Glorify and Enjoy God

Saint Augustine said, “Human beings have things they are to use, but they are to enjoy God and neighbor. Being human means knowing what to use and what to enjoy. If we confuse what’s to be used and what’s to be enjoyed is to lose what it means to be human.” The chief question of all people has to do with our existence and purpose. Enjoying God and other people might be a great place to start.

Jesus’ disciples came across a blind man one day. In doing so, they posed a question to Jesus, “Why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sin or his parents’ sins?” Jesus responded, “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” Jesus healed the man of his blindness. This was one demonstration from Jesus of how he cam to bring us a better life.  In fact, in John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

God did not create humans with the purpose of destroying them. Jesus came to restore to humanity God’s intended purpose for us, a rich and satisfying life in unity with God. Creation, after all, is an expression and over-flow of the love of God, the love within the Trinity. Twice in Apostle John’s first letter to the churches he wrote, “God is love.” Before there were people or animals or anything else, “God is love.” Love needs an object to be loved. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit expressed love for each other before creation.

God does not need creatures to love and to be love by. God does not need us—he desires us! Pure love is not an expression of need, but of desire. Jesus prayed this to the Father from the Garden of Gethsemane, “I pray that they may be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they may be in us…that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and love them even as you love me.”

The purpose of our existence is to become truly human by reflecting the God in whose image we were created. We do so in our worship and in fulfilling our mission. Our mission is to connect other people back with God. We have found our own connection with God. We found our reason for being. The love of God has touched our lives. The outflow of the love of God found in the Trinity down to us is the same love that flows out of us to others.

We must present our minds and bodies to God to be transformed. There is a process for becoming a proficient musician or athlete. There is a process for becoming fluent in a second language. In a similar way we become fluent or proficient in this life of faith. We must consistently present ourselves for private and public reading of Scripture, prayer and ministry to others. Consistent and frequent practice causes this Christ-like lifestyle to become natural to us. World-class athletes and musicians must practice almost daily to maintain or improve their skills. This is our reason for consistent worship and ministry. We must maintain our new creation skills.

Our second language is the language of faith in Christ. Our natural born language is that of our flesh. So, we choose daily to put off the old man and to put on the new man. The purpose of my message is to remind you of your purpose in life. You we created to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. As you do, others will be draw to a life in Christ also. Let your light shine before all me, that they may glorify God and enjoy him forever also.

How Christ Became King

In mockery of his kingly state, Christ was ordered to be the bearer of his own instrument of death, the cross. This is what Isaiah foresaw in saying, “Behold a child is born, and a son is given to us whose government is upon his shoulders.” When the Lord carried the wood of the cross, it turned for his into the scepter of power. It was in the eyes of the wicked a mighty mockery, but to the faithful a mighty mystery of victory. In death Christ defeated Satan, and the powers that aligned against him. The cross upon his shoulders was a trophy of his triumph. On his shoulders he bore the sign and instrument of our salvation. This action now confirms all who follow Christ when we obey his command, “He that takes not his cross and follows me, is not worthy of me.”

Christ’s kingdom is unlike all other kingdoms. The kingdoms of this world are secured and advanced through the shed blood of enemies. The kingdom of heaven is secured through the shed blood of Christ. Jesus Christ is Lord. In John’s prophecy, known as The Revelation of Jesus Christ, he boldly declares, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” The spoils of Christ’s victory are now divided among those who inherit eternal life.

Peace,

Stan

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