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February 13, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Holy Spirit, Joy

INDEPENDENCE OR IN DEPENDENCE?

At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, ”My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. [2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (MSG)]

“I can do it all by myself!” the toddler exclaims as he tries unsuccessfully to tie his shoes. We continue with similar exclamations throughout our lives: “I can do it on my own! I don’t need any help! I’m just fine!” Real trials however, challenge that belief. They prove we can’t do it on our own, we do need help, and we’re anything but fine.

We rarely think of our troubles as cause for rejoicing, yet Paul did. He wasn’t a masochist; he was a realist. Our troubles, like his, teach us what is really important and what it is that we truly need in our lives. It certainly isn’t possessions, wealth, or status; more important, it’s not self. Hardships make us come face to face with our limitations and vulnerability. It’s when we’re at wit’s end, at the “end of our rope” and can tolerate it no longer, that we finally acknowledge our weakness: no matter how strong we are, we are simply not strong enough. We come to understand that there needs to be less of us (our inflated egos and feelings of self-sufficiency) and a whole lot more of God! Paul’s words teach us that we must live life not independent of God, but rather in dependence upon Him! It is only when we finally acknowledge our weakness and let God take over that we will find the strength we need.

Father, give us joyful hearts when we must endure adversity and difficulties. Reassure us that victory will only come when we admit that, on our own, we are defeated. May we live our lives in joyful dependence on you knowing that, when your Holy Spirit fills us, we will, indeed, be strong.

Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut down to size – abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks! I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. [2 Corinthians 12:10 (MSG)]

Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! [Nehemiah 8:10b (NLT)]

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February 12, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Obedience, Temptation & Sin

WHO’S YOUR ROLE MODEL?

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. [Deuteronomy 18:9 (NLT)]

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. [Romans 12:2 (NLT)]

2-12-15webJackie Robinson was an American hero. A man of enormous talent, good character, and tremendous courage, he broke the color barrier by being the first black player in major league baseball. This sports legend has been a role model for children of all colors. How sad that his name was recently dishonored by the actions of a few men who knowingly broke the rules of Little League baseball.

Last year, Chicago was thrilled to finally have a winning baseball team, even if it was a group of inner city youngsters from the Jackie Robinson West Little League. It was the heartwarming story of the summer as we learned about these disadvantaged kids who moved victoriously through the Little League International World Series tournament. They made it all the way to the finals before losing to South Korea. The city rallied around the team: money was raised for their travel expenses, watching parties were organized, parades were held and the team members even visited the White House. These children accomplished a great deal and no one says they didn’t play fair. The adults involved, however, cheated by placing players on the team who were unqualified because they lived outside the league’s boundaries. The team has now been stripped of its U.S. title and of all the victories that led to that championship.

This wasn’t the first Little League scandal; in fact, it’s the third time a team has had its World Series wins vacated because of similar rule infractions. Cheating and sports are becoming synonymous: doping scandals, DeflateGate, point shaving, gambling, and even using nondisabled players at the Paralympic games! It’s not just in sports either; respected newscasters are revealed as liars and we find scandals in the once respected institutions of the Secret Service, universities, government and even the church. As my Grandmother used to say, “It looks like we’re all going to Hell in a hand basket!”

The Israelites were called to live holy lives and warned not to imitate the customs of the pagan Canaanites. We are still called to live holy lives and warned not to imitate the sinful ways of the world. That’s difficult, however, when immoral, criminal and evil behavior seem to be an everyday occurrence. More important, we all know that children learn by imitating their elders. What kinds of examples are they getting in this fallen world of ours?

Father, show us how to live in such a way that we remain untouched by the evil of our world. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we follow the example of your son, Jesus Christ, and can become role models of Christian life.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. [Ephesians 5:1-2a (NLT)]

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February 7, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Church & Worship, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Love & Works, Sharing Our Faith

A NEW WAY TO SERVE

The twelve apostles called all the disciples together and told them, “It’s not right for us to give up God’s word in order to distribute food. So, brothers and sisters, choose seven men whom the people know are spiritually wise. We will put them in charge of this problem. [Acts 6:2-3 (GW)]

The office of deacon was established early in the New Testament church to make sure food was distributed to widows and others in need. A good friend is a Presbyterian deacon and, according to The Presbyterian Deacon: An Essential Guide, he is to “exhibit within the church and before the world the exemplary moral authority of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ.” At a recent deacon’s meeting, while offering the evening’s devotion, he spoke of their calling to be the caring arm of the church and of the various ways they fulfill their mission. They typically drive people to worship or Bible study, bring food when someone is ill, visit shut-ins, and welcome visitors. My deacon friend pointed out that many of the struggles faced by their congregation are quite different from the ones faced in the past. He questioned whether their old ways of serving were still effective. Challenging his fellow deacons to think “outside of the box” and to try new ideas, he said, “We are only limited by our own imaginations.”

Another friend recently shared how she helped an elderly woman in Hospice care. Her story illustrates the new problems faced by our church family and the new methods that can be used to meet them. Using her business and Internet savvy, she arranged for automatic bill payments for the woman’s expenses and cancelled services no longer needed. She set up online accounts, established passwords, and answered security questions. She now has online access to her friend’s medical records and bills and can finally make sense of the stacks of paper that have accumulated during this long illness. I’m sure her sick friend would have appreciated a visit from a church member but getting her personal business in order was far more important. It had become overwhelming, especially since Internet knowledge has become essential to doing it.

Until hearing this story, I hadn’t considered how daunting the Internet can be for others, especially the elderly. Many people still don’t use smart phones or computers. Moreover, many of those who do are hopelessly lost beyond email, FaceTime or Facebook. Increased dependence on computerization for important communication is just one of the new challenges faced by many in our church family.

We don’t need to be deacons to be the caring arms of our churches. We all have been given the task of ministering to the ill, those in want, those without family or friends, and those enduring hardships. Jesus called on all of us to serve, not just a select few. Let’s never allow the limit of our imaginations limit the ways we minister to those in need. Is there something you can do for someone? Is there some unique way you can serve?

Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others. [1 Peter 4:10 (GW)]

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February 4, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Obedience, Temptation & Sin

THE BEST POLICY

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. [Proverbs 12:22 (NLT)]

Keep me from lying and being dishonest. [Proverbs 30:8a (NCV)]

Lord, help me do a bit of soul searching about honesty. If I manipulate others to get something I want, is that dishonest? What about the excuses I use on occasion to justify my behavior? Are my motives always as altruistic as I say they are? Do I ever lie to myself so I won’t have to face an unpleasant truth? What about those seemingly harmless “white lies” that are so commonplace in conversation: are they so wrong? If a little deceit is acceptable, at what point does deceit become wrong? What is the difference between a half-truth and a half-lie, when the purpose of both is to deceive another person? Lord, don’t let me to be dishonest to others; more important, don’t allow me to be dishonest to myself. Let your righteousness guide me in a life of integrity, truth and honor.

Lord, who may enter your Holy Tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? Only those who are innocent and who do what is right. Such people speak the truth from their hearts and do not tell lies about others. They do no wrong to their neighbors and do not gossip. [Psalm 15:1-3 (NCV)]

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February 3, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Today: Make it Count

CONTENTMENT OR NOT: THE CHOICE IS OURS

bindweed (hedge)-ACL04WEBI don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. [Philippians 4:11-13 (HCSB)]

How often do we sigh, “If only …” (fill in the blank) followed by the phrase, “then I’d be happy”? That attitude only fosters a spirit of discontent. If we’re busy waiting for something special in the future, we miss out on the joys of today. We have 86,400 seconds to spend today; we won’t have them tomorrow and any we squandered yesterday in regret or dissatisfaction can’t be salvaged. Let’s not waste a single moment today!

Heavenly Father, while we’re looking forward to tomorrow‘s blessings, help us find happiness and contentment in our present circumstances. Instead of lamenting the past or dreaming about something different in the future, show us how to joyfully accept our lives as they are now.

Single days experienced fully add up to a lifetime lived deeply and well. Today is your life – not yesterday and not tomorrow. If we have tomorrow, it will be a gift, but what we have today, right now, will have an accumulated effect on all our tomorrows. [From “Living a Beautiful Life” by Alexandra Stoddard]

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (HCSB)]

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February 2, 2015

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Bible Stories, God's Word: The Bible, Temptation & Sin, Trusting God

WHO DO YOU TRUST?

12-30-14Trust1WEBGod commanded the Man, “You can eat from any tree in the garden, except from the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Don’t eat from it. The moment you eat from that tree, you’re dead.” … The serpent told the Woman, “You won’t die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you’ll see what’s really going on. You’ll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil.” When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she’d know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate. [Genesis 2:16-17, 3:4-6 (MSG)]

Eve saw what she wanted and couldn’t possess. God clearly said this was the one thing Adam and Eve couldn’t have in the paradise in which they lived. Satan, however, told her otherwise; he told her what she wanted to hear. Was the tree more seductive, did she crave it all the more, because it was forbidden? Eve saw what she desired and took it. She trusted what she saw, a beautiful tree with delicious looking fruit, instead of what she’d been told by God. She sinned because she walked by sight toward what she desired instead of by walking by faith in God’s word. Unfortunately, mankind has continued down that path ever since. Who is the wiser, God or us? Who loves us, God or Satan? Whose words will we believe? Who do we trust?

Father, fill us with your Spirit so we always walk, not by sight, but by faith. Strengthen us so that desire never tempts us to ignore your word.

All the cunning of the devil is exercised in trying to tear us away from the word. [Martin Luther]

Yahweh: You’ve been unhappy because you’ve desired things that cannot be.
Lucifer: That’s what desire is. The need for what we can’t have. The need for what’s readily available is called greed. [Mike Carey, from “Lucifer, Vol. 11: Evensong”]