Simply Christian – The Heart of the Matter

This week has been an especially interesting one for me. I have learned again that the Christian life is easier to understand in theory than it is to live day by day. The reason this is so “interesting” to me is that I really do want to apply a simply Christian life-style to my daily living.

So, what is the element that makes the most difference when it comes to translating the desire to live simply Christian and the ability to bring that desire to life? Is it more time in prayer? Is it more time studying God’s word? Is it more time spent in service to others? While all these things are very important to Christian growth, I think that they are more symptomatic than they are the real systemic issue.

God’s word says, “… for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34)  While in Proverbs 4:23 God says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. So, I think that the condition of the heart is really the systemic issue that affects the whole of the life of both the believer and non-believer alike.

Simple Christianity requires that our hearts by the captive domain of God the Spirit. He is the one given every believer to draw us into close fellowship with God the Father. Only when we understand this transformation of our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to act as our moment by moment guide in this life will we really understand the life and peace God has prepared for us!

As I said earlier, this knowledge has to go beyond theory to application. I must yield to the truth of God’s word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit before anything I know about God will change me from the inside out! This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where we pass or we fail. This is where God is God or something else is. This is where we as believers become empowered to change our world.

As you consider the days ahead, and feel the tug of God’s Spirit to live simply Christian, ask yourself this all important question: “Who has control of my heart?” It is only in the answer to this question that your desire can truly be met!

 

Simply Christian

Well, it is the second day of a new decade and life seems to be unfolding in an unusual way already. As I have prayed and asked God for guidance over the past three months, one thought has dominated my thinking. That thought is that I need to live this year, and every year from here on, simply Christian.

I think that too many people spend too much time trying to “do all the right things” and too little time being simply Christian. I am not sure where this thought will take me, but I have seen already an incredible change in me. Things I used to worry about, things I used to strive for, things I used to consider important have little place in my heart these days.

What God has shown me is that after all these years of being a Christian (over 33 years now) that I need to simplify and get back to the basics of my faith and my relationship with him. He is the one who should have first place. God, the Spirit, should be the sole guide and all I do should simply reflect him.

This has effected the way I think about family, church, money, business, and others. My prayer is that through this year I can understand simplicity in a way that I have never known it. I want to be the light God called me to be and I cannot do that if I am always blinded by a world full of godless noise.

Simplicity will keep me focused on God and the things he feels are important. I will be able to hear him clearly if the other noise stays outside my heart and thoughts. So, I am heading back to simplicity. It is where I think all believers belong and where I am praying for the strength to lead many.

May our God bless your new year and may you look to him in simple faith and let him lead you where he wants you to go!

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone. 2010 is going to be an exciting year. See you then!

 

Getting in the Fight

I have been amazed over the past few weeks by all the controversy over the policies of our new president. I am not going to argue the pros or cons of this policy here. What has amazed me is that there has been lots of “noise” produced by both sides, yet there has been no attempt to SOLVE any problems. There has just been angry shouts about how bad the other guy is!

The problem as I see it remains that when all the shouting dies down and all the smoke clears, the problems will remain virtually unchanged. New people in charge, but the same old corruption. Power redistributed to some but the people remain in “chains” to elitism and demagoguery. No meeting of the minds, no real and lasting solutions, just another set of “shouting points.”

As we approach a new year, we Christians should seek from God the strength, courage, and access into the fight. Not to be just another “shouter” lifting your voice to denigrate the “other side” but a voice of wisdom, a voice of understanding, the voice of a peace maker, looking for real answers and moving people to act for the benefit of the whole.

It is time for fresh, thoughtful, voices whose concern and character outshine the bravado and child-like behavior that dominates the world today. From politics to media, to entertainment, to sports, its time sensible people with Christ-like lives got into the fight. Jesus prayed to the Father just before his crucifixion and said, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15)

Every avenue of our world and culture should be filled with Christ-like believers living their lives simply as led by the Spirit of God. Only when we take up the banner and forget “what’s in it for us” will this world understand what God is giving!

As I enter “Christmas week” this year, I am again awed by the gift of God, but am also asking God this year for a place in the fight. That will be the greatest Christmas present I receive this year!

Merry Christmas to all!

 

Astonished by Him

I have been preaching a series of messages this month on the great missions passage in John 20, where Jesus sends the disciples out into the world, as he was sent of his Father.

While considering how Jesus was sent, I was struck by the fact that Jesus was sent out in such a way that he astonished the people. He astonished them with his words, with his works, and with his compassionate vision for even the vilest of sinners.

As I studied to preach this thought to the church I pastor, I wondered to myself, “what do I do that is astonishing to my world?” Not only did the question strike me, it scored a “one punch knock-out.” The conclusion I was drawn to was that most of us who name the name of Christ, especially in this country (US) don’t really do anything astonishing with our faith. As a result our churches are most often less than astonishing and in the end we don’t really act on our sending “as the Father sent the Son.”

After getting up from the floor, I have committed myself to finding a way to lead an astonishing church. One that should Jesus find himself in my town on a Sunday, he would choose to fellowship with us. I believe God deserves to have churches like that and I believe his Spirit has the power to bring them to the surface. All that is missing are churches filled with willing people.

America is ripe for a third great awakening. The window of opportunity has fallen to us. The “promised land” lies before us, ready to be conquered. The only question left is will we trust God to provide the victory or will we, like the old song says, “take another lap around mount Sinai.”

Just a thought ….

 

The Key to Life

Before I give you “The Answer to Life” let me state at the outset that I am unquestionably, and undeniably a born again Christian. I have no other point of view and I have no other reason to walk the paths of this glorious planet. Yet, I am not now, nor will I at anytime on this plane of existence be perfect or without sin. All one must do to know this is to follow me around for a while and see the struggles of my days. The look like everyone else’s struggles and I fall to the temptations of sin just like all those around me. The only difference, and my only hope, is Christ. So …. from the beginning of this post please understand my view of my own imperfections.

But, also understand that my imperfections in no way make the power of God any less powerful. Because my weakness does not in any way reflect the weakness of God. It is mine alone and in acknowledging that I declare the power of Holy God. When I listen to him and walk in his paths, his power works in me. When, on the other hand, I walk in my strength and declare my own paths, I am seen for the weak and beggarly element that I am.

You see, perspective makes all the difference. Who is God really? What is our obligation to him? Should he really matter in our lives? If so, how much? I am of the opinion that if Jesus came to visit our world today and did a “walk about” looking for real Christianity, he would find very little of it. It seems that every man is declaring that which is right in his own eyes and the whole of biblical Christianity languishes within the pages of an old dusty book.

As I read the pages of that old dusty book this morning I was struck by its simple wisdom. I was inspired by its basic goodness. I was stunned by how few people seem to follow its teachings.

Listen to this, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not to unto thy neighbour, Go and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.” (Remember that the next time you reach for the car horn! Sorry, I digress.)

Do you see it? The key to life is bound up in this simple passage. If you didn’t get it, here it is, the key to life:

Hear God, follow his teachings, live them before the world,

and care for those around you in the love of God.

If you would do that and share it with one new family every year. Your world and indeed our world would be very different in a very short time! All of the rest is just noise designed to keep our minds and hearts off of the key!

Remember “Occam’s Razor” which says basically that the simplest answer is usually the most correct. I doesn’t get more simple than this!

 

Trust in the Lord

Have you ever been overwhelmed by a passage of scripture? You know, so blown away by what you are reading that you cannot get away from the power of its meaning and the direction it is leading you.

I am having such an experience with Psalm 37. So far I have been reading and studying its words for six days and have not gotten past the first four verses. These verses have simply possessed my thinking and I cannot get passed them.

How can you not “fret” over the evildoers, when they seem to be running the show? Corruption in Washington, greed in the business world, and those on the fringe of society all seeming to prosper while “regular people” struggle every day. It seems as if the very fiber of humanity is being ripped from the consciousness of every person today. It seems that the only thing important in our world today are power and money. Yet we are told in Psalm 37 that we (those who are the children of God) are not to fret these evildoers because they will soon be withered. They will soon have run their course. Their life’s run will soon end and only eternity will matter. As I have thought about this, I am reminded of the words of Job when he said,

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

These verses in Psalm 37 (vs. 1-2) lead to an amazing study in the way the believer’s life is supposed to be and look like. I would like to make my study available here. So as God moves me forward in this study I will bring what I learn to this blog. If you want to add your comments, feel free.

At this point, I beleive this: If we are to ever live the life that God has called us to, we must learn the real truth about what it means to “fret not thyselves because of evildoers” and to  ”trust in the Lord and do good;” Only then will our Christ-likeness be truly visible.

Have you ever been overwhelmed by a passage of scripture? You know, so blown away by what you are reading that you cannot get away from the power of its meaning and the direction it is leading you.

I am having such an experience with Psalm 37. So far I have been reading and studying its words for six days and have not gotten past the first four verses. These verses have simply possessed my thinking and I cannot get beyond their importance as to the real meaning of life to the believer.

How can you not “fret” over the evildoers, when they seem to be running the show? Corruption in Washington, greed in the business world, and those on the fringe of society all seeming to prosper while “regular people” struggle every day. It seems as if the very fiber of humanity is being ripped from the consciousness of every person today. It seems that the only thing important in our world today are power and money. Yet we are told in Psalm 37 that we (those who are the children of God) are not to fret these evildoers because they will soon be withered. They will soon have run their course. Their life’s run will soon end and only eternity will matter.

These verses in Psalm 37 (vs. 1-2) lead to an amazing study in the way the believer’s life is supposed to be and look like. I would like to make my study available here. So as God moves me forward in this study I will bring what I learn to this blog. If you want to add your comments, feel free.

At this point, I believe this: If we are to ever live the life that God has called us to, we must learn the real truth about what it means to “fret not thyself because of evildoers” and to  ”trust in the Lord and do good;” Only then will our Christ-likeness be truly visible.

 

Till We All Get To Heaven

One of the great old hymns of the faith speaks in its chorus of the time “when we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory!” Indeed that will be a great day and one that I personally cannot wait to come to pass. Seeing Jesus and knowing that nothing of the struggles of life will remain can bring a smile to even the most somber Christians face.

But …. since that time is at least somewhere in the future (even if its only minutes/hours) I have a question for us all while we wait:

What in the world are we to do TILL we all get to heaven?

I find a very generic answer in the words of Jesus just prior to his ascension into heaven just ten days before Pentecost. He said to this little church he was leaving behind: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But yea shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:7-8

The reason I say that this is a generic answer is that Jesus does not give this church a lot of details about how they are supposed to achieve this incredible task. (Except that they are to act in the power they receive from the Holy Ghost.)

I personally think that one of the biggest problems in churches today is that most still don’t know specifically what this is supposed to mean to them. Most follow stale old patterns of eras gone by or try to excite the senses with the “latest and greatest” growth model. Many have chosen to adapt biblical Christianity to the culture around them thus watering it down to the point that “connecting” has become our idol of choice.

Do we really think that our churches should remind people of concert halls, comedy clubs, or coffee houses? Does holiness mean that we just don’t drink, smoke, or chew (wait – isn’t that judging)? Has God really given credence to the crude nature of our current culture by allowing us to bring that crudeness into our pulpits? Or are we somehow missing the boat when it comes to what it means to be witnesses till Jesus comes?

Over the next few weeks I am going to try to define our witness, not with programs and plans, but with an understanding of the scriptures. I am not going to attack anyone or try to belittle anyone or their ministry. My goal is to present the clear teaching of the scripture and let the Holy Spirit work on the minds/hearts of his people.

May God bless you as you seek to be a witness till we all get to heaven.

 

Holiness and the Believer

In 1 Peter 1:15 and 16 we are told that God is holy and that we are to be holy as well. The big problem with the whole idea of holiness in the life of the believer is that most of us don’t really know what to do with this verse. After all God never sins, he is never tempted with sin, and his holiness is a natural part of his character.

For the believer, this is simply not the case. We are sinners by birth, by nature, and by choice. Even after we get saved, our battle with the sin of the flesh doesn’t end. (As a matter of fact it often intensifies as Satan seeks to destroy our testimonies!) With such a battle underway many, if not most, Christians just throw their hands up in defeat and settle for “trying the best they know how.”

Here’s the problem with that philosophy: The bible tells us in Romans 7 that in us, that is in our flesh, dwells no good thing. Since no good thing dwells in our flesh, no matter how hard we try, we cannot ever reach in any way a place of holiness. Yet, there are those pesky verses starring at us like the money we could have saved with Geiko.

So what is the answer that can allow us to be holy as God is holy? I was listening to a Pastor friend of mine preaching in a revival at the church I Pastor just this week. As he was preaching on the subject of revival, he had us all turn to 1 Peter 1:15-16. Just before my eyes glazed over he said something different about these verses that finally run the bell for me!

Basically what he said was that God knows that no believer can be holy in the sense of not sinning. Until we are freed from this mortal, sin will always haunt us! But, and this is where it gets good, holiness also means to be consecrated unto God and each of us can choose to be concecreated unto God in the same way God is consecrated to us. Did you get that? All of a sudden the lights started going off and the fireworks exploded. I could be holy as God was holy because I could consecrate myself unto him.

Did that mean I would never sin again? No, but it did mean that my life would not be engulfed by the sinful desire to “live life only for myself.” I would be so consumed with the blessings of my salvation that my life would focus first and always on the God that saved me!

Does that mean that I would never have fun again? No, but it did mean that my “fun” would always be subject to God’s direction for my life and his glory being seen in my life. The bible teaches in Colossians that Christ should have the preeminence in “all things.”

Does that mean that I would be peculiar in the view of those who don’t know Christ? Yes, but that peculiarity is what will make me unique in this world and a powerful testimony of God’s grace. He will be glorified through my life and people will know that there is a God where I am.

It is sad that in Christian circles that so much of what is done displays a life given to the whims of the flesh and not one in which the flesh is brought into submission to the Spirit. Paul admonishes the Galatians who have received the Spirit in salvation to also allow that Spirit to be seen in all the activities of their lives. This submission to the Spirit will consecrate us unto God. Our holiness will demonstrate the reality and power of God to his glory.

Let me know what you think ….

 

Just being me

I have had a struggle going on in my life of late. I have been battling the old idea that I am just not good enough to be used of God in a great way. While I know that in my flesh nothing good dwells I also know that in salvation I am a new creature in Christ Jesus.

It is the understanding of the latter that should cause my life to reflect Christ and my joy to be full. What brings on this struggle? Why is it that I can understand trust, and loyalty, and commitment in my heart and mind, but find it so difficult to live out in my daily life?

Here are a few thoughts that I have come up with concerning these questions:

1. I have not fully “counted as so” the completeness of my death with Christ on the cross. If there is any measure of me that still lives in the bondage of my sinful past, I am bound still even while being free in Christ. A prisoner is not free because the door of his cell is unlocked. He is free when he walks out of the cell never to return again.
2. I have listened to Satan’s voice of accusation rather than to the “still small voice” of the Spirit of God. When Satan has my ear, I see my sinfulness and not my newness of life in Jesus Christ.
3. I have not fully comprehended the nature of salvation. Think about it, God re-created me in Christ Jesus. He gave me all the elements of holiness in the person of the Holy Spirit. If I would accept God’s work (which is perfect and without flaw) and follow in the holy leading of God’s Spirit, my life would reflect him in this world and not the ways of my past sin.

I have used the first person pronoun “I” in this post because I struggle in these ways. However, I am not writing for anyone to say “poor Dave” or seek to “pray with me in my struggles” (although prayer is always appreciated). I am writing to challenge all of God’s people to ask themselves similar questions and then to wait on God for his answers to their prayers.

We have been called to a unique life and one that is supposed to bring comprehension to the light of Christ shinning in the darkness. If we don’t walk in the light and act as children of the light our testimony will fall on deaf ears. Christ deserves the best of us and he gave us that best in salvation. I for one think that it is high time for me to walk in Christ’s best! Don’t you?

Just my thoughts ….