Today I escorted a large group of high school students to and from a nearby church. As we were arriving back at the high school, I began a silly conversation with a group of them. One student made a guffawing remark and I responded. Three sets into our guffaw match, she took the Lord's Name in vain. With a tactfully short remark, our guffawing ended and other students asked "Who needs God anyway?" "Doesn't Jesus need God?"
The conversation spun in a very serious, reflective arc. And what an opportunity to walk along the way speaking truth! There was no emotional charge, no breath-stopping clutching; simply a moment to share and drop. Draw a handful of seeds and discharge them in automatic pilot. How God has prepared the way with our own children as we cook, swim, walk, work, rest, travel! It has so become a part of life that the words are no different to young people who are not my own than from those who are. The sense of learning, of curiosity, of thinking and reflecting are powerful engines creatively designed in the heart and mind of each of us.
The sharing itself, the ease and comfort of it, brought great joy. To simply be used is a great blessing. "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:16) Walking today provided the blessing of sharing Jesus Christ. How's your walk?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Profitable Service
How much is your life worth? The media portrays human life along all points in the spectrum: from dispensable to indispensable, from burdensome to winsome. In my reading of Psalm 30 today, the psalmist interestingly pleads with God for his life, "What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?"(v.9).
The psalmist's life declared its value by the Manufacturer's stamp. God, the Manufacturer, had placed his stamp on each day of the psalmist's life. His words declared his Maker, his choices declared His Maker, his daily intentions declared his Maker. His label was read, much like Pierre Cardin or Armani, not because he wore it tacked to his outer lapel, but because of the style his life portrayed.
As I meditated on the psalmist's words, I wondered how my life would be different if I had the same argument as the psalmist? How would my life look today if I could say, "God, You can take me now, today, but my life is a living testimony of your grace. Give me just one more day to praise you, one more day to proclaim your goodness. God, for love of Yourself and Your glory, extend my life that it may make a difference for one more lost, condemned soul. Once I reach eternity, my chances of declaring you to the ungodly will have ended. Make today count, dear Lord, make it Yours."
This then, is a life worth living, a life that openly declares the stamp of the Manufacturer, a life that extends itself in profitable service to God in meeting the needs of others. How will I allow God to change me today that I might profit Him?
The psalmist's life declared its value by the Manufacturer's stamp. God, the Manufacturer, had placed his stamp on each day of the psalmist's life. His words declared his Maker, his choices declared His Maker, his daily intentions declared his Maker. His label was read, much like Pierre Cardin or Armani, not because he wore it tacked to his outer lapel, but because of the style his life portrayed.
As I meditated on the psalmist's words, I wondered how my life would be different if I had the same argument as the psalmist? How would my life look today if I could say, "God, You can take me now, today, but my life is a living testimony of your grace. Give me just one more day to praise you, one more day to proclaim your goodness. God, for love of Yourself and Your glory, extend my life that it may make a difference for one more lost, condemned soul. Once I reach eternity, my chances of declaring you to the ungodly will have ended. Make today count, dear Lord, make it Yours."
This then, is a life worth living, a life that openly declares the stamp of the Manufacturer, a life that extends itself in profitable service to God in meeting the needs of others. How will I allow God to change me today that I might profit Him?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
True Service
Most of us who live in the world of Christian service would agree that service is the act of taking that which I have (time, money, abilities, effort) and using it to edify, or build up, others. We serve God and others through financial giving, corporate worship, teaching truths, or even painting the church nursery. Christian service may take the form of delivering a much-needed meal, offering free childcare, or making an encouraging phone call. Christian service, indeed human service, is limited only by the needs and creativity of those involved. In looking for a handbook or guide to Christian service, I found little beyond biographies of Mother Theresa and liturgy for weddings and funerals (Christian services).
As I considered the act of giving this week, I came across the passage: "...there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one" (Psalm 14:1c-3). As a young person, I arrogantly assumed the psalmist simply didn't know anyone like me--or he wouldn't have written this! Then again, maybe God was overstating the case to motivate us to a higher good. It is only as I have studied God's Word more closely and He has revealed my true heart that I can agree with the psalmist. (Check out http://www.changedintohisimage.com/ for a closer look into this topic.) I do not do good. I do not seek after Him. He alone is good. He alone has sought me out.
How can I agree that I don't do that which is good? When someone does something kind for me, I put it in the category of "good." My husband bought me a dozen red roses when he returned home from a business trip last week. That was very good! Is it possible that God's definition of good is not the same as my definition of good? When I give to others, or to Him, that which has value, is it a good thing?
Too often we put God in our box, examining Him and observing Him through our limitations. Too seldom we look at ourselves through the lens of His Word--and His lens is not one of deeds, but one of faith.
"The just shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4, Galatians 3:11);
"For without faith it is impossible to please God...." (Hebrew 11:6);
"We live by faith, not by sight"(2 Corinthians 9:7);
"I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:2-3).
If, in service, we desire to do that which is good, there is only one answer: our service must be done as an act of faith. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, that we are reconciled with God. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, that we are sealed with God the Spirit. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, that we offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, that there is any good thing.
The apostle Paul rebuked the Galatians for expecting God's approval for things they did themselves--those spiritual acts they did to earn God's favor. Service done to earn God's favor is not an act of faith, it is a work of man, therefore it is corrupt. Service done to earn the approval of others is not an act of faith, it is a work of man, therefore it is corrupt. Service done out of obligation is not an act of faith, it is a work of man, therefore it is corrupt. Service done to appease my conscience is not an act of faith, it is a work of man, therefore it, too, is corrupt.
If the only service God sees is that which is offered through faith in Jesus Christ, how much of my service is without blemish or spot? If God only sees His Son, how much of that which I offer reaches the foot of His throne? What have I done today that was so dependent on His mercy that it glorified no one but Himself? Service redefined is faith--not giving, not sacrifice, not duty--but Jesus Christ, and Him alone. Service: True? or False?
This thought process was brought about as a result of last week's Sunday evening service, "The Just Shall Live by Faith" by Pastor Tim Waldron and listening to Dr. Harold M. Best (the author of Music Through the Eyes of Faith) on Moody's Open Line April 16, 2008 (http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_programarchive.aspx?id=11470).
As I considered the act of giving this week, I came across the passage: "...there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one" (Psalm 14:1c-3). As a young person, I arrogantly assumed the psalmist simply didn't know anyone like me--or he wouldn't have written this! Then again, maybe God was overstating the case to motivate us to a higher good. It is only as I have studied God's Word more closely and He has revealed my true heart that I can agree with the psalmist. (Check out http://www.changedintohisimage.com/ for a closer look into this topic.) I do not do good. I do not seek after Him. He alone is good. He alone has sought me out.
How can I agree that I don't do that which is good? When someone does something kind for me, I put it in the category of "good." My husband bought me a dozen red roses when he returned home from a business trip last week. That was very good! Is it possible that God's definition of good is not the same as my definition of good? When I give to others, or to Him, that which has value, is it a good thing?
Too often we put God in our box, examining Him and observing Him through our limitations. Too seldom we look at ourselves through the lens of His Word--and His lens is not one of deeds, but one of faith.
"The just shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4, Galatians 3:11);
"For without faith it is impossible to please God...." (Hebrew 11:6);
"We live by faith, not by sight"(2 Corinthians 9:7);
"I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:2-3).
If, in service, we desire to do that which is good, there is only one answer: our service must be done as an act of faith. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, that we are reconciled with God. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, that we are sealed with God the Spirit. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, that we offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and Him alone, that there is any good thing.
The apostle Paul rebuked the Galatians for expecting God's approval for things they did themselves--those spiritual acts they did to earn God's favor. Service done to earn God's favor is not an act of faith, it is a work of man, therefore it is corrupt. Service done to earn the approval of others is not an act of faith, it is a work of man, therefore it is corrupt. Service done out of obligation is not an act of faith, it is a work of man, therefore it is corrupt. Service done to appease my conscience is not an act of faith, it is a work of man, therefore it, too, is corrupt.
If the only service God sees is that which is offered through faith in Jesus Christ, how much of my service is without blemish or spot? If God only sees His Son, how much of that which I offer reaches the foot of His throne? What have I done today that was so dependent on His mercy that it glorified no one but Himself? Service redefined is faith--not giving, not sacrifice, not duty--but Jesus Christ, and Him alone. Service: True? or False?
This thought process was brought about as a result of last week's Sunday evening service, "The Just Shall Live by Faith" by Pastor Tim Waldron and listening to Dr. Harold M. Best (the author of Music Through the Eyes of Faith) on Moody's Open Line April 16, 2008 (http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_programarchive.aspx?id=11470).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)