Category: Surrendering to Christ

Jesus Plus

Creating benchmarks and requirements that make faith more complicated than it needs to be seems to be part of the human condition. For some reason, we struggle to believe the completed work of Jesus is enough. This has been happening since the early days of the Christian faith, as we see in the book of Acts when the young church begins adding people from all different backgrounds to its ranks.

Returning from their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas go back to the original church they planted in Antioch to share incredible news: “And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27, ESV)

While believers rejoice hearing that the gospel has spread throughout Galatia (and beyond), the merging of Jews and Gentiles into one faith also includes challenges. The apostles must take decisive action to prevent division among the followers of Jesus from eclectic backgrounds. They gather to consider conflicting teaching from different factions to determine once and for all whether new believers must become Jews and observe the laws of Moses as part of their newfound faith in Christ.

In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council meets so the apostles and other key church leaders can debate, discuss, and decide if Gentiles must follow Jewish practices for their faith to be complete. During their meeting, Peter addresses the group: “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believed that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (Acts 15: 7-11, ESV)

Peter is likely recalling his first interaction with Cornelius from ten years earlier when the Roman centurion received the Holy Spirit along with all in his household (Acts 10). He reminds the Council that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles through the grace of Jesus and says that nothing else needs to be added to make them acceptable in God’s eyes. 

Later, in Galatians, Paul affirms this when he writes to the churches he planted previously, emphasizing the power Jesus has to erase dividing lines between different people groups: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal 3:26-29, NIV)

One commentary explains, “Conflict between ‘grace’ and the ‘Law’ can arise when someone 1) misunderstands the purpose of the Law; 2) redefines grace as something other than ‘God’s benevolence on the undeserving’ (see Romans 11:6); 3) tries to earn his own salvation or ‘supplement’ Christ’s sacrifice; 4) follows the error of the Pharisees in tacking manmade rituals and traditions onto his doctrine; or 5) fails to focus on the ‘whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27).”1

Our modern eyes may read this and wonder what the fuss is all about. However, many different branches of our faith can have a subtle “Jesus Plus” mentality. Without realizing it, we layer on additional steps that we consider essential for being a “true” Christian. Following a certain set of social norms in a group of believers can dictate whether someone is in the fold or out in the cold—whether it’s voting practices, expectations around dancing or alcohol consumption, views on women in leadership, stances on divisive topics in our nation today, or any other doctrinal issue with varying perspectives. When people begin to set rules for how everyone should act or think, the focus shifts from God’s grace to self-righteousness, seeking approval of others, or judging those who don’t follow the agreed upon set of norms established by a specific group of believers.

I’ve experienced both sides of this human tendency to seek uniformity—I’ve been the one judging those who don’t live out their faith the way I do, and I’ve been judged by others for not falling in line with their practices. Neither mindset honors God; both turn our eyes from the unity found in Christ to seeking uniformity in how we conduct our lives.

Where are you prone to having a “Jesus Plus” mentality? Do you need to cross deeds off a checklist to feel acceptable to God? Do you feel pressure to follow certain social rules to be in the fold with other believers? Are you so focused on one issue that you’re ignoring other things you need to learn in Scripture? Are you threatened by others’ expressions of faith in Christ that differ from yours?

My church denomination has a motto “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity” (originally coined by Rupertus Meldenius, a German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century). “It calls for unity on the essential things, the core of truth in our union with Christ. In non-essentials (not the unimportant, but those things that if lacking do not prevent our union with Christ), it calls for liberty so that all might follow their consciences under the Word and Spirit. In all things, however, there must be love (‘charity’ from the Latin caritas, or ‘love’), ‘which binds everything together in perfect harmony’ (Col. 3:14).”2 Paul’s words in Galatians sum it up well: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Gal 5:1 & 6b, NIV)

After the Jerusalem Council determines it is unnecessary for the Gentile converts to adopt Jewish practices, the members provide further instructions: “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (Acts 15:28-29, ESV)

While new believers aren’t required to become Jewish, they are admonished to forsake their former pagan practices related to idolatry. (This echoes commands given in Leviticus 17-18.) Avoiding these four things wasn’t necessary for salvation but promoted peace between Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus.3 It also empowered the new believers to turn away from practices that would dishonor the Lord and hinder them from continued spiritual growth. 

Lots of us carry baggage from our pasts that impacts how we interact with God and others. To understand more about how to recognize and eliminate the “Jesus Plus” mentality, consider reading one of these books:

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Saul’s Transformation

With his dying breath, Stephen prayed for his executioners. And as he was being stoned to death “witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58b, NIV) Just a few chapters later, Saul resurfaces. Now he’s traveling to Damascus in pursuit of disciples of Jesus who have fled Jerusalem. He’s bent on squelching the spread of the gospel that he believes is tainting the purity of Judaism. 

On the road, Saul encounters a blinding light and a voice from heaven saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Cowering on his knees and shielding his eyes, he stammers, “Who are you, Lord?” and receives a stunning reply: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:4-6, NIV)

Saul finds himself humbled and helpless–led by the hand, rather than storming into Damascus with power and authority.  Then, “For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” (Acts 9:9, NIV). Being a devout Jewish man, Saul would’ve been familiar with the practice of fasting. The Hebrew scriptures he’d studied all his life contained numerous examples of men and women of faith who had fasted and prayed to mourn, repent, worship, seek direction, exhibit humility, or understand visions they’d received from the Lord.

This encounter with the risen Christ was the catalyst for a complete re-set of his life. Perhaps those three days of blindness and fasting began softening his heart. Shrouded in darkness, maybe he recalled the Lord’s words in Ezekiel with a fresh and personal understanding: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NIV) In the quiet, maybe he also thought of Stephen’s speech and began to recognize how all the ancient prophecies in the scriptures had been fulfilled by Jesus.

Perhaps Saul also needed time to reconcile what he’d done—to grieve the lives he’d destroyed, to repent and seek forgiveness from the Lord. Maybe that’s why he later wrote: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Tim 1:15b, NIV)

Ultimately, those three days prepared him for what the Lord had in store next: “Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” (Acts 9:17-19, NIV)

No doubt Saul had participated in many ritual cleansings in the past, as all devout Jews did. However, this baptism represented the death of his old life as a legalistic pharisee and the birth of his new life as a follower of Jesus. In the span of three days his murderous zeal for destroying the church transformed into a passionate ardor for building it: “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?’ Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Excerpts from Acts 9:20-22, NIV.) 

Typically we see the change in Saul as immediate because we skip over those three days of hunger and darkness as he waited on the Lord. Let’s stop and consider what we can learn from Saul’s example:

1. After encountering Jesus, Saul waits. He goes to the city and stands by for further instructions. I wonder how often we miss the ways the Lord wants to work in us because we’re perpetually in motion. The noise and busyness of our culture leave no time for reflection and contemplation. We’re constantly receiving input and ignoring the importance of margin. The Lord moves and speaks in times of stillness and silence. Can we truly be His witnesses if we’re never stopping long enough to be still in His presence and listen? 

2. After encountering Jesus, Saul fasts. Likely a familiar practice from his past experience, fasting was a key element in the transforming work the Lord was doing in his life. Although many people now equate fasting with weight loss, its true purpose is to create a focused time of prayer for a specific reason. Hunger pangs are a powerful reminder of our need for food. But rather than urging us to eat, they can prompt us to pray. If you want to learn more about this powerful practice, you may be interested in the attached articles: 

3. After encountering Jesus, Saul’s physical and spiritual eyes are opened. In our western culture we value what we can see; it’s challenging to view life through a spiritual lens. We are constantly busy and over-stimulated or we’re too exhausted to engage in anything that requires focus and deep thought. We anesthetize ourselves with mindless entertainment, but claim we are too busy to slow down, read our Bibles, pray, and spend time enjoying the presence of the Lord. We give our attention to shiny objects rather than fixing our gaze on what has eternal value.

If you’d like to improve your spiritual vision, add Paul’s prayer from Ephesians to your daily rhythm: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19a, NIV)

If you’re ready to learn more about the value of slowing down and learning spiritual practices that help you to see and hear the Lord more consistently, consider reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer.

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Passover Parallels

The more I study the Bible, the more I marvel at how seamlessly it weaves together God’s plan of deliverance for all people. The story of the first Passover in Exodus 11 & 12 includes so many rich symbols that point the way to Jesus in the New Testament. There are incredible parallels between the tenth and final plague in Egypt and Jesus’ blood that was shed to save humankind. For me, this magnifies God’s capacity to focus on vast plans and intimate details at the same time. Rather than trying to explain or interpret the similarities between the deliverance of the Israelites and the deliverance of all people from sin, I’m going to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. If you’re unfamiliar with the story of the first Passover, take a peek at Exodus 11 & 12 for fuller context. 

Death of Firstborn

“Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.” (Exodus 11:5)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

New Beginning

“This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year…Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.” (Exodus 12:2 & 17)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17)

Lamb Without Blemish

“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.” (Ex 12:3, 5-6)

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29)

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Saved by Blood

“Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs…The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” (Exodus 12:7 & 13)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:8-9)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

Jesus Celebrates the First Communion Using the Passover Meal

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover…

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”(Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29)

After the tenth plague, the Israelites walk freely out of Egypt and leave slavery behind. After Jesus’ death, everyone who believes in Him walks freely out of the slavery of sin. Click here and celebrate this incredible act of mercy and grace by listening to Micah Tyler’s “Walking Free.”

Post inspired by Jen Wilkin’s God of Deliverance: A Study of Exodus 1-18, Lifeway Press, 2021.

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The GOAT #13: A Solid Foundation

Looking at the realtor’s glossy advertisement, the house seemed to be brimming with potential. It sat on a quiet, tree lined street and was close to good schools. The floorplan was versatile, and the large backyard had a panoramic view. But it was the price that initially drew us in. The numbers on the brochure were far lower than any we’d seen in the area. It seemed too good to be true.

Touring the property with a realtor, my husband and I soon discovered the reason for the low price: the house had a cracked foundation. A large gash in the concrete slab was widening incrementally over time. The garage was shifting in the opposite direction from the house and would eventually pull away from it altogether. Assuring us that it was an “easy fix,” the realtor claimed the money we were saving with the low price would more than cover the repair job. 

With a bit more research, we learned that contractors hadn’t been able to determine the extent of the problem. They didn’t know if the house would have to be lifted so the deteriorating foundation could be replaced, or if the crack could simply be shored up. This meant estimates of the cost and the time it would take to fix it were rough guesses at best. 

The more we thought about it, the less enthused we became. Buying a home on a faulty foundation just seemed like a bad idea. Wary of all the unknowns, we decided to pass on the opportunity and to keep looking. At that point, we learned that when something seems “too good to be true,” it probably is.

I’ve thought a lot about that house and what a metaphor it’s been for my adult life. With each decision my husband and I have made, our goal has been to build a solid foundation in both the physical and spiritual worlds. That’s why Jesus’ closing warning in the Sermon on the Mount resonates with me so much:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-27, NIV)

Jesus urges us to put what we’ve been learning from Matthew 5-7 into practice. Through this series we’ve explored the upside-down economy of the Kingdom of God. The Beatitudes show us the value of meekness, gentleness, and humility. We see Jesus raise the bar on our righteousness, telling us to impact our surroundings with the salt and light of the Gospel. He urges us to have righteousness that surpasses the Pharisees by confronting the hatred and lust in our hearts. Jesus also raises the bar on the grounds for divorce and reminds us of the sacredness of marriage. He then launches into some challenging teaching on keeping our word, not retaliating, loving our enemies, and being generous in secret.  He reminds us our true treasure is in heaven and admonishes us not to worry, but to trust God’s provision. Jesus also instructs us to examine our own faults and not to judge others, to seek the Lord boldly in prayer, and to stay on the narrow road and bear good fruit. He packs this sermon with challenging but powerful truth. His purpose isn’t to disseminate information, but to spark life transformation. Which part of His teaching convicted you? Will you let His words change how you live today?

Putting Jesus’ teaching into practice isn’t easy, but it is the best way to live. Be encouraged knowing He is also the one who says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV) Author and pastor John Mark Comer explains, “Jesus’s invitation is to take up his yoke—to travel through life at his side, learning from him how to shoulder the weight of life with ease. To step out of the burnout society to a life of soul rest.”1 Comer continues later by quoting another source: “Jesus means that obedience to his Sermon on the Mount [his yoke] will develop in us a balance and a ‘way’ of carrying life that will give more rest than the way we have been living.’”2

Does this resonate with you as you consider how chaotic and overwhelming the world feels right now? In the midst of the tumult, rest assured that building our lives with Jesus as the foundation is the only lasting solution for experiencing peace and hope.

As we close our series on the Sermon on the Mount, consider the succinct and direct words of Jesus’ brother, James: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:22-25, NIV)

My prayer is that you’ll persevere in learning and living the ways of Jesus. I look forward to continuing the journey with you as I kick off the next series based on my new study Extraordinary Prayer.

“Build My Life” seems like a fitting song to drive home Jesus’ final teaching in the Greatest Sermon of All Time. Click here and listen to this version by Pat Barrett. Make it your prayer today.

1. John Mark Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Waterbrook Press, 2019, 80.

2. Frederick Dale Bruner, Matthew: A Commentary, Volume 1:The Christbook, Matthew 1-12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004), 538 (as quoted in Comer’s book, 87)

Post inspired by Caleb Bonifay’s sermon “The GOAT 13, Sermon on the Mount, Two Houses” at CPC Danville. Click here to watch.

Be Inspired Again this Week

Sitting on the roof of a houseboat, I settled in for the evening program. The sun dipped low in the sky, glinting on the water. In the distance, a boat sped past causing a patch of reeds to sway in the ripples of its wake. Teenagers lounged in contentment on either side of me, listening as their youth pastor taught. Although I was serving on staff at camp, I was only a few years older than most of the students. I wanted to believe that I was more mature than them, but the pastor’s words pierced me with fresh conviction.

I’d arrived just a few days earlier, showing up 24 hours after my high school graduation. Since I’d attended the camp with my church in prior summers, I felt confident in my ability to be a leader. Working at Houseboats had been my goal since my first time as a camper. Fun with friends, water skiing, sunbathing, and dynamic leaders had drawn me back every year. I liked the way I felt at camp—there was a sense of Christian community that was authentic and meaningful.

In spite of all this, I was nursing serious self-doubt as a leader once I got there. I felt like a fraud. Even though I’d accepted Jesus as a child and had gotten confirmed as a teenager, an ingredient in my spiritual life seemed to be missing when I compared it to others on staff. I’d straddled the fence between my Christian faith and a worldly lifestyle for the majority of my teen years. There had been moments of deep connection with God at camps, but I hadn’t pursued Him consistently in daily life. Now, I felt like I’d missed out on so much because I’d drifted through my teen years with a lukewarm faith.

When my first group of campers had arrived, I’d enjoyed participating in their nightly programs, singing worship songs, and hearing their youth pastor teach. He had kicked off each evening by reading one chapter from Robert Boyd Munger’s My Heart Christ’s Home. The booklet is an allegory depicting a new believer inviting Jesus to live in his home. Together, they tour all the rooms which represent different aspects of our lives. For example, the dining room represents our appetites and desires and the rec room encompasses our fun times and friendships. 

Listening along with my campers, the Holy Spirit began showing me areas of my life that I’d been holding back from the Lord. Perhaps the most impactful for me was hearing about the living room, where Jesus and the new believer planned to meet every morning to talk and study together.  At first, they met daily, but after a while, busyness interfered with their regular time together.  Here’s the portion of the chapter that struck me most:

“As I passed the living room, the door was open. Looking in, I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting there. Suddenly in dismay I thought to myself, ‘He was my guest. I invited Him into my heart! He has come as Lord of my home. And yet here I am neglecting Him.’

I turned and went in. With downcast glance, I said, ‘Blessed Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?’

‘Yes,’ He said, ‘I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you.’ Then I was even more ashamed. He had been faithful in spite of my faithlessness. I asked His forgiveness and He readily forgave me, as He does when we are truly repentant. 

‘The trouble with you is this: you have been thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer time, as a factor in your own spiritual progress, but you have forgotten that this hour means something to me also. Remember, I love you. I have redeemed you at great cost. I value your fellowship. Now,’ He said, ‘do not neglect this hour if only for my sake. Whatever else may be your desire, remember I want your fellowship!’”

Until that moment, I’d never considered how Jesus felt about the relationship we shared. I understood the sacrifice He made for all people on the cross, but I’d never grasped how much He loved me personally. Once I’d asked Jesus to be my Savior, I hadn’t nurtured our relationship. It was like I’d invited Him into my home, but had left Him standing in the entryway. I thought He’d mess up my plans and expect me to do things His way if I let Him in any further.

Hearing that booklet read aloud was a powerful turning point in my faith journey. On one of the final days at Houseboats, I sat on a small beach during solo time and told Jesus things were going to be different between the two of us. Digging my toes into the sand, I wrote a prayer telling Him I wasn’t holding back anymore. I was fully committing to Him, even though it meant making some big changes and hard choices when I got home. I was ready to surrender and have Him not only be my Savior, but my Lord as well. Since then, He’s continued to expand His presence in every room of my life.

My turning point happened over three weeks on a houseboat at the Sacramento Delta. But each follower of Jesus has a unique story about when and how this occurred for them. Recently, I’ve been privileged to dialogue with others about their experiences with Jesus through my involvement with IF:Danville. I’m excited for you to hear them this Thursday during Week 2 of IF:Danville at Home. You’ll have the opportunity to watch interviews with several women who have discovered the joy of knowing Jesus personally and intimately. Each of their experiences is surprising and unique, but also relatable. I hope the variety in their stories will help you to see that God pursues us intentionally and individually to draw us to Himself. 

For more information about IF:Danville at Home, click here.

To read My Heart, Christ’s Home, click here.  

Sonshine Ministries is the camp where I surrendered to Jesus. This summer is the first time since 1975 boats will not being going out due to COVID-19. If you’re looking for a worthy cause to support, consider making a donation to help this ministry stay afloat. Click here to visit their website. You’ll find giving options under the “support” tab.

Help Me with My Unbelief

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:2, NIV)

Using the image of a shepherd lovingly tending his sheep, David paints a serene picture of God’s constant presence with us. Author Jennifer Rothschild likens this to riding a tandem bicycle with Jesus and asks, “Where are you sitting?” She describes several scenarios: 1) Riding in front and pedaling hard on your own strength 2) Riding in back “shouting directions to your Shepherd and calling it prayer” 3) Contentedly sitting in back, “safe with your Shepherd, knowing He is in total control.” (p. 52)

Rothschild points out that often we can’t rest peacefully beside quiet waters because we struggle with unbelief resulting from not fully trusting God. Perhaps you relate to that like I do. If so, you’ll find comfort in the story of Jesus and a father who wrestled with unbelief. He came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his son saying, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied: “’If you can’?…Everything is possible for one who believes.’  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”  (Mark 9:22-24, NIV)

I love the man’s honesty. Admitting his struggle with unbelief was the first step to receiving the help he needed from Jesus. And ultimately, the Lord did heal his son. Maybe we could learn from his example and approach God with complete honesty. If we revealed the pockets of unbelief in our lives that hindered us from trusting Him, perhaps we’d give the Lord new opportunities to reveal His power.

Jennifer Rothschild’s example reminded me of a favorite poem that I discovered at a pivotal time in my faith journey. It’s about riding a tandem bike with Jesus and learning to trust Him. As you read, consider who’s riding in the front seat in your life. How are you doing with admitting your unbelief to Jesus? How could you benefit from relinquishing control to Him?

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer,
my judge
keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven
or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on
when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.

When I had control,
I knew the way.
It was rather boring,
but predictable…
It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains,
and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, “Pedal!”

I worried and was anxious
and asked,
“Where are you taking me?”
He laughed and didn’t answer,
and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I’d say, “I’m scared,”
He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing,
acceptance
and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord’s and mine.

And we were off again.
He said, “Give the gifts away;
they’re extra baggage, too much weight.”
So I did,
to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him,
at first,
in control of my life.
I thought He’d wreck it;

but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up
and pedal
in the strangest places,
and I’m beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore,
He just smiles and says…”Pedal.”

-Author Unknown

Although I asked Christ to be my Savior as a child, it wasn’t until I was 18 that I surrendered to Him as Lord. That’s when I allowed Him to take the front seat on our tandem bike and my adventure with Him truly began. Switching seats was both frightening and exhilarating. Even now, making Him Lord of my life continues to be a daily choice that requires trust, humility, and obedience. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How about you? Who sets the course for your journey each day? Who determines the speed and cadence of your life? Trusting Jesus isn’t easy, but there’s no better way to live. Listen to “Way Maker” by Michael W. Smith and let it fill any pockets of unbelief in your life with powerful reminders of God’s character.

 Poem quoted from Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel, Word Publishing, 1987, p. 51-53.

Jennifer Rotshchild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press 2018, p.52.

After God’s Heart

David wrote almost half of the 150 Psalms recorded in the Bible. Through them, we see a window into his heart and mind. We identify with his humanity as he shares authentically about his triumphs and struggles. It’s difficult to choose a favorite from among the many he’s written, but Psalm 23 might be the most well-known. Chances are high you’ve heard it in a funeral service at some point.

In the opening chapter of Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Bible teacher Jennifer Rotschild gives us some background on King David and his famous psalm. She explains that Psalm 23 may have been written near the end of his reign while he was fleeing from his son, Absalom, who was attempting to overthrow him. Rothschild mentions that Scripture refers to David as “a man after [God’s] own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14)

Like most people, I assumed this meant that David had an especially deep connection to God—that he relentlessly pursued His heart. And yet, if you know David’s life story, it’s clear he didn’t always do what pleased or honored the Lord. 

Author and pastor René Schlaepfer helped shed some light on this for me. In his book Chasing David, he explains “That David is a ‘man after God’s heart’ means David is God’s choice, a man God’s heart has gone after.” He quotes Hebrew Bible scholar Sandra Richter who says: “Although most interpret this phrase to mean that David had a particularly deep affection for Yahweh or that David had bent his will after Yahweh’s, in reality, this text reflects..David is ‘a king of God’s choosing.’” (“Yahweh” is the Hebrew name for God.) Schlaepfer concludes, “It’s not just a verse about David’s heart; it’s a verse about God’s heart. His heart went after David.” (p. 35)

Despite being a mighty king, David recognizes his dependence on the Lord and celebrates His lavish provision, which he describes in Psalm 23. With humility, he highlights the Lord’s care and protection over him:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me 
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
(Psalm 23, NIV)

In this Psalm, David places himself in the inferior position as a sheep under the care of the Lord, his shepherd.  He opens by talking about God, but later shifts and speaks directly to Him, praising Him for His love, faithfulness, and goodness.

 In the New Testament, Jesus also uses the example of a shepherd, but he puts Himself in the place of God, referring to His followers as the sheep in His tender care: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15, NIV) Like God with David, Jesus shows throughout the New Testament that His heart is for us—that He has gone after us in the same way the Lord went after David. 

One of the many places Jesus demonstrates His pursuit of us is in this parable: “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14, NIV)

Do you see the parallels here? Jesus, the shepherd, pursues us just as God sought after David. Maybe it sounds a bit presumptuous, but I think this shows that any follower of Jesus is a person after God’s own heart, just as David was. The fingerprints of His grace are all over this. Jesus’ death on the cross reveals that we are all “people of God’s choosing.” The only thing we have to do is respond to the love He so freely offers.

Listen to Corey Asbury’s “Reckless Love” and reflect on God as the Good Shepherd whose overwhelming, never ending, reckless love pursues you relentlessly.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2019.

René Schlaepfer, Chasing God: Finding Hope & Courage on the Trail of Israel’s Greatest King, Twin Lakes Press, 2019.

Sandra L. Richter, The Epic of Eden (Downer’s Gover: IVP Academic, 2008), 201.

Shepherd image by Free-Photos from Pixabay.com

Aligning with God

Things just fit together and function optimally when they are in correct alignment—whether it is our spinal columns, the wheels on our cars, or the foundations and frames of our houses. It turns out that having proper alignment in our spiritual lives is also important if we want to have a healthy relationship with God.

As an impatient twelve-year-old, I couldn’t wait to get braces. Blissfully ignorant about the pain involved with bringing my teeth into alignment, I longed to have a mouth full of metal. When the orthodontist finally put them on, it didn’t take long to realize that braces weren’t any fun. He predicted my teeth would be straight within two years, but with each passing month, the end date never seemed to get any closer. Despite the orthodontist’s best efforts, my teeth weren’t moving. Perplexed, he finally brought in a specialist to examine me. Together, they concluded that I had poor “tongue rest posture.” Unlike most people, I rested my tongue on the bottom of my mouth instead of the top. Each time I swallowed, that small but powerful muscle pushed outward with such force that it prevented the braces from moving my teeth into perfect alignment. 

The prediction of having them off within two years was put on hold until the problem could be solved. After months of therapy with a specialist, my tongue finally began behaving and the braces started moving my teeth according to plan. They ended up being on from the start of sixth grade until mid-way through my sophomore year in high school, which was four and a half years altogether. I still remember how slippery and smooth my teeth felt when they were finally free of metal– I couldn’t contain my smile for days.

Shortly after getting my braces off, the orthodontist gave me a set of retainers to keep my teeth from shifting. I noticed that if I went too many nights without wearing them, I’d have trouble fitting them onto my teeth. I learned that even after having braces, teeth never stay fixed in place permanently. The only way to maintain alignment is to wear retainers consistently, which I still do to this day. (I certainly don’t want braces again.)

Having teeth that are aligned isn’t just about cosmetic appeal, but structural soundness and dental health. This principle stands true for many aspects of the physical world—things just fit together and function optimally when they’re in correct alignment—whether it is our spinal columns, the wheels on our cars, or the foundations and frames of our houses.

It turns out that having proper alignment in our spiritual lives is also important if we want to have a healthy relationship with God. Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer explains that “it is the surrendered heart that rolls out the red carpet for God to speak.” So, if we want to discern the voice of God, we must continually align ourselves with His will. Like a spiritual retainer, studying God’s Word brings our hearts and minds back into alignment with His plans and purposes. 

I think Jesus sheds light on the process of aligning ourselves with God in this passage: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:7-10, NIV)

The word “remain” can also be translated “abide” or “stay.” This implies a long-term commitment to walking consistently with Jesus. When we remain in Jesus, we obey Him through our words, actions and attitudes, revealing that we are following Him earnestly. Keeping His commands surrounds us with the protection of His love and grace. Much like my retainers corral my teeth and keep them from moving out of alignment, staying closely connected to Jesus enables us to obey Him. This is not only for our good, but for His glory.

Conversely, when we stray from God, we fall out of alignment with His purposes. We begin to make plans and decisions using worldly wisdom and selfish motives. I didn’t realize my teeth were moving until my retainers stopped fitting easily in my mouth. Similarly, the changes resulting from poor choices may be subtle at first, but the shift out of alignment with the Lord is inevitable. And if something is skewing that alignment, He’ll wait patiently until we realize it and are ready for Him to help us change. We can’t move forward spiritually while ignoring issues that need to be addressed.

To discern God’s voice, we must walk with Him consistently, putting into practice the things we discover in His Word. This means we need to be studying the Bible, talking about it with others, and involving ourselves in a community of believers. If you’re just beginning this journey, don’t let this overwhelm you. Keep pursuing God and asking Him to align your heart with His. Trust Him to lead you one step at a time.

The song “Hosanna” by Hillsong United has some striking lyrics that exemplify the difference between aligning with God’s will and asking Him to align with yours:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Listen to the song and make it your prayer today.

Songwriters: Brooke Ligertwood, Hosanna lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God, Lifeway Press, 2017.


Dive In

The waves were firing at the Wedge. People were flocking to the iconic spot at the end of Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula to watch the twenty foot waves crash on the shore. Because of the location’s fame in the world of wave riding, an eclectic mix of people milled around on the beach. Despite a powerful rip current, some were eager to brave the frothing water to body surf, boogie board, or use a traditional surfboard. Apparently, the thrill was worth the potential pummeling they’d receive.

Standing on the beach, I dug my toes into the sand and counted on one hand the number of heads bobbing in the water waiting to catch a wave. By comparison, there were several dozen spectators on shore despite the early hour and the coastal fog that still lingered. Looking around, it was clear a variety of locals, tourists, and photographers had come to watch the spectacle. They were eager to see those in the water take the ride of their lives or get churned in the rinse cycle and spit out on the sand.

And, as often happens at unexpected times, it got me thinking about what a fitting analogy it was for our spiritual lives. Some of us are like those wave riders. We love the thrill of pushing our faith to the limits and seeing how far it stretches. We accept challenges that force us to trust God because we know we can’t conquer them with our own strength. We believe the promises in His Word and act on them. We seek to align our thoughts, dreams, and goals with the Holy Spirit and invite Him to work in and through us to further God’s kingdom.

Others of us, however, like to play it safe. We value the comfort and safety of Christian community. We like the security of knowing God will never leave us. We see the Bible as a book to study for gaining knowledge and discussing important concepts. Like the spectators on the beach, we’re amazed and impressed when we hear stories of the stunning ways God has worked in the lives of others, but we’re fairly sure those kinds of things will never happen to us (and we’re pretty ok with that, actually). Spectators love to hear inspiring testimonies, but they don’t welcome the events that caused them into their own lives.

You don’t have to look far to see the “wave riders” in Scripture—they’re the ones whose names and stories we know well. People like Abraham, who left the only land he’d ever known to follow God to a new place. Or Moses, whose conversation with the LORD through a burning bush prompted him to lead the people of Israel out of captivity in Egypt. Or Mary, the unwed teen who praised God at the news of her pregnancy instead of fretting over the social ridicule that would surely follow. One of my favorites is Peter, who walked on water while his friends watched in amazement. The story in Matthew 14 describes how Peter and the other disciples were struggling in their boat against heavy winds and rough seas. Around three in the morning, a figure emerged from the storm and walked toward them on the waves. They cried out in fear, thinking it was a ghost. The story continues;

 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. (Matt 14:27-29, NLT)

The other disciples witnessed the miracle, but only Peter got to experience it firsthand. Ironically, even his faith wavered once he got out of the boat and took his eyes off Jesus:

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. (Matthew 14:29-32, NLT)

Both the spectators (the unnamed disciples) and the participant (Peter) recognized the power of Jesus at work and praised Him as Almighty God. But only Peter would carry the memory of wobbling across the water toward Jesus while his drenched robes threatened to pull him under. Peter’s first inclination wasn’t to try and swim or to shout for his friends to throw him a rope, but to call out to Jesus to save him. I wonder how many times he envisioned that and found reassurance in the challenging years of ministry that would follow.

Maybe you already know the joy of diving into God’s great adventure and experiencing His power first hand. You’ve thrown yourself into the waves, trusting that He would be there to guide you and give you the ride of your life. Or, perhaps you’ve dipped your toes in a time or two but have gotten spooked. Maybe you’ve let life circumstances hold you back or  you’ve been perfectly content just standing and watching. Perhaps you’re not so sure you want to contend with the challenges that come with surrendering and trusting God fully.

Regardless of your experiences in the past, can I encourage you to pray about this right now? Ask God to show you one place where you can step out in faith and trust Him. Then, be alert to where He’s prompting you to act, take a deep breath, and dive in. Live like you believe His Word is true and then marvel at how He works in and through you. Once you ride your first wave, there’s a good chance you’re going to want more. And unlike those brave souls at the Wedge, you don’t have to face challenges alone. You can trust Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!”

Get some inspiration to stop being a spectator and to dive into the water from Matthew West’s inspiring song “All In.”

Godly Sorrow

It was a brisk fall evening when the sport utility vehicle sped down our street, careened around an unexpected curve, lost control, and mowed down our neighbors’ mailbox. After flattening the sturdy wooden post, it was still going fast enough to plow through our front hedge and hit our parked SUV, spinning it backwards before slamming it into the corner of our house. The speeding car finally came to a stop on our front lawn. Despite the sturdiness of the vehicle, its front end was a crumpled mass of metal. The sixteen-year-old driver emerged from the mangled car without a scratch. He had been racing his buddies down our street and misjudged the turn in the dark.

As the teenage boys sat on the curb waiting for the driver’s parents and the police, they discussed the incident with great enthusiasm, seeming to revel in the excitement of having totaled not one, but two, eight-passenger vehicles. Although this incident happened many years ago, I’ll never forget the behavior of the driver and his friends. At the time of the accident, my own boys were only six and four. I can remember making them study the smashed cars carefully so that they’d remember it when they were old enough to drive.

A few minutes after the accident, the driver’s father arrived on the scene. We exchanged insurance information and he muttered, “I’m sorry this happened.” He never had his son look us in the eye and apologize. The boy didn’t return the next day to help clean up the mess in our yard or to replace our neighbor’s mailbox. I’m not sure if he learned any valuable lessons from that incident, but I know my boys did.

I was reminded of that accident as I studied the concept of repentance and godly sorrow. These aren’t very popular topics in today’s culture. It seems we’ve become a society averse to accepting responsibility for our wrongdoing, let alone labeling it as sin and seeking forgiveness. We shift blame whenever possible. Or even worse, we try to rationalize why the wrong things we’re doing are actually justified. Many in our culture want to excuse or even condone sinful behavior altogether.

No one likes to admit they’re wrong, but for those who call themselves followers of Jesus, this needs to be something we do regularly. When we humble ourselves, admit our sins and seek God’s forgiveness, He offers it freely. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Here’s the catch: we can’t be forgiven if we don’t acknowledge our sin.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the value of godly sorrow and true repentance. Following up on a previous letter he sent that rebuked them for some sinful behaviors, he says: “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—  yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:8-10, NIV)

Godly sorrow involves repenting–literally and figuratively turning away from our sins and going in a different direction. It is sorrow over the wickedness of our sins. It expresses grief, understanding the hurt we cause our heavenly Father when we engage in sin. Coming to God with a contrite heart enables us to experience the tremendous grace and forgiveness He offers us through the blood of Jesus.

Conversely, worldly sorrow is self-centered. It is focused on the painful consequences of sin, not on the offense it is to God. It is sorry the situation happened, but it accepts no blame and has no intention of changing. (Sounds like my opening story, doesn’t it?) Worldly sorrow is an apology with words, but with no heart behind it.

It’s easy to get swept up in the attitude of our culture—to want to avoid responsibility for wrongdoing or to explain it away. We receive this message subtly, but constantly. If we follow Jesus, we must be on our guards lest we get lured into this way of thinking.

When was the last time you came before God with a contrite heart, deeply troubled by the hurt you’d caused Him through your sin? It’s never too late to get down on your knees and humbly ask for forgiveness. God has so much more to offer us than the world does. The first step to discovering that is our humble repentance.

The song “Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” by Hillsong United captures several themes from 2 Corinthians beautifully. Using Paul’s metaphor of Christ-followers being jars of clay, it describes the gratitude we feel when we recognize God’s love and grace and turn from our sin. With simple but profound lyrics, it communicates the value of godly sorrow and repentance that leads to the fullness of life in Christ.

Kelly Minter, All Things New: A Study of 2 Corinthians, Lifeway Press 2016.

*This story was adapted from an essay that appears in my Bible study Women of the Word: The Family Tree of Jesus. Click here for more information.