Category: christian parenting

30daysofpraise, Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Turn Your Face To Him

krisshetter

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55

At the end of this month my friend Andrea will gather her family together and celebrate, not just the beautiful birth of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but she will also ring a bell. A bell, which when rung, signifies the end of a journey and the beginning of something new. This journey has been about pain, about anger, disappointment, weakness, sadness, and loss. It’s also been about healing, discovery, love, friendship, strength and faith. At the ringing of that bell she and her family will celebrate her final breast cancer treatment and so much more.

As she looks out into the faces what she will see are the people who love her and who have yet to love the Lord. Her suffering, however was not wasted. Her faithfulness in this journey was seen and questioned by those needing to hear the Word. They can see she is not the person who started on the journey. She has been honed and sharpened. They can also see what some might call her “crutch.” And they can see its supernatural power.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:1-4

Yesterday I listened to a podcast featuring Christian author and founder of Joni & Friends, Joni Eareckson Tada. After a devastating diving accident more than 55 years ago, Joni became a quadriplegic. At just 16 years of age her life completely changed. She spent years in depression and despair. Today, when she looks back she saw herself as a “hypocritical Christian.” She went to church and knew some prayers but wasn’t living her life for Christ. When tragedy and suffering struck she prayed to God for healing — and yet her healing didn’t come. She had read enough times in the Bible that God works things for our good and wants the best for us. So why wouldn’t he heal her?

An older, faithful friend of her family who visited her frequently and listened to her sorrows finally said to her one day, “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.” And while the unbelieving world may scoff and use this to turn even farther away from Him, Joni called those the 10 most important little words she had heard in a long time. Even to this day, through continuing pain, illness and suffering she remembers those wise words. The friend continued, “Can you hang on to that truth and trust that God will, in time, show you His goodness?”

When the day came, like it does to just about every person on this planet who suffers, when she had nothing left — no strength, no more tears, no more “get up and go” — she prayed a new prayer. “Help me God! I have no where else to go.”

 “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69

Joni, like my friend Andrea did, turned her face outward to God rather than inward. And God in His great glory and supernatural power turned His face to her and healed her inwardly. When I heard Joni talk of this I had this vision of a double sided puzzle. If we take the box and dump out the pieces, never reading the instructions, just looking at the picture on the front we may never know the promise of the completed puzzle. As we work its pieces with our own knowledge and strength we may get frustrated when the pieces just won’t fit. We search for the missing pieces that may have fallen on the floor. We may give up temporarily or toss it all back in the box in frustration. Or, we can look at the box again and see there’s something else at work. A mystery on the backside. Something we can’t know all the details about but yearn to know more. So, we keep turning back to the original photo looking for help in completing our side.

Christian teacher and author John Piper once said, “Never let suffering go to waste.” To the world of the flesh that must seem so strange. Yes, we can whine and moan seeking human attention, and we all will probably do that to some extent. But that will never fully satisfy us. Or we can turn our faces to God and say, “I can’t, but you can.” He, my friends, is the only one who can fully satisfy our souls.

Joni’s faithful Christian friend asked her one day to read 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Her reponse was to say “STOP! I am not thankful for this!” He told her to re-read the verse. You see it doesn’t say to give thanks for your circumstance. It says to give thanks IN your circumstance. She began each day praying thankfulness for things like her hospital bed being close to the window. For the love of her parents. For the faithfulness of friends. And her heart began to catch up with her words.

Joni gives thanks for being able to sit up in a wheelchair — something most quadriplegics can’t do. She gives thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed on her since that tragic day. And she has vowed to “squeeze out every energy from her quadriplegic body” to bless others. Her organization, Joni & Friends, has touched the lives of thousands of disabled people and their caregivers throughout the world. And while my friend Andrea may not be an international sensation, God has pressed her into service among those who need her faith the most — her family.

The introductory verse today shows the disciple Stephen as he is being persecuted and chased by those who were fearful of God’s Word. In just a few verses later, the mob takes him out of the city and begins stoning him. As he turns his face to God he pleads that his attackers are forgiven. At that moment we are told his suffering comes to an end — he falls asleep and is taken home to his Father. He was the first of the saints to give His life up for Christ. He was the first to show us how in our suffering, as Christ did, that God will give us peace.

Friends, we are all promised some level of suffering throughout this short life here on earth. Be it physical, financial, relational, natural disaster, addiction or something else we will be touched by it because of this world’s brokenness. God, in His infinite glory, power and wisdom has had a plan all along to call us home into His perfect kingdom. He wants to use our suffering for the glory of that promise. Turn to Him and use it well.

May God bless you in all circumstances so that you may give Him all Glory and Honor. Amen

30daysofpraise, Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Glory in the Truth

krisshetter

The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. John 7:18

Christian, I have some really good news for you. Not the Good News which you have already received but news that is crucial for continuing in the faith, for growing in your sanctification journey. Here it is: God’s Word is the inerrant truth. Oh, it’s true that many “learned” scholars have attempted to prove this truth as untrue. And they have failed, over and over. As people living out our Christian faith we must make it a requirement to rely on truth, lest we be pulled to the newest, shiniest idea — which interestingly enough, always seems to satisfy our flesh

Our current society isn’t the only one that has tried to disavow the truths in His Holy Word although, “truth” does seem to be taking a beating lately throughout culture. In fact, just yesterday I saw a Facebook post about a woman named Sacheen Littlefeather (born Maria Louise Cruz). The post told of this actress’ 15 minutes of fame when she took the stage for Marlon Brando at the 1973 Academy Awards to “not accept” his award for Best Actor in the Godfather. It was his way of protesting Native Americans’ portrayals in Hollywood. Littlefeather claimed heritage of Apache and Yaqui ancestors. Only one small problem. She was from Oxnard, California born of a father from Spanish-Mexican descent with no tribal ties. Her mom was a white European. While her message may have been appropriate, she as the messenger was committing the same “crime” she and Brando argued against. She erased her own heritage and pretended to take on that of another– lying to everyone who would listen.

I commented on the post (which didn’t tell the truth of her heritage, just the event and what the issue was) that she was a false representative and in fact, stole other people’s heritage. While my comment received a number of “likes” the first comments in reply were full of vitriol on how I was the problem. How being Mexican meant she was a native. How I was erasing the beautiful message. You see, so often now when we get attached to a good idea, or a cause that makes us feel good and righteous we are very unlikely to let go. Even when it’s all a lie. Our feelings have become supreme, not truth.

In the verse I highlighted today, Jesus is speaking directly to a large group of Jews who have their own idea of the “truth” of Jesus.

“Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, ‘He is a good man.’ Others replied, ‘No, he deceives the people.’ But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews there were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having been taught?’” John 7:12-15

 Jesus was just a nice, moral guy. Jesus was all smoke and mirrors. Jesus never claimed to be God. Jesus was just some poor Nazarene. Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. You’ve probably heard some, if not all, of these lies about Jesus. But our faith is built on actual events. On real people. Not dreams and fantasies. Not some guy who went off into the woods by himself and had a revelation then wrote an entire religion from it. Real people, real events, well documented outside the text of the Bible.

Friend, we should be so very thankful the God gave us His written Word. It has stood the test of time. If your Bible is gathering dust, you are not prepared to face the cultural storm. You need its strength, its wisdom, its knowledge, its promises and most of all its truth.

If you don’t believe the Bible is the inerrant truth, you are creating your own religion. You can do that, of course, but it’s not Christianity. I encourage you today to take that Good Book and start, not just reading it, but studying it. Discovering the amazing true story of God laid out since the beginning of time. Written by about 35 different people over centuries through God’s divine election and spoken to by the Holy Spirit, the Bible stands up to the most surgical like scrutiny. And lest you be led astray by those who say, “But what about the books not included?” First, become proficient and confident in what you do have in front of you and see its completeness. Jesus told those who wanted a more comfortable, more socially acceptable truth that they would never be open to The Truth because they always wanted more proof. Remember Judas still didn’t accept Jesus as The Christ even after He brought Lazarus back from confirmed death.

Just after leaving the festival where Jesus’ deity was questioned, to the Jews who believed Him in the town square and followed Him, He gave us this amazing promise:

 “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

The glorious and beautiful truth of God and the life He wants for us can now be held in just about every hand in the world. It offers freedom. A freedom for which we can look to the heavens and be ever so thankful for its truth.

May all glory and honor and power be to God. Amen

30daysofpraise, Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, christian podcast, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Pray Your Calendar

krisshetter 
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

Today is a new day of a new week in the month where we celebrate God becoming flesh. A time of celebration of the New Covenant. An earth shifting change which would take us from continual blood sacrifice to a sacrifice made in blood once and forever more for the cleansing of our sins. As we reflect on that event more than 2,000 years ago that God humbled himself to come live among us as fully man and fully God, let’s find new ways this week to show love to our ever-faithful God and Savior. 

What does the worker gain from his struggles? I have seen the task that God has given the children of Adam to keep them occupied. He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.  I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him. Ecclesiastes  3:9-14

Take time this morning or sometime today and lay out your calendar in front of you. With each day in mind pray over the activities already scheduled. Pray to seek Him in every circumstance. Pray for strength in accomplishing physical tasks such as your workout, cleaning your home, gardening, physical labor at work, putting up Christmas lights, or even moving. Glorify Him throughout for He can be your rock.

Pray for His Words, not yours, in potentially difficult meetings or circumstances that may typically trigger negativity for you — meetings with your boss, employees or co-workers. Phone calls with challenging family members. Times of chaos in your day. Or when disciplining your children. Encountering pesky neighbors. Glorify Him in the midst of trials because He makes all things work for our good.

Pray for your mind and emotions to be turned completely over to Him when dealing with challenging issues or problem solving at work, at home or even at church. Remove “self” from your mind and think only on God’s desires for you and those you encounter. Pray for new insight and revelation. Ask for His wisdom to descend on you, pushing your fleshly desires to the wayside. Pray that even in your commute or during errands God will reveal Himself to you. Glorify Him as you see His beautiful plans unfold as you release yourself to Him.

Pray for His provisions on our life and family. Recognizing that every thing we have is because of Him. He provided the job, your family, the funds for your meals, the roof over your head, the transportation you require. At every meal, at every entry into your workspace or volunteer space, every time you open your front door, give Him the glory for your sustenance, comfort and care.

Pray for your free time that it may be used to glorify Him in new ways. Seeking peace and renewal in this gift of time. Ask for ways to use our creative minds for new hobbies or to seek new knowledge. Pray for sleep so that you may be fully prepared to be His humble servant each day. Glorify Him in the beautiful, quiet places you find Him.

Pray in thankfulness for your friends, family, co-workers, and all people you encounter that God has placed them in your life for a reason. They give you joy and love, chances to practice self-control and gentleness, and opportunities to share the love of Christ. Give God the glory to all you encounter, taking not an inch of the spotlight for yourself but shining it all back on Him!

And pray for the peace of God to descend upon you. Try a new devotional or pick up the one you’ve set aside so you can be in His Word every day. May each day you awake you ask Him to help you live a life full of the Fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Because that my friends, gives all glory, honor and power to God.

Soli Deo Gloria

30daysofpraise, Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Not Our Own

krisshetter 
"Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

If you live in the United States you know all about the importance of Fall and Winter Sundays. Sure we go to church and worship and praise the Lord. But today so many Americans also attend a second service. It’s held in giant stadiums or enjoyed from the comfort of our homes or restaurants. Yes, my friends, fall Sundays are, for so many, a chance to scream and yell and whoop it up over American football. Their favorite teams and players take to the gridiron in a clashing of bodies for the ultimate victory — helping a small, brown, weirdly shaped ball find its way to what is called the end zone. It’s a physical game played by tough men. It’s a game where season ending injuries are a regular occurrence and minor mistakes can lead to embarrassing failures.

The fans, like so many sports fans, can be adoring when you are very good. And they can be terrifyingly brutal when you aren’t playing your best. If you are not tethered to something else more important than the game you can be in danger of losing your very self.

“When you have a ‘why,’ you can endure everything and I think when your faith is strong, when you understand what’s going on in your life… you just turn to God and surrender. For me, that was the biggest weight off my back was that word — surrender. You’re not in control as much as you think you are and that’s a gift.”

Christian McCaffrey, running back for the San Francisco 49ers football team

McCaffrey is just one of many professional athletes who, when they stand in front of a microphone with hoards of media types staring at them, they give all honor and glory to God. Not just for their physical success but for their failures. While most of us will never be professional athletes we all can find ways we place our body’s successes and failures too high in importance in our lives. “I’m too fat, I’m too weak, I’m not tall enough” are some of the ways we beat ourselves to death. Then there’s the need to make ourselves sexy or brawny or literally into someone else via plastic surgery.

“For good or for evil, the body lies right at the center of the spiritual life….It is a fact that the body usually hinders people in doing what they know to be good and right.”

Dallas Willard in his bestselling Christian book, Renovation of the Heart.

The use of our bodies becomes not just a physical thing but as it matures it increasingly takes on the quality of our inner life. Paul, himself in Romans 7 says he finds himself doing things he “hates.” 

"So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do." Romans 7:17-19

You see he makes a point to say, “in my flesh.” That’s his body, our bodies. We use our bodies to achieve sensual pleasures beyond God’s desire for us. We use our tongues to destroy others. We even use our facial features and our posture to make it clear how we really feel about a situation. Some of us physically lash out in anger. While others find ways to manipulate with tears or a quivering lip. An increasing number of young people believe if their body doesn’t make them feel complete then something must be wrong with it — causing them to undergo painful, life altering surgeries.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2

My friends, while we have been led to believe that “my body, myself” is the truth by society it couldn’t be farther from it. It’s why there’s such a great divide in the abortion issue. One side says, “It’s my body to do with it how I please. Having sex outside marriage is pleasing to me. Suffering the consequences, is not.” Whereas, Christians must see our bodies as that living sacrifice — giving all honor and glory to God. As Willard reminds us, none of us have created our own bodies. None of us could care for our bodies for many years. And no matter how much we want to believe it, our bodies are not self-sufficient still.

We are stewards of our bodies. But that doesn’t mean we alone have the right to say what is to be done with them. We don’t own our bodies, God does. Every single body, believer or not. He decided the day and time our entrance to the world. And He alone will decide our exit from this earth. He created our bodies for His plan, not ours.

So, whether we are professional athletes playing a sport, or we wake up each morning for work, or play, in times of illness or strength, we must seek to glorify Him by surrendering our bodies to Him wholly in worship. When we succeed in our physical tasks, say out loud that it is all for His glory. When we seemingly fail, say out loud that you trust in Him, trust His plan. And remember, you are living this life for an audience of One.

Here’s a few tips from Dallas Willard on the spiritual formation of our bodies:

  1. You must actually release your body to God. It won’t happen by accident. Be intentional remembering it is scriptural teaching.
  2. Take a day in silent and solitary retreat. Quiet your mind and soul.
  3. Ask God to take charge of your body. Pray on each actual part of your body.
  4. No longer idolize your body. You care for it only as it serves God’s purposes in your life and the lives of others.
  5. Do not misuse your body. Bodily pleasure is one thing but when it is exalted to a necessity and we become dependent upon it, then we are slaves.
  6. The body is to be properly honored and cared for. Honor a sabbath by practicing solitude and silence. Get plenty of sleep.

May all honor and glory be to God alone. Amen

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Doomed, Lucky or Blessed

krisshetter 
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, professor of psychology and author of the bestseller 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, is currently offering an online course called “Discovering Personality.” It’s aimed at helping people understand themselves and others based on personality markers. Let me save you the $69 and ask you a couple of questions:

  1. Do you consider yourself a pessimist or optimist?
  2. Are you a worrier or a bit more carefree?
  3. Do you plan to the detail or let things happen as they occur?
  4. Do you have frown lines or laugh lines?
  5. Do you blame and berate yourself when things go wrong, blame others or let it slide?

I’m not going to give you some fancy color-coded, cute name for how you answered each of these. Why? Because let’s be honest you already know your personality inside and out. You live it each minute of every day. And, in the end all of these answers could be considered “wrong” or “bad.” Does that sound a bit shocking? Aren’t all the optimists, carefree, “let it slide” people who we want to be transformed in to?

Let’s look at it this way: a pessimist might say, “I’m a failure. I can’t do anything right.” (something I suffered from for a long time.) An optimist might say, “I’ve got this! I know I can work this out for my good!” And both would be wrong. Both would be forgetting who has the ultimate plan. Both would be shining the light on… themselves.

I was a lifelong, committed pessimist. Co-workers and fellow volunteers actually considered me to be very efficient because of my ability to plan every detail. But my friends, I did that out of fear of failure. Fear of looking the fool. Fear that the other shoe would definitely drop and I needed to be prepared. I was in charge and if things went wrong I put it all on my shoulders. Doofus, idiot, worthless, dumb. Those were the shackles I lived in for years.

I’ve also known people who seem to go through life without a care. Things just seem to work out. And if it doesn’t there’s a shrug and a “well, maybe next time.” They’ve been given a gift but don’t thank the giver. They just feel “lucky.” They live for their pleasure. They do what suits them and ignore what doesn’t (like that pesky “love your enemy” command). While this way of living may be healthier than the pessimist, it will do nothing for them once their relatively short time on earth is complete. As Christians, we have an eternal goal with an eternal, glorious God. Our eyes should always be toward Him.

 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  James 4:13-15

Recently, someone was sharing their concerns about a loved one who lives their life full of anxiety, doom and worry. My friend told me, “Well, that’s his personality. You can’t change that.” Because of the work the Holy Spirit has been doing in me these past few years I could comfortably state, “You’re right, he can’t change it but the Lord can.”

As humans our fleshly desire to control everything (and everyone) around us is so prevalent that we have even accepted that who we have come to be through our nurturing and environment is who we shall always be. We wear our personality like a tight fitting glove. Without Christ’s holy hand on our life that may surely be the case. One only needs to read about timid Moses becoming the bold leader of a nation, or the transformed life of a terrifying man called Saul becoming Jesus’ greatest mouthpiece for love whom we now call Paul, to see the power and glory of God.

We can’t change ourselves or others. But God can. Through turning to the Holy Spirit each and every day — and every minute — our minds and hearts can be transformed. In fact, as true followers of Jesus we must be transformed. I have people in my life for whom I pray for that transformation. Not for my benefit, but for them to be released from the shackles of a life lived for “self” and not God. He is the God of freedom and of joy and love and hope. I don’t want to ever say again, “He/She will never change.” If God wills it, then it will happen.

If you want to skip Mr. Peterson’s class may I recommend instead a free reading of the Book of James? In just the first 27 verses the apostle tells us how trusting in the Lord, giving honor and glory to God and acknowledging that God has the highest, best plan for us will be the very transformation we may need.

When we worry, when we take on responsibility that doesn’t belong to us, or even when we just think the “stars” or “crystals” or “karma” will align for us we turn our backs on God. He is the only one deserving of the glory of our creation and the plan for us. So whether our life is coming up roses or smelling like manure we need to turn to Him both in praise and petition.

We’ve worked our whole lives to have the personality we show the world. Remember that when we stumble in this transformation journey. Turn your eyes back to Him. Hold your hand out to Him. He is working out all things for your good.

To Him give the glory alone. Amen

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Uncategorized, wisdom

Bricks and Mortar

krisshetter

“You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11

According to Wikipedia, the first attempts at dulling pain for medical related procedures were most likely herbal remedies. Drinking alcohol was one of the oldest known sedative methods used in Mesopotamia. Before the birth of Christ, the Chinese are believed to have used some sort of herbal concoction for a general anesthesia. As time progressed, plants, elements and gasses of all sorts have been the subject of experimentation in helping humans and animals experience less or no pain during surgical procedures. With each “discovery” scientists and doctors have learned how to induce a safe state of unconsciousness and a stillness in the patient.

You may be thinking this is a strange way to start off this Soli Deo Gloria devotional series but I, for one, am incredibly thankful for the work these scientists have done over the last few thousand years — because yesterday I had two wisdom teeth removed. Today, I thankfully have no memory of the cutting open of my gums and the pulling of those two teeth. I didn’t feel a thing. And although I look like a chipmunk that’s a small price to pay for the pain free experience of modern anesthesia.

Who is responsible for this amazing scientific work? Was it Joseph Priestly who discovered the gas, nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas?” Or maybe it was William Thomas Green Morton, a dentist who studied and used diethyl ether. Then later, physicians Samuel Guthrie and Eugene Soubeiran who made chloroform famous. While these men and thousands of others must be recognized for their tireless work in helping us all enjoy pain free surgeries we need to step back and remind ourselves of the people living on the plain of Shiner. Yes, those Tower of Babel folks (Genesis 11).

They took God’s created elements and built themselves a tower to reach the heavens. They wanted to be known, to make a name for themselves, to get all the glory. They didn’t seek to use God’s gifts for His glory — imagine the different outcome if they had! Instead, they were cursed, suddenly unable to understand each other and scattered across the earth. The city they began in cooperation could not be finished because confusion reigned.

During the so-called “Age of Enlightenment” (17th and 18th century) scientists and scholars began building a world wide “Tower of Babel” That tower was built not with brick and mortar but on knowledge and scientific discoveries. You see, until then universities and other places of study put God at the top of all things. From God came the studies of the earth, the body, the mind, and the arts. Everything was understood to come from God. But as the scholars began placing God to the side as just another thing to study they removed Him from all other areas. “New” plants, “new” species, “new” medical discoveries were all down to man’s knowledge and talent — making names for themselves. And God, He has become relegated to a mythology for so many in the sciences. We can all see the confusion that now reigns around us.

But my friend, as faithful followers of our beautiful Triune God we can know that scientists can never fulfill their ultimate target of the “why” of all things. There is no brick or mortar that scientist “discover” that hasn’t already been created by God. I heard recently that God, in fact, makes science possible. Without Him there would be nothing for man to discover or study. God and science are not in conflict. As usual, it is man’s fleshly desires that are in conflict with both.

So today, while I am thankful to all the people who, with God’s hand, made anesthesia what it is today and to my doctor who put in thousands of hours studying oral surgery, I am most thankful to God. Giving all glory and honor, as the 24 elders in Revelation 4 are quoted, to the Creator. To the one who made every single brick in existence yesterday, today and what will be “discovered” by man tomorrow. He is the first and ultimate physician and scientist.

To Him give the glory. Amen

Bible, bible study, Christian, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Uncategorized

Glory to God Alone

krisshetter 
"For God knows that when you eat from it (the tree of knowledge of good and evil) your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it." Genesis 3:5-6
Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves." Genesis 11:4

At the beginning of creation God’s desire for us was to shower us with all his heavenly glory. To have the blessings poured out on us be unimaginable. He created the magnificently endless heavens. He built the bountiful seas. He breathed life into our diverse and plentiful land. There was no lacking and no pain. We had companionship with both another human made in God’s image and with the varied animals of the land and air. “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Gen 1: 28) He went on to describe a created world so glorious that would live under man’s stewardship. We would live without shame, without fear, without anxiety and depression, under the watchful wings of God’s love. For what more could we have asked?

The first ones were given another gift — that of free will. God didn’t created a people who couldn’t make choices. He told Adam and Eve to not eat off the tree of knowledge. Notice He didn’t take away their ability to do so. It was up to them to honor the One who had given them everything they would ever need. Instead they were led to believe they could be like God. It wasn’t enough to have God’s glory on them. They wanted to know glory for themselves.

Fast forward a few thousand years and we come to the plain of Shinar. The people were blessed with an increased population, which infers a certain amount of prosperity in being able to feed, clothe and shelter themselves. They spoke the same language and therefore could easily work together. Instead of looking to their Creator and giving Him all thanksgiving and glory what did they desire? To reach the heavens and make a name for themselves. And I have to ask, how many times a month, a week or even a day do we seek to glorify ourselves rather than God? How many times do we take credit for even just a little bit of the work we’ve done — even in God’s name? When, in fact, God provided the bricks and mortar. He provided the time and place. He gave you the ability, desire, strength and knowledge. I know I struggle with this each and every day.

“Whenever he began a new piece, Johann Sebastian Bach bowed his head and prayed. “Jesus, help me show your glory through the music I write. May it bring you joy even as it brings joy to your people.” Without Jesus’ help, Johann knew he’d never be able to complete the task. Before writing even one note, Johann carefully formed the letters J J at the top of the page. With that, the music began to pour from his soul and onto the page. When he was finally satisfied, he wrote the letters SDG at the bottom of the page – Soli Deo Gloria – For the Glory of God Alone. He hoped that when the music was played, it would point toward God.”

The Life and Faith of Johann Sebastian Bach: ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ (To the Glory of God Alone), Christianity.com

Bach apparently didn’t have this same problem that so many of us believers do. When faced with opposition to his music style he simply stated: “The main purpose of my music is to glorify God. Some people do this with music that is simple. I haven’t chosen to use a simple style, but my music comes from my heart as a humble offering to God. This honors God no matter what musical style I use.”

When I was tasked by God to start this Christian blog back in 2019, I had the frame of mind that this too would be Soli Deo Gloria. And if just one person were to read a post that brought them closer to Christ that was enough. My flesh, however, had other ideas. After about a year I found myself constantly checking the daily readership stats. Disappointed if the numbers were low or even at zero. I wrote a few series where I couldn’t feel His presence guiding me — not that the series were inappropriate or even non-biblical. They just weren’t led by the Spirit, but instead by me.

Earlier this year after the end of the Spirit-led study of the Fruit of the Spirit: Living a Full Christian Life, I listened intently for the God’s direction. And He was quiet. So I decided, instead of glorifying me through writing something on my own, I would be patient in prayer and thanksgiving.

The Lord continues to prune, change and reveal new things in my life, as He does in all believers. We can look at these times as painful and with anxiety or depression. Or we can find Him lovingly at work making us more like Him. This morning as I went out on my daily walk I turned on a podcast I regularly tune in to and its topic was Soli Deo Gloria. In God’s beautiful way, He also gifted me with a sermon yesterday on John 13:31-38 which begins: 

"When he (Judas) was gone, Jesus said, 'Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.  If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once." John 13:31-32

You see my friends, Jesus led a simple life. One whose only ambition was to glorify His Father. By loving others, even the “unloveable,” by teaching others about the Father, by living out the Law perfectly, and ultimately giving His life for us to save us from our sins, Jesus gave all glory to God. Each and every day. With each thought and action. Not one bit was held back.

The Lord has taught me along this sanctification journey to not give in to the idea of coincidence. But instead watch and listen for His Word to light my path. So today I took to the electronic “pen and paper” to being a new 30 day series: Soli Deo Gloria: To the Glory of God Alone. I have written a 30 Days of Glory to God series which had a bit different focus. This new series will be a personal journey each day to remind me and us to not hold anything back. To not even stand in the corner of the spotlight, rather to turn its full brightness on the One who deserves it all. Our Creator, our blessing pourer, our provider, our strength and our life source. And it seems fitting to begin this the month we look forward to celebrating the great act of love by God — sending His Son to live among us.

Lest we think God is in need of our praise, however, I remind you that He doesn’t. The Triune God is complete. Which should make us love and appreciate Him even more. He didn’t have to. He wanted to love us. He chose to create us and provide for us. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. Thank you, Almighty God. May all glory and honor be given to you.

Note: When I was first directed to start this blog I wrote each day on its own and posted it immediately. I let the Holy Spirit lead my words each time. I plan to do the same with this series which means the posts will occur at different times of the day.

SERIES BEGINS DECEMBER 1-30

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, christian podcast, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Uncategorized

To Be The 3rd Man

krisshetter

During the last five years or so I started gaining the dreaded hormonal weight. As a woman over 50 I’ve watched a donut grow around my waist.  Being tall, I can frequently hide this mysterious weight gain but I know it’s there.   So of course, I decided to try and diet my belly away.  I successfully lost weight through a program called Noom, multiple times.  Yes, after about a year of relishing my new body, the weight crept back on.  My second stint with Noom saw the same weight loss and eventual gain.  I constantly blame myself for failing to have enough self-control so I don’t become “fat grandma” instead of “fit grandma.”  And while I do recommend the Noom program – which isn’t really a diet at all but rather a healthier way of looking at food – it lacks one feature that would make it complete.  God.

The Christian way of self-control is not “Just say no!” The problem is with the word “just.” You don’t just say no. You say no in a certain way: You say no by faith in the superior power and pleasure of Christ. It is just as ruthless. And may be just as painful. But the difference between worldly self-control and godly self-control is crucial. Who will get the glory for victory? That’s the issue. Will we get the glory? Or will Christ get the glory? If we exercise self-control by faith in Christ’s superior power and pleasure, Christ will get the glory.”

John Piper, The Fierce Fruit of Self-Control

How many times in your life have you sought to abstain or control a behavior that is destructive or just isn’t serving you well by thinking, “I just need to say no!” ?  And yet over and over you fail.  Sometimes in little bits and sometimes with flair.  It seems the one thing we tell ourselves over and over not to do is exactly what we find ourselves doing.  But take heart, we are not alone.

“ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:15-20

Paul, we feel your pain.  He sounds exactly like the second type of man that C.S. Lewis describes in his essay about the three types of man.  The one we looked at in the last post who has a divided mind.  Thankfully, Paul does not leave us in this fretful state.  He makes a right turn into Mr. Lewis’ third man.

“Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” ….” Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 7:24-25 & 8:1-2

A life free from sin, death and I might add, shame.  Sounds like a pretty good place to be, doesn’t it?  How do we get there?  How do we stop being double-minded, trying to put our weight on that wobbly rock and instead on the only solid rock we need?  First, by declaring Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  And secondly, turning our entire life over to Him.

You see, the third man in Mr. Lewis’ essay has done something violent.  They have fiercely killed their old self.  All their time, their thoughts, their actions, emotions, belong to God which means it also belongs to them because they are His.  It is a daily choice to submit their all to Him.  This man is joyfully obedient, not sullenly dragged to do good.

The abundant life is a choice you make day by day to embrace God who created you to be.  Becoming the masterpiece God formed you to be is a lifelong process, but it is worth it because of the beautiful, unique reflection you become of your Savior.”  

Charles Stanley, God’s Purpose for Your Life

The first time I realized the cycle of failure in not including God in seeking a better, fruit-filled life was when I attempted to stop cursing.  Throughout my day I told myself to not curse.  Of course, I found myself doing it more!  My thoughts were placed on the wobbly rock – my own self.  And cursing was what was on my mind.  It wasn’t until I placed them in the Holy Spirit’s hands that I found success.  When in trigger situations I turned to God, even for a brief moment.  “What would He want out of me right now? Anger or love?”

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13

Friend, just as in all the other Fruits of the Spirit, biblical self-control is not the same as the world’s.  The world says, “Try harder.  And when you fail, sit in shame.”  God, on the other hand, assumes you cannot be the only member in this fight of wills.   He tells us to put on our full armor – His Word, salvation, peace, truth, the righteousness gifted to you, and the shield of faith.  We take this armor and call it trust.  Trusting in the only solid rock that can hold our weight and get us safely to the other side of the river.  

When you see the words “self-control,” don’t jump to all the things you contemplated in your personal inventory and think, “I can fix this.”  Instead, drop to your knees and cry out to the Holy Spirit for help.  As the two of you begin a new life and new self together you will find your “have to’s” turning in to “get to’s.”  Your new self allows the light of the Lord to shine on all areas of your heart and mind. 

For me, I stop thinking about cursing and turn to love and kindness and gentleness.  For others they stop being angry and unforgiving and experience patience and peace and joy.  We stop obsessing over our needs, for our bodies, our hearts and minds and instead ask God what He wants of us.  In other words, we stop growing weeds and start blooming and living a full Christian life.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the Fruit of the Spirit! Be sure to follow the blog to receive your notice about the next series!

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:19-25
Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, christian podcast, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, podcast, prayer, religion, Uncategorized, wisdom

The Wobbly Rock

krisshetter

It always seems to start with just one bite, one taste, one look, one try.  We soon find ourselves groaning in disbelief that we ate it all again.  Did the one thing we were working so hard to avoid, again.  Disappointed someone again.  Backslid, again.  The world wants to blame Adam for this problem but it was Eve who started us down this ugly path of weakness, self-gratification and indulgence.

To be fair, it was who she decided to put her trust in that caused the Great Fall.  Two parties working in concert– Satan and Eve’s pridefulness– to disobey God’s command that fateful day led us to where we are today.  Adam, that poor soul, had a two-against-one situation convincing him all was well.  Of course, it was really two-on-two if Adam had simply spoke God’s name and asked for help.  God’s omnipotence would have been the finger pressed heavily on the scale for Adam and Eve to turn from the fruit in question.

But because they both placed their trust in what pastor John Ortberg calls, “a wobbly rock,” we find ourselves repeating a version of the world’s first story each day.  Pastor Ortberg, describes this wobbly rock like the one he decided to put his trust in one day while crossing a stream.  It looked secure and rooted in the soil.  As he leapt on it the rock gave way and into the water he went. Resulting in numerous injuries.  And the question today is, “what wobbly rock are you placing your trust in?”

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.  2 Timothy 3:1-5

I suppose we should ask, are we such people Paul is warning against?  In C.S. Lewis’ essay on the three kinds of men he describes the first type of man as one who lives totally for themselves without any acknowledgement of a higher being who will pass judgment on them or have any expectations of them.  For this person, the idea of self-control is based on the whim of the day.  “I should” or “I shouldn’t” enter their vocabulary based on family, social group or society’s expectations.  This person places their trust in a shifting set of rules based on new emotions, facts, and desires.  Today’s “well done” is tomorrow’s regret not because of eternal judgment but because the rules have changed.

The second person is one which Mr. Lewis says most of society reflects.  They know they should live a certain way and sincerely try to do so but only after they have first ensured their own security and happiness.  They believe in that higher power.  Maybe even call him God or Jesus.  These are Adams and Eves.  They’ve experienced God in some way.  But are divided in where they put their full trust.   They give to their church or charities but only as leftovers.  They stand up for the higher power as long as it doesn’t cost them much.  They are drawn to wanting to fit in with the latest views on sexuality and morality while at the same time knowing the Truth of God’s Word. They call their faith “personal” and wouldn’t dream of sharing it.  They “do the right thing” because they think they have to or else God might be angry.  Or to gain favor with God.  Their self-control still stems from their own will, but gets a nice dose of god-guilt on top when they fail to meet what they think God wants from them.   A wobbly rock to be sure.

Many times, however we take it on ourselves to define what’s good for us, and we can be tempted to doubt God for disagreeing with us.”  

Charles Stanley

Doesn’t that sound exactly like Adam and Eve?  Their self-control lasted only as long as something sounded a bit better or reasonable.  Satan didn’t erase God from their minds.  No, he took God’s words and twisted them in such a way that fed their gift of self-will.  I can only imagine the guilt and shame they must have felt as they packed up their fig leaves, a few bags of grain and fruit, and passed from the Garden gates.  From that day forth they probably tried really hard to do the right thing yet knew they were weak and could easily backslide into self-gratification. It sounds like them, but does it also sound like you?

Before we look at the third man in Mr. Lewis’ essay, I have a task for you.  Pastor Ortberg recommends taking this personal inventory to find out, with honesty, where we sit with God.  Are we relying on a wobbly rock which either leads us to temporary self-control or a self-control done with a “I have to” attitude?  This isn’t a confession to God, just inventory-taking.  No guilt, no correction, just a self-examination.  Be fearless and searching, remembering God loves you.

  1. Pride: Is ego ever on the throne in my life? Self-promotion, selfishness, sense of entitlement?  Lack of being a servant?
  2. Anger: Where is there resentment in me?  Where are the obsessive thoughts that want to strike out all the time?  Have I gotten physically violent or just withdrawn   
  3. Sexuality: Are there decisions I have made around my sexual behavior where I feel regret or guilt?  Have I been unfaithful?  Are there patterns of addiction, sexual pornography?  Have I crossed lines in relationships?  Have I been the victim of sexual assault or molestation?
  4. Envy: Do I ever compare myself to other people – appearance, career, family, bank account?  
  5. Gluttony: Do I use food as a way to escape or isn’t good for my body?  Or are there other appetites that would lead my body down the wrong path?
  6. Sloth: Not just a lack of activity but is there a failure to do what needs to be done?  Do I ever procrastinate with things that have high value?
  7. Greed: Do I ever hoard?  Am I gripped by a false sense of financial insecurity?  Do I not manage finances well?  Do I give the way God would want me to?

Remember, after you have completed this searching about where you lack in self-control or have placed your trust, if you are a follower of Jesus, God will lead you out of any guilt or shame.  Turn to Him, for He is the God who restores.

Coming Up: To Be The 3rd Man

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, christian podcast, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, podcast, prayer, religion, Uncategorized, wisdom

Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

krisshetter 
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  Matthew 3:16-17

It’s what happened after Jesus’ baptism by John that was an act for us all to reflect upon this week when we say to God or ourselves, “I can’t” or “I won’t.”  He left His seemingly ok, everyday life behind and entered the wilderness.  He went as a fully human man and fully God.  Don’t miss that first point.  For 40 days Jesus the man fasted.  And when He became hungry – which a human suffers from, not a god – that’s when the devil stepped forward.  I’m amazed He wasn’t tempted by the third or fourth day!  Imagine the self-control, the obedience to the directive of His Father! 

“The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:3-4

Jesus, the man, didn’t fall back on His strengths as God each time the devil tempted Him.  No, he grabbed hold of God the Father as we humans are urged to do.  He looked to the Father in His weakness and continued to obey Him.  You notice Jesus didn’t pray and ask God to give Him bread.  He was told to fast and He used amazing self-discipline in obeying.  I’m certain that during His 40 days and nights His human self prayed for strength and wisdom.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.’”   Matthew 4:8-11

My friends, this week, as we look at our last fruit of the Spirit: self-control, let’s remember that Jesus was a perfect picture of self-control and obedience to God while as a man.  I highlighted in our Gentleness week Jesus never once lost control of His fully God part.  He never caused pain and suffering among those who would destroy Him.  The one instance Jesus, as God, seemed to lash out in anger was to shrivel up a tree because it falsely appeared to have fruit.  And His fully human side cleared out sinners in anger from the temple because they were dishonoring God.  I for one, consider that a pretty good track record of self-control over 3 year’s time!

He had come to do His Father’s will and He would do it to the bitter end.”  

B.B. Warfield, On the Emotional Life of Our Lord

The Lord has called every one of us, who say we believe that Jesus is our Christ and Lord, to accomplish hard tasks.  To turn our old selves over to Him for cleansing and rebirth.  And while we are not saved by our outward work of loving others, being gentle and kind, serving those in need, eschewing all sinful ways, when we ask God to guide us in controlling our thoughts and behaviors the fruit proves to Him and the world that we are justified as righteous.

Coming up: The Wobbly Rock