Volume 9 Post/Email 5 – Trusting God
by brian
Our VBS last week was on stories of God, David, Saul and Jonathan. We divided the adult class responsibilities among four of us guys. The story I taught on Tuesday was in First Samuel 22 where Saul kills the 85 priests of Nob.
This was an evil act! It was an atrocious decision fueled by an out-of-control leader. His cruelty went beyond those holy men who wore the linen ephod. Verse 19 mentions that Saul also killed the men, women, children and infants in the city of Nob.
What are we to make of this story?
God continues to permit Saul's madness in the chapters following, including allowing David to suffer as a fugitive. Why would God remain longsuffering? Why not intervene?
Without claiming to have all the answers, nor complete insight into the mind of God, His Word does provide His people with spiritual truths to hold to and guide us.
The following verses mostly convey a message about God. They magnify God and His transcendence and power as Almighty, and that we cannot fathom the depths of who He is. A few also provide the application that we are called to trust God 100%, which is a matter for which God's people wrestle.
"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has been his counselor?" -Romans 11:33-34
"For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." -1 Corinthians 2:16
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the LORD a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The LORD is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." -2 Peter 3:8-9
"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. He humbles those who dwell on high, he lays the lofty city low; he levels it to the ground and casts it down to the dust." "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you." -Isaiah 26:3-5, 8a
"This is what the LORD says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." -Jeremiah 17:5-8
Following the Nob massacre, David had an opportunity in First Samuel 24 and 26 to kill Saul. He chose, rather, to trust God and wait on God to deliver. He waits. David walked with God and waited for His timing.
Galatians 4:4-5 reads, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights as sons."
God waited, and waited, and waited, and when the time had fully come, God sent his Son. Why? Redemption.
God provides a way for wicked men to become righteous! God punishes Jesus on our behalf! God provides an exchange of sin for salvation through Christ!
We can exchange all of our idolatry, bigotry, pride, and other sins, and receive salvation and newness of life! Now we live in peace and harmony with Him, including trusting Him.
Reflection Question: Can God be trusted?
-Brian
Volume 8 Post/Email 7 – An Alternative Vision
by brian
The Bible tells me that God can make a barren old couple the proud parents of a chosen people.
If I believe that, then I cannot also believe myself or anyone else to be a lost cause.
Nor can I believe only what any culture tells me about myself. The Bible gives me another authority to consult.
When the culture treats me as if all I am good for is to produce or consume, the Bible invites me to love.
When the culture encourages me to think of myself as a rugged individualist, the Bible calls me to be a neighbor.
When the culture conditions me to be a spectator on life, the Bible bids me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
Over and over, the Bible offers me an alternative vision, not only of myself, but also of other people, and ultimately of the whole world.
Reflection Questions:
Do I desire and pray for eyes of faith to see what God wants me to see?
Do I see what God wants me to see in others? In myself?
Do I desire and pray for an open heart oriented to do what God wants me to do?
Do I have the heart that God desires for people, relationships, and ministry?
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 9 – Proverbs 18:24
by brian
This past week my brother Robert (Bob) has stayed with me while in Nashville for extra training for his job. He is with me this week also. It has been extremely fun to spend time together. Now Landon is back in Nashville for school and I'm looking forward to spending more time with him. They were both over at the house tonight and we watched the comedy "Death At A Funeral" and laughed our heads off. Monday night Bob and I are going to the Titans game and Thursday Landon is meeting us at Buffalo Wild Wings. So we're trying to make the most of it.
Anyway, we have always had that bond as brothers, though we have been more distant geographically the last 10 years. Spending time with Bob and Landon makes me reflect on the proverb, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
It is difficult to imagine having a non-family member willing to accept and love me more than a brother, a parent, or spouse, but the Bible states the possibility.
My question for you and me: Are we a friend who sticks closer than a brother?
Are we a fair-weather friend? Or are we there for others whenever there is stormy-weather?
Are we only a friend when it's convenient, or even when it's not?
Let's be grateful for close family and close friends. Let's be a family member and friend who sticks close by.
-Brian
Volume 3 Post/Email 3 – John 13:34-35
by brian
34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Jesus makes this statement after demonstrating love through washing the disciples' feet in the upper room before sharing a meal.
Jesus' mark of authentic discipleship is not Bible knowledge, though knowledge can be helpful to our faith, spiritual insight, and understanding of God and kingdom life.
Jesus' mark of authentic discipleship is not theoretical.
Jesus' mark of genuine discipleship is relational!
How do we treat people?
Are we washing feet? Are we listening? Are we feeding? Are we visiting? Are we teaching? Are we encouraging?
Do I wash my spouse's feet? Do I wash my family's feet? Do I wash my co-workers feet? Do I wash my church family's feet?
Jesus' calls us to model his life! Jesus calls us to discipleship! Jesus calls us to be radically different!
Jesus calls us to be slaves who are thrilled serving others in love!
-Brian
Volume 2 Post/Email 10 – Ephesians 4:6
by brian
I wanted to share a few final Scriptures on the concept of union with God.
May each verse enlighten and encourage a stronger awareness of God's presence and God's desire to be everything in our lives.
Christ can permeate and transform our lives and relationships, binding us ever closer to one another in love, peace and unity!
We can trust that our Father is over us, through us, and in us!
We are accepted; approved, forgiven; claimed; preferred; loved!
After stating there is one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, and baptism, Paul continues in Ephesians 4:6- "one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Paul writes in Colossians 3:11 - "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."
This verse is worthy of meditation and consideration.
Think of the diversity mentioned in this one verse! The Greek tradition was polytheistic, whereas, the Jewish monotheistic. Barbarians were not considered civilized, and Scythians were known for their brutality, being considered just a little better than wild animals. Slaves were not treated as those who were free, much less, as wealthy aristocrats.
Now, think of the many ways we make distinctions - socially, racially, religiously, morally, etc. Paul states that "Christ is all, and is in all".
It isn't that we do not recognize our diversity in the body of Christ. It is that we recognize that Christ is superior to our cultural and traditional differences! Christ transcends the barriers, and unites all cultures and people of faith in Him!
Paul states in Ephesians 3:6 - "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."
How broad is your circle of Christian fellowship? What differences do you see Scripture deeming significant enough to divide?
Is the church family you most closely identify with and involve yourself described most accurately as being judgmental, self-righteous and sectarian, or described most accurately as being loving, accepting, and unified?
Is Jesus all and in all in your church fellowship? Is Jesus all and in all in the dynamics of your personal relationships?
Jesus came to bring people of diversity together!
Faith in Christ unites!
The greatest expression of this togetherness and oneness is supposed to be the church!
Ephesians 1:22-23 reads, "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
-Brian
Volume 2 Post/Email 9 – 1 John 4:13-16
by brian
As we continue on the primary theme of spiritual formation, another great text to ponder concerning union with God is 1 John 4:13-16.
"We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
These words make the profound mystery of God practical and understandable!
These words convey what it means to have a relationship with God, and how this relates to and impacts daily living.
Does God live in me? Do I live in God?
John states that faith (specifically in Jesus) is the avenue to such a union/relationship. "If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God."
Furthermore, John makes this otherwise abstract concept more concrete and tangible. "Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
Do I bask in God's love for and affirmation of me each day?
You cannot truly love yourself more than He does! He is wild about you! He delights in you! There are NUMEROUS Scriptures that say so!
Do I reciprocate God's love? Do I show Jesus I love him? Do I tell my Father I love him? Do I tell Jesus I love him? Do I thank Jesus and the Spirit? Do I worship the Father? > An affirmative answer to these type of questions is vital to truly experiencing God (and union with a tri-personal God), and not just having dry knowledge of God, or having what we might describe as an intellectual or academic spirituality.
The other type of questions I need to reflect upon for spiritual inventory and application pertain to my relationships and interaction with people.
Do I love and help others, including those with whom I am different? Do I love, forgive and serve people who have not always treated me with love?
Am I relying on God's love for me and my sinfulness, or disregarding this need and reality? Am I trusting in the transforming power of God's Spirit and Jesus' presence to change inwardly and overcome my unloving attitudes and tendencies toward people?
God wants us to learn, and be ever learning, how to live in union with him.
Through our love for others and from others we experience the loving presence of God - heaven on earth.
Fellowship (loving union) with God is what creates transformation in our lives. Faith in Jesus expressed through prayer to God (in love) and through love for others are tangible acts that help us consciously be aware of this all-important, imperative union.
Think of what your life would be without an authentic relationship with God!
Think of what your relationships would be without the giving and receiving of Christ's love!
First John 4:13 states that God's Spirit is in you, filling you with love and empowering you to love!
We cannot love very long on our own resources. We need the presence of God's Spirit permeating and saturating our lives with His goodness!
Brothers and Sisters - Keep living in God!!! Keep living in love!!!
Continue experiencing formation into the likeness of Jesus!!!
ELGUY!!!
Continue loving your family, including that family member who others and/or yourself finds difficult to love!
Continue loving your congregation, including that brother or sister who others and/or yourself finds difficult to love!
Continue being Christ-like at work, including toward that co-worker or boss who others and/or yourself finds difficult to love!
Resist the temptation to not love! Refuse to be a container of even a smidget of hatred! Resolve to be empty of any ill-will, or even indifference!
To summarize and clarify:
Continue investing your life in people - even people who seem to not appreciate you, value you, your friendship or help, and people for whom it appears that your love and investment is not making any difference.
God's unending love for you and investment in you has made all the difference for you, and your unwavering love for someone with whom you could easily give up on is what could make all the difference in their life and future.
Be a vessel full of God, overflowing with love for God, for yourself, and for others!!!
-Brian
Volume 2 Post/Email 8 – John 14:17
by brian
The last few posts on spiritual formation have been specifically on the concept of union with God.
Without going deeper in terms of my own commentary and observations, below are several statements of truth from Jesus for us to consider and pray concerning a closer union with our Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
May your reading and meditating upon these be a blessing to you spiritually!
“But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” – John 14:17
“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” – John 14:20
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” – John 14:23
“Remain in me and I will remain in you.” – John 15:4
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” – John 15:7
“Remain in my love.” – John 15:9
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11
“All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.” – John 17:10
“Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one.” – John 17:11
“May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” – John 17:21
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” – John 17:26
Also, these are all wonderful verses to be mindful of when taking communion on Sunday with the Father, Son, Spirit, and your brothers and sisters in Christ.
-Brian
Volume 2 Post/Email 6 – John 17:22-23
by brian
Why do you pray?
No doubt, this is a question for which one could think of several answers from Scripture.
Whatever else it may be, prayer is first and foremost an act of love. Prayer is born of a desire to be with Jesus. To really love someone implies a natural longing for presence and intimate communion.
So, one reason for praying should be that you want to grow closer in union with Jesus and with your Father!
Jesus prayed that we would experience the same union and closeness that he has with the Father.
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23)
Is my life in harmony with God? Am I experiencing God's loving presence and glory? Am I receiving God's love in prayer, and expressing love to my Father, and my Lord and Shepherd Jesus, through prayer?
Prayer is vital to union with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit.
Some simple but heart-felt prayers we can express to God each day:
"Father, I belong to you."
"Father, may I be in union with you today as your child."
"Father, I love you. Thank you for loving me 100%."
"Father, better is one day worshipping you than a thousand doing anything else."
Galatians 4:6 speaks of our relationship with our Father - "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, "Abba, Father."
The Spirit cries out to His Abba.
If the Spirit dwells in you, He is prompting you to talk with your Father each day.
Throughout the gospel narratives of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus talks with His Father.
Jesus prayed for us, including that we would know the Father's love.
John 17:23b - "...to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
One reason I pray is because I love being a child of God. I desire to talk with my Father, to express my love, and to grow closer in love and union with Him.
This week, will prayer be a chore, or a joy?
-Brian
(Below is a prayer from Brennan Manning's book "Souvenirs of Solitude", Chapter 4, pg. 43)
Lord - I'm not free - but who wants to be?
You're all that matters in my life.
I don't want to be free of my hunger for your bread.
I don't want to be free of my thirst for your word.
I don't want to be free of my desire for your will.
I don't want to be free of my longing for your presence.
I don't want to be free of my need to be taken up, taken over, joined to you.
Lord, may I never be free from wanting you.
Volume 2 Post/Email 4 – Galatians 4:19
by brian
This week, we continue with more thoughts on the theme of spiritual formation.
In Galatians 4:19 Paul writes, “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”
I believe this verse adds more to our previous post from 1 Peter 2:1-3 concerning growing up in our salvation as “newborn babies”.
Though Paul is writing to Christians who already believe in Christ, and have committed to following Christ, they are still in need of growth. One spiritual goal Paul had for them is that Christ would be formed inside of them, individually and collectively.
Along with our personal salvation, our personal spiritual development is of utmost importance! (This is also true for entire congregations.)
Much of the focus in the New Testament letters to the various Christians concerns them continuing to develop in their knowledge and faith, and how this impacts (should impact) daily living.
Obviously, the church of Christ, or community of Christ, is to be a people who are growing in the character and teachings of Christ. This means we look to Jesus for direction into divine living.
And discipleship demands evaluation and reevaluation of who I am, what I believe, and who I am becoming.
Am I becoming more like Jesus?
Through the gospels, we find Jesus asking his disciples questions, as a catalyst to cause them to assess and often reassess their life and faith.
A good spiritual question for us to ask ourselves is – In what ways do I lack the identity and character of Christ?
Am I lacking humility? Am I lacking honesty? Am I lacking compassion? Am I lacking faith/trust? (and so forth)
Are we in touch with the God of our interiority? Do we need to rethink and reexamine our attitudes toward self? Toward others? (We probably need to be in the habit of considering both!)
Thankfully, any identified needs for repentance and growth are not a mere act of will (or will-power).
Transformation of character is a continual interest of the Holy Spirit. We have God’s grace and power to propel us, empower us, and grow us.
Thus, spiritual fruit does not result from a humanistic effort at “self-transformation”, but from an ongoing walk in the Spirit. (In Galatians 5, it contrasts this concept with the “works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit”.)
In confession of our need for the Spirit’s help, we act in faith and repentance, attempting to follow Jesus, learn from Jesus, and be conformed to his likeness.
(I realize at this point I may be overstating, but I believe the following paragraph may be helpful to at least some readers.)
Sometimes the Spirit’s work is quiet and unnoticeable. The inward changes taking place may not be acknowledged by others, or even always seen by ourselves. Sometimes, this is because the fruit of the Spirit grows gradually rather than instantly. (Just as we focused last week on new Christians starting as spiritual newborns, and how it takes time to develop from a newborn to a person of maturity.)
So one way to measure my progress is by the fruit of the Spirit. A lack of fruit is a sign of an unhealthy and stagnant relationship with Christ.
After Paul lists the familiar fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, he states, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (5:25-26)
Thus, another way to measure my spiritual walk, and whether Christ is continuing to be formed in me, is to evaluate my relationships. If I am becoming conceited, that will show in how I act around and treat others.
1. Exaggerating our own importance denies our total dependence upon and need for God. We are spiritually bankrupt and inadequate without the reign of God, love of God, and forgiveness of God.
2. Exaggerating our own worth also devalues the worth of others in our eyes. We are all 100% unworthy because of sin, yet 100% loved. We are loveable because he loves us!
It is through a growing awareness of the transforming power of God’s constant love for us that we respond with joy at the intoxicating prospect of a whole new way of life. A radical new way of life slowly become reality. The invitation to the abundant life Jesus offers is accepted and begins coming to fruition in our life. God’s kingdom slowly begins to permeate our life like yeast in bread (Matt. 13:33), and over time, we experience a reformation of our whole person. Trust becomes natural. Obedience becomes natural. Prayer becomes natural. Joy becomes natural. Love becomes natural – not just good feelings for others - but positive actions like forgiving and serving others, becomes natural.
Sin becomes unnatural!
Thus, we have Christ’s abiding presence, identity, character and strength formed, and ever forming, in us!!!
2 Peter 1:3 reads, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
-Brian
(Next week, and probably for more than one week, we will think deeper on this matter pertaining to the transforming potential of a regular and authentic life of prayer.)
Volume 1 Post/Email 4 – Philippians 3:1-8
by brian
Philippians 3:1 reads, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the LORD! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.”
As someone who teaches and preaches, I like to point out in this verse that Paul says redundancy and repetition are o.k. :)
Here Paul encourages them, and us, to rejoice in our Lord, Jesus. He says he knows this is something he has mentioned before and that it is no trouble to do so once again, because he is reminding them of this simple truth as a safeguard.
So what is the safeguard? The following verses (2-6) show that the context he is addressing has to do with finding joy in religious things other than Jesus, such as our own “spiritual resume” (so to speak). Thus, our joy becomes based on, or resulting from, a focus on ourselves and our religious activities and works and not based on Jesus and His saving (atoning) work and blessings.
This was a Jewish struggle for many converts in the 1st Century, and it is a Christian struggle for some today – seeking to be justified by law/performance rather than by grace through faith in Jesus.
In Acts 15:9 Peter explains this to the Jewish Christians who were struggling to accept the Gentile Christians who did not keep all of their “traditions”. He says, “He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?”
Likewise, we can be tempted to lose the joy of a simple but sincere trust in Jesus. We can begin to place so much emphasis and importance on our religious performance and works that we end up both worshipping God and serving others under false pretenses. Instead of a heart oriented towards Jesus that results in joy, humility, service and overall transformation and obedience, we end up practicing more of a self-worship than God-worship. The result can even be to compare ourselves, including our works, our knowledge/beliefs, and even specific worship habits, to those of others and to compare “spiritual resumes” and put our confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:2-3).
Isn’t this scary?! Religious activities can actually draw us away from God instead of closer to God! Like the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14, who allowed the spiritual disciplines of praying, fasting and tithing to be about himself and focus on himself rather than on God’s presence and goodness in his life.
Isn’t this scary?! Religious activities can actually draw us away from other Christian believers instead of closer to them! We can have a sectarian spirit and actions instead of a Christ-like spirit and actions. Sadly, we could create a list of 100’s of things Christians have divided over that the Bible does not mandate dividing over.
Here is Paul’s “spiritual resume” and how he now views himself in light of Christ.
Philippians 3:4b-6 reads, “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”
A little adlibbing … ‘Boy, aren’t I such a religious person who has everything together? I am a Christian of Christians! Well … this is what I now think and know to be true … my spiritual resume is garbage and I desperately need God’s mercy! I need Jesus, and Jesus alone is my joy and salvation!’
Philippians 3:7-8 – “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my LORD, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
As God works in and through you each day, rejoice in the LORD that you are forgiven, loved, have purpose and can be used in the kingdom despite being unholy and unworthy apart from Christ.
It is not about our religious heritage (or even a lack of a religious background). Our salvation is not a matter of how much we know or how much we do or how right we think we are compared to others. What matters is having a personal faith in Jesus and humbly seeking to glory in Him (vs. 3), without putting any confidence in ourselves (the flesh).
My prayer from this text (and perhaps yours too):
“Father, may I rejoice in Jesus each day. May my relationship with you not be one of pride and self-promotion, but one of gratitude and love for You. May I have a heart purified by faith in Jesus. May my obedience and religious activities direct me towards You and not myself.
Also, help me to love others more now than ever before. May I not judge and look down on other people of faith who do not have an exact resemblance to my spiritual views and practices, but to seek unity, peace and love based on a common faith in Christ in the midst of any other diversity.
Thank you for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thank you for Jesus. In His name, Amen.”
-Brian