The Best Gift Giver (Part 1)

"An Equal or Lesser World"

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways my ways,
declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are my ways higher than yours."

Isaiah 55:8-9

We live in an “equal or lesser” world. We are constantly restrained by these terms.

Don’t know what I’m talking about? We are presently in the season of gift giving which means the next season is just around the corner: the season of gift returning. If you have ever returned a gift, you know that it is an “equal or lesser” deal. You can exchange the gift you received for something of equal or lesser value, but never anything of greater value.

And how about those “Buy One Get One Free” coupons? Same deal. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking donuts or diamonds, you always have to buy the more expensive item in order to get the equal or lesser one free.

Our “equal or lesser” system isn’t limited to commerce either. There are many “equal or lesser” relationships out there. If you’re married, you’ve probably been there. Maybe you still are: “I’ll put into this marriage what I’m getting out. Nothing more, but maybe something less.”

That’s the way this world works. Because this world is always protecting and looking out for itself.

That’s its nature. Sadly, that’s often our nature as well.

But that’s not God’s nature. He operates in a “greater value” world. He never gives something of lesser value. Always something greater.

When it comes to His exchange policy, God is like the Cabela’s or Nordstrom of the heavenly realm. No receipt? No tags? No problem. Is it broken? Worn out? From a competitor? God’s got you covered.

You can take it from a satisfied customer. I had been sold a lot of faulty products in my years. Empty promises. Dead-end roads. Momentary pleasures. Selfish pursuits. Flawed thinking. Finite wisdom. Tainted love. Corrupted vision. Broken relationships. He took them all, no questions asked.

In exchange, he offered the bread of life, living water, enduring wisdom, extended family, never-ending life, eyes that see, and love that issues from a pure heart.

When you think about it, it only makes sense. This is the God who was willing to give his very self for you. Who left a throne in heaven to be born in a stable. Who set aside heavenly glory to take on human flesh. Who exchanged dominion and authority for dependency and diapers. And for what?!? For you.

Yes, for you. He loves you that much.

I don’t know about you, but a big part of me thinks that God is getting the short end of the stick on this deal. Of course, then there’s the other part of me that says, “His ways are not my ways, but God always knows what He’s doing.” And then I figure this is another page out of God’s playbook that I need to commit to memory: being willing to give the greater thing while receiving the lesser. And seeing people, who are created in God’s image, as having tremendous value.

Prayer: "Thank you, God, for being the best gift giver. Thank you for the priceless gift of your Son. Give me a heart that desires to give the greater thing, that I may be more like my heavenly Father and bring glory to you."

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"For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him."

John 3:16-17

The One That Didn't Get Away

"Go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."
Jesus speaking in Matthew 17:27

We all tend to have favorite passages in the Bible. Whether they tug at our heartstrings or leave us a bit perplexed, they appeal to us for some reason. I can’t tell you why, but I have always liked the story of the fish with the coin in its mouth. Maybe it’s because it is unlike any other story of Jesus.

For those who may be unfamiliar with this passage, it is found at the end of Matthew 17. Jesus and his followers are returning to the town of Capernaum (their primary stomping grounds) when some tax collectors from the Temple approach Peter. Doesn’t sound good, does it? They want to know if Jesus is going to be paying the temple tax. Peter replies in the affirmative, but I get the sense he was a little unsettled about the whole situation. Maybe that’s because the next thing Peter does is go and find Jesus.

In typical Jesus style, he doesn’t wait for Peter to raise the issue, Jesus does it himself. Jesus explains that he will be submitting to the authorities by paying the tax, but it will come about by rather unusual means. This was one of those times where being a follower of Jesus was really going to pay off. Jesus tells Peter to grab a fishing pole and head down to the Sea of Galilee. The first fish he catches will have a coin in its mouth. Did you catch that (excuse the pun)? Wherever Peter decides to cast his line into the sea, he will pull out a fish with a coin in its mouth. And it’s not just any coin, but a coin capable of paying the tax for both Jesus and Peter.

Now Peter had seen some pretty amazing things during his time with Jesus. Loaves and fish multiplied to feed thousands of people. Jesus walking on water and calming stormy seas. People born blind receiving sight. Cripples walking. But I have to believe that this one kind of took the cake.

I can sense the anticipation in Peter’s mind. “I’ve been fishing for years and have caught a lot of fish in my day. Nets full of them as a matter of fact. And I’ve heard some pretty tall fishing tales, but nothing quite like this. No one is going to believe this one.” I wonder if he took any witnesses with him. One thing I’m guessing: he was a little short of breath by the time he reached the shoreline.

So what is this story all about anyway? Some of you are probably thinking, “That’s a nice fairytale for kids, but c’mon already.” I have to admit… I have wondered for quite some time what the point was. It just seems so strange to me. But I suppose that a God who created this universe with untold galaxies could get a little bored with the mundane of our day-to-day existence. So, Jesus decides to raise the challenge factor a little. Yet the point of the story remains a question…

Things started getting interesting when I looked into this tax Matthew talks about. It was originally put into place in Exodus 30 for the maintenance of the Israelites’ tent of meeting – their place of worship. This was a mere 1400 years before Peter’s talk with Jesus. If Peter was anything like me, he had no idea of the origin of this tax. I can’t keep track of all the different taxes I pay, not to mention remember what the original intent was. I sometimes wonder if anyone remembers the original intent of some of our taxes. Whether Peter understood or remembered I can’t say, but I promise you that Matthew understood it when he chose to include this passage in his Gospel.

You see, payment of this tax is described in Exodus as both a “ransom” and “atonement” for the life of an individual. The life of every adult in the nation of Israel was to be ransomed through payment of this tax. Jesus was communicating below the surface, but it was communication some were bound to understand. Jesus was telling Peter that he was willing to pay his ransom. He would provide not only for himself, but for Peter’s payment as well.

There are some conditions though, aren’t there? Peter’s life would be atoned for under two simple conditions: believing Jesus and putting his words into action – in this case going fishing.

This is the heart of the Gospel, is it not? Jesus has provided the payment for our ransom. He has made atonement for our lives. For our imperfections. For our offenses. All we have to do is follow Peter’s example: believe Jesus and act like he meant what he said.

I’m convinced that if Peter had lived in our day, he would have taken this fish to a taxidermist and proudly displayed it on his wall. What an excellent conversation piece to share the story of his redemption through Christ.

Like Peter, we all have a story. The story of discovering the ransom for our souls. So share your story and pass the wealth around this Christmas season.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

Two Mary's and a Tomb

“And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Mark 16:2,3

I can only imagine the sorrow that engulfed these women as they made the trek to the tomb that fateful Sunday morning. Their rabbi, their teacher, had been crucified. My guess is that they had barely slept the night before. Perhaps they spent the night crying, weeping and consoling one another.

Love led them to the tomb that morning. It wasn’t until they were already on their way that their minds began to catch up to their hearts. There was a problem with their plan – the large stone that sealed the tomb would prevent them from anointing the body of Jesus. The stone was simply too large for them.

But these women were about to learn the lesson that Paul would later relate: God is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20). These women did not go to the tomb to find Jesus alive. Without Jesus, dead men stayed dead. The only hope a dead person had was now entombed.

For a few short years Hope had been alive. Hope had walked among them, but as of Friday Hope was dead. The Miraculous had been crucified and the only thing left to do was mourn. But while these women were focused on a stone, God was working behind the scenes, behind the stone if you will – accomplishing redemption for the world.

Because God is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think. No one expected Jesus to be raised from the dead. But God isn’t restricted by our expectations. Thank God for that. Jesus would still be in the tomb and you and I would still be lost. Beyond anyone’s expectations, beyond anyone’s field of vision, God was working. He was breathing new life into a dead body. New life into a dead people. Hope into a dead and decaying world.

Who could foresee a crucified man coming back to life? Then again, who could foresee the world turned upside down by a ragtag bunch of disciples? Or a prostitute sharing a meal with God? Who could foresee a drug addict turned pastor? Who could foresee the transformation that God has done or wants to do in your life? Or the life of the person you've been praying for? Who could foresee these things? The one who understands that God is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think. He doesn’t always “do” what we think he should – that would restrict him to our expectations – but He is always “doing”. Better yet, the two Mary’s would have you know that He is always “out-doing” our expectations.

Hope is not dead. It was raised to new life that Sunday morning. The Miraculous is alive and well. He may be operating behind the scenes, behind the stones, but He is operating. We never know what He is up to until the stone is rolled away and we are invited in. Hope in what you cannot see and know that Hope is alive... in the world and within you.


“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12

“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

There are many families in need of a dose of hope today. Would you consider dropping a few dollars in my Salvation Army virtual kettle so that someone on hard times can hear the message of hope? Just click on the red kettle in the left column. You will be given an opportunity to designate the funds to your local Salvation Army. Please feel no obligation, only an opportunity.

Blessings to you as we give thanks to the One who is worthy, knowing that every good and perfect gift, including our faith, is from our Father above (James 1:17).

God Loves Anyway

"For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:12

Not having all the information really irks some people. Personally, I appreciate a little mystery being left in things. For some people, the remains of dinosaurs mean that the Bible can’t be true. Me, I just wonder where they fit in. Were they on the ark with Noah? Or did they die off before Noah’s time? Or were their bones just part of an earth that was mature when God created it? How old is this earth, anyway? I don’t know. I don’t think anyone really knows. And I’m okay with that.

The human body, the earth, the planets, the galaxies, the existence of a spiritual realm… there’s a lot of mystery in this world. I think that’s a good thing. I mean, try to imagine: What if you knew everything? Or worse yet, what if everyone knew everything. Not just the facts of the universe, but every thing. It would be a disaster. A simple example: what if the last waiter or waitress that served you a meal knew your every thought about him or her instantaneously? Worse yet, what if the people eating with you knew those thoughts too? You might end up with some foreign material in your burger or your spouse’s meal smeared about your face.

While some may see it as a curse, our lack of complete knowledge is a provision from God. In some ways, it is evidence of his love for us. You see, God understands the limitations of our humanity. He knows that we couldn’t handle this kind of information. Every relationship would be destroyed before it ever started. That’s because our love, thoughts, intentions, feelings and actions are all corrupted through and through. Personally, I don’t think I’m capable of even one completely selfless act. I said completely selfless. That means no desire for recognition or reciprocation. No desire for a specific outcome. No desire for personal satisfaction of any kind. No personal benefit whatsoever. Nothing. It seems impossible to me.

There is only one relationship that is not broken by this kind of complete knowing. There is only one love that endures in the face of it. And that is the relationship with and the love of our Heavenly Father. God knows your every thought about him and about others, and he loves anyway. Because God’s love is greater. Because God’s love is purer. In contrast to ours, God’s love is capable of being completely selfless. He offers it to those he knows will only spurn it, but he keeps on offering anyway.

The Apostle Paul points to one act that epitomizes the purity and excellence of God’s love. He writes, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Thousands of years before you were born, God knew and loved you. Thousands of years before you turned your back on God in rebellion, God knew and loved you anyway. Here, in the present, God continues to love. When you doubt that he knows best, he continues to love. When part of you wonders whether God even exists or cares, he continues to love. When you choose to indulge the flesh instead of walking in the Spirit, his love continues unabated.

Our love isn’t this pure, is it? Offering complete and pure love to someone who is only capable of offering incomplete and corrupt love. Think of a broken relationship in your past. Knowing what you know now, would you do it all over again? Would you put your heart on the line knowing the heartbreak that awaits? Would you marry the spouse who tore your heart from your chest? Would you work for the boss who threw you under the bus? Would you invest your savings with the friend who turned out to be a thief?

God put his heart on the line when he put the sins of this world on his Son. All of those impure thoughts, feelings, intentions and actions – Jesus willingly took the punishment for those. Not just mine, though they are many. Not just yours. But the sins of the world.

Though a vast number will only ever reject it, God’s love still seeks out. Despite knowing that even those who love him most will continue to fall short (only God knows how many times), his love continues. Because God’s love never fails. Though it be rejected, it is not diffused. Though it be disparaged, it is not diminished. Thought it may never be fully comprehended, it is not decreased. This is the love offered to you by your heavenly Father.

Because you are loved more than you will ever know.

Some of us need to begin to walk in the knowledge of this love. Others need to turn to God and receive it for the first time. Your life is not your own. You have been bought with a price, and that price is a love that cost your Father dearly. But it was a price he was willing to pay. For you.

“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father…that he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth (of this love), and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”
-- the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:14-18

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
- Jesus in John 15:13

Scoreboard...Scoreboard!!

Scoreboard!!

If you are a sports fan, you are probably familiar with some of the chants that fans get going at football and basketball games. Personally, I am a college sports fan. Whether it’s basketball, football or baseball, there just seems to be more passion in the college game – both for the athletes and the fans. Maybe this is why you hear more of these cheers and chants in the college arena than in the professional arena.

In any event, there are chants I enjoy, chants I despise, and chants I can’t figure out. One of the chants I can’t figure out is when a crowd starts in with “Over-rated! Over-rated!” This chant usually takes place when an underdog team beats a highly ranked team. But the whole chant seems counter intuitive. Wouldn’t it reflect better on your team to defeat a highly ranked team than a team that really isn’t as good as everyone thought? Isn’t it better to beat the best team in the nation than someone who should’ve been ranked number ten?

One of my favorite chants is “Scoreboard! Scoreboard!” While it’s not exactly a Christian virtue to rub defeat in someone’s face, I like the value this chant has in silencing an opponent. It is intended to remind the other team of their impending defeat – as evidenced by the numbers on the scoreboard. It says, “Cheer all you want, but your team is headed for defeat. End of story.” A slam dunk or touchdown by the losing team may bring temporary celebration, but the scoreboard serves as a reminder that their defeat is just a matter of time.

So what do sporting event chants like “Scoreboard!” have to do with the Bible? Good question. Believe it or not, they have much to do with the scene the Bible paints of the heavenly realm.

In one of the best-known portrayals of the spiritual realm, a conversation between God and Satan (the enemy of God) is recorded for us. This is found in the famous story of Job. Is it fair to say that God holds up Job as one of his MVP’s? Think about it, of all the people on the earth, God picks Job as an example of a blameless and upright man! That’s an MVP if I ever heard of one! But Satan doesn’t care about Job’s amazing performance. Satan argues that Job is a dedicated, hardworking player only because God has given him a full-ride scholarship. Satan says, “Take away his scholarship and perks around campus, and this guy will bad-mouth you faster than you can say‘first-round draft pick.’”

In the last book of the Bible, Satan, this enemy of God, is described as “the accuser of our brothers and sisters, the one who accuses them day and night before our God.” In other words, Satan doesn’t just question Job’s dedication to God, he badmouths all followers of God. Satan says, “Look at these poor excuses for Christians. There he sits, preparing the lesson for the men’s bible study. But did you see him last night when he was arguing with his wife? He didn’t look much like Jesus then, did he?” “Or how about James over there. Sure, he’s never cheated on his wife – at least not in person. But how about all those women he fantasizes about on his computer screen? He seems more loyal to his sex drive than he is to your commandments. Some follower that is.” “Or how about Julia over there? She tells all of her church friends that you are going to provide a husband for her some day, but deep down we both know she doubts you. Any day now, she’s going to take matters into her own hands and settle for the first decent guy that comes along – Christian or non-Christian.”

Ahhh. But here’s the part where the chants come into play. A lot has happened since the days of Job, and the Bible fills in some important details. Following his resurrection, Jesus is given the privilege of being seated next to God. And he’s sitting victoriously at God’s right hand – symbolic of God’s power. Picture the new scene: Satan approaches God’s throne with a real ringer of an accusation against you, but he can’t help but notice Jesus sitting there next to God. And from the time he entered the throne room, he could hear the chanting of the angels ringing in his ears. They are chanting “Scoreboard! Scoreboard!” and they are pointing at something. It’s Jesus. He is God’s scoreboard! The presence of Jesus is a constant reminder that Satan’s defeat is already decided. The clock is running out and there is nothing Satan can do to overcome the victory of Christ. Before Satan even levels his accusations against you, he knows they will fall short of accomplishing anything meaningful. You belong to God. And then there is the fact that Jesus is described as our advocate who intercedes for us – he is our high-powered attorney. To every accusation of sin or disloyalty, he simply responds, “Paid for. Game over.”

So, the next time Satan goes on one of his condemnation streaks against you, remind him that you belong to Christ, then picture the heavenly scene pictured above. You might even describe it to him! And while you’re at it, you may as well chant “Overrated! Overrated!” because we give Satan way too much power and credit. As one author put it, Satan is a roaring lion, but he is a de-fanged roaring lion– he was defeated once and for all by Jesus Christ.

Can't Get Away from Love

“So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

As I look at the life and preaching of Jesus and consider its echoes in the rest of the New Testament, the prominence of LOVE is absolutely striking. You just can’t get away from it.

For Jesus, it is the way to fulfill all the Law and the Prophets (i.e. the entire Old Testament). By loving God and loving your neighbor, every other commandment just falls into line. It is the very core of living the way God desires!

John’s Gospel mentions love more than the other three Gospels combined. One of his relatively brief writings, a letter we refer to as First John, does too. (These two writings mention love 103 times combined)

Love plays a central theme in the writings of the Apostle Paul as well. The book of Romans – Paul’s magnum opus – mentions love sixteen times. The first ten chapters or so refer repeatedly to the love of God toward us, while the remaining chapters mention love even more. This time it is all about how those who love God are to love others – the way God loved them.

Many of Paul’s other mentions of love are familiar to us. The fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal 5:22). Jesus’ sacrificial love for us is the example of how a husband should love his wife (Eph 5:25). More than that, Christ is to be the example of every aspect of a Christ follower’s love (Eph 5:2).

As one of my professors put it recently, love is the apex of Paul’s writing in First Corinthians. Without it, we are just a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (1Cor 13). Let those images sink in for a moment. The passage is so familiar to many of us, that we tend to pass right over the images. A noisy gong. A clanging cymbal. These things are loud, right? But not just loud… violently loud – to the point of causing people to flee from their presence. At the very least, they cause anyone close by to want to cover their ears.

Do you hear what Paul is saying here? He is saying that all of our efforts to represent Christ and the Gospel will come off as a clanging cymbal if love is not the foundation. It will drive people away from us instead of towards Jesus. Because love is the foundation of Jesus. And if the love of Jesus isn’t our foundation, something else is. Pride. Rivalry. Empty glory. Self-interest. Self-righteousness. Self-something.

Let love be the hallmark and the very tone of all you do. Then and only then will you be a true Christ follower and not just a clanging cymbal.

In the words of Peter, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1Pet 4:8)

"Failure is Not Fatal"

[This entry is Part Three of a three-part series entitled “Put to the Test”]

"To give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit..." Isaiah 61:3

What would you say has been your biggest failure in life? We all have them. For most of us, we’d have to pick from among several. However, my guess is that, for most of us, a particular incident, situation or relationship will take the cake so to speak. Perhaps it was a great job that you lost due to carelessness or poor decisions. Or maybe it was the time you refused to take the risk that would have put you and your company over the top. Maybe it was the time you bobbled the routine ground ball or Hail Mary pass that would have ensured victory and a championship for your team. Perhaps it was your failed marriage. Or maybe it was all three of them. Maybe you were young and dumb and you gave yourself away to the wrong person. Or maybe it was six of them.

Whatever your failures, chances are you’ve rehearsed over and over what you would do differently if only you had it to do over again. The clarity of 20/20 hindsight has revealed to you everything you need to know to get it right this time.

When I think about my biggest failure, I think of an incident that involved being betrayed by people that I considered to be friends. Of course, their betrayal of me wasn’t my failure. My reaction to their betrayal was. So many times, I have wished I could go back and NOT do the things that I did. So many times, I have wished that I would have simply turned the other cheek. But I didn’t. And I regret it to this day. What’s done is done; but what I wouldn’t give to go back and have another chance! Perhaps you feel the same way.

The good news, if you’ll allow for any, is that failure is not final, nor is it fatal – at least it doesn’t have to be. At this point, you may be saying, “You don’t understand. I didn’t just fail my family or my friends. I failed God. I betrayed God. I’ve given up on God.” If that’s you, all hope is not lost.

The story of Christianity – the story of Jesus Christ – is the story of God taking something that is broken and failing and turning it into something that is restored and thriving. God is in the business of rescuing those who have been crushed by this life and breathing new life into their fractured souls. In the words of Jesus himself, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” [Matthew 9:12]

Jesus came to restore a world full of people who had betrayed God and chosen to go a different way. These were people who had been told of God’s faithfulness to their parents and grandparents – delivering them from slavery, miraculously providing food from heaven and water from rocks, bringing them to a land flowing with milk and honey – yet they chose to go their own way. Jesus came to restore people like this.

But Jesus doesn’t stop at restoring only those who failed God before they knew him. You see, even Jesus’ closest followers had their colossal collapses. After all, it’s not as if knowing Jesus somehow makes you immune to your own human nature. One particular follower of Jesus – one who knew Jesus personally (we’re talking a guy who walked, talked and ate with him), one of those followers – let Jesus down big time. Even after Jesus warned this man that he would deny being one of his followers, he proceeded to deny Jesus not once, but three times. But failing Jesus wasn’t the end of this man’s story. It turned out to be just the beginning. After his crucifixion, Jesus made a point to personally restore him. This man’s name was Peter – one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and a man who went on to become one of the leading figures in the early church.

There are a couple of notable things about Jesus’ restoration of Peter. Jesus gives Peter one opportunity to profess his love for Jesus for each of the three times Peter denied him. Three denials, three opportunities to be restored. What’s more, Jesus caps Peter’s restoration with these words: “Follow me.” [John 21:19] Why is this significant, you ask? These are the words that Jesus used to call his disciples in the beginning. [cf John 1:43] Jesus is saying, “What’s done is done. It’s time to start anew. Are you ready to get back on track?"

Whatever the magnitude of your failures, whether in life in general or your relationship with God, failure is not final. Nor is it fatal to your relationship with God. God wants to take your shortcomings, mistakes and outright failures and exchange them for something that reflects his goodness and beauty.

We can’t go back and undo our failures. But God can take our 20/20 hindsight and turn it into 20/20 foresight. Do you think Peter's experience gave him a deeper appreciation of Jesus’ desire to restore people? [cf 1 Peter 5:10] How did Peter’s history affect his view of others who had similar failings and shortcomings? My guess is that he approached these people with abundant grace and an overwhelming degree of mercy, knowing that Jesus had extended the same to him. Peter would never be the same for it and those to whom he ministered would always be the better for it.

God wants to take your failed marriage and turn it into a heart for those in troubled unions. He wants to forgive having given yourself away, so that you can wholeheartedly give yourself to Him. Jesus wants to take the heartache from your abortion 15 years ago and turn it into a passion to save the unborn and minister to frightened adolescent girls. The Holy Spirit wants to break the bonds of your psychological fear and turmoil and give you a new spirit -- so that you might proclaim freedom to those who are similarly bound. The enemy of our souls succeeds when our failures continue to haunt us, but forgiveness and restoration can be ours in Christ - when we are willing to believe it and receive it.

What does God want to do with your biggest failures? Whose life could God's love transform because of what you’ve been through? This very moment, Jesus is saying, “So. Are you ready to get back on track? Then follow me.”

"Proving Grounds"

[This entry is Part Three of a three-part series entitled "Put to the Test"]

"We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself...but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead." 2 Corinthians 1:8,9

I just have to smile when I find myself in a conversation with someone who has God all figured out. As if God fit neatly into some nice little box manufactured by human reason and logic. One of the coolest things about being in relationship with God is experiencing his unpredictability. Just when we think he is going to respond or move in one way, we find that he has done something totally unexpected.

Our move to Phoenix a few years ago falls within these lines. We assumed that God called us to move to Phoenix for reasons related to the Seminary and my training there. But as we look back, it has become apparent that God was seeking to move in my wife’s life in even more profound ways. Something we never could have guessed would happen was part of God’s plan from the beginning – and my wife will never be the same for it. When we moved, God moved, but in a way we didn’t expect.

The same can be true regarding our limited human view of the tests and trials that come about in our lives. We look at the situation we face and often reason that our faith in God would be strengthened most if God were to move in a miraculous way. We reason that deliverance out of the circumstances would be the optimum scenario for strengthening and confirming our relationship with God. This, however, is another scenario where God often operates outside of human logic.

What we find, not only in Scripture but also in the lives of seasoned Christians, is that the enduring of tests and trials allows us to experience God’s “proving grounds.” At this point you might be asking, “What are proving grounds?” The New Oxford American Dictionary defines proving grounds as “an environment that serves to demonstrate whether something, such as a theory or product, really works.”

In the automotive industry, proving grounds are designed to put vehicles through a battery of tests, often under extremely harsh conditions, to test their roadworthiness and durability. General Motors’ proving grounds contain over 130 miles of roads, giving engineers the opportunity to run cars through every conceivable driving situation – wet roads, bumpy roads, potholes, tight corners and steep descents. Throughout the process, the theories of design, as well as their implementation, are either proven or disproven. As results are observed, designs are refined and the final product continues in its advance toward the ultimate goal – perfection.

Experiencing tests and trials in our lives creates a sort of proving ground for God. Life on the open road is an opportunity to observe not only God’s faithfulness to us, but our faith in Him as well – in the midst of pain, in the midst of heartache, in the midst of loss, in the midst of disappointment.

In Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, he describes a situation in which he and his companions despaired even of life itself (2 Cor 1:8-11). They were at the end of their rope. It was beyond what they could handle physically and emotionally. That’s a bad situation. Perhaps you have been there. But what was Paul’s view of the situation in hindsight? He says that this happened so that they would rely not on themselves but on God, who raises the dead (that’s a powerful God to trust in). Paul’s confidence in God is increased after he experiences God’s faithfulness in the midst of the trial. Paul says, “He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”

As, a good friend of mine once said, “Past faithfulness builds future confidence.” Paul’s confidence in the Lord was strengthened and his faith was fortified as a result of his dire circumstances. When we see that our faith has survived through the most dire of circumstances, we stand a little stronger – knowing that our faith can and will withstand the test.

Much like that car on the proving grounds, every time our faith is pushed to the limit, the Designer makes some slight modifications in His pursuit of our perfection. Our nature and character get pushed a little closer to that of our model – the faithful One, Jesus Christ.

So, the next time you find yourself in the proving grounds, look around. You’re bound to see God doing a work in you and you’ll also have an opportunity to experience his faithfulness – perhaps in a way you didn’t expect.

"The Right Foundation"

[This entry is Part Two of a three-part series entitled "Put to the Test"]

Figuring that the resource had not been tapped for all it was worth, I continued crock-potting on Jesus’ analogy regarding the wise man who builds his house on the rock and the foolish man who builds his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Like we talked about in the last blog entry, one of these men that Jesus describes built according to the plans of the Master Builder – according to the words of Jesus. The other did not put Jesus’ “life-construction guidelines” to work and so, we can suppose, relied upon something else for his design and construction plans. Whether he relied upon his own knowledge and reason or some kind of human philosophy we don’t know. What we do know is that he did not put Jesus’ words into action despite having heard them.

As I continued to ponder the men described by Jesus and the outcome of their lives, an important truth was revealed. According to this parable, the long-term sustainability of this construction was not really proven until the houses were exposed to the elements of this world over the course of time.

It is possible that the house built on the sand looked really promising for a time. As a matter of fact, it may have been the most beautiful home in town when construction was finished. But eventually the storms of life came along and tested that construction. Jesus’ description of the storm sounds quite similar to the hurricanes and tropical storms hitting the Caribbean and portions of the United States as I write this. Rain falling in sheets. Flood waters rising. Winds blowing and beating on every structure in sight.

This brings back memories of the widespread damage in the Midwest this past Summer as rivers paid no heed to their banks and brought powerful currents to bear against homes as well as entire towns. Thinking back to the news coverage of these floods, I was reminded of amazing video footage of two houses along the Wisconsin River. The power of the flooded river’s current had been pounding the earth supporting two particular homes for days. Eventually so much ground was washed away that both homes literally snapped in two and crashed into the river one after the other. We’re talking entire homes…snapping in two and being carried away by the river. Amazing.

Interestingly, even moments before their fall, these were two beautiful homes. But their long-term sustainability was intimately tied to the ground underneath. The future of these homes was inextricably linked to their foundations. Much like those who hear Jesus’ words but choose to go their own way, certainly these people had been warned of the inherent risks of construction in this area. It was obvious to anyone standing there. Despite the assurances they may have received from others around them, building here was a roll of the dice. It might be 100 years before a big enough flood came, but eventually it would come. They knew the risks and chose to take their chances. They decided that the potential pleasures outweighed the risks.



The same is true of those who build on a foundation other than Christ. This is described for us in Romans chapter 1. Here Paul tells us that what can be known about God is plain to everyone, because God’s nature is revealed to all people by the world around us – the world He created. But some, despite knowing that God exists and knowing what He desires, choose not to honor him as God or give thanks to him, but instead they choose to go their own way (Romans 1:19-21). They roll the dice.

Having a foundation built solidly on Christ – the Rock – has daily implications for a home’s sustainability as well as eternal ramifications. The worldview (and Godview) presented by Jesus gives us a healthy guideline for living whether we’re celebrating a sunny day at the beach, enduring a cloudy, humid Midwestern day or holding on in the midst of a Category 4 hurricane. This worldview and Godview help us to answer questions like: What really matters? What should be truly important to me? Where should I place my priorities and my energies? How should I view God, myself and others in light of the storms of life? How do I handle difficulties in my finances, family, and marriage? How do I make sense of the death of a loved one? Jesus has answers for all of these questions. Answers that give sustainability and solidarity to our daily lives.

But Jesus isn’t just concerned about today. He’s concerned about eternity. According to Jesus and other New Testament writers, many will hear the words of Christ and yet choose to construct their own worldview and trust in themselves rather than God. Unfortunately, this will only end in disappointment and separation from God and all that is good It is not a roll of the dice that anyone should take, yet, like the people who built on the banks of the Wisconsin River, many will pick up those dice and take their chances. And many houses will crumble.

If you’re still reading, there’s a chance you’re saying, “Gee, Troy. Thanks for the uplifting message today.” I’m with you, but while this all may sound like gloom and doom, there is a bright spot to the story: People can move! Just because you built a house on the banks of the Wisconsin River doesn’t mean you can’t put that house on the market and move to solid ground. It’s not too late to realize you’ve made a mistake and relocate.

When those two houses plunged into the river, they were unoccupied. The people who had at one time decided it was a good place to invest had abandoned that thinking and taken everything they could salvage. As soon as they realized the foundation was crumbling, they moved to higher ground. They were going to start rebuilding on a solid foundation.

If this is you… if you have been building a foundation and a home on your own building plans – your own wisdom, intelligence or perception of reality – it's not too late to abandon ship! Now is the time to move. The offices of the Master Builder are open 24/7 and your bad credit and flood insurance history are no problem. He is always interested in developing a new neighborhood to be part of his Master Planned Community (he calls it “The Kingdom” – sounds spectacular doesn’t it!?). A heart that is ready to follow him is just the location He is looking for. You'll never tire of the views (you can see for an eternity!) and likely begin to wish that you could stay forever. The Good News is that you can. His Son already has your mortgage taken care of. It’s a family business and you are now part of the family. Welcome to the neighborhood.

Building According to Plan

Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord continue to live in Him, rooted and built-up in Him, growing in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

Any contractor worth his salt is constantly consulting and re-consulting his building plans to make sure that he is building according to the proper specifications. Failure to follow the plans precisely, will result in a building that is offset and, quite likely, unstable – something that the architect was trying to avoid when he took the time to carefully design those plans.

The same can be true for Christians who, beginning with a good foundation in Jesus, fail to continue to consult the Master Builder (God) and His Plans (God's Word). They start building as they see fit, considering themselves Christians, yet the fruit of their lives may not even resemble what the Architect originally drew up. Having the Plans is essential, but actually following them is the key.

Jesus talked about this construction analogy when he said that anyone who hears his teachings and then does them is like a man who builds his house on a solid foundation. This is the man or woman who doesn’t just have the building plans, but actually implements them to ensure that construction is proceeding according to plan. The result is a building that is solid and able to withstand the storms that life is sure to bring.

On the other hand, Jesus talked about the person who hears his words but does not do them. Jesus calls this person foolish and likens him or her to someone who builds his house on a foundation made of sand – something no one in his right mind would do. This is a person who has the building plans but fails to implement them. He is trusting in his own architectural abilities. This individual is headed for a great fall but most likely won’t see it coming. He will find himself in the middle of a storm that threatens his very foundation and have no idea how it came to pass.

As we look at these two individuals, it becomes apparent that there is a big difference between simply acknowledging the Architect and actually being willing to submit to following His Plans. When Jesus called his disciples, he called them to follow Him. Not just acknowledge him, but actually follow him. This is what a true disciple does. Implicit in this call to follow is the idea that the one who takes up the new calling leaves behind the old one (trusting in himself). The Greek word for follow literally means “to move behind someone in the same direction.” Other definitions include “to follow someone who takes the lead” and “to comply with or obey.” All of these definitions are appropriate for our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

In our own nature, each one of us wants to be our own architect. To get to where God wants us requires a major shift. A shift in our minds. A shift in our hearts. Paul describes this when he tells believers to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” We do this by submitting ourselves to God’s design and his Plans and then searching those Plans diligently to guide and direct our lives.

The life of a true follower of Christ does not consist in a one-time decision. It is a daily decision. A daily affirmation that He is the Master Architect. A daily decision and commitment to follow Him. A daily affirmation that true life and true satisfaction are ultimately to be found in God. As a result, we decide on a daily basis that we will follow Him regardless of what comes our way. We are aware of the danger of re-assuming the role of architect in the course of our Christian walk and resolve not to put ourselves in the place of God.

A solid faith, the kind of faith that God desires, is the result of the right foundation – Jesus Christ – as well as a commitment to follow the plans of the Master Architect – the Word of God. We will be faithful builders when these two principles are at the very core of our Christian life. It is when we are committed and submitted in this way that God can give the growth that He desires (1Cor 3:7; Col 2:19).

Crock Pot Theology

My mind is kind of like a crock pot. Ever tried to make a quick meal in a crock pot? It doesn’t work. Microwaves are better suited for that. A crock pot works best when things are given a chance to marinate and stew over time. Often the longer you let the ingredients stew, the better they taste in the end. Like a crock pot, my mind often needs time to think and process things. I like to make observations, ask questions, ponder, listen… ask more questions, make more observations, then ponder and listen some more.

Over the last 7 months or so I have been pondering the “Kingdom of Heaven” as Jesus painted it in his preaching and parables. I have been making observations, asking questions… you get the point.

After 7 months of “crock potting”, there is one thing that I am convinced of: the Kingdom of Heaven is not being manifested in the world today the way Jesus envisioned and preached it. The questions become, “Why?” and “What can we do to change this?”

I think the Kingdom agenda is failing to be realized because too many Christians have missed the boat. We are content with what some have called “good enough Christianity”. We think it’s great that Jesus died for us and that we are going to heaven. Now that we have the salvation box checked off of our “to do” list, we can get back to our regularly-scheduled lives. Eternal life? Check. I’m in.

But we miss the bigger picture – the whole point really. Jesus didn’t just come to get us into heaven. He came to get heaven into us. Eternal life? It starts now. It could be translated “never-ending life” and it begins when God’s Holy Spirit takes up residence in your heart. You are re-born into a new life – never-ending life. It is not something we are waiting to acquire, it is something we are to walk in today.

Back to the “Kingdom of Heaven”. Why was Jesus so popular among the crowds? Certainly some of it was the miracles he performed. But thousands of people also gathered to hear him teach and preach. Did Jesus lower the morality bar to get people to follow him? No. He raised the bar higher than anyone had raised it before. Forget about “do not murder”. If you are angry with your brother, you are in danger of the fire of hell (Matt 5:22). Adultery? Do you have eyes? You’re done (5:28). Jesus was honest about the reality of sin in our lives – the sin that resides deep down where few will ever see. His honesty resonated with people.

But if Jesus created awareness of peoples’ sinful nature, how was it that so many were drawn to Him? Jesus represented the grace of God in human form. He didn’t just make people aware of their sin, he represented (make that embodied) the solution for it too. Matthew says that “when [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” (Matt 9:36-37)

Do you desire to be a laborer in the harvest? If so, are you embodying the grace of God which you have so freely received (Matt 10:8)? Are you looking on the people as Jesus did – with compassion, recognizing that they are harassed and helpless? Or are you looking from an “us versus them” perspective? “Sinners and tax collectors” aren’t the enemy. They are victims of the enemy in need of a Savior. In need of the grace of God and someone who will show them that grace.

Is it just a coincidence that Matthew describes Jesus’ compassion just one verse before the appeal for laborers to go into the harvest (Matt 9:36-37)? Or was it intentional - to describe the kind of laborer Jesus is looking for?

As those laboring for the Kingdom, how can we be more effective laborers and increase the harvest? Or can we? I think it’s a matter of the heart. Having the heart of Christ. It is this kind of heart that will allow us to see people the way Jesus sees them. Then and only then will they be drawn to us in any sense of the way they were drawn to Him.