Whatever I Am Now

Monday, April 20, 2020

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before.  You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.     It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.  I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me.  Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.  He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.  He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.  After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.  Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.  Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.  For I am the least of all the apostles.  In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.  But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results.  For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.  So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.  1 Corinthians 15:1-11 

There are some settled principles in life upon which you can count; one of those is hindsight.  For the early part of Saul’s life, he had a settled conviction that the followers of Jesus were misguided (at least) and (at worst) evil, cultish devils, and they had to be stopped.  Saul did his best to accomplish that goal, until one day amid his frenzied push to rid the earth of any Christianity, he met their namesake on the road to Damascus.  Saul got a name-change to Paul; more importantly he got a heart-change from hard to compassionate, and a mind-change from hatred to accepting the love of God.  In our hindsight we see this as that whatever I am now Paul meant when he wrote to the Corinthians.  He was what God made of him.

You have probably experienced that in your life, and hopefully in your walk with Christ.  As I look back on my life, ministry, relationships, and development as a human being, I’m more convinced of seeing the hand of God guiding me into whatever I am now.  Somehow that makes some of the hardships endured in this process we call life, circumstances, joys, and strength to endure with joy, an absolute amazement to me.

Paul mentioned one thing to the Corinthian believers that used to make me tremble.  He pointed to their faith as what they believed when he first preached the Gospel to them, and then wrote:

You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.  It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you-unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

Honestly, what used to worry me about that is the fear of believing something that isn’t true, staking my life and eternity on a fairy tale, and having it blow up in the end.  And so, the question that gets begged is:

Russell, why doesn’t it still worry you?

And the answer is Paul’s whatever I am now.  Paul could look back at every step of his journey in Christ and sense the guiding hand of that which is bigger, and outside of himself.  He had experienced the power of God moving his life and destiny.  And, at this point, doubt in the garden of his life had been treated with the weed and feed of faith.

When dealing with the weeds of doubt becomes your daily discipline of strengthening your faith with God’s Word, prayer, and submission to God’s will, you will not have a weak faith, and that makes for a strong warrior-tool in God’s hands.

For You Today

When doubt (as the chief tool in Satan’s arsenal) rises in you, as to God’s care, or even His love and guidance, do what the old English proverb suggests:

Fear knocked at the door.  Faith answered.  No one was there.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day! 

Title Image:  Pixabay.com      Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©

For another post on 1 Corinthians 15 see Just As the Scripture Said

Seeing and Following the Light - Part 1

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  Proverbs 29:18^(KJV)

In Proverbs 29 the writer deals with discipline and its effects.  He talks of disciplining children and employees, and also lays-out the disastrous consequences of ignoring that discipline. 

The text uses two words that open the entire train of thought, vision or divine guidance, and perish, which is a word picture of a usually tame animal running wild.  A modern day picture would be a locomotive, with all its power, off the track and headed for destruction. 

Vision comes from two basic words in Hebrew which mean to see, and restriction.  Prophets are people who "see".  In ancient times they were even called "seers".  In this case, revelation, or vision is seeing the restrictions.  It has to do with discipline. 

Paraphrased we could say:  "When the people are not seeing things that should properly restrict, then they run amok, unrestrained."  The Proverb writer knew in his heart that God requires humans to observe the restrictions placed upon them.  It is then, and only then that we can live a meaningful life. 

At one point in Alice in Wonderland she asks the Cheshire cat: Would you please tell me which way I ought to go from here?" 

That depends a good deal on where you want to get to, the cat replied. 

I don't care much where, Alice says. 

Then it doesn't matter which way you go, says the cat. 

I really think the writer of Proverbs could have ghost-written the Cheshire Cat’s dialogue.  The Proverb text declares a real human goal, to see the discipline, the restrictions of God, because without it we won’t get anywhere.

Over the next couple of days we want to see from this text some plain Axioms, eternal truths that cannot change, and which, if we apply them to life will bless our days.

Let me restate Solomon’s proverb for the 21^st century:

Where we cannot see the compelling logic, and overwhelming evidence of God's prior claim on our lives, we will scatter and not serve Him.  Proverbs 29:18

And now let me give you what Jesus had to say about seeing:

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world.  If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”  John 8:12^(NLT)

So…say it simply, preacher:  God owns us, and He expects us to serve Him.  From this main thrust we can see a few other related truths....

1.   WE ARE EXPECTED TO BE DISCIPLINED SO WE'LL GROW 

In every area of life there is a discipline in which to enter for the purpose of becoming more proficient.  A child obeys parents to learn wisdom and grow.  A worker learns new developments in his field to serve his employer.  A leader studies trends to understand the marketplace.  And in the spiritual realm, believers study scripture, worship often, give, and serve so that they will become mature parts of the body of Christ.  The alternative is staying as a spiritual infant. 

In the book All God's Chillun the author recounts when his little 2½ year-old daughter was chastised for some little wrong, she used to say:  It was not I who did that; that was another little girl in me.  Failing to accept responsibility for growing as believers is destructive.  Chaos is not a good thing in any area of life.  The word perish in Proverbs 29 could very well be translated chaos.  Discipline changes the chaos of life into stable growth for a strong body.

For You Today

Got any chaos in your life?  Any idea how to change all that?

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road…have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO

NOTES

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[i]  Title image: By Anant Nath Sharma (www.thelensor.tumblr.com), via Wikimedia Commons

The Confident Hope of All Saints

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ALL SAINTS DAY, Tuesday, November 1, 2016

I have not stopped thanking God for you.  I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.  I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.  Ephesians 1:16-18^(NLT)

People are at all stages of development.  Some mature more quickly than others, but the process of growing up is always upon us, always confronting us with the need to grow and change.  This includes spiritual maturity as well as physical.

The apostle Paul wanted this for his children in the faith, the believers at Ephesus.  He constantly prayed that the bud of faith would blossom fully into the reality flower of a confident hope in Christ Jesus.  Most pastors I’ve known have expressed something of this concerning the church they serve; there is a desire to see spiritual growth in the people of Christ, the light of understanding switched-on to a deeper knowledge of God and His ways which turns our attention to focus wholeheartedly on serving the King.

Part of that understanding is a deep appreciation for All Saints Day, a reminder that in eternity’s calendar there is no division of days, nights and years, nor is there any true separation of fellowship; all the saints are united in Christ all the time.  It is true that for now, because of our human frailty, stuck as we are in time and space, there is a gulf between the church here on earth and the church triumphant in glory. 

But that is merely due to our poor sight; our confident hope is in the promise of God we cannot see, that, as Paul wrote to the believers at Rome:

…I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.      Romans 8:38-39^(NLT)

The reality of our confident hope is that, since nothing can separate us from Jesus Christ, we are always, at all times, whether gathered or scattered to the four corners of the earth, whether in the flesh on planet earth or absent from this body and present with the Lord…we are, all the saints, always, and everywhere, we are one; we are the body of Christ, unseparated, fully joined.

All of my grandparents, my Mom and Dad, and their siblings have passed from this life.  But because of the guarantee of the certain hope of Jesus Christ, we are still together, and one day the saints will all be gathered at our Lord’s command, never again to suffer the loss of being separated; our sight will then be perfect!

As has been often said, this is not a hope-so kind of faith – this is a confident and sure hope; we have a promise from the Lord, grounded in the power of Easter’s resurrection.

For You Today

In what or whom do you place your trust, your hope?

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road…have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO

NOTES

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[i] Title Images: By BloodIce (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons

Grace That Leads to Joy - Part 5

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Friday, June 3, 2016

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  Philippians 4:23^(NLT)

This week we are under the influence of grace that changes us while leading us to joy.  So far we’ve seen that grace can help us see the joy in the midst of tragedy, that it will make you joyfully-grateful, and help you become a joyful giver. 

And now…how grace disciples you:

Grace makes you grow joyfully

Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus.  The brothers who are with me send you their greetings.  And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.   May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.    Philippians 4:21-23 ^(NIV)

Notice the innocuous little reference to Caesar's household?  Paul had been a prisoner.  While most people would view that as the screeching, grinding halt to his ministry, it was the very thing that defined the ministry of Paul. 

While others were mourning his circumstances – even the brethren at Philippi – Paul was winning soldier-souls to Christ.  What else would a Christian do with a soldier chained to him 24 hours a day? 

It is like dog-sitting our neighbor was doing for their daughter and son-in-law.  She took the dog out for a walk every day, but she got walked (or pulled) wherever that huge hound, Stormin' Shelby wanted to go! 

Who had whom? 

The Romans may have imagined they had captured Paul, but, as William Barclay put it, The crucified Galilaean carpenter had already begun to rule those who ruled the greatest empire in the world."^[2]

Now, what are your circumstances?  Are you joyful over the impact Christ is making on your part of the world because of what is happening in your life?  Or are you groaning and griping every day because of the circumstances?  Multiplied thousands of so-called unfulfilled, unhappy people would see their world and circumstances differently if they would transfer their hearts to Jesus.

Is there a need for grace?  Years ago our little fur-baby Kiwi, the wonder-dog had really long hair, that is, what was left of it after she just about made herself an entirely unique species, Keeshond Hairless.  That mutt had bitten and scratched the hair off one part of her back, attempting to get at an itch that just wouldn't be scratched. 

Day and night she made a droning thumping sound as her leg hit the floor trying to satisfy her craving.  Whenever I’d yell, STOP she would look up as if to say, Easy for you to say, fella. Then she’d go right on, digging-in again.  She was trapped in an itchy, downward-spiral. 

So we finally bought the right stuff, a powder that cost enough to pay most of the national debt.  But at least we could sleep through the night without that thumping.  She still scratches on occasion (remember she's a dog), but she has gotten some relief! 

From whence cometh your relief?

The songwriter has it:

When we have exhausted our store of endurance;

When our strength has failed 'ere the day is half done;

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources;

Our Father's forgiveness is only begun.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure,

His power has no boundary known unto man;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.^[3]

For You Today

Circumstances are not a choice.  Sometimes it is the Devil, sometimes the Lord's design; sometimes it is just stuff happening.  But joy IS a matter of choice.  You can choose to have God scratch that unreachable human itch; that need to know Him, His power, and His salvation.  It is available by grace, through faith ^{(Ephesians 2:8,9).} 

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road today…have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO

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[1] Title Image: By Meghana Kulkarni from Pune, India (Happiness), via Wikimedia Commons

[2]Barclay, William, THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE, 87

[3]HE GIVETH MORE GRACE,  Composer: H. Mitchell, Arr T. Fetke (Lillenas Publishers), 1983

Mary or Martha?

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home.  Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.  But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.  She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?  Tell her to come and help me.”  But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”    Luke 10:38 - 42 (NLT)

For Christians spiritual growth is so vitally important it cannot be underestimated.  As with all living things we are either growing or dying!

The plain truth is that more of the church’s woes are the product of spiritual immaturity than any attacks from “the outside”.  By the outside I mean government interference, satanic influence and lack of resources.  It is what and who are on the “inside” that gives the church most of its problems.  Someone once remarked that when Satan has done his best to wreck the church and can’t get the job done, he will join the church and get on a committee.  I think I’ve had coffee with him at some meetings.

When we really want to know answers the Bible does not lack for examples that teach us the truth.  Mary and Martha are the poster children for spiritual maturity and childish immaturity.  Let’s study them closely (there’s a test at the end of today’s sermon)!

Consider Martha’s lack of focus on Spiritual Growth

1.    Martha was distracted

Luke tells us that when Jesus showed up it must have been dinnertime and the preparations were underway.  Martha was manning the kitchen, worrying[1] - perhaps she was concerned they weren’t going to have enough for everyone, or that the table wasn’t set properly.  But Martha’s sister, Mary just sat at Jesus feet and listened to him teach about God’s kingdom.

Martha certainly could have been distracted by the fact that she was doing all the “work” while her lazy sister just chewed the fat with the men.  Martha failed to see Mary wasn’t being lazy; she was hard at work learning from the Master.  Poor distracted Martha! 

2.    Martha was Disapproving and Demanding

Luke says Martha “came” to Jesus.  The force of this word indicates she didn’t just stroll into Jesus’ presence; it means she rushed-up with an attitude.  Martha was about to pitch a hissy fit! 

“It’s just not fair” is what Martha said to Jesus.  And where has any parent heard this before?  Faultfinding (Martha pointed a finger at her flesh and blood) is the mark of a critical spirit unchecked.

Martha continues:  “Lord, tell her…”  We miss the force of this in English.  Martha wasn’t asking, she was instructing, demanding that Jesus set Mary straight.  Have you ever prayed like that?  You’ve never made a demand that God set someone straight, have you?

Martha was distracted, disapproving and demanding, and the result was that…

3.    Martha made herself Depressed

Jesus said[2], “My dear Martha, you are so upset….”  The Lord told the distraught sister that her worrying on the inside had worked its way to the outside…her inner turmoil became an outer melt-down.

Martha’s problem was obviously that she had focused so much on the physical preparations without any consideration for the spiritual opportunities that had walked in the front door.

Food and a nice table-set are not bad; I rather recommend both.  But in this case Martha had allowed something good (the physical food) to become the enemy of the best (learning from Jesus).

Now, I ask you to help me out here – what in the world can a spiritually-immature, over-worked, disapproving, demanding and depressed church member possibly do to hurt a church’s ministry? 

OK – no brainer there – but let’s not throw Martha out with the bath water.  Let’s bring Mary in to be an influence on her sister.

Consider Mary’s love of Spiritual Growth

1.    Mary was Discerning

Jesus told Martha there was but one thing that was impossible for a disciple of His to be without.  Of course he was referring to sitting at Jesus’ feet to learn how to be a disciple.  It’s that way with all disciplines.  If you want to be a plumber you’ve got to learn how to “plumb”.  If you’re going to do heart surgery on me I do hope you have been to med school (and paid close attention!).

That’s what Mary was doing…paying close attention to the Master.

2.    Mary was Devoted

Mary had discovered that “one necessary thing” Jesus talked about, and she was doing something about it.

Mary’s choice was better than Martha’s because she developed her ability to follow Jesus.  She developed her sensitivity to Jesus’ ways and, because she stayed close to Jesus, her love for him increased.  With that formula in place Mary’s ability to surrender to God’s will increased far above what Martha could even imagine.

In John 12 we find Mary anointing Jesus with costly perfume.  This was for his burial, and helps us see that loving Jesus will open our understanding.  Mary understood Jesus’ mission long before Peter and John.  That’s spiritual maturity!

The question for this hour

The Martha Test ·         When life gets busy, time with God tends to get pushed aside ·         When you try to focus on something, you find  yourself easily distracted ·         Overall, you (or others) say you tend to be a worrier ·         You at times feel sorry for yourself ·         At times you are easily angered by others ·         It’s easy for you to see others faults ·         You find yourself questioning if God really cares about you

How do you want to be remembered, as Mary or Martha?

Take the Martha test and then, for each time you had to be honest with a “yes” answer, take a deep breath and say – Lord, that’s too much like Martha.

Then spend some time in prayer asking God to help you be more like Mary.

That’s the prescription for a Martha who wants to be Mary – sit at His feet; learn and love.

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[1] Verse 40 – the word means “drawn” as in face-drawn, lips pursed

[2] Verse 41 – the word implies she displayed outwardly what she felt on the inside.