"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called as one body. And be thankful." Col. 3:15
It's a new year and I have a new word to focus on. GRATITUDE. As I can have a complaining or negative spirit, I think sowing gratefulness or thankfulness is beneficial. It is more than easy to get caught up in the "who has is worse" contest. You know...someone voices something about their life or situation and you have to chime in with your own? We complain about our marriages, children, homes, jobs, finances and on and on. No one wants to be around a Debbie Downer! And if I learned anything from 2016, it was that it all can be gone in a second.
My study on gratitude has taken me to Colossians. Paul uses the word thankful several times in this letter and in several ways. First, he is thankful in prayer, for the Church and their faith and love. The word is a verb, an action. Second, he encourages the Church to abound in thanksgiving. This is a noun. Expressed during worship. Here in Chapter 3, he tells us to BE thankful. It's an adjective. The word is eucharistos and is defined "grateful, agreeable to others." An adjective describes a person, place or thing (thank you elementary school). So...can others DESCRIBE you as thankful? Sadly, most of us would not be.
I find it interesting that Paul, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, put this nugget right after telling us to let the peace of Christ rule or govern our hearts. NOTHING will wreck your peace like a complaining spirit. It breeds fear, anger, greed, and a number of other sins.
For example, we all can take part in the "who's child is the worst" contest. It goes like this..."Today, my kid did such and such." "Really? Well, my kid did such and such AND he/she drives me crazy." "Oh! Well, my kid wouldn't let me sleep." "My kid wouldn't let me go to the bathroom" And it goes on and on. Then, you see your child...this precious PERSON that God gifted you to love and bring up to hopefully someday come to know Him...and you are mad at them! And they haven't even done anything yet! You wound them with your words or actions. See the progression??
For me, it's high time to get off the Compare and Complain Express and get off at Gratitude station. Are my children angels? Um...no. But they deserve my gratitude for their young lives and a mom who speaks well of them. Is my husband perfect? No, but he deserves a cheerleader that is his biggest fan. Is my house the Taj Mahal? No...mostly because it's not a tomb or covered in marble and gold. But it deserves my respect and attention because it's where God has chosen for me to raise this village. Is my job perfect? (insert big pause here) This is where I will be tested the most. Let's be honest...sometimes it's TOO easy to complain about your job. No one wants to be there. But, it's the mission field where God has hand picked people for me to touch, to show work ethic, to be positive around in hopes that I earn the trust to speak God's life into them. I can't do that if I am constantly negative and complaining. PLUS, it's God provision for my family's needs! How can I really complain about that?!
If this seems impossible, to be grateful all the time, IT IS! Without the peace of Christ ruling in your heart. The word peace here is defined as an arbitrator- a thing used to settle a dispute. There is a dispute in us between the flesh and the Spirit. His peace, when in control of us, will help us to choose the way that will make us thankful. The next time the compare/complain contest comes to me, I hope to choose to let peace reign and make a thankful statement instead. I pray that the people I meet will be able to DESCRIBE me that way.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Monday, February 15, 2016
Am I asking too much??
The alarm goes off and it begins....the lists.
Get dressed.
Get the kids ready.
Make lunches.
Go to work.
Meet deadlines and goals.
Work reports.
Drive home.
Make dinner.
Clean up the messes.
Do laundry.
Do dishes.
Go to church.
Read your Bible.
Pray.
Serve others.
Give your tithe.
Sing in the choir.
Serve in the nursery.
Follow commandments.
Love others.
And on and on and on it goes...
You add into that life's drama of families being ripped apart around you, health scares, death and dying, close calls and it can all be a bit much to take! Anybody???? Bueller???
This morning, on a rare Monday off due to a sick child, I got to just sit. Just be. I picked up a prayer card that I was supposed to have done over a week ago. Micah 6:8 is the verse.
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." ESV
Great...another list! Not a great spiritual moment for me.
So, like I always do, I researched the history behind the verse and the context. And lo and behold...the Israelites had the same attitude I did! Check out the rest of the chapter and you'll see what I mean. The first 5 verses are God telling them that he has a bone to pick with them. He's the judge and the defendant is guilty of leaving God, not the other way around (which is the way we like to see it). He'd delivered them from Egypt and THEY walked away from him. In verse 6 and 7, Israel responds from the witness stand in bitterness and resentment. "What do you want from me? Are a thousand offerings good enough? Give you my firstborn? You ask way too much!" (I totally paraphrased that.) And God responds. "Nope, it's actually very simple. Do right by your fellow man. Love mercy and kindness and walk humbly before me." (again my paraphrase)
When my heart is overwhelmed, God simplifies.
When I say God, you ask too much! He says, Really?? Three things, Beth....3.
1. To do justly. To what is RIGHT to other people. Treat them how I'd like to be treated.
2. To love mercy/kindness. I like how David Guzik puts it: "Don't just show mercy, but LOVE to show it." I don't think I ever run to show mercy. Much less LOVE it! Note to self...work on that one.
3. Walk humbly before your God. There is the kicker. Humbleness. Charles Spurgeon said, "When you have found out what you REALLY are, you WILL be humble, for you are nothing to boast of." Walking humbly before Him changes all those lists of things to do because it changes perspective. I am nothing without him...nothing! Spurgeon gave me a new list today:
Walk humbly when you are spiritually strong.
Walk humbly when you have much work to do.
Walk humbly in all your motives.
Walk humbly when studying God's word.
Walk humbly when under trials.
Walk humbly in your devotions.
Walk humbly between you and your brothers in Christ.
Walk humbly when dealing with sinners.
O Lord, I pray that humbleness starts in my heart. That is overflows into my life. That I will fall at your feet, knowing the state I am in is not worthy of any boasting. YOU are any good in me! I pray that I would surrender my lists to you and focus on 3 things. To love others, show mercy and kindness and walk before you. Humbly. I love you, Abba.
Get dressed.
Get the kids ready.
Make lunches.
Go to work.
Meet deadlines and goals.
Work reports.
Drive home.
Make dinner.
Clean up the messes.
Do laundry.
Do dishes.
Go to church.
Read your Bible.
Pray.
Serve others.
Give your tithe.
Sing in the choir.
Serve in the nursery.
Follow commandments.
Love others.
And on and on and on it goes...
You add into that life's drama of families being ripped apart around you, health scares, death and dying, close calls and it can all be a bit much to take! Anybody???? Bueller???
This morning, on a rare Monday off due to a sick child, I got to just sit. Just be. I picked up a prayer card that I was supposed to have done over a week ago. Micah 6:8 is the verse.
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." ESV
Great...another list! Not a great spiritual moment for me.
So, like I always do, I researched the history behind the verse and the context. And lo and behold...the Israelites had the same attitude I did! Check out the rest of the chapter and you'll see what I mean. The first 5 verses are God telling them that he has a bone to pick with them. He's the judge and the defendant is guilty of leaving God, not the other way around (which is the way we like to see it). He'd delivered them from Egypt and THEY walked away from him. In verse 6 and 7, Israel responds from the witness stand in bitterness and resentment. "What do you want from me? Are a thousand offerings good enough? Give you my firstborn? You ask way too much!" (I totally paraphrased that.) And God responds. "Nope, it's actually very simple. Do right by your fellow man. Love mercy and kindness and walk humbly before me." (again my paraphrase)
When my heart is overwhelmed, God simplifies.
When I say God, you ask too much! He says, Really?? Three things, Beth....3.
1. To do justly. To what is RIGHT to other people. Treat them how I'd like to be treated.
2. To love mercy/kindness. I like how David Guzik puts it: "Don't just show mercy, but LOVE to show it." I don't think I ever run to show mercy. Much less LOVE it! Note to self...work on that one.
3. Walk humbly before your God. There is the kicker. Humbleness. Charles Spurgeon said, "When you have found out what you REALLY are, you WILL be humble, for you are nothing to boast of." Walking humbly before Him changes all those lists of things to do because it changes perspective. I am nothing without him...nothing! Spurgeon gave me a new list today:
Walk humbly when you are spiritually strong.
Walk humbly when you have much work to do.
Walk humbly in all your motives.
Walk humbly when studying God's word.
Walk humbly when under trials.
Walk humbly in your devotions.
Walk humbly between you and your brothers in Christ.
Walk humbly when dealing with sinners.
O Lord, I pray that humbleness starts in my heart. That is overflows into my life. That I will fall at your feet, knowing the state I am in is not worthy of any boasting. YOU are any good in me! I pray that I would surrender my lists to you and focus on 3 things. To love others, show mercy and kindness and walk before you. Humbly. I love you, Abba.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
A Year For Consistency
Here we are at the beginning of a new year. 2016!! It's been almost 2000 years since Jesus walked this earth in the flesh. 2000 years of sinful natures taking control. I am in my 36th year of it.
As I began to pray over the word God would have me focus on and study this year, I was overcome with sadness that I didn't focus on obedience last year, like I said I would. I may have obeyed him some of the time but never close to all the time. In fact, I gave up trying round bout Feb. Yes...I'm a sad creature. I'd enjoyed 2014's study on phroneo- to set (see previous blog entries). But 2015 just wasn't a great year. I'm not sad to see it go...good riddance! I am hopeful that this year will hold exciting things. No matter what may come.
As I looked back, God showed me just how inconsistent I was...to Him, to my children, my husband, my health. When God takes you down memory lane, everything else pales in the comparison of His holiness and goodness. All my feeble efforts are garbage. All of my excuses sound stupid to my ears. I wanted to cover my head and weep! And I did a little bit. On Sunday. On stage. There I am just ugly crying in front of everyone. Didn't even care! God and I were truly having a moment.
This world and God's children in particular NEED to feel that conviction of sin more! We don't. We don't weep over our sin and what we are doing to the Father who loves us beyond imagination! We don't have fire falling from heaven or plagues or pestilence like the Israelites did. We just flip God the bird and keep right on living like we want to.
The first verse of the year for me is well known.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness!" Lam. 3:23
Pretty isn't it? Poetic. Pleasing. Tickles the ear and makes ya feel better.
I don't think we truly get the power of that verse until you get the devastation of the verses before it. Jeremiah, a mournful soul, is lamenting (as he is known to do) here over conviction of sin. Jeremiah was called at a young age to deliver the message that God's people were going be taken captive by the Babylonians because God was REALLY unhappy with them. They did what they wanted, when they wanted and with whomever they wanted. Worshiped all manner of gods other than the One who'd called them to himself. Jeremiah wasn't a popular fellow LOL Because of his message, I believe God probably let Jeremiah see and feel the effects of sin. And it changed him.
He talks of "the rod of His wrath" (vs.1), God's hand against him (vs.2), feeling like he was "wasting away" (vs.4) and wandering around in darkness (vs.6). Heavy chains (vs.7) and prayers hitting the ceiling (vs.8). To everyone else, he was an object of mockery (vs. 14), walking around so morose all day.
Ever been there? Feeling so low that food tastes like gravel and even your friends can't help you feel better? As unhealthy as that sounds, I need a good dose of it every now and then. Not so that I can then take on a form of pride that says I'm never gonna get better, I'm worthless, but so I can shout from the rooftops that even though I am such a loser---GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!
God could smite me dead. He has that right. BUT, His lovingkindness or steadfast love never fails. NEVER. NOT ONCE! He, instead of killing me where I stand, looks on me with love and gives me mercy. All.the.time. New every morning.
So, the question I thought to myself was this...
"Why do I test His mercy so much?"
Thankfully, He gives it freely, but why don't I see that as the gift it is and TRY not to sin. Instead of willingly running right to it?! I know I can't do it on my own and I haven't even TRIED to tap into the Holy Spirit. TRIED to lean on him. I've actually tried NOT to! Thus flipping God the bird. UGH....makes me sick!
This year...Consistent is the word.
-Consistently leaning on Him to avoid the trappings of sin
-Consistently spending time in the Word and in prayer
-Consistently putting my children in His face
-Consistently disciplining said children
-Consistently showing love
-Consistently eating better
-Consistently breaking strongholds
And I will proclaim:
"Thank you for your love that never ends. For a new day and new mercies with it. Keep me from walking away from you today. Great is your faithfulness to me, O Lord!"
Thursday, January 1, 2015
The Yellow Brick Road
2015 is here!!
A new year and a new journey await me. It has taken me 3 times of starting this post before I finally got where God wanted me to go with it. For those who are new to my blog, I will recap the past year.
Instead of new year's resolutions (which never get accomplished, you feel defeated, you self loathe...it's a vicious cycle), our Pastor encourages us to focus on ONE word for the year. Study it, read about it, live it out, let it change us. My journey last year was through the word phroneo-to set. Feel free to go back and read that journey...it was life changing in many ways for me.
The Holy Spirit began making me uncomfortable early this time....around about October. 2014 was a year of amazing growth and victories for many of my friends. I absolutely treasure each milestone! Their victory left me hungry for my own. To see changes in MY life and MY household. Kinda like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Anxious, dissatisfied, wanting to run away.
And then God dropped my house right on the yellow brick road to...
OBEDIENCE
I don't mind tellin ya...that word scares me a lot.
I have literally dreaded this day, 1/1/15, where my journey down the road to obedience begins. What will God make me do? or give up? Will I be extremely uncomfortable? Will I look anything like Beth when he's done with me? Will I be remotely able to do what he asks?
Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!
And just this morning, as I climbed out bed and sought refuge in God's presence, he gave me this analogy using a beloved old movie. Who doesn't love the Wizard of Oz??
4 Truths on the Road to Obedience:
1. This journey will not be lonely.
Dorothy was never alone on her journey to Oz. She had companions that taught her wisdom, love and courage. She had fun times, scary times, times of doubt and worry, but she had others to encourage her and help her make it to the end.
I am blessed to have amazing, inspiring friends and family to start this journey with and I expect that I will meet new ones on the way. My rock and steadfast is Jesus...my Toto. Always with me, even before the journey began. The one I cling to and HAVE to have near me. I may be alone at times on the road, but I'll never be lonely.
2. This journey brings an enemy.
Just as Dorothy had the wicked witch to contend with, I too have an enemy that lurks in the shadows just waiting for a time to "get you, my pretty". He most certainly doesn't want me to make it to the end because God will be glorified. I need to always be alert and ready for him.
3. This journey has a destination.
Oz was Dorothy's....mine is simple obedience. To do what he asks, when he asks it. I've played around with obedience my whole life, but never truly surrendered to it. I want to be a more effective parent, loving wife and able friend and mentor. Will I accomplish this in one year? Probably not, but I'll get a great start! At the end of it...I actually have a God who IS the great and powerful! Not some guy hiding behind the curtain.
4. This journey will change me.
Will I still look like Beth when he's done with me?
When Dorothy finally makes it to Oz, they bathe and beautify, primp and poke, snip and curl. The end result isn't a new Dorothy....just the same Dorothy cleaned up. I am positive God will change me over this year. My hope is the end result will be a more beautiful offering to him. I only have myself to give. I want BADLY to please the one who bought me with his life!
I am excited and nervous, but peaceful as well. This will be a wild ride! I hope you'll help me on my yellow brick road.
We're off to see the Wizard!
A new year and a new journey await me. It has taken me 3 times of starting this post before I finally got where God wanted me to go with it. For those who are new to my blog, I will recap the past year.
Instead of new year's resolutions (which never get accomplished, you feel defeated, you self loathe...it's a vicious cycle), our Pastor encourages us to focus on ONE word for the year. Study it, read about it, live it out, let it change us. My journey last year was through the word phroneo-to set. Feel free to go back and read that journey...it was life changing in many ways for me.
The Holy Spirit began making me uncomfortable early this time....around about October. 2014 was a year of amazing growth and victories for many of my friends. I absolutely treasure each milestone! Their victory left me hungry for my own. To see changes in MY life and MY household. Kinda like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Anxious, dissatisfied, wanting to run away.
And then God dropped my house right on the yellow brick road to...
OBEDIENCE
I don't mind tellin ya...that word scares me a lot.
I have literally dreaded this day, 1/1/15, where my journey down the road to obedience begins. What will God make me do? or give up? Will I be extremely uncomfortable? Will I look anything like Beth when he's done with me? Will I be remotely able to do what he asks?
Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!
And just this morning, as I climbed out bed and sought refuge in God's presence, he gave me this analogy using a beloved old movie. Who doesn't love the Wizard of Oz??
4 Truths on the Road to Obedience:
1. This journey will not be lonely.
Dorothy was never alone on her journey to Oz. She had companions that taught her wisdom, love and courage. She had fun times, scary times, times of doubt and worry, but she had others to encourage her and help her make it to the end.
I am blessed to have amazing, inspiring friends and family to start this journey with and I expect that I will meet new ones on the way. My rock and steadfast is Jesus...my Toto. Always with me, even before the journey began. The one I cling to and HAVE to have near me. I may be alone at times on the road, but I'll never be lonely.
2. This journey brings an enemy.
Just as Dorothy had the wicked witch to contend with, I too have an enemy that lurks in the shadows just waiting for a time to "get you, my pretty". He most certainly doesn't want me to make it to the end because God will be glorified. I need to always be alert and ready for him.
3. This journey has a destination.
Oz was Dorothy's....mine is simple obedience. To do what he asks, when he asks it. I've played around with obedience my whole life, but never truly surrendered to it. I want to be a more effective parent, loving wife and able friend and mentor. Will I accomplish this in one year? Probably not, but I'll get a great start! At the end of it...I actually have a God who IS the great and powerful! Not some guy hiding behind the curtain.
4. This journey will change me.
Will I still look like Beth when he's done with me?
When Dorothy finally makes it to Oz, they bathe and beautify, primp and poke, snip and curl. The end result isn't a new Dorothy....just the same Dorothy cleaned up. I am positive God will change me over this year. My hope is the end result will be a more beautiful offering to him. I only have myself to give. I want BADLY to please the one who bought me with his life!
I am excited and nervous, but peaceful as well. This will be a wild ride! I hope you'll help me on my yellow brick road.
We're off to see the Wizard!
Monday, July 21, 2014
The Pattern
"whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." Phil 3:19
Have you ever tried to sew something? A dress? Curtains? A pillow? Button, maybe??
My Grandmother Pacholski sewed all kinds of things for me growing up...dresses, shorts, pants. I used to love going into her sewing room. There was an abundance of fabric, a dress form that was molded to my size, thread, machines and patterns.
Any good seamstress knows you can't make anything without a pattern. You can try, but just ask Denise on the Cosby Show how that turns out. The sleeves end up too long and the button holes don't match up!
The same is true of our lives. If we try to live life without a pattern to go by, we'll end up jacked up and useless!
Paul speaks to this in our passage today. In Phil. 3:17, he encourages believers to follow is example and to pattern our lives after those who walk worthy.
I have some incredible people in my life that I can duplicate their pattern. Women who poured truth into me, even when it hurt. Women who championed for me in prayer. Women who taught me how to love Jesus and a family. I've watched them grieve, yet not without hope. They stay true to their convictions. Always at the feet of Jesus, wanting more of him. These are my "Paul patterns."
My hope is that I too can produce a pattern some would want to follow. That my children and those I am blessed to mentor in the faith would see Jesus in me and want more of him. That I would not hesitate to speak the truth in love. That I would tirelessly pray for them. That they would see me running a race, valuing Jesus as a priceless treasure, dependent upon him. I never, never, never want to be described as an "enemy of Christ" (vs. 18) A fake Christian...one who's path is destruction, whose god is sensuality or appetite, who glories in shameful things and whose mindset it the here and now.
Steve Green has a song that depicts my heart (if you don't know who he is...you weren't born in the 80's Baptist church lol)
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Have you ever tried to sew something? A dress? Curtains? A pillow? Button, maybe??
My Grandmother Pacholski sewed all kinds of things for me growing up...dresses, shorts, pants. I used to love going into her sewing room. There was an abundance of fabric, a dress form that was molded to my size, thread, machines and patterns.
Any good seamstress knows you can't make anything without a pattern. You can try, but just ask Denise on the Cosby Show how that turns out. The sleeves end up too long and the button holes don't match up!
The same is true of our lives. If we try to live life without a pattern to go by, we'll end up jacked up and useless!
Paul speaks to this in our passage today. In Phil. 3:17, he encourages believers to follow is example and to pattern our lives after those who walk worthy.
I have some incredible people in my life that I can duplicate their pattern. Women who poured truth into me, even when it hurt. Women who championed for me in prayer. Women who taught me how to love Jesus and a family. I've watched them grieve, yet not without hope. They stay true to their convictions. Always at the feet of Jesus, wanting more of him. These are my "Paul patterns."
My hope is that I too can produce a pattern some would want to follow. That my children and those I am blessed to mentor in the faith would see Jesus in me and want more of him. That I would not hesitate to speak the truth in love. That I would tirelessly pray for them. That they would see me running a race, valuing Jesus as a priceless treasure, dependent upon him. I never, never, never want to be described as an "enemy of Christ" (vs. 18) A fake Christian...one who's path is destruction, whose god is sensuality or appetite, who glories in shameful things and whose mindset it the here and now.
Steve Green has a song that depicts my heart (if you don't know who he is...you weren't born in the 80's Baptist church lol)
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Today, think about those people in your life that have shown you a godly pattern. What do they do that points to Him? How do they live? How do they love? Now...imitate it.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Running-The Mark of Maturity
"Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;" Phil 3:15
I am NOT a runner. I don't get the thrill or adrenaline rush a lot of my friends do when they take to the open road, wind rushing past them as they run in cadence with nature all around them, their breathing timed perfectly to their steps.
No...I look like a dying animal, running for it's life, sucking wind and cramping! I hate every minute of it.
The other day, though, while walking the Comet Trail, I became a runner... if but for only a moment. Eli was riding his bike ahead of the group. He eventually got a little too far ahead of us and I couldn't see him any more. When he didn't come into view again soon, maternal instinct kicked in and I took off running to catch up with him. I wasn't thinking of anything but the goal...finding my baby boy. Quitting wasn't an option until I had him safely in my view again.
Today's scripture is Eph 3:1-15 which is Paul's personal testimony on his race to the finish. Our focus verse is vs.15. When I first read it, the word perfect had me puzzled. Nobody's perfect! I will never be perfect this side of Heaven! So of course I looked it up and the same word can be translated as "mature." That's a little easier to swallow.
Paul says that the mature Christian will have the same attitude that He has had. So let's unpack what that attitude/mindset is:
1. Worship God in the Spirit and glorify Jesus (vs. 3)
Paul again is warning us about focusing on legalism. He wants us to firmly grasp the we are saved by what Jesus alone has done for us. Our pride is in Him alone and our lives are for his glory!
2. Put no confidence in the flesh (vs. 3)
A mature mindset says, "It doesn't matter how long I've been a Christian, who my parents are, what my job is, what material things I own, or how frequently I serve." The only thing of value in my life is Jesus. Paul gives his resume in vs 5-6. His pedigree was outstanding! He was the "Jew of Jews" but to him, it was all worthless.
3. Knowing Jesus surpasses everything (vs. 8)
The Amplified version of vs 8 truly explains what KNOWING Jesus is:
"Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),"
The mature mindset says, "Nothing is more important than getting more and more intimately acquainted with Jesus. It is a priceless privilege! He is my treasure and the goal of my life...everything else is garbage."
4. Be found in Him (vs. 9)
The word for found in the Greek is heuriskÅ. One of it's definitions is how I want my life to be described: to be discovered, recognized, detected, to show one's self out, of one's character or state as found out by others (men, God, or both). I want to be discovered as His, recognized as His, detected doing His work. My character is His character.
5. Press on (vs. 12)
Am I mature yet? Gracious NO! Do I quit striving towards the goal of maturity? No, sir! Paul says to keep going, keep reaching toward the purpose. Verse 12 is just awesome to me..."Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." The word for "lay hold of" is katalambanÅ which can also be translated apprehend or comprehend. Christ apprehended me so I can comprehend Him!! How cool is that!!!
To sum it all up, Paul uses the runner's example in vs. 13,14. They train for the race, they leave everything at the starting line, and they don't stop til they reach the finish.
Let me tell you how I know I'm not mature...because all too often I do put confidence in my accomplishments, I don't think Jesus is the ultimate prize and I quit all the time! The encouraging part of this verse is that Paul says if we don't have this mindset, God will reveal it to us (vs.15). And through our weaknesses, He is strong! (2 Cor. 12:9,10)
My prayer today is that I will train to run the race to maturity. That I will desire Jesus above everything else. And that I will press on...and press on...and press on.
I am NOT a runner. I don't get the thrill or adrenaline rush a lot of my friends do when they take to the open road, wind rushing past them as they run in cadence with nature all around them, their breathing timed perfectly to their steps.
No...I look like a dying animal, running for it's life, sucking wind and cramping! I hate every minute of it.
The other day, though, while walking the Comet Trail, I became a runner... if but for only a moment. Eli was riding his bike ahead of the group. He eventually got a little too far ahead of us and I couldn't see him any more. When he didn't come into view again soon, maternal instinct kicked in and I took off running to catch up with him. I wasn't thinking of anything but the goal...finding my baby boy. Quitting wasn't an option until I had him safely in my view again.
Today's scripture is Eph 3:1-15 which is Paul's personal testimony on his race to the finish. Our focus verse is vs.15. When I first read it, the word perfect had me puzzled. Nobody's perfect! I will never be perfect this side of Heaven! So of course I looked it up and the same word can be translated as "mature." That's a little easier to swallow.
Paul says that the mature Christian will have the same attitude that He has had. So let's unpack what that attitude/mindset is:
1. Worship God in the Spirit and glorify Jesus (vs. 3)
Paul again is warning us about focusing on legalism. He wants us to firmly grasp the we are saved by what Jesus alone has done for us. Our pride is in Him alone and our lives are for his glory!
2. Put no confidence in the flesh (vs. 3)
A mature mindset says, "It doesn't matter how long I've been a Christian, who my parents are, what my job is, what material things I own, or how frequently I serve." The only thing of value in my life is Jesus. Paul gives his resume in vs 5-6. His pedigree was outstanding! He was the "Jew of Jews" but to him, it was all worthless.
3. Knowing Jesus surpasses everything (vs. 8)
The Amplified version of vs 8 truly explains what KNOWING Jesus is:
"Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),"
The mature mindset says, "Nothing is more important than getting more and more intimately acquainted with Jesus. It is a priceless privilege! He is my treasure and the goal of my life...everything else is garbage."
4. Be found in Him (vs. 9)
The word for found in the Greek is heuriskÅ. One of it's definitions is how I want my life to be described: to be discovered, recognized, detected, to show one's self out, of one's character or state as found out by others (men, God, or both). I want to be discovered as His, recognized as His, detected doing His work. My character is His character.
5. Press on (vs. 12)
Am I mature yet? Gracious NO! Do I quit striving towards the goal of maturity? No, sir! Paul says to keep going, keep reaching toward the purpose. Verse 12 is just awesome to me..."Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." The word for "lay hold of" is katalambanÅ which can also be translated apprehend or comprehend. Christ apprehended me so I can comprehend Him!! How cool is that!!!
To sum it all up, Paul uses the runner's example in vs. 13,14. They train for the race, they leave everything at the starting line, and they don't stop til they reach the finish.
Let me tell you how I know I'm not mature...because all too often I do put confidence in my accomplishments, I don't think Jesus is the ultimate prize and I quit all the time! The encouraging part of this verse is that Paul says if we don't have this mindset, God will reveal it to us (vs.15). And through our weaknesses, He is strong! (2 Cor. 12:9,10)
My prayer today is that I will train to run the race to maturity. That I will desire Jesus above everything else. And that I will press on...and press on...and press on.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Attitude Adjustment
" Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus," Phil 2:5
Boy, do I need an attitude adjustment every now and then! I can have a rotten one sometimes. In fact, a few weeks ago (when I actually penned this post), it was downright foul. I was selfish and self-centered. Quick to get angry with the people i love the most. I'd really been letting the flesh rule. I don't know why my husband didn't kick me out of the house! Looking back, I make myself sick...every been there? Disgusted by your own attitude? Don't even want to be around yourself? Yep...that's where I was at. Stinkin Devil...trying and succeeding in stealing my joy!
God likes to keep me on a short leash, so he plants me in scripture right where I need it. Where I need to marinate. I needed to marinate in Jesus' attitude.
Phil. 2:5-11 is a beautifully worded account of Jesus' attitude toward his time here on earth. If anyone had a reason to have a bad attitude, it was him!
-He is Lord of creation, God in the flesh
-He gave up HEAVEN and the worship of angels to put on skin to walk among us
-He became a human with all of it's hindrances like sickness, hunger, weariness
-He suffered rejection, loss, betrayal
-People thought he was crazy or demon possessed
-People didn't listen to him
-People begged for his death
-People beat him, spit on him, nailed him to a cross, and watched him die
Most of us would have said to heck with all of em! Let them rot in hell! I'm not doing this anymore!
But, thank you, Jesus, you didn't.
Instead his attitude was to humble himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (vs.8).
There are many things God asks me to be obedient to in my life...death on a physical cross hasn't been one of them. In these seemingly small requests, I have held out obedience because my attitude isn't right. The excuses flow easily, each one stemming from what I am "entitled" to.
Today, we are driven by entitlement. We all "deserve" a good job where we are happy, a nicer car, a comfortable house, money to spend on ourselves, time away, vacations, nice clothes, golf, guns, a new hair do, etc, etc, etc.
Truth is, we "deserve" none of it! Everything we have is a gift from God. Everything. Even what we see as burdensome. That job God has placed you in that is less than desirable. The lack of "me" time due to caring for your family. The house that needs repair. The car that needs tires.
All.gifts.from.God.
Today, instead of looking through the eyes of entitlement, let's look through the eyes of Jesus.
-Let's empty ourselves of what we think we deserve.
-Let's voluntarily give up our freedom to be subject to the Lord's work in our circumstances.
-Let's humbly and obediently accept that where God has us right now is EXACTLY where he wants us. To make us more like him and to reach those around us for Christ. To grow us and use us.
This attitude of submission to the Father's will is not going to come easily or naturally. It is a choice we have to make daily...sometimes hourly. It' hard but so worth the payout.
Boy, do I need an attitude adjustment every now and then! I can have a rotten one sometimes. In fact, a few weeks ago (when I actually penned this post), it was downright foul. I was selfish and self-centered. Quick to get angry with the people i love the most. I'd really been letting the flesh rule. I don't know why my husband didn't kick me out of the house! Looking back, I make myself sick...every been there? Disgusted by your own attitude? Don't even want to be around yourself? Yep...that's where I was at. Stinkin Devil...trying and succeeding in stealing my joy!
God likes to keep me on a short leash, so he plants me in scripture right where I need it. Where I need to marinate. I needed to marinate in Jesus' attitude.
Phil. 2:5-11 is a beautifully worded account of Jesus' attitude toward his time here on earth. If anyone had a reason to have a bad attitude, it was him!
-He is Lord of creation, God in the flesh
-He gave up HEAVEN and the worship of angels to put on skin to walk among us
-He became a human with all of it's hindrances like sickness, hunger, weariness
-He suffered rejection, loss, betrayal
-People thought he was crazy or demon possessed
-People didn't listen to him
-People begged for his death
-People beat him, spit on him, nailed him to a cross, and watched him die
Most of us would have said to heck with all of em! Let them rot in hell! I'm not doing this anymore!
But, thank you, Jesus, you didn't.
Instead his attitude was to humble himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (vs.8).
There are many things God asks me to be obedient to in my life...death on a physical cross hasn't been one of them. In these seemingly small requests, I have held out obedience because my attitude isn't right. The excuses flow easily, each one stemming from what I am "entitled" to.
Today, we are driven by entitlement. We all "deserve" a good job where we are happy, a nicer car, a comfortable house, money to spend on ourselves, time away, vacations, nice clothes, golf, guns, a new hair do, etc, etc, etc.
Truth is, we "deserve" none of it! Everything we have is a gift from God. Everything. Even what we see as burdensome. That job God has placed you in that is less than desirable. The lack of "me" time due to caring for your family. The house that needs repair. The car that needs tires.
All.gifts.from.God.
Today, instead of looking through the eyes of entitlement, let's look through the eyes of Jesus.
-Let's empty ourselves of what we think we deserve.
-Let's voluntarily give up our freedom to be subject to the Lord's work in our circumstances.
-Let's humbly and obediently accept that where God has us right now is EXACTLY where he wants us. To make us more like him and to reach those around us for Christ. To grow us and use us.
This attitude of submission to the Father's will is not going to come easily or naturally. It is a choice we have to make daily...sometimes hourly. It' hard but so worth the payout.
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