Category: Christian Living

Staying Engaged with God

Pedaling my bike up the steep trail, I wiped the sweat running down my face. My lungs heaved and my heart pounded.  Lush green grass and colorful wildflowers bordered the trail, a testimony to the heavy rains that had kept me off my bike for most of the winter and spring. Being my first ride of the season, I could feel the full effects of my time off. There is no better cardio workout than a good mountain bike ride, but the first few times out can be a little rough. Still, I knew the temporary pain of getting back in shape was worth the pay-off. If I stuck with it my mind, body and spirit would all be healthier.

As I rode, I thought about the parallels between the physical and spiritual realms. And then I remembered Paul’s words:

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.” (1 Timothy 4:7-9, NIV)

Most of us would agree that pursuing and maintaining physical fitness improves our health and quality of life.  There is so much more we can do and accomplish when our bodies are working properly. Daily maintenance has positive effects that benefit us now and in the future. Although it’s hard work to get in shape, once exercise becomes a part of our routine, it’s easier to stay physically fit and worth it over the long haul.

Paul’s words in 1 Timothy remind us that pursuing and maintaining spiritual fitness is even more important because it affects both our present lives and our eternal lives. Yet maturing spiritually doesn’t happen automatically, it requires effort and intentionality, just like physical training.

As we move toward the summer months, many of us fantasize about the freedom that comes with a less regular schedule. Vacations and spontaneous outings call out to us. We look forward to reading books for pleasure, spending time with friends and family, or traveling to different places. But lurking within that haphazard schedule is the danger of getting lax in our spiritual disciplines.  Looking forward to the ease and comfort of a day on vacation doesn’t bring us to our knees in prayer the way daily challenges do. And having unscheduled days often means a lack of accountability. We get complacent about staying in God’s Word when we’re left on our own too long.  After all, if your Bible study group is on a break, there isn’t any homework to guide you, is there?

So right now, before summer starts, let me ask you a question.  How will you train yourself to be godly this summer? How will you stay engaged in God’s Word and in prayer during lazy days with less structure and accountability? Summer is a fun time to deviate from your normal routine, but that doesn’t mean you should abandon the practices that keep you spiritually in tune.  Need some ideas of things to keep you engaged? Here are a few you can try:

  • Choose a new devotional to read daily. Take the time to do the suggested activities and to read and study the Scriptures included. Instead of rushing through it, make the time to absorb what it says.  Here are two I’ve enjoyed this year:
  • Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore
  • Draw the Circle: The Forty Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson
  • Choose a Bible study to go through and invite a friend or two to do it with you. Schedule times when you can meet during the summer to discuss what you’re learning. Text or e-mail each other in between so you can hold one another accountable.  Here are two I’d recommend:
  • Breathe by Priscilla Shirer
  • Women of the Word: The Family Tree of Jesus by Marybeth McCullum (I’ve revised and updated this since it was done at Focused Living in 2015-16) Click here for more information
  • Read a book to gain deeper insight on a topic you want to learn about. Get some biblical perspective from a trusted Christian author.  Here are a few I’d recommend:
  • The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
  • Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
  • Forgive and Forget by Lewis Smedes
  • I Give You Authority by Charles Kraft
  • Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
  • Boundaries and/or Boundaries with Kids by Cloud and Townsend
  • Go back and finish a Bible study workbook that you didn’t complete or that you rushed through during the year.  Take the time to let the lessons sink in and then apply them to your life.
  • Subscribe to an online study or devotional from one of your favorite Christian authors. (You can start by subscribing to this blog if you don’t already.) Or check out the offerings at Proverbs31.org.
  • Join a summer Bible study at a local church. If you want information about options at CPC Danville, click here.
  • Wherever you find yourself this summer, I pray that you will use the slower pace and the less predictable schedule to draw near to God, to savor His Word, and to grow deeper in your faith.
  • Let Micah Tyler’s song “Never Been a Moment” remind you of God’s constant loving presence and His longing to connect with you in every season of life.

 

Sober Minded and Alert: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Do you have someone in your life that’s a “Button Pusher”? That person that says or does something that triggers negative reactions in you like insecurity or self-consciousness. Maybe it’s someone that has a knack for making you feel “less than” in some way.  All of us have different “hot buttons” that trigger negative thoughts, feelings and reactions.  Understanding what they are and what pushes them helps us to deal with them more effectively.

As we begin to understand ourselves and what sets us off, it is critical to recognize that Satan is the worst “Button Pusher” of all. Through keen observation, he knows our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, and our insecurities.  He sees what triggers us and knows when he can capitalize on a situation and use it to derail us.  And that’s why Peter says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV)

Being sober minded and alert helps us to recognize when and where the enemy is prowling around in our lives.  The key is identifying places we leave ourselves open to attacks so that we can take measures to avert the lion’s pounce.

I recently experienced what happens when I’m not alert and sober minded on a trip to Mexico. I was serving as a leader with our church’s youth group and we were there to build simple homes for needy families. It was a challenging trip on many levels– physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Each day we’d wake up at 6 at our campground to eat breakfast and pack lunches before taking a bumpy bus ride to our work sites.  Days were spent doing hard manual labor: hauling buckets of gravel and cement, hand-mixing concrete and stucco, hammering and sawing wood, etc. Filthy, sore and tired, we would return to camp in time to bathe (sort of), eat dinner, worship, hear a message, and have small group discussions in our tents.

As fulfilling as it was to be serving the Mexican families and the youth group students, I felt utterly depleted on every front by halfway through the week. Physical exhaustion and minimal opportunities for time alone had reduced my quiet times to a few pre-dawn moments when I asked God to fill and strengthen me before I climbed out of my sleeping bag to pull on my overalls.  A quick reading of a devotional or Bible passage and some fleeting prayers throughout the day were my main spiritual sustenance. Everything else that keeps me centered was put on hold for the week.

By the trip’s midpoint, my physical, spiritual and relational reserves were at an all time low. I was ripe for the prowling lion looking for someone to devour, and he didn’t miss the opportunity.  Throughout one day, the enemy used several challenging circumstances to send me on a downward spiral. I was convinced that I was a failure as a leader and that I had nothing to offer in the way of building expertise. Several of my “hot buttons” had been pushed, causing old insecurities to rear their heads. And I believed every lie the devil lobbed at me.

When I finally pulled away from the group to call home late that evening, I dissolved in tears as I recounted the day to my husband. Immediately reading the situation, he told me I was believing the enemy’s lies and offered to pray for me. My exhaustion had opened me up for spiritual attack, but my husband’s prayer quickly changed that. By the next morning, I awoke with a whole different outlook and could see how deceived I’d been. The prowling lion had been sent packing, thanks to the power of prayer.

Personally, I know I’m more prone to having the devil pounce when I’m not staying grounded in the things that keep me healthy and aligned with truth.  Here are a few times when my hot buttons can be pushed:

  • I haven’t spent time in God’s Word or prayer
  • I haven’t taken care of my physical needs (exercise, adequate sleep, healthy eating, preventive medical care, etc.)
  • I haven’t been connecting with healthy people who help me stay aligned with God (which means I’ve missed Bible study, church, small group or other gatherings of believers)
  • I’ve let unhealthy thoughts roam freely in my mind
  • I’ve let negative attitudes and emotions rule me
  • I’ve been overly focused on myself
  • I’ve been comparing myself to others
  • I haven’t spent time nurturing healthy relationships that matter to me
  • I’ve spent too much time with people who don’t care about God or point me towards Him
  • I’ve spent too much time in front of screens (TV, computer, phone, iPad, movies)
  • I’ve been reading things that influence me negatively or taint my worldview
  • I haven’t been honest with myself, God or others about something I’m struggling with
  • I’m sinning and not seeking God for forgiveness
  • I’m holding onto offenses others commit against me instead of letting them go or forgiving them

When I’m alert and clear thinking, I see how the devil uses these things against me. It doesn’t take long to recognize they are like a button with the words “push me” glowing on top. When I’m unaware and not thinking clearly, I give the roaring lion a lot more room to roam in my life and it takes much longer to recognize he’s been messing with me.  I think this is why Peter reminds his readers twice in two chapters to be alert and sober-minded (4:7 and 5:8).  The sooner we realize how the enemy is scheming against us, the faster we can pray and stop him in his tracks.

Is it time to take stock of your own “hot buttons” and to figure out where and when you’re unintentionally inviting the prowling lion to pounce?

The best way to remain sober minded and alert is to immerse yourself in God’s Word. Click on the link and be encouraged by “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVg0cWkgA

A “Half Full” View of Suffering: 1 Peter 3:13-22

A friend of mine wears a necklace that has a flat, rectangular charm with a drawing stamped onto it. A simple sketch depicts a drinking glass with a line running horizontally through the middle of it. Beneath the glass are the words “Half Full.”  It’s only a two-word statement, but it communicates volumes about how she views life. Think for a minute.  If you see a glass that has equal amounts of air and water in it, is it half empty or half full?  The way you answer says something about whether you see life through a positive or a negative lens. It’s all a matter of perspective: a glass is simultaneously half full and half empty. It just depends on the viewpoint of the person describing it.

The same holds true with the topic of suffering– our perspective on it can lead us to deep spiritual growth or debilitating self-pity and bitterness. Since suffering is mentioned in every chapter of the book of First Peter, it’s clear God has a few things to say about it:

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed…For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” (1 Peter 3:13, 14a, 17,18, NIV)

So how can we consider ourselves blessed when we experience suffering, especially when it comes as a result of doing what is right?  Scripture gives us some clear answers about its purpose.  And while suffering isn’t an enjoyable thing for anyone, good can result from experiencing it. Here are four reasons you can consider yourself blessed when you suffer:

Refinement: Hebrews 2:10 tells us that Jesus was “made perfect through what he suffered.” Suffering was part of the process He had to endure to bring us to salvation.  So, when He died on the cross, He accomplished one of His primary reasons for coming to earth. In the same way, suffering is a process that accomplishes something in us. Peter explains this in 1 Peter 1:6-7 when he says we suffer trials so that our faith may be proved genuine. Just as fire refines gold and removes the impurities, suffering refines us, causing us to turn toward God when we recognize everything else is worthless by comparison.

Humility: Suffering removes the illusion of control that so many of us cling to unconsciously. No matter how wealthy, powerful, or accomplished we are, no matter how closely we walk with God, no matter how much we may try to avoid it, all of us will experience suffering at different times.  It reminds us that we aren’t in charge, God is. The apostle Paul learned to rejoice in suffering when he realized it kept him from becoming conceited.  After pleading with God to remove an unnamed and ongoing struggle he had, he says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Paul then explains why God’s choice not to end his suffering brings him joy instead of causing him to become angry or bitter: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)

Character: A life of ease may feel good, but it is through suffering that our characters are shaped.  Paul explains the qualities we gain through suffering when he says: “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:2-5, ESV) Suffering builds our endurance and when we persevere through it, we gain character and hope. These qualities become part of a firm foundation that sustains us through future challenges we’re bound to face.

Comfort: Suffering is a jumping off place for showing the love of God to others. When we lean into the Lord and allow Him to speak into our suffering, He gives us hope, help, and comfort. Seasons of suffering become the times when seeds of faith sprout and grow stronger in us. And when we recognize that our suffering can be used for good, we begin to look beyond ourselves, becoming a conduit for God to impact others. Through us, He blesses people struggling through similar issues: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (1 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

Looking back, I see different times of suffering in my life with a strange sense of fondness. Of course, I didn’t enjoy the difficult things I’ve had to endure, but I see how God used them to reveal Himself to me, to make His Word relevant in my life, and to connect me with others in ways I never would have experienced in good times.  So, while I don’t look forward to future seasons of suffering, I know they will come.  And when they do, I will choose to view them through the “half-full” lens and to look expectantly for how God wants to use them in my life.

If you are in a time of suffering, imagine Jesus is singing to you as you listen to “Brother” by NEEDTOBREATHE. And if you’re on the other side of a season of suffering, consider who you could reach out to with the sentiments in this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRSLz_KgUsM

*Inspired by Week 7 in 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway   Press, 2016.

Connecting the Dots: 1 Peter 3:5-7

I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, but I almost did when I saw this week’s topic in my Bible study. I won’t lie to you, it’s not easy material to swallow and it’s certainly not embraced by mainstream culture today.  Nonetheless, God’s Word contains eternal truth that transcends the many opinions about marriage that have come and gone over the centuries. Here’s what it says:

“This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:5-7, NLT)

Whew! Those are some hard words to read in current times! And right in the middle of the passage, Peter throws in an example from the Old Testament without much explanation. Reviewing the stories of Sarah and Abraham with Peter’s teaching in mind is an eye-opening experience. Rather than being examples of those who did everything “right,” their lives show us the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good

We meet Abram and Sarai in Genesis 12 when the LORD calls Abram to leave his father’s household, his people, and his country to go to a new land. (Later in Genesis 17 God changed their names to “Abraham” and “Sarah.”) God promised Abram He would make him into a great nation and would bless all the people of the earth through him. Following God’s invitation, Abram packed up his possessions at the age of 75 and left home to travel to a new land with his wife, Sarai, and their nephew, Lot. Imagine Sarai leaving the only home she’d ever known at age 65. Scripture doesn’t tell us how she felt, only that she went. Abram trusted God and submitted to His will and Sarai followed his lead. She trusted her husband and yielded to him. And this is where their story really begins.

The Good and The Bad

The story continues with Abram and Sarai traveling to Egypt to escape a famine. As they approached the border, Abram said to his wife, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” (Genesis 12:11-13, NLT) Despite being put in a precarious position, Sarai submitted to Abram’s plan. And as Abram predicted, Pharaoh took Sarai into his palace. Here we see the opposite of what Peter tells husbands to do. Abram behaved dishonorably toward his wife, yet she still yielded to his plan.

The good news is that God was looking out for her in a way her husband wasn’t. “The LORD sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” (Genesis 12:17, NLT)  Even though his plan dishonored her, Sarai submitted to her husband. And God stepped in to protect her.

Ironically, a very similar situation occurred later when a different king admired Sarah’s beauty and took her into his harem after Abraham said she was his sister. In Genesis 20 God protected Sarah by revealing Abraham’s deception and preventing King Abimelech from touching her. Once again, she submitted to her husband despite his dishonorable plan. And once again, God came to the rescue.

The Ugly

Sarai is probably best known for her worst mistake. After waiting ten years to conceive the child promised by God, she finally decided to give up and take matters into her own hands: “So Sarai said to Abram, ‘The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.’ And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.” (Genesis 16:2, NLT) As much as we want to criticize her for this decision, we’d be hypocrites if we did. How many times do we, as women, decide make things happen OUR way? We love to tell our husbands how to implement our plans, don’t we?  Sarai’s choice not only portrays a lack of submission to her husband, it reveals a lack of trust in God. And with his passive response and willingness to go along with her plan, Abram relinquished his leadership and authority. The results, as you may remember, were disastrous. Ishmael, the child born to Hagar, became a constant source of grief to Sarai. His birth brought animosity into their household that would last for every future generation. And all because Sarah assumed authority where she shouldn’t have. Ouch!

A Good God

Finally, twenty-four years after His original promise, the LORD appeared to speak with Abraham and told him he would have a son by Sarah less than a year later. Eavesdropping nearby, Sarah laughed to herself quietly saying, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” (Genesis 18:12, NLT) Perhaps referring to him as her “master” here shows she’d learned a lesson from exerting authority over him with the whole Hagar-Ishmael incident.

Scripture goes on to tell us, “The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.” (Genesis 21:1-2, NLT) So at ages 90 and 100, God fulfilled the promise He made when He first called Abram and Sarai to leave home when they were 65 and 75.

Connecting the Dots

Remember those “dot to dot” pictures we did as kids?  You’d take a page full of tiny black, numbered dots and would draw lines to connect them in numerical order.  At the end, a picture would take shape.  For me, reading the stories of Sarah and Abraham is a little like that. When I read Peter’s words about marital submission, they rub me the wrong way because I’m viewing them from a secular worldview, not a biblical one. However, when I consider examples from Scripture, those dots start to be connected into a clear picture. God designed His creation to function with order.  First and foremost, we submit to Him. Peter explains that we also submit to others such as government authorities and employers, as well as our spouses.  And like a dot to dot picture with the lines connected out of numerical sequence, when we disregard the order of authority God has established, life becomes much messier and more complicated. It’s still a hard passage to embrace, but I trust God more than I trust the constantly changing worldviews that influence each generation and distort ultimate truth.

*Inspired by the Bible study 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilkin (Lifeway 2016)

 

Submitting to Authority: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Tires screeched and sparks flew as the group of cars drove in tight circles next to one another. Scoffing at the law and jeering at authority, the drivers were clearly reveling in doing “donuts” together. But these cars weren’t in a deserted parking lot or on an empty road.  Instead, they were in the middle of a four-lane freeway.

I’d never heard of something like this until taking a car trip recently with a group of friends.  Throughout our long drive, we’d been calling and texting back and forth between the two vehicles.  Our chatter was fun and light hearted, but all of that changed when our friends a few miles behind us called. They were at a dead stop and trying to figure out why.  As we checked traffic reports, the horrified driver began narrating the unfolding scene.  A group of cars just ahead of them had stopped on the freeway simultaneously and had begun driving in circles. Through a coordinated effort, they’d created a huge traffic jam and could have caused serious injuries. A few minutes later they sped off just before Highway Patrol arrived on the scene.

Their blatant defiance of traffic laws and basic safety was frightening.  After all, aren’t rules of the road made to protect all of us and to keep traffic moving in an orderly fashion?  When people decide not to abide by them, traffic snarls, tempers flare, and accidents occur.

It doesn’t matter whether we like the laws of the road or think they’re fair.  We must accept them to keep our roadways safe and orderly. As drivers, we submit to the authority of the law because we know it’s meant to protect us, even if it means some of our freedoms are limited.

But what do we do about other authorities in our lives?  What about a leader in local or national government whose policies we oppose? How are we, as followers of Jesus, called to respond?

Peter tells us: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.  Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”  (1 Peter 2:13-17, NIV)

In case his words seem quaint or ridiculous, let’s not forget some of the ruthless and corrupt government authorities Peter had seen in his lifetime. During his childhood, he’d heard stories of Herod the Great killing the baby boys in Bethlehem to eliminate a rival king, the prophesied Messiah.  In adulthood, Peter knew John the Baptist, who was beheaded by Herod Antipas on a whim to please his step-daughter during a party.  He’d watched Pilate allow the crucifixion of Jesus with no grounds.  And Peter endured the ongoing oppression of Nero, a great antagonist to followers of Christ who found pleasure in dipping them in tar and lighting them on fire to illuminate his garden parties.

So, when Peter gives us instructions about how to respond to earthly authorities, we would be wise to take heed. Author and theologian John Piper helps us understand Peter’s teaching by explaining how to honor leaders who oppose our biblical views.  What follows is a summary of an article he wrote that contains some timeless truths on this difficult topic. (See the link at the bottom to read the article in its entirety.)

Humbling Ourselves:  We honor our leaders because we are humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God. We acknowledge that we are sinners in need of mercy and forgiveness. We are not the final judges on any matter, God is. We are not morally superior to anyone and are utterly dependent on the mercy of God found in Christ.

Acknowledging God’s Image:  We honor authorities because they were created in the image of God. We honor them because they are utterly unique human beings with tremendous potential, just like us.

Acknowledging God’s Institution:  We honor authorities because Government is God’s institution.  Leaders are in power by God’s appointment and we honor that (see Romans 13:4).  We may grieve when leaders enact policies that are contrary to our values, but we know that bad government is better than no government. We honor our leaders for the stabilizing role they play in society. As my opening story illustrates, their job, metaphorically speaking, is to keep the cars moving in one direction down the freeway for our good.

Honoring Laws Not Conflicting with Christ’s Lordship:  We honor our leaders by submitting to laws of the state and nation that do not conflict with our higher allegiance to Christ the King of kings and Lord of lords.  We submit to the right of government to limit us in many areas, especially when the good of others is at stake. We submit not for a leader’s sake, but for the Lord’s, as 1 Peter 2:13 describes. We submit to honor leaders under God because it is from God that they have the authority to enforce the laws of the land.

Not Withdrawing into Isolation:  We honor our leaders by not withdrawing into little communes of people disengaged from American culture. We make it a priority to play our part in doing good as God calls us to in 1 Peter 2:15. We live with integrity and expect our leaders to do the same.

Opposing with Non-Violence:  If we oppose an authority’s position, we do it without violence or dishonorable speech.  We make it our goal to put forth truth and not to be fueled by emotions.  (2 Corinthians 4:2)

Trusting the Sovereign, Loving Purpose of God:  We honor our leaders by trusting the purpose of our sovereign and loving God. We pray for our leaders as God commands us to do, keeping His Word in mind:

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  (1 Timothy 2:1-4, NIV)

We are living in tumultuous times, but if we can keep these biblical truths in the forefront of our minds, they will help us to live with integrity and to honor God.  If you’re having a hard time swallowing this truth, be encouraged by Lauren Daigle’s song “O’Lord.” Make it your prayer as you listen.

 

To read the full text of John Piper’s article, click on the link below. Although it was written in 1993 for a very specific political issue, the words of wisdom he provides are timeless:

Click here to read John Piper’s article.

Inspired by Week 5 in 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press, 2016.

 

 

 

Your Spiritual Diet: 1 Peter 2:1-2

My two boys joke that I started eating gluten free before it became a fad.  For me, the shift in my diet wasn’t an attempt to adopt the latest health craze– it was an unwelcome change brought on by a minor health crisis.  Apparently, an intolerance to gluten had been building in my body for a while and one day the scales just tipped to the other side.  Suddenly my rib cage felt like it was in a constant vice grip and I couldn’t swallow solid food without significant pain and effort.  After months of seeing doctors, undergoing various medical tests, and trying a multitude of medications, I finally discovered that gluten was the culprit. This was not happy news for a bread-loving family like mine.  And as I researched more about how to implement a gluten free diet, my spirits plummeted. Because the gluten free craze hadn’t begun yet, I had to scrutinize every label, recipe and ingredient to determine if it was safe for me to eat.

As much as I struggled with adapting to a new diet, I struggled more with the emotional toll it took on me.  Suddenly every meal and social event was riddled with concern about what I could and couldn’t eat. I consider myself a “low maintenance” person and my new diet made me feel way too “high maintenance.” However, the difference in how I felt physically was worth it. Each time I was offered something I knew contained gluten, I refused it because I knew how horrible it would make me feel.

Never did I think that my gluten free diet would have a biblical application until I read First Peter 2:

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—  if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1-2, ESV)

Just as I had to “put away” the foods that made me feel sick, Peter admonishes believers to “put away” thoughts and behaviors that will keep us from maturing spiritually.  In doing this, he uses the example of a newborn baby needing pure milk to grow. This is a great extension of the idea of being born again that Jesus describes in John 3:3.

When we accept Christ, we begin a new life of faith.  And just like when we were physically born the first time, we grow and mature slowly over time.  The challenge with this second birth, however, is that we’ve already been exposed to a steady diet of things other than “pure spiritual milk.” Whether we were raised in the church or come to faith later, all of us have been exposed to worldly ways of thinking that impact us spiritually.

So just like I had to change my eating habits when I realized I was gluten-intolerant, we need to change our thoughts, attitudes and behaviors when we want to pursue God wholeheartedly.  Because the Holy Spirit lives inside us, some of the attitudes and behaviors we’ve embraced from the world aren’t compatible with a life of faith.  If we continue to give ourselves over to malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander, we will stunt our spiritual growth because what we feed our minds affects our souls.

Malice is evil intent or the desire to inflict harm, injury or suffering on another. While most of us don’t consider ourselves malicious, there are times we’ve quietly reveled in someone else’s misfortune.  Granted, it’s usually a person that has hurt us or someone we love, so we feel justified thinking they “got what they deserved.” Embarrassing as it is to admit, this is malicious and not part of a godly thought life.

Deceit is concealment or distortion of truth. Do you ever feel tempted to avoid certain details to gain an advantage? Or maybe you exaggerate an issue for attention? It might seem harmless, but if it’s distorting the truth, it’s still deceit. Stop and think what you’re trying to gain through deceit. Is it worth it, even knowing it’s stunting your spiritual growth?

Hypocrisy is the pretense of being virtuous or moral. Hypocrites say the right things, but their actions tell the true story about what they believe. They love the idea of living for God, but don’t tend to follow through when faced with opposition or potential rejection.  We’re all guilty of it at times. The best defense is to pray for authenticity and integrity so that we can honor God no matter where we are or who we’re with.

Envy is a feeling of discontent regarding another person’s advantages, successes, or possessions. Facebook and other social media sites are prime territory for breeding envy. One of the best antidotes is to learn to celebrate the positive things happening to others instead of comparing ourselves and feeling threatened by them. Figure out what your “envy triggers” are and pray about them. Tell God about that thing another person has that you want so badly. Invite Him to replace your envy with gratefulness and contentment.

Slander is described in the New Living translation as “unkind speech.”  Whether we are talking about people we know personally or those in the public eye, it’s important to be aware of what we’re saying about them.  Also, we need to keep in mind how we’re being influenced by radio and TV talk shows, podcasts, articles we read in print or online and even chain e-mails that get forwarded to us. Outside influences often feed our tendency to speak unkindly about others

With the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we can begin to recognize when we’re falling into old behaviors and attitudes that don’t fit with our new lives in Christ.  As we start craving a  “diet” that is pure, we won’t be as apt to fall into old ways of functioning.  Just like I can feel the negative effects of gluten when I eat it mistakenly, I can feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit when I slip back into thoughts, words and actions that don’t honor God.  Once we’ve tasted His goodness, nothing else satisfies in quite the same way.

Want some encouragement about how to overcome these things in your life?  Listen to “The Cure” by Unspoken:

Inspired by Week 4 in 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press, 2016.

 

Strangers Here- 1 Peter 1:13-25

Walking onto the high school campus that first day, I’d never felt more out of place. There was nothing I could do to blend in with the crowd or appear as if I belonged.  The color of my skin simply wouldn’t allow for it.

Although I’d been studying at a large university just ten miles away, the section of the city where I would be student teaching was a world apart.  I had no frame of reference to connect with the kids and I was profoundly aware of my status as an outsider. Although we lived in the same city, our cultures, past times, clothing, food, slang terms, and world views were completely different.

I knew my students were wary of me, but also a little curious. The chance to interact with someone from my background didn’t happen for them very often. And I knew that if I wanted to become a good teacher, I had to figure out how we could connect.

Over the course of my semester student teaching, I struggled to balance the tension of being an outsider while trying to engage with the kids in my classes.  Not all of them responded to my efforts, but by the end of the year, I had given them all I had to offer. I’d learned about myself and had grown as a teacher in the process.  I think those who gave me a chance learned a few things too.

I thought about that experience recently as I read the section of First Peter where Christians are admonished to live as strangers in the world.  Each translation of 1 Peter 1:17 says it a little differently, but the combination of several of them gives a complete picture:

“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”  (NIV, italics added for emphasis)

“And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.”  (ESV, italics added for emphasis)

“And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as ‘temporary residents.’” (NLT, italics added for emphasis)

Living as an outsider, a foreigner, an exile, or a temporary resident should not be a new concept to anyone who follows Jesus.  If we’re serious about being set apart for God, we won’t blend in with those who embrace worldly perspectives. Our focus on living biblically will inform our worldview, actions, choices and attitudes. We’ll hold loosely to this world because we know better things are yet to come.

Striking the delicate balance of remaining an outsider while finding connecting points with non-believers is key. Just like I had to find common ground with my students to earn their trust and respect, we must do the same to share the hope of Jesus with others.  As we seek ways to be culturally relevant, we must also be careful to live “in reverent fear,” recognizing that our love for God means not participating in behaviors that would dishonor Him.  It can be a tricky balance at times.  Peter gives clear instructions on this:

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:13-14, NIV)

Here’s what strikes me in this passage:

-We need to remain clear thinking in all situations.  No matter what people or circumstances we encounter, we should view them through the lens of God’s grace. Our hope is in Him, not in being liked or accepted by others. When dealing with non-believers, we should strive to be a greater influence on them than they are on us.

-We need to remain obedient to God, regardless of what others choose.  If we are in situations where people are embracing sin, we need to remember we no longer live “in ignorance” as they do.  When we have the chance to shed light on sinful perspectives and behaviors that people aren’t aware of, we need to speak up with gentleness and respect. The enemy uses many methods to lie to those in our culture.  We need to pray, asking God to give us words of wisdom and grace to share with those who are being misled because they don’t know any better.

-We need to remain holy and set apart in our actions and attitudes, but not in our proximity to non-believers.  Living in a closed-off Christian bubble and looking down on the world around us is not the point of this verse. We are strangers here for a season, so that we can share Christ with the fallen world that desperately needs His saving grace.

Living as a stranger makes some of us weary. For others, it causes us to feel like we’re missing out.  If you identify with either of these things, click on the link and be encouraged by “Strangers Here” by Tenth Avenue North.

 

Genuine Faith: 1 Peter 1:1-12

Vibrating beneath my hands, the power sander spewed a cloud of fine dust as I ran it over the wood. The dresser had an ugly, opaque finish and I was curious to see the quality of the wood hidden beneath it. To my delight, the sanding revealed pure, unblemished maple with a beautiful grain that far exceeded my expectations.

I was reminded of that dresser recently as I read the apostle Peter’s teaching about the way God refines our faith:

 “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:6-7, NLT)

Like using a sander on wood, trials refine our faith. They remove the ugly layers of protection we often put on ourselves over time. The faith was always there, but trials draw it to the forefront of our lives.

Oftentimes when we study a passage like this one, we envision major “life event” sort of trials. A cancer diagnosis. The death of a family member.  The loss of a job. An ugly divorce. A traumatic event that derails plans and dreams.

While those life-altering trials often refine our faith, smaller difficulties can produce the same results, if we let them. A challenging person or situation becomes spiritual sandpaper in the hands of God.

A few years ago my family experienced a relentless chain of hard circumstances that led us to deeper intimacy with Jesus and profound spiritual growth. Ironically, at the center of many uncontrollable difficulties was a situation that we’d brought on ourselves: a home remodel.

With every annoyance we experienced, from doing laundry on our back patio to living without a kitchen for seven months to working with an unreliable contractor, we learned we had a choice. We could wallow in self-pity and bitterness or we could let God refine us through the process.

The Bible makes many references to God as a refiner. Psalm 66:10 states it clearly. “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” God uses people and situations to cleanse us from impurities, to perfect us and to make us look more like Jesus in our actions and attitudes. 

In the book of Zechariah God speaks again about refinement. “I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.'” (Zechariah 13:9b)

God revealed many ugly impurities in me that needed to be surrendered to Him throughout our remodel. And, as painful as it was, I chose to let Him do His refining work in me. He uncovered my lack of patience and my craving for control. He taught me to wait and watch for His answers in His timing. Submitting to that process transformed me in ways I never would have expected.

Our struggles and challenges, both large and small, are an amazing opportunity to uncover the faith planted deep within us. As I learned with refinishing my dresser, true beauty shows only after the messy refining process removes the ugly outer layers.

Rather than lamenting the difficult things we must endure, we can rejoice knowing that they are revealing a genuine and lasting faith that is more valuable than anything this world could offer.

Click on the link to enjoy Francesca Battistelli’s song “This is the Stuff.”  It’s a fun song with great encouragement to let God give us perspective when we face trials, both large and small.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H73AyGZvwEA

Inspired by Week 2 in 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ, by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway 2015.

 

Eliminate Idols; Build God’s Kingdom- Final Thoughts on No Other Gods

Moving the colorful troops around on the game board seems fairly simple. But if you‘ve ever played the game of “Risk,” you know it’s actually quite complicated. Dubbed “The Game of Global Domination,” the rules written by Parker Brothers explain: “Play the commander of vast armies, a general of superior strategy and a tactician unlike any mankind has ever seen. Your goal is simple: to take over the world.”

Each player claims a portion of a large fictionalized world map and challenges opponents to battles. Using a combination of rolling dice and drawing cards that determine a player’s advantages and limitations, players must calculate attack and defense strategies. The game can last for hours. I pictured the large world map and the tiny game pieces as I thought about what happens when we leave idols behind to focus fully on God.

Why, you may ask, would a board game prompt such thoughts? The answer is simple: some of us are so consumed with our own circumstances that we don’t realize we have the opportunity to expand God’s kingdom on earth, like spreading more of His troops across the map on the game board. Once we’re ready to leave our personal agendas behind and trust His will above our own, we discover what the abundant life God promises is really all about.

In the book of Joshua, the Israelites expanded God’s physical kingdom on earth when they entered the Promised Land and began taking possession of it. We have the opportunity to do something similar on a spiritual level every day. It’s all part of living out the phrase in the Lord’s Prayer that says “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Yet sometimes we focus so much on our personal relationship with God that we overlook the fact that we’re called to look beyond ourselves. Claiming Jesus as Savior should go hand in hand with increasing His rule and reign on earth.

Back in Genesis, God’s original plan was to use Adam and Eve to spread His kingdom. He made them in His image, gave them authority over the earth and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28, NIV) Sadly, when Satan succeeded in tempting them in the Garden of Eden, their choice to disobey God brought sin into the world. This caused the authority originally given to them to be passed to the devil. Although God had ultimate sovereignty, the enemy was (and still is) temporarily granted authority because of Adam and Eve’s choice to sin.

The good news is God’s kingdom still exists in its fullness in heaven. By doing His will, we increase His kingdom on earth. Author, Bible scholar, and Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright explains: “God intends his wise, creative, loving presence and power to be reflected…into his world through his human creatures. He has enlisted us to act as his stewards in the project of creation. And, following the disaster of rebellion and corruption [that took place in the Garden of Eden], he has built into the gospel message the fact that through the work of Jesus and the power of the Spirit, he equips humans to help in the work of getting the project back on track.”

Imagine the example of the game I described. Although God ultimately owns the “game board” (the world) and all of the pieces, the enemy has been given a temporary seat at the table. For a time, he has the opportunity to strategize about how he can thwart God’s kingdom from spreading on earth. Still, many people who love the Lord remain passive as events unfold, not understanding they’re meant to play a part in His ongoing plan to expand His kingdom on earth. Those who realize it help to reclaim the world for good instead of letting it languish in evil.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, followers of Jesus reflect creation as God intended it to be. Once we eliminate the idols that hinder us and make room for God, we’re ready to change the atmosphere in our world. Engaging in the adventure of building God’s kingdom on earth brings joy, hope and fulfillment in a way that idols never will. Understanding this makes the hollow things we used to cherish seem flimsy, insignificant and useless by comparison. Loving God with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength enables Him to do amazing things through us. The ripple effects cause His kingdom to spread throughout the earth, preparing it for the day when John’s prophecy about heaven and earth merging will become a reality:

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3b-4, NIV)

There are two songs that have impacted me deeply as I’ve considered the part we play in furthering God’s kingdom on earth: “With Every Act of Love” by Jason Gray and “Build Your Kingdom Here” by Rend Collective. Both provide tangible examples and inspiring perspectives about this topic. Rend Collective’s song also prompted me to write a prayer about this compelling subject. Would you consider praying it with me?

God, unleash your kingdom’s power, reaching near and far. We know no force of hell can stop your beauty from changing hearts. You made us for much more than the comfort and security we seek from idols. Awake the kingdom seed in us. Fill us with the strength and love of Christ. We are your church; let us always be reminded that we are the hope on earth! Build your kingdom here; let the darkness fear. Show your mighty hand; heal our streets and land. Set your church on fire, win this nation back; change the atmosphere. Build your kingdom here, we pray.

v=3q7xnR9E3gohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q7xnR9E3go

Kelly Minter, No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern Day Idols, Lifeway Press, 2007, 2012.

N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church, HarperOne, 2008, p. 207.

Faith over Fear- No Other Gods Session 8

Standing alone at the airport terminal, I watched as my oldest son snaked through the security line. It was his first time flying alone and although I knew he was mature enough to travel solo, it was still a bit unsettling. After all, I was sending him out into a world filled with crime, terrorism, catastrophic accidents and all sorts of other ugly events. The fear could easily have consumed me, if I’d let it.

Instead, I prayed for my son as I drove home. I thanked God for the opportunity he had to attend a Christian Leadership Conference and looked forward to the growth that would occur in him as a result of the trip. I told God I trusted Him and thanked Him for the precious gift of my son’s life. I reminded myself that God knows and loves my son even more than my husband and I do. I chose to let my faith in God triumph over my fears.

Faith spurs us to move forward; fear holds us back. Faith trusts God through uncertain times, fear defaults to quick fixes. The Israelites give us a great example of this in the Old Testament. In Numbers 13 & 14 we find the story of their first attempt to enter the Promised Land after fleeing Egypt under Moses’ leadership. Moses sent twelve spies to scout out the land and when they returned:

“They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large…

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’

 But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.” (Numbers 13:27, 30-32, NIV)

All twelve men saw the abundance, but only Caleb and Joshua had the faith to believe God would keep His promise to give them the land. Once the other spies gave a bad report, fear spread like a virus among the Israelites:

“That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?’” (Numbers 14:1-4, NIV)

Because they let their fears overpower their faith in God, the Israelites aged 20 and older were punished by having to wander in the wilderness for forty years until they died. They would never enter the Promised Land. The only exceptions were Joshua and Caleb, the ones who had faith. God described Caleb as having “a different spirit” from the rest. That phrase makes me pause to ask: Do I, as a follower of Jesus, have a “different spirit” from those around me? How about you? Do you let fear consume your mind and determine your steps? Like Joshua and Caleb, do we believe God wholeheartedly, whether anyone else is choosing to trust Him or not?

Now let’s fast-forward forty years to when the second generation of Israelites was once again on the brink of entering the Promised Land. The only thing standing in their way was the Jordan River. The story in Joshua 3 & 4 tells us that at that time of year the river was a swollen, rushing mass of muddy, brown water. Getting two million people with all of their possessions across it was no small feat. However, there was a different spirit among the Israelites this time around.

God gave Joshua instructions for how to cross the river and enter the Promised Land. Following them would require tremendous faith in Him alone. He spread word around the camp: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5, NIV) The people listened, seemingly without questioning the bizarre plan. Based on what happened next, it’s pretty clear God delivered on this promise. “As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away.” (Joshua 3:15-16, NIV) Two million people chose faith over fear, trusting that God would hold the water back long enough for all of them to cross the riverbed on dry ground and enter the land He had promised to give them.

Don’t miss the best phrase in the story: “The Lord will do amazing things among you.” He was ready, but the people also had to be willing. Forty years earlier, their parents and grandparents had let fear consume them. The second generation chose faith in God and saw Him do amazing things as a result.

It makes me wonder if there are places I’m letting fear overshadow faith in my life. The choice to focus on our fear or our faith has a ripple effect on those around us. As followers of Jesus, we have a “different spirit” within us than the rest of the world. When we choose faith over fear, it changes our outlook. It also empowers us to impact others and leaves room for God to do amazing things among us.

If you’re struggling to relinquish fear and embrace faith, click on the link and be encouraged by the song “Cast My Cares” by Finding Favour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKuAMmTqUbs

Kelly Minter, No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern-Day Idols, Lifeway Press, 2007, 2012.