1 Samuel 16:7 "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Labels vs. Heart
So if someone claims to be a Christian but is filled with anger and rage, has no confidence, doesnt love people, doesn't go to church, never reads the word, never prays, and does all other manners of "bad" things...would you believe they were a Christian? Or, if you know someone who spends all of their time serving and encouraging others, reads their bible all the time, talks about Jesus with every breath, and worships every chance they get, you probably wouldn't have to ask if they were a Christian, would you?
I wonder if we quit looking at how we label ourselves, and really begin looking at the state of our hearts combined with our actions and the fruit that's produced in our lives, if we would truly find that we live up to the labels that we graciously place ourselves under?
I can call myself "obedient" and say I want Gods will, but when God tells me to turn down an opportunity, is my heart submitted enough to do it? Just because I don't steal that doesn't make me "obedient" if I'm still gossiping all the time. I could walk around calling myself a "youth pastor," but if my heart isn't compassionate towards youth and I'm not serving them with my time and actions, am I a youth pastor? I can call myself "single" but if I'm emotionally attached to someone, spend all my free time with them, talk to them all day long via text or whatever, think about them all the time, and am planning a future with them in my heart, it doesn't really matter if it's not FBO (Facebook official), because the truth is that I'm not single in my heart. There are a million examples...
It hurts so badly to see Jr. High and High School students skirt around honoring their parents wishes that they don't date, justifying their actions with the label of "not dating." It hurts to see someone who is married flirting with an inappropriate relationship and justify away the conviction because of qualifiers they've placed on the situation. It hurts to see someone settle into what they might consider small sins because they've conquered what they think are the big ones. It hurts to realize that there are so many areas where we are capable of completely ignoring the Holy Spirit. It hurts to realize that I've been guilty of this in my own life in areas as well. How often do we truly listen to the Holy Spirit and how often do we justify away His guidance and correction?
In the same way that we reject negative labels, and strive to live above and beyond them, shouldn't we reject so-called positive ones and let our hearts and actions speak for us. My question is are we being honest with ourselves? Are we using labels to justify away the conviction of the holy spirit? Does the state of our heart, and the actions that follow, really live up to the labels we are placing on ourselves?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Obedience
"My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heartyou, God, will not despise.....Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous" Psalm 51:17, 19
"Be watchful and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 12: 28
"If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love." John 15: 10
On the heels of blogging about surrender, it seems only fitting that the next step would be a question of obedience and action. After examining all aspects of our lives....ministry, relationships, family, work, finances, desires, emotions...and asking God what might be hindering our walk with Him, what is keeping us from more growth, what is keeping us from true intimacy with Him...God is faithful to speak to us if we are truly submitted. I doubt seriously that any of us could ask those questions before God and not find ourselves faced with some action steps that have to be walked out in obedience to really move to the next level. I ask if we are truly willing to be obedient, at all costs? I know that in my own life, the prayer of surrender can be difficult, because my own will so often clouds things. But harder still is putting that surrender into action.
When we place our lives before God and he points out something or many things that need to change, that's when the sacrifice truly comes. When God asks you to budget your money and quit spending, to quit spreading yourself thin in ministry and focus where he needs you most, to cultivate discipline in your life, to break up with your significant other and embrace singleness so you can grow without distraction, to admit you were wrong and make amends with that person you hurt, to quit gossiping at work, to turn down that job opportunity...are we truly willing to walk that out in faith?
I hope that we are, because as much as it hurts to sacrifice the things we love, or even the things we need, with obedience comes blessing. It's when we let things go, when we are willing to embrace the pain of loss for the sake of our King, who has already sacrificed more than enough for us, that is when we truly are after the heart of God. That's when He becomes FIRST in our lives, that's when blessing, freedom, and favor can become rampant in our lives. I know that it's hard, I know that obedience sometimes hurts more than words can express, but I also know that it's worth it...and the reward is far greater than anything we could possibly be required to let go.
"My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heartyou, God, will not despise.....Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous" Psalm 51:17, 19
"Be watchful and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 12: 28
"If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love." John 15: 10
On the heels of blogging about surrender, it seems only fitting that the next step would be a question of obedience and action. After examining all aspects of our lives....ministry, relationships, family, work, finances, desires, emotions...and asking God what might be hindering our walk with Him, what is keeping us from more growth, what is keeping us from true intimacy with Him...God is faithful to speak to us if we are truly submitted. I doubt seriously that any of us could ask those questions before God and not find ourselves faced with some action steps that have to be walked out in obedience to really move to the next level. I ask if we are truly willing to be obedient, at all costs? I know that in my own life, the prayer of surrender can be difficult, because my own will so often clouds things. But harder still is putting that surrender into action.
When we place our lives before God and he points out something or many things that need to change, that's when the sacrifice truly comes. When God asks you to budget your money and quit spending, to quit spreading yourself thin in ministry and focus where he needs you most, to cultivate discipline in your life, to break up with your significant other and embrace singleness so you can grow without distraction, to admit you were wrong and make amends with that person you hurt, to quit gossiping at work, to turn down that job opportunity...are we truly willing to walk that out in faith?
I hope that we are, because as much as it hurts to sacrifice the things we love, or even the things we need, with obedience comes blessing. It's when we let things go, when we are willing to embrace the pain of loss for the sake of our King, who has already sacrificed more than enough for us, that is when we truly are after the heart of God. That's when He becomes FIRST in our lives, that's when blessing, freedom, and favor can become rampant in our lives. I know that it's hard, I know that obedience sometimes hurts more than words can express, but I also know that it's worth it...and the reward is far greater than anything we could possibly be required to let go.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Surrender
Romans 6:16 (AMP) "Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?"
For most of us, I believe our daily walk with Christ is a continual walk of surrender, or at least, that's what it's supposed to look like. Whether we realize this or not, and our willingness to surrender every area of our lives in obedience, is a large part of determining the amount of growth, opportunity and blessing that can be released into our lives. I know that if you asked me what I want out of life, I would say that I want to fall more in love with Jesus with every step I take towards His will ultimately being fulfilled in my life. And I'd guess that most people who have a relationship with Jesus would say something similar. The irony of all of this, is that despite my deep overwhelming desire to know Jesus more and to see His will come forth in my life, it still seems like a daily struggle to stay in a posture of surrender. As I have been pondering surrender I have come up with 3 different types or areas of surrender that I have been studying lately.
1) Surrender of the Bad - So, hopefully this one is obvious. Anything that doesn't line up with the word of God and where He has called you, needs to be be surrendered. Any sin that is in your life, even the ones we often overlook, like anger, jealousy, impatience, gossip, discontentment, and others are best laid at the foot of the cross, this type of surrender is DAILY....at least for me. But really, the definition of sin is basically "to miss the mark" (it's an archery term)...so anything that's in our lives that is a distraction or hindrance to our walk could be considered missing the mark...even if that thing, for all practical purposes, is a good thing...which brings us to number two...
2) Surrender of the Good - So often there are areas of our lives that we don't realize need to be surrendered, because for all intensive purposes, they are good, Godly things. Maybe you serve in 800 different areas of the women's ministry at your church, and maybe Gods calling for you is, in fact, women's ministry, but maybe God is calling you to 2 or 3 specific women that need counsel, encouragement, and wisdom, and sacrificing some of these areas of service would focus your ministry and bear more fruit. It's obviously not bad to be dedicated to a ministry, but if you are willing to surrender that to God, He may have a plan for your service that is better. Or maybe it's a relationship, maybe your significant other is a good godly person, but maybe they are unknowingly distracting you from things God is trying to teach you, or maybe you are distracting them. Maybe being in a relationship is keeping you from the place of singleness and dedication that God can use to heal you from the past and bring you to a true place of freedom. Maybe surrendering a good relationship, could prepare the way for Gods best relationship. Maybe it's surrendering some of your "me" time in exchange for quality time with your Husband or kids. Maybe that job offer you just received, is exactly the financial break you've been praying for, but have you given it to Jesus and asked with a neutral heart if it's the door you should walk through? There are tons of things small and large that may need to be sacrificed...It's a new perspective, I don't just have to surrender my will, I have to surrender my logic. Things that seem good and right aren't always Gods best, and things that seem so insignificant that we forget to take them before God, might be really important. So it's making a CHOICE to lay everything at the foot of the cross with a neutral heart, even the small things or the things that seem logical....remember the enemy often distracts us with things that seem good...to keep us from Gods best.
3) Surrender of the Best- Maybe you know Gods will for you, as far as your purpose and calling are concerned. Maybe you are in a place of waiting for God to open doors to lead you to His will. But has your desire for Gods best, your desire for Gods promise, begun to overshadow the source of that promise? Are you willing to lay down the promise for the PROMISER. When Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac, yes it was a picture of the cross and Gods sacrifice for us, but Abraham was also being asked to sacrifice his calling and the promise for his life, this promise could only be fulfilled through Isaac. He was called to sacrifice and surrender the promise, at the feet of the PROMISER. Even if our will for our lives is the same as Gods will for our lives, we are called to seek Him first. Has the promise become a distraction in your life. Are you willing to surrender opportunity, relationships, your calling, your ministry, your family, everything your heart desires... for HIM? Is the PROMISER enough, by Himself, without the promise?
I think in our lives, its at least obvious that we need to surrender the bad things, because the Holy Spirit is so faithful to point those things out. But the good things, the things that seem right based on human logic or convenience, our emotions often speak so loudly in favor of them that we forget to pray and seek Godly wisdom before we act, and then our emotions grow and lead, and the surrender, the ability to truly hear the voice of the Lord, becomes harder. And without surrender, without a neutral heart, can we really hear Gods voice? SURRENDER is daily, surrender of everything....
I guess what I've been asking myself lately is: What areas of my life aren't surrendered? Is there any part of my life that isn't laying at the feet of Jesus, either because of my will, pride, or even just because I thought that it was a non-issue or a "no brainer?" Is there any area of my life where my emotions may be clouding my decisions or the voice of the Lord? Is there ANYTHING that I desire more than the Lord, even my calling to serve Him? What consumes my thoughts, my day, my heart, other than Him? Tough questions, with tough decisions and actions to follow...that's for sure. A place of true surrender, sincerely seeking Gods heart, may be the hardest thing we ever do. The willingness to sacrifice, a great and humbling act of trust and faith before God...but also a place of astounding love, peace, and favor from the Father. What is God calling us to surrender today?
Currently Reading: Changed Into His Likeness by Watchman Nee
Romans 6:16 (AMP) "Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?"
For most of us, I believe our daily walk with Christ is a continual walk of surrender, or at least, that's what it's supposed to look like. Whether we realize this or not, and our willingness to surrender every area of our lives in obedience, is a large part of determining the amount of growth, opportunity and blessing that can be released into our lives. I know that if you asked me what I want out of life, I would say that I want to fall more in love with Jesus with every step I take towards His will ultimately being fulfilled in my life. And I'd guess that most people who have a relationship with Jesus would say something similar. The irony of all of this, is that despite my deep overwhelming desire to know Jesus more and to see His will come forth in my life, it still seems like a daily struggle to stay in a posture of surrender. As I have been pondering surrender I have come up with 3 different types or areas of surrender that I have been studying lately.
1) Surrender of the Bad - So, hopefully this one is obvious. Anything that doesn't line up with the word of God and where He has called you, needs to be be surrendered. Any sin that is in your life, even the ones we often overlook, like anger, jealousy, impatience, gossip, discontentment, and others are best laid at the foot of the cross, this type of surrender is DAILY....at least for me. But really, the definition of sin is basically "to miss the mark" (it's an archery term)...so anything that's in our lives that is a distraction or hindrance to our walk could be considered missing the mark...even if that thing, for all practical purposes, is a good thing...which brings us to number two...
2) Surrender of the Good - So often there are areas of our lives that we don't realize need to be surrendered, because for all intensive purposes, they are good, Godly things. Maybe you serve in 800 different areas of the women's ministry at your church, and maybe Gods calling for you is, in fact, women's ministry, but maybe God is calling you to 2 or 3 specific women that need counsel, encouragement, and wisdom, and sacrificing some of these areas of service would focus your ministry and bear more fruit. It's obviously not bad to be dedicated to a ministry, but if you are willing to surrender that to God, He may have a plan for your service that is better. Or maybe it's a relationship, maybe your significant other is a good godly person, but maybe they are unknowingly distracting you from things God is trying to teach you, or maybe you are distracting them. Maybe being in a relationship is keeping you from the place of singleness and dedication that God can use to heal you from the past and bring you to a true place of freedom. Maybe surrendering a good relationship, could prepare the way for Gods best relationship. Maybe it's surrendering some of your "me" time in exchange for quality time with your Husband or kids. Maybe that job offer you just received, is exactly the financial break you've been praying for, but have you given it to Jesus and asked with a neutral heart if it's the door you should walk through? There are tons of things small and large that may need to be sacrificed...It's a new perspective, I don't just have to surrender my will, I have to surrender my logic. Things that seem good and right aren't always Gods best, and things that seem so insignificant that we forget to take them before God, might be really important. So it's making a CHOICE to lay everything at the foot of the cross with a neutral heart, even the small things or the things that seem logical....remember the enemy often distracts us with things that seem good...to keep us from Gods best.
3) Surrender of the Best- Maybe you know Gods will for you, as far as your purpose and calling are concerned. Maybe you are in a place of waiting for God to open doors to lead you to His will. But has your desire for Gods best, your desire for Gods promise, begun to overshadow the source of that promise? Are you willing to lay down the promise for the PROMISER. When Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac, yes it was a picture of the cross and Gods sacrifice for us, but Abraham was also being asked to sacrifice his calling and the promise for his life, this promise could only be fulfilled through Isaac. He was called to sacrifice and surrender the promise, at the feet of the PROMISER. Even if our will for our lives is the same as Gods will for our lives, we are called to seek Him first. Has the promise become a distraction in your life. Are you willing to surrender opportunity, relationships, your calling, your ministry, your family, everything your heart desires... for HIM? Is the PROMISER enough, by Himself, without the promise?
I think in our lives, its at least obvious that we need to surrender the bad things, because the Holy Spirit is so faithful to point those things out. But the good things, the things that seem right based on human logic or convenience, our emotions often speak so loudly in favor of them that we forget to pray and seek Godly wisdom before we act, and then our emotions grow and lead, and the surrender, the ability to truly hear the voice of the Lord, becomes harder. And without surrender, without a neutral heart, can we really hear Gods voice? SURRENDER is daily, surrender of everything....
I guess what I've been asking myself lately is: What areas of my life aren't surrendered? Is there any part of my life that isn't laying at the feet of Jesus, either because of my will, pride, or even just because I thought that it was a non-issue or a "no brainer?" Is there any area of my life where my emotions may be clouding my decisions or the voice of the Lord? Is there ANYTHING that I desire more than the Lord, even my calling to serve Him? What consumes my thoughts, my day, my heart, other than Him? Tough questions, with tough decisions and actions to follow...that's for sure. A place of true surrender, sincerely seeking Gods heart, may be the hardest thing we ever do. The willingness to sacrifice, a great and humbling act of trust and faith before God...but also a place of astounding love, peace, and favor from the Father. What is God calling us to surrender today?
Currently Reading: Changed Into His Likeness by Watchman Nee
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Spiritual Shopping...er Shopping Spiritually...or something like that...
You have two different types of shoppers, in my opinion. The strategic shopper and the instant gratification shopper. Let's review the characteristics of each:
The strategic shopper is a careful observer of options and a hesitant decision maker. If the strategic shopper is in need of a green shirt, he or she will go to 800 different stores and try on every green shirt they can find, surveying price, fit, and shade of green, always hesitant to commit because there's always the possibility that at the next store they will find something better.
The impulse shopper goes into any store on any given day and may hit up the sale rack, finding a number of good deals, and walking out of the store with a blue skirt, purple heels, and a necklace. Which are all great buys and may or may not be needed or worn, but the impulse buyer is more likely to forget that the entire reason they went to the store was to get a green shirt, and now their budget has been spent. Alas, the green shirt will have to wait...
Most of us fall into both of these categories at different points in time, but I would say that we all tend to lean one way or the other as a general rule. I think the way we shop says a lot about the way we live our lives. Are we the strategist, that seeks and analyzes, surveying every situation before we act or commit, to the point of continual indecision? Or are we impulsive, looking at whatever is directly in front of us, and assuming that because it's there and seems too good to pass up that we should commit to it?
Both of these personality types are good and bad, having both strengths and weaknesses. To the strategist, I believe God spends most of his time trying to teach us to trust, to act, to not rely on logic and second guess everything, but to heed every opportunity. To the impulsive, God may be teaching us to wait, engage in prayer, ask for his guidance, to not be deceived by anything that's put in front of us.
There's got to be a fine line between the two. Because just as God knows our personality, because He created us, the enemy has studied our personality too, and is always searching for the areas of strategy and impulse in our lives so that he can lure us into a place that's either going to keep us from acting, or lure us headfirst into something that may look pretty but that we really don't need and may distract us or prevent us from attaining what we do need.
God has called us to grow and learn, and be fishers of men. And we obviously don't want to give the enemy too much credit. But the enemy is a fisher of men too. He is constantly shopping through the fishing lures at Academy Sports, thinking to himself "this white spinner lure would be perfect for val, this one will keep her involved in distractions, or maybe this jig lure will keep her second guessing herself so she doesn't do anything."
We all have areas of strategy and impulse in our lives, maybe we're strategic in finances and impulsive in relationships, or vice-versa. We only must keep in mind that we're going to be tested and tried in these areas, both by God who is trying to grow us and speak to us through them, and the enemy who's trying to use them against us. So next time you feel like you should go to 10 more stores stores searching for that green shirt, or you are distracted by the purple heels that you really don't need on your journey for the green shirt. Ask yourself where God is trying to call you to waiting or action, and where the enemy may be tempting you to do the opposite. Happy shopping!
The strategic shopper is a careful observer of options and a hesitant decision maker. If the strategic shopper is in need of a green shirt, he or she will go to 800 different stores and try on every green shirt they can find, surveying price, fit, and shade of green, always hesitant to commit because there's always the possibility that at the next store they will find something better.
The impulse shopper goes into any store on any given day and may hit up the sale rack, finding a number of good deals, and walking out of the store with a blue skirt, purple heels, and a necklace. Which are all great buys and may or may not be needed or worn, but the impulse buyer is more likely to forget that the entire reason they went to the store was to get a green shirt, and now their budget has been spent. Alas, the green shirt will have to wait...
Most of us fall into both of these categories at different points in time, but I would say that we all tend to lean one way or the other as a general rule. I think the way we shop says a lot about the way we live our lives. Are we the strategist, that seeks and analyzes, surveying every situation before we act or commit, to the point of continual indecision? Or are we impulsive, looking at whatever is directly in front of us, and assuming that because it's there and seems too good to pass up that we should commit to it?
Both of these personality types are good and bad, having both strengths and weaknesses. To the strategist, I believe God spends most of his time trying to teach us to trust, to act, to not rely on logic and second guess everything, but to heed every opportunity. To the impulsive, God may be teaching us to wait, engage in prayer, ask for his guidance, to not be deceived by anything that's put in front of us.
There's got to be a fine line between the two. Because just as God knows our personality, because He created us, the enemy has studied our personality too, and is always searching for the areas of strategy and impulse in our lives so that he can lure us into a place that's either going to keep us from acting, or lure us headfirst into something that may look pretty but that we really don't need and may distract us or prevent us from attaining what we do need.
God has called us to grow and learn, and be fishers of men. And we obviously don't want to give the enemy too much credit. But the enemy is a fisher of men too. He is constantly shopping through the fishing lures at Academy Sports, thinking to himself "this white spinner lure would be perfect for val, this one will keep her involved in distractions, or maybe this jig lure will keep her second guessing herself so she doesn't do anything."
We all have areas of strategy and impulse in our lives, maybe we're strategic in finances and impulsive in relationships, or vice-versa. We only must keep in mind that we're going to be tested and tried in these areas, both by God who is trying to grow us and speak to us through them, and the enemy who's trying to use them against us. So next time you feel like you should go to 10 more stores stores searching for that green shirt, or you are distracted by the purple heels that you really don't need on your journey for the green shirt. Ask yourself where God is trying to call you to waiting or action, and where the enemy may be tempting you to do the opposite. Happy shopping!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Ripple Effect
What we do in life echoes in eternity - Gladiator
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48
How often do we think about how much our actions really effect others? When we make decisions, or go about the course of our day, do we really take into consideration that everything we do can ultimately have a huge impact on those around us.
Everything in our lives is a product of the way we put our faith in action or our lack of action in the same area. Remaining submitted to God and His will, not only has a huge impact on our own well being but the well being of others.
Have you ever thought about the Pastor who falls, maybe he gets caught cheating, maybe he's caught in a lie, obviously the consequences are huge to him personally and spiritually. But have you ever stopped to think about the people he mentored, the people he lead to Christ, the marriages he ministered to, and all of the people inspired and challenged by this man?
Each one of us has the same responsibility, is called to the standard of a leader. We are all called to live our lives in a way that shares the love of Christ, that is pure and holy and upright. Because what we do, doesn't just effect us.
Everyone you encounter on a daily basis can be influenced positively or negatively based on the way you act out your faith. The person in the checkout line at Walmart that sees you wearing your churches t-shirt, will be influenced by your attitude and demeanor. Your best friend that's new to the faith will be influenced by how you execute yours and heed the Holy Spirit. The person that your dating that knows your a Christian but sees you fall into sin, or falls into sin with you. Your accountability partner that needs to be asked hard questions, and you don't. The person you dated and made promises that you didn't keep. The family that you've ministered to or lead to church that sees you making careless or emotional decisions. The people God wants you to minister to in the future, that need you to heed the holy spirit to find your way into their lives. The person you are supposed to marry, who will be your partner in ministry, who needs you to be walking in Gods will so you can meet. The person in your small group. The person you cut off in traffic. Your parents. Your co-workers. Everyone.
We tend to live our lives in such a selfish state that we convince ourselves that our setbacks, weaknesses, and sins only effect us. When in reality, and in the face of eternity, it's everyone else who really matters. We've been given grace, we've been redeemed, we've been given a plan for our lives. We've been given more than we could ever imagine or deserve already. And yet instead of surrendering to the will of God and walking in obedience, we so often choose our own paths and attitudes, based on our own limited knowledge or fickle emotions. It burdens my heart, because I am so guilty of it too.
It's like when you throw a rock into a lake, all of the water around it shifts outward. Every action we take, or refuse to take effects the people around us. But we've been given grace, freedom, power, and authority in Christ. And to whom much is given, much is required. We are called to a higher standard, we are called to walk in humility and put others first. We are called to prayerfully consider our actions, decisions, and emotions and submit them to God...because our heart, relationships, success, ministry, and purpose aren't the only things on the line, everyone else's are too.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48
How often do we think about how much our actions really effect others? When we make decisions, or go about the course of our day, do we really take into consideration that everything we do can ultimately have a huge impact on those around us.
Everything in our lives is a product of the way we put our faith in action or our lack of action in the same area. Remaining submitted to God and His will, not only has a huge impact on our own well being but the well being of others.
Have you ever thought about the Pastor who falls, maybe he gets caught cheating, maybe he's caught in a lie, obviously the consequences are huge to him personally and spiritually. But have you ever stopped to think about the people he mentored, the people he lead to Christ, the marriages he ministered to, and all of the people inspired and challenged by this man?
Each one of us has the same responsibility, is called to the standard of a leader. We are all called to live our lives in a way that shares the love of Christ, that is pure and holy and upright. Because what we do, doesn't just effect us.
Everyone you encounter on a daily basis can be influenced positively or negatively based on the way you act out your faith. The person in the checkout line at Walmart that sees you wearing your churches t-shirt, will be influenced by your attitude and demeanor. Your best friend that's new to the faith will be influenced by how you execute yours and heed the Holy Spirit. The person that your dating that knows your a Christian but sees you fall into sin, or falls into sin with you. Your accountability partner that needs to be asked hard questions, and you don't. The person you dated and made promises that you didn't keep. The family that you've ministered to or lead to church that sees you making careless or emotional decisions. The people God wants you to minister to in the future, that need you to heed the holy spirit to find your way into their lives. The person you are supposed to marry, who will be your partner in ministry, who needs you to be walking in Gods will so you can meet. The person in your small group. The person you cut off in traffic. Your parents. Your co-workers. Everyone.
We tend to live our lives in such a selfish state that we convince ourselves that our setbacks, weaknesses, and sins only effect us. When in reality, and in the face of eternity, it's everyone else who really matters. We've been given grace, we've been redeemed, we've been given a plan for our lives. We've been given more than we could ever imagine or deserve already. And yet instead of surrendering to the will of God and walking in obedience, we so often choose our own paths and attitudes, based on our own limited knowledge or fickle emotions. It burdens my heart, because I am so guilty of it too.
It's like when you throw a rock into a lake, all of the water around it shifts outward. Every action we take, or refuse to take effects the people around us. But we've been given grace, freedom, power, and authority in Christ. And to whom much is given, much is required. We are called to a higher standard, we are called to walk in humility and put others first. We are called to prayerfully consider our actions, decisions, and emotions and submit them to God...because our heart, relationships, success, ministry, and purpose aren't the only things on the line, everyone else's are too.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Pretty Words
"We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check." James 3:2
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every carless word they have spoken." Matthew 12:36
How carelessly we use words... Most people when discussing this topic tend to focus on the negative words we speak, how destructive and hurtful they can be to the person who hears and receives them, but have you ever considered that the "positive" words we speak, should be spoken with equal caution and care?
The best illustration I can find for this is dating relationships. Most everyone can look back at a past relationship and see how carelessly words can be spoken. Maybe someone told you that they would love you forever, or that you were "the one." Maybe you planned on what you would name your children or where you would go on your honeymoon. Maybe you were the one making promises, maybe it was the other person in the relationship, perhaps both. But as the relationship is in the past, we all know how that turned out- with broken promises and broken hearts to follow.
I know that in past relationships, whether recent or long gone, people tend to look back and say "He/she was such a liar" or maybe "I only thought I loved her/him." Often time we speak pretty words to others based on emotions or circumstances, and obviously all pretty words aren't bad. But there comes a point where we have to reach a level of maturity that recognizes the power in empty words.
I know that I can say that in relationships, I don't speak words carelessly. I have never told someone I loved them and not meant it. But I have made promises that I was unable to keep, either due to circumstance, selfishness or that persons inability to let me keep those promises. I have always valued words, because I want the words spoken to me to be true.
I have always considered love a very black and white thing. You love someone or you don't. To me, love is also a consistent and infinite thing. If you love someone, you will love them the rest of your life, or you never loved them. But what does love really look like?
If someone tells you they love you all the time, but never make any effort to get to know you or spend time with you, does that equal love? If they are never willing to put you first, or sacrifice for you, does that equal love? If they always talk and never listen, does that equal love? If they never call or text, does that equal love? If they never open up the depths of their heart to you, does that equal love? I don't think so. It's funny because there are different love languages, and actually a primary one of mine is "words of affirmation," however I'm learning that no matter how many words I speak it's actions that really count.
I wonder how many times we speak pretty words to God and have no action to back it up. Of course we want God to do what He said He would do in his word, but we can sing songs of our love and make promises to him that we may or may not put into action. How often have we told God we loved him, adored him, or worshiped him and then haphazardly walked out of that service feeling better, but not putting those words into action in our lifestyle? How often have we told God that we were surrendering everything to Him, and then resumed the worries and stress of our life immediately after? How often have we told God that we were committed to His purpose, and then ignored opportunities he presents us or continued to make decisions based on our own logic or will? How often have we promised God that we would never (fill in the blank here) again, only to walk away and commit the same sin again?
All of the things that have hurt us in past relationships and friendships, are things we do to God every day. We look at the people who hurt us with anger or contempt and call them a "liar" or if we were the one who did the hurting we justify our actions based on where we were at the time. But God ALWAYS receives us with love and forgiveness, no matter how many times we try to smooth things over with pretty words and prove ourselves unfaithful. God made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Gods word is ALWAYS TRUE.
I hope that as I'm learning this, that my words to God, won't be pretty, but true. That my words won't hold the weight of my worship to God, but that my actions will. I want God to know that I love him because my lifestyle shouts my love for Him from the rooftops. I want my love for God to be a pursuit. I want to love Him the way that I hope my future husband will love me. I want to love God in a selfless, sacrificing, public spectacle kind of way.
If we can ever get to the place where we realize that true love is action, that loving God means action, that loving others means action. That kind of love is beautiful and unimaginable and brings a harvest of joy. My prayer is that my words will be guarded. That God will help me forgive the people who's "pretty words" have hurt me. That the people who I've hurt in the same way will forgive me. That there will be healing and caution in the future. That if there are promises I still have the opportunity to keep, that God will show me how to back them up. And most importantly that my life would be my worship to God, not just my words.
Currently Reading: The Power of the Blood of Jesus by Andrew Murray
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every carless word they have spoken." Matthew 12:36
How carelessly we use words... Most people when discussing this topic tend to focus on the negative words we speak, how destructive and hurtful they can be to the person who hears and receives them, but have you ever considered that the "positive" words we speak, should be spoken with equal caution and care?
The best illustration I can find for this is dating relationships. Most everyone can look back at a past relationship and see how carelessly words can be spoken. Maybe someone told you that they would love you forever, or that you were "the one." Maybe you planned on what you would name your children or where you would go on your honeymoon. Maybe you were the one making promises, maybe it was the other person in the relationship, perhaps both. But as the relationship is in the past, we all know how that turned out- with broken promises and broken hearts to follow.
I know that in past relationships, whether recent or long gone, people tend to look back and say "He/she was such a liar" or maybe "I only thought I loved her/him." Often time we speak pretty words to others based on emotions or circumstances, and obviously all pretty words aren't bad. But there comes a point where we have to reach a level of maturity that recognizes the power in empty words.
I know that I can say that in relationships, I don't speak words carelessly. I have never told someone I loved them and not meant it. But I have made promises that I was unable to keep, either due to circumstance, selfishness or that persons inability to let me keep those promises. I have always valued words, because I want the words spoken to me to be true.
I have always considered love a very black and white thing. You love someone or you don't. To me, love is also a consistent and infinite thing. If you love someone, you will love them the rest of your life, or you never loved them. But what does love really look like?
If someone tells you they love you all the time, but never make any effort to get to know you or spend time with you, does that equal love? If they are never willing to put you first, or sacrifice for you, does that equal love? If they always talk and never listen, does that equal love? If they never call or text, does that equal love? If they never open up the depths of their heart to you, does that equal love? I don't think so. It's funny because there are different love languages, and actually a primary one of mine is "words of affirmation," however I'm learning that no matter how many words I speak it's actions that really count.
I wonder how many times we speak pretty words to God and have no action to back it up. Of course we want God to do what He said He would do in his word, but we can sing songs of our love and make promises to him that we may or may not put into action. How often have we told God we loved him, adored him, or worshiped him and then haphazardly walked out of that service feeling better, but not putting those words into action in our lifestyle? How often have we told God that we were surrendering everything to Him, and then resumed the worries and stress of our life immediately after? How often have we told God that we were committed to His purpose, and then ignored opportunities he presents us or continued to make decisions based on our own logic or will? How often have we promised God that we would never (fill in the blank here) again, only to walk away and commit the same sin again?
All of the things that have hurt us in past relationships and friendships, are things we do to God every day. We look at the people who hurt us with anger or contempt and call them a "liar" or if we were the one who did the hurting we justify our actions based on where we were at the time. But God ALWAYS receives us with love and forgiveness, no matter how many times we try to smooth things over with pretty words and prove ourselves unfaithful. God made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Gods word is ALWAYS TRUE.
I hope that as I'm learning this, that my words to God, won't be pretty, but true. That my words won't hold the weight of my worship to God, but that my actions will. I want God to know that I love him because my lifestyle shouts my love for Him from the rooftops. I want my love for God to be a pursuit. I want to love Him the way that I hope my future husband will love me. I want to love God in a selfless, sacrificing, public spectacle kind of way.
If we can ever get to the place where we realize that true love is action, that loving God means action, that loving others means action. That kind of love is beautiful and unimaginable and brings a harvest of joy. My prayer is that my words will be guarded. That God will help me forgive the people who's "pretty words" have hurt me. That the people who I've hurt in the same way will forgive me. That there will be healing and caution in the future. That if there are promises I still have the opportunity to keep, that God will show me how to back them up. And most importantly that my life would be my worship to God, not just my words.
Currently Reading: The Power of the Blood of Jesus by Andrew Murray
Friday, July 15, 2011
Are we missing it?
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20
This is a verse that many Christians stand on when they need faith, trust and inspiration during times of trial. Most of us think, "More than I could ask or imagine....AWESOME, I'll sign up for that!" However, I wonder if we aren't missing the main portion of the verse: "According to His power that is AT WORK WITHIN US."
Most of us know that, as we are made in the image of God, and God is a trinity (Father, Son, Spirit), we are also made of three parts Spirit, Soul, and Body. Our Spirits are redeemed by God when we are saved and God sends His Holy Spirit to reside with ours and give us guidance, wisdom and power to walk through daily life, fulfilling our purpose. Soul is the combination of our mind, will, and emotions, and the body is our physical body which houses our Spirit and Soul.
The Soul and Body, unfortunately, have a tendency to cause us quite a lot of trouble. Because, unlike our Spirit, which is made new instantly, Soul and Body are changed by God over time. It's a process of God ordering our circumstances to break our Soul and Body. It sounds harsh, to use the word "break", but it's a process of discipline. God the Father disciplines his children, just like an earthly parent disciplines their children so that they can learn and grow. The problematic point is receiving this discipline for what it is, an act of love. The world fuels our Soul and Body on a daily basis. Every thing around us screams at us to follow our emotions, logic, or will, and we can become so focused on body, everything from eating disorders to addictions can torment us. It's a constant tug-of-war between God and the world around us. God knows that he must order our circumstances to break down these things so that our Spirit can come forth and lead.
I wonder if we forget that in order for us to be in a place to recieve Gods amazing blessings and plans for us, Gods power has to not only be inside us, but it has to be able to flow forth freely from us. It doesn't matter if we house the power of God inside us, if our Soul or Body is calling the shots, and our spirit is trapped inside, we aren't going to be in a place to receive more than we can ask or imagine from God.
Imagine a cardboard box covering a lightbulb. Obviously it would be impossible to tell whether the light was on or off, unless there was a hole or break in the cardboard for the light to seep through. Now if we took that same box and then proceeded to punch holes all over it and tear it, the more damage we inflicted on the box, the more the light would shine through. But essentially, until the box is destroyed, they light can never flow forth in a pure and unhindered way.
I feel like this is where most of us are in our spiritual walk. The light flows forth from us in some areas, while in others, we are still hindered by our own will or logic that seems to always step in. Even when we have heard from the Lord, so often our own logic or strong will can cause us to take matters into our own hands or be disobedient.
What if we really submitted to the Lord EVERY DAY, saying "My choices are wrong, my logic is wrong, my will is wrong, I submit myself to Your discipline and I receive it. Have mercy on me Lord that I may truly trust in You alone." This is when God can finally work effectively in us to destroy our flesh so that His power, that is already inside of us, can flow forth into our lives and put us in the place to receive things that we can't imagine.
I know that I personally am not there yet, and I've got quite a long way to go. But I can look back over the past few years, at the tests and trials I've been through, and I can see where God was ordering my circumstances to strengthen my spirit in different areas. I can see the part of me that was lead in Spirit and I can see all of the failures of disobedience or self-reliance caused by my Soul or Body. But I know that only God can change and mold me, and that as I submit to Him and his discipline that only then am I in the position for His power to really come forth inside me and work in my life, and that by KEEPING this posture of submission that's when God will begin to bless me beyond what I can imagine, and I can imagine a lot...
Currently Reading: The Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee
This is a verse that many Christians stand on when they need faith, trust and inspiration during times of trial. Most of us think, "More than I could ask or imagine....AWESOME, I'll sign up for that!" However, I wonder if we aren't missing the main portion of the verse: "According to His power that is AT WORK WITHIN US."
Most of us know that, as we are made in the image of God, and God is a trinity (Father, Son, Spirit), we are also made of three parts Spirit, Soul, and Body. Our Spirits are redeemed by God when we are saved and God sends His Holy Spirit to reside with ours and give us guidance, wisdom and power to walk through daily life, fulfilling our purpose. Soul is the combination of our mind, will, and emotions, and the body is our physical body which houses our Spirit and Soul.
The Soul and Body, unfortunately, have a tendency to cause us quite a lot of trouble. Because, unlike our Spirit, which is made new instantly, Soul and Body are changed by God over time. It's a process of God ordering our circumstances to break our Soul and Body. It sounds harsh, to use the word "break", but it's a process of discipline. God the Father disciplines his children, just like an earthly parent disciplines their children so that they can learn and grow. The problematic point is receiving this discipline for what it is, an act of love. The world fuels our Soul and Body on a daily basis. Every thing around us screams at us to follow our emotions, logic, or will, and we can become so focused on body, everything from eating disorders to addictions can torment us. It's a constant tug-of-war between God and the world around us. God knows that he must order our circumstances to break down these things so that our Spirit can come forth and lead.
I wonder if we forget that in order for us to be in a place to recieve Gods amazing blessings and plans for us, Gods power has to not only be inside us, but it has to be able to flow forth freely from us. It doesn't matter if we house the power of God inside us, if our Soul or Body is calling the shots, and our spirit is trapped inside, we aren't going to be in a place to receive more than we can ask or imagine from God.
Imagine a cardboard box covering a lightbulb. Obviously it would be impossible to tell whether the light was on or off, unless there was a hole or break in the cardboard for the light to seep through. Now if we took that same box and then proceeded to punch holes all over it and tear it, the more damage we inflicted on the box, the more the light would shine through. But essentially, until the box is destroyed, they light can never flow forth in a pure and unhindered way.
I feel like this is where most of us are in our spiritual walk. The light flows forth from us in some areas, while in others, we are still hindered by our own will or logic that seems to always step in. Even when we have heard from the Lord, so often our own logic or strong will can cause us to take matters into our own hands or be disobedient.
What if we really submitted to the Lord EVERY DAY, saying "My choices are wrong, my logic is wrong, my will is wrong, I submit myself to Your discipline and I receive it. Have mercy on me Lord that I may truly trust in You alone." This is when God can finally work effectively in us to destroy our flesh so that His power, that is already inside of us, can flow forth into our lives and put us in the place to receive things that we can't imagine.
I know that I personally am not there yet, and I've got quite a long way to go. But I can look back over the past few years, at the tests and trials I've been through, and I can see where God was ordering my circumstances to strengthen my spirit in different areas. I can see the part of me that was lead in Spirit and I can see all of the failures of disobedience or self-reliance caused by my Soul or Body. But I know that only God can change and mold me, and that as I submit to Him and his discipline that only then am I in the position for His power to really come forth inside me and work in my life, and that by KEEPING this posture of submission that's when God will begin to bless me beyond what I can imagine, and I can imagine a lot...
Currently Reading: The Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee
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