I'm ready for that prayer now
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
James 5:16 NIV
I truly believe that many of us can become troubled with God because He does not answer prayers the way we want Him to. We quote the Bible verses and we believe that God will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalms 20:4). And when He doesn't meet our expectations, we can become disillusioned. At least, that is what happened to me when I felt God had "let me down". I stopped praying, stopped trusting and I stopped seeking God. I was in such a state that while speaking to my wife I resorted to unflattering expletives to explain my feelings about God and His performance. When a friend at work asked me if she could pray for me, I told her, "No! What's the point of prayer if God has already decided what He is going to do?" When she asked me a second time I told her, "Absolutely not!"
I decided to review a few verses, trying to decipher why God answers one way or the other. And as God is my witness, I suddenly feel into a deep sleep. I could feel myself wrestling with the questions and doubts. Sort of like Jacob, wrestling with God and holding on for a blessing (Genesis 32:22-32). When I awoke, I realized that my “investigation” into God’s way of answering prayer was wrong. The line of reasoning I was on was less about trusting and seeking God and more about justifying my anger. I went to my friend, head held low and told her, "I'm ready for that prayer now". Suzy responded like a nine year old on Christmas morning. Her squeals of delight were almost embarrassing.
I confessed my sin… Suzy and my friend Ann prayed for me. And The Lord almost immediately began healing me from stubbornness and a hardened heart. I feel a bit embarrassed. A big fella like me should not have to struggle over such things. I should be able to pray for my own healing. But there in lies the point of today’s verse. We are not designed to walk the path of faith alone. God’s design is that we walk this path with prayer, honesty, integrity, with the word of God and with others. We are meant to confess, pray for each other and ultimately, to be healed.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
A Prisoner of Christ Jesus
A Prisoner of Christ Jesus
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philemon 1 NIV
It is a peculiar title to me, "Prisoner of Christ". In our modern times some may refer to themselves as a "follower" or even a "worker" of Christ. Some may go as far as to boast of keeping the commands of Christ. But I never hear the word "prisoner" as a reference point in their relationship to Christ. I have no idea if Paul was simply joking and using a play on words (after all, he was writing this letter while in prison) or if there was a more profound meaning. Nonetheless, the phrase calls our attention to the extreme commitment Paul had to Jesus.
I imagine the idea of being held captive by Christ is an uncomfortable thought. And I know that you probably want to remind me that the scripture says that we have our liberty in Christ (Galatians 5:1). I know that we are called friends because we know God's plans, that is, we have been brought into His confidence (John 15:15). But don't you wonder if freedom and confidence are merely stepping stones to a higher (or at least different) path in following Christ? Maybe, the freedom and confidence we have in Christ are precursors that give us the courage and determination to willingly wear the chains that will advance the Gospel. Or as Paul said it in Philippians 1:14, "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly".
When you think about relinquishing freedoms for the advancement of God's Kingdom, you should be reminded of Christ. Jesus took on the confines of humanity and the chains of sin (though he never sinned) so that we have the chance and right to become adopted children of God. It is a hard thing to willingly give up our freedom in order to fulfill God's purpose. It is a very hard thing if you find yourself stripped of the most basic of human rights, for Christ. And to this, Jesus would say that if you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will preserve it (Luke 17:33).
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philemon 1 NIV
It is a peculiar title to me, "Prisoner of Christ". In our modern times some may refer to themselves as a "follower" or even a "worker" of Christ. Some may go as far as to boast of keeping the commands of Christ. But I never hear the word "prisoner" as a reference point in their relationship to Christ. I have no idea if Paul was simply joking and using a play on words (after all, he was writing this letter while in prison) or if there was a more profound meaning. Nonetheless, the phrase calls our attention to the extreme commitment Paul had to Jesus.
I imagine the idea of being held captive by Christ is an uncomfortable thought. And I know that you probably want to remind me that the scripture says that we have our liberty in Christ (Galatians 5:1). I know that we are called friends because we know God's plans, that is, we have been brought into His confidence (John 15:15). But don't you wonder if freedom and confidence are merely stepping stones to a higher (or at least different) path in following Christ? Maybe, the freedom and confidence we have in Christ are precursors that give us the courage and determination to willingly wear the chains that will advance the Gospel. Or as Paul said it in Philippians 1:14, "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly".
When you think about relinquishing freedoms for the advancement of God's Kingdom, you should be reminded of Christ. Jesus took on the confines of humanity and the chains of sin (though he never sinned) so that we have the chance and right to become adopted children of God. It is a hard thing to willingly give up our freedom in order to fulfill God's purpose. It is a very hard thing if you find yourself stripped of the most basic of human rights, for Christ. And to this, Jesus would say that if you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will preserve it (Luke 17:33).
Lasting Effect
Lasting Effect
“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her. But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.
Ruth 1:15-16 NIV
I read an interview about a very famous and very rich young man. When he was asked if he was raised in a particular religion his answer nearly brought me to tears. He said, "My dad believes in God, I think. I'm not sure if my mom does. I don't." His parents trained him about handling money and fame, but neglected faith so completely that he has no clue what his parents believe, if they believe anything.
For some reason, religion and faith are inexorably linked in our minds, and they shouldn't be. Anyone can practice something religious, but that has nothing to do with following Christ. Religion is what mankind does to justify himself. But following Christ is a gift God gave us so that He can justify us. And we are now entering a time when people won't even make the effort to justify themselves. They simply don't believe. And that is a sad thing indeed.
In today’s Bible verse, I like that Naomi lived her faith in such a way that Ruth never had to guess about her mother-in-law's convictions. Ruth watched Naomi bury her husband and her two sons. And in all of that grief, somehow, some way, Naomi presented her faith to Ruth in a way that caused her to take up faith in God for herself. How many of us do that for our children, our siblings, our parents and our friends? How many of us do that for our enemies? What lasting effect have we had on this unbelieving world?
Friday, July 12, 2013
Beautiful things in Hard Places
Beautiful things in Hard Places
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Good News Bible
Right in front of the cellar doors of my home there is a patch of crumbling concrete. I have been sweeping up the broken bits of concrete for some time. But something strange happened last year. Purple petunias sprouted right out of the broken concrete. Those flowers not only bloomed, but flourished all summer long.
As I get older, life seems to weaken and fall apart like old concrete. The dreams I had have broken into pieces. My accomplishments have cracked and are no longer useful. But some of my friends have experienced far worse. My heart goes out to those that are experiencing chronic illness, cancer, broken marriages and damaged faith.
I am a bit cautious about saying this, but I think that God can grow beautiful things in hard places. If we ask for God’s comfort (help) in trying times, if we hold on to God in difficult circumstances, He can (and often does) bring about a wonderful blessing in the midst of our trials. Every trouble, every wound, every hardship provides us an opportunity to trust God. Yes, I keep wondering why I have to endure troubles over and over again. And I admit that somehow it doesn't seem fair. But again, I think that these things happen so that we can learn not to rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9). Though we may feel broken, abandoned and ready for the trash heap, I think that God intends to plant something beautiful in us that would never take root in anything other than our pain.
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Good News Bible
Right in front of the cellar doors of my home there is a patch of crumbling concrete. I have been sweeping up the broken bits of concrete for some time. But something strange happened last year. Purple petunias sprouted right out of the broken concrete. Those flowers not only bloomed, but flourished all summer long.
As I get older, life seems to weaken and fall apart like old concrete. The dreams I had have broken into pieces. My accomplishments have cracked and are no longer useful. But some of my friends have experienced far worse. My heart goes out to those that are experiencing chronic illness, cancer, broken marriages and damaged faith.
I am a bit cautious about saying this, but I think that God can grow beautiful things in hard places. If we ask for God’s comfort (help) in trying times, if we hold on to God in difficult circumstances, He can (and often does) bring about a wonderful blessing in the midst of our trials. Every trouble, every wound, every hardship provides us an opportunity to trust God. Yes, I keep wondering why I have to endure troubles over and over again. And I admit that somehow it doesn't seem fair. But again, I think that these things happen so that we can learn not to rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9). Though we may feel broken, abandoned and ready for the trash heap, I think that God intends to plant something beautiful in us that would never take root in anything other than our pain.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Purpose Driven Pain
Purpose Driven Pain
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV
Some would have you believe that a true follower of God is someone that knows how to avoid trouble. They seem to think they know all of the right prayers to avoid troubles and loss. And I would say that I feel sorry for them. They have exchanged the truth of Bible scripture for something spurious, something that is counterfeit. The Bible says that a person who perseveres under trial is blessed. If you avoid all of the trials, where is your blessing?
I think that the true follower of God will experience pain, loss and in some cases... will endure these things on purpose. Sometimes the Lord provides us with (or may allow) pain, anxiety and troubles in order to build character into His followers. When the Lord sends trouble and we respond to that trouble appropriately and with maturity, God teaches us how to hope in difficult circumstances (Romans 5:3-4). And God intends to teach us these things so that we know how to stand in difficult times and how to meet the needs of others.
I am not a fan of suffering. I am not a masochist. But I don't think we truly know how to celebrate until we have learned how to suffer... or that is, how to suffer well. When we face the same difficulties as the world, and we do it with hope in God, I think that the world can see the difference. If we suffer well, I think we make God all the more compelling to non believers.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 NIV
Some would have you believe that a true follower of God is someone that knows how to avoid trouble. They seem to think they know all of the right prayers to avoid troubles and loss. And I would say that I feel sorry for them. They have exchanged the truth of Bible scripture for something spurious, something that is counterfeit. The Bible says that a person who perseveres under trial is blessed. If you avoid all of the trials, where is your blessing?
I think that the true follower of God will experience pain, loss and in some cases... will endure these things on purpose. Sometimes the Lord provides us with (or may allow) pain, anxiety and troubles in order to build character into His followers. When the Lord sends trouble and we respond to that trouble appropriately and with maturity, God teaches us how to hope in difficult circumstances (Romans 5:3-4). And God intends to teach us these things so that we know how to stand in difficult times and how to meet the needs of others.
I am not a fan of suffering. I am not a masochist. But I don't think we truly know how to celebrate until we have learned how to suffer... or that is, how to suffer well. When we face the same difficulties as the world, and we do it with hope in God, I think that the world can see the difference. If we suffer well, I think we make God all the more compelling to non believers.
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