Tag Archives: Chrisitan

Speak Up!

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Once, in Jr. High, I got caught cheating on a math test. In my embarrassment I tried to hide the fact from all of my friends. Conversely when my wife and I got engaged we were ecstatic. We wanted to tell everybody that we we’re getting married and did. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to recognize that we talk about what excites us and minimize what embarrasses us.

The funny thing is we rarely herald a failure. Equally rare is a conversation about something that  might go wrong. We often wait for the best results before we trump up our successes, for few of us want to shine light on our failures.

This may be a natural response to the world around us, but should we treat God this way? Praising Him when He comes through for us and sweeping Him under the rug when we feel He’s let us down? This isn’t a new struggle either.

David was a shepherd. One day, after bringing some supplies to his brothers who were in battle, David steps up big for God and kills the giant Goliath. Pretty awesome. David, with God’s help, delivers. He then goes on to have a very successful, but brief, career in the army of King Saul. But it’s not all roses for David. Soon he finds himself out of favor with Saul. Why? Because God decides that David should be king in place of Saul. With that decision made, David is forced to live the prime years of his life as a fugitive. He’s hunted down, consistently on the run and always in danger. It gets so bad that at one point David even has to fake insanity just to survive.

It may seem to many of us that God did not show up for David. No one would have faulted David if He had just complained about the challenges he faced in life. But listen to the words He wrote in Psalm 71: “As for me, I will wait continually, and will continue to praise God. I will tell about your justice, and all day long proclaim your salvation, through I cannot fathom its full extent. I will come and tell about the mighty acts of the sovereign LORD. I will proclaim your justice -yours alone.”

David’s life was full of highs and lows. But throughout, David consistently praised God and expected God to do great things; and God did. We need to consider two points highlighted in David’s life.

First, circumstances should not dictate how much or how little God comes up in our day-to-day lives. If God is your God then make sure those around you know.  Work hard to ensure the praise of God trumps your daily complaints at the water coolers in your life. Whether you’re dropping off the kids at dance class or taking the car to the repair shop find a note of praise-even if it’s hopeful praise- not criticism, to share with those around you.

Second, we need to expect God to show up. I’m amazed that David wrote this Psalm at all. This is a guy who went through some crazy stuff during his life, yet He always expected God to show up. He lived in such a way that if God didn’t show up He would not have made it. Do we do the same? When life brings us difficulties, do we react by inviting God’s presence and power?

It’s time to start talking more, about what God has done and what we’re trusting Him to do in our daily lives. I hope your praise of God trumps the complaints of life and that your message to others is one of good news.

Community Questions:

Why is it dangerous to trust our response to our immediate circumstances?

What does it look like to live expectantly before God?

Walking in the Rain

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Once, when I had nothing better to do, I watched a show on television that tested wacky experiments. One experiment they tested has stuck with me through the years. They wanted to know the most effective way to stay dry when caught in the rain. Should you run and thereby get to your destination quicker or should you walk and thereby go slower through the rain? Scientifically speaking you will get less wet when you walk in the rain! I was truly surprised.

As I’ve ruminated on that experiment over the years I’ve come to see a definite spiritual truth contained within it.

We’ve all experienced storms in our lives. A sudden death of a spouse, extended periods of unemployment, news that our son our daughter is being deployed to a war zone or bad test results from the doctor. These times are difficult. No one likes being in the rain of these storms.

For many of us our gut reaction to the storms of life is to run through them. We hope  that by running we can get through it quicker, find the sunshine and restore order. But the truth is the faster we run the wetter we get. I believe God wants us to walk in the rain.

When I walk in the rain I’m forced to slow down. As I reflect on my own spiritual journey some of sweetest moments have been the ones I’ve spent with the Savior walking in the rain. Did you catch that? Jesus doesn’t scold or condemn us while we’re in the rain because He’s made at us. He walks with us. So many times we start to blame the very one standing beside us in the rain.

Listen to the Word of God:

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

“…although Jesus existed in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:6-7

I’m not sure if your facing sunshine or rain in your life right now but let me encourage you. When the storms of life come, and they do, be patient. Walk along the side of Jesus. Look to him for healing, encouragement and growth. You will never be let down.

Community Questions:

1. Do you have a story of walking in the rain with Jesus? How did He help you through it?

2. Some storms are life changing. How has a storm changed the person you are today?

Finding “UN”Buried Treasure

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Jesus once told a story of three servants who were each responsible for a portion of their masters wealth (Matthew 25:14-29). The first two servants were able to double what their master had given them. When the master called on them for account he was pleased with what they had done. The last servant, however, buried the “talent” he was given by his master in fear that should he lose it he would anger the master. When the master called on him for account he was outraged that his servant would be so foolish as to bury the “talent” in the ground.

Jesus is not interested in buried treasure.

The real question then is how can we avoid the temptation to start digging holes?

1. Figure out what you have in your possession.

I’m a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. In the first movie you often spot Captain Jack Sparrow looking at a compass that “doesn’t work”. The compass is a piece of junk. But in the second move you come to discover that the compass, while not pointing north, does point toward what you most desire. An interesting treasure in the hands of one who knows what to do with it. How many times do we treat the talents God gives us no better than a compass that won’t point north. God makes no mistakes and is not interested in handing out useless talents. Whatever your talent is…be it a skill or a possession or even a disposition it was chosen for you by God. Take time to figure out what you’ve been given. You will be far less likely to bury something you see as unique and valuable. How do we figure out what we have? Well, one suggestion is asking God through prayer. Another might be reflecting on what we do very well in life or perhaps asking the question what comes naturally? Often times the talents that are given to us by God are evident if we just spend some time looking for them.

2. Leverage what you have in your possession.

Knowing what you’ve got is only half the battle.  You still have to use it. When you understand your talents put them into the best possible use. Captain Jack seemed crazy but he was always purposeful. He knew what he had, how to use it and waited for the perfect moment to make his move. Perhaps God has given you an outgoing spirit, utilize it in places where you can interact with different types of people. Or perhaps God has gifted you with making money…have you ever considered investing in Kingdom work? Talents come in all shapes and sizes and we would do well to understand there are many ways to use them.

3. Avoid shovel salesmen at all costs.

The world is full of people, the church as well for that matter, who will encourage you to bury your treasure. Their advice comes in all manner of disguises. Some of it will sound like good advice. “Don’t go on that mission trip instead stay home this summer and save up money for college”,  your parents might say. Good advice unless God is calling you to go on the trip. If he is your parents are trying to sell you a shovel. “That doesn’t seem like it will be a successful venture for you” your business partner comments about your decision to invest big in a ministry that will not give a return. Excellent advice for a hostile takeover, the sound of a shovel salesmen hocking his wares if God is directing the decision.

We may never know how the master would have responded had the servant gambled and lost the talent but we do know he was furious his servant buried it. What are you doing to avoid hole digging today? My prayer for you is that instead of working on elaborate treasure maps to ensure you never lose your talents you would faithfully risk what God has given and find that the real treasure is in pleasing the master.

Community Questions:

1. How did God help you discover your talent?

2. How can we avoid becoming “shovel salesmen” ourselves?

Christmas: The Best for Last

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Do you remember your school grade days where whenever the class was heading out you had to march in a single file line? I do and it always seemed like there was a mad rush to be the first kid in line. SO much so that somewhere along the way our teachers got wise and had weekly designated line leaders to avoid the mass confusion and chaos that ensued for the race to the front. Well, I’m grown up now but it still seems to me like everywhere I look there is the chaos and confusion of people racing to be first in line. One can really observe this at Christmas. Everyone wants to find the best deal, give the best gift, throw the best party, and wear the cutest Christmas outfit…in other words be at the front of the line. But while we all jostle and jockey to get out in front the Christmas story trips us up with a bit of ir0ny. As we read the Christmas story we come to find God was pleased to go to the back of the line.

God showed up in a big way on a hillside in front of some shepherds (Luke 2:8-14). Now you need to understand something about these guys….socially speaking they were at the back of the line. A Shepherd during the time of Jesus was a lower class citizen on the same par as a child or slave. They did not have much clout. Furthermore, these particular shepherds were said to have been “staying out in the fields”. They were homeless…..or “traveling businessmen” at best. They did not work their shift and head home, they were constantly in the field with their flocks. But something else is going on here as well. Since these guys worked so much “out in the field” they were kept away from town and in town is where the temple was. This may not seem too important to us but for the Jews the temple was a vital link to God. It is where they were made “spiritually clean” and you had to be clean to approach God. Yet these shepherds, because of work, had to stay spiritually unclean for long periods of time. I think its safe to say these shepherds are at the back of the line, yet these are the guys that God dispatches his angels to visit. This reveals an important truth: “God loves reserving the best for the last”.

This Christmas, let’s change our perspective.

Stop resenting the fact that you are at the back of the line. Maybe you never get invited to the “in-crowd” Christmas party and what’s worse is you know you never will, let it go and understand God has a better gift for you than just attending a party. Perhaps you are struggling to make everything work, you’re not h0mless but you sure are close. Stop worrying and understand God can be found at the back of the line. Maybe you’re like the shepherds and you would admit that its been a long time since you were spiritually clean. The Christmas story tells us that rather than clawing our way to the front in order to meet God we can rest assured that He visits the back of the line, and often before He makes His way to the front!

Maybe we need to re-learn the Christmas story, a story that shows us how peace can truly be found. Peace is not a prize to be fought for and won by making it to the front of the line. Peace is a gift offered to everyone, even those of us who consistently find ourselves at the back of the line….and that really is GOOD NEWS!

Community Questions:

What is your favorite part of the Christmas story?

How are you helping others who are at “the back of the line” this Christmas?

Go: NUTS!

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Christian, have you ever felt surrounded by the enemy? Like there was no hope? What should our response be when the world stacks all its darkness around us and it feels as though the little light of our candles is about to blow out?

I suggest we take our cue from someone who’s been there and say NUTS.

General Anthony McAuliffe was in charge of the US forces defending the surrounded city of Bastogne in what is now famously remembered as the battle of the Bulge. It marked one of the last true offensives that the German Army mounted during WWII and nearly succeeded in turning the tide of the war. On December 22, 1944 the General had to make a difficult decision, for this was the day that a German entourage entered the US occupied city under a white flag with the following message from the German Commander.

“ The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A. troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. If this proposal should be rejected a German Artillery Corps and six heavy artillery Battalions are ready to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The order for firing will be given immediately two hours’ after being given this term.”

The facts were true, this seemed like the only course that would save the troops but McAuliffe would not back down. His response to the German Commander was curt:

To the German Commander: NUTS!

In the face of overwhelming odds the commander refused to give up. The decision was costly but effective for the US forces held out and they were key in keeping the German from achieving victory.

Being encircled by the darkness of the world is a distinct possibility for Christians. Many of the names we known best in the Bible were surrounded at one time or another. But being surrounded does not mean we are defeated. As Christians we need to know when to say NUTS!

1.      Say NUTS to discouragement.

The enemy of the saints is a master at discouragement. He accuses us day and night (Revelation 12:10). But we need to know that Christ has won the victory and that Hell will not overpower us (Matthew 16:18). Never forget that the battle has been won!

2.      Say NUTS to worry.

Even when the going is tough, very very tough…we can says NUTS to worry. Why? Because God promises that the darkness will never overwhelm us. In fact, when we humble ourselves before God and honestly share our struggles, He promises to show up in a big way. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

3.      Say NUTS to callousness.

While we are promised the victory there are countless thousands who have yet to find the hope of Jesus Christ. These fall victim to the rage of the devil and the power of Hell on a regular basis, and they are why we fight. We never go to war with the powers of darkness to prove we’re tougher…we go to secure peace for those who are helpless to find it on their own. When you are tempted to give up the fight because it’s just too hard or costly for you remember why you’re fighting.

Sometimes when life throws difficult our way we just need to go NUTS!