Do Everything with Love

Many of you are aware of my love of basketball and the annual March Madness. This year the “Cinderella Team” is Oral Roberts University. ORU is only the second No. 15 seed team to advance to the Sweet 16. Everything is not rosy for ORU athletics, though. Some in the media and culture recently labeled ORU homophobic and out of step with the new thinking regarding all things queer. They are calling for ORU and other schools like them to be excluded from post-season play. The school holds a traditional Biblical view of gender, marriage and sexuality that are now culturally unacceptable. ORU is not the only school feeling the pressure. Catholics, evangelicals, Mormons, Muslims and many other groups hold traditional views. Last winter I read George Orwell’s “1984.” The similarities between the description of the future and our current cultural realities continue to intrigue me. The depiction of the “Thought Police” in the superstate of Oceania and the authority to investigate and punish thinking not approved of by the state is prophetic of our current “cancel culture.” The Apostle Paul warned Timothy, the leader of the church in Ephesus, that “in the last days there will be very difficult times … people will scoff at God … they will consider nothing sacred. … They will be cruel and hate what is good.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT) The pressure to agree with the views of “cancel culture” and adopt culture’s thinking will continue to mount. Those who disagree with current thinking will experience pressure and exclusion. How to respond to this cultural thinking will require great wisdom, leading of the Holy Spirit and courage. One of the most powerful quotes from “1984,” speaks to the bravery necessary to disagree with popular thinking and values. “Your worst enemy, [Winston] reflected, was your nervous system. At any moment the tension inside you was liable to translate into some visible symptom.” Winston’s thoughts accurately describe the tension experienced by those who are unwilling to bend to culture’s transient thinking. Paul encouraged Jesus’ followers to “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NLT)

Take Responsibility

King Solomon noted an attitude that continues to control some people’s lives today. We can find the attitude in every age group, gender, nationality, political leanings, economic status, or educational experience. The attitude flourishes in proud hearts, unbelieving hearts, combative hearts, hearts that don’t take responsibility. “People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.” Proverbs 19:3 (NLT) “People's own foolishness ruins their lives, but in their minds they blame the LORD.” Proverbs 19:3 (NCV) “People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does GOD always get blamed?” Proverbs 19:3 (MSG) King Solomon’s statement makes some people angry. The truth puts squarely on them responsibility for life’s consequence. Not all pitfalls, curveballs, struggles and suffering are self-induced. We’ve all experienced undeserved pain in life. But we’ve also all experienced self-inflicted pain through poor financial decisions, relational decisions, and misplaced priorities. We’ve failed to end certain habits and start other habits. Often, those who acknowledge their self-inflicted struggles are slowest to become angry at God and others. Those who will not recognize their responsibility are quick to become angry at God and others. Those who will not take responsibility for their lives plant a seed of bondage. While those who take responsibility for their life releases emotional freedom. Healthy Action Steps: Take responsibility for your life. Don’t blame God for your struggles. Release emotional freedom!

The BIGNESS of God

I have been thinking about the BIGNESS of God this week. When a person’s view of God is accurate, it impacts every other area of a person’s life. If I view God incorrectly, I cannot help but perceive my importance and the importance of others inaccurately. 3,000 years ago, King David wrote about his view of God. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” Psalms 8:3-4 (NIV) David was pondering the universe, galaxies, stars, and the moon, and he realized how insignificant people are. My paraphrase of the question David posed to God: “You are so big and what you’ve created is so vast, why would you ever think about us?” When I understand how big God is, it puts me in my place. He’s big, I’m little, and I’m the same size as everyone else. I’m no bigger than anyone else, I’m no better than anyone else, and I’m driven to see others appropriately. I’m driven to be “mindful” of others and “care” for them. If God is GREAT BIG and is mindful of others and cares for others, surely those made in His image should do the same. “Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exodus 15:11 (NIV) Is it any wonder the Scriptures describe Moses as “a very humble man, more humble than anyone else?” Moses’ view of the grandeur of God seeded humility in his life. I want a clearer view of the awesomeness of God! God, Help me see you clearly. Amen

Wisdom

Years ago, a family in the church gave me a needlework wall-hanging with the following Abraham Lincoln quote embroidered on it: “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” Abraham Lincoln In recent months, I have found myself overwhelmed by the sentiment that Lincoln expressed. I find myself in dire need of wisdom. My own thinking is insufficient to respond to life’s challenges. The world is shifting so fast, life is approaching, what feels like “warp speed.” Ideas, philosophies, truth, error, conflict, confusion, regulations, mandates and challenges are flying in all directions and in no particular order. Things come so fast; I feel like I’m swatting at a swarm of flies! People have regularly referred to “new” circumstances and challenges as “unprecedented.” We are living in another one of those times when almost everything about life is different. Jesus told his disciples, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 NIrV) Followers of Jesus have always needed wisdom. I desperately need wisdom to respond and not react. I need wisdom to respond or not, depending on the situation. As a follower of Jesus, I am to respond the way Jesus would. I need wisdom to know when to speak, when to listen, when to change and when to stand firm. It will take every bit of wisdom that God provides for His followers to “love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength” and to “love your neighbors.” “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.” James 1:5-6 (NLT) If you are like me, the request for wisdom is constant. I’m leaning on the promise of God that He will provide it.

Eternity

As I’ve studied this week, wonder and excitement has infused my heart about what lays ahead for God’s children. The Apostle Paul encouraged the new church in Corinth about eternity. He wrote to them: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT) People have written dozens of books over the last decade about near-death experiences and visions of heaven. I don’t doubt their experiences and visions. I think that the experiences and visions fall short of what eternity will be like. Paul said: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined!” He describes his own visit to heaven this way “I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.” 2 Corinthians 12:4 (NLT) The Apostle John, in his writing Revelation, described eternity. “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’ And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’” Revelation 21:3-5 (NLT) The wisdom of God and the power of God has prepared, for everyone who entrusts their past, present and future into Jesus’ care and control, ETERNITY THAT IS BEYOND YOUR WILDEST, WILDEST, MOST EXTRAVEGANT, OUTLANDISH IMAGINATION YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR HIS CHILDREN! Can I beg you, entrust your past, present and future into Jesus’ care and control! Don’t miss out on what God has planned for those who love Him.

Stay Alert

The Apostle Paul experienced many trials during his 30 years as a follower of Jesus. Some trials were the mistreatment by people, some attacks by spiritual forces of darkness, and some were both. Paul was wise regarding these trials, tribulations and suffering. In one of his letters to the church in Corinth he encouraged the church to forgive a wayward member “so that Satan will not outsmart us.” (2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT) Paul knew that unforgiveness, grudges, and bitterness play into the hands of Satan and his desire to “kill, steal and destroy.” (John 10:10 NLT) Paul continued his instructions, reminding the church that “We are familiar with his [Satan’s} evil schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT) Satan and the kingdom of darkness have evil schemes to destroy people’s lives and to destroy Jesus’ work on earth. Paul and the Corinthian believers might have been “familiar with his evil schemes”, but I’m not sure that believers in the 21st century are. Let me clue you in or remind you of some of Satan’s evil schemes. Keep people from forgiving each other. If Satan can keep people from forgiving, unforgiveness grows unabated and eventually the fruit of bitterness ripens and sends out bitter seeds to everyone the bitter person encounters. Divide people so they can be conquered. If Satan can divide a person’s heart, divide them from their family, church family, and community; complete domination is not far behind! A primary strategy of war has always been to divide and conquer. Jesus taught “a kingdom divided cannot stand.” Induce fear. People who allow fear to creep in and grow become paralyzed. People living in the grips of fear make bad choices, push other people out of their lives, and hide in guilt, shame, and panic. Provoke anger. Satan will use any and every means possible to provoke people to anger. He uses, disappointment, hurt, confusion, frustration, and alarm. Anger gives the enemy a “foothold” to climb the wall of protection around a person’s life. (Ephesians 4:27 NLT) There are plenty of other “evil schemes” that Satan uses. The Apostle Peter reminded the early believers to pay attention to what is going on in their lives. “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT) Stay alert my friend! The enemy is marching at double speed to produce havoc in people’s lives. Stay alert!

Always Full of Grace and Truth

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (ESV) The Apostle John’s description of Jesus is profound. Jesus, “full of grace and truth.” He did not balance grace and truth. He didn’t measure out truth to make it palatable. He didn’t measure out grace. He is always “FULL” of truth. He is always “FULL” of grace. “Truth without grace is mean. Grace without truth is meaningless. Truth and grace is medicine.” Chris Hodges Jesus isn’t looking for followers full of truth but short on grace. Neither is he looking for followers full of grace but short on truth. Jesus is looking for followers who are “full of truth and grace.” Most people know the term intervention. An intervention is when family members, friends and others team together to help a person struggling with addiction, or destructive choices and lifestyle. An intervention is an act of grace and truth. Loved ones intervene by presenting the truth about choices, habits and addictions. They intervene because they love the one they are challenging. If they didn’t love, they wouldn’t speak the truth. They speak the truth, often painfully, because they love. The needs of society, the choices people are making, the ideas that are taking over mainstream thought and practice require that the church live “full of grace” and “full of truth.” Jesus has assigned his followers a mission. The Apostle Paul describes Jesus’ mission this way: God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (NLT) Jesus’ mission of using His followers to reconcile people to God will only happen when His followers live and die “full of grace and truth.” Jesus, start with me. I want to live and die “full of grace and truth” pleading with people to “Come back to God!” Amen

Courage, Peace and Strength are like Adrenaline

Have you ever looked at someone going through one of life’s storms and wondered, “How can they have such peace?” or “Why haven’t they fallen apart?” God promises His followers that He will be with them in the trials and storms of life. God promises grace and peace when people need it, not before. “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT) “When …” not before and not in the same way after. When you go through the deep waters, rivers of difficulty or the fire of oppression, then He will be with you. We see others in deep waters, rivers of difficulty and fires of oppression, and we doubt we could respond likewise. We see others from our position on dry ground, in shallow waters, or free from fires and assume we could not respond the way others respond. NOT TRUE. If you are walking with Jesus, if you are feeding on His grace and love, if you are calling on Jesus in prayer, when you go through deep waters, difficult rivers or fires of oppression, you will experience grace and peace, courage and strength. You might not need it now, so you don’t have it. When you need it, it will be there for you. All of us have experienced a rush of adrenaline during a frightening or stressful situation. One moment our heart is beating normally and the next it is pounding in our chest. Adrenaline is pumped into the body, when it is needed. When life is calm, adrenaline is a trickle. When life is stressful, adrenaline increases to meet the need. The grace, courage, peace and strength are like adrenaline, you’ll get it when you need it! Jesus will walk with you and provide the needed grace. Trust him and do not be afraid.

Moving Towards Greater Levels of Obedience

Eugene Peterson, the author of the paraphrase Bible “The Message,” described following Jesus as “a long obedience in the same direction.” I love his description “a long obedience.” Following Jesus is not a quick race, that starts and in a flash is over. Following Jesus is a long journey. Everyone’s journey is unique in the twists and turns and in length. The idea of “a long obedience in the same direction” connects with me because of my distance running. Every run is different. Every marathon or ½ marathon is different. They each have their challenges. Each one is a “long distance in the same direction.” Your journey with Jesus differs from mine. The obstacles and attitudes you face differ from mine. Only you can travel your journey with Jesus. Others will cheer you on. Others will journey alongside you, some faster and some slower, but your journey is yours alone. One similarity of every journey with Jesus is the journey is always “a long obedience in the same direction.” Every journey includes suffering. No journey with Jesus is void of suffering and pain. We can learn about “long obedience in the same direction,” by looking at Jesus. “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8 NLT) Jesus learned obedience when he submitted to the accusations, lies, suspicious attitudes, doubt of others, and rejection. He learned obedience when he submitted to execution on the cross. He famously said to his Father, “Is there some other way? Not my will but yours.” Paraphrase: I don’t want to go through this, but I will obey. Obedience is hard. “A long obedience in the same direction” is even harder! Don’t get discouraged. If you have to walk on your journey instead of run, walk. If you have to crawl instead of walk, crawl. Keep going in the same direction. Travel towards Jesus. Travel towards greater levels of obedience.

Invest Your Life

In the last few days before Jesus’ execution, his followers wanted to know what the signs of His return and the end of the world were. They had finally figured out that Jesus was leaving, but they didn’t understand that he was going to die and then return in the future. Jesus enumerated various signs and world events that would occur before his return. Because of the turmoil occurring in the world today, people are wondering and asking if the events are part of the signs that Jesus delineated. What I find interesting about Jesus’ talk with the disciples is the two parables that he taught while answering the disciples’ questions about the signs and the end of the world. Jesus was obviously trying to make a point through the parables. He was aiming to focus their attention. The first parable (Matthew 24:1-13) is about Ten Bridesmaids. There are details about Jewish weddings that are important for fully understanding the parable. Explaining the details would make this blog too long, and many would go on to the next thing on their FB page before finishing. The salient points are that the bridegroom took longer than the ten bridesmaids expected. Five of the bridesmaids were ready for the delay and five were not, they hadn’t taken enough oil for their lamps. (In 21st century lingo, the batteries died in their flashlights.) Jesus ended the parable with words you and I should take to heart: “Keep watch! You don’t know the day or hour of my return.” The second and longer parable (Matthew 24:14-30) is the Parable of Talents. In this parable, a landowner was going on a long trip. He gave into the care of three servants varying amounts of money. Two of the servants invested the money and earned for the master a return on the investment. The third servant hid the money left in his care in the ground, failing to invest and earn a return. Jesus interpreted the parable for the disciples with the line “to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given.” Combined, the message of these two parables is a challenge for every follower of Jesus. Be ready, you don’t know when I will return! While I’m gone, “use well” what I have given you. I’m expecting a return on my investment in your life. Don’t bury what I’ve given you in the ground, invest it!