Doubt. It's an infection. It's something that plagues us all in seemingly every area of our lives. For some it only makes a brief visit, but for others it can fester in miserable ways. What is doubt, and why does it have so much power? Why can it sometimes begin to break down some of the most sturdy things in our lives? We can find assurance that we are not the only people to experience doubt. Every generation that came before us did as well. Specifically, I'm reminded of the story of the Exodus in the Bible.
To set the stage, God called Moses to return to Egypt (the land where he was raised). He was to return to free the Israelites from slavery, of which they've been under for hundreds of years. God ultimately leads the Israelites out via ten very specific plagues and through the Red Sea on foot. Even after seeing this the Israelites begin to doubt saying, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death" (Exodus 16:3). Not only do they doubt God, but they accuse Him of evil. They believe he brought them out to kill them. How could they believe such a thing so soon after the miraculous events that brought them out of captivity? They walked on the floor of the Red Sea for crying out loud! As soon as adversity and trouble set in, they hopped ship. They doubted God's faithfulness.
The answer to how they could doubt is actually quite simple. It dives into the essence of doubt. Simply put, the source of doubt is found in giving more weight to the present than the past and the future. The Israelites had seen God perform great miracles, but they gave more weight to the hunger pains in their stomachs. They continue to do this throughout the Exodus time and time again. It's not just them though. We do this too! Think about the last time you doubted God, or anybody for that matter. What were the present circumstances? Doubt usually comes in times of pain and struggle. It's that present anguish that disables the mind from remembering past faithfulness, love, etc, which leads to the production of doubt.
You see, we must live in the present, but not at the expense of remembering the past or hoping for the future. We must not dwell in the present. Emotions are strongest in the present, which gives the present an artificial weight. Let us recognize this reality and fight against it. Let us remember the feeling of the wet sand of the Red Sea beneath our feet. Let us remember the taste of sweet manna in our mouths. Let us remember those personal and intimate signs of God in our lives. Let us trust in the desert. Let us hope in the LORD.
I love what the father of the demon possessed boy in Mark 9 asks of Jesus. He says, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." Let us be like that man. Let us choose to see the obvious, big picture and not be blinded by present circumstance and emotion. Let us pray for greater belief.
"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." ~Psalm 27:14
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Why Must We Live in Shame?
The other night, me and the guys that I live with (all 8 of us) were talking about honoring God in our relationships. The conversation was centered around kissing and the question of how far is too far? We talked about where our guardrails (aka boundaries) lie and why. Before too long, somebody mentioned how although guardrails are helpful, too many can produce shame. Someone even mentioned of an ex-Christian now petitioning for sexual freedom because she couldn't enjoy sex once she was married. It had been instilled in her that sex was bad, thus producing shame even in marriage. That led me to ponder the origins of shame. Where does shame come from? Following is a brief outpouring of my conclusion (although I'm still working it out).
There are two types of shame. I would classify them as 1) taught shame and 2) primordial shame. Here's what I mean by them both.
Taught shame is exactly that. It is shame that is taught. The ex-Christian lady that experienced shame with sex after marriage is an example of this. Taught shame is that which turns something that is not inherently shameful (in other words, something that's not sinful) into a house of shame. It is built on lies and deceit. This kind of shame is a valuable weapon used by Satan to penetrate the good in our lives. He uses it to destroy shalom in us and to corrupt God's original intent.
Primordial shame is that which is built into the order of creation. Merriam-Webster defines primordial as "existing from the beginning of time." This shame is a result of how we were made. God created us to be in relationship with Him. As a result, we have a certain inner disposition toward the good, toward God. When we cross that line, we feel shame. It's not because we've been taught that we should feel shame but that it is woven into our very being. To illustrate this, I will again use the sex example. God explicitly says that sex is to be reserved for marriage. Breaking such a command is breaking away from God's original intent. It is sinful. The natural consequence of this is shame. We see this today, even as hooking up is becoming more and more casual and accepted. The taught shame may be disappearing but primordial shame is not. Although still very much a poison in our lives, God can twist this type of shame to bring about healing. God can bring light into the darkness.
The difference comes down to this. Taught shame is external, while primordial shame is internal. Taught shame comes from others' teachings and views of us. Primordial shame comes from a breaking of the relationship with God and is felt regardless of whether or not culture agrees with the action. It comes from the breaking of shalom. Quite frankly the difference between these two shames is the difference between religion and Jesus.
Let us rejoice though, because we are not stuck in our shame. Although shalom may be broken, God wants to restore it. God wants to restore us. God wants to embrace us as His children. We live under the love and grace of an almighty King, God, and Friend that sent His Son to die on the cross, so that we may live!!
"Behold, I am making all things new." ~Revelation 21:5
There are two types of shame. I would classify them as 1) taught shame and 2) primordial shame. Here's what I mean by them both.
Taught shame is exactly that. It is shame that is taught. The ex-Christian lady that experienced shame with sex after marriage is an example of this. Taught shame is that which turns something that is not inherently shameful (in other words, something that's not sinful) into a house of shame. It is built on lies and deceit. This kind of shame is a valuable weapon used by Satan to penetrate the good in our lives. He uses it to destroy shalom in us and to corrupt God's original intent.
Primordial shame is that which is built into the order of creation. Merriam-Webster defines primordial as "existing from the beginning of time." This shame is a result of how we were made. God created us to be in relationship with Him. As a result, we have a certain inner disposition toward the good, toward God. When we cross that line, we feel shame. It's not because we've been taught that we should feel shame but that it is woven into our very being. To illustrate this, I will again use the sex example. God explicitly says that sex is to be reserved for marriage. Breaking such a command is breaking away from God's original intent. It is sinful. The natural consequence of this is shame. We see this today, even as hooking up is becoming more and more casual and accepted. The taught shame may be disappearing but primordial shame is not. Although still very much a poison in our lives, God can twist this type of shame to bring about healing. God can bring light into the darkness.
The difference comes down to this. Taught shame is external, while primordial shame is internal. Taught shame comes from others' teachings and views of us. Primordial shame comes from a breaking of the relationship with God and is felt regardless of whether or not culture agrees with the action. It comes from the breaking of shalom. Quite frankly the difference between these two shames is the difference between religion and Jesus.
Let us rejoice though, because we are not stuck in our shame. Although shalom may be broken, God wants to restore it. God wants to restore us. God wants to embrace us as His children. We live under the love and grace of an almighty King, God, and Friend that sent His Son to die on the cross, so that we may live!!
"Behold, I am making all things new." ~Revelation 21:5
Thursday, August 7, 2014
A Good Life?
What is the purpose of life? I live in a country (United States) where we are guaranteed 3 things: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have come to believe that this means we can do anything we want with our lives to achieve happiness, as long as it doesn't impinge on somebody else's happiness. It's a no harm, no foul culture, and if anybody disagrees, they are impinging on our liberty. Now what if I told you that none of those things really matter?
What is (physical) life? Is the worst thing that could happen to you death? Well if it is, I'm sorry because we are all going to die. We are all born to die. To die is gain. What will you die for?
What is liberty? In America, many people view loosing our freedoms as the end of the world. Surely I am blessed to live in a nation with so much freedom, but as soon as freedom becomes the central focus of your life, you are no longer free. More money means more freedom, however so often we see that money and the freedom it brings leaves nothing behind but a wake of destruction. (That's just one example.)
What is the pursuit of happiness? Is the greatest achievement in life happiness? What about those that spend their lives in suffering? Is their life somehow worth less than the one of many comforts? Why is it that almost anything can now be justified as long as the result, or at least the perceived result, is happiness? (Once again, this assumes it doesn't impinge on somebody else's happiness. This, however, is also a very grey subject today.)
You see many lives throughout history ended prematurely or were spent under immense suffering and imprisonment. It was many of those same lives that changed history. Did they live a good life, even though they lacked the three basic criteria we require for a "good" life? There is no greater example than Jesus Christ, the greatest man to ever live. His disciples followed behind Him in more ways than one.
Who lived the better life: the man (Paul) who was beaten and imprisoned repeatedly before eventually being killed, but helped found the Church OR the guy who worked for 10 years before winning the lottery and retiring in luxury before the age of 30? Why do all seemingly strive to be the lottery winner? Why has that become our standard?
"I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." ~Galatians 2:20
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." ~Philippians 1:20-24
What is (physical) life? Is the worst thing that could happen to you death? Well if it is, I'm sorry because we are all going to die. We are all born to die. To die is gain. What will you die for?
What is liberty? In America, many people view loosing our freedoms as the end of the world. Surely I am blessed to live in a nation with so much freedom, but as soon as freedom becomes the central focus of your life, you are no longer free. More money means more freedom, however so often we see that money and the freedom it brings leaves nothing behind but a wake of destruction. (That's just one example.)
What is the pursuit of happiness? Is the greatest achievement in life happiness? What about those that spend their lives in suffering? Is their life somehow worth less than the one of many comforts? Why is it that almost anything can now be justified as long as the result, or at least the perceived result, is happiness? (Once again, this assumes it doesn't impinge on somebody else's happiness. This, however, is also a very grey subject today.)
You see many lives throughout history ended prematurely or were spent under immense suffering and imprisonment. It was many of those same lives that changed history. Did they live a good life, even though they lacked the three basic criteria we require for a "good" life? There is no greater example than Jesus Christ, the greatest man to ever live. His disciples followed behind Him in more ways than one.
Who lived the better life: the man (Paul) who was beaten and imprisoned repeatedly before eventually being killed, but helped found the Church OR the guy who worked for 10 years before winning the lottery and retiring in luxury before the age of 30? Why do all seemingly strive to be the lottery winner? Why has that become our standard?
"I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." ~Galatians 2:20
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." ~Philippians 1:20-24
Saturday, April 19, 2014
I Surrender All
In light of the spirit of Easter, I am once again reminded of the greatest sacrifice ever known to man. I am reminded of the meaning of the emblem I wear around my neck without second thought most days. I am reminded of the compassion of my Redeemer. I am reminded of the forgiveness of my Father. I am reminded of the love and grace of my Friend, my Brother. I am reminded of the strength and power of my God. I am confronted with the beauty that is Jesus.
I am also reminded of how the only reasonable response is complete and utter surrender at the foot of the cross. I am reminded of what this surrendering of self should look like as spoken ever so beautifully by Dick Brogden. Jesus does not need you! We are NOT needed, but we are invited. How wonderful is it that we are invited into this great love story, not only as the subjects, but also as participants, as carriers. Jesus invites us into the joy of spreading this life changing gospel. The only condition is complete and utter surrender. Take it or leave it, because Jesus "never has and never will negotiate terms." Negotiation asks for more and surrenders less. Negotiating with Christ says the cross wasn't enough and that we need more. It says that we won't give into His terms because we aren't willing to give what He asks. He asks for everything, and He is deserving of everything.
Now this sermon was spoken at a conference of college students dedicated to missions known as The World Missions Summit. Dick goes on to speak of what this surrender means and how we should carry the gospel to the world. It truly is a powerful and beautiful sermon that I encourage everyone to give a listen to.
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." ~ Matthew 16:24
I am also reminded of how the only reasonable response is complete and utter surrender at the foot of the cross. I am reminded of what this surrendering of self should look like as spoken ever so beautifully by Dick Brogden. Jesus does not need you! We are NOT needed, but we are invited. How wonderful is it that we are invited into this great love story, not only as the subjects, but also as participants, as carriers. Jesus invites us into the joy of spreading this life changing gospel. The only condition is complete and utter surrender. Take it or leave it, because Jesus "never has and never will negotiate terms." Negotiation asks for more and surrenders less. Negotiating with Christ says the cross wasn't enough and that we need more. It says that we won't give into His terms because we aren't willing to give what He asks. He asks for everything, and He is deserving of everything.
Now this sermon was spoken at a conference of college students dedicated to missions known as The World Missions Summit. Dick goes on to speak of what this surrender means and how we should carry the gospel to the world. It truly is a powerful and beautiful sermon that I encourage everyone to give a listen to.
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." ~ Matthew 16:24
Set Free for Freedom
"Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption." ~Psalm 130:7
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." ~Galatians 5:1
In my time spent with Jesus this morning, I read both of these verses. I would strongly encourage you to go through and read fully both Psalm 130 and Galatians 5 (or the whole book for that matter). Being that tomorrow is Easter, these verses seem to have even more significance. Last night, I was blessed to be able to worship God, take Communion, and witness six baptisms with a couple hundred people. It was truly spectacular, but in the midst of all this celebration, worship, and remembrance, I was struck by the simplicity of Paul's statement in Galatians 5:1.
It seems to be redundant and obvious but it couldn't be more profound. Christ did not come to set us free so that we might be ruled by the flesh (aka the world). He did not come to set us free so that we can focus our energies in school or a job. Christ set us free so that we can be free. He set us free so that we will not be under bondage of this world and it's constantly imposed legalism and requirements and duties and obligations. He set us free so that we can be WITH HIM. There is nothing of this world that will ever be more fulfilling than that.
CHRIST SET US FREE SO THAT WE CAN BE FREE.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." ~Galatians 5:1
In my time spent with Jesus this morning, I read both of these verses. I would strongly encourage you to go through and read fully both Psalm 130 and Galatians 5 (or the whole book for that matter). Being that tomorrow is Easter, these verses seem to have even more significance. Last night, I was blessed to be able to worship God, take Communion, and witness six baptisms with a couple hundred people. It was truly spectacular, but in the midst of all this celebration, worship, and remembrance, I was struck by the simplicity of Paul's statement in Galatians 5:1.
It seems to be redundant and obvious but it couldn't be more profound. Christ did not come to set us free so that we might be ruled by the flesh (aka the world). He did not come to set us free so that we can focus our energies in school or a job. Christ set us free so that we can be free. He set us free so that we will not be under bondage of this world and it's constantly imposed legalism and requirements and duties and obligations. He set us free so that we can be WITH HIM. There is nothing of this world that will ever be more fulfilling than that.
CHRIST SET US FREE SO THAT WE CAN BE FREE.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Tree of Life
So today I was hanging outside in my hammock just thinking about God, and I got this great image. I saw this great, big tree and thought of how each and every one of us, when began our journey with God, were just a little twig on that tree. We couldn't really support anything, and every little breeze would make us sway. We were susceptible to fracture and from being separated from the tree, which stands for community. The community is what holds a new Christian up.
The thing is that it isn't feasible to remain a twig for very long. One day some little kid is going to come snap you off and use you as a sword. As a twig, you are vulnerable and susceptible to being broken off by any number of tragedies or difficulties in life. We must grow into something greater. We must grow into a thicker, stronger branch. Community isn't enough to do that. In order to move from a twig to a branch, we must feed on the Word, the Holy Scriptures. That is what gives us the nutrients to grow. Community can support you for a period of time, but it can't grow you, at least not on its own. The thing is, branches are still not very secure. Even the thickest are vulnerable to fracture. High winds can still snap you right off the tree. If a twig is a newborn believer, a branch is an adolescent. Branches still sway in the wind and are still fragile.
We must grow from a branch into the trunk. Now you are no longer being supported by the branches or the trunk, but you are the trunk. You are giving birth to new Christians and being their base and their support, for what good is a truck with no branches and a branch with no twigs? Ultimately though, the nutrients come from above and below, from the sunlight and the ground. None of it can be sustained without God. God is the earth and the sun. Surely even the mightiest trees fall. We are never free from being broken down. We are never free from attack. To think that nothing will ever shake you is arrogant and prideful. Even the mightiest fall (think of David for instance). That's why we must dig our roots deep into God. Even if somebody chops down the tree, the roots remain. Surely it hurts, but the earth and the sun aren't going anywhere. God is not going anywhere.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." ~Psalm 73:26
"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in you name, for your name is good." ~Psalm 52:8-9
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." ~ Colossians 2:6-7
The thing is that it isn't feasible to remain a twig for very long. One day some little kid is going to come snap you off and use you as a sword. As a twig, you are vulnerable and susceptible to being broken off by any number of tragedies or difficulties in life. We must grow into something greater. We must grow into a thicker, stronger branch. Community isn't enough to do that. In order to move from a twig to a branch, we must feed on the Word, the Holy Scriptures. That is what gives us the nutrients to grow. Community can support you for a period of time, but it can't grow you, at least not on its own. The thing is, branches are still not very secure. Even the thickest are vulnerable to fracture. High winds can still snap you right off the tree. If a twig is a newborn believer, a branch is an adolescent. Branches still sway in the wind and are still fragile.
We must grow from a branch into the trunk. Now you are no longer being supported by the branches or the trunk, but you are the trunk. You are giving birth to new Christians and being their base and their support, for what good is a truck with no branches and a branch with no twigs? Ultimately though, the nutrients come from above and below, from the sunlight and the ground. None of it can be sustained without God. God is the earth and the sun. Surely even the mightiest trees fall. We are never free from being broken down. We are never free from attack. To think that nothing will ever shake you is arrogant and prideful. Even the mightiest fall (think of David for instance). That's why we must dig our roots deep into God. Even if somebody chops down the tree, the roots remain. Surely it hurts, but the earth and the sun aren't going anywhere. God is not going anywhere.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." ~Psalm 73:26
"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in you name, for your name is good." ~Psalm 52:8-9
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." ~ Colossians 2:6-7
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Gravitational God
Big "G" and little "g". If you've ever taken a physics course, you might remember what these letters represent. G is a constant (the gravitational constant to be exact), but g is not. It does not matter a bit where in the universe you are. G will always be the same 6.67*10^-11 N*(m/kg)^2. You might remember that little "g" is just the acceleration due to gravity aka a measure of the strength of gravity. For example, here on Earth it is ~9.8 m/s^2. The moon has less gravity, thus g is smaller and ~1.6 m/s^2. Big "G" is actually used to calculate little "g" with the simple equation, g = G*M/r^2. You might be wondering where I am going with this, and no this is not a physics lesson.
The triune, Christian God, YAHWEH, is big "G". He doesn't change. He is a constant. Everything else is a little "g". They vary. They are relative. All other gods and idols are little "g". They might seem to be concrete, but it's only because sometimes we have a very narrow view. The truth is that whenever we change locations or perspectives, these idols and gods change. They cannot hold up to the changes and challenges of life. Often times the Israelites would create and worship idols such as a golden calf. Today we see people worship money, science, jobs, people, etc. All these things have one thing in common. They are all created things. They are all creations of God. It's just like how little "g" is calculated or created from big "G". Why worship the created when you can worship the creator!?
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created, and have their being." ~ Revelation 4:11
The triune, Christian God, YAHWEH, is big "G". He doesn't change. He is a constant. Everything else is a little "g". They vary. They are relative. All other gods and idols are little "g". They might seem to be concrete, but it's only because sometimes we have a very narrow view. The truth is that whenever we change locations or perspectives, these idols and gods change. They cannot hold up to the changes and challenges of life. Often times the Israelites would create and worship idols such as a golden calf. Today we see people worship money, science, jobs, people, etc. All these things have one thing in common. They are all created things. They are all creations of God. It's just like how little "g" is calculated or created from big "G". Why worship the created when you can worship the creator!?
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created, and have their being." ~ Revelation 4:11
Monday, March 17, 2014
Starving for the Gospel
If you've ever watched TV, you've undoubtedly seen commercials for starving people, especially children. They play super sad music while showing pictures of kids with skin pulled taut over their bones. Now do you remember the emotions these commercials brought upon you? You probably felt saddened by them and compassion for them. You might have imagined what it would have been like to be in that situation. Now imagine seeing somebody starving, but not because of a lack of food. Instead it's because they are a picky eater. They have a table full of food, but they refuse to eat it. If you saw a commercial for that person asking for a lobster tail and filet mignon because a turkey sandwich wasn't good enough, would you feel compassion for them? Would you feel inclined to help them?
The fact of the matter is that this is what the world experiences everyday...spiritually. There is one difference though. The people asking for surf and turf are somehow garnering most of our money and attention while those legitimately without food are ignored. Did you know 9 out of 10 missions dollars go to countries that are already Christianized? The other 10% goes to the unreached people of the world, the people starving for the gospel. It seems as though most of the missions efforts goes to people that gave heard the gospel or have it nearby. It goes to areas of the world and countries that are actually sending out missionaries of their own. Why is it that the 3 largest nations in the world other than the U.S. (1-China, 2-India, 4-Indonesia) are also the 3 most untouched by the gospel? Why don't we have more compassion and urgency to reach the unreached? We are going and preaching the gospel in areas for the 100th time when some areas and some PEOPLE still haven't even heard the name of Jesus for the 1st time!
I don't want to make it seem as though I don't appreciate missionaries in Europe and South America and other areas such as those, because those people are lost too. I know that, and they still need the gospel brought to them. I am just trying to make a distinction between lost and unreached. I recently met a young lady who was the only Christian in her entire home island in Indonesia. We have more followers of Christ in a single church than entire people groups have else ware (the nations that Jesus refers to in the great commission). The fact of the matter is that these areas are unreached because they aren't easy, but that doesn't mean there isn't a harvest to be reaped. They just need workers.
My challenge to you is this. What are you going to do about it? Maybe this means to start giving to missions. Maybe that means thinking more about where you are going to send that next missions check. Maybe that means answering God's call to go with the gospel to an unreached land across the world. Whatever it may be, do it! God has entrusted us with bringing the gospel to the world. Let's not let the good news end with us. Let's not continue to fatten the calf, but instead let's focus more on feeding the starving.
The fact of the matter is that this is what the world experiences everyday...spiritually. There is one difference though. The people asking for surf and turf are somehow garnering most of our money and attention while those legitimately without food are ignored. Did you know 9 out of 10 missions dollars go to countries that are already Christianized? The other 10% goes to the unreached people of the world, the people starving for the gospel. It seems as though most of the missions efforts goes to people that gave heard the gospel or have it nearby. It goes to areas of the world and countries that are actually sending out missionaries of their own. Why is it that the 3 largest nations in the world other than the U.S. (1-China, 2-India, 4-Indonesia) are also the 3 most untouched by the gospel? Why don't we have more compassion and urgency to reach the unreached? We are going and preaching the gospel in areas for the 100th time when some areas and some PEOPLE still haven't even heard the name of Jesus for the 1st time!
I don't want to make it seem as though I don't appreciate missionaries in Europe and South America and other areas such as those, because those people are lost too. I know that, and they still need the gospel brought to them. I am just trying to make a distinction between lost and unreached. I recently met a young lady who was the only Christian in her entire home island in Indonesia. We have more followers of Christ in a single church than entire people groups have else ware (the nations that Jesus refers to in the great commission). The fact of the matter is that these areas are unreached because they aren't easy, but that doesn't mean there isn't a harvest to be reaped. They just need workers.
My challenge to you is this. What are you going to do about it? Maybe this means to start giving to missions. Maybe that means thinking more about where you are going to send that next missions check. Maybe that means answering God's call to go with the gospel to an unreached land across the world. Whatever it may be, do it! God has entrusted us with bringing the gospel to the world. Let's not let the good news end with us. Let's not continue to fatten the calf, but instead let's focus more on feeding the starving.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Corn Starch + Water = GOD
Have you ever tried to mix corn starch with water? I hope that y'all have at least seen it before because it is actually really cool. Here is a short video from Mythbusters for those of y'all who have no idea what I'm talking about.
Long story short, when you mix corn starch with water in the right proportions, the product behaves as both a solid and a liquid. When it is struck, it behaves as a solid, otherwise it will run like a liquid. This is seen beautifully in the Mythbusters video where Adam can run across the solution with no problem. He can even stand on it as long as he keeps his feet moving. You can see where at certain points, he doesn't move quick enough and sinks a bit, and later when he stops moving altogether, he is engulfed by the solution.
My point is this. This simple solution accurately resembles our lives and our walk with God in such a profound way. We must be continually pursuing and moving toward God because as soon as we begin to slow down, we will sink with the best of them. If we stop pursuing Him altogether, we will be engulfed by the world. It reminds me of when Jesus called Peter out onto the water and for a moment, Peter actually walked on the water, but even he soon began to focus on the chaos of the sea and the world around him rather than the almighty savior before him.
Let us continually focus on and run toward our Almighty Savior, JESUS!
"I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding." ~Psalm 119:32
Long story short, when you mix corn starch with water in the right proportions, the product behaves as both a solid and a liquid. When it is struck, it behaves as a solid, otherwise it will run like a liquid. This is seen beautifully in the Mythbusters video where Adam can run across the solution with no problem. He can even stand on it as long as he keeps his feet moving. You can see where at certain points, he doesn't move quick enough and sinks a bit, and later when he stops moving altogether, he is engulfed by the solution.
My point is this. This simple solution accurately resembles our lives and our walk with God in such a profound way. We must be continually pursuing and moving toward God because as soon as we begin to slow down, we will sink with the best of them. If we stop pursuing Him altogether, we will be engulfed by the world. It reminds me of when Jesus called Peter out onto the water and for a moment, Peter actually walked on the water, but even he soon began to focus on the chaos of the sea and the world around him rather than the almighty savior before him.
Let us continually focus on and run toward our Almighty Savior, JESUS!
"I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding." ~Psalm 119:32
Is Praying Without Ceasing Possible?
"Pray without ceasing." If you're like me, this seems more like an ideal than a command. You might have read about Jesus praying all night. That seems impossible. Heck, I wonder how people can even pray for a couple hours at a time, or even a single hour. Praying for a mere 15 minutes used to be tough for me.
So often we hear that we just need to talk to God like He is our friend. How in the world are we supposed to do that??? What does that even mean when we're sitting alone in a room trying to talk to God?? If you're like me, then when people say that, it frustrates you more than it helps you. He isn't physically in the room with you like a friend would be. He doesn't respond like a friend would. The idea that you are just talking to a friend sounds great in theory, but in practice, thinking that, at least at the start, can be more harmful than helpful. It gives you false expectations, and when it isn't as easy and natural as talking to a friend right away, often times doubts begin to circulate whether God is listening and whether prayer is even worthwhile. With that said, I don't think prayer should be as tough as we think. It isn't something just for the super holy. It is for all of us, and I do believe we can all learn to pray for hours on end given the right mindset.
The fact of the matter is that most things in life aren't immediately obvious and easy. For us to excel, we must practice through repetition. Nobody has ever become great at anything without practice. We think of speaking to our friends as being one of the most natural things, but the reality of the situation is that even that was learned. We aren't born with great conversation skills, but we have practiced them for the entirety of our lives so far, thus it seems easy and natural. In a sense, we must learn to speak again when we begin to follow God. We must learn to speak to God the way we would speak to our friends. This is very different from saying we must talk to God like He is our friend. That makes it sound like it should be super easy and natural from the start and when it's not, we become discouraged. I equate it more like learning another language. It's tough at first. We can't use what the world has taught us because we are born again into the Kingdom. To learn to talk to God, we must practice. We must obediently come before God, and babel to Him like a baby to their father. You wouldn't expect a three year old child to hold an hour long conversation, and neither would you expect an infant of the kingdom to be able to hold an hour long conversation with God. The phrase being reborn is not just metaphorical. We all are or once were literally infants in the Kingdom of God. There are things that only time, practice, and good "parenting" can bring us to. Oh how much more the Father can teach us than our earthly parents!
Just as you don't learn to speak alone, you don't learn to pray alone. Praying with other people has helped me more than any other thing I can think of. Hearing their heart for prayer, hearing what they pray for, and hearing how they pray has given me a tangible example to follow. There is no better way to learn than from somebody who has already gone through the internal struggle of the seeming impossible nature of extended prayer.
I challenge you to present yourself before the LORD every day. Be obedient to Him. Throw Him a rope, and He will pull you closer. I promise you it will become more natural if you would allow Him to teach you. There is nothing that brings GOD more joy than hearing AND answering your prayers.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship." ~ Romans 12:1
So often we hear that we just need to talk to God like He is our friend. How in the world are we supposed to do that??? What does that even mean when we're sitting alone in a room trying to talk to God?? If you're like me, then when people say that, it frustrates you more than it helps you. He isn't physically in the room with you like a friend would be. He doesn't respond like a friend would. The idea that you are just talking to a friend sounds great in theory, but in practice, thinking that, at least at the start, can be more harmful than helpful. It gives you false expectations, and when it isn't as easy and natural as talking to a friend right away, often times doubts begin to circulate whether God is listening and whether prayer is even worthwhile. With that said, I don't think prayer should be as tough as we think. It isn't something just for the super holy. It is for all of us, and I do believe we can all learn to pray for hours on end given the right mindset.
The fact of the matter is that most things in life aren't immediately obvious and easy. For us to excel, we must practice through repetition. Nobody has ever become great at anything without practice. We think of speaking to our friends as being one of the most natural things, but the reality of the situation is that even that was learned. We aren't born with great conversation skills, but we have practiced them for the entirety of our lives so far, thus it seems easy and natural. In a sense, we must learn to speak again when we begin to follow God. We must learn to speak to God the way we would speak to our friends. This is very different from saying we must talk to God like He is our friend. That makes it sound like it should be super easy and natural from the start and when it's not, we become discouraged. I equate it more like learning another language. It's tough at first. We can't use what the world has taught us because we are born again into the Kingdom. To learn to talk to God, we must practice. We must obediently come before God, and babel to Him like a baby to their father. You wouldn't expect a three year old child to hold an hour long conversation, and neither would you expect an infant of the kingdom to be able to hold an hour long conversation with God. The phrase being reborn is not just metaphorical. We all are or once were literally infants in the Kingdom of God. There are things that only time, practice, and good "parenting" can bring us to. Oh how much more the Father can teach us than our earthly parents!
Just as you don't learn to speak alone, you don't learn to pray alone. Praying with other people has helped me more than any other thing I can think of. Hearing their heart for prayer, hearing what they pray for, and hearing how they pray has given me a tangible example to follow. There is no better way to learn than from somebody who has already gone through the internal struggle of the seeming impossible nature of extended prayer.
I challenge you to present yourself before the LORD every day. Be obedient to Him. Throw Him a rope, and He will pull you closer. I promise you it will become more natural if you would allow Him to teach you. There is nothing that brings GOD more joy than hearing AND answering your prayers.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship." ~ Romans 12:1
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