"He must increase, but I must decrease."
(John 3:30 NASB)
These last four years have been pretty rough for me. Tremendously busy with marriage, having a child, and seeing my career excel to new heights. What that busyness did however, is slowly decline my relationship with the Lord to the point where I was doing a lot, but not really abiding in Him. My attitudes became more arrogant because I had money coming in and we could afford what we wanted within reason and prudence. I didn't have to rely on God all that much.
As a married couple, my wife and I became more cynical and judgmental of the people around us. Never to the point of being jerks in public, but in private we would make lots of comments and jokes. We were clearly arrogant and full of ourselves, but never really realized that it was a symptom that we were no longer fully following the Lord with all our hearts.
We moved to a new city because our prayers led us here and we fully knew that God wanted to change our lives - to draw us near to Him and help us to get back to knowing Him again.
Even in coming here however, I was still full of personal arrogance and I believed that I would get a decent job. Not a prime job by any stretch, but something good. Fortunately for me, it hasn't been that easy. It has been a ride full of disappointments left and right.
I say "fortunately" because my wife and I have realized that there is a sense that God is withholding from us. He has effectively pressed "pause" in our lives, and showed us our deficiencies. The first red flag came with the frustrations and tensions of moving here and having disappointments in the job search. We both were tense and full of resentment toward each other. We maintained good parenting, but inside we were short and would make constant sarcastic comments back and forth.
But, a light has come on in both of us. We've fallen to our knees and acknowledged the hidden sins of arrogance that had grown in us. We were putting ourselves in front of God and worrying about our reputations, materialistic desires and pride.
God gave me a newsflash and said, "I don't care about your reputation with the world. Strip yourself bare of needing the approval of people you know, and simply be my servant in whatever I tell you to do." Because I was holding onto my plans, my pride, my reputation, he couldn't grow me at all. I was a plant that was bearing little to no fruit. Certainly, nothing great for His kingdom was being done by me.
But, my desires have all changed. I need to clean my arrogance out, and focus on that. My past, my dreams are nothing. What I have must be appreciated in full, and there is much to praise Him for (especially the joy of being a parent to my daughter, and a husband to my wife). All the junk that I once valued myself for is out the window because it isn't real or eternal. In fact, I have absolutely nothing to feel superior about (Praise God!). When I finally let go, He can use to me to do His work - He must increase, but I must decrease.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Children Are A Gift From God
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
children a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
(Psalm 127:3-5)
Before I had my daughter, my life centered around me and my wants. Even though I had a lot of angst about this or that small issue, in retrospect, I had it easy. Yes, there was much of my personal time that I've had to sacrifice, but God really did give us a gift in our daughter. She is a precious life that was entrusted to my wife and I to steward into adulthood.
Even more than that, she adds color and wonder to our lives everyday, and through her exploration, we see the world anew. The love we are able to impart to her, and receive back has really created a family for us that is complete with her -- and we could never imagine going back to our lives as only a couple.
I had no idea what being a parent was like, and it was often hard to sympathize with a fussy baby when I had no clue what parents were going through. There is a softness and patience for all types of situations that develops through parenthood that creates a better person, that I never realized that I needed that kind of improvement.
Children are an integral part of our lives, and the act of procreation is part of the fulfillment of our purposes. There is a completion with children, that cannot be experienced for those who opt not to pursue parenthood.
Today, as I usually do, I rocked my daughter to nap (I generally pace rhythmically to music - recently we've been using Hillsongs "Hope" album), I realized that I have not been fully appreciating my time as an unemployed person. Yes, my family is draining a nice chunk of our bank accounts in order to survive until I can find a job, but I have had all these wonderful days hanging out with my daughter and being her buddy. Together we rise early and watch "The Wiggles" on DVD and share a bowl of cereal together. Then she plays with her toys and we have alphabet time together going through her Winnie the Pooh ABC book that she loves so much.
These are invaluable moments that we won't get a chance to share when I go back to work and the busy life that it inevitably entails. Today as I rocked her to sleep, I danced her a bit as I often do, and she giggled softly as we spun around to the 6/8 timed music. Then she snuggled into my shoulder and promptly fell contentedly asleep. Tears welled up within me as I realized that I have been given such a gift from the Lord.
You see, I have been so concerned about my job search and the frustration of not finding a job, that I didn't realize that perhaps the Lord was withholding employment from me to give me a bigger gift. He gave me this exclusive time to spend 24/7 with my daughter that I'll never have again in such plentiful amounts. In His wisdom, He knew that money will be had over time and through hard work, but these special moments with my daughter -- they are numbered and only last for a season. In a blink, she will be old, wiser than me and ready to conquer the world on her own. With another blink, I'll be walking her down the aisle where she will take on another man's name, and I will cease being the most important man in her life.
But my heart will always remember this day when I danced my daughter to sleep, hearing her giggle as she drifted off to rest. Thank You Lord, that Your wisdom is so much higher than mine. Thank You for this special time with my daughter - what great love You have for our little family! In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Bible Is Our Standard
12 The LORD will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
(Psalm 85: 12-13 NIV)
Sowing and Reaping. This is a law (Gal 6:7-9) that I have not heard much about in preaching, but it is one to keep in mind throughout our lifetimes. God promises us that we will reap the type of life that we sow.
As I ponder the law of sowing and reaping, this psalm gave me a hint as to the type of fertile ground that we must sow as Christians - righteous soil. We must become righteous soil in order to be properly used by the Lord to produce His fruit. Righteousness is a pretty confusing topic however, because there are so many conflicting viewpoints of what is right or wrong.
My wife loves tv court shows, and when I do watch them with her, I notice that the people there have a genuine confusion on what right and wrong really are. Many blatant acts of lying, stealing, cheating, and fornication are committed by unrepentant people who have a ready excuse as to why they are not liable for their obligations and responsibilities.
And that is the reason why we all need a standard. Without a specific standard to determine right and wrong, there is no real reference point to determine right living or righteousness. Fortunately for us, God has given us the definition of right and wrong in the Bible. He has provided us with a guideline for a happy life through the following of His ways.
When we apply this righteousness to our lives - not to condemn others, but simply to cleanse and improve ourselves - we become tools that He can use to bless others around us and fertile soil that will produce good fruit.
Lord Jesus, help me to become a man who is righteous soil for You to produce good fruit and blessings to others. Please correct me where I need improvement and help me to reap of lifetime of goodness and not wickedness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Devil's Gift
5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
8Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.
(Luke 4:5-8 NIV)
Probably like most people, I often have these momentary fantasies of being rich and being able to do whatever I wished. These times have typically come when I was heavy with work and overwhelmed by my load. "To have it easy," I would think, "that would be the life."
However, I've already seen what the love of money and the desire to gain more has done to people. I have seen men (including myself) make irrational decisions in order to get rich quick. I have seen smart men justify immoral decisions in order enrich themselves -- and then commit more immorality in order to cover up their poor decision making. I have heard stories of families torn apart by the desire to gain money - or even worse, an inheritance.
This passage reminds me of who actually owns the riches and kingdoms of the world...Satan. God has given over the authority over the world to Satan, and Satan then uses the worldly lure of money and power to draw God's people away from worshipping and serving the Lord God wholeheartedly. Satan will pour out a windfall over the heads of people in order to keep them focused on the money and keep them from knowing God. Beware of the windfall.
Which is not to say that money cannot be used responsibly for the Lord's work. Certainly that is possible, but it is matter of guarding our hearts to make sure that we are not focused on anything other than serving and worshipping the Lord.
Lord Jesus, Satan would have me trade my faith for riches and fame. May that never be. Please guard my heart as I go through this life so that I may use whatever I receive to serve Your kingdom purposes. I know there is a lot of material things that we are asking for, but let us not focus on that. We are content here where we are, and we are blessed immensely simply by our relationship with You. We know that You will provide what is appropriate at the appropriate time. Thank You for all that You've done as our Lord. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
8Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.
(Luke 4:5-8 NIV)
Probably like most people, I often have these momentary fantasies of being rich and being able to do whatever I wished. These times have typically come when I was heavy with work and overwhelmed by my load. "To have it easy," I would think, "that would be the life."
However, I've already seen what the love of money and the desire to gain more has done to people. I have seen men (including myself) make irrational decisions in order to get rich quick. I have seen smart men justify immoral decisions in order enrich themselves -- and then commit more immorality in order to cover up their poor decision making. I have heard stories of families torn apart by the desire to gain money - or even worse, an inheritance.
This passage reminds me of who actually owns the riches and kingdoms of the world...Satan. God has given over the authority over the world to Satan, and Satan then uses the worldly lure of money and power to draw God's people away from worshipping and serving the Lord God wholeheartedly. Satan will pour out a windfall over the heads of people in order to keep them focused on the money and keep them from knowing God. Beware of the windfall.
Which is not to say that money cannot be used responsibly for the Lord's work. Certainly that is possible, but it is matter of guarding our hearts to make sure that we are not focused on anything other than serving and worshipping the Lord.
Lord Jesus, Satan would have me trade my faith for riches and fame. May that never be. Please guard my heart as I go through this life so that I may use whatever I receive to serve Your kingdom purposes. I know there is a lot of material things that we are asking for, but let us not focus on that. We are content here where we are, and we are blessed immensely simply by our relationship with You. We know that You will provide what is appropriate at the appropriate time. Thank You for all that You've done as our Lord. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
In a Funk
"Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."
(Ps 42:11 NIV)
Today I feel very lethargic and a bit downcast. I can't really pinpoint a particular reason or thought as to why that might be, but the words of this Psalm immediately came to mind. And as I sit here mulling over the Psalm which expresses so clearly my state of mind, I can't even seem to pray words to ask God to help me because of the sheer weight of indifference upon me. And so I speak in tongues hoping that the Holy Spirit can express what I cannot at this moment.
Us modern day Christians have such powerful tools in our possession as well, and I turn on praise music to remind me of the goodness of the Lord.
You see, despair used to be a constant companion for me, and loneliness was a way of life. It was a deep pit of loneliness and despair that I felt constantly, especially during the times when I was alone. My relationship with God changed that. On a fateful day when I finally assessed that my methods and efforts were not achieving the fulfillment I was longing for, I simply said, "God, I tried my ways and they aren't working -- I'm willing to give Your ways a shot." With that I went to church with a friend, and I discovered Him there. Not a judgmental, condemning God that I knew in my youth, but instead a loving and caring Father God who wanted to embrace and heal me.
There are still days like today where I feel downcast and want to chill out from the world and from the realm of parenting and being a husband. I simply want to be alone -- but I do not feel lonely. I am not in a desperate pit, but in a funk. I know God is with me right now. Not judging or condemning, but simply abiding with me.
Again, I put my hope and future into His hands. As I remember Him, I am pulled out of the depths once more and the doldrums have faded away.
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."
(Ps 42:11 NIV)
Today I feel very lethargic and a bit downcast. I can't really pinpoint a particular reason or thought as to why that might be, but the words of this Psalm immediately came to mind. And as I sit here mulling over the Psalm which expresses so clearly my state of mind, I can't even seem to pray words to ask God to help me because of the sheer weight of indifference upon me. And so I speak in tongues hoping that the Holy Spirit can express what I cannot at this moment.
Us modern day Christians have such powerful tools in our possession as well, and I turn on praise music to remind me of the goodness of the Lord.
You see, despair used to be a constant companion for me, and loneliness was a way of life. It was a deep pit of loneliness and despair that I felt constantly, especially during the times when I was alone. My relationship with God changed that. On a fateful day when I finally assessed that my methods and efforts were not achieving the fulfillment I was longing for, I simply said, "God, I tried my ways and they aren't working -- I'm willing to give Your ways a shot." With that I went to church with a friend, and I discovered Him there. Not a judgmental, condemning God that I knew in my youth, but instead a loving and caring Father God who wanted to embrace and heal me.
There are still days like today where I feel downcast and want to chill out from the world and from the realm of parenting and being a husband. I simply want to be alone -- but I do not feel lonely. I am not in a desperate pit, but in a funk. I know God is with me right now. Not judging or condemning, but simply abiding with me.
Again, I put my hope and future into His hands. As I remember Him, I am pulled out of the depths once more and the doldrums have faded away.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Chasing Superstitions
"He explained, "This is where the priests will cook the meat from the guilt offerings and sin offerings and bake the flour from the grain offerings into bread. They will do it here to avoid carrying the sacrifices through the outer courtyard and harming the people by transmitting holiness to them." (Ez. 46:20 NLT)
I thought the underlined passage was an interesting choice of words that I didn't quite understand. Peeking into Matthew Henry's Commentary regarding the passage, the guideline to not bring the cooked offering into the people exists in order to prevent the people from developing a superstition of ascribing holiness to the sacrificial animal rather than to God Himself.
What that reminded me of are the little superstitions that we adopt so easily. It doesn't matter if you are religious or secular, we easily ascribe luck to this object or that circumstance in hopes that we might find a key to favor or avoid curses.
I remember a couple years back when my favorite football team was having a particularly hot season and need to keep winning games, they fell behind 21 points in the first quarter. Looking around, I realized that my wife never watched the games with me all season, so I promptly banished her out of the room. What kind of crazy thinking was this (let's forget that my team later rallied and won the game in the 4th quarter)? What kind of difference could my wife's eyes on the television have on the outcome of a football game thousands of miles away? I was attributing power to a crazy personal superstition.
In this passage, God reveals Himself to desire our whole hearts to Him alone. We will all die and undergo judgment. What superstition will be rely upon then? What would we charm and persuade God with? -- Our hearts. That is what God desires. Our whole hearts committed unto Him in worship every second of our lives. No, not just God be my Savior, but it also means, I call you Lord of my life and humble myself to worship only you - not man, not myself, not money, not superstition. I will only chase You, my Lord and Savior.
Lord Jesus, in all the ways that I've been applying superstition, in all the ways that I've been worshipping the blessing rather than the Blessor, please expose and help me to delete these things from my life. Thank You for this word today, and for Your continued patience and grace to Your servant. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
I thought the underlined passage was an interesting choice of words that I didn't quite understand. Peeking into Matthew Henry's Commentary regarding the passage, the guideline to not bring the cooked offering into the people exists in order to prevent the people from developing a superstition of ascribing holiness to the sacrificial animal rather than to God Himself.
What that reminded me of are the little superstitions that we adopt so easily. It doesn't matter if you are religious or secular, we easily ascribe luck to this object or that circumstance in hopes that we might find a key to favor or avoid curses.
I remember a couple years back when my favorite football team was having a particularly hot season and need to keep winning games, they fell behind 21 points in the first quarter. Looking around, I realized that my wife never watched the games with me all season, so I promptly banished her out of the room. What kind of crazy thinking was this (let's forget that my team later rallied and won the game in the 4th quarter)? What kind of difference could my wife's eyes on the television have on the outcome of a football game thousands of miles away? I was attributing power to a crazy personal superstition.
In this passage, God reveals Himself to desire our whole hearts to Him alone. We will all die and undergo judgment. What superstition will be rely upon then? What would we charm and persuade God with? -- Our hearts. That is what God desires. Our whole hearts committed unto Him in worship every second of our lives. No, not just God be my Savior, but it also means, I call you Lord of my life and humble myself to worship only you - not man, not myself, not money, not superstition. I will only chase You, my Lord and Savior.
Lord Jesus, in all the ways that I've been applying superstition, in all the ways that I've been worshipping the blessing rather than the Blessor, please expose and help me to delete these things from my life. Thank You for this word today, and for Your continued patience and grace to Your servant. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Simple Overriding Command - "Worship God"
"But again he said, "No don't worship me (an angel). I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this scroll. Worship God!" (Rev. 22:9 NLT)
I often forget that Christianity is supposed to be simple. As a Christian, I have chosen to surrender my life to God to do with as He wishes. In this politically charged and turmoil filled atmosphere, it is hard for me to stop from complicating my identity in Christ, and having it stray away from a simple love of God and obedience to Him. It's probably due to the fact that I often don't exactly know what He wishes of me and I spin around trying to figure it all out.
Right now is a case in point as I'm waiting on Him to determine my future employment. Yes, I realize that I will be job searching, but I want to be in the workplace He desires of me. I want to be faithful to Him. That has some consternation for me as I'm striving to please God. But, in the end, I have to trust our relationship. He won't be angry with me because I'll know in my heart what to do when I simplify my life and have a sincere and genuine worship of Him. In worship, the proper doors and opportunities will open up and even if it doesn't, the patience to wait will be given to me.
Lord Jesus, it is true that I'm waiting on You in faith. From time to time, I have felt guilty because I have thought that somehow I've done something wrong to have caused You to withhold a job from me at this time. But, I need to realize that You have Your own plans and timing, and I don't always know what's best for me. You do. Please help me to instead re-focus myself away from what I lack and instead rejoice in the fact that You are my Lord and Savior. My life is yours to do with as You will. Let Thy will be done. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I often forget that Christianity is supposed to be simple. As a Christian, I have chosen to surrender my life to God to do with as He wishes. In this politically charged and turmoil filled atmosphere, it is hard for me to stop from complicating my identity in Christ, and having it stray away from a simple love of God and obedience to Him. It's probably due to the fact that I often don't exactly know what He wishes of me and I spin around trying to figure it all out.
Right now is a case in point as I'm waiting on Him to determine my future employment. Yes, I realize that I will be job searching, but I want to be in the workplace He desires of me. I want to be faithful to Him. That has some consternation for me as I'm striving to please God. But, in the end, I have to trust our relationship. He won't be angry with me because I'll know in my heart what to do when I simplify my life and have a sincere and genuine worship of Him. In worship, the proper doors and opportunities will open up and even if it doesn't, the patience to wait will be given to me.
Lord Jesus, it is true that I'm waiting on You in faith. From time to time, I have felt guilty because I have thought that somehow I've done something wrong to have caused You to withhold a job from me at this time. But, I need to realize that You have Your own plans and timing, and I don't always know what's best for me. You do. Please help me to instead re-focus myself away from what I lack and instead rejoice in the fact that You are my Lord and Savior. My life is yours to do with as You will. Let Thy will be done. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thank You For The Cross
"...but the angel said, "Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead!" (Mk 16:6 NLT)
The cross - it all comes down to the cross of Christ and what He did for us. Man's religion is about striving to earn bragging rights with God from which we hope to barter a better afterlife. However, Christ made all those man-made shenanigans moot. He took on our punishment for our sins voluntarily upon Himself in order to save us. He bore the ultimate punishment, and defeated sin & death through the cross.
Everything changed on that resurrection day. Doom and gloom became joy because Christ's resurrection proved that death was defeated. And because of His sacrifice, we no longer have to exhaust our human energies to be good in order to "win" God's grace - the work has been completed.
But as Christians, we still strive to do good, but the motivations are different. When Christ saved us, we were changed, our relationship as sons and daughters to Father God was cemented. And knowing Father God, we now desire to imitate Him as best as possible. We will never attain perfection, but we take uncomfortable steps to cleanse ourselves of sins that grip us with the deep seated knowledge that His strength is readily available to support us. We may stumble, but never fall.
Lord Jesus, there have been many recent moments when I have felt inadequate and discouraged. But since I have met You over 10 years ago, I have never felt alone. Never. Thank You for walking with me and gifting me with a beautiful wife and daughter. Please help me to keep pushing forward in faith, knowing that I don't have to be perfect because you've already paid the price for my sins in full. Instead, I just need a sincere heart to get better and surrender my life over to You to do with as You please. That is my heart's desire. You are Lord of my life and I know that although the future is unclear and with so many unknowns, You know best and have every moment of my life under control. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The cross - it all comes down to the cross of Christ and what He did for us. Man's religion is about striving to earn bragging rights with God from which we hope to barter a better afterlife. However, Christ made all those man-made shenanigans moot. He took on our punishment for our sins voluntarily upon Himself in order to save us. He bore the ultimate punishment, and defeated sin & death through the cross.
Everything changed on that resurrection day. Doom and gloom became joy because Christ's resurrection proved that death was defeated. And because of His sacrifice, we no longer have to exhaust our human energies to be good in order to "win" God's grace - the work has been completed.
But as Christians, we still strive to do good, but the motivations are different. When Christ saved us, we were changed, our relationship as sons and daughters to Father God was cemented. And knowing Father God, we now desire to imitate Him as best as possible. We will never attain perfection, but we take uncomfortable steps to cleanse ourselves of sins that grip us with the deep seated knowledge that His strength is readily available to support us. We may stumble, but never fall.
Lord Jesus, there have been many recent moments when I have felt inadequate and discouraged. But since I have met You over 10 years ago, I have never felt alone. Never. Thank You for walking with me and gifting me with a beautiful wife and daughter. Please help me to keep pushing forward in faith, knowing that I don't have to be perfect because you've already paid the price for my sins in full. Instead, I just need a sincere heart to get better and surrender my life over to You to do with as You please. That is my heart's desire. You are Lord of my life and I know that although the future is unclear and with so many unknowns, You know best and have every moment of my life under control. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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