Fool's Gold

The mineral pyrite's metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold because of its superficial resemblance to gold. Pyrite does have many practical uses. However, it is used mostly because it is inexpensive due to its abundance. Goal in contrast is most rare and much more valuable.

In this season leading up to Christmas Day it is easy to settle for fool’s gold. Christmas can be observed as a superficial season of materialism and lascivious celebration. It is certainly fun to receive gifts of new jewelry or the latest technology. Who doesn’t overindulge in making merry with food and drink this time of year?

If this is the sole pursuit, then the holiday falls short of its essence and purpose. It is settling for pyrite when true gold is available. Advent provides four weeks of contemplation and celebration of God incarnate. Christ has come and is coming again. Emmanuel, God with us, is the gold. We have two more Sundays of Advent before Christmas. Let us use these precious opportunities, these holy days, to renew our hope and faith. This holy season gives great opportunity to rekindle our joy and strengthen the peace within.

Do not settle for anything less than God’s best. Join followers of Christ and meet us in the Lord’s house. Sing the songs celebrating Christ’s coming and of his kingdom. Let us bow again before the manger and welcome Christ into our world.

True Riches

What is God’s position towards our money and possessions? Does God want us to be poor or to be rich? Does the Bible address such things? Patriarchs including Abraham, Isaac, David, Solomon and Job were all very wealthy. Yet, Jesus said it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Is material wealth good or bad?

Psalm 112:1–3 declares, “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! ²His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. ³Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” Proverbs 3:9–10 reads, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; ¹⁰then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” So it is possible to be righteous and wealthy.

Ed Douglas in his book Money Marathon-7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom states, “Money is a tool we use in our lives to help us fulfill our purpose. Money is not an end; it is a means to an end. Money will never make a person happy; however, a lack of money can go a long way in making one unhappy.” We need to have a healthy attitude toward money.

Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” In Haggai 2:8 we find, “’The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord of hosts.” If the earth and everything in it belongs to God, then we are simple mangers of the money and assets in our possession.

Jesus told a story as such in Luke 16. In the story it is reported to a rich man that his manager is wasting his money and possessions. The money should have been used to bless others and to glorify the owner. The key to the passage is faithfulness. The money and possessions allotted to us is a matter of trust. Our money is entrusted to us by God and should be used to his glory not for our glory. Without faithfulness we will be torn between two masters. Jesus said that if one cannot handle unrighteous wealth, he then couldn’t be trusted with true riches. If one has not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give his that which is his own? No servant can serve two masters. A person cannot serve God and money.

Money can be used to obtain true wealth. Our money can be used to bless others. The most valuable commodity on earth is people. If our money is used to help people, then our money has been used for its greatest purpose. N. T. Wright said, “As soon as we begin to think of money, or land, or other people, as commodities we might own or exploit, we take a step away from our vocation to be truly human beings, God’s true children, and towards the other master, who is always ready to accept new servants.”

Wealth is not a sin, but it can be a problem. We find a good answer to this problem in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may hold of that with is truly life.”

Peace,

Stan

Filled

What are you full of? Your life is filled with something, some good and some bad. Multiple times throughout Scripture we read that people were "filled with the Holy Spirit." To be filled with Holy Spirit mostly suggests that one is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit does not force control over our lives. We yield our lives to Holy Spirit leadership. To be filled with the Spirit I will have to empty me of me.

A thirty-something man came to see me this week. While he is unsure of his belief in God, he hopes there is God and desires to have the same kind of experience with God that he sees others enjoy. He asked me what it means to "die to self." He did not understand this concept. I explained that dying to self is to decide to follow the way of Christ, the kingdom of heaven, even though contrary to one's own desire or inclination. The most obvious example is that when mistreated by another the way of Christ is to love and to forgive our offender. My natural inclination is to retaliate or wish ill opon the one who has hurt me.

To be filled or controlled by Holy Spirit I empty myself of the need to get even. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 12 exhorts his readers to "lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely." Not everything that takes up space in our lives is sin. Some things are just unnecessary. Our lives can be so full of weight to such the extent that there is no space left in our lives for Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit will guide us away from danger, defeat, etc. He guides us into truth, victory and God's will. Holy Spirit does not always lead us down the easy path. Holy Spirit led Christ into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan according to Luke 4:1.

Why doesn't Holy Spirit lead us more? Perhaps our lives are filled with so much noise that we cannot hear his voice? We don't invite him into our lives and decisions as we ought. My father often said, "The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will not force himself on us." Some times we are not led by Holy Spirit only because we tend to accept only the leadership we desire. Patrick Morley in The Man In the Mirror blames much of our ailment on “cultural Christianity.” Cultural Christianity means to pursue the God we want instead of the God who is. It is a the tendency to be shallow in our understanding of God, wanting him to be more of a gentle grandfather type who spoils us lets us have our own way. It is sensing a need for God, but on our own terms. It wants the God we have underlined in our Bibles without wanting the rest of him too. It is God relative instead of God absolute.

Saint Francis of Assisi said, "I want what God wants, therefore I am merry." Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Peace,

Stan

Dance

What one word best describes the mood of the world today? I know it is unfair to categorize the whole world by one word.  I guess I am searching for the majority opinion. I started with the angst, the feeling of dread or anxiety. This seems too harsh. Disappointed and overwhelmed are close. I have settled on stressed. People today are stressed out. There is great reason for people to be stressed—money worries, rebellious children, unhappy marriage, health problems, terrorists, and no hope for a better future. This is our world.

Counter wise, I muse the word which best describes the mood of the church of Jesus Christ? Many words may describe the current mood of the church. One word should characterize the church—joyful. Acts 2:42–47, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

When trouble comes many people run away, some stand and fight, most simply whimper. We live in a world of whiners today. When trouble comes to Christ followers, we dance! James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, “Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

In Acts 2:42-47 we have a brief description of the first church. They devoted themselves (zealots) to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. These are the pillars of a strong and healthy church. The results of have strong pillars in place are a family of believers, who sense the awesome presence of God in their midst. Wonders and signs are a regular occurrence. The needs of the people are met. The members enjoy a high level of unity, joy and contentment. People outside of the church like what they see inside. So, they come to the church, get saved and become part of the church family.

Have you ever been on the outside of a certain group of people longing to belong? I have. From outward appearances it seems like this group of friends is ideal. They may or may not be. Usually, we don’t get invited into such a group. We are left out. In a healthy church, there is always room for one more. Come join the fun. Come dance with us.

Peace,

SS

Envy

1 Peter 2:1-3 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Envy is the tendency to evaluate one’s own well being comparatively to others; and to perceive self lacking while wishing a perceived rival to be deprived of their good fortune.

One of the greatest temptations known to human beings is to tear down another to lift up self. We know this does not work and is evil. The real trouble with envy is that precious time and resources are wasted on injuring one’s rival, when effort should be focused on improving one’s own destiny. Envy says, “God owes me!” What he’s given to another he could have given to me.vCain killed Abel and  Esau threatened to kill Jacob because of envy. In John 21 Jesus told Peter that he would be martyred. Immediately he asked what would happen with John. Jesus replied, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

James 4:1-2 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? ² You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.

Usually our real trouble is not with others. More often we are dealing with our own insecurity and self hatred. It is projected out onto others. Envy believes that I cannot be happy without your cooperation. You must do what I want before I can be happy. This is a very flawed belief system. Our solution is to ask God—James 4:2-3 You do not have, because you do not ask. ³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Instead of looking to others to make me happy and fulfilled, we should look to God. Ask God. We ask and do not receive, because we ask after our own lusts and desires. True contentment will be found in seeking God's will for our lives.

There are two passages that will help stamp out envy in our lives. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Philippians 2:1-5 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…

Living for God's will and genuinely loving and being interested in the well being of others will destroy the power of envy in our lives.

Peace,

Stan

Clothed with Humility

Many times I have heard "God will humble you." I am not sure that is true. Certainly circumstances have the ability to humble a person. Yet, negative circumstances will not necessarily cause said person to respond in a humble manner. True humility is submission to God and to his ways. To submit is to withdraw and retire from self and to yield to another. Pride is failure to yield to God.

James 4:6-8 reads, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." 1 Peter 5:5-9 also states, "...be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whim he may devour. Resist him."

Being clothed with humility is the responsibility of self. Humility allows for the grace of God, his wisdom, strength, favor and blessing, to operate in my life. Pride blocks the same. Pride brings down; humility exalts. Pride is the devil. It must be resisted.

The walls of pride are high and wide

Can’t see over to the other side

BOB DYLAN, "Cold Irons Bound"

Pride (the 7 deadly sins)

What exactly does the word pridefulness imply

lacking humility although everything in your life

was given to you by the one that you still deny

your lack of faith and trust in God

can you not hear him when he cries

some call it a virtue, but man you must be blind

someday your pride will hurt you

and he will be there when you die

but I bet you he still loves you

and he will show you how to fly

but first you need to let him in

first you need to lose your pride  Jillian Keenan

Peace,
Stan

Royal Priesthood-Worship

In Revelation 1:6 Christ followers are refered to as a kingdom of priests. 1 Peter 2:9 the same are refered to as a royal priesthood. This is unusual language. What does it mean to be the royal priesthood? Royal is pertaining to a king, queen or other sovereign. Priesthood refers to priests collectively. Priests are those who conduct worship and act as a mediators between God and other humans.

Aristotle wrote about telos-purpose. He suggested that for humans to floursish we must live telos. In Genesis we are told that humans are created "in God's image." We were given the vocation of filling the earth and ruling over it. God's way of ruling the earth is through his image-bearing people. I believe this is what the philosophers we searching after. What is our purpose? Our purpose is found in virtuous living. Living for the benefit of others and creation itself is our highest calling as people. Of course, very few humans have ever lived this life. Most, if not all, live for self.

Then, Christ entered the world announcing, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven (God) is at hand." Here we have this kingdom talk again. Christ appeared as the ultimate human. Aristotle would have to admit that Jesus is the fulfillment of telos. Apostle Paul in addressing the crowd at Mars Hill in Athens proclaimed concerning Christ, "In him we live and move and have our existence."  Jesus as a human reflected God into the world and reflected the world back to God. He is the eternal High Priest. Jesus demonstrated for us what is the wise rule over creation.

Christ brought healing, forgiveness, peace, joy and love to humanity. This is bringing God's kingdom into the earth. Christ has commissioned his church, his body with this same assignment. God's way of ruling the world is through his image-bearing himans. In order to do this as intended, we must stay in tune with God. Abuse of this authority does not abolish its proper use. Ruling the world as Christ would necessitates our need for worship. In worship our habitual choices are formed. As we allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives, we demonstrate his fruit to the world-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.

We are a priesthood, priest collectively. There must be a greater emphasis on the collective effort of the church more than our personal Christian express. "The gates of hell will not prevail against the church" after all. We need to think in terms of litergy-an arrangement of public worship formed by a church. As we worship through the prayers, praise, teaching, fellowship, Sacraments and Scripture reading of the church we form a priesthood. Out of this worship we flow out the the wider world-mission.

Peace,
Stan