2 Corinthians 6:11
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.
Often we are led to receive Jesus through total discontent with what the world can offer. Most of us have explored the possibilities of where we can go, what we can do or who we could try to become but we come to a place where none of it is appealing. We become discontented with what we know life to be and with what we have in this life, no matter how “good” we might have it at the time. Sometimes this discontentment can be a shocking discovery. After all, don’t we have it all in this wealthy place? Well meaning people are always reminding us of how well off we are and urging us to be more grateful for what we have. So as an unbeliever, the voice of discontent can sound like ingratitude.
If a person is able to come to be totally discontented with what he can get from the world, it is good to examine exactly what it is he wants rather than write it off as general ingratitude. God means for us to give in to this unhappiness; lie down and cry like babies and say we hate our lives. It is in the midst of this life hating that we will search out our options. People do not deserve to be happy but we certainly do pursue it. We may as well pursue it where it can actually be gained – in the heart of God with Jesus Christ.
When we give our lives to God in Jesus, we give way under the weight of dissatisfaction with our lives. We are telling God, “You can have my life, I do not want it but I want the life of Jesus Christ instead.” When we lay our lives down at the feet of Jesus, we trust that His work is enough to qualify us for a relationship with the Father. When we repent and turn to God in Jesus, we immediately receive the life of the Son. There is an exchange; the life of Christ for the lives of us who receive Him. From that point on, God works in us through His Spirit to make us able to keep our end of the deal.
Our ability to be faithful to our part is contingent on our believing that God has been faithful to His. This believing is the free gift of faith. We enter in to the deal by faith.
There are times in a Christian’s life when we will find that we are drawn again into discontent. Many, if not most, come to feel a little disappointed in what began as such a happy journey. They wonder what happened to the beginning joy in finding Jesus and come to feel that the honeymoon is over and that they should be happy with all that God has done for them. After all, if a person is going to heaven, what more could they want? So as a believer, the voice of discontent can sound like ingratitude.
Christian, the devil wants you think that what you have now in terms of your relationship with Jesus is all you can have. It is a lie. Frankly, it is a lie believed just as readily by those who profess to follow Jesus as by those who do not know Him. As Christians, we easily accept the twisted truth of self sacrifice to mean that we are not to pursue happiness and joy and that if we are unhappy we should just pretend we are. We are Christians, we should be happy; therefore we should not complain but make ourselves happy with what we have. Right? We play into the enemy’s plans when we convince ourselves, out of guilt, that so long as we have a relatively peaceful life and an occasional glimpse of God’s glory, all is well. Scripture tells a different story.
Just as when we were first saved, we must be brought to kneel under our discontent and confess that we need and want much, much more. The 80% world and 20% Jesus life is not going to work to keep us alive and going in the calling God has placed on us. This life looks like reality and sanity but it is a mockery of the real life Jesus promises those who believe Him. The devil wants you to be content with keeping a “safe” balance on one hand and periodically touching the robe of the Master with the other.
Do you see yourself standing outside the doorway while Jesus is throwing a party inside? You also are invited. Regardless of how long you have been moping or if you have just arrived; He wants you to join Him in the fullness of His joy. He is not making it difficult for you. Ask Him to loosen your affections for Him and to help you see the lies of the enemy for what they are, most prominent among them is: Be Content.
Your power to give your life to God is in believing you have His life in you. It is a free gift that cannot be taken back or returned. It is faith. We continue and close the deal by faith.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Shadow
Psalm 23:3
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
For those who walk with Jesus, death is but a shadow of reality. It is real as far as a shadow is real. We can see it and it moves and seems to cover light; but it is not the true reality for the Christian. The true reality for the Christian is eternal life. Real life and real death are spiritual. What happens in this visible, touchable life in this present world is only a shadow.
In Ephesians chapter 6 we are told that our war is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Many places in Scripture tell us to look to the spiritual reality and give no credence to the physical life. Our flesh and bodies are of no account. We are to look, by faith, to the unseen. The life we have here that seems so real is a shadow. The reality is in the spiritual realm. The Spirit of God, the Devil, Holy angels, demons: this is the reality that is taking place. The unfolding of God’s miraculous glorifying of himself in Jesus is taking place – ongoing – in this spiritual, unseen world. We see shadows of it here on earth. Satan toys with us and teases and tempts us with the shadow existence that he rules for this time. He is quite aware of our inability to see things clearly and our unwillingness to believe what is actually there without seeing it. This is why we are to live by faith and not by sight.
Within this real realm of life and death – the spiritual, there is one truth; Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the Truth. Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all things. That which remains and endures and proves true is truth. All that is outside of Christ is a lie. So we have a false reality – life in this world, a reality that is a lie – spiritual outside Christ, which will not remain, and reality that is Truth – Jesus Christ and all that is within Him. 2 + 2 =4. Those are real numbers and it is a truth. It will not change but will remain true forever. It cannot be altered and remain true. This is reality that is truth. 2 + 2 = 6. Here we have real numbers and an actual equation but it is a lie. It will never be true and will not stand or be of any use. # + $ = ?. This is a semblance of an equation. There are no real numbers; all can be filled in to mean anything. It is not true and not directly a lie; it is a shadow of a real equation. This is the world we live in.
Living in this unreal world makes us just a little vulnerable. If we will dwell in Jesus, we can live out our earthly life in God’s shadow (psalm 91). For those who live by faith, God is ever near. It may seem at times like our prayers have to go very far to reach His ears but He is quite close. We may call out to Him to come and be with us and help us to pray. He is there – it is us who must come. We must come out of the shadow – inwardly and into His forgiving and giving light so that we can pray and seek His favor and guidance to bring and be blessings for others.
The shadows cling and pull and make webs in our minds. The less frequently we pray; the more intense they seem. We must practice our faith close to the throne of God and continually step out from the shadows into His light so that we can discern His will and hear His voice. There are times when it seems just so hard to get free of the distractions of the dark world we live in. Fighting our own way is like fighting through fishing line. Jesus, our Savior, tells us to rest, to trust, to listen and to obey.
Rest on Jesus. Rest in the love of the one who cares for you. Trust in God’s love and power for others; they are His interest. Listen – be still, stop flailing and hear the heart of God. He is right there. Obey – do not turn from what is right because of difficulty. This life is a shadow but we who are Christ’s are spiritual so our prayers are real. We are carried to the Throne of God in the arms of Jesus. He will rescue us from the shadows that can only threaten and taunt.
I come to you Father, in the arms of Jesus
Thank you for having me.
Out of the shadows and into your light – I come in the arms of Jesus.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
For those who walk with Jesus, death is but a shadow of reality. It is real as far as a shadow is real. We can see it and it moves and seems to cover light; but it is not the true reality for the Christian. The true reality for the Christian is eternal life. Real life and real death are spiritual. What happens in this visible, touchable life in this present world is only a shadow.
In Ephesians chapter 6 we are told that our war is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Many places in Scripture tell us to look to the spiritual reality and give no credence to the physical life. Our flesh and bodies are of no account. We are to look, by faith, to the unseen. The life we have here that seems so real is a shadow. The reality is in the spiritual realm. The Spirit of God, the Devil, Holy angels, demons: this is the reality that is taking place. The unfolding of God’s miraculous glorifying of himself in Jesus is taking place – ongoing – in this spiritual, unseen world. We see shadows of it here on earth. Satan toys with us and teases and tempts us with the shadow existence that he rules for this time. He is quite aware of our inability to see things clearly and our unwillingness to believe what is actually there without seeing it. This is why we are to live by faith and not by sight.
Within this real realm of life and death – the spiritual, there is one truth; Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the Truth. Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all things. That which remains and endures and proves true is truth. All that is outside of Christ is a lie. So we have a false reality – life in this world, a reality that is a lie – spiritual outside Christ, which will not remain, and reality that is Truth – Jesus Christ and all that is within Him. 2 + 2 =4. Those are real numbers and it is a truth. It will not change but will remain true forever. It cannot be altered and remain true. This is reality that is truth. 2 + 2 = 6. Here we have real numbers and an actual equation but it is a lie. It will never be true and will not stand or be of any use. # + $ = ?. This is a semblance of an equation. There are no real numbers; all can be filled in to mean anything. It is not true and not directly a lie; it is a shadow of a real equation. This is the world we live in.
Living in this unreal world makes us just a little vulnerable. If we will dwell in Jesus, we can live out our earthly life in God’s shadow (psalm 91). For those who live by faith, God is ever near. It may seem at times like our prayers have to go very far to reach His ears but He is quite close. We may call out to Him to come and be with us and help us to pray. He is there – it is us who must come. We must come out of the shadow – inwardly and into His forgiving and giving light so that we can pray and seek His favor and guidance to bring and be blessings for others.
The shadows cling and pull and make webs in our minds. The less frequently we pray; the more intense they seem. We must practice our faith close to the throne of God and continually step out from the shadows into His light so that we can discern His will and hear His voice. There are times when it seems just so hard to get free of the distractions of the dark world we live in. Fighting our own way is like fighting through fishing line. Jesus, our Savior, tells us to rest, to trust, to listen and to obey.
Rest on Jesus. Rest in the love of the one who cares for you. Trust in God’s love and power for others; they are His interest. Listen – be still, stop flailing and hear the heart of God. He is right there. Obey – do not turn from what is right because of difficulty. This life is a shadow but we who are Christ’s are spiritual so our prayers are real. We are carried to the Throne of God in the arms of Jesus. He will rescue us from the shadows that can only threaten and taunt.
I come to you Father, in the arms of Jesus
Thank you for having me.
Out of the shadows and into your light – I come in the arms of Jesus.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The True Unknown
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
This present world is ever changing, full of illusions, delusions, self deceptions and dark mysteries. In this world, we cannot take what we see at face value. There is always another reality beneath the surface. We are ever looking for the real motive of people or the hidden truth in claims made. The very earth changes; it gets sicklier and sicklier with the sin of man that corrupts it. Our best plans are laid waste by bad weather, bad people and our own bad decisions. As soon as we think we are making headway in our happiness plan; necessity or opinion makes our plan obsolete and we have to get a new one.
In spite of all the evidence that we are standing on shifting sand we continue to pile hope upon hope and plan after plan for true happiness in this life and in this world. We are deceived in that things seem to roll along fairly predictably most years for most people. If you work hard and treat people right, it will most likely turn out well for you. Most likely? If you get a real good job and get your kids in the right schools and eat the right foods and subscribe to the right magazines and add the right religion to your routine; life will probably turn out pretty well. Really? Will it be as well as with God? Or just as good as the next guy? Would you bet your life on gaining more happiness with the world’s plan over following God’s plan? Many of us are doing just that.
It is amazing how we moan and complain about giving over our lives because we can’t seem to see how it will pay off to leave what is known (the world) and seek the unknown (God’s ways). Why is it that we tend to think the world’s ways as so predictable? Not one of us knows what tomorrow will bring on this earth. We won’t know that in following Jesus faithfully either. The difference is in the fact that Jesus makes His plans and promises known to us. He does not hide the distresses this life will bring or the joy He can give in them. We leave what is familiar to follow wholeheartedly after Jesus. We do not go toward what is unknown but to what is unfamiliar. The unfamiliar is in not pressing through on our own.
To think that we live with the devils plans for us in being entrenched in the world and that this means we make our own way is a deception. We do not make our own way – it is made for us. It is made by the world, ruled by Satan. Or, it can be made by Jesus, the ruler of all. Just because we have spent more time in the world does not make it reliable or safe or known or unchanging. An abused child will almost always choose to stay with their abusive parent if given the choice. They are afraid of the unfamiliar. Things can eat away at us so slowly that we may think all is going just as we had planned. We might think we have it all figured out because the changing nature of this world is typically slow and seemingly outside of us. Don’t be fooled. Look around at the constant changing, but never new world around you and realize the danger in trusting it over the solid promises of God.
God has proven many times over that He does not change or lie and that He is able to do all He promises. To give over the entire life to Jesus and obey all He says is the most knowable path we could ever have. God does not claim He will give us health, wealth or prosperity. He does not lie. God does promise to give us full and everlasting life and abundant joy in Jesus. He does not lie. On the other hand, Satan will promise comfort, health, well being and well doing in sticking with the familiar, “known” ways. He does lie. We only need to look around and for many, look at our own lives, to realize this.
Has God called you to a walk in a different direction? Are you aching for more of Jesus but are held back by the fear of what you believe to be unknown? It is not unknown. If you know Jesus, then you know the way. It may be unfamiliar but all God has revealed to us is more than enough for us to see that He is true to His every word. God will do all He promises for you if you obey. He will care for you. He will give you more happiness than you could ever ask for. He actually gives a written guarantee and pledges it with the blood of his only Son. You can’t get a better offer than that. It can’t be more of a sure thing.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
This present world is ever changing, full of illusions, delusions, self deceptions and dark mysteries. In this world, we cannot take what we see at face value. There is always another reality beneath the surface. We are ever looking for the real motive of people or the hidden truth in claims made. The very earth changes; it gets sicklier and sicklier with the sin of man that corrupts it. Our best plans are laid waste by bad weather, bad people and our own bad decisions. As soon as we think we are making headway in our happiness plan; necessity or opinion makes our plan obsolete and we have to get a new one.
In spite of all the evidence that we are standing on shifting sand we continue to pile hope upon hope and plan after plan for true happiness in this life and in this world. We are deceived in that things seem to roll along fairly predictably most years for most people. If you work hard and treat people right, it will most likely turn out well for you. Most likely? If you get a real good job and get your kids in the right schools and eat the right foods and subscribe to the right magazines and add the right religion to your routine; life will probably turn out pretty well. Really? Will it be as well as with God? Or just as good as the next guy? Would you bet your life on gaining more happiness with the world’s plan over following God’s plan? Many of us are doing just that.
It is amazing how we moan and complain about giving over our lives because we can’t seem to see how it will pay off to leave what is known (the world) and seek the unknown (God’s ways). Why is it that we tend to think the world’s ways as so predictable? Not one of us knows what tomorrow will bring on this earth. We won’t know that in following Jesus faithfully either. The difference is in the fact that Jesus makes His plans and promises known to us. He does not hide the distresses this life will bring or the joy He can give in them. We leave what is familiar to follow wholeheartedly after Jesus. We do not go toward what is unknown but to what is unfamiliar. The unfamiliar is in not pressing through on our own.
To think that we live with the devils plans for us in being entrenched in the world and that this means we make our own way is a deception. We do not make our own way – it is made for us. It is made by the world, ruled by Satan. Or, it can be made by Jesus, the ruler of all. Just because we have spent more time in the world does not make it reliable or safe or known or unchanging. An abused child will almost always choose to stay with their abusive parent if given the choice. They are afraid of the unfamiliar. Things can eat away at us so slowly that we may think all is going just as we had planned. We might think we have it all figured out because the changing nature of this world is typically slow and seemingly outside of us. Don’t be fooled. Look around at the constant changing, but never new world around you and realize the danger in trusting it over the solid promises of God.
God has proven many times over that He does not change or lie and that He is able to do all He promises. To give over the entire life to Jesus and obey all He says is the most knowable path we could ever have. God does not claim He will give us health, wealth or prosperity. He does not lie. God does promise to give us full and everlasting life and abundant joy in Jesus. He does not lie. On the other hand, Satan will promise comfort, health, well being and well doing in sticking with the familiar, “known” ways. He does lie. We only need to look around and for many, look at our own lives, to realize this.
Has God called you to a walk in a different direction? Are you aching for more of Jesus but are held back by the fear of what you believe to be unknown? It is not unknown. If you know Jesus, then you know the way. It may be unfamiliar but all God has revealed to us is more than enough for us to see that He is true to His every word. God will do all He promises for you if you obey. He will care for you. He will give you more happiness than you could ever ask for. He actually gives a written guarantee and pledges it with the blood of his only Son. You can’t get a better offer than that. It can’t be more of a sure thing.
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