Thanksgiving 2016

This week we celebrate a national holiday.  Most of us have many things to be thankful for this week, including some time off of work.  Chances are someone may even be shopping for your Christmas present this weekend.  Facebook will be loaded with images and comments on what people are grateful for.  And we think of family, food, football and a lot of fun had together during this season. 

May I encourage those of us who are Christians to remember this season that we have far more to be thankful than these earthly blessings.  All of the earthly blessings that we possess can be taken away, and if we are counting on these things for our gratitude, we may find ourselves in a state of discontent at some point down the road.  Instead, when we focus on seeking first the Kingdom of God we receive true unending joy because the rewards we have by following Christ cannot be removed.

You have access to God the Father right now today.   You can go before Him in prayer and even ask Him for things because of the road paved by the blood of Jesus.  You can call Him "Abba" and you can talk to Him as though you were His child because you have become an adopted heir with Christ.  No one can ever take this away from you after you have placed your faith in Christ alone.  What a blessing.

You have the promise that Christ will never leave or forsake you.  God will always be with you no matter what you face.  And, this promise of presence extends to the very love that God has for you.  That love cannot be taken away.  It cannot be lessened.  God loves you in Christ with an everlasting love. 

You have the joy of knowing that death on earth is just the beginning of an eternity of joyous worship of our King.  That no matter what happens to you here, there is waiting for you a place with no pain, no suffering, no sin and the joy of seeing Jesus face to face.  

And I could go on, and on, and on.  But perhaps the thing we should be most thankful for is that God granted us the ability to respond to the gospel by the Spirit of God.  For the faith that we have in Christ.   For the work of Christ on the cross than enables our faith.  May our lives this week and beyond be a testimony of the gratitude that we have for grace.  And may our testimony of thanksgiving draw others toward a relationship with our glorious God.

To God be the Glory.

Philippians 1:27

The Bible does not let our Christianity be something passive.  Too often we think that as long as we have said a prayer and go to church on at least a semi-regular basis we will be good with God.  But the Scriptures have a way of reminding us that being a Christian has a lot to do with how we live. 

Allow me to be clear from the beginning - you cannot save yourself by doing anything.  When you are saved however, it is equally clear that you are saved to do things that will bring honor and glory to God.  Ephesians 2 talks about the grace that destroys our works but states that the purpose of this grace is to create us in Christ for good works.  There is another reminder of our need to live for God in Philippians 1.

"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;"  (Philippians 1:27, NASB)

There are two words that I find interesting in this verse.  The first is conduct.  Our conduct is to be worthy of the gospel of Christ.  This is fascinating because apart from Christ we are not worthy.  But Paul tells us that when Christ does a work in us, our lives our now for Christ (see 1:21).  He goes on to describe some of what this conduct looks like - namely that we would stand firm in one spirit and with one mind strive together for the faith of the gospel.  He then in the beginning of chapter two fleshes this out a bit more.  Conduct worthy of the gospel is unselfish and points to the example of Christ in its humility and service for others.  And in 2:14 Paul reminds us that we are to do all of this without grumbling and complaining.  What a challenge. 

The second word that I am interested in for our purposes is the word "Striving".  Being a Christian can be tough.  It may require hard work.  In fact, it will require hard work.  It is hard work to set aside self and strive together with another group of people for the purpose of the faith of the gospel.  This will mean I will not get my way and I will be ok.  Because my purpose now is to work hard to make sure that the gospel is my priority.   Not myself.  Not my will.  Not my way.  The Gospel. 

I wonder if people see my life if they see that I am working hard for the gospel?  What about you?  Are you working hard for the gospel or are you working for something or someone else?  We are to conduct ourselves and strive together for the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Christianity is a very active endeavor!

Thanksgiving in Election Season

It seems to me that this election more than perhaps others that have gone before feels as though whomever wins the election - the country loses.  I will not tell you who to vote for, and I am not sure there is a "winning" candidate that is in the election this go-round.  I have seen and heard a lot of angst from Christians and wonder if we have lost sight of the truths of Scripture.  If you are wringing your hands this morning, be reminded of Psalm 2.  I will highlight a few of my favorite parts of this text.

It begins with nations in an uproar, trying hard to take a stand against God.  And the response of God to all of the efforts of man to thwart His perfect plan is recorded in verse 4. 

"He who sites in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them."

God sees all that is going on and all of the people fighting against Him.  God knows all of the contra-biblical attitudes that are out there.  He is aware of all of the legislation in the works that goes against morality and ethics.  He knows it all.  And He laughs.  Consider this today:  God takes all of the work of mankind to fight against His truth as one colossal joke.  In verse 5 He reminds us why - all He has to do is speak and it will terrify all who strive against Him. 

After a warning that all those in leadership on earth should tune themselves to Him, He reminds us of another truth we need to hear today. 

"How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!"

If you are relying on the election to give you peace and comfort, if you are going to be upset if your candidate doesn't win, if you think that it is over if the other person gets elected - perhaps you need to place your refuge in God instead of the president.   If you are worried that our economy will tank - put your refuge in God instead of your money.  If you are worried about the anti-God state of our world, place your refuge in the God who is the only one capable of fixing our broken world.  And remind yourself that He fixes this broken world through us - as we share Christ with those who need to hear.  Trump or Clinton will not fix anything- only Christ is capable of healing. 

And in the glorious truth that God is still in control we find thanksgiving.  Even in the midst of a nasty election cycle that ends today!

To God be the Glory!

Insight from our Singing - part 18

We come to the conclusion of our series on the hymnbook I have been reading.  The hymn that I close with is a simple one that many of us are familiar with but have gotten away from singing as often as we perhaps used to.  This is no fault of the hymn, but more a fault of the fact that we have moved away from hymns in general.  As we think about worship it is important to be reminded that content overcomes culture every time.  Or at least it should.  We are to worship in Spirit and Truth, not in the name of cultural sensitivity.  This is also not to say that change or all of the newer songs are bad - it is to say that we perhaps need a different way of evaluating our songs than simply what it "does for me."  Something far more objective is needed - and content provides that objectivity.  We should evaluate songs based solely on their biblical content and the contribution that biblical content makes not only to our Sunday service, but to our weekly worship. 

In this respect, the doxology perhaps stands unique.  So simplistic that a child can learn and sing it.  And yet this simplicity is bounded in the depth of truth as we allow this song to form our day it by the power of the Spirit of God can be used to transform our day.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

A reminder to us that all that we have we have from the hands of our heavenly Father.  A reminder that in Him is no evil, and that He is working for our good.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

A truth that we often forget - we are created and derivative.  He is creator and singular.  We are therefore bound by this distinction to honor his "otherness".  We are below God.  We must never get that mixed up and think ourselves His master.

Praise Him above ye heavenly host.

This reminds us of the world beyond the world that we see.  We get caught up in election cycles and news cycles.  We get bombarded by the reality of living in a sin stained world and we need to be reminded that this world is not our home.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

The deep theology of the trinity.  And perhaps aside from needing to update the word ghost (especially this close to Halloween), a good reminder that the God that we serve is indeed singular, but not alone - he is after all Three in One.  Triune.  Holy.  Praise be to our glorious God.

Amen

This word is perhaps the most critical.  Which is why in my favorite version of the song it is sung seven times.  The word simply means "so be it". It is a statement of agreement with the content of the song.  I agree that God gives me all good things.  I agree that I am to praise Him because He has created me.  I agree that there is something beyond this world to look forward to.  I agree that He is the triune God to be worshiped.  And in this agreement I submit to Him.  I obey Him.  I worship Him.  May all of us hear the words of Scripture be it read or sung and have the courage to say "Amen".

The poetic chaos of life

I recently had the chance to sit in "The Big House" with some friends of mine and watch my favorite Michigan Wolverines play and beat Illinois.  While I was sitting in the stands, it struck me just how poetic football was.  Before each play both teams stand in position ready and waiting for the ball to move.  They are focussed.  They are intent.  They each have a unique goal in mind.  They have a purpose, a mission and they are ready.  Then, at the flick of the wrist of the center, seeming chaos ensues as each player recognizes that there is someone whose sole goal it is to oppose the purpose that they have.  Each defensive lineman whose goal is to get the quarterback or prevent the run or containment, each one is opposed by the offensive line whose goal is to protect, or push.  Each play is like a miniature drama unfolding with either glory or tragedy awaiting the players.

It really is a beautiful thing to watch.  The dramas unfold and there is a  final determination of who is victorious.  And yet, all of it would be so much different without the coaching staff.  From the booth there are people watching, in the background there are stats keepers, there are offensive coordinators, defensive coordinators and the assistant coaches.  But all of them ultimately are led by one man- the head coach.  Without the coach, the chaos would be just chaos.  Imagine if at the movement of the ball 2 of the 4 defensive linemen decided they wanted to be cornerbacks and just ran after the wide receivers.  Or the running back decided he wanted to catch a pass instead of run the ball.  Or even better one of the offensive linemen turns around and tries to take the hand-off and then throw a long bomb to the wide-receiver who decided he wanted to sit this play out.

Chaos.  All held at bay by one man.

When I think about my life sometimes it seems like a football game.  And, when I go my own way and do my own thing, it seems a lot like the chaos I just described.  But, when I am willing to give my life into the hands of someone bigger and smarter than I, someone who can see the whole game better and knows exactly what I need to do.   If I give my life to God, then there is some purpose and mission that I understand.  In an incredible way, becoming a Christian simplifies life as I no longer have to worry about the world around me and the responsibilities of everyone else, I simply have to focus on my purpose - my mission, the goal that God has given me here on earth to bring glory to His name by using the gifts and abilities He has given me.  And in a wonderful plan that He has put together, while there may be temporary pain and sorrow, the end result of me serving Him in this way is inexplicable joy for eternity.  What a blessing!  Praise be to our great God.

Insight from our Singing - part 17

We are nearly coming to the conclusion of this series, which I have enjoyed immensely.  It has been a unique devotional experience to read through a hymnbook and examine the lyrics of both familiar songs and songs that are new to me. 
I came across one of these songs that were new to me just the other day.

No list of sins that I have not done, no list of virtues I pursue,
No list of those I am not like can earn myself a place with you.
O God! Be merciful to me I am a sinner through and through
My only hope of righteousness is not in my but only you.

The song is called "Not in Me".  As I read the words, it struck me how often we as Christians think about ourselves.  Somewhere in our theology we know that we are sinners, but fail to realize how often we try and achieve righteousness on our own.  Think of how this first verse of this song characterizes ways that people tend to think about themselves and their righteousness.

1. We make lists of sins we have not done. 

2. We make lists of all of the good things we try and do.

3. We make a list of those we are not like.

I have never murdered or committed adultery.  I have instead tried to tithe and go to church and be a good person.  And I am not nearly as bad as _______________.  And as we tell ourselves these things we subtly are trying to build a case for our own rightness before God.  And in doing so we forget that we cannot do this by works.  Our salvation was by grace alone, why would our sanctification be any different.  We (on our own) are still drawn to our old patterns of behavior.  Only when we look at ourselves as being united with Christ and find our identity in him can we have any hope of righteousness. 

It is humbling to realize that not a single thing that we do (before or after we have been saved) can earn us favor with God.  Only the work already done for us by Christ has the power to change our position.   It is a good reminder that my righteousness is not in me.  Praise be to Christ for giving me His righteousness! 

Psalm 90

To describe our world as chaotic is an understatement.  Elections are upcoming in which most people I have spoken to believe neither choice is a positive one.  We watch them fight and blame each other for the next month until the day that we elect a president that most people will not want.  In the midst of this at least once a week we hear of another shooting in which race is made an issue.  There are riots and unrest and this is becoming more and more local.  There are natural disasters that destroy homes and lives.  We are addicted to a media cycle of bad news and though we do not want to admit it, we nonetheless wait with baited breath for the next bomb to drop. 

This kind of chaos needs an injection of truth.  Psalm 90 is the vaccine.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were born
Or you gave birth to the earth and the world
Even from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Think of the truth of this psalm.  We too often place our trust and hope in the condition of our country, in the world around us and we are made uncomfortable when this world does not provide the comfort we are looking for.  Perhaps God is calling us back to the true Source of comfort - found only in Himself.

While the mountains shake and tremble (for some figuratively, and some very literally) the psalmist reminds us that before there were mountains at all, God was and was God before the world existed.  God is God, has been God, and will continue to be God. 

And that provides comfort.  And peace.  And hope.  And joy.  And all that our world seemingly seems to be lacking.  We find these things because we focus our attention not on the world that is falling apart around us, but we focus on the God who is holding all things together.  We focus not on the chaos, but on the Creator.  We focus not on sinners, but on their Savior.  And in doing so, in correcting our focus, we find what we have been looking for - the peace that passes understanding.

I pray that you will turn to God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and find peace today!