Yesterday I made a note with three different verses on it, verses I really need constant reminding of right now. The first one listed is Proverbs 3.5-8, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones." As I wrote yesterday's post my mind kept going to the second verse I added to the list.
As I said yesterday, there is a lot on my heart and mind. I'm a more calm today than I was yesterday, but still a lot up in the air. Definitely need to be trusting God, and not worrying; otherwise I'm going to drive myself crazy. How can we know and show that we trust God? How can we live lives without worry? Philippians 4.6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
"Be anxious for nothing" yeah, that's what I need to listen to right now. Anxiety is not of God, and it has no place in the lives of His children. It's easy as humans to be anxious, but it only comes when we don't trust God. We are anxious when we think that God might not come through for us. We are anxious when we feel we've made too big a mess of things for God to fix. We are anxious when we believe we have to make our own security for the future. Anxiety is the opposite of trust. If trust is giving our problems to God, anxiety is taking them right back. And so we are told to be anxious for nothing.
"But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" I love that it says "but". Don't be anxious, but instead to this. Rather than worry, which only makes things seem worse than they are, we need to talk to God. We need to pray. The word "supplication" has also been translated as "petition" I believe in the NIV, it means "humble prayer." We are to come humble before God, and share what is on our hearts. God wants to hear our requests, it says "let your requests be made known to God." God wants us to pray to Him, He wants us to make requests of Him. Requests, not demands. And our requests are to be made with thanksgiving. This is only possible with humility. We thank God for the chance to come before Him. We thank God for listening to us. We thank God for all that He has done and is going to do. We don't worry, we give it to God.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The result of humble prayer offered with gratitude, is peace. Trust brings healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones, that is what the peace of God does. It goes beyond all worry and reason, and assures us that God has this. It's a reminder that no matter what happens, we always have Christ. Paul says just a few verses in latter that "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (verses 11-13). Contentment in Christ is found in the fact that no matter what we go through, we always have Christ. This is the peace of God.
Trust and healing, prayer and worry free life. Straight paths walked with Christ. This is what comes when we trust in God, and God will do it. The last verse on my list says so.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Showing posts with label Philippians 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippians 4. Show all posts
Friday, August 2, 2013
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Is Jesus Enough?
I don't read many blogs due to time and responsibilities, but one that I do try to read is by a pastor friend. Recently he wrote a post that asked the question "Is Jesus enough?" He was quoting a speaker he had heard, and here is what it said:
Is Jesus enough?
If you never build a large church, is Jesus enough?
If your church fails, is Jesus enough?
If you never get to speak at a conference like this, is Jesus enough?
If no one reads your blog or retweets your tweets, is Jesus enough?
If Jesus isn’t enough, you will always feel unsettled in your soul.
When Jesus isn’t enough, it’s not that you try to replace Jesus. You just try to add on to Jesus.
And then you become performance-driven.
Martin Luther said, “Whatever your heart clings to is your idol.”
Jesus plus anything or anyone leads to emptiness.
We all have to settle this in our hearts, not just once, but over and over again.
I am grateful for this simple question: Is Jesus enough?
I have that copied and on my desk top. It's a question that I've been wrestling with recently. Is Jesus enough? I want the answer to be yes. Some days I can honestly give that yes. But then there are days when I'd sadly have to say "Probably not."
I get frustrated with my current church situation at times. But in those time I need to ask the question, "Is Jesus enough?" And with that comes the reminder that Jesus has called me here, He has placed me here. And honestly it's pretty miraculous to have become a senior pastor at 24. I'm here because God wanted me to be here. Maybe I'm here to get to the point where Jesus is enough. To get to the point where Paul's words in Philippians 4 about contentment in Christ no matter what is the statement I make. Or as Paul said in Philippians 1, rejoicing simply because Christ is proclaimed regardless of motivation.
There is a hymn in the Nazarene hymnal that has the correct answer to this question as it's central theme.
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead
I want to constantly be able to say that I'd rather have Jesus than anything. I want to be able to always be content because I have Christ. I want Jesus to always be enough. I want to be whole an complete in Christ, desireing nothing but more of Him. I want to be fully satisfied with Jesus, and the ability and opportunity to proclaim Him. I want Jesus to be enough, because no matter what happens, I will always have Christ.
Is Jesus enough for you? What in your life do you add to Jesus? The focus of my friend's blog is directed primarily at pastors, but the main question applies to all Christ followers. Is Jesus enough?
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
Is Jesus enough?
If you never build a large church, is Jesus enough?
If your church fails, is Jesus enough?
If you never get to speak at a conference like this, is Jesus enough?
If no one reads your blog or retweets your tweets, is Jesus enough?
If Jesus isn’t enough, you will always feel unsettled in your soul.
When Jesus isn’t enough, it’s not that you try to replace Jesus. You just try to add on to Jesus.
And then you become performance-driven.
Martin Luther said, “Whatever your heart clings to is your idol.”
Jesus plus anything or anyone leads to emptiness.
We all have to settle this in our hearts, not just once, but over and over again.
I am grateful for this simple question: Is Jesus enough?
I have that copied and on my desk top. It's a question that I've been wrestling with recently. Is Jesus enough? I want the answer to be yes. Some days I can honestly give that yes. But then there are days when I'd sadly have to say "Probably not."
I get frustrated with my current church situation at times. But in those time I need to ask the question, "Is Jesus enough?" And with that comes the reminder that Jesus has called me here, He has placed me here. And honestly it's pretty miraculous to have become a senior pastor at 24. I'm here because God wanted me to be here. Maybe I'm here to get to the point where Jesus is enough. To get to the point where Paul's words in Philippians 4 about contentment in Christ no matter what is the statement I make. Or as Paul said in Philippians 1, rejoicing simply because Christ is proclaimed regardless of motivation.
There is a hymn in the Nazarene hymnal that has the correct answer to this question as it's central theme.
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead
I want to constantly be able to say that I'd rather have Jesus than anything. I want to be able to always be content because I have Christ. I want Jesus to always be enough. I want to be whole an complete in Christ, desireing nothing but more of Him. I want to be fully satisfied with Jesus, and the ability and opportunity to proclaim Him. I want Jesus to be enough, because no matter what happens, I will always have Christ.
Is Jesus enough for you? What in your life do you add to Jesus? The focus of my friend's blog is directed primarily at pastors, but the main question applies to all Christ followers. Is Jesus enough?
To God alone be the glory!
Peace be with you
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Philppians 4.11-13
"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
This is a passage I have read so many times over the last few years. I've studied it, preached it, but how do I apply it? Paul is saying that in all things he has Christ. That he is content in all circumstances because he has Christ. In Romans 8 Paul says that nothing can separate him, or us, from the love of God in Christ. No matter what we go through, we will always have the love of Christ, that nothing can separate us from.
Verse 13 is probably the most misquoted verse of Scripture. People use it to mean just about everything but what it really means. The idea Paul is talking about her is enduring anything. Paul says I can endure anything that life brings because Christ is with him, Christ is strengthening him. No matter what life brings there is nothing the Christ cannot and will not carry him through. Because of Christ we can endure, survive, and ultimately victoriously conquer every situation.
My wife has told me many times that I need to learn to be content. Part of my problem is that there is so much I want to do for God, there is so much that I want to do to build the Kingdom and help people. Life is short, I'm already a quarter of a century old, and can't believe that so much time has passed. Many times I feel like I have done nothing that matters. Part of me feels stuck. But then I must remember the different things that my mentor has told me. That God places us in different places for different reasons, and the reason for us being here might not be the reason we think.
But the important thing is realizing that no matter where we are in life is that we always have Christ. Nothing can take Christ away from us, and because of that we can endure every situation we face. Christ is the one who strengthens us, and there is nothing that Christ cannot handle.
Peace be with you
This is a passage I have read so many times over the last few years. I've studied it, preached it, but how do I apply it? Paul is saying that in all things he has Christ. That he is content in all circumstances because he has Christ. In Romans 8 Paul says that nothing can separate him, or us, from the love of God in Christ. No matter what we go through, we will always have the love of Christ, that nothing can separate us from.
Verse 13 is probably the most misquoted verse of Scripture. People use it to mean just about everything but what it really means. The idea Paul is talking about her is enduring anything. Paul says I can endure anything that life brings because Christ is with him, Christ is strengthening him. No matter what life brings there is nothing the Christ cannot and will not carry him through. Because of Christ we can endure, survive, and ultimately victoriously conquer every situation.
My wife has told me many times that I need to learn to be content. Part of my problem is that there is so much I want to do for God, there is so much that I want to do to build the Kingdom and help people. Life is short, I'm already a quarter of a century old, and can't believe that so much time has passed. Many times I feel like I have done nothing that matters. Part of me feels stuck. But then I must remember the different things that my mentor has told me. That God places us in different places for different reasons, and the reason for us being here might not be the reason we think.
But the important thing is realizing that no matter where we are in life is that we always have Christ. Nothing can take Christ away from us, and because of that we can endure every situation we face. Christ is the one who strengthens us, and there is nothing that Christ cannot handle.
Peace be with you
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Kept the Faith
Paul finishes his statement by proclaiming, "I have kept the faith;" a phrase with a few possible meanings. If we hold with the idea of competition seen in the previous two comments, this phrase could mean that Paul has kept the rules. Athletes at the ancient Olympics would have to take an oath before the gods pledging that they had trained for at least ten months and that they would compete fairly. Paul could be saying that he has competed and lived with honor as he competed in the race of life.
The phrase has other meanings though. In the business world it would have meant that the conditions of a contract had been kept. Paul could be using it to say that he had been commissioned to the service of Christ, and that he had lived it out. He had been faithful to his master.
It could also mean that "I have kept my faith." Paul could be saying that his trust, hope, and confidence in Christ had never been shaken. No matter what he had been through he had never lost faith in Christ. He says in Philippians 4, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Paul had faced many trials, but he had never lost faith in Christ. He knew that Christ would sustain and provide for him no matter what he faced.
Honestly, I think Paul has all of these meanings in mind as he writes. All of them are true of his life, and all of them can be true of us as well. Linda, at the end of her life was able to say, "I have kept the faith." Cancer never shook her faith in God. As she got worse and the treatments began to work less and less she never doubted the power and goodness of God. God had been there for her all of her life, and she would not deny Him now.
Linda lived with honor and integrity. She was honest and truthful, a trusted friend and confidant. Linda would fulfill her job, and whatever she did was done perfectly. Linda kept the faith. So can we.
Peace be with you
The phrase has other meanings though. In the business world it would have meant that the conditions of a contract had been kept. Paul could be using it to say that he had been commissioned to the service of Christ, and that he had lived it out. He had been faithful to his master.
It could also mean that "I have kept my faith." Paul could be saying that his trust, hope, and confidence in Christ had never been shaken. No matter what he had been through he had never lost faith in Christ. He says in Philippians 4, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Paul had faced many trials, but he had never lost faith in Christ. He knew that Christ would sustain and provide for him no matter what he faced.
Honestly, I think Paul has all of these meanings in mind as he writes. All of them are true of his life, and all of them can be true of us as well. Linda, at the end of her life was able to say, "I have kept the faith." Cancer never shook her faith in God. As she got worse and the treatments began to work less and less she never doubted the power and goodness of God. God had been there for her all of her life, and she would not deny Him now.
Linda lived with honor and integrity. She was honest and truthful, a trusted friend and confidant. Linda would fulfill her job, and whatever she did was done perfectly. Linda kept the faith. So can we.
Peace be with you
Monday, November 21, 2011
Blessed to be a Blessing
Last night I had a rare opportunity as a Protestant minister to speak at a Catholic church for a community Thanksgiving service. Here I want to share some of the thoughts I gave last night.
As 2011 ends and we prepare to enter 2012 we, in America, must brace ourselves for the barrage of political campaigning that will take place. As in every American campaign there will be a phrase that we hear a lot because it has become politically correct to say, "God bless America." As I look around I can honestly say that God has blessed America. We enjoy many freedoms that other nations don't, as well as one of the highest standards of living anywhere in the world. God has blessed America. The question we need to ask is not how can God bless us more, but how can we be a blessing to others.
In the Bible when God blessed someone the intention was that they in turn would be a blessing to others. Genesis 12.1-3, "Now the LORD said to Abram, 'Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” I will bless you and you shall be a blessing. In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. That is how God works, through people.
We are blessed to be a blessing. The problem is that humans are selfish by nature. Some of our first words are "No!" and "Mine!" It is our tendency to take things that we are given and hoard them for ourselves, that's human nature. But Christian nature is selfless. It is the nature of a Christ follower to be generous and to bless others.
The secret to generosity is contentment. If we learn to be content, we will have no problem with giving things away. Paul tells us the secret of contentment in Philippians 4.11-13, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
The word Paul uses for contentment is autarkeia and the Greco-Roman audience he wrote to would have understood that word as being entirely self-sufficient. There was a philosophy known as Stoicism, and self-sufficiency was their highest goal. They believed that the will of God could not be stopped, and sometimes His will involved loss of possessions or the death of a loved one, both of these caused pain. TO avoid this pain of loss the Stoics tried to remove desire and emotion from their lives, they tried to be dependant upon nothing and no one. But this existence is one without relationships and love, so it ends up being lonely and in some ways just as painful.
Paul says to his audience that he has attained their highest goal; he has become content in all things. The stoics believe that this was a human achievement attained by self-discipline. Paul says to them, it isn't through anything I have done, it is a divine gift. Christ is the one who gives me strength to endure any circumstances I face. Paul knew that the only thing that mattered was Christ, and that nothing would ever be able to separate him from Christ. Because he had Christ and would always have Christ, Paul was content.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, let us reflect on all of the ways we have been blessed. As we gather with family, or remember family who are no longer with us, let us find strength in the presence of Christ that is available to us. As we prepare to celebrate the Christmas season, let us look for ways to be a blessing to others. We have been richly blessed, let us be a blessing to others.
May Thanksgiving be the Ash Wednesday of Advent. May Advent be to Christmas what Lent is to Easter, a time of preparation and reflection, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. His presence is the greatest blessing we have been given. Let us take it and bless others.
Do you know how a life of being content and blessing others ends? Genesis 25.8, "Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people." Abraham was blessed by God and a blessing to others. He died satisfied with life. 2 Timothy 4.7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." Paul was content with the presence of Christ in his life. He knew that he would stand in the very presence of Christ and receive the crown of righteousness.
Their ending can be yours as well. You can die satisfied with life. You can face death with the same words as Paul. Embrace the person of Jesus Christ. We have been greatly blessed, let us be a blessing.
Peace be with you
As 2011 ends and we prepare to enter 2012 we, in America, must brace ourselves for the barrage of political campaigning that will take place. As in every American campaign there will be a phrase that we hear a lot because it has become politically correct to say, "God bless America." As I look around I can honestly say that God has blessed America. We enjoy many freedoms that other nations don't, as well as one of the highest standards of living anywhere in the world. God has blessed America. The question we need to ask is not how can God bless us more, but how can we be a blessing to others.
In the Bible when God blessed someone the intention was that they in turn would be a blessing to others. Genesis 12.1-3, "Now the LORD said to Abram, 'Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” I will bless you and you shall be a blessing. In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. That is how God works, through people.
We are blessed to be a blessing. The problem is that humans are selfish by nature. Some of our first words are "No!" and "Mine!" It is our tendency to take things that we are given and hoard them for ourselves, that's human nature. But Christian nature is selfless. It is the nature of a Christ follower to be generous and to bless others.
The secret to generosity is contentment. If we learn to be content, we will have no problem with giving things away. Paul tells us the secret of contentment in Philippians 4.11-13, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
The word Paul uses for contentment is autarkeia and the Greco-Roman audience he wrote to would have understood that word as being entirely self-sufficient. There was a philosophy known as Stoicism, and self-sufficiency was their highest goal. They believed that the will of God could not be stopped, and sometimes His will involved loss of possessions or the death of a loved one, both of these caused pain. TO avoid this pain of loss the Stoics tried to remove desire and emotion from their lives, they tried to be dependant upon nothing and no one. But this existence is one without relationships and love, so it ends up being lonely and in some ways just as painful.
Paul says to his audience that he has attained their highest goal; he has become content in all things. The stoics believe that this was a human achievement attained by self-discipline. Paul says to them, it isn't through anything I have done, it is a divine gift. Christ is the one who gives me strength to endure any circumstances I face. Paul knew that the only thing that mattered was Christ, and that nothing would ever be able to separate him from Christ. Because he had Christ and would always have Christ, Paul was content.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, let us reflect on all of the ways we have been blessed. As we gather with family, or remember family who are no longer with us, let us find strength in the presence of Christ that is available to us. As we prepare to celebrate the Christmas season, let us look for ways to be a blessing to others. We have been richly blessed, let us be a blessing to others.
May Thanksgiving be the Ash Wednesday of Advent. May Advent be to Christmas what Lent is to Easter, a time of preparation and reflection, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. His presence is the greatest blessing we have been given. Let us take it and bless others.
Do you know how a life of being content and blessing others ends? Genesis 25.8, "Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people." Abraham was blessed by God and a blessing to others. He died satisfied with life. 2 Timothy 4.7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." Paul was content with the presence of Christ in his life. He knew that he would stand in the very presence of Christ and receive the crown of righteousness.
Their ending can be yours as well. You can die satisfied with life. You can face death with the same words as Paul. Embrace the person of Jesus Christ. We have been greatly blessed, let us be a blessing.
Peace be with you
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Part 2: Anxiety
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4.6, the second foothold of the devil is anxiety.
The word used here is merimnate and it means to be anxious or solicitous. Anxious in English is, "full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear, danger, or misfortune; greatly worried; solicitous." Solicitous is a word I had never heard before. it means anxious or concerned.
As I looked at both of these words in the Greek we see that the word functions both as a noun and a verb. As a noun it means "to draw in different directions; distract." As a verb it means, "to be anxious about, to have a distracting care." In this we can begin to see how this is a foothold of the devil.
Anxiety, or worry, leads to distractions. We aren't fully focused when there is something distracting us. When we're worried, or anxious, our attention isn't fully present on what we are doing. English says that this is mental distress because of fear, danger, or misfortune. It is being greatly worried. All of these things are negative, showing that I'm not fully focused on God, that I'm not trusting God.
God says in Philippians 4, "Be anxious for nothing" He says don't worry, don't be anxious, don't be distracted, don't fear anything. Instead of those things focus on Me. Praise me with thanksgiving. Pray to Me, talk with Me. And He gives us a promise when we do those things. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4.7-9.
God says that when we aren't distracted and are focused fully on Him, His peace will guard our hearts and minds. Verse 8 is a list of characteristics that are true of God and only God, our focus is to be on those things, and when we dwell on them, and live them out, the God of peace is with us. When the God of peace is with us, the Peace of God is with us.
This isn't just any peace, it's God's peace. It's peace that passes all comprehension. Comprehension is the capacity of the mind to perceive and understand. It's the power to grasp ideas, the ability to know. God says that His peace is beyond comprehension. It's beyond the power of the human mind to grasp and also to produce. It is peace that is only possible from focusing on God. His peace is so great, so incredible, and so overwhelming, that the only way to receive it is to focus fully on Him. It is peace that doesn't make sense because it comes at times in our lives when there shouldn't be peace. It is the peace that God gives us when we hear the word cancer. It is the peace that God gives us when September 11th happens. It is peace that is unexplainable apart from God.
God says don't focus on anything but Me, because that takes your focus off of Me. If your focus isn't on Me Satan can get into your life. Don't take your focus off of God, because when we do that, even for a second, we drop our guard. 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, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." My mind goes back to the Spartan phalanx, one weak spot in the wall of shields, and the entire thing falls apart. We have a real enemy, the devil, and he is searching for someone to devour, we can not afford a single distraction because he is a hungry lion looking for a straggler to pick off, looking for a weak spot in the phalanx.
God warns us and says "Be anxious for nothing" instead pray. When we pray we are in a conversation with God. If you are actively engages in a conversation with someone you have to be focused on them. In prayer we are to be engaged in a conversation with God, sharing our requests, praising Him and thanking Him, and letting Him talk, letting Him speak to us. When we are focused on God we aren't distracted by anything because we know that God is with us and that He can and will handle any situation that comes. I don't have to worry because I know that as the poem Footprints in the Sand says, "My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
When we are focused on God, trusting God, our anxiety is gone. When I am fully focused on God and I am surrounded by His peace, through the blood of Jesus Christ, guarding my heart and mind, my emotions and my thoughts, I have no distractions, no worry, and Satan has lost this foothold.
Peace be with you
The word used here is merimnate and it means to be anxious or solicitous. Anxious in English is, "full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear, danger, or misfortune; greatly worried; solicitous." Solicitous is a word I had never heard before. it means anxious or concerned.
As I looked at both of these words in the Greek we see that the word functions both as a noun and a verb. As a noun it means "to draw in different directions; distract." As a verb it means, "to be anxious about, to have a distracting care." In this we can begin to see how this is a foothold of the devil.
Anxiety, or worry, leads to distractions. We aren't fully focused when there is something distracting us. When we're worried, or anxious, our attention isn't fully present on what we are doing. English says that this is mental distress because of fear, danger, or misfortune. It is being greatly worried. All of these things are negative, showing that I'm not fully focused on God, that I'm not trusting God.
God says in Philippians 4, "Be anxious for nothing" He says don't worry, don't be anxious, don't be distracted, don't fear anything. Instead of those things focus on Me. Praise me with thanksgiving. Pray to Me, talk with Me. And He gives us a promise when we do those things. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4.7-9.
God says that when we aren't distracted and are focused fully on Him, His peace will guard our hearts and minds. Verse 8 is a list of characteristics that are true of God and only God, our focus is to be on those things, and when we dwell on them, and live them out, the God of peace is with us. When the God of peace is with us, the Peace of God is with us.
This isn't just any peace, it's God's peace. It's peace that passes all comprehension. Comprehension is the capacity of the mind to perceive and understand. It's the power to grasp ideas, the ability to know. God says that His peace is beyond comprehension. It's beyond the power of the human mind to grasp and also to produce. It is peace that is only possible from focusing on God. His peace is so great, so incredible, and so overwhelming, that the only way to receive it is to focus fully on Him. It is peace that doesn't make sense because it comes at times in our lives when there shouldn't be peace. It is the peace that God gives us when we hear the word cancer. It is the peace that God gives us when September 11th happens. It is peace that is unexplainable apart from God.
God says don't focus on anything but Me, because that takes your focus off of Me. If your focus isn't on Me Satan can get into your life. Don't take your focus off of God, because when we do that, even for a second, we drop our guard. 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, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." My mind goes back to the Spartan phalanx, one weak spot in the wall of shields, and the entire thing falls apart. We have a real enemy, the devil, and he is searching for someone to devour, we can not afford a single distraction because he is a hungry lion looking for a straggler to pick off, looking for a weak spot in the phalanx.
God warns us and says "Be anxious for nothing" instead pray. When we pray we are in a conversation with God. If you are actively engages in a conversation with someone you have to be focused on them. In prayer we are to be engaged in a conversation with God, sharing our requests, praising Him and thanking Him, and letting Him talk, letting Him speak to us. When we are focused on God we aren't distracted by anything because we know that God is with us and that He can and will handle any situation that comes. I don't have to worry because I know that as the poem Footprints in the Sand says, "My precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
When we are focused on God, trusting God, our anxiety is gone. When I am fully focused on God and I am surrounded by His peace, through the blood of Jesus Christ, guarding my heart and mind, my emotions and my thoughts, I have no distractions, no worry, and Satan has lost this foothold.
Peace be with you
Monday, August 2, 2010
...Peace...
Joy is followed by Peace. Peace is similar to Joy (chara) in many ways, the word in Greek is eirene (pronounced a[long a]-ray-nay) and translated means "peace, tranquility". When used as a noun it is used to describe harmonious relationships between God and man, man with man, and nation with nation. It also carries the idea of being free from disturbance and having a senses of rest and contentment.
This is what Jesus gives his disciples when He says in John 20.19, "Peace be with you." He is giving them peace and tranquility in the midst of fear and chaos. He is showing them that He is alive and that the relationship between God and man is now fully possible, that there will come a time when all men live in peace together, and that the nations will one day be in harmony.
That is what eirene is, but what does it do?
Philippians 4.4-9
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
As I said in the introductory blog it's "the Fruit of the Spirit is" not "Fruits...are" and this section of Scripture starts with the idea of Joy, "Rejoice in the Lord always" Remember chara is the reason for rejoicing, and we rejoice in the Lord.
It goes on to tell us to be anxious for nothing and to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. When we do this it says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus and that this peace passes all comprehension. This is peace that makes no sense. This is peace of God, peace that God gives. This is being a child curled up in daddy's arms knowing that nothing can hurt you, that you are safe and protected.
It says to be anxious for nothing and rather than focusing on everything that could go wrong Paul gives us a list of things to focus on instead; whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Look at that list again:
True, truth is that which will never let us down.
Honorable, something that is serious and dignified, something with the dignity of holiness upon it.
Right, this carries the idea of being just.
Pure, those who are morally uncontaminated.
Lovely, this is the idea of that which calls forth love, someone whose presence inspires love.
Good Repute, this describes the things which are fit for God to hear
Excellence, these are the high things that should dominate our minds.
Worthy of Praise, who but God is worthy to be praised?
(Taken from William Barclay on Philippians)
In all of these I see God, and it says that if I practice these things that the God of Peace will be with me. If He is the God of peace and He is with me, then His characteristics will also be with me. John 14.27 says, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
Entering into a relationship with Jesus and surrendering to Him focusing my life on Him gives me that peace.
With peace, eirene, I am content with life. I have peace because of joy, chara, my reason to rejoice, my source of joy. My source of joy is love, agape, the unconditional love that God has for me. And all of this comes from God.
Peace, tranquility, harmony, sense of rest and contentment.
Peace be with you
This is what Jesus gives his disciples when He says in John 20.19, "Peace be with you." He is giving them peace and tranquility in the midst of fear and chaos. He is showing them that He is alive and that the relationship between God and man is now fully possible, that there will come a time when all men live in peace together, and that the nations will one day be in harmony.
That is what eirene is, but what does it do?
Philippians 4.4-9
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
As I said in the introductory blog it's "the Fruit of the Spirit is" not "Fruits...are" and this section of Scripture starts with the idea of Joy, "Rejoice in the Lord always" Remember chara is the reason for rejoicing, and we rejoice in the Lord.
It goes on to tell us to be anxious for nothing and to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. When we do this it says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus and that this peace passes all comprehension. This is peace that makes no sense. This is peace of God, peace that God gives. This is being a child curled up in daddy's arms knowing that nothing can hurt you, that you are safe and protected.
It says to be anxious for nothing and rather than focusing on everything that could go wrong Paul gives us a list of things to focus on instead; whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Look at that list again:
True, truth is that which will never let us down.
Honorable, something that is serious and dignified, something with the dignity of holiness upon it.
Right, this carries the idea of being just.
Pure, those who are morally uncontaminated.
Lovely, this is the idea of that which calls forth love, someone whose presence inspires love.
Good Repute, this describes the things which are fit for God to hear
Excellence, these are the high things that should dominate our minds.
Worthy of Praise, who but God is worthy to be praised?
(Taken from William Barclay on Philippians)
In all of these I see God, and it says that if I practice these things that the God of Peace will be with me. If He is the God of peace and He is with me, then His characteristics will also be with me. John 14.27 says, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
Entering into a relationship with Jesus and surrendering to Him focusing my life on Him gives me that peace.
With peace, eirene, I am content with life. I have peace because of joy, chara, my reason to rejoice, my source of joy. My source of joy is love, agape, the unconditional love that God has for me. And all of this comes from God.
Peace, tranquility, harmony, sense of rest and contentment.
Peace be with you
Monday, March 29, 2010
Temporary or Life?
I've heard so many times that happiness and joyfulness are not the same. I agree, happiness is an emotion that comes and goes based on our circumstances and situations. Things make us happy or unhappy. Honestly it's a fickle emotion that is easily swayed by one thing. Joyfulness is different, one of the dictionary defines of joy is, "the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation" but I feel that this isn't enough.
1 Thessalonians 5.16 says, "Rejoice always" another translation says, "Be joyful always." To exist in a state of perpetual happiness is not possible, no one is happy all the time, so joy needs to be more than just happiness.
Philippians 4.4-13 talks about this, it begins very similar to the Thessalonians verse. "Rejoice in the Lord always." and the ending verse is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If you read the verses in between it gives this idea of fully focusing on God, dwelling on him, and in that finding contentment. That is joy, contentment in the moment. Paul says in Philippians 4.11, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." That is joy, contentment with life.
This isn't complacency, it isn't sitting back and just letting life go by complacent with it. I think the way to live life is to be content but restless. To be satisfied with where God has put us, satisfied with what he has given us, but restless to do the best we can in that situation, restless to work with what he has given us as best we can, restless to live life to the fullest no matter where we are. We are called to a life of joy, a life of restless contentment.
I think this idea is true of other things as well. Lets look at fear. The Bible contains the idea of "Fear not" 365 times. It says, in 1 John 4, "There is no fear in love" I think fear is like joy, it is a lifestyle. It's ok to be scared, that is like happiness, a temporary emotion caused by a situation or our circumstances, but being scared is temporary. Fear is being in a constant state of panic of unease. When Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection the first thing he says is "Peace be with you." (John 20.19) It's that idea of fear not.
There will be moments in our lives when we feel scared, things like thunderstorms scare some people, big dogs scare people. Some things are scary, but when that feeling of scared begins to rule your life, when you are controlled by it, that's when it becomes a fear. We weren't made to have our lives ruled by things that scare us, we weren't made to live in a constant state of panic. "There is no fear in love."
Anger is another one. It's ok to be angry, they Bible simply says, "In your anger do not sin." There are things that will make us angry, and there are things that should make us angry. But when that anger consumes us it becomes hate, and that's where it consumes us.
"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." (Ephesians 4.26-27) If we hold on to anger it can consume us, it can grow into hate. Anger is like happiness and being scared, it is a temporary emotion, and it needs to remain that way.
Fear and hate, John Wesley said, "Give me 300 people who fear nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will set this world on fire." The fear of God is not a fear of terror, but a fear out of reverence. It is God who has power and God who we are to be ruled by. But that fear is, again, not a fear out of being terrified by him, but a healthy fear out of reverence for his holiness and power. The only thing we are to hate is the thing contrary to God, the thing opposite God. Evil is the only thing that we are to hate. The rest of creation, including the people who make us the angriest, are made by God.
Finally, concern vs. worry. There are things to be concerned about, situations that need us to be careful and plan for them, to spend time and prepare for them, but to be consumed by the planning, the possibility of everything going wrong, that becomes worry. To live in a constant state of anxiety will ruin your life. You won't be able to have joy if you are constantly anxious about what will go wrong tomorrow. The test you have in school, the assignment at work, yes be concerned, study for it, prepare for it, but don't be consumed by the pressure of failing.
So what will be your life, Hatred, Worry, Fear or Joy?
Peace be with you
1 Thessalonians 5.16 says, "Rejoice always" another translation says, "Be joyful always." To exist in a state of perpetual happiness is not possible, no one is happy all the time, so joy needs to be more than just happiness.
Philippians 4.4-13 talks about this, it begins very similar to the Thessalonians verse. "Rejoice in the Lord always." and the ending verse is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If you read the verses in between it gives this idea of fully focusing on God, dwelling on him, and in that finding contentment. That is joy, contentment in the moment. Paul says in Philippians 4.11, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." That is joy, contentment with life.
This isn't complacency, it isn't sitting back and just letting life go by complacent with it. I think the way to live life is to be content but restless. To be satisfied with where God has put us, satisfied with what he has given us, but restless to do the best we can in that situation, restless to work with what he has given us as best we can, restless to live life to the fullest no matter where we are. We are called to a life of joy, a life of restless contentment.
I think this idea is true of other things as well. Lets look at fear. The Bible contains the idea of "Fear not" 365 times. It says, in 1 John 4, "There is no fear in love" I think fear is like joy, it is a lifestyle. It's ok to be scared, that is like happiness, a temporary emotion caused by a situation or our circumstances, but being scared is temporary. Fear is being in a constant state of panic of unease. When Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection the first thing he says is "Peace be with you." (John 20.19) It's that idea of fear not.
There will be moments in our lives when we feel scared, things like thunderstorms scare some people, big dogs scare people. Some things are scary, but when that feeling of scared begins to rule your life, when you are controlled by it, that's when it becomes a fear. We weren't made to have our lives ruled by things that scare us, we weren't made to live in a constant state of panic. "There is no fear in love."
Anger is another one. It's ok to be angry, they Bible simply says, "In your anger do not sin." There are things that will make us angry, and there are things that should make us angry. But when that anger consumes us it becomes hate, and that's where it consumes us.
"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." (Ephesians 4.26-27) If we hold on to anger it can consume us, it can grow into hate. Anger is like happiness and being scared, it is a temporary emotion, and it needs to remain that way.
Fear and hate, John Wesley said, "Give me 300 people who fear nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will set this world on fire." The fear of God is not a fear of terror, but a fear out of reverence. It is God who has power and God who we are to be ruled by. But that fear is, again, not a fear out of being terrified by him, but a healthy fear out of reverence for his holiness and power. The only thing we are to hate is the thing contrary to God, the thing opposite God. Evil is the only thing that we are to hate. The rest of creation, including the people who make us the angriest, are made by God.
Finally, concern vs. worry. There are things to be concerned about, situations that need us to be careful and plan for them, to spend time and prepare for them, but to be consumed by the planning, the possibility of everything going wrong, that becomes worry. To live in a constant state of anxiety will ruin your life. You won't be able to have joy if you are constantly anxious about what will go wrong tomorrow. The test you have in school, the assignment at work, yes be concerned, study for it, prepare for it, but don't be consumed by the pressure of failing.
So what will be your life, Hatred, Worry, Fear or Joy?
Peace be with you
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