A Mystery No More

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Colossians 1

Christ in me, the hope of glory! That was a mystery unsolved for thousands of years. How would God send a Savior? Who would it be? How would people know for sure? And how would He save the world?

That mystery began to unravel when Jesus was born. A virgin mother? A nursery in a barn? A manger instead of a crib? A carpenter? Unschooled? A preacher not a soldier? A spiritual kingdom consisting of repentant hearts and not an overthrow of Roman rule?

The clues continued to mount up… and then Jesus died. Not exactly the conquering hero everyone expected.

Jesus died. But He didn’t stay dead. He lives. And He is every bit the conquering hero God expected.

I might not be able to explain to your satisfaction how Christ lives in me, how He defeated Satan in my life and continues to defeat that snake as I grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. It may still be a mystery to you – but it’s a sure fact for me.

Christ IS in me. And my future, if it’s anything like the awesome privilege of having Jesus in my life today, promises to be glorious! Paul called it the hope of glory. Not an “I think so, or I imagine so” kind of hope. This hope is assured, cemented, true and is promised by the One who said:

And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)

Christ in me, the hope of glory! It’s a mystery no more.

Guilty As Charged

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Acts 22-25

They tried so hard to find Paul guilty of something – anything. The only charge they could back up was that he believed Jesus rose from the dead, and he pleaded guilty to that accusation. Everything else they said about Paul were lies.

Yesterday morning, our Youth Pastor spoke about what it means to follow God: Denying self. Picking up the cross.

Following God means living a life like Paul’s, that if someone wanted to condemn us, it would have to be on the basis of our unwavering belief that Jesus is alive. Following God means patterning our lives on the life of Jesus – who was perfect!

Impossible, you say. True.

But following God ought to make us a bit more perfect today than we were yesterday. WIth the help of the Holy Spirit working in us, it’s not only possible but it’s a sign we are truly following God.

I’m not talking about a works-based salvation or a holier-than-thou attitude. I’m talking about having the mind of Christ, loving God and loving our neighbor. I’m talking about crucifying my desires and allowing God to replace them with the gifts of the Spirit and His desires for me.

I pray that all of us who call ourselves followers of God will BE followers of God in such a way that when we are questioned, or accused of believing that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world (which we have accepted for ourselves), when we are put to the test and condemned for being Christians, we will stand together and proclaim:

GUILTY AS CHARGED.

How Do You Know?

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1 Corinthians 11

I’m asking an honest question, the answer to which I do not know. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 gives instructions to men and women concerning worship, prayer, and hair. He clearly says women ought to be wearing hats. It would appear Paul is saying a woman shouldn’t be seen without a hat.

Paul instructs women to never cut their hair, and men to keep their’s short. So why aren’t we doing those things?

We insist women not teach men or be pastors because Paul instructed such. What makes 11:2-16 different? How do you know?

As I think about this, I don’t remember Jesus speaking to the issue of women wearing head coverings. And I can’t think of a time when He addressed the command that women remain silent. Do you know if there is anything in Scripture that explains why we take one of Paul’s commands literally, and it’s permissible to dismiss another?

I know we all have opinions about these things. I have my own. And I’m not promoting burqas or demanding we women stop cutting our hair. I don’t want to get into an argument about the role of women in the church. I just want to know why we treat the issues differently when Paul addressed them both in the same way.

And rather than me spouting my opinion, I need help finding Scripture that backs up what Paul is saying. How do we know, according to Scripture, when to hang our hats (pun intended) on a few verses, and when to ignore them?

I love how God continues to challenge me in my walk with Him. I know He’s doing the same for you. And if we can help each other, according to Scripture, we are living the Church. So let me ask you again,

How do you know?

Crucified

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Galatians 2:20

I used to say Galatians 2:20 was my “life verse.” I think it probably still is, although I’ve come to embrace other verses as well. But I remember sitting in the tiny room in Waco Elementary School where I gave music lessons, and coming across this verse as I read my Bible during my lunch break. It spoke to me that day in a pointed way, and I sat there and memorized it, claiming it as my life verse.

Today I read it and wonder if it is even true in my life.

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? I can’t die for my sins like Jesus did. I’ve heard it said Jesus died on “my” cross. But that cross was His. He was the only one who could hang on that cross. And because He did, I won’t have to hang on mine.

Being crucified with Christ is not the means of salvation. That was Jesus’ job.

I believe Paul was talking about what happens after we accept Jesus’ atoning work on His cross. It’s the dying we do as willingly as He died; the giving up, the surrender of the “me.” Dead men have no rights, no plans, no will of their own. A dead man is dead – not almost dead, or dead in some ways but not others.

Dead.

So I’m wonder if that describes me in my relationship with my Savior. Is the life I now live lived by faith in the One who loved me enough to die in my place? Is my walk with Him surrendered to His will? Is He my co-pilot… or the ship?

If 2:20 is my life verse (and I think I might claim it once again), then I have some soul-searching and changing to do.

God, help me truly and finally die to Connie, and allow only You to fill me, raise me up, and live through me.

Crucify the “me,” Lord.

Wisdom. Is it a thing any more?

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James 3:17-18

If you want to know true wisdom, you have to stop talking. Listen. Think. Don’t just accept the loudest voices or the popular opinion of the day. James gives us eight things to consider when seeking wisdom.

  1. Is it pure? I know purity is a laughable concept these days. But that’s not wise. Is what you are considering without a hidden agenda? Can you find the absence of evil, either morally or with intention to do harm? Wisdom from above – true wisdom, is pure.
  2. Is it peaceable? Sometimes I look at the faces of those spouting “wisdom” and I see anything but peace. I don’t hear peace, but violence and retribution. We see the result in looting, destruction, bodily harm toward those who challenge this so-called wisdom. We’ve even heard government officials encourage rioting and chaos. Wisdom from above – true wisdom, is peaceable.
  3. Is it gentle? I was watching a You Tube video by a woman speaking on the issue of abortion, and when life begins. She was giving a medical description of what happens when egg meets sperm. Her voice was matter of fact, gentle, even loving, without judgment. Just the facts, Ma’am. Suddenly about a dozen people began shouting over her, interrupting her speech and trying to drown out the sound of her voice. When security came to usher them out, the dissenters began pushing, shoving, hitting and kicking those trying to keep order. Wisdom from above – true wisdom, is gentle.
  4. Is it open to reason? I can’t type those words without shaking my head. Do you need examples of the unreasonableness in our society today? I ask you, is the wisdom proclaimed by our media, government, academia, the progressive church reasonable? You know it’s not. And the deeper problem is, they aren’t interested in hearing the truth. Reason is not a thing for them. Wisdom from above – true wisdom, is open to reason.
  5. Is it merciful? I hear the people claiming to be tolerant, being the most intolerant of anyone who has a different opinion than them. If you disagree, you are cancelled, sometimes violently. If you have something they want, no matter how hard you worked to get it, they feel entitled to simply take it, ransack a store, break into your home, steal your identity. There is no mercy in entitlement. They feel they are owed what you have and will demand it even if you are hurt in the process. No mercy. Oh, they can show mercy all day to those in their own camp. But they will punish without mercy anyone who questions them. Wisdom from above – true wisdom, is merciful.
  6. Is it full of good fruits? Are the results of modern wisdom unifying or divisive? The world’s agenda is to divide. Do you think we are happier as a nation, more effective as the Church the more we accept the wisdom of the world? Are families stronger, people generally happier today? Wisdom from above – true wisdom, produces good fruits.
  7. Is it impartial? If you don’t think our justice system leans to the left, you aren’t paying attention and I honestly question your wisdom. If you don’t think there are rights for some and not for others, you are wrong to think that. Right is right, wrong is wrong, fair is fair, and should look the same for everyone. Wisdom from above – true wisdom, is impartial.
  8. Is it sincere? That’s a hard one because people can sound sincere, and be intentionally deceptive. Sincerity is something that might take some time to discern. Look past what is said and pay attention to what is done. If words and actions don’t agree, there is no sincerity. Wisdom from above – true wisdom, is sincere.

I like James’ list here. As I reread what I’ve written I realize I’ve made it more political than I intended. Yes, there is a false wisdom in that arena. But we need to guard against it in our personal lives, in our Bible reading, in our Sunday School classrooms and Bible studies, in our relationships. James’ list applies to all of it. I think we would all benefit from taking a minute to examine what we are hearing and seeing around us in the day to day, in light of James’ list.

I doubt any of us want to be fools. But fools we are if we attach ourselves to anything other than wisdom from above. Look at verse 18. Here’s what can happen if we are using that godly wisdom:

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Who doesn’t want peace? Only those described in verses 14-16:

But if you have bitter jealousy in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

So, the question I ask in the title is,” Is wisdom a thing any more?” It would seem not. But it needs to be. And it’s up to you and me to accept the wisdom from above for ourselves, to know it, listen to it, live it. If we don’t who will?

Living Our Faith

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Acts 14, James 1-2

James tells us trials and hardships are blessings. They grow us into people who demonstrate their faith in God by what we do. I love how the Bible teaches us through words, and also demonstrates the Truth through the actions of real people.

Like Paul in Acts 14. He was stoned and left for dead because he preached Jesus. He didn’t die. Instead, he got up and walked back into the city where the people who tried to kill him were. He then left that city and continued preaching Jesus in surrounding cities. Then, and this is where I see the truth of James’ words, Paul went back to Antioch so he could preach there again.

His example speaks to what James says. Opposition to the Gospel should not silence us. It should embolden us, make us stronger, more determined to share the Good News to the people who obviously need Him.

If we claim to have faith in God, our actions ought to demonstrate that. Paul didn’t run from opposition. He ran right into its midst – twice! That is faith demonstrated. That is living faith.

Let us live our faith today!

One God

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Acts 12

Herod was killed on the spot. He got up in front of the people and declared himself a god, and promptly found out he was not. God struck him down and he died right then and there.

In today’s society we are encouraged to proclaim that we are gods. “I am capable, worthy, powerful, beautiful, strong, good. I am who I am!” There are even preachers and authors out there making millions of dollars telling us how we can be everything we were meant to be, because we deserve it. It’s unfortunate that God doesn’t take them out like He did Herod. Their punishment won’t be any less final, however. And it will be eternal.

But be warned, dear one. Those of us who believe the lie will be held accountable, too.

DO NOT encourage your children to be strong. Encourage them to be submissive to the One who is strong.

DO NOT teach your children they are powerful. Teach them to trust the One who is all powerful.

DO NOT tell them they are beautiful. Tell them how to be a window so people can see the beauty of God.

Understand that God will not share His godhood. Not with you. Not with the children in your home.

There is one God.

Tender Urgency

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Luke 22; John 13-14

Jesus’ last moments with His disciples before He went to the cross is filled with tender urgency. Like a dad who taught his son how to drive a car gives last minute instructions as the boy leaves to take the test, or a mom who raised her daughter to be a loving, supportive, and godly wife speaks words of encouragement on her wedding day, Jesus wants to be sure his disciples have learned everything He’s taught them. He wants to send them off with one more lesson, one more word of encouragement before they take the next step in their relationship with Him.

What does He tell them? Be a servant. Believe in Me no matter what happens. Love me. Obey what I have taught you. I’m not abandoning you. One day I’ll come back for you.

There are so many intimate words from Jesus to His disciples as they sat around the dinner table in the upper room. This would be their last meal as a family before everything changed. And what Jesus told them was important.

These chapters are pure gold. I hope you read them and hear God’s tender urgency as He speaks to your own heart through the Words of Jesus at the Last Supper.

Entitled?

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Luke 17

We live in an age of entitlement. Employers are finding it hard to find people actually willing to work. If they do work, they believe they are owed a paycheck that equals that of those who have seniority. There are people who refuse to work who want those who have worked hard, saved, invested, and enjoy the fruit of their labor to hand over their earnings to make things “equal.”

Kids who put on a uniform once a week demand equal playing time with the kids who practice all week, train, sweat, and study to improve. And everybody gets a trophy!

Most of us can look at these examples and see the problem. The truth is, entitlement is a big problem in our world. And we know it. At least we recognize it in our world, but do we recognize it in ourselves?

Jesus talked about having the attitude of a servant. A servant knows he is not “entitled” to anything. His lot in life is to do what is required. Period.

Entitlement is a problem in the world, but it is also a problem in the Church. Some people think God owes them. They question God when they don’t get the answer to prayer they expect. They get angry with God when trouble comes, illness or death touches them.

I’ve heard people say So and So “doesn’t deserve that.” I don’t think that’s a judgment God wants us to make. Not if we are His servants.

The truth is a true servant of God will take whatever happens, do whatever is required of them, and thank God for the privilege of serving Him so that He – not the servant – is glorified.

Easy? No! Will we never question, never be disappointed or discouraged? No! But if we remind ourselves that all things work together for good for those of us who love God, and that He is able to do above and beyond what we ask or think, we will realize what a privilege it is to be His servants.

No such thing as an entitled servant! “We are unworthy servants, we have only done what was our duty.” (Vs 10b)

You Are Not The Exception

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Luke 12-14

Is Jesus the only way? Really? People want to believe that, if there aren’t multiple ways to God, a least they themselves will be the exception. In theory, Jesus is the Way, but God is too loving to send a good person like me to hell. Right?

That’s not what Jesus says. Jesus says the way is narrow, the invitation to the banquet comes with restrictions, the landowner demands obedience, even those rich according to their own standards will be held accountable to God’s standards.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter what you think. You aren’t God. It only matters what God says about His design.

Like it or not. Believe it or not. Jesus is the only way…

And you are not the exception.