A food coma is coming. Somewhere across the country in the immediate future, some husband, father, brother, wife, mother, or sister will consume a Thanksgiving Feast and immediately discuss the wonder of the meal and how tryptophan has made them sleepy. For those unaware of this glorious amino acid, it exists in many things and is extremely important in the human diet. However in large doses, it can cause drowsiness and is even prescribed at time as a sleep aid (in its non-turkey form.) And while turkey does not have an excessively high level of the substance contrary to popular belief, the high levels of consumption on Thanksgiving can contribute to the feelings of lethargy that so often accompany the large meal. Sometimes I wonder if the church (the universal church, not any one particular church) has consumed too much religious tryptophan. It would seem to be the case as we have grown decidedly lethargic regarding the condition of our own lives and even more so about the condition of the world around us.
Please understand that I am not speaking of the political climate, I fully expect politicians to be politicians. I am not speaking of the moral climate either. I know that the world is going to get worse before Christ returns. This has always been the case as demonstrated in the story of Noah. I trust that God will judge the world for their immorality.
The lethargy that I am speaking of relates to the gospel. We have been tasked as the church to take the gospel into the world in which we live. We do this by speech and by action. But the present day church seems to do so little of both. We expect that our pastor will share the gospel, the deacons will share the gospel, the other people more spiritual than I will certainly share the gospel. And so we sit quietly, not speaking gospel, not enacting gospel. And we forget the challenge of 1 Peter 5:8-9.
"Be of sober spirit, BE ON THE ALERT. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith . . ." (NASB, emphasis mine)
Note the call to be on alert. And the motivation for our alertness is that the devil is always actively seeking someone to devour. And we must resist him. We must resist him actively, fighting his influence in our lives at every opportunity. I think the number one way that Satan battles us as believers is to cause us to forget that there is urgency. He doses us with religious tryptophan so that we sit idle while our neighbors go to Hell. We sit idle while our co-workers continue down the path to Hell.
Please understand the spirit in which this is written. I am as guilty of this religious coma as anybody, and am writing this to myself most of all. I need to wake up. I need to be ready at all times to give reason for the hope within. I need to be alert. I need to recognize the penalty for my silence and apathy - people will not hear the gospel. And they cannot respond to the gospel unless they hear the gospel. And they cannot hear the gospel unless someone goes and speaks it to them. So I need a shot of Godly adrenaline to counter the effects of the religious tryptophan I have consumed. Do you?
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
On Being a Sheep
This past Sunday I spoke on Psalm 100. I loved talking about this text and the means by which we give thanks to God. However, given this focus, I was unable to look in depth at one part of this text that is absolutely incredible to me. Verse 3 ends with, "We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture." This seemingly simple statement is deeper than what my feeble mind can wrap itself around. I want to examine this in a little detail.
The first statement - "We are His people" seems so simple, but I think that we fail to realize the depth of it. We are His people, not only in the sense that He created us, but that we belong to Him. This is a statement of possession even more than it is a statement of identity. If you are a sheep that is a part of a shepherd's pasture, you belong to that shepherd. Likewise, as His people, we belong to Him. This concept is found throughout the Scriptures. And, this is especially true for believers. Galatians 2:20 reminds us that the life we now live we do not live for ourselves, but we live for and in and through our faith in the Son of God. Ponder for a moment that you are a part of God's possession. As I think about this, there are two things that this means for me. The first seems negative - I do not belong to myself. I am owned by God. I do not have freedom to do whatever I please, I must please my Master, the one who owns me. This is contrary to my western ideas of self and how important I really am. I have a hard time being owned. I want to own myself, to own my life, to own the world around me and make it mine. But God is very clear, I am His. I am His people, the Sheep of His pasture.
The second thing that this means for me is related to the second half of this segment of Scripture. The second statement is that we are ". . . the sheep of His pasture." And in this we find the much more positive portion of the text in our minds. We belong to the flock of God and therefore get to bed down in His pasture. And his pastures are green and lush and fulfilling and gorgeous and everything that we His sheep would desire. We are blessed. We get the joy of living where God lives, and we get the joy of this for eternity! I get to rest in the pasture of God for eternity. This is indeed a tremendous blessing. And it is glorious.
May I remind us however that the second benefit is contingent upon the first statement. The only sheep that get to bed down in the pasture of their master are those that are owned by the master. He will protect and heal and guide and direct, but only when we submit ourselves to being owned.
Can you imagine a sheep, standing outside of a luscious green pasture, refusing to go in because he refuses to be stamped with the mark that tells all that he belongs to his master. Sure the mark may be painful, sure it may lead through the valley of the shadow of death. It is true that the Master may place you in situations that you wish you did not have to face. But it is within the right of a perfectly loving and holy Master to do so. You belong to Him.
So often, I, as a follower of Jesus, want all of the blessing, but very little of the belonging. I want to be rewarded, but do not want to be commanded. I want God to work His perfect will, but do not want to surrender mine. I want to be protected, but I do not want to be confined. And the psalmist reminds me in a simple statement that becomes so profound that I am ". . .His people and the sheep of His pasture." He reminds me that this is more than identity, it is a statement of possession. I am a sheep. Stubborn and prone to wander far too close to danger on my own, I am His sheep, and He will lovingly draw me back to Himself. How joyous to realize sooner rather than later the joys of living within the fold that God has given me! I belong to Jesus!
The first statement - "We are His people" seems so simple, but I think that we fail to realize the depth of it. We are His people, not only in the sense that He created us, but that we belong to Him. This is a statement of possession even more than it is a statement of identity. If you are a sheep that is a part of a shepherd's pasture, you belong to that shepherd. Likewise, as His people, we belong to Him. This concept is found throughout the Scriptures. And, this is especially true for believers. Galatians 2:20 reminds us that the life we now live we do not live for ourselves, but we live for and in and through our faith in the Son of God. Ponder for a moment that you are a part of God's possession. As I think about this, there are two things that this means for me. The first seems negative - I do not belong to myself. I am owned by God. I do not have freedom to do whatever I please, I must please my Master, the one who owns me. This is contrary to my western ideas of self and how important I really am. I have a hard time being owned. I want to own myself, to own my life, to own the world around me and make it mine. But God is very clear, I am His. I am His people, the Sheep of His pasture.
The second thing that this means for me is related to the second half of this segment of Scripture. The second statement is that we are ". . . the sheep of His pasture." And in this we find the much more positive portion of the text in our minds. We belong to the flock of God and therefore get to bed down in His pasture. And his pastures are green and lush and fulfilling and gorgeous and everything that we His sheep would desire. We are blessed. We get the joy of living where God lives, and we get the joy of this for eternity! I get to rest in the pasture of God for eternity. This is indeed a tremendous blessing. And it is glorious.
May I remind us however that the second benefit is contingent upon the first statement. The only sheep that get to bed down in the pasture of their master are those that are owned by the master. He will protect and heal and guide and direct, but only when we submit ourselves to being owned.
Can you imagine a sheep, standing outside of a luscious green pasture, refusing to go in because he refuses to be stamped with the mark that tells all that he belongs to his master. Sure the mark may be painful, sure it may lead through the valley of the shadow of death. It is true that the Master may place you in situations that you wish you did not have to face. But it is within the right of a perfectly loving and holy Master to do so. You belong to Him.
So often, I, as a follower of Jesus, want all of the blessing, but very little of the belonging. I want to be rewarded, but do not want to be commanded. I want God to work His perfect will, but do not want to surrender mine. I want to be protected, but I do not want to be confined. And the psalmist reminds me in a simple statement that becomes so profound that I am ". . .His people and the sheep of His pasture." He reminds me that this is more than identity, it is a statement of possession. I am a sheep. Stubborn and prone to wander far too close to danger on my own, I am His sheep, and He will lovingly draw me back to Himself. How joyous to realize sooner rather than later the joys of living within the fold that God has given me! I belong to Jesus!
Monday, November 9, 2015
The Gospel and Starbucks Cups
I want to say thank you to all those who have been reading my blog and giving me positive feedback and encouragement. I am so grateful for all those who take the time to read and continue to encourage your comments and feedback and input on the blog. My goal for this blog is to encourage biblical thinking and help those who read it draw closer to Christ. I strive to keep it positive and uplifting. And I hope that today's blog will be no different, but I want to address something that I have seen recently that concerns me.
Within the last few days and weeks a story broke regarding Starbuck's cups for the Christmas Season. Apparently some people are upset that the cups are simply red and have no symbolism on them whatsoever. I have seen angry Facebook posts and calls to boycott Starbucks all because of the lack of symbolism.
My initial response to this was disbelief that people who claim the name of Christ would become so antagonistic toward a secular organization for the failure of the secular organization to share their values, but I wanted to research the issue a little deeper before developing a response and so I looked at previous years cups. In previous years, Starbucks has had designs on the cups such as reindeer and floral patters but I have not yet found a cup that had the gospel printed on it. Which leads me to my response.
First and foremost, when we read the Scriptures, we should remember that the world in which we live is in rebellion against God. This is true. And this should indeed bother us. But it should not drive us to boycotts and anger, it should drive us toward the gospel and our need to preach the gospel to every creature that God gives opportunity to. I think of Paul in the city of Athens in Acts 17. When he went through the city he saw all sorts of idols; instead of bemoaning that Athens was pagan and secular and should be Christian, he instead preached the gospel, using the idol to the unknown god as a launching point to introduce the gospel to the culture around. I think of Christ who had more to say to the Pharisees and other religious leaders than He did to the pagan culture around the nation of Israel. So the rebellion of the world is a problem, I do not deny this. But the biblical response to the rebellion of the world is ALWAYS the GOSPEL.
Secondly, I think that the responses that I have seen reveal to us our lack of proper priorities. We see a cup that does not have enough religious symbolism on it and we get up in arms, but we respond with apathy to the problems of genuine need around us. We ignore the sanctity of life issues that seem to become more and more prominent, and we sit back and say nothing while the world around us redefines sexuality and the family. And this is to say nothing of the way which we use the resources that God gives us. James defines true religion as visiting those in distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27) Sadly, when I stamp my feet and cry and moan when secular organizations do not share my values I am drawing all the attention to myself and becoming stained by a world that wants me to think that life is all about me. And when I am stained by the world in this way, I lose my impact on the very people I am hoping Christ can change.
If you are one of those who are upset over the secularization of the world around us, please understand that I too am bothered by the directions that our world is heading. But also remember that this is not a surprise, and that it will get worse before it gets better. So, before you hit enter and that Facebook post goes up on your wall, ask yourself what your friends who do not know the Lord will think of your post. Will it help you reach them with the gospel? Will you be able to preach Christ better because of what you have said? Does your response adequately reflect the priorities that the Scriptures tell us that we should have?
Perhaps the best response is to buy a cup of coffee for an unsaved friend (even if it is at Starbucks) and talk to them about why Christmas means so much to you and share with them of your Savior whose birth we celebrate.
Within the last few days and weeks a story broke regarding Starbuck's cups for the Christmas Season. Apparently some people are upset that the cups are simply red and have no symbolism on them whatsoever. I have seen angry Facebook posts and calls to boycott Starbucks all because of the lack of symbolism.
My initial response to this was disbelief that people who claim the name of Christ would become so antagonistic toward a secular organization for the failure of the secular organization to share their values, but I wanted to research the issue a little deeper before developing a response and so I looked at previous years cups. In previous years, Starbucks has had designs on the cups such as reindeer and floral patters but I have not yet found a cup that had the gospel printed on it. Which leads me to my response.
First and foremost, when we read the Scriptures, we should remember that the world in which we live is in rebellion against God. This is true. And this should indeed bother us. But it should not drive us to boycotts and anger, it should drive us toward the gospel and our need to preach the gospel to every creature that God gives opportunity to. I think of Paul in the city of Athens in Acts 17. When he went through the city he saw all sorts of idols; instead of bemoaning that Athens was pagan and secular and should be Christian, he instead preached the gospel, using the idol to the unknown god as a launching point to introduce the gospel to the culture around. I think of Christ who had more to say to the Pharisees and other religious leaders than He did to the pagan culture around the nation of Israel. So the rebellion of the world is a problem, I do not deny this. But the biblical response to the rebellion of the world is ALWAYS the GOSPEL.
Secondly, I think that the responses that I have seen reveal to us our lack of proper priorities. We see a cup that does not have enough religious symbolism on it and we get up in arms, but we respond with apathy to the problems of genuine need around us. We ignore the sanctity of life issues that seem to become more and more prominent, and we sit back and say nothing while the world around us redefines sexuality and the family. And this is to say nothing of the way which we use the resources that God gives us. James defines true religion as visiting those in distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27) Sadly, when I stamp my feet and cry and moan when secular organizations do not share my values I am drawing all the attention to myself and becoming stained by a world that wants me to think that life is all about me. And when I am stained by the world in this way, I lose my impact on the very people I am hoping Christ can change.
If you are one of those who are upset over the secularization of the world around us, please understand that I too am bothered by the directions that our world is heading. But also remember that this is not a surprise, and that it will get worse before it gets better. So, before you hit enter and that Facebook post goes up on your wall, ask yourself what your friends who do not know the Lord will think of your post. Will it help you reach them with the gospel? Will you be able to preach Christ better because of what you have said? Does your response adequately reflect the priorities that the Scriptures tell us that we should have?
Perhaps the best response is to buy a cup of coffee for an unsaved friend (even if it is at Starbucks) and talk to them about why Christmas means so much to you and share with them of your Savior whose birth we celebrate.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Decisions
Decisions matter. Sometimes it may not seem like it, but the things which we choose to allow ourselves to think and see and do - these things matter. So often in life we have a backwards view of decisions. By this, I mean that we tend to look back at the decisions that we have made in the past and evaluate them based upon their "successfulness" - which usually means, how happy or contented or beneficial to me was the decision I made. A bad decision becomes one that causes me or someone else harm. A good decision brings pleasure. This is the template that we usually use when we are evaluating the decisions that we have made.
One problem with this style of living is that we are always making our next decision based upon the results of the previous decision. So if something made me happy I will choose to do it again. I am convinced that as a Christian I need a different template for making choices.
The first thing that I believe needs to change is the evaluative measure that I use in decision making. I am not the center of the universe. I need to consider not what makes me happy, but what pleases God who created me. Joshua encourages the people of Israel to "choose for yourselves today whom you will serve. . ." (Joshua 24:15 NASB) I believe that this is the center of biblical decision making. I do not make decisions that will make me happy, I choose to make decisions that please God. And in doing so I find that the natural result is my own joy.
The second thing that I believe is fundamental to making decisions as a believer is which direction I look. I believe that a Christian should not evaluate based solely on the past, but on the present and future as well. Is this decision one that will have future ramifications on my relationship with God, with others, or on myself?
There are many other factors that we should consider when making a decision, but ultimately, if we can get these two criteria at the forefront of our decision making, I believe we will be doing well. But I want to illustrate what this looks like. Allow me to use a hypothetical situation that may be all too common.
Joe Smith (any similarities to persons real or fictional is completely unintentional) is sitting in front of his TV wondering what to watch. Most of the time he will choose to watch something that makes him laugh or cry or rage (the rage part is for all you Lions fans). But the primary and perhaps only thing that Joe will consider is what makes him happy and what has in the past brought him enjoyment. I am suggesting that Joe consider what would make God pleased and what impact what He chooses will have on his present and his future, regardless of what past decisions he has made.
Please do not misunderstand - I am not suggesting that the answer to Joe's decision will be the same every time or that there is something inherently wrong with a decision to relax and watch TV. God wants us to enjoy this abundant life we have in Christ and enjoy our limited time here on earth. I am suggesting that Joe use a different set of criteria to determine what he is doing and what he should watch. And TV is only one area where this becomes an issue. We should consider these things in our financial decisions, our family decisions, our occupational decisions, etc. If we are to be a living sacrifice as Romans 12 calls us to do, then perhaps we need to consider that we should make God primary and consider each decision under a different set of criteria. For me, the criteria of considering God and others before self is difficult enough to last me a lifetime of growth!
One problem with this style of living is that we are always making our next decision based upon the results of the previous decision. So if something made me happy I will choose to do it again. I am convinced that as a Christian I need a different template for making choices.
The first thing that I believe needs to change is the evaluative measure that I use in decision making. I am not the center of the universe. I need to consider not what makes me happy, but what pleases God who created me. Joshua encourages the people of Israel to "choose for yourselves today whom you will serve. . ." (Joshua 24:15 NASB) I believe that this is the center of biblical decision making. I do not make decisions that will make me happy, I choose to make decisions that please God. And in doing so I find that the natural result is my own joy.
The second thing that I believe is fundamental to making decisions as a believer is which direction I look. I believe that a Christian should not evaluate based solely on the past, but on the present and future as well. Is this decision one that will have future ramifications on my relationship with God, with others, or on myself?
There are many other factors that we should consider when making a decision, but ultimately, if we can get these two criteria at the forefront of our decision making, I believe we will be doing well. But I want to illustrate what this looks like. Allow me to use a hypothetical situation that may be all too common.
Joe Smith (any similarities to persons real or fictional is completely unintentional) is sitting in front of his TV wondering what to watch. Most of the time he will choose to watch something that makes him laugh or cry or rage (the rage part is for all you Lions fans). But the primary and perhaps only thing that Joe will consider is what makes him happy and what has in the past brought him enjoyment. I am suggesting that Joe consider what would make God pleased and what impact what He chooses will have on his present and his future, regardless of what past decisions he has made.
Please do not misunderstand - I am not suggesting that the answer to Joe's decision will be the same every time or that there is something inherently wrong with a decision to relax and watch TV. God wants us to enjoy this abundant life we have in Christ and enjoy our limited time here on earth. I am suggesting that Joe use a different set of criteria to determine what he is doing and what he should watch. And TV is only one area where this becomes an issue. We should consider these things in our financial decisions, our family decisions, our occupational decisions, etc. If we are to be a living sacrifice as Romans 12 calls us to do, then perhaps we need to consider that we should make God primary and consider each decision under a different set of criteria. For me, the criteria of considering God and others before self is difficult enough to last me a lifetime of growth!
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