Jesus tells of a Pharisee who stood up and prayed for about himself. "God, I thank you that I am not like other people--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector." (Luke 18:11 NIV).
Many of us will say we don't pray like the Pharisee with such a condensing attitude. But how often have you heard believers say, "Except by the grace of God there go I..."? Usually this expression is used when speaking about the homeless, the sick or someone bound by addiction.
This is nothing short of what the Pharisee stated in his prayer.
When we are in good spirits, health is strong and income is flowing we got to remember God has means of bringing a lesson of humility. Our fallen nature tends to self-glorify its efforts to reach some measure of success. As we all know, things in life change quickly and nothing in this world is forever.
Recently, my health started to fail mostly from stress. I lost a lot of weight so much that my bones ache when trying to sleep at night. I've had to use protein shakes. In that moment, the Lord taught me a couple of lessons.
The first lesson is that I was not drawing close to Him as I should. My prayer life had trickled to a bare few minutes. The reading of God's word was distracted by anxious thoughts. And the second lesson, my prayers were quickly becoming about me.
At times I prayed for others but with a self-assured attitude. I thought I knew best how to pray for others as if I fully understood the person's condition (which is an assumption that lends itself to arrogance).
I knew God was working on my heart. Before leaving New York, my wife and I had an opportunity to pray for a woman. Her husband has a virus the doctors were still trying to figure out. He's barely able to walk. When I started to pray, my voice started to break and it has hard to hold back the tears. I struggled to speak at times. Tears streamed down her face. In this moment, a self-centered prayer and using empty religious catches was broken. Only God spoke. A right prayer with a right heart.
Check yourself if you are using a lot of "me, I, myself" etc. You may need a Holy Spirit right size!
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Saturday, September 22, 2018
A Lesson From Dad
My father encouraged me to always read the church's doctrinal or statement of beliefs. Whenever he visited a church or plan to attend he would request a copy. It's a practice I've kept over the years.
We have visited many churches through the years. We encountered some unusual behaviors and beliefs. Other churches were strict and unbending when it came to rules of life and conduct.
In preparation of moving to another state, I checked a number of church websites and read their statement of beliefs. One church defined sinned as an "attitude". This led to a good discussion with my wife. I hold to a different meaning. The original Greek describes it as "missing the mark" (Romans 3:23). An attitude?
What you believe makes a difference in how you live. Most importantly, what you believe can strengthen or weaken your faith in Christ. Remember faith comes from hearing and hearing God's word (Romans 10:17). Paul encouraged Timothy, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."(I Timothy 4:16 KJV).
We live in society that is very confused and clouded. Apostle Paul warns, "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3 NIV).
So take a lesson from my Dad. Sound Biblical preaching makes a difference in what you believe. Anchor yourself to truth.
We have visited many churches through the years. We encountered some unusual behaviors and beliefs. Other churches were strict and unbending when it came to rules of life and conduct.
In preparation of moving to another state, I checked a number of church websites and read their statement of beliefs. One church defined sinned as an "attitude". This led to a good discussion with my wife. I hold to a different meaning. The original Greek describes it as "missing the mark" (Romans 3:23). An attitude?
What you believe makes a difference in how you live. Most importantly, what you believe can strengthen or weaken your faith in Christ. Remember faith comes from hearing and hearing God's word (Romans 10:17). Paul encouraged Timothy, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."(I Timothy 4:16 KJV).
We live in society that is very confused and clouded. Apostle Paul warns, "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3 NIV).
So take a lesson from my Dad. Sound Biblical preaching makes a difference in what you believe. Anchor yourself to truth.
Saturday, September 15, 2018
A Yearning Heart
Some Christians may confess in seeing little power or evidence of God in their lives. Still He is good to us. His power to complete His work in us is ongoing even if we feel it or not. The issue is that most of the time our hearts drift and more easily our minds.
When we are disconnected from the power source life becomes dim and dismal.
I remember during a church tent meeting a speaker said, "Close your eyes and you will see a Scripture." Just as he was finishing his sentence a verse clearly appeared in sizable font. It was if the Bible was in front of me but my eyes were shut. It was Colossians 3:2 which says, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (ESV). Another translation uses the word affection.
Later that evening, I read the Scripture but not fully understanding how important this verse would anchor me in those adolescent years. It meant locking my gaze on His lovely eyes. It would steady my passions and affections. Looking to Jesus meant light and discernment. But too often there was tantalizing distractions which lead me into shadowy places.
If you truly love someone (even on the worse day) there's something in those eyes. You see love. You feel a welcoming trust. Most importantly, you don't feel lost. The connection of the eyes between someone you love gives a sense of balance and space. When my wife's meet mine and she smiles no matter how miserable I might feel, the moment is lit up with joy.
Beloved friends, look to Jesus. Fix your eyes fully on His lovely face. True to the hymn the things of this earth will grow strangely dim. And it all starts with a yearning heart to see Jesus...just as Moses cried to see His glory.
Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don't know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. (I Corinthians 13:12 CEV)
When we are disconnected from the power source life becomes dim and dismal.
I remember during a church tent meeting a speaker said, "Close your eyes and you will see a Scripture." Just as he was finishing his sentence a verse clearly appeared in sizable font. It was if the Bible was in front of me but my eyes were shut. It was Colossians 3:2 which says, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (ESV). Another translation uses the word affection.
Later that evening, I read the Scripture but not fully understanding how important this verse would anchor me in those adolescent years. It meant locking my gaze on His lovely eyes. It would steady my passions and affections. Looking to Jesus meant light and discernment. But too often there was tantalizing distractions which lead me into shadowy places.
If you truly love someone (even on the worse day) there's something in those eyes. You see love. You feel a welcoming trust. Most importantly, you don't feel lost. The connection of the eyes between someone you love gives a sense of balance and space. When my wife's meet mine and she smiles no matter how miserable I might feel, the moment is lit up with joy.
Beloved friends, look to Jesus. Fix your eyes fully on His lovely face. True to the hymn the things of this earth will grow strangely dim. And it all starts with a yearning heart to see Jesus...just as Moses cried to see His glory.
Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don't know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. (I Corinthians 13:12 CEV)
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Taking Advantage Of Hard Times
We all respond to hard times differently. Some retreat while others seem untouched by the circumstance. Temptations is strong to fall back on old ways of coping and escaping. This can make it worse.
The first thing we must to do is press into God. You start by thanking Him for the good and bad times. Don't worship as a result of a painful crisis, but rather worship Him alone - a kind, merciful and loving Father who holds our very breath. Think about His goodness. Thank Him for the storm and the calm that follows.
By worshipping, this prevents us from shutting down and isolating ourselves in a cocoon of self-preservation. When we thank Him our focus shifts away from our problem. Worship is a cure for self-pity!
Paul and Silas were beaten and locked in a horrible prison. Think about it. No medical treatment. The sights, sounds and smells of this inner cell was overwhelming. But around midnight they prayed and sang hymns (Acts 16:25). It says, "Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose." (verse 26 NIV).
And that's what God does when we worship through our tears and unexplained pain. When life once seemed so sweet and promising before it careened off a spiritual and emotional cliff. When we take advantage of our hard times by worshiping; God will bring an unexpected deliverance.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV).
The first thing we must to do is press into God. You start by thanking Him for the good and bad times. Don't worship as a result of a painful crisis, but rather worship Him alone - a kind, merciful and loving Father who holds our very breath. Think about His goodness. Thank Him for the storm and the calm that follows.
By worshipping, this prevents us from shutting down and isolating ourselves in a cocoon of self-preservation. When we thank Him our focus shifts away from our problem. Worship is a cure for self-pity!
Paul and Silas were beaten and locked in a horrible prison. Think about it. No medical treatment. The sights, sounds and smells of this inner cell was overwhelming. But around midnight they prayed and sang hymns (Acts 16:25). It says, "Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose." (verse 26 NIV).
And that's what God does when we worship through our tears and unexplained pain. When life once seemed so sweet and promising before it careened off a spiritual and emotional cliff. When we take advantage of our hard times by worshiping; God will bring an unexpected deliverance.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV).
Saturday, September 1, 2018
No Difficulty With
I woke up this morning with this phrase rolling in the back of mind: no difficulty with.
It's no difficulty with God to flatten emotional and spiritual mountains. And it's no difficulty with God to elevate the low and sunken places in our lives.
God makes all things possible (Matthew 19:26) even though we can be the most difficult people when it comes to trusting Him.
Samaria was besieged by the Aramean army. People in the city were starving. Prophet Elisha said that God will make a way but the king's assistance mocked him. "Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?" "You will see it with your own eyes," answered Elisha, "but you will not eat any of it! (2 Kings 7:2 NIV).
When we look at our difficulties we give way to a spirit of unbelief. It will cut us off from a blessing. As for the king's assistant it came at a cost to his life. He was trampled to death at the gate when people rushed out to the spoil what the Aramean army left behind.
In contrast, some friends finding it difficult to get to Jesus went as far as tearing up the roof. They lowered their paralyzed friend into the room where Jesus was ministering. Jesus saw their faith and the man was forgiven and healed (Luke 5:20, 24). Faith will always rise above difficulties to believe God who has no difficulty in meeting the need.
Keep this question in mind rather than questioning God's ability.
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27 NIV)
It's no difficulty with God to flatten emotional and spiritual mountains. And it's no difficulty with God to elevate the low and sunken places in our lives.
God makes all things possible (Matthew 19:26) even though we can be the most difficult people when it comes to trusting Him.
Samaria was besieged by the Aramean army. People in the city were starving. Prophet Elisha said that God will make a way but the king's assistance mocked him. "Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?" "You will see it with your own eyes," answered Elisha, "but you will not eat any of it! (2 Kings 7:2 NIV).
When we look at our difficulties we give way to a spirit of unbelief. It will cut us off from a blessing. As for the king's assistant it came at a cost to his life. He was trampled to death at the gate when people rushed out to the spoil what the Aramean army left behind.
In contrast, some friends finding it difficult to get to Jesus went as far as tearing up the roof. They lowered their paralyzed friend into the room where Jesus was ministering. Jesus saw their faith and the man was forgiven and healed (Luke 5:20, 24). Faith will always rise above difficulties to believe God who has no difficulty in meeting the need.
Keep this question in mind rather than questioning God's ability.
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27 NIV)