1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? _________________ Ever hear anyone claim they are a “self made man”, that no one helped them get where they are …
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Pearl of the Orient
It’s a cool, crisp morning in Beijing. I’m sipping warm milk tea at a street cafe watching a sleepy parade of mostly college students since Jana and I are staying in one of the university districts. I woke up thinking about a 22 year old girl we met yesterday. She is nearly finished with her Masters Degree in Accounting. She doesn’t like accounting, would like to be a teacher to help the poor, but agreed to this path to please her parents who chided her, “You need to stop thinking so much of others and think more about yourself.”
As we talked “Jewel” told us how she became a Christian only three months ago when the CTEN missionary we are visiting shared the gospel with her. ”I would not be a Christian if not for (our CTEN missionary)”. Her father is a member of the Communist party and an atheist. She is afraid to tell her parents about her faith but in her three short months with the Lord she has read the entire New Testament and the first five books of the Old Testament. All of that amidst a rigorous college schedule and attending church two days a week in this busy city. Her parents are happy when she tells them she is going to “meet with friends” but would likely not be so happy if they knew what kind of friends she was making.
As Jana and I talked to her, I couldn’t help but notice the sparkle in her eyes and think of what a treasure of grace this young woman is – a genuine pearl of great price that the merchant gave His all to purchase.
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Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
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‘You must be born again.’
He prayed long, hard and sincerely. He gave faithfully to the work of God. He fasted regularly and was at church every time the doors opened (probably even had a key to get in when it wasn’t open). He had a profound, unshakable belief in God that drove him onward and impacted his daily living. He studied and memorized Scripture and even believed Jesus was sent from God. Sounds like a guy you would want to welcome into your church.
But without pleasantries or pats on the back for all his religious zeal, the first thing Jesus told Nicodemus is that he couldn’t even see the kingdom of God if there was not a radical change in his life. He had to be “born again”.
All these activities are good disciplines to weave into the fabric of our daily lives but we must never let them be the basis for our relationship with God. Nor can we make mere outward change a primary goal in the lives of our children or those we minister to. We can abandon an immoral lifestyle, begin to live a “good life” and still be lost. We can begin to pray, read the Bible, give, even live at the church and still be lost.
Our relationship with God starts with an inward change that then manifests outward fruit. To change the outside without first changing the inside is like putting a beautiful coat of paint on a mausoleum. It may look nicer but it is still full of death and decay.
Sample Prayer: Father in all my efforts to live a godly life please remind me my relationship with You is not determined by my performance. Let that fact keep me encouraged when I am performing poorly and humbled when I am doing well.
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Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
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The first of his miraculous signs …
The Almighty God who flung the stars and planets into their orbits, who scooped out the oceans with His hand and before whom all creation bows, manifests Himself in the flesh and for His first great act He turns water into wine. Sounds pretty trivial even if you are a wine lover.
In the home of an unnamed host, at the wedding of an anonymous couple, in an obscure village and though His hour had not yet come He turns water into wine? Even then, except for a few unspecified disciples and some common household servants, none of the VIPs at the party were even aware they were drinking wonder wine. What an inconspicuous way to launch a world changing ministry. Perhaps there is something I need to learn from this.
In all the talk we hear today of being a “world changer” and doing great things for God we see that the One who truly did change the world started with a trivial need at hand. With no fanfare, no cosmic applause or even a “thank you” from those served, He acted to alleviate a simple need. I find it easy to become so focused upon saving humanity that I forget about the individuals I encounter along the way. While dreaming of doing great things for God it’s easy to miss the tiny things I can do to represent Him right now. Give a cup of cool water, change diapers in the church nursery, hold a door open for a mom with three little ones in tow, let a car into my lane or let someone else go first – all trivial things but a place to start.
Sample Prayer: Lord, help me not be so in love with the masses that I overlook the one You put in my path today. Remind me that the tiniest act of kindness done in your holy name is not wasted nor will be forgotten.
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Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.
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The Word became flesh …
What an unfathomable concept! The One who filled infinity from all eternity, the One who was and is and is to come, the One whose glory and beauty knows no limits, this One constricts Himself to a body of flesh and shuffles among the dust and sweat of human existence voluntarily subjected to brutality and rejection from those He came to rescue. He “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” No angel could have done this. Revealing Himself to mankind through a book, or other means would not suffice. The Word had to be made flesh to accomplish God’s desire.
The message still must be proclaimed through megaphones of flesh. While literature and media are wonderful tools, technology cannot substitute for life exchange relationships, one heart sharing with another. That is why missionaries still go and we must still send them. The word must become living, breathing and dwell among men.
But this isn’t just the privilege of missionaries. Every believer, like John the Baptist, is “sent from God” to represent Him – to be His word, His ambassadors in the dirt and daily grind of the office and job site, in grocery stores and gas stations, cafes and classrooms. You and I are sent, in the flesh, so through our witness those in our sphere of influence can experience “the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Sample Prayer: Thank you Jesus for making God known to me. Help me to declare Him to others not only by my words but also by living a life “full of grace and truth” toward those around me. Let your word become become flesh as I live it out today.
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Romans 10:14
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
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I’m Pro-choice but Anti-abortion.
Somebody told me they were upset because a Christian friend accused her of being pro-abortion because she said was pro-choice. “That angers me”, she complained, “because I hate abortions but I think a person should have a choice in this matter. How come Christians think pro-choice is the same as pro-abortion?”
I can understand her frustration at being labeled as being in favor of something that she despises. Most people would consider her stance rather neutral. She is not in favor of abortion but neither does she think people should be restricted from having them if that is their choice.
She is tolerant. She is correct – at least politically.
But here could be why her friend accused her of being pro-abortion simply because she was pro-choice. Think this through with me.
First of all, I know of no one that would say they are pro-abortion. No one who understands even the most basic aspects of abortion, its trauma to the woman and the death of the child, could say they are pro, or in favor of, abortion. The reason, however, some people equate pro-choice with pro-abortion is because if you look at the practical outcome of a pro-choice stance it produces the same thing a pro-abortion stand would produce. For example, a pro-choice senator asked to vote on a measure limiting abortion would vote the same way as a pro-abortion senator, if such a person existed.
Let me try to illustrate by looking at a parallel example, another hotly debated topic – gun control. Let’s assume you hate guns but you also believe people who want to own them should be allowed to freely own guns. You have a pro-choice stance. If you were forced to vote or take a stand on the issue, even though you hate guns you would have to side with the pro-gun people to oppose restrictions on gun owners. Therefore, though you would never say you are “pro-gun”, the ultimate outcome of your position is the same as the pro-gun people. In this case, pro-choice is virtually the same as pro-gun, it produces the same outcome, no limitations on the ownership or use of guns.
Apply this same template to the abortion debate. You hate abortions (guns) but you feel people should be able to freely have an abortion (a gun) if that is their choice. Therefore, the practical outcome of your stance is as if you were pro-abortion (pro-gun). As much as you hate abortion (guns) a pro-choice stance puts you squarely on the side of those who profit from the death caused by abortion (guns). If you hate guns, like we assume you do for this example, it would likely make you angry to be called pro-gun but your “neutral” stance actually advances the distribution and uncontrolled ownership of guns – the pro-gun position.
However, there is an even stronger reason that some would say being pro-choice is equivalent with being pro-abortion. If I am pro-choice, I am saying I am in favor of a person having the right to make whatever choice they desire - either option – keeping the child or aborting the child as long as it is that woman’s choice. I am pro her keeping the baby if that is her choice. But, I am also pro aborting the child if that is her choice. If I am “pro”, or in favor of, only one choice then there really is no choice. To truly be pro-choice I must be in favor of either option – keeping or aborting the child. Therefore, to be pro-choice says I am pro, in favor of, abortion in the case where that is the woman’s preferred choice. In that case I am pro-abortion. I cannot say I am pro-choice if I do not support one of the two choices available. So, quite literally, while I might hate abortions, if I am pro-choice I am also pro-abortion at least on occasions where the woman chooses to end the child’s life. If abortion is her choice then abortion is my choice for her – or I am not truly pro-choice.
While it may be frustrating to have people align you with something you hate so much, in reality, your stance is one that fosters abortions and, at least in some cases, is pro, or in favor of, abortions. If you are not in favor of abortions even if that is the woman’s choice then you are not pro-choice. If you are in favor of abortions when it is the woman’s choice then you must admit that, at least sometimes, you are in favor of abortions, or pro-abortion. There is no neutral stance on this issue. Think about it. I would love to hear your comments and if there are any fallacies in the reasoning or something I am missing, please point it out.
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Proverbs 6:16-17
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, …
Posted in Comments on Life, Proverbs, Questions - Theology, Social Issues, Theology
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The Lone Stranger
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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Run from…, run to… flee (run from) temptation but pursue, run after, righteousness, … etc. We are running a race but notice we are not meant to run this race alone. We are to be running with others – “along with” other believers. The NLT translates it like this, “Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” We are to choose our associations carefully (those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart), but we are to associate with others in our Christian walk.
Our pursuit of the Lord is not a “Lone Ranger”, “Me and Jesus Got Our Own Thing Going” affair. A believer who chooses to isolate himself from the Body of Christ will not grow to be a balanced, healthy believer any more than any human being who is cut off from outside contact grows to be balanced and well adjusted. We need each other. God designed it that way. It is not good that man be alone.
Following Jesus is more than just a matter of believing it is a matter of belonging – belonging to His Bride, His Body, His Church. In those “iron sharpens iron” relationships God applies heat and friction to our life, like we do to a knife when sharpening it, to sharpen us, rub off rough spots and smooth offensive aspects of our nature and character.
A knife that pulls away from the whetstone every time there is friction, or it gets hot or uncomfortable, will remain with a dull edge. Something will always be missing, incomplete. A believer that pulls away from relationship every time they are disappointed or their needs are not met or they are challenged, will remain dull, weak in their spiritual life. Something will always be missing, incomplete.
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Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
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How To Have An Effective Prayer Time
I suppose some folks are born knowing how to spend effective time with the Lord but it didn’t come naturally to me. My mind tends to wander and as much as I tried to discipline it and stay on task, I still spent most of my prayer time in a daze. After years of failed attempts, frustration and wasted hours I struck upon a plan that works. It is very practical, flexible and I think it could help you too.
Get it here if you want to download and listen later or copy and share a CD with others at: http://www.summitcorpuschristi.com/heartbeat-5-personal-time/
Listen online or download to share with friends who could use some help.
Enjoy.
Sinning in the Will of God
Acts 1:20 [speaking of Judas and how he betrayed the Lord]
“For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no one dwell in it’; and, ‘let another man take his office.’
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Someone asked, ”If Adam’s sin was all part of God’s plan then his disobedience was actually fulfilling God’s will and therefore, not really sin.” Can it be sinful to do the will of God? In the same way here, it was prophesied that Judas would deny the Lord. This was part of God’s plan of salvation for mankind and yet Judas is condemned for carrying out God’s plan. Doesn’t that seem unjust?
The answer isn’t really that difficult to understand.
It should be obvious it is never God’s will that man sin. God doesn’t even tempt us to sin (James 1:13). But God understands our hearts. He knows and remembers what we are made of – dust. Through His foreknowledge of future events and His complete understanding of our hearts, it is not difficult for Him to foretell our actions. Just as a parent can often predict which child will obey and which will disobey, God, who knows the hearts of all men, was able to predict how Adam would respond and Judas’ behavior. The idea of God knowing the hearts of me is even referred to later in this same event when deciding who would take Judas’ place. “And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, … Acts 1:24.
They were praying, Lord, just as you knew the heart of Judas and were able to predict his failure, you know the heart of these candidates to take his place. In your foreknowledge, guide this selection process and help us choose one who will not fail.
Finally, does God’s foreknowledge mean he is responsible for the actions that He predicts.? Not anymore than the weatherman is responsible for the rain when he predicts it. Knowing what will happen, even if it is a certainty, is not causal. I know for certain the sun will rise tomorrow but certainly I cannot claim to have made it come up because I know that it will happen. No, man is still left to follow the nature of his own heart and reap the reward or consequences of following it.
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Job 40:8
“Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
Romans 9:19-21
One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Posted in Acts, Job, Questions, Questions - Theology, Romans
Tagged Adam's sin, determinism, Does God know what I am going to do?, Failure, foreknowledge, God knows what I am going to do, God's will, Judas, predestination, sin, temptation, tempted by God, was it God's will for Adam to sin?
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Peddling the Word
2 Corinthians 2:17
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
Philippians 1:15-18
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, … 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, … 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
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I used to wonder how you could “preach Christ out of selfish ambition”, “out of envy and rivalry”, with “false motives”. Going into ministry is not usually thought of as a road to fame and fortune although it obviously is lucrative for some today. Apparently in Paul’s day, too, you could “peddle the word of God for profit”.
The longer I’ve been at this pastoring thing the more I’ve seen a subtle temptation that can lead to “selfish ambition” and “peddling the word of God”. When you have been blessed, like I have, to pastor wonderful and gracious people they frequently encourage you, tell you how much God has used you to help them and generously express their love and appreciation. It is tempting to begin to look for those strokes, live for them and long for them. Suddenly you are ministering to meet a need in you instead of allowing God to meet the needs of others through you – selfish ambition. Slowly you can even begin to believe you are as wonderful as people say you are. Because you are so awesome you “deserve” things the average person would consider excessive. We could all point to modern examples of ministries where avarice and greed are justified, even touted as God’s stamp of approval.
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, was glad the gospel was being preached even if the motives were impure so I will be too BUT, I certainly don’t want to be one “peddling the word” or preaching out of wrong motives. I want to, in Christ “speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God” ministering “out of love” for God and others. I am often, very often, reminded of a little story, can’t vouch for how true it is, that has helped me in this area.
When Woodrow Wilson was elected President of the United States, a close friend came to him with these words, “Woody, now that you have been elected President, you are going to have lots of people around you telling you what a great man you are. Just remember, you and I know better.”
While I am grateful for sweet folks who will share how God has used me to bless them and I am always greatly encouraged when I hear such a report (so keep them coming 
but if something inside starts believing “I am awesome!” I remind myself, “God and I (and my wife) know better.”.
Stay humble. Stay sweet. Stay useable.
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James 4:6
… God sets himself against [the] proud, but gives grace to [the] lowly.
Free Help for Parents
I occasionally have frustrated parents contacting me for advice and I appreciate the wisdom they show in wanting to know what God’s Word, not the lady on TV or the movie star in the magazine, has to say about how to raise godly children. Some time ago I did a series of messages entitled, “Parenting is NOT for Dummies”.
This entire series is available for free and can be downloaded, copied, listened to in the car, shared with others, however you want to get the information for yourself and others. I suggest you check it out and, if you aren’t currently involved in shaping the next generation through parenting (or grandparenting), share it with someone you know who is.
Parenting is a marathon, certainly not a sprint. But it is also the most valuable and rewarding thing you will ever do in your life – raising godly children. The rewards are great in this life and also in eternity. Get help below. The information is free but also priceless.
Click here for the Free Material.