will. The stories from Scripture are of a very personal God who speaks, who listens, and who relates to us in a way that can be understood. That's not the God that I grew up with. My God was silent. Ironically, the Bible makes sport of silent Gods--idols who need a creator, who need to be propped up so that they don't fall down, idols who have the image of a mouth, eyes, and ears but yet can neither speak, see, or hear.

And then I met Henry Blackaby--at least I met his writings. Dr. Blackaby's masterpiece, "Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God" is a must-read for anyone who wants to discover and accomplish the will of God. I first worked through the EG workbook when I was preparing to teach it to my youth group in Monterey, Tennessee. It was absolutely life-changing! In "Experiencing God", Henry Blackaby insists that our God still speaks and that he has always been speaking--it's just that we have forgotten how to listen. I won't outline the course of the book in this post but I will highly recommend that you get a copy and study it for yourself.

1 Samuel 3 details an interesting occurence of God speaking to a young boy named Samuel. God was about to do something new. He was rejecting the priestly ministry of Eli and his sons who had become corrupt and he was placing the mantle of ministry upon Samuel. Allow me to walk through the text with you and make some application.

"Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli" (v1). This is always a good place for us to begin. Like Samuel, we can find a place to, "minister to the Lord". This wasn't a perfect place for Samuel. The scripture records that Samuel's son's were doing evil things. You can read about it in chapter two. And yet Samuel was ministering to the LOrd--not to Eli, not to his sons, but to the Lord! Have you ever left a church because of people that you didn't approve of? Have you ever moved on because of people who didn't meet your standard? Fortunately for Samuel (in spite of the shortcomings of Eli's sons), he stuck around. We don't belong to the church that we necessarily like--we belong to the church that God calls us to! And none of us has the right to "move on" unless God clearly tells us to move on.

"And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent" (v1). Not unlike our day, people had perhaps grown accustomed to a silent God--a God who does not speak. Certainly in the churches that I have served, "visions have been infrequent" and "word from the Lord" has been rare. Let's see what happens.

"It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well)" (v2). Eli could not see well. How many of our church leaders "cannot see well"? I have to confess that there have been times when my eyesight has grown dim. There have been stages of my life where I was just going through the motions of ministry--doing the things that I knew to do without ever seeing any fresh visions. Some of the most religious people that I know are spiritually blind--doing religious work for all of the wrong reasons. You can always tell because God's work will produce God's results. Man's work will produce man's results. There is an undeniable difference between the two.

"and the lamp of God had not yet gone out" (v3). There is hope! God's light has not yet been extinguished. No matter how dead the church may appear to be--the lamp of God is still lit.

"And Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was" (v3). Don't miss the fact that young Samuel chose to dwell as close to God's presence as humanly possible. He slept near the ark. If we want to hear from God--maybe we should move closer to God. Look for God's activity and get there as fast as you can.

The rest of chapter three describes how God literally spoke to Samuel. Three times He called for him. Samuel at first believed that it was Eli calling him. It's interesting that Samuel could not tell the difference between the voice of the Lord and the voice of Eli. It was Eli who discerned that the Lord was calling Samuel. It was Eli who taught Samuel how to hear and how to respond to the voice of the Lord. Perhaps God spoke in a voice that mimicked Eli's because he was teaching an important lesson. Even though Eli is about to be judged by God--the voice that Samuel hears God speak through sounds like Eli's to him. God can and does speak through any voice that he chooses. Eli was the imperfect priest of God--and yet he was the priest of God. God continued to use his voice. Let me say it more clearly--God speaks through anyone he chooses--including sinful, prideful, wandering, and rebellious priests. We must learn to hear the voice of God even when it comes in a simple clay jar.

"Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him" (v7). I love the fact that we don't have to reach some spiritual milestone in order to hear from God. Samuel did not even know the Lord. He was certainly a seeker and yet he was not one of the spiritually elite. He was just a boy.

Eli taught Samuel a simple phrase to use in response to the voice that he was hearing, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening" (v9). One of the main reasons why we might not hear from God is because we are not yet listening. I tend to get caught up in just living my life and I find myself on autopilot. I quit making decisions and thinking about my circumstances--I just go through the motions of living. We have to wake up and listen! The voice of God may come in a still small voice and if we are not listening--then we will miss it.

I've found four biblical qualifiers for hearing from God. Maybe these will help you in your quest to hear from God. Look up the passages that that accompany each qualifier and ask the Holy Spirit to make application for you.

#1--Belong to God (John 8:47).


#2--Believe in God (Matthew 13:58).


#3--Bring to God (Matthew 7:7-8).


#4--Obey God (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

Finally, let me give you a very practical resource that God gave to my wife, Tina several years ago. I'll give you a very brief outline. If you would like to know more than you can visit my wife's website and order the workbook that she has written. Her site is http://www.tinasamples.com/.

A great way to get off of autopilot and learn to listen to God in the details of life is through the acrostic "JOURNEY".

J-esus: Read a verse, a paragraph, or even a chapter from the Bible asking Jesus to speak to you through the words.

O-thers: Notice and listen to what others may be saying. Be present in each conversation as if God was present and speaking to you.

U-nusual events: There are no coincidences! Every event in your day may be the voice of God. Consider why things happen as they do.

R-esources: God blesses us with extra resources many times for a reason. Learn to ask God why He has given you resources? He may speak through them.

N-eeds: In the same way that God speaks through plenty--He also speaks through our lack. Consider why you have a need.

E-motions: The way you feel can be influenced by the Spirit of God. Allow Him to speak through your emotions.

Y-our response: This is the most important part. The voice of God always requires a response. What is He saying? What do you do about it?

I'll conclude by reminding you that the Bible is full of instances of God speaking to people. Let the Bible be your authority and your guide on this and all other issues. People have opinions--but God's word is truth. Read it--Believe it--Live it! Learning to hear from God for most of us is a process. Don't grow impatient and don't give up.

How to Laugh with God

The laughter of God is mentioned four times in the scriptures: Psalm 2:4; Psalm 37:13; Psalm 59:8; and Proverbs 1:26. In each instance, the laughter of God is prompted by the foolishness of man. In other words, God is greatly amused by our attempts to live our lives independently of his care and counsel. It's as if he asks while suppressing the overwhelming urge to laugh, "so how's that independence working out for you?" I'm not one to enjoy being laughed at and so Psalm 2 prompted me to ask the question, "How can I laugh WITH God?" I believe that the answer is included in the Psalm.

The first three verses describe the rage of the nations--the plotting conspiracy of the world's peoples to break free from the governance of God. It's futile, of course which is what prompts the laughter of God. "He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them" (Psalm 2:4). Literally, God makes fun of those who attempt to live without him--He ridicules them. "Them" is "me" every time that I choose "my way" over "God's way". So how do we "laugh with God"? I believe that Psalm 2 lists seven ways to laugh with God. It has everything to do with joining God in His work rather than fighting the purposes of God. Rather than insisting on our independence we need to rest under His Lordship.

Psalm 2 is a "messianic psalm"--being both descriptive and prophetic of Christ. As joint-heirs with Christ who will share in His inheritance it seems reasonable to make the personal application of verses 8-12. With that in mind, here is how to laugh with God:

#1--"Ask of me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession" (Psalm 2:8). I think God laughs with us when we pray for faith-expanding, miracle-requiring movements of God. We should ask for the nations. We should pray to possess the ends of the earth. This parallels the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20.

#2--"Now therefore, O kings, show discernment" (Psalm 2:10). If kings need wisdom--then we need wisdom. According to James, we should ask for wisdom that God loves to give generously.

#3--"Take warning, O judges of the earth" (Psalm 2:10). The really smart people (judges) need instruction. If that's the case--then I really need instruction. The real trick then is the obedience needed to do what I know to do (Romans 7). I laugh with God when I do what He declares to be best.

#4--"Worship the Lord with reverence" (Psalm 2:11). Literally: "serve the Lord with fear".

#5--"And rejoice with trembling" (Psalm 2:11). Be so excited and filled with joy that you tremble. I had a dog once who would tremble every time that we went to the park. He LOVED the park.

#6--"Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled" (Psalm 2:12). Literally, we are to "kiss" the Son. We are to draw intimately close to Him.

#7--"How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" (Psalm 2:12). The next time you are in trouble, be talked about, or are just plain stuck--run to Jesus!

The Christ of Destiny

Colossians 1:15-23


C-reator:  He is, "the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (v15-17).


H-ead of the Church:  "He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything" (v18).


R-econciler:  ". . . and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His flishly body through death" (v20-22).


I-mage of God:  "He is the image of the invisible God" (v15).


S-avior:  "He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach--if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister" (v22-23).


T-otally God:  "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him" (v19).

Praying Your Destiny...

Colossians 1:9-14

 

We each have a God-given destiny. It's not unlike rafting down a river filled with sections of violent white-water rapids. It's futile to try to paddle upstream. It's foolish to get out of the raft. However, even if we do jump out (or fall out) we will still be carried downstream by the rush of the water. There is a river of God's grace that is carrying each of us towards our destiny. The question is, how do we know where we are going?. The answer is prayer.

 

Paul reminds the Colossians in 1:9 that he is praying for them to, "be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding". He wants them to know and understand the will of God--the very will (God's purpose, design, pleasure) that is being accomplished in their lives. Following Paul's example, we should be praying for each other to, "be filled with the knowledge of His will".

 

Paul expects that his prayer will have at least seven results. They are listed for us in verses 10-12.

 

• #1--"so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord". This means that we look like Jesus and that we act like Jesus.
• #2--"to please Him in all respects". God is pleased when we stay in the boat in the middle of the river of our destiny.
• #3--"bearing fruit in every good work". I love the fact that the promise of prayer is that we will "bear fruit in every good work". What about the bad works? They are buried in the bottom of the sea--they will not bear fruit! Hallelujah!
• #4--"increasing in the knowledge of God". The more we follow God--the more we understand God and His ways.
• #5--"strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might". This is literally, "empowered with power from His power"! God empowers His people to do the work that Jesus did--and the work that He desire to continue to do through His church.
• #6--"attaining of all steadfastness and patience". Most of us will not reach our destination overnight--it's a process of waiting and enduring.
• #7--"joyously giving thanks to the Father". Pray with thanksgiving giving God thanks for all that you see Him doing each day.

 

Why does Paul expect these rather dramatic results to his prayer? That's easy!

 

God has, "QUALIFIED US to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light" (v12). If God has qualified us, then there is absolutely nothing that we can do to make it better. No one can qualify themselves. And, if God has qualified us then only God can disqualify us...and He doesn't do that!

 

God has, "RESCUED US from the domain of darkness" (v13). He has already rescued us! We are free!

 

God has, "TRANSFERRED US to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (v13-14). Amazing Grace!

I want to be in the Light...

I'm going through a lot of "new beginnings" in my life and so a little time in the Bible's "new beginning" seems appropriate.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). God is a creator. The fact that the Bible begins with a declaration of God's creative work is perhaps predictable in light of the fact of what God has done and what God has continued to do throughout the ages of time. He creates! He creates worlds. He creates life to fill those worlds. He creates emotions, thoughts, music, history, and best of all, He creates people. A very meaningful verse of scripture to me has always been 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away; behold, new things have come". God's creative work is even seen in His reconciliatory work of salvation on our behalf. All of us who are "in Christ" are new creatures (new creations that have never existed before). Perhaps it's not too much of a stretch to see spiritual creation symbolized in the Genesis narrative. Let's take a look.

"The earth was formless (confused) and void (empty) and darkness was over the surface of the deep . . . " (Genesis 1:2). Have you ever felt confused and empty? Have you ever felt like you were living in darkness--in the deep places (what we might call in over your head)? I'm sure that we've all been there but it is of course most pronounced when we are living without Christ in our life.

" . . . and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters" (Genesis 1:2). I love this part. In the midst of our darkness, the Spirit of God is moving over the surface of our lives. When all appears to be out of control--the truth is that God is still in control. His Spirit is moving. I have just come through a very difficult stage in my life...but the Spirit was moving across the darkness. You may be in depression...but the Spirit of God is moving. You may not have a job...but the Spirit is moving. You may be recovering from a marital breakup...but the Spirit is moving.

"Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day" (Genesis 1:3-5). Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life" (John 8:12). John's gospel begins with a declaration that Jesus was in the beginning with God at creation. Jesus is God and Jesus is, "the Light of men" (John 1:4). 1 John 1:5 continues the thought, "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Jesus is the light that delivers us from our darkness. He separates us from the darkness and declares us good (righteous). It's interesting that on the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was given to the infant church, a manifestation of fire over the heads of the believers could be seen. Fire, of course, produces light. May the light of the Gospel of grace hover over our heads as we penetrate the dark lostness all around us. I, for one, want to be in the light!

A Spiritual Stimulus Plan - Part 3 - "Devotion"

God has given us a "Spiritual Stimulus Plan" in order to allow us to move forward in our life fully empowered by the Holy Spirit. If you're at a place in your life where you are wondering what you need to do--take a look at the "Spiritual Stimulus Plan" that is detailed in Acts 16.

Part 1 - "Submission" - Click here.

Part 2 - "Direction" - Click here.

The third way that God motivates us is through our devotional habits. Acts 16:11-15 reveals a day in the life of Paul that included a devotional habit resulting in the advancement of the Gospel.

"And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled" (v13).

Paul's habit was to worship on the Sabbath. He did it when it was convenient and could be practiced in a synagogue and he did it when it was inconvenient and had to be held on a riverbank. His habit was to worship God on the Sabbath no matter where he was or even whether there was anyone around to join him. Paul was a worshiper of the Most High God no matter what. Now notice the result...

"A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of pruple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul" (v14).

It was no accident that Paul found himself worshiping on the riverbank on that particular Saturday morning. Remember that he had experienced a "Macedonian Call" in the form of a vision (Acts 16:910) and now as he went through his devotional habit he saw the fulfillment of his vision. The Lord has opened the heart of the first European convert to Christianity. It should be noted here that there are a lot of firsts in the scriptures that include women and this is one more instance. The first European Christian is a women.

"And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.' And she prevailed upon us" (v15).

Lydia's devotion to her new Lord is evidenced by her willingness to be baptized immediately along with her household. It is further evidenced by her desire to host Paul and his companions in her own home. Notice that God provides for Paul through the gracious blessing of the fruit of his ministry. Paul's devotion to God leads to Lydia's salvation and Lydia's devotion to God leads to Paul's provision. God uses our devotion as key way to motivate into His will.

How have you seen God at work through your habits of devotion? Is there a devotional habit that is missing from your life that is perhaps hindering you from experiencing the fullness of God's guidance?

A Spiritual Stimulus Plan - Part 2 - "Direction"

A stimulus is supposed to energize something that has stopped moving. Economies may need them, industries may need them, and human beings may need them. Spiritually, we tend to coast from one encounter with God to the next never realizing that God has equipped us through the Holy Spirit with the ability to continually gain momentum without ever pausing to coast.

To review, you may want to go back and read the first part of the "Spiritual Stimulus Plan". You can read it here.

Part 2 of the Spiritual Stimulus begins in Acts 16:6-7, "

They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go ino Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them".

It is startling to realize that Paul and Silas are "forbidden by the Holy Spirit" to preach the word in Asia. They are stopped by God from doing what appears to be a very good thing. Is it ever wrong to do something good? Evidently! I wonder if we are ever working against the Holy Spirit by insisting on moving forward with our own good ideas and good intentions. Perhaps we fail in our good works because the Spirit of Jesus is not permitting us to succeed. You see, God does not want us to be good--he wants us to be obedient. He is not asking us for our opinions or for our ideas--He just wants us to follow Him. One of the greatest spiritual motivators, I suppose, that we can ever receive is God-given direction. We don't have to figure it out ourselves--just look to God for direction. And in fact, to come up with our own plan, is to risk the opposition of God.

So how to we find out what God wants us to do? We simply do what Jesus did. In John 5:19-24, Jesus lays out how he knows what to do. Check it out for yourself but the bottom line is that Jesus looks to see what the Father is doing and then simply does that. In our Acts 16 text, we see that Paul gets direction in the form of a vision (16:8-10). Henry Blackaby says that God speaks primarily through: prayer, the church, circumstances, and the Scriptures. Simply note what you hear from these four sources and then put the information together. Of course, it is easier said than done. My wife writes a blog detailing The JOURNEY that provides stories of how God provides direction. You can visit Tina's blog at www.tinasamples.blogspot.com.

We need direction in order to know which way to go. If your struggling today and wondering what you should be doing, let me suggest that you get alone and that you get quiet. Listen more than you speak. God is most likely telling you everything that you need to know through the voices that are around you. What are they saying? Are you listening? Jesus said in John 8:47 that those who belong to God hear what God is saying. Listen...

Living Beyond the Rules...

I just finished a five-part series on "Grace" taken from Acts 15. I thought I would go ahead and post the final message even though you have not had the benefit of the first five. The series was entitled, "Living Beyond the Rules". The title comes from Matthew 12:1-14 where Jesus' disciples broke the rules by harvesting grain on the Sabbath. Jesus then went one step farther by healing a lame man on the Sabbath. The message is clear: people matter! Rules are secondary.

Acts 15:36-41 describes a disagreement that arose between Barnabas and Paul over whether or not John Mark should join them on a second missionary journey. It seems that John Mark had abandoned the party and returned home prematurely perhaps leaving the group short-handed. Paul was not quite willing to let it go while Barnabas was enthusiastic about giving John Mark another opporunity. The result was division--Barnabas and Mark headed out on their own while Paul recruited Silas to join him.

The scripture gives us a pretty good look into John Mark's life:

• Acts 12:12 - Peter is miraculously released from prison and goes to John Mark's home where a prayer meeting is in session.
• Acts 12:25 - Paul & Barnabas bring John Mark with them when they return fom delivering an offering to the Jerusalem church.
• Acts 13:5 - John Mark joins Paul & Barnabas on their first missionary journey.
• Acts 13:13 - John Mark abandons the group in Paphos and returns home.
• Colossians 4:10 - John Mark is actually Barnabas' cousin.
• 1 Peter 5:3 - John Mark is one of Peter's disciples.

Paul eventually shows grace to John Mark when he asks for him to join him in prison (1 Timothy 4:11). Philemon 24 reveals that John Mark is with Paul. Of course, Mark becomes one of the gospel writers with a New Testament book bearing his name.

So here's the question: "Do you ever give up on people? Do you ever throw people away?"

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 declares that God has given us a "ministry of reconciliation". We are not to hold the sins of people against them but rather like Christ we are to be ambassadors in bringing the world back to God. Note these verses and meditate on them in terms of how you should respond to those that you may feel like giving up on.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away; behold new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us te ministry of reoncciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has commmitted to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us, we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

For maximum impact, go back and read through the passage again changing the personal pronouns to real names. For example, "Therefore if 'John Mark' is in Christ, 'John Mark' is a new creature..." Use the text as a prayer for the salvation of those that you have been tempted to give up on. Tomorrow I will post an amazing video that I used on Sunday to illustrate this concept of exercising grace.

The Power of Falling Down...

This is the second in a series of posts entitled, "How to Release the Power of God". The main point? The Power of God is released either negatively in our prideful arrogance or positively in our broken humility. Acts 12:18-23 reveals a compelling story of a man head over heals in love with himself. King Herod embodies all that we would consider arrogant. He gives a great speech that the people of Tyre and Sidon consider, along with his appearance, to be god-like. The Jewish/Roman historian Josephus records that, "He wore an impressive robe of silver which glittered in the sun as he entered the theater at daybreak". He goes on to say, "The people flattered him by saying, 'May you be propitious to us, and if we have hitherto feared you as a man, yet henceforth we agree that you are more than mortal in your being'". Herod not only heard the praise--but he believed it! Josephus says, "The king did not rebuke them nor did he reject their flattery as impious". The result according the text is that, "he was immediately struck by an angel of the Lord. He was eaten by worms and died" (Acts 12:23). Josephus times his death as no more than five days later. King Herod definitely released the power of God! The story begs this application: "Do you want God to AFFIRM you? Or do you want God to WORM you?

Scripture is rich with this principle: God blesses the humble and He resists the proud.

Here's a few scriptures from the many:

• "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2).
• "A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor" (Proverbs 29:23).
• "He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers form their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble" (Luke 1:51-52).
• "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11, 18:14).
• "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble...Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you" (James 4:6).
• "...Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time..." (1 Peter 5:5-7).
• Let me encourage you give up and fall down so that God might be able to pick you up. Quit trying to fix everything and let God be God. The power of God is released through your brokenness.

So...if you want to be exalted by God....humble yourself! If you go far...go low! If you want to release the power of God into your life as a positive force....stay under his mighty hand!

The Difference Between True Spirituality and Religion...

I shared a message last Sunday from Acts 4:1-12 comparing and contrasting established religion with the true spirituality of Peter and John. These two disciples of Christ came into conflict with the weight of organized religion in their day. Notice the differences and evaluate your own religious experiences in light of the text. I have concluded that my particular denomination--The Southern Baptist Convention--looks a lot more like the religious leaders than it does Peter and John. I would give my church a much better evaluation though there have been times that we have fallen into simply maintaining religion.



Five Marks of Established Religion:

1. Reliance on Human Power (v1) - The religious leaders utilyzed a military guard with which to maintain their religious dominance. Dissent is easily suppressed when you have military might at your disposal.


2. The Need to Control (v2) - The leaders were angry that Peter and John were teaching the people. They weren't authorized. They didn't have permission. They hadn't been to the right schools.


3. Insistance on Doctrinal Compliance (v2) - Peter and John were proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus Christ which contradicted the dearly held view of the Sadducees that there was no resurrection of the dead for anybody--especially Jesus.


4. Ineffective Opposition (v3-4) - Peter and John are jailed (and silenced). The result is that thousands who have already heard the message are converted.


5. Positional Authority (v5-6) - A "who's who" of religious and political leaders are assembled to determine the fate of Peter and John. Those with the authority, of course, must be right (smell the sarcasm). Peter and John are outnumbered and outclassed in almost every way.

Five Marks of True Spirituality:

1. Reliance on Holy Spirit Power (v7-8) - What does an uneducated fisherman have that can silence the powerful elites? The Holy Spirit is enough!


2. Miraculous Life-change (v9) - It's hard to argue when the recently healed are standing nearby. Peter and John may not have been to the right schools--but they have a stronger argument--miracles!


3. Resurrection Power (v10) - Doctrinal conformity leads to legalism and death. Jesus rose again--what else matters?


4. Biblical Confirmation (v11) - God was revealing His plans daily to the disciples through the inspired Scriptures. Nothing gives you more confidence than to know that God is working through you.


5. Kingdom Authority (v12) - Jesus saves--not Caiaphas, not Annas, not the priests, not Peter, not John, not the Baptists, etc.

The Joy of Life Change...

Philippians 1:27-30

"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ . . ." (v27). Christians are to live their lives in a way that affirms Christ's gospel--in a way that makes it valuable. Since the centerpiece of the gospel is gracious life-change, the best way in which we can demonstrate it's worth is by allowing Christ to completely change our lives.

"standing firm" (v27). We are to stand our ground! We must put on the spiritual armor that God has provided for our protection. Take a look at Ephesians 6:10-18.

"one spirit" (v27). There is only one Holy Spirit who indwells all Christ-followers. There is an amazing unity that can exist among believers when we are all following and listening to the unified Spirit of God.

"one mind" (v27). The gospel is evidenced when the church is able to come together with one will--one purpose! If each of us is submitted to the Holy Spirit's leadership, then we will be united in mind. The Holy Spirit is not divided and He is not dividing Christians. We are divided by our own rebellion to the promptings of the Holy Spirit of God.

"striving together for the faith of the gospel" (v27). "Faith" is confident belief in what remains unseen. The "faith of the gospel" then is the confident belief that the gospel will be effective in the lives of those who receive it. The church comes to together to struggle for ongoing life-change in it's members.

"in no way alarmed by your opponents" (v28). Lives that are being transformed by the power of the gospel have nothing to fear. Christ's transforming power is evidenced by fear being replaced with love in the lives of those who know Christ.

"but also to suffer for His sake" (v29). We not only have been given the ability to believe but also the ability to suffer for the sake of Christ. The manner in which we may endure suffering gives evidence of Christ's transforming power. It's not culturally popular to speak of our need to suffer but it is biblical!

The Joy of Living...

Philippians 1:21-26

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (v21). How many times have we heard this verse quoted as a an admonition to couragiously embrace death? I've often quoted this mantra at funerals in an attempt to make death seem more appealing to those of us who fear it so often. Recently, when I was working through some dark and despairing days, this text came alive to me in a very unexpected way. An enlightening clue to Paul's meaning is hidden in his very next statement:

"but if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me;" (v22). My Greek study revealed an amazing possibility. "Fruitful labor" translated literally would read, "fruit of my labor". Perhaps instead of meaning that his life would continue to produce "good fruit", Paul is saying that his continued life would produce more of this kind of fruit, which is in fact, suffering! Is it possible that Paul is writing out of an emotion of deep despair and pain, and therefore death is very appealing to him? I believe that it is likely. It doesn't mean that Paul is suicidal but it does mean that the pressure of suffering is immense and the release of death is to be preferred.

" . . . and I do not know which to choose." (v22). Note that Paul is not convinced in his mind which course he will choose.

But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake" (v22-24). As Paul comes to grips with his decision, he declares that it would be in his best interest to go on and be with Christ. "Depart" is word picture that envisions untying a boat from the dock. It's not only "better" to go...it is not only "much better" to go...but it is "very much better" to go! And yet, Paul recognizes the necessity of living--not for his benefit but rather for the church.

"Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again" (v25-26). Paul chooses life for two reasons: for the progress of the church, and for the joy of the church!

It is true that for many of us we need to be willing to let go of the enticements of this life and to embrace death. But it is also true that for those who are suffering and dying inside--those who despair of living--there is a call to live! "To live is Christ (suffering) and to die is, of course, much better . . . however, I will choose to remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy".

The Joy of Preaching

Philippians 1:15-20

Paul discloses in this passage that not everyone who is preaching Christ is doing so from proper motives. However, the end result is the same...Christ is proclaimed! The passage reveals five improper motives that all who declare Christ must avoid and fifteen characteristics that should evident in preaching.

Improper Motives for Preaching Christ:

1. Envy - desiring what belongs to another.
2. Strife - creating division.
3. Selfish Ambition - literally, one who works for money.
4. Distress - applying pressure.
5. Pretense - wearing a mask, not genuine.

Positive Characteristics of Preaching Christ:

1. Good Will - positive motive expecting positive results.
2. Love - God's sacrificial "agape" love.
3. Appointed - destined.
4. Defense - apologetic, argument.
5. Pure Motives - unmixed, holy.
6. Truth - honesty, integrity.
7. Rejoicing - the outward display of joy.
8. Deliverance - salvation, progression.
9. Prayer - supplication, requests.
10. Holy Spirit Provision - supply of the Spirit, annointing.
11. Earnest Expectation - literally, "to turn your head and watch", looking for results.
12. Hope - optimistic belief.
13. No Shame - no embarassment.
14. Boldness - confident declaration.
15. Exaltation of Christ - only Christ is glorified--not the preacher.

Let me encourage you to examine your motives in preaching. May any hint of improper motive be removed and may we be counted among those who have taken on the image of Christ through time spent alone with our Savior.

Joy in the Journey

Philippians 1:12-14

Paul has focused on the relational aspect of the church in the first eleven verses of his letter to the believers in Philippi. He now turns his attention to the proclamation of the Gospel.

"Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear."

He begins with an amazing statment, "My circumstances (i.e. imprisonment) have actually advanced the Gospel". This should help us to find hope in the midst of our own difficult circumstances. It is the purpose of God to expose more people to the Gospel story and He will take us through difficult places to see it occur. Perhaps, more often than not, the purpose of our pain is to give us a platform for sharing Christ.

Paul says that the Gospel has progressed in three clear ways:

1. Paul has become well-known throughout the Roman guard and everywhere else because of his imprisonment. His notoriety has become his vehicle for sharing Jesus. How can you use your own experiences of suffering to share Christ?
2. Paul insists that some have trusted in the Lord because of his imprisonment. He has not only been sharing Jesus--but people are responding. He has found a field to harvest in the midst of his prison. What about you? Are people attracted to Jesus by the way that you respond to difficulties? I don't think that there could be any greater purpose in your pain than to see someone's life transformed because of it.
3. Paul says that the other believers have become courageous and bold in sharing the gospel because of his example. What effect is your suffering having upon the church?

How to Have Joyful Relationships - Part II

Philippians 1:9-11

This passage builds on the first eight verses that provided an indication of what our relationships should be like in the church. You can read my notes from Philippians 1:1-8 here. I believe that verses 9-11 indicate a maturing progression that should be occurring within our "church" relationships.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God".

The Definitions:

• "love" = agape, sacrificial love
• "knowledge" = practical understanding of spiritual principles
• "discernment" = ability to make correct decisions
• "approve" = to affirm after having thoroughly tested
• "excellent" = worthwhile, vital, different
• "sincere" = pure, unmixed, genuine
• "blameless" = not stumbling nor causing to stumble
• "righteousness" = fairness, justice
• "glory and praise of God" - the ultimate purpose of man

The Progression:

1. We must be spending intimate time alone with God receiving His undeserved love and affection so that we will, "abound more and more" in sacrificial love. Only when we are saturated in the love of God can we progress in our relationships beyond selfish and superficial connections. If you doubt the importance of love--simply read the Gospels.
2. We will understand how to apply spiritual principles into our lives and the lives of others only when we love sacrificially. Otherwise, we are working from our wounded and selfish inclinations and are prone to make great mistakes. Knowledge without love quickly becomes cold legalism.
3. Notice that Paul doesn't say that when we lovingly speak knowledge into someone's life that we will be able to confront their failures. No, he says instead that we will be able to, "approve the things that are excellent". The result of Godly knowledge and discernment mixed with agape love is an incredibly positive approach to pointing out what is right in people's lives--not what is wrong!
4. The process of speaking positively into someone's life progresses to our own sincerity (purity, perfection) and blamelessness (lack of stumbling). We become better people and look more like Christ when we lovingly encourage.
5. The result of this sincere love is righteousness, justice, fairness. We seem to truly want the very best for those around us when we we're focusing on what they are doing right--and not so much on their faults.
6. The final progression is the ultimate goal of man--to praise and glorify God. God is glorified when we are lifting each other up rather than dragging each other down.

It is from this platform of harmonious and loving relationships that the Gospel is most effectively proclaimed!

How to Have Joyful Relationships...

Philippians 1:1-9

Our churches should be filled with SLAVES, SAINTS, and SERVANTS (v1)

Paul and Timothy are bond-servants (slaves) who do not have any rights except those that are given to them by their master (Jesus). The letter is written to the saints (holy ones) at Philippi. Note that their "saintliness" is because of Christ and not because of their own self-righteousness. Included in their number are some overseers (bishops/pastors) and some deacons (servants). These officers are listed
after the saints because they are the servants of the saints. There is no room here for prestige or position--just humble service!

Our churches should be marked by GRACE and PEACE (v2).

Grace is simply "unmerited favor"--getting more than we deserve. Peace is "the absence of conflict". Those that God would bring into the church should be treated to grace and peace--not legalistic rules and conflict! The world will flock to our churches for grace and peace! They don't seem to be too interested in our fights!

Our relationships in the church should be marked by . . .

• Pleasure with God (v3). Can you thank God for everyone in your church?
• Prayer (v4). Do you pray joyfully for all of the members of your church?
• Participation (koinonia) in the Gospel (v5). Are you "sharing in" the gospel as well as "sharing" the gospel?
• Positive Affirmation (v6). Are you reminding the members of your church that God is still perfecting them?--He hasn't given up!
• Partaking of Grace (v7). Are you filling your plate and the plates of others at God's buffet of grace?
• Passion (v8). Are you passionate for the members of your church? The word for "affection" in verse 8 is the strongest possible Greek word to convey compassion!

Our relationships in the church should be abounding in LOVE! (v9).

Paul uses the word "agape" here and indicates that the seed of healthy, nurturing relationships in the church is agape (sacrificial God-like) love. One can only distribute agape love by receiving regular doses of the same from the giver of love--God Himself! We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:7-8). Are you spending intimate time with God each day?