Have you ever been so consumed with a thought, or a problem, or a person that you struggled to get something, anything, done? That is an annoyance of the human condition--to be overcome, emotionally, and struggle to get free. As I read today's Scripture, I couldn't help but think that this woman was consumed with thoughts of Jesus and a driving passion to love and honor Him. And, no, in this case, its was not an annoyance, but a God-directed prompting that could not be put aside.
Matthew 26:6-35
v. 10: But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me.”
Observation: The woman who anointed Jesus with the costly perfume did it because she loved Jesus. Her thoughts were no doubt consumed with Jesus and she could not think of anything less. She could not do the next thing until she had expressed her love for Jesus.
Application: How often am I so consumed with love for Jesus that I must do something to serve Him? How often am I so burdened to do something, anything, for Jesus that I can do nothing else until that has been accomplished? Is my life characterized by Jesus-centered words and actions? No. Too often it is full of self: self-focused thoughts, self-focused actions, self-focused plans and agendas. How does this change? Jesus said, "Ask and you shall receive" (Matthew 7:7).
So, is it simply in the asking that God will grant my request? Yes, if it is aligned with His will (1 John 5:14). I know it is because I have the assurance of His Word that He wants me to love Him with all my mind, soul, and strength (Matthew 22:37-38). So, I'm asking. God, will You change my focus, my thoughts, my goals, my words until You are at the center—the only One at the center--and I am peripheral. If I were simply the tool, the vessel, the conduit withYou as the content— the way You've always intended—what a different life it would be…. To make Christ seen, known, preeminent. Be the center, Lord, be my passion.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Exposure: A Heresy of the Heart
A number of years ago my husband and I attended a teen's funeral. With a heightened awareness of the pain and suffering in that sanctuary, my anger was aroused as the person in charge laid out one lie after another. At one point I turned to my husband and whispered, "If this goes on much longer, you are going to have to restrain me." It took all I had not to stand up and shout, "Heresy! Heresy! They're lies! All lies!"
That said, this morning I discovered heresy in my heart. In an effort to better steward this earthly vessel, I am working my way through the First Place 4 Health Bible studies. I picked up the book, "Giving Christ First Place" on the recommendation of a pastor's wife and was blessed with a 43-pound loss a few years ago. Sadly, weight sneaks back, and before I lose complete control, I'm on to another of their studies. This morning I discovered an insidious thought pattern as I looked at Ephesians 6--the armor of God.
"Identify an area where you have relied on the world's philosophies and psychology in a vain attempt to overcome the spiritual forces that wage war against your soul..." (Daily Victory, Daily Joy p. 63). It didn't take much prayer to recall that yesterday--after completing much of my to-do list, exercising and eating responsibly--I indulged in strawberry milk and animal crackers while running errands. That may not be your definition of gluttony--and it wasn't even a dark sin I snuck off in the corner to commit, but it was outside my allowance for the day. God and I knew it. My accountability partner, Sara, knows it. But God wasn't finished. It was more than the act, it was the thought behind the act.
What was I thinking? "Because I have done this: ___________; I deserve this: ______________." Look back: because I had completed much of my to-do list, exercised, and eaten responsibly I could now celebrate with 550 "free" calories. WOO.....hoo.
But, you might argue, that's just positive reinforcement and performance management. There's nothing wrong with rewarding yourself, la da da da da. And that's what I've told myself, too--until today. Once I wrote my thoughts on paper I saw their duplicity. Do I really think that because I've done something right so-many-times-in-a-row I deserve to sin? Does God really say, "You've been such a good girl, you're entitled to some fun. Go dabble in your favorite sin and come back when you're ready"? Not. The biblical model is to keep doing right, not to grow weary in doing good, to rejoice in God and His righteousness. There is no comfort in sin. There is no peace or satisfaction or accomplishment. "This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. " (Titus 3:8).
We would all agree that God doesn't give out sin-tickets for good behavior, but I have found that I live as if He does (or at least I pretend He does). How different my life would be if I didn't justify bad behavior based on good behavior. And how important it is to know God wholly, truly, reverently; living in constant dependence. And, as the verse on this site reminds me frequently--refreshment follows repentance. Praise God for revealing heresy--from what I hear, it's a lifelong process.
That said, this morning I discovered heresy in my heart. In an effort to better steward this earthly vessel, I am working my way through the First Place 4 Health Bible studies. I picked up the book, "Giving Christ First Place" on the recommendation of a pastor's wife and was blessed with a 43-pound loss a few years ago. Sadly, weight sneaks back, and before I lose complete control, I'm on to another of their studies. This morning I discovered an insidious thought pattern as I looked at Ephesians 6--the armor of God.
"Identify an area where you have relied on the world's philosophies and psychology in a vain attempt to overcome the spiritual forces that wage war against your soul..." (Daily Victory, Daily Joy p. 63). It didn't take much prayer to recall that yesterday--after completing much of my to-do list, exercising and eating responsibly--I indulged in strawberry milk and animal crackers while running errands. That may not be your definition of gluttony--and it wasn't even a dark sin I snuck off in the corner to commit, but it was outside my allowance for the day. God and I knew it. My accountability partner, Sara, knows it. But God wasn't finished. It was more than the act, it was the thought behind the act.
What was I thinking? "Because I have done this: ___________; I deserve this: ______________." Look back: because I had completed much of my to-do list, exercised, and eaten responsibly I could now celebrate with 550 "free" calories. WOO.....hoo.
But, you might argue, that's just positive reinforcement and performance management. There's nothing wrong with rewarding yourself, la da da da da. And that's what I've told myself, too--until today. Once I wrote my thoughts on paper I saw their duplicity. Do I really think that because I've done something right so-many-times-in-a-row I deserve to sin? Does God really say, "You've been such a good girl, you're entitled to some fun. Go dabble in your favorite sin and come back when you're ready"? Not. The biblical model is to keep doing right, not to grow weary in doing good, to rejoice in God and His righteousness. There is no comfort in sin. There is no peace or satisfaction or accomplishment. "This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. " (Titus 3:8).
We would all agree that God doesn't give out sin-tickets for good behavior, but I have found that I live as if He does (or at least I pretend He does). How different my life would be if I didn't justify bad behavior based on good behavior. And how important it is to know God wholly, truly, reverently; living in constant dependence. And, as the verse on this site reminds me frequently--refreshment follows repentance. Praise God for revealing heresy--from what I hear, it's a lifelong process.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Whose Party is This?!
Matthew 22
v. 3-5, 11-12: And [the King] sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, “Tell those who have been invited, ‘Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen, and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.’” But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business….
But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?” And the man was speechless.
Observation: The King was ready. The feast was ready. The invitation was given. The people had other plans. Then when clothes were provided, the guest expressed his own personal preference—he did not submit himself to wearing what the King provided.
Application: I understand that the "call" of the King is the call to repentance--but I remain God's subject even after I've received His invitation. How many times do I have “other plans” when it comes to obedience to God? God says, “Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.” But I have other plans. God says, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, you are not your own, you were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body.” But I have other plans. God says, “Wives, submit to your husband in everything.” But He doesn’t really mean that, does He? Not everything? I have other plans.
There was one man who was willing to change His plans and come to the King. He put aside his own agenda to celebrate with the King in His household—but his other plan was to wear his own clothes. So, I come to God, I eat His food (by reading the Bible), I spend time with His people, I enjoy the sights and sounds of His kingdom, but I don’t like His taste when it comes to my personal choices and ministry. I’d rather do it my way than His. The rest of them can do whatever…but I’m going to teach Sunday school this way….or I’m going to worship this way…or I’m going to create this fabulous new program…. And God? Where did God’s plan go?
“Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For Many are called, but few are chosen.” (v. 13-14)
Only God’s plan. Only God’s way….
v. 3-5, 11-12: And [the King] sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, “Tell those who have been invited, ‘Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen, and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.’” But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business….
But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?” And the man was speechless.
Observation: The King was ready. The feast was ready. The invitation was given. The people had other plans. Then when clothes were provided, the guest expressed his own personal preference—he did not submit himself to wearing what the King provided.
Application: I understand that the "call" of the King is the call to repentance--but I remain God's subject even after I've received His invitation. How many times do I have “other plans” when it comes to obedience to God? God says, “Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.” But I have other plans. God says, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, you are not your own, you were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body.” But I have other plans. God says, “Wives, submit to your husband in everything.” But He doesn’t really mean that, does He? Not everything? I have other plans.
There was one man who was willing to change His plans and come to the King. He put aside his own agenda to celebrate with the King in His household—but his other plan was to wear his own clothes. So, I come to God, I eat His food (by reading the Bible), I spend time with His people, I enjoy the sights and sounds of His kingdom, but I don’t like His taste when it comes to my personal choices and ministry. I’d rather do it my way than His. The rest of them can do whatever…but I’m going to teach Sunday school this way….or I’m going to worship this way…or I’m going to create this fabulous new program…. And God? Where did God’s plan go?
“Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For Many are called, but few are chosen.” (v. 13-14)
Only God’s plan. Only God’s way….
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