Too Tight!

Last year I was able to shed forty pounds! It was an absolute blessing from the hand of God. Did it require effort? Yes. Was it difficult at times? Absolutely. But the crux of the matter is that it was God's gift. He is the One who provided the motivation and means to make my dream come true--for His honor and glory. It was all His doing. Even so, it is easy to become complacent, and I have rediscovered some unwanted weight the last few months. I'm still wearing the same clothes, but they've gotten a bit uncomfortable.

This was in the back of my mind as I sat down to read about Philip's interaction with the Ethiopian. As Philip went about his daily business, he remained sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord. He obeyed immediately and completely (Acts 8:29-30). His obedience not only put him in the physical proximity for further obedience, it also placed him in spiritual proximity for continued obedience (Acts 8:35-38).

When I am obedient in personal choices, in what God has openly revealed through His word, I am much more prepared to share the gospel. My mind is already stayed on Him by His Word. I am actively seeking to do His will, and I am much quicker in my response to outside influences as God gives opportunity. It is much like getting dressed for a special occasion.

If I have been eating right, exercising regularly, and caring for my physical being it is much easier--even enjoyable--to slip into special clothes and get dolled-up for an important occasion. But when I have eaten impulsively and failed to exercise or care for myself, it is a chore to get dressed. The clothes that I wear less often and that have special significance are tight and uncomfortable--revealing bulges I try to keep hidden.

To share the good news of Christ is a special occasion, a joyous, momentous event regardless of how often it happens. But if we are honest, too many times we have failed to obey in the small, daily events of life--and it shows in our presentation of Christ. We are uncomfortable with the consequences of our disobedience. Our bulges are evident, and our unrepentant choices mar the image of His testimony. It is a painful, awkward task to share that which we are unprepared.

Oh, to be obedient in the small, daily callings so that we will be ready to obey immediately and completely, in a God-honoring way, to the larger calling of God. May we evidence the image of His Son as we clothe ourselves with Christ (Romans 13:14). Praise God that Philip was willing and ready, a sensitive servant.

Say the Name

In the work-a-day, everyday world, life somehow gets skewed. We set out with a plan, an agenda, and gauge our success for the day based on whether or not the plan was accomplished. In the book of Acts, the apostles didn't have a plan as much as they had a Person.

Over and over, these men and women did great things, crazy things, in the Name of Jesus. It wasn't that they used the Name of Jesus as a magic charm or a mantra before throwing themselves into the temple with wild abandon. It was quite the opposite. The Person of Christ compelled them to do what they did, to say what they said. It is because of who Jesus Christ is that they taught about Him, healed in His Name, underwent rebukes and physical beatings. They recognized that Jesus is the center of the message, the center of life, the center of salvation; the power is in the gospel (Romans 1:18).

How often do I forfeit the power of God because I fail to acknowledge the Person of God, namely Christ? Just to acknowledge His Name would work a miracle in my own life. It would change the way I think. It would change what I do. "I am eating this doughnut in Jesus' Name." Preposterous! "I am watching this movie in Jesus' Name" (albeit many actors perform "in Jesus' Name" but not in His Person and power--this is where we fail). Until we are living in submission to the Word of God, through the Person of Christ, and by His Spirit, we will fail to understand the weight of His Name.

Will His Name change your life today? It's already changed mine.

Glory Hoarder

In our world, success if often measured by association. If you want to sell your product, associate it with the right name or profile and people will buy it based simply on association. If you hope to acquire a new job or position, simply access an association with a name or set of names, and you have a greater chance of acquiring your dream career.

As I read Acts chapter 3 this morning, I was caught by Peter's reply to an amazed people. The lame man (whom Jesus had undoubtedly passed countless times as He entered the Beautiful Gate--another story for another time), was healed and Peter launched into an exposition on Jesus. As I read his response to the people's amazement, I wondered how he suddenly linked the death of Jesus to these people. How did he so suddenly have an "in" to the gospel?

There are times I want to redirect a conversation or a person to Jesus and His work, but I'm at a loss. Last night, for instance, I had the opportunity to accompany our local high school choir concert. Afterwards there were words of praise and appreciation, and even as God's enabling came to mind, I struggled with how to honor Him without a false appearance.

Peter and John were able to lead the people directly to Christ because that is how they declared their work to begin with. In verse six, the healing was done in Jesus' Name. So when all marveled at the result, the simply directed the people to Jesus Himself.

How often do I fail to honor and praise God with my life because the work was never done in His Name and strength to begin with! If my life is going to lead and direct others to God, not myself, it must begin with God--with a clear, open declaration, an association with Christ, to myself and others.

Why do I fail? Here are some of the reasons:
1) I excuse the mention of God because I doubt the outcome will glorify Him. What if I "put His Name on it" and it fails?
2) I fear the reaction of others. I don't want to be labeled a "fanatic."
3) Put simply, I don't think I need God's help. I can handle most of life on my own, but will call on Him when I need supernatural power.
4) I don't trust God with the outcome. I want what I want, and I don't trust God with the final result.

It would take more time and space than is here to address each of the above, but it boils down to one thing: I am a glory-hoarder. On the whole, we don't honor and glorify God because we are vain, selfish little creatures who hoard self-adulation and glory. But my God is so big, so strong, and so mighty He can even unclasp these tightfisted, grappling hands as I ask for His help and desire to honor and please Him.


Number one is a lie. My efforts will never achieve an end outside of the hand of God. By putting His Name on my life and living in dependence on Him, I am free from the outcome. My sense of peace and contentment in Almighty God is His fingerprint on my life.

Number two is pride; plain and simple.

Number three is another lie. How do you define the word "nothing" in John 15:5 when Jesus said, "apart from Me you can do nothing?"

Number four is based on "my way." Isaiah 53:6 We all like sheep have turned astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way....