1 Thessalonians 5:18 11/27/2018*

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

In this age of drama and self-centeredness, as the world falls to the ground in the fetal position when they don’t get their way --- is the church any different?

We Christians have become very good at righteous indignation but seem to have forgotten thankfulness and contentment.  We have drifted away from optimism and appreciation and moved toward being critical and pessimistic.

So, here’s the problem with that – this verse emphatically says it is God’s will that we be thankful…not dramatic…not incensed…not offended…but thankful. - If you asked ten people to describe the church in one word, how many do you suppose would say “thankful”?

We often say we are searching for the “will of God” as we face certain circumstances …this says it is God’s will for you be thankful in “all” circumstances …search is over.

OK, so how do I do that?  When things go opposite of what I want…do I just paste an ignorant smile on my face and say thank you? Am I, as a Christian, supposed to appear unaware of what is happening?... of course not.

Your thankfulness is a byproduct of being informed of the truth not being ignorant of it. You are thankful because you know something the world doesn’t know.

The key is the last three words in the verse… “in Christ Jesus”. These three words change everything.  Because of Christ Jesus and what He did on the cross… you are assured of two truths: 

 1.   He has demonstrated He is powerful enough to deliver you.
2.  He has proven He loves you, and how far he will go to redeem you.

“In Christ Jesus” gives you a concrete reason for thankfulness and confidence in all circumstances.

No matter what you face today, God is not pacing the floor… He has not lost control, and He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

That is a non-negotiable promise, and that is something to be grateful for….

Take a breath…be thankful, it will make people wonder what you know, that they don’t… And when they ask you, be prepared to tell them. It may be that your circumstance will be used to bring one more soul to Heaven.

“If there was ever a secret for unleashing God’s powerful peace in a situation, it’s developing a heart of true thanksgiving.”
 –Lysa Terkeurst

Psalms 73: 2-3 11/20/2018*

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

Even David, a man after God’s own heart, can get distracted by the inequities of life.

Have you ever seen people suffer, and questioned God for allowing it? Have there been times that the wicked appeared to win, and you have wondered why? 

David almost lost his footing from this...  He almost forgot who God was because he didn’t understand what God did… He was consumed with the question of why God allowed what appeared to be injustice.

…. at this point in the blog I am supposed to explain everything with some clever saying our illustration…. but I can’t … because I don’t know why either… and I, like David, can stumble from it.  

This attack from the enemy is not something new, it started back in the garden… the first sin occurred when satan convinced Adam and Eve to question who God is, because they didn’t understand what He did, and we’ve been falling for the same ploy ever since.

I used to believe that when I got to heaven and finally saw the complete picture that I would say “Okay…I get it now God. You were right.” But I don’t believe that anymore… Instead I think it will stand silent … as it will be so apparent that God is perfect that I will be embarrassed that I ever questioned Him. It is a risky practice to call the Supreme God to the bar of human reason. 

So instead of focusing on what I don’t know of God I will focus on what I do know.  I know He loves me… He has proven it time and time again… 

So, I will meditate on that.

Like David at the end of this psalm, when I am confused I will say … “you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?” (Psalm 73:25)

I don’t fully understand the power of the Sun, yet I still bask in its warmth…In the same way, when I don’t understand God’s plan, I will remember He is holding my hand, and I will rest in His amazing grace and love for me… that is a foothold I will never lose.

“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”
- Charles Spurgeon

Isaiah 29:13 11/13/2018*

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.

When is the last time you really spent time in worship?

God sees the heart, and He is not satisfied with a shallow, mechanical relationship with His children.

From the Old to the New Testament - everything God has done, was done so He could have fellowship with us.

It took a detailed plan, massive sacrifice, and loving patience to get us here…and He did it all, so we could be with Him.

Human history is the story of God’s plan to truly love us, by giving us a choice - and then restoring fellowship between a perfect God and His imperfect children when we fell …  this amazing feat is documented from Genesis to Revelation

Yet we cling to “human rules” and go to church to check the box…. during the worship music we think about where we are going to lunch - and drift off during the sermon wondering about our afternoon plans.  During the week we habitually complete our “quiet times” and say a quick prayer before we head out to handle the "important things" of life.

That was not the reason for the Cross. 

God has no desire to be part of your routine. He is not impressed with your church attendance record, or even your journaling…He wants your heart…He bought and paid for it.

The Gospel is about companionship.  It is the story of the massive price tag paid for your relationship with God.

Don’t allow your good habits and routines to interfere with the greatness of a relationship to a Loving Father who longs to spend time with you.

You are His child…go into the Throne Room, crawl into your daddy’s lap and let the King hold you while you rest - and let your heart cherish being with Him.

…. That is, and always has been the plan.

“Treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. His is not a creed, a mere doctrine, but it is He Himself we have.”
-  Dwight L. Moody

Philippians 1: 27 11/6/2018*

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."

I don’t have a fish sticker on my car…. It is not because I am ashamed of the Gospel. It is because I am ashamed of my representation of the gospel when I am behind the wheel.

This verse says to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, but what does that mean? …how can I live worthy of the greatest message ever given to mankind?

We have been told to be perfect as He is perfect … but the entire reason for the Gospel or the “Good News” is that, even though I fail …I have achieved perfection through His holiness.

So, what does it mean to live a life worthy of that message?

It means I honor God’s holiness by never lowering the bar - but humbly forgive myself and others when we miss it.

It means I don’t water down the message, but I extend grace to myself and others when we fail.

I means I call sin, sin and walk in obedience -- not to exalt myself --- but to glorify God and help others. 

The Gospel would not be necessary if I could live flawlessly… but my perfection must be found in the blood of Jesus on the Cross.

So, a life worthy of that message is a life of gratitude and determination to please God…and a heart full of compassion for those not yet delivered from the darkness that once ruled me.

Need a goal today?  Walk in a manner worthy of the news that God has made you perfect.  Walk as a convicted sinner who has been pardoned… and be prepared to offer that same pardon to everyone you meet. 

That is the Gospel…and it changes everything.

“The wisdom of God, devised a way for the love of God, to deliver sinners from the wrath of God, while not compromising the righteousness of God.”
― John Piper