Tag: holy spirit

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
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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

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Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

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“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

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Gentleness & Zeal

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I believe I’ve mentioned in studies past about an incident I once had that gave me a completely different view of the power of meekness.  As a softball coach I sat in on all the board meetings where coaches were presented to be approved for the following season.  During a previous season I had a difficult time with an overbearing and aggressive parent.  With the board’s backing I expelled him from all practices and he wasn’t to be near the dugout during games.  He was abusive not only to me but to his own daughter.  At the next coaches’ approval meeting he showed up and ranted in front of about 20 coaches (all men and then me) about how if the board were to approve me, he would work to have the league’s field use permit negated.  As he stood pointing and gesturing at me, calling me names, and disparaging my character I could do nothing but sit in stunned silence.  I didn’t speak up and defend myself.  I didn’t argue.  And when he verbally attacked the president of the league he was told to sit down and stop talking.

What happened after the meeting shocked me even more.  Coach after coach approached me and expressed how impressed they were with my stalwartness.  They all thought I was fabulously and coolly dismissive of the angry man.  I walked to my car that night with pats on my back.  When I got into my car I started sobbing and trembling.  I was silent in the meeting because I was terrified.

And this was just over a children’s sport!  Imagine the torment, abuse, vitriol, that Jesus withstood.  Many might say, “Of course He could, He was God.”  Ok, fair point.  Now imagine the disciples, once Jesus ascended, facing that same abuse, violence, and hatred.  Continue on to all the new members of Christ’s church.  Today there are still Christians in that same situation.  The faithful in China, Iran, UAE, Cuba, Sri Lanka and more face persecution.  According to an article in Christianity Today, 13 Christians are killed everyday because of their faith.  Every day 12 churches or Christian buildings are attacked. (CT Jan. 13, 201).  And we are still asked by the Lord to be gentle.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”  Matthew 5:5

Warren Wiersbe, on his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, says Jesus’ message is one of the most misunderstood that He ever gave.  And it’s no wonder.  Just a focus on Jesus’ definition of gentleness and meekness and the world’s shows diverse paths.  When studying this sermon, given to disciples, Jesus was concerned about our conduct as believers.  We are expected to live in full submission to the Father.  And that full submission leads us to humility, mourning over our sins, a gentle heart, and an obvious separation from the world.

When we look over Jesus’ life here in the flesh, we see a man who was God – a man who was powerful yet gentle.  And then the clearing of the temple happened.

“In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” John 2:14-16

This was the angry Jesus.  He saw how the poor were being manipulated and abused when they came to the temple to worship.  He saw the wrong-hearted attitude of those who twisted God’s plan.  This didn’t sound like the meek and gentle Jesus!

I told my husband the other day how this passage in scripture is the one place people point to and say “See, Jesus got angry too!  So, I can have the same zeal about unbelievers!”  I would counter, in His three years what defined Jesus was how loving and gentle He was.  In the few moments of anger toward either the Pharisees or those on the temple grounds He was able to make a solid point.  His meekness and gentleness made these moments all the more powerful.

Pastor Jonathan Edwards once remarked on the necessity and danger of zeal, “Lukewarmness in religion is abominable and zeal an excellent grace; yet above all other Christian values, it needs to be strictly watched and searched.”  You see, we can let our zeal for any topic take over our lives and it becomes a breeding ground for pride.  Prideful ways lend themselves to anger and bitterness.  A passionate Christian, when not allowing the Holy Spirit to weed out pride, will sound more like a clanging gong.  Had I, in that moment at the softball meeting, engaged in a back and forth argument with the angry parent, I wouldn’t have been viewed so positively.  I had every right to defend myself but silence made a more powerful point.  Had I been a faithful believer at the time I wouldn’t have been so frightened but I realized later that God was teaching me an amazing lesson.

I’ve long searched for ways to be more gentle in my dealings with, well, just about everyone.  I’m a doer, a hard-charger, a take no-prisoners type.  And too frequently I have stepped on a lot of feelings.  When I’ve tried to be the “kinder, gentler” me I realized I came across as a phony.  Even to strangers.  It wasn’t until I allowed God to work on a heart change that I saw the fruits begin to bloom.  

 "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:19-21

Not only does human anger (and being oblivious to anyone else’s needs or point of view) not produce righteousness but it also doesn’t produce gentleness.  Quietness, listening and responding appropriately based on God’s will, which is implanted in us, brings us the ripe, juicy fruit of the Spirit.  However, zeal and passion are never eliminated from our Christian way of life.  God wants a passionate believer. One who seeks truth and to live it.  A person who defends the weak and loves the unlovable.  A believer who gives everything over to the Lord.  

Friend, yes, the Father wants submission to His Way.  To the Truth.  That submission can look to the world like weakness.  But as we stand while people berate us or even spit at us, we know the strength inside us.  We can grieve for their sins, for our sins.  We can love those who hate us because of the one who loves us.  We can be kind and gentle knowing our all-powerful God has done the same with us throughout all time.  

And in those times the Lord calls us into greater action, like Jesus in the temple, our passion instead of it being lost in the din, will be noticed.  

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Gentleness Misunderstood

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When I announced to my non-religious parents many years ago that I was going to start attending church, my mother asked why I needed religion and my father called it a crutch.  To my father I responded, “Great, I’ll take two please!”  It’s so frequently the case when speaking to non-religious folks that they will say similar things.  “Who needs faith?  Your religion is just a ‘sky dad,’ I don’t need some fake person to tell me what is right and wrong.”  I’ve also heard people say, “Christians just turn their minds off and give themselves over to a made up god.  They don’t think for themselves.”

As for the last comment I would say they are half correct.  A true and faithful Christian seeks to turn their sinful self “off” and submit their heart, mind, body and soul to the one true God.  The world calls that a weakness.  In fact, some twist the idea of “meekness” or “gentleness” to mean that very thing: a weakness.  When the world says we need self-praise and self-assertion we say we look to God for His will, His love, and our direction.

Meekness is not weakness, for both Moses and Jesus were meek men.  The word translated “meek” was used by the Greeks to describe a horse that had been broken.  It refers to power under control.”  

Warren Wiersbe, commentary on Matthew 5:5

The word “meek” and “gentle” come from a similar word in Greek – praus (prah-ooce) and prautes (prah-oo-tace).  One is an adjective and one is a noun.  It’s interesting, however, when you look up the word “meek” in the English language you get these definitions: quiet, gentle, easily imposed on.  Isn’t that what we tend more to think when we read in the Bible that the meek are to be blessed and inherit the earth?  And when we read in Galatians of the fruit of the Spirit, one being “gentleness,” don’t we think of some sweet old person quietly living out their days in obscurity?  Someone who probably doesn’t have much of an opinion about anything? And if they did, they certainly wouldn’t voice it!

But wouldn’t that be in conflict with the full picture of Jesus?  In the one place where Jesus describes the state of His own heart, He gives us a picture of what we too should mirror – a gentle and humble heart.  And yet He was a man with an opinion.  A man who clearly spoke of sin, judgment, mercy, righteousness, and eternal life. He stood strong and faithful in front of those who mocked Him.  He was meekness under control.   More importantly, gentle under God’s control.

"The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So, what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground." John 8:3-8

As a person of action, frequently lacking in gentleness, I had always found this passage so frustrating!  I wanted Jesus to look these hypocrites in the eye and tell them off.  Put the full strength of God into His words and watch them melt into a puddle of shame.  But He squatted down (a look of weakness it would seem) and started doodling.  Doodling!!  And the world shakes their head at His apparent lack of authority and power.  “Here is the God YOU submit to,” they say.  “If He had any god-like qualities He would have given them the ‘you’re fired!’ response.”

And yet… 

"But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:9-11.

Jesus brushed off His hands and shrugged.  No anger needed.  No smoting.  Just a gentle ripping open of the accusers’ souls.  And still the world misunderstands because they are so attached to the sins of pride and self-importance and fleshly pursuits of power.

Friend, the world will call you weak.  The world will say you have turned your mind over to a god.  You are submissive.  Your response? Tell them thank you for noticing because it means they can see your fruit.  It may not be to their liking but it’s not the world we seek to please.

Coming up: Gentleness in action

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Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

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Charles Spurgeon once wrote that if God took full license of His greatness and majesty we would surely be trampled under His feet.  Instead, God, Himself, displays the most magnificent teaching of gentleness for us all to experience.  He holds back in His anger, judgment, and frustration.  He is long suffering and meek in His dealing with us humans.  

King David, with all his power and authority, mirrored this meekness and humility often when he wrote of God in the psalms.

"You have given me the shield of your salvation,
    and your right hand supported me,
    and your gentleness made me great." Psalm 18:35

God’s gentleness made King David great.  It seems like an odd statement to make.  You would think he would say “your strength” or “your authority” is what bolstered the king.  No, instead he sought to point out the gentleness of God.  And I wonder, how often do we realize how gentle God has been with us?

The unbeliever or borderline Christian may never fully appreciate this character trait of God.  An unrepentant sinner doesn’t see the need to apologize to anyone for doing life as they see fit.  They consider there to be no authority which will one day sit in judgment of them.  Therefore, they don’t have the viewpoint that God is being so, so patient with them.  Each day on this place we call Earth that the non-believer merrily lives a life in direct conflict with the fruit of the spirit (ie: hatred, discord, jealousy, selfishness, idolatry, rage, sexual immorality) is another day in which God is showing His gentleness.  A day that God has given them to hear His voice before the final judgment.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:29

Imagine hearing a man say He is God, a man of flesh and blood, yet tell you He is gentle and humble.  You can’t point to any other person in history, besides Jesus, that would say that and be believable.  The pharisees expected the Messiah to come in on a mighty steed to the sounds of trumpets.  He was to slay all of Israel’s enemies and lay claim to all land and treasure.  He was to pronounce all those suffering without fair trial in jail free to leave the prisons.  He was to place the Jews at the top of all humanity.  

Instead, as He rose from the waters of baptism by John, a dove appeared over His head.  A symbol of peace and gentleness.  There was no lightning.  There were no earthshattering sounds.  Just the sound of water dripping from His body and a cooing dove.  And yet, a revolutionary was set on His designated path.

So often I hear Christians and non-Christians talk about meeting God face to face.  At the pearly gates of heaven, they imagine a conversation about whether their “nice list” is greater than their “naughty list.”  But let’s back up.  Moses, himself, could not look directly at God or he would have certainly died on the spot.  God’s power was so great He had to put some of it into a burning bush for a visual of sorts.  And even then, Moses was admonished to not come too close and to clean his feet in reverence.

We humans while we are alive on earth can only see God as a shadow or a lesser representation because we would be so overwhelmed by His presence.  So now understand the meekness He had to undertake to become flesh and blood. 

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. 

C.S. Lewis

Jesus said He was God.  Jesus performed miracles as God.  Jesus warned of judgment as God.  So, either we believe He is God or we must throw away everything He said as a crazy person.  And if we believe He is God then we should be amazed at how gentle and humble He truly was while here on earth.  He didn’t once look at a Pharisee and afflict him with a terrible illness.  He didn’t lay waste to the soldiers who came to arrest Him.  No, He was patient with everyone.  Teaching, showing, loving us into His coming kingdom.

No destroying angel smote the men who spat in his face, no devouring flame burned up those who scourged him. The force of his life was the omnipotence of gentle goodness. He did not lay the weight of his little finger upon the minds of men to compel them to involuntary subjection; his conquests were such as led men in willing captivity.”

Charles Spurgeon

As we look at the fruit of the Spirit, gentleness, this week let’s keep it constantly on our mind that our Lord God has infinite power and authority that He could use at any time against us.  Instead, He holds us gently in His loving hands and waits for the day we call Him Abba.

Coming up: Gentleness Misunderstood