Numbers

I've been reading in Numbers lately and am consistently astonished at the ungratefulness of the Israelites. God saved these people from slavery in Egypt, provided for them as they travel with manna, and still the Israelites never seem to be grateful even when God reminds them through Moses what he has done for them.

As I sat and pondered how quickly they became ungrateful something happened in me. I recognized I am just like this. I was once a slave to sin but now am alive to God in Christ(Romans 6). In Christ I am offered full freedom, but I often neglect that freedom to chase what I want. This is usually an expectation I've held from the past.

The Israelites in Numbers 11 complained and longed to go back to Egypt so that they could have the food they used to eat for free. In their ungratefulness and desire for the past they failed to realized that although they could return to Egypt for this food they would also become slaves again to the Egyptians who had treated them roughly and put heavy burdens on them. Similar to this when I long for the past I am failing to realize that going back to this desire costs me something. It costs me the ability to glory in the freedom of now. We often want what we used to have without recognizing that we become slaves to that very thing.

As a believer redeemed by Christ Jesus there is nothing in my past that is worth going back for. Even the things that were good were supposed to point me to freedom in Christ, the gracious provision of God and his loving kindness. This was never meant to be my ultimate joy.

I often look back to even when God first awakened me to his goodness and freedom and long for some of those same experiences. What I don't realize is that when I desire what was more than I desire what is I become a slave to the past and the expectations that come along with it. I have to let go of what I had to appreciate what I have. I have to let go of what I want to accept what he has to offer. I can and should be grateful for the past but only to the point that I realize God was using it to shape me for now.

I pray today that instead of looking for some experience or created thing to satisfy me that I will put my hope in Christ from whom all blessings flow. I don't want to exchange the truth for a lie anymore God. Help me believe that I am provided for in all I need by you.

Speaking the truth in Love

I fear over the last year I have read so many blogs it has begun to paralyze me. Once a confident blogger I now second guess and over think everything I put down. Part of this is because over the past year I have seen blog after blog attacking what others say. This is dangerous especially without the ability to know the heart behind these critiques.

In no way will this blog be exhaustive on how to handle these situations, and in no way do I claim to be an expert. Often I fear I am the worst when it comes to my critiques and disagreements with others.

In the 13th chapter of  John vs.35 Jesus says," By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another".

There are definitely times where correction and rebuke are necessary,(the scriptures are full of this) but I want to make sure that my critiques of others are necessary. I want the motive to be love. Often the motive is for others to become more like "us" or "me" rather than more like Jesus(although an unchecked heart can quickly be convinced we are pointing others to Jesus) It is never fair to assume motives and assign feelings onto someone else. That is why it is very important to approach these situations in a healthy manner. 

When I am offended or happen to disagree with what others say I must ask myself " why? "

What is underneath this reaction? Why do I feel so strongly about this? Am i motivated by love for Jesus? Am I considering others before self? 

If the motive underneath is that we might fuel and encourage one another in the gospel then great! If the spirit leads us to call a brother out then by all means do so IN LOVE SO THAT THE GOSPEL CAN BE SEEN IN YOUR CORRECTION.  If our motive is to simply be right, we will be wrong.

Choosing the better portion

I was reading Luke 10:38-42 on Saturday and it caused me to pause and evaluate. Here is what it says...

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named^(A) Martha^(B) welcomed him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." ⁴¹But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴²but one thing is necessary,^] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.

I am a Martha..If we were to be honest we probably all tend to be that way. My challenge to you today is to choose the good portion. Sit at his feet, listen to him...Let him remind you of his great love for you. There will always be work that needs to be done, people who need help and lives that need to be changed but remember the better portion is to be with Jesus. We will not desire Jesus the way we ought to and in turn serve others out of love unless we spend time with him. Dont be in so big a hurry to change the world you forget to let Jesus transform you. I need to remember this daily.

There is no other Gospel

Next week we will kick off our Spring Small Groups study @ Faith. We will meet @7pm January 18th in the Fellowship Hall. Join us as we look through the book of Galatians: There is no other Gospel.

Great stuff

DO because he has DONE

The Word

Join us at 945 the next three Sunday mornings as Tyler takes us through the study on the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. 3 lessons looking at the different accounts of Jesus becoming a man. Don't miss it! Rediscover the true beauty of Christmas!

Why is the Incarnation Important?

Christmas Party

All those who have been coming to Small Groups all semester we hope to see you next Monday for a Christmas Party! We will be in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Sarah Henry or myself if you need directions. All are welcome.

Sermon

Sermon from May 23rd 2010:
The Hope of the Gospel is Christ.

www.faithwf.com

Just a few simple words...
The gospel is not something that once responded to suddenly becomes for others. The same gospel that SAVED you is meant transform you into the likeness of Christ. Don't confuse the bible as something for others. When you read of sinners count yourself the same. I far to often gloss over texts and assume them for someone else.

Jesus said in Luke 15,"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
He also says in chapter 5 of Luke," It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

These are just two of the MANY instances where Jesus makes it clear he didnt come for those who think they are ok, those that are in no need of saving. To accept the good news means that you must first have accepted the bad news..That you and I are sinners in need of saving. Salvation can only come if you need to be rescued from something. Once saved to live a life that says you are fine and have 'fire insurance" is to yet again miss the point of the gospel. Accepting the truth daily that you are still in need of a savior rather than taking his gift and purchase of your sins as license to feel good about yourself is not the gospel. The gospel is the power of God to save and to transform broken lives that are in constant need. To consider yourself one of the ninety-nine is to simply say, "I dont need Jesus". To say I am healthy is to say,"The gospel is no longer for me but for sinners."

Neglect the gospel, christians and you will neglect people. I am so guilty of doing this so often. Look at yourself and see what God has done and what he is and wants to continue doing.

Sanctification is not becoming a better you, its becoming more aware of the One who is better and serving him. The gospel is not about me and what it does for me.

God is the gospel and it is simply all about what HE IS DOING.

Count yourself a sinner and the grace of God takes its rightful place. It will stretch you and you will no longer have to live a life of attempting to please. You can rest in the fact that no matter how sinful you or I are he has made a way where we couldnt.

HE MUST BECOME GREATER I MUST BECOME LESS-John 3:30

Sometimes I fail to use this thing in my head called a brain. Im highly frustrated at my inability to be the man God explicitly calls me to be. I so often entertain and fuel simple yet immature thoughts and ideas that lead to headaches. No it isn't as if any of these are fatal, but in my failing to be proactive in protecting myself and others from confusion people get hurt. Sure these are small wounds and most would say why are you overanalyzing minute details, but the truth is God wants all of us. Down to the very last minute detail God wants our heart and our obedience. This isnt to be a dictator but to give us wholeness and fullness. In my overthinking and inactivity towards firmly standing for or against things I fail to tell people the truth that would so easily save weeks of confusion." Each of you should not only look to your own interest but also to the interest of others!"!!Philippians 2;4. In this 'me' based society it is so easy to look past what others need and feel and only look for what meets your wants and needs. God may you give us a heart for others, Im so tired of living for me, it is empty, dry, and painful.

john 3;30

He must become greater; I must become less.

This statement made by John the Baptist in light of his disciples and jews arguing over purification. He basically said you are missing the point. It is not your actions God desires but the heart behind those actions. To give your heart to something it must be very important. This is why in most of the things we do our heart is given to only one thing. Ourselves. me. Its always about me. To give your heart up and be vulnerable is hard, which is why it is much easier to give our hands or actions to God rather than actually give him our heart. Giving up our heart can leave us deeply wounded by finding out what is truly in there. In a world with such an outward focus what is it inside of you screaming for more, screaming for truth. it is your heart. We all long to be accepted but most of the time coming clean leaves us feeling like we wont be accepted. jesus says He came so that we may have life and abundantly. In his kingdom there is no one who is undesirable. We are all welcome..when he becomes greater we can lay ourselves bare and be accepted. That's the only true hope well ever have. Eternal significance in a temporary world. Accept the grace again and let go. Embrace that when he becomes greater and we become less we are no longer slaves to ourselves but slaves to Christ who receive life and fullness and joy. Its the paradox for the ages, but its real. Thank you jesus for accepting ones like me...

motives

Ive been thinking through the concept of intentions. I think identity breeds intentionality. Wherever your identity lies you will be intentional in doing whatever it takes for your identity to be strengthened. Before I go further with this post I must specify that what we say our identity is found in and what it really is are not typically the same thing...Proverbs 20:5 says the purposes of a mans heart are deep waters; but a man of understanding draws them out. This being said i cant believe that very often we pursue drawing out our motives often. We typically just do. That said if my identity is found in how others perceive me I will stop at nothing until i promote a perception I deem worthy. If your identity is found in a boy or a girl you will stop at nothing to have a relationship you deem worthy enough to strengthen your idea of yourself. If my identity is found in Christ I would stop at nothing to know him more. The more I know what defines me the clearer the definition. Does my life reflect Christ inside and out? If not it is hard to say that I am truly found in him. If i worry and fret constantly about tests and school I can confidently say my idea of myself is wrapped up in my ability to perform. Identity breeds intentionality. What are you intentional about and why? On the surface the intentions may seem good but maybe we should find out the underlying cause for seeking out certain things. Proverbs 16:2 says all a mans ways seem innocent to him but the Lord sees the motive. I know often I want people to know how strong my walk with Christ is which plays into the way i seek out knowledge and wisdom when in reality if I were truly rooted in love I would seek God always bc he is worthy. Plain and simple he is worthy...WE often worship the things of God and forget that HE alone satisfies..May you check your heart. Test your motives. and Seek the Lord for he is good.

Man Card revoked

Ill admit it. I watched maybe 45 minutes of the Super Bowl, and the majority of that was out of obligation rather than a true desire. I actually love football and spent most of my life even in college playing this game. The truth is, though, that it is merely a game. It is an event of entertainment. I had just returned home from a Dnow weekend excited about what Christ had done in the lives of some high school kids. Did i want to be excited about the Super Bowl? Yes part of me did, but something was missing. It seemed that seeing Christ change lives was far greater than any event of entertainment and I knew that if I devoted my night to watching a game. I knew that forsaking what had just happened was not what I was created for. My life is to become a reflection of the Creators. I know people will read this and possibly say that I am putting on a front of holiness but the truth is I wrestled with the thoughts I fought comfort and not so I could wake up today and tell people about it. The struggle was so Christ would become more real to me in all things. I think the community that can be had at Super Bowl parties is incredible and a good thing. Im certainly not condemning the Super bowl I am just urging myself and my friends to not forsake the miracles God performs daily in our lives. We fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. for what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 ...I think Ill watch next years super bowl for the community and the funny commercial and for the enjoyment of an incredible game, but I know that today God says fix your eyes on me, and when i perform miracles you have a few options:
1. receive it and be changed.
2. see it, acknowledge it, be excited about it and quickly let it go and return to what it is that satisfies for a moment.
Don't stiff arm the gospel today... Receive it and be changed...

Why not be wronged?

But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers!

7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. 1 Cortinthians 6

As i read this passage I was struck harshly by these verses. We have been defeated so often by the desire to win an argument or be right. We so often have the right opinion or the right words or this or that to win an argument but we so often lose sight of our true purpose. It isnt to have all the right political ideas, or the best theological positioning. It is to just as Christ did humble ourselves and become servants. Why not be wronged? Why not be cheated? Is it because its not fair? Its not Just? Our views of justice are so short sided and arrogant. They typical only meet our idea of what turns out most beneficial towards our particular way of thinking. Could Jesus have risen in power and defeated all those who opposed him? Yes. Why didnt he? It would have defeated the point. It is not through position or power that love is accomplished. It is not through manipulation or coersion that love is seen. It is through vulnerability and weakness that true love is accomplished. True Love bore death on a cross, all that sin and the scorn so that we might know our God who is love. God was willing to romance us again, to woo us back to him as opposed to forcing worship. How beautiful is that? What then should we do in response? Should we push and bully and always be right? Perfect theology leads to death but the grace of God saves. Why not be wronged? Why not be abused for the sake of his glory? Let us not walk in the defeat that comes through the idea of power yet walk in the freedom Christ offers when he says "My yoke is easy and my burden is light". Stop striving to be right because if that is our aim weve already lost. Mercy triumphs over judgement(james)

Be quick to love

Its funny how even with good intentions and the right thinking my response can be so outside of the response Christ would have. The passage in James that says be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger is a very difficult one to realize through action. Earlier i found myself slow to listen, quick to speak, and shortly thereafter angered once i realized MY RIGHT opinion was being neglected. What had i failed to do? Well i had failed to take the other persons circumstance into account. Their needs and my choice to love and meet those needs versus my right opinion needing to be viewed and respected. So quickly I take right thinking and turn it into arrogant action. The Lord opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.James 4:6...We must be better prepared to meet the needs for others. In doing so my opinion takes a backseat and love can really begin to bear all things. Just be quick to listen and empathize, maybe even grieve as others grieve. Being right is overrated. Loving rightly is above all. We speak so well and have all the right words but where is the heart behind it...Mercy triumphs judgement...just as he was merciful let us be merciful and not forget the gift so freely bestowed upon us.

A chasing after the wind

We can and never will be enough for one another. I will never satisfy any longing for another human being. The same can be said for anything else. Solomon says it best in Ecclesiastes when he repeatedly refers to our labors and efforts as a "mere chasing after the wind". How often in this life do our efforts, desires, longings, and obligations return void. Even the things inspired by the Lord can prove meaningless when whatever we are doing becomes more of our identity than the ONE who gave us the inspiration. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23...It is one of the easiest things I know to do, to esteem the inspiration over the inspirer, the gift over the giver, the breath over the one who breathes into you...May we never forget the gift of God of salvation for all to know him and to become his righteousness. Commit your plans to the Lord, true happiness is not found in getting what you want. True happiness is found in desiring God above all and allowing your desires to be shaped and molded into his good, pleasing, and perfect will. I will let you down. I have let you down. He wont let you down, for he is incapable of that which is not love.

Suffering and the Removal of False Hope

And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Suffering these days is talked about more and more and more but Im not sure we get the point yet. We don't look to suffer just because thats what good christians do. Of course it can be a mark of dedication but there are several scriptures that point to the benefit of suffering such as this. I was talking to a friend this morning who was talking to me about their interaction with an ex. They said it was hard and overwhelming because in some sense they still had some false hope for the situation. This scripture immediately popped into mind and made me think of the process. It says suffering produces perseverence; perseverance, character; and character, Hope...In Peter it talks about our trials Refining our faith so it can be made genuine. I was thinking about how many false hopes we have and place in this world. I asked what having that false hope removed through time seeing the ex and realizing it wasnt something that needed to happen. The answer? "Made me put my hope in christ"

What does this mean? Well the process of sanctification is not one of becoming a better person, its becoming more like christ. To do so we must place more and more trust and let go of more of ourselves. So it is fairly obvious that you cant truly trust someone in the easy times for the simple fact that you aren't really having to trust. If its a sure thing you cant really be let down. It is in times of great vulnerability when your faith is being shaken or when your heart is aching that the true measure of trust is shown. Having all of our false hope stripped away and having to rely on Christ and trust. In short all I mean to say is if you truly want to know Christ and be made more like him you must be willing to have your foundations shaken. Until you world is crumbling you cant understand the need to hold onto Christ. We know this world wont satisfy so my prayer is that you will rejoice in your sufferings just as you rejoice in the good times. It is through the mess that his glory shines through. To know him you must know hurt(he hurt unto death btw). If you long to know his hope more and share it with the world it will get hard. But the joy oh the joy of knowing him and making him known!!

Wisdom...Proverbs 2

My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,

2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,

3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,

4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,

13 who leave the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,

14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,

15 whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.

16 It will save you also from the adulteress,
from the wayward wife with her seductive words,

17 who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God. [a]

18 For her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

19 None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.

20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men
and keep to the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;

22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

May we all seek wisdom in the days to come. To know Gods heart, to delight in his ways, and to understand his justice. Just as the Lord was pleased with Solomons request for wisdom to know and understand how to live for him I believe this could be one of the most important things we could ever pray for. It says in Corinthians that he will make the foolish the wisdom of the wise. So, together lets seek wisdom to know him and his ways.

LOVE HURTS

We hear it all the time. The cheesy line about Love, and how it hurts. Movies portray it, people believe it and girls even believe they are in the right relationships because of it. Im here to say they are right when they say Love hurts. Im also ready to say weve misinterpreted who is supposed to be hurting and what Love is. 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a pretty clear understanding of Love and 1 John lets us know that God is love. John 15:13 says Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. God is love. Jesus was fully God fully man. Jesus died a painful brutal death that we might know him. Yes. Love HURT. Love hurt so that we might know love. We were created in the image of God(Imago Dei). We were created through and for God. We typically when saying love hurts have made ourself a god by putting our needs, desires and affections above anything else. Love is putting other needs desires and affections above anything else. Love was humiliated on a cross. To know love we must be humiliated on this earth. All of our comfort must go if we want to ever truly experience love. Love cannot commune with hate for they do not agree by nature. We must suffer by losing our agendas and self interest to ever know of love eternal. To ever know love we must know Pain. The Lord promises to cleanse us and sanctify us. This isnt and wasnt ever supposed to be easy. If it was all about ease why would Christ have had to suffer the ultimate disgrace? Couldnt the Lord have done it another way? Maybe, but the truth is through the pain comes the beauty, through the stripes came the ransom, and through suffering comes Love. Patient Kind trusting beautiful. the Kind that never fails...If you hurt today let it be that you might know him more tomorrow. If you lack worth today let it be that the Redeemer who paid your debt might show you his delight in you tomorrow. Let not the troubles of this world be in vein, but in preparation to become the righteousness of God! HE MADE HIM WHO KNEW NO SIN TO BE SIN THAT WE MIGHt BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD! 2 cor. 5:21...Oh what an inheritance...Trust and lean not on your own understanding. His ways are higher...

It is the dirty, broken, lifeless vessel that God transforms into a fruitful example of his splendor. It's the flower most trampled most unworthy that can be used most mightily for the works of the kingdom. When our understanding of our true powerlessness is revealed it is in that moment of weakness our thoughts an hearts can be provoked by grace to become something we are not. Something that can only be attributes to the loving creator. It is his love that accounts for all that is good, and it has been said his nearness is to us our good. Any companion we spend tine with we come to know and are shaped heavily by their influence. Oh what else could be better than to be shaped by the one who formed and weaved us from the beginning. It is he who delight in his craftsmanship and would be most delighted in seeing them become whole. He perfects us through his precious sons sacrifice. Holy holy holy is the Lord!