A Lesson from The Other Father Who Had Two Sons

We are all familiar with Jesus’ parable about the man who had two sons: the younger who wasted his inheritance playing and partying before repenting and returning home, and the older son who childishly pouted over his brother’s coming home party.

You can read about another father with two difficult sons in Matthew 21:28-32.  The gist of the story is that the man told both of his sons to go work in the vineyard.  The first son said NO, but later felt bad about that, and went to work as his father requested.  The second son told his father that he would do it, but never did get around to it.  Jesus asked the crowd around Him which son actually DID what the father requested.  Of course, the answer is the first son who initially refused but finally went.

The immediate context of that parable is the failure of the religious establishment of Jesus’ day to do God’s will and the openness to God’s will of the ones those religious people considered vile and sinful.  An overarching principle, however, emerges that challenges us in our relationship with God.  The greatest value arises not from what we say we will do, what we think we should do, or what we want to do, but from what we actually DO.

So, let me ask you.  Not what are you saying about it or planning to do about it, but what are you actually DOING about your walk with God?  Are you reading you Bible?  Are you praying? Are your serving God? Are you exercising an increasing amount of faith?

What has God told you to do that now is the time to stop thinking about it, praying about it, and considering it, but to start DOING it?  Live intentionally. Start yesterday.

3 Non-Black-Eyed P’s to Start 2014

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…  Ecclesiastes 9:10a

As 2014 begins, you may have already made some New Year’s resolutions.  You may even have already broken some New Year’s resolutions. In the scripture above, I find three challenges for the coming year.

Be proactive.  The verse suggests that our “hands” can find something to do.  Too many times we sit back and wait for things to get better, or wait for opportunities to present themselves.  Choose a course of action and will to follow it.  Do not be distracted or derailed by unfavorable circumstances.  In Matthew 7:7, Jesus said we are to ask, but then we are to seek and knock.  Quit waiting for God or for others to do what is yours to do.

Be purposeful.  The verse encourages us that when our hand finds something to do, simply to DO IT. Life is best lived intentionally.  Thomas Edison famously said, “Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.”  We can often “overcook” opportunities by not seizing them when they arise.  In 2014 – less talking…more doing.  Like the Nike slogan says, “just DO it.”

Finally, be passionate.  The verse above says that we should do these things with “all of our might.” Life too easily slips into a comfortable routine. “Routine” is “rut” with four extra letters.  We go through the motions most days of our lives lacking passion and zeal.  Andrew Carnegie said, “The average person puts only 25% of his energy and ability into his work.”  Romans 12:11 challenges us: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”   May God give us a strong aversion to the mundane, mediocre, and milquetoast. 

Three questions for reflection, answer them with specifics:

  1. What needs to change in my life?
  2. How do they need to change?
  3. What am I going to do foster those changes?

What Does Your “Big Picture” Look Like?

3 Comments

Successful organizations and teams master the art of keeping the big picture in view.  What about you, as an individual, do you have a big picture for your life?

Without a sense of purpose, our lives are a series of loosely connected daily events and circumstances.  Without a big picture for our lives, we become a slave to the immediate or urgent.  The big picture helps us avoid decisions that drain our energy and waste our time, and make sound decisions based on purpose rather than immediacy.   God created each of us with a purpose in mind (Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 139:16), and we would do well to live our lives ON PURPOSE as well.

Today, I encourage you to work prayerfully on your GPA.  Take some time to think about the following areas, search Scripture, ask God for insight and wisdom.

GOALS.  Over the next few months, how do you desire to please God spiritually, in your family, on your job, with your health, and other areas God may point out to you?  What is the BIG PICTURE for your life?

PRIORITIES.  Given the goals you have set, what facets of your life need the most attention?  Where do you need to focus your attention and energy?  Does the way you invest your attention, time, and resources reflect the goals you have set?  Do you need to re-appropriate values in your life?

ACTIONS.  How are you going to align your daily activities to reflect God’s priorities for you?  What changes will you make to get control of your life so that you can offer it back to God as a gift of worship?

Once you’ve spent some time pondering, write a purpose statement for your life.  Share it with some people who will help you be accountable to what God has shown you, and begin setting priorities and making decisions that accomplish the BIG PICTURE.

Comments are open.  Thoughts?  Ideas?

Joseph Did You Know?

We can only speculate precisely what was going through Joseph’s mind when he heard the news that his fiancé Mary was pregnant.

      • How could this happen?
      • What will people say?
      • What should I do?
      • I love her so much, why did she do this?

He came to a very compassionate decision .

And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:19

He wanted to do both the right and compassionate thing, so he decided to absolve the engagement, but to attempt to do so in a way that would cause her the least amount of embarrassment and shame.  He had every right to divorce her publicly, thereby exonerating himself at the expense of her reputation, but he CHOSE not to exercise that right and to handle the matter quietly and discreetly.

We know the rest of the story.  Gabriel appeared to him and explained God’s plan to him.  I am sure even that message was hard to grasp, but it gave him a glimmer of hope and rewarded his willingness to exercise meekness and compassion.

His compassionate treatment of Mary leads me to a further thought, however.  What would have become of Mary in today’s church culture?  Would anyone have believed her story?  I must admit that I would probably find it incredible and would assume she had fabricated the entire tale.

Let’s admit it though, we are quick to judge others aren’t we?  We assume that we KNOW why they are in their circumstances and why they act in what SEEMS to us an unacceptable manner.  But… we DON’T KNOW.

I think one of the most profound lessons I have learned in my life is that we never know what load another person may be carrying.  We may think we know what is going on in their lives, but we don’t.  We don’t know what they are thinking, feeling, or experiencing.  We just don’t.  And we are arrogant to believe that we can stand judgment on them without knowing the facts…KNOWING not HEARING…the FACTS not the GOSSIP.

So this Christmas, let me challenge you as I challenge myself to try and be more compassionate and merciful toward others.  If we KNOW of sin in their lives, then we should address it WITH THEM.  If we truly do not KNOW then we should cut them some slack.

Imagine what Joseph would’ve missed had he given up on Mary.  WOW!  Only heaven knows what we miss when we give up on others too soon.

How to Make Better Decisions – Part 2

So what practical help is available for making better decisions?  Consider this passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:

Ask, and it will be given to you; 
seek, and you will find; 
knock, and it will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7

Jesus provided three clear steps we can follow that open up God’s wisdom for us.

 ASK.  A believer with an active prayer discipline naturally makes better decisions because he is vitally connected to the only true source of wisdom.

 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, 
who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5

We cannot overestimate the value of an ongoing daily time of prayer and connection with God.

SEEK.  

We have a reliable, trustworthy, and authoritative source to lead us in our decision making quest:  God’s Word.  The Bible has every principle we need to form our thinking, attitudes, and perspectives.

All Scripture is breathed out by God 
and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, 
and for training in righteousness, 
that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Regularly read, study, and memorize God’s Word and you will be “complete and equipped for every good work.”

KNOCK.

God does not write instructions on paper and mail them to us, nor does He text us or email us with specific directions.  Once we have prayed and sought God’s direction in His Word, we eventually have to step out in faith to realize the benefit of His wisdom.  

When Joshua led God’s people into the Promised Land, the water did not part until AFTER they stepped into the water.

Wisdom has no shortcuts.  Pray, saturate your life in God’s Word, and move in faith.  You will look back at a track record of much wiser decisions.

How to Make Better Decisions – Part 1

How careful are you to pay attention to the ebb and flow of your life?  Our lives are not a series of unrelated circumstances and coincidences, but a carefully planned path executed by a sovereign God. One of the gravest mistakes we make is to fail to recognize the path of God’s intentional activity in our lives.

When it comes to making decisions, how often do we look back at where we’ve been, see where we are today, and ponder the path that got us there?  Mostly we base our decisions on emotions or ideas that seem logical in the immediate context, failing to recognize the trajectory on which God has set us.

God has given us the ability to seek and to understand what He calls “wisdom.”  Knowledge is gaining data and information (WHAT), understanding is seeing the causes and effects of what we know (HOW), but wisdom is the practical application of what we know and understand (WHY).

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise… – Ephesians 5:15

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5

Why do you do the things you do?  Because it seems right?  Feels right?  Because you want to?  He is a God of order not coincidence. Let me encourage you to view you life as an ongoing story.  God has a plot line along which He is leading your life.  Reflect on how God has worked through you in the past.  Consider the vision God has placed in your heart for the future.  Then ask God to show you how He wants to get you from point A to point B.  THAT is where God’s wisdom comes into play.

More on this in the next blog.

 

A Case for Christian Apologetics

Today, November 22 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  The day was a very dark time in our nation’s history.  Many people still remember where they were when they first heard the tragic news.

The day also marks the 50th anniversary of the death of a major contributor to evangelical Christian thought and living, C.S. Lewis.  Lewis’s writings, including such classics as The Screwtape Letters and The Chronicles of Narnia has challenged and fed Christians for nearly 75 years.  Lewis’ most profound work, however, may be his book titled Mere Christianity, dealing with what we call Christian Apologetics.

Christian apologetics is the reasoned explanation for what we believe about God, His Word, work, and world. It is indeed a discipline sorely lacking in today’s Christian community.  We need to know what we believe, why we believe it, and how to use what we believe.  I am convinced the reason so many believers fall for false teaching is that we do a poor job in grounding ourselves in God’s objective truths.  Peter encourages believers scatter throughout Asia Minor due to persecution:

…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect… – 1 Peter 3:15

Do you know what you believe and why you believe it?  Doctrine, theology, and apologetics are not for the seminary trained or super-spiritual and scholarly. Knowing what we believe and why we believe it is important for two reasons. First, we must be prepared to share truth with a world who is far from it.  Second, we ultimately behave what we believe.  If we do not believe rightly, we will not behave rightly.

Let me suggest a path that will help you gain a fuller understanding of God’s truth.

  1. Read God’s Word.  God’s Word is our infallible and authoritative source for truth.  There are no shortcuts.  Reading books about the Bible is not substitute for the regular intentional reading of God’s Word.
  2. Read the works of Christian Apologists.  Note how they systematically discuss these great truths. I highly recommend Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig.
  3. Read theological works. Systematic Theology books arrange Biblical teaching into major doctrinal headings that give the believer a comprehensive look at what the entire Bible has to teach on various topics.  A Systematic Theology I recommend is Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith by Wayne Grudem.

The study of Christian Apologetics will strengthen your faith, straighten your walk, and supply you with knowledge to defend our faith.

Book Review of Dr. Charles Stanley’s Latest Book

I recently experienced the blessing of reading Dr. Charles Stanley’s latest book Emotions: Confront the Lies, Conquer with Truth.  For years I have studied, taught, and preached about the ongoing battle between what we feel and what we know.  Dr. Stanley draws on a lifetime of personal study and pastoral ministry to provide an invaluable resource for understanding what the Bible teaches about the proper role of emotions in our lives.

Dr. Stanley begins the book with a look at how God has provided all that is necessary for us to triumph over our emotions rather than letting them rule our lives.  He sets forth from the beginning the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ to winning this ongoing battle.  One cannot overcome emotions without trusting God and trusting His Son’s death on the cross for eternal life.

Dr. Stanley deals with five of the most crippling emotions we face – fear, rejection, bitterness, guilt, and despair.  He reminds us that fear is the primary emotion behind the other defeating emotions and shows with each chapter how five basic components help us realize the victory God has provided for us.  

  • Experiencing the new birth
  • Examining the thoughts that dominate our lives
  • Exchanging our thought patterns
  • Exercising the powerful privilege of prayer
  • Expecting healing to begin immediately

One very helpful element of the book was a chart at the conclusion of each chapter that contrasted the enemy’s lie and God’s truth.  A model prayer and questions for reflection followed those charts.  The charts provided a visual framework to help with the practice of exchanging thought patterns.  The questions opened my mind to practical application of the truth in my life.

To paraphrase Dr. Stanley at the close of the last chapter, our proof of success in overcoming our emotions is control them rather than having our feelings dominating us and to employ your understanding of them for the good of others and the glory of God. This book goes a long way to helping us achieve that goal.  I could not recommend a book more highly.  This one is a MUST READ.  Some of my family members can expect to get one for Christmas.

A Birthday Present for Billy Graham

Today, on his 95th birthday, November 7, Billy Graham, the most famous Protestant evangelist of the 20th century, will give what could be his final and most important message to the world. It will be broadcast on a significant number of channels, including major ones such as Fox News, during a four day period of November 7-10. You can find the specific channels and times at http://watchbillygraham.com

The program is approximately 30 minutes long, with Dr. Graham joined by his son, Franklin, as well as musicians LeCrae Moore and Lacey Sturm. We viewed the movie last night (November 6) at our church and I strongly encourage you to find a way to watch it during the next few days. I cannot stress to highly how much you and the people you love NEED to see this movie.

 

 

What to Do When Your QB Gets Hurt…and other life lessons from football

Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Quarterback and Discount Double-Check Salesman – left last night’s game with an injury. Green Bay lost 27-20.

Sunday, the Houston Texans led 21-3 at half-time when their head coach, Gary Kubiak, collapsed while leaving the field.  They lost the game 27-24.

As I thought about the challenges these teams faced, I thought about some challenges my family and I are facing.  What do you do when things don’t go the way you planned?  These football teams can’t decide to wait until they can play under better circumstances. They make adjustments and move forward.

In life, when circumstances seem to mount against us, we can’t just stay in bed and wait for “better times,” we have to adjust and do the best with the circumstances presented us.

At just the right time – as usual – God sent a needed Scripture to me this morning that helps me see how I can continue even with less than desirable circumstances.

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

  • REJOICE in hope – my life is not a random flow of unrelated coincidences.  GOD IS IN CONTROL.  My confidence for today  and all of my tomorrows rests in my Sovereign God who is working His plan for my life.  My game plan may need  adjustments, but HIS cannot be thwarted.
  • Be PATIENT in tribulation – Keep on keeping on, even when the going gets tough.  Don’t quit, shrink back, or make excuses.   Do what you CAN and stop complaining about what you CAN’T.
  • Be CONSTANT in prayer – Stay in touch with the ONE in control of the plan.  He is the one to guide my adjustments.  Acknowledge Him in all my ways and He will make my path straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When circumstances catch you off guard, remember, our all-knowing God knew they were coming all along.  Trust Him and faithfully keep doing the last thing He told you to do until He tells you to do something else.