Fair-weather Faith

How precious is our Father to us? How about his Word?

Where do we turn when troubles arise or when others despise us? What about when troubles arise and others despise us because of our faith?

Our faith will be tested in numerous ways throughout life, and the only way we can endure is if we truly delight in God. If we recognize his righteousness in the midst of the confusion around us and desire him, desire understanding, desire zeal.

Those desires don’t come by themselves; they come by the grace of God. They come by reading the words that God has revealed to us e-v-e-r-y day, and especially in times of doubt and trouble, reminding ourselves of his promises, his goodness, and his truth. His word serves as a tangible, inspiring, calming, convicting, comforting rock during the storm if only we will use it. Though as Christians we need to let our reasonableness be known, let our lights shine, serve others in love, the fact is that Christ advised “if the world hates you, remember it hated me first.” Sometimes despite our efforts, we will be mocked, ridiculed, slandered, attacked for our faith, not for any wrong that we have done but because of the gospel, because of our dedication to truth (although, we have to diligently remember there is a fine line between zeal and a lack of wisdom, between trying to persuade others and trying to win an argument. We can’t confuse being zealous with being a jerk) Trouble and anguish may find us out. We may have enemies that either disregard the words of God, or abuse them, or are ignorant of them.

And when those times come, will we have the kind of foundation in our faith that will cause us to respond as beautifully as the psalmist in 119:137-114:

“My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
Your testimonies are righteous forever
give me understanding that I may live.”

Will we rest on our rock, on his word, continually seeking understanding and wisdom, or will we be crippled by anxiety when the privileges, the friendships, the comforts of this world are stripped away on account of our beliefs? Is our faith built on a deep love for God and his righteousness, come what may, or is it just another fair-weather weekend pastime?

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 10-11, Psalm 119:137-144, Philippians 4- Colossians 1

Whose Fruit?

Sometimes I turn to Galatians 5 when I’m in need of a refresher, when I know my convictions have dulled and I want to remember who I am. The fruit of the Spirit is likely a familiar concept to many, yet that doesn’t make it unnecessary to read and re-read and meditate upon.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

The first thing I notice is the contrast in imagery. As we read through the works of the flesh, there’s probably a picture that comes to mind – for some of us it may be the picture of ourselves not too long ago – and the same goes as we switch gears and read about this ‘fruit of the Spirit.’

At times, it can be inspiring to read these verses. It can be affirming in our commitment to this new way of life and to Christ.

And at other times, it can be discouraging. What happens when we don’t see that fruit in we life? What if just as you start to get a handle on kindness, everything else goes out the window?

The cool thing about the fruit of the Spirit is that it is fruit – it is the growth, the product – of the Spirit. It’s not called the ‘fruit of you’ for a reason: we can’t magically conjure it up as we desire any more than a tree can yield an apple from it’s own will and in it’s own time. The fruit, and the freedom from the works of the flesh, are gifts from our Father as we patiently abide.

It does take effort and heartache and failing and patience and persistence and discipline to stop practicing those sins listed, and to diligently cultivate those virtues without a doubt [if that is a foreign concept to us, we’ve missed something], but thank God it is not on our shoulders alone. It is not up to us to simply try harder and harder and pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. If we find ourselves discouraged by our weakness, our failures, our absent harvest, we can be reminded that our Father is longsuffering, he is powerful; he is not only the patient farmer, he is the very life within his crops.

If we but remain steadfast and daily surrender to him in prayer and in study, learning his will, his Spirit will reveal the inevitable growth in his time. Don’t give up.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” – v16,17

Genuine Love is Generous

Is our love genuine?

Paul, when writing to the church in Corinth (2 Cor. 8) concerning the collection for the suffering saints in Jerusalem, drops this provocative thought in verses 8 and 9:

“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

Just before, he told them of the already impoverished Macedonian church who in joy, gave generously to the Christians in Jerusalem, clearly meant as an example, a nudge. And he says that their actions, their attitude, their own voluntary, joyful generosity, will prove that their love is genuine. What a weighty statement.
Yet, he doesn’t leave them hanging under all that pressure; Paul quickly follows with the gospel. Christ left his own, personal comfort, wealth, abundance, blessings and came to earth. And if that weren’t enough of a culture-shock and downgrade, he descended further, living a life of poverty and homelessness. And as though he hadn’t been abased enough, he continued -he volunteered- to humble himself by enduring slander, abuse, persecution, wrongful death, and alienation from his Father, so that we could be heirs with him. So that we could share in the life he left. So that we could be reconciled with our Father. So we could experience comfort and spiritual wealth. So we could have victory over death and be empowered by God’s grace and spirit.
So we could go and do likewise.

It is because of God’s forgiveness of our sins that we can forgive others. It’s because of God’s longsuffering with us that we can endure and strive patiently with our neighbors and brothers and sisters. And it’s because of God’s love and grace towards us that we can liberally love and give to others without fear.

There are many ways to give today, and although the collection plate is the obvious one, it isn’t the only one. Often there are many needs around us. Can we give money? Can we provide meals? Visits? Can we lower our standard of living so that others might have their needs met? Can we support missions or foreign needs? Can we set aside a collection at home so that when tragedy strikes others, we have extra to supply?

“For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” 8:13-15

By God’s grace we’ve been empowered to live out for others what Christ has done for us. And if we aren’t doing so, is our love, is our faith, genuine? Or do we need to re-ignite our zeal with reminders and deeper understandings of the gospel?

Reading: 1 Sam 15-16, Ps 119:41-48, 2 Cor 7-8

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Struck Down, But Not Destroyed

Okay, I confess. I cheated and took the title from a chapter that isn’t in today’s reading. I hope you’ll read along anyway:

Some of our favorite stories are of people who rise above the depths of their childhood darkness. We are in awe of people who not only endure tremendous pain, but who come out stronger and kinder and successful, people like Louis Zamperini whose trauma as a prisoner of war was followed in the recent film ‘Unbroken’.
Yet at the same time, we probably know a family member or friend, or maybe it’s ourselves who buckle under difficulty, lash out at others, withdraw permanently, those who have now adopted a negative, critical view of life and others, who are engulfed in bitterness and hurt. So, are some people just better when it comes to enduring affliction?

I wouldn’t say so, and I don’t think Paul would either. I think perspective and hope make all the difference – and how much greater the difference when our perspectives and hopes are rooted in Christ.

Many of us Christians know certain truths – we have a ‘head knowledge’ about what suffering is, what the purpose of it might be, how to endure. We’ve read 2 Corinthians 1 and highlighted verses like “…the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our afflictions” or “ For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” or “But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” or “On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”

Yet it isn’t until we’re broadsided by difficulty that we can begin the process of transferring that head-knowledge to functional heart-knowledge. The question isn’t whether we’re strong enough or good enough to endure or whether we just have an outstanding character or  we’re magically-equipped for life, the question is whether we’ll continue to draw close to the One who is strongest, the only One good enough, the One who can deliver us and comfort us and transform us.

Oftentimes, it’s those very difficulties we want to be rid of that are actually our gateway into a deeper communion with God, and a greater maturity as his children. When trials come, we all can see those ugly traits that have been hiding within the recesses of our hearts. So, if we’re feeling discouraged not only because of our circumstances, but also because of how we’ve been reacting to them, we can take heart. That’s precisely what God wants us to notice. He’s not surprised – though we might not have realized our weaknesses, he’s always seen them, and suffering can be a tool of God to bring those weaknesses into our line of vision. He doesn’t want us to be paralyzed, but rather motivated to pray, reflect, and rely on him for growth.  Nevertheless, enduring suffering well may include very long periods of much sorrow, depression, tears, “despairing of life”, it may mean confusion and setbacks and frustration. We don’t need to hinder our progress by feeling guilt over where we are in our growth. Let’s simply focus on one day at a time, and make our goal each day to simply abide in Christ.

His will is for us to come out stronger and better through trials, but never by our own doing or as a cause for boasting. God is not waiting to discover which person we’ll be, which category we’ll fall into, he’s waiting for us to discover him and what he will do through us if we’ll humbly allow.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 9-10, Psalm 119:17-24, 1 Cor 16- 2 Cor 1

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How About That Head Covering?

Today’s reading includes 1 Corinthians 11, the home of the controversial head covering passage.

In the church you can find all sorts of people: women with long hair, women with short hair, women who wear coverings, those who don’t, men with long hair and men with short and men who remove their hats during prayer.

We’re actually not going to lay out the answer to what might be right in this article. Instead we’re going to ask ourselves: have we studied this passage? Where do we stand? Why did we come to that conclusion?

I’ve met those who had never realized the first 16 verses of 1 Corinthians 11 were in the Bible. I’ve met those who had been told it was simply a cultural thing, took the teacher at their word and that was it – never exploring the rebuttals to that claim. I’ve met those who have studied extensively and hold the position that the hair is the covering and therefore women must have long hair and men shouldn’t. And those who have studied extensively and concluded that women must wear an additional covering. And then those who have studied extensively and concluded that not only do you need a covering, it needs to be long. And those who have studied extensively and don’t believe it applies today.

What I want to do today is provoke you to read and study the Bible, seek out opposing views, pray, whether it’s over the head covering or any topic you’ve been presented with that you’re unsure about.

The truth is, most people I’ve met who talk about their journey in understanding 1 Corinthians 11 reveal that at some point or another, they’ve held nearly every position. Understanding changes, knowledge deepens over time. The best we can do is make sure we’re at least trying to seek wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Over and over God conveys that it is the humble and willing heart he seeks, and therefore there is grace for error. But a humble and willing heart seeks and listens and will change and grow, that’s the key. Are we humble seekers?

How about this one: are we treating the scriptures impartially? One thing I can say about this passage is that it is just as simply and clearly stated as other controversial verses which we typically defend and practice today, especially those concerning the roles of women which some also see as being cultural.

So, here’s the conclusion:

Can we answer why we do what we do, why we believe what we believe? Is our faith, is the Bible, our compass as we go through the paths of our lives? Do we consult it? Do we test all things?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” – 1 Peter 2:2

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Today’s reading: Ruth 2-4, Ps 117, 1 Cor 11

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Purposeful Praise

Do we take time to praise God in our prayers? Do we ever pray for the sole purpose of expressing awe and love? Where does our mind drift when we look up in the sky, or look down at an intricately designed plant or when we steal just moments of peaceful quiet with a beautiful view, cup of coffee, and book in hand?

Are any of our prayers simply about God? To God? For God? In light of God?

Psalm 111 shares 10 short verses revealing the beauty of God, and I believe we would all do well to incorporate this purposeful praise into our daily conversations with our Father. Let’s break it up into 4 themes:

1. Thanksgiving

The Psalmist not only thanks God with his whole heart, but in the company of others. What is he thankful for? Read on!

2. Observance

He says that all who delight in the works of the Lord, study them. Do we study the ‘handiwork’ of God? Do remember what it’s like to be fascinated by creation? How refreshing to be purposeful and present throughout the hours by taking note and thanking God for the daily miracles of nature. They surround us, always.

3. Remembrance

The Israelites were instructed to teach and bring to remembrance the justice and mercy of God throughout the day, to tell the story over and over again of how He delivered them. Are we diligent to remember not only the creative works of God, but the redemptive? If we need refreshing, do we return to the scriptures to learn again of His provision and His covenant? He is working mightily in us, always.

4. Fear

“Holy and awesome is his name! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” – v.10 Do we praise God, knowing that He is…God? Holy and awesome and just and full of wisdom and mercy? What a needed perspective-changer during our hectic, self-focused days, that over time will actually lead us into the abundant vineyard of God’s wisdom. He is the sovereign God, always.

There’s simply no better ending than for us to say together with the Psalmist: His praise endures forever!

Today’s reading: Judges 10-11, Psalm 111, Romans 16 – 1 Corinthians 1

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Shall I Leave My Abundance?

“When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honored, and go hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?’  Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’” – Judges 9:7-15

This might be one of the first parables told in the Bible. Jotham, Gideon’s youngest son, is warning Israel against choosing the corrupt Abimelech (the lowly, thorny, useless bramble) as their king. But this is also an illustration of Israel itself, and it is always beneficial to learn from history, so let’s take a look.

Israel, the trees, was always desperate for a physical king, not satisfied with God alone, and wanting to blend in with the nations around them. In just the last chapter, something very similar to this parable happened (though Gideon’s response didn’t turn out to be entirely sincere, unfortunately):

“The Israelites said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us — you, your son and your grandson — because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.’
But Gideon told them, ‘I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.‘”

Now, the trees Jotham chooses as examples are symbols of the already great privileges afforded to Israel by God, and are familiar figures throughout scripture, but to save time, the obvious conclusion is that these fruit-bearing trees were content with their God-given duties, abundance, provision, and being ruled by God. They were utterly satisfied resting in Him. And the proper response for God’s people should have been “The Lord will rule over us.”

But not just because that was what God had purposed for His people, rather His people should actually delight so much in their Heavenly Father, that nothing in this world could entice them away. Physical circumstances aside – we’re not talking physical wealth or comfort or health – God’s people should be characterized by a deep love and desire for Him, a satisfaction with Him. We should be so spiritually rich that we would reply, “Shall I leave my abundance…?” when the world calls us to its own luxuries or privileges.

Thankfully, by God’s grace, it’s not on our shoulders to produce that overwhelming joy and love for God: He has promised us such depth if only we abide. When we abide in His word and in prayer each and every day, He will give us spiritual fruit beyond our comprehension.

“Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11

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Faith That Counts

At the age of five, I had some pretty big aspirations. I was going to build a bridge from California to Australia and ride my motorcycle across it, and I was going to count all of the stars. One night, I went out and looked to the night sky. It was harder than I thought.

“’Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” This was going to be a blessing from God that was too big to be counted.

Abraham had the kind of faith that counts. The next verse states, “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”

If you want righteousness and blessings too big to count, have faith. Trust God even when the odds seem bleak. Your faith will be counted to you as righteousness.

Remember: with God, nothing is impossible.