Volume 4 Post/Email 1 – Faith(#1)
Greetings ELGUY readers,
I plan to do an entire volume on this topic.
Faith is essential to life, including pleasing God (Heb. 11:6).
And yet, it is a spiritual quality that can be lacking in our lives.
We can struggle to believe, or trust. We can even doubt entirely.
It seems that Jesus challenges his disciples lack of faith continually in the Gospel Narratives. When in a boat during a storm, He says, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mk 4:40) He asks Peter, "Why did you doubt?" when he sinks in the water. (Matthew 14:31) Jesus states that the entire generation is unbelieving (Matthew 17:17), and asks, "How long shall I put up with you?"
When the disciples question Jesus as to why they couldn't drive out a demon, he replies, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)
The positive aspect is that God responds to even a tiny measure of faith. The negative aspect is that many then (and now) lack even this.
Churches today desperately need leadership. Churches desperately need leaders with faith and vision.
How many of us trust God to move mountains? How many of us believe that we can be Christians who walk on water? How many of us believe that we can be churches that walk on water?
There is a Church of Christ in Nashville that has grown from 40, to 80, to 500 in less than 7 years. They attribute their growth to God, and to members and leaders with vision and faith. They are willing to take risks. They are willing to trust God to move mountains, to provide for them, and to bless them.
In contrast, why are so many churches dying? While there might be some unique situations, and perhaps more than one or two variables that affect some situations, a primary reason in most cases is a lack of faith, a lack of leadership, a lack of vision, and a lack of prayer.
Perhaps God is calling more Christians and congregations to repentance, revival, vision and faithfulness?
Jesus commissions you and me to a lifestyle of discipleship and faith that moves mountains.
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 14 – Peacemakers
There are so many people in our neighborhoods lacking peace. Perhaps you find yourself in seasons of your life lacking peace in a situation, or with a person or persons.
Jesus calls us to a life of peace, and peacemaking. We are to take the initiative to resolve matters of conflict. As Christians, we are to pursue peace in our relationships.
In the gospel narratives, Jesus forgives those who offend him. He teaches his disciples to forgive their trespassers. Jesus challenges us to lay down arms and be reconciled with one another.
Jesus teaches us to agape one another in deed and word. He models agape. He is agape.
Finally, the apostle James writes in 3:18 - "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
Individuals, families, and churches reap a harvest of righteousness when they sow peace, instead of discord, and practice peacemaking.
Every community needs peacemakers.
Every congregation needs peacemakers.
Every workplace needs peacemakers.
Every family needs peacemakers.
People everywhere need you and me ... to be a peacemaker.
May God use us to be peacemakers in the lives of those who know us.
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 13 – Peace
Spiritual peace, or God's peace, is referenced and taught several times in Scripture. But while having some understanding based on these verses, I do not begin to know all there is to know about the depth and measure of peace available to me, and us. And I'm not sure we're supposed to, since Paul once describes it as ultimately "transcending understanding".
But here are a few basics to hold on to and remember:
We can experience peace with God through faith and justification in Christ (Romans 5:1).
Jesus' peace is not like the peace the world offers (John 14:27).
Peace does not mean the absence of troubles (John 16:33).
Finally, Isaiah prophecies about God's peace being offered for the nation who keeps faith. He describes the peace as perfect, or complete, for the one (or ones) who trust in God. This would definitely apply when we are potentially troubled by matters out of our control.
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city; God makes its salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the ROCK eternal. -Isaiah 26:1-4
May God's perfect peace keep you as you trust in the Lord.
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 12 – Marriage
Thursday (9/02) my parents celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary with an out-of-town trip for a few days. Indeed, this is a great milestone to acknowledge and celebrate! (I think Dad's romantic side is coming out, as when he called me on Thursday Mom did not know where they were staying, and he had also planned dinner reservations. Way to represent the Tipps' men Dad!!!)
Jamie and I are also away this extended Labor Day weekend to enjoy some time in Gatlinburg. So I thought this week I would encourage all the married readers of elguy.org to remember your vows, rededicate your marriage to God, and make time for each other.
-Brian