The Edge

Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh are locked in a battle for making the US Olympic team for the 100 meters. I watched with amazement the women’s 100 meter final at the Olympic trials this week as these two athletes finished tied for third place. The top three finishers will go to the Olympic games, so whoever prevails goes to London, the loser goes home. At first it was assumed that there was a 1000^th of a second difference between the two, but the official photo finish taken at 3,000 frames a second shows both of the women’s torsos crossing the line at the same instant. This weekend there will be a runoff race between them.

This race had to be reset due to a false start because one racer’s finger had crossed the line prior to the starter’s gun being fired. At first that didn’t seem significant, it was only a little finger! But when you view it in terms of the tie these two women ended in one can see that an advantage of any kind can make the difference.

You and I are locked in a battle of greater significance, it is the warfare for our salvation. There is an edge that is available to us that we must take advantage of, and it will determine the winners and losers:

Evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:13-17 (New International Version)

Let’s look carefully at these verses. Evil people and imposters are spiraling down (going from bad to worse and being deceived) while righteous people are rising up. What are the distinguishing characteristics between the two?

Evil people are deceived. They wrongly assume the way they have taken in life is correct and they lead others down their perverse path. But let’s focus on what righteous people do to win…

First, they continue in what they have learned. Continue is the Greek word “menō” . It means to abide. It is a state of relationship. It is the same word that Jesus used in John 15 when He commanded us to abide in Him. So, Paul says our edge is to continue (abide) in what we have learned and been convinced of.

Convinced. It seems some people are not completely convinced of the things they believe, starting up their walk with God and then pulling back, dropping out of the race. So what keeps a person convinced?

Paul gives two keys. The first is to follow the godly example of others. Paul told Timothy that he knew those who he had learned from. You will follow the influential people around you. Choose wisely who holds sway in your life. You will mirror their values and practices. If you select godly people as your influencers you will imitate their ethics and ideals, their faith. If you unwisely choose ungodly people (the deceived ones going from bad to worse) you will follow their path, being deceived.

The second key is the scriptures. Sure, this may seem cliché-ish, you hear it all the time…”read your Bible and meditate on it”. Let me urge you not to take this for granted. Paul says here that the scriptures are “useful” for training in righteous living. “Useful” means “to give the advantage”. So what is being said is that the scriptures in your life gives you the edge in living by teaching, rebuking, correcting and training.

The end result is that you will be completely equipped, ready to do every good work that God has in mind for you. That’s finishing the race strong.

So, we have the edge in life. Are you living on the downward spiral or the upward edge?

Who’s influencing you? Do you need to make a change in this area?

Are you being fed daily on the scriptures, or are you anemically trying to run life’s race?

What needs to change now to get the advantage in your favor? Doing so makes the difference between winning and losing, going forward to not.

Going for the un-catchable

I like driving my cat crazy with my laser pointer. She chases that little red dot across the room and up the wall. I let her get close, then zip it away in a different direction. We love poking fun at her because she simply doesn’t get it…she’ll never catch that little dot. She’s running in circles chasing an illusion. Finally she gets mad and stalks off angry. Not long after I entice her to do the whole pointless exercise again.

I read today in Ecclesiastes 1-3. In 2:11 Solomon says: “when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Solomon’s like my cat!

This is the cry of one very frustrated guy. He opens his book by saying "Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:2) When he says everything, believe me, he tried everything. Read chapters 1-3 to see that he dove headfirst into life. Everything he did he put 100% into it, whether it was good or bad.

Here’s a partial list of his endeavors: He achieved the highest level of education and learning, he pursued every form of pleasure imaginable, he abused alcohol, he completed massive personal and public building projects, he became a billionaire (the richest man in the world), he bought a zoo, he had complete political power, and he had unlimited sexual partners. Here’s how he described it: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10a) You would think that would be great but in verse 17 he sums it up: “So I hated life”.

What!? He hated life after all that? You see, Solomon had been chasing an illusion. After all of the striving he came to the conclusion that he was going the wrong way: “God has set eternity in the hearts of men.” and “I know that everything God does will endure forever.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11,14) He realized had forsaken eternal things in favor of empty temporal pleasures.

Like my cat, we chase from one thing to another thinking we can grab that illusive prize, only to find it was out of reach or meaningless. What will it take for us to finally stop running and set our hearts on eternity?

Jesus said “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) He is saying the key is to change what we pursue.

Are you are frustrated with life, are you are chasing and not catching lasting meaning? None of us will be satisfied until we alter the object of our pursuit. God has set eternity in our hearts, the kingdom. That is the objective, not the elusive goals of this life. If we would narrow our focus to seek Christ’s kingdom Jesus promises to fill in everything else we need in life.

Life is simpler than we make it. The purpose is within reach and easier to grasp than we realize. If we would abandon chasing after the wind, which we will never catch, and take up seeking God’s kingdom, which is available to everyone, how happy and fulfilled we will be!

Here’s the challenge for today. Find one thing to let go of that lacks meaning and reinvest that time and effort into that which is eternal. Pursue the kingdom through getting closer to Jesus and ministering to others. You will be amazed at the difference.

What is your experience in this? Sharing what you’ve learned will help us all.

Drifting away

I think it’s in my nature to drift from God. Left to myself I have that “wandering sheep” tendency that Isaiah spoke of… “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6 English Standard Version)

I’m reading in Proverbs 28 and 29 today and Solomon had several statements about this.

He said that we have a inclination to hide our sins, harden our hearts, trust in ourselves, reject correction, give into our anger, speak without thinking and allow pride to rule our thinking. (Proverbs 28: 13,14,26; 29:1,11,23) Drifting from God is incremental, not a sudden catastrophic event. I take my own way when I don’t allow the Holy Spirit to correct me. Pride, uncontrolled speech and bursts of anger are simply the fruit of that. Little by little I’m not where I was or should be with Jesus.

I read of a man named Robert Robinson who over 125 years ago wrote the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” as his spiritual autobiography. He later become an anointed Methodist preacher, but then drifted away from God. Years later and in a horrible state he shared a carriage with a young woman who was reading in a hymnal. He asked her to speak aloud what she was reading. She read the words to the hymn that he had penned during a much better time…

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

In tears he responded “Madam, thank you for reading those words for me. I am the poor… unhappy soul… who wrote that text many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the same feelings I knew then.”

It’s a sobering thought to think that a man so consumed with God could wander so far from Him. So, what is the answer for you and I to keep our hearts close to Christ?

Solomon’s warnings are coupled with promises. In Proverbs 28:14 he warns against hardening one’s heart, and promised that one who fears the Lord will be blessed. In verse 13 he reminds us that those who confess and renounce sin finds mercy. And in verse 30 he adds that “He who walks in wisdom is kept safe”.

Here’s my takeaway: My nature is prone to wander, but God offers transforming power as I humble myself before Him. If I allow God to keep me tender, remain teachable, if I walk in the fear of God and freely confess my sins and weaknesses He will empower me to walk safely in His wisdom.

I’d like to hear from you. How has God helped you reign in the “wandering heart”? What advise can you give for others reading this? And, are there some out there who are far from where you want to be with God? Let’s start a conversation.

How deep are God's plans for me?

I've been going through my calendar this morning, looking at the future, planning stuff. I covered a lot of ground…ministry vision, personal goals, family events, future vacations and financial plans. Some of that is exciting, some is mundane, quite a bit of it is intimidating. Then in my reading of Romans 11:33-35 I read this:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36 (New International Version)

So, the Holy Spirit spoke this to me.

• God is deeper than anything I can imagine. He is richer, wiser and more knowledgeable than any man.
• God is greater than I can understand. His judgments, paths, thinking and plans exceed my most clever, thoughtful ideas. He’s never need anyone’s advice, including mine.
• God is more generous than I can comprehend. Everything that I have in life or ever will receive in life will come from his hand.

So, as I consider my future I learn some valuable lessons. What will happen to me in the future will all happen according to God’s all-embracing plan. My calendar and planning is not in control, God is. His wisdom, judgment and resources will lead and provide for me as I move through life. I do not need to fear that in following Him I will suffer loss. Sure, there will be times I don’t know what to do, times I don’t know where the money’s coming from, times when I am hurting and times that I may be afraid. But, I’m planning now that when those times come that I’ll do my best to trust in Him. This scripture ends with this amazing thought…”For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” Everything is about Him, not about me! “To Him be the glory forever!” God will do what’s best for me, it’s to His glory to do so. We can trust Him.

How about you? I’d like to hear from you about how life is going as you trust God’s wisdom, judgments and resources. Where’s your greatest challenges and victories coming as you trust God?

Someone's going to get hurt!

I’m watching my two grandsons age two and three running around the room. They’re getting reckless and rougher. With great insight I proclaim: “Someone’s going to get hurt!” I’m ignored, and I’m right…bodies collide, and tears flow. I’m there to pick them, wipe away the snot, and explain why it all happened. Before you know it, they are laughing and playing again.

I thought of that today when I read of the disciples and Jesus in Matthew 26.

Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' ³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Matthew 26:31-32 (New International Version)

Jesus told the disciples “you are going to fall and get hurt.” Peter and the disciples assured Jesus He doesn’t know how strong they are, that they are careful and know themselves better than that. They even got boastful…

Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. Matthew 26:35

As the evening progress Jesus gave them the solution to keep themselves; pray to overcome temptation…

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41

Jesus knows their intentions are great, they really want to stand by him, but the fact is they are not all they thought, and spiritually are weak. We know the story…they didn’t pray, they slept. Judas the and the mob arrive for Jesus and the disciples run. Peter denies Christ and everyone’s left crying and devastated.

But the words of Jesus, ring through their failure: “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Here’s what Jesus’ saying (my paraphrase) “You are going to fall even though I’ve given you the way to overcome. When it’s all over I’ll be waiting for you on the other side.

Here’s what I learned: God knows the temptations and trials I will face in the future, near and far in the distance. He has plans for me to overcome and win. Waiting on Him in prayer overcomes the weakness of my flesh. But I assume my good intentions, past victories, and strength will be enough to win the day. Sadly, that is not the case. Sometimes I ignore both His warnings and offer of help.

He also knows when I’m going to fail. He does not design failure for me, nor does He prevent it, I'm a free man. But He has plans for that also. He is going ahead of me and will meet me on the other side of my crash. He picks me up, wipes away the snot and explains why it all happened. Soon, I’m on my way, hopefully a better man who will heed what He says to me in the future. I serve a savior who does not give up on me!

One of the guys shared this in our Men’s LifeGroup today and I’ll close with it:

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. 21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. 22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness. Psalm 71:20-22b

I’d like to hear from you, how has Jesus picked you up after a fall? What did you learn from it?

Consistent living

Recently I’ve been challenged regarding living consistently as a follower of Jesus. It started with a reading in my devotions. Here’s what Jesus said:

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (New International Version)

Here’s some things that were highlighted for me…

· I am salt and light in this world. This happened through the transformation of my life when I got saved. I am not becoming salt or hoping to be a light, Jesus said I already am, that’s the fact, the starting point. It’s not a future goal.

· My value to the world is in me being what God designed me to be. The people in my community are in need of what I am, salt and light. There’s much to be said about the value of these, but that could be discussed on a different day. For now, let’s just say these two things are at the core of my witness and testimony. Jesus indicates that if I don’t act as salt and light I’m bringing no benefit to the world or His Kingdom.

· Jesus talks about impossibilities. “If the salt loses its saltiness…” Chemists will tell you that salt is sodium and chloride, bound together. You can’t take it apart, it can’t lose its saltiness. So, if it were possible that salt could lose its saltiness you would just throw it out as worthless. People in biblical times sometimes had to throw away “salt” because it was discovered to contain impurities, it was not possible to eat it. He also said it is inconceivable that I would hide my light. Cities can’t be hidden, and the light of Christ in my life cannot be hidden either. Again, pointing out inconsistencies, Jesus says nobody would light a lamp and then cover it up with a bowl.

So, here’s the issue God is challenging me with: When I act in ways that are inconsistent with my new life in Christ my witness is harmed, it brings the validity of what I say I am into question. Jesus said the purpose of my life is to bring light before people so that they may see my good deeds and praise my Father in heaven. But what do people see? If they see me being selfish or inconsiderate the light they see is darkened, the salt they could have tasted is tainted. When I, a professing Christian, damage my witness through poor business ethics or immorality the statement to the lost people in my community is that Christ does not really transform lives. When my temper boils over and my speech is not God-honoring those who observe conclude that becoming a Christian is not life-changing and therefore not worth doing themselves.

So, today my purpose is to live in a way that will bring glory and praise to God. Not to be just neutral. Salt and light are not neutral, they are agents of undeniable change. They create a contrast. Food is either seasoned or it isn’t. The light is either on or it is dark. I want to be the person that cannot be overlooked, an unavoidable force of God’s goodness. With God’s help I am asking Him to eliminate inconsistencies that stand in the way of that witness. My goal is for my life to bring praise to Him!

I’d welcome your comments. Post your thoughts on this.

Be blessed!

Pastor Todd

The God who meets me where I am

From Today's Reading:

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.  Matthew 8:2-3 

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." 7 Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." 8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. Matthew 8:5-8

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." Matthew 8:17 (New International Version)

When the leper and the centurion called out on Jesus they had real obstacles that stood in the way of receiving what they needed from Jesus.  And they really were desperate.  Leprosy was a death sentence. Paralysis is a horrible condition today, how much more in that day where there was no medical services to help this poor man.

Coming to Jesus was the only hope for these people but seemly impossible circumstances stood in the way.  Jesus was always touching the sick and healing them, but nobody would want to touch a leper.  That act was both repulsive and against Jewish law.  It would render Jesus unclean. So the leper’s question was not “can you make me clean”, but “will you”?  Jesus instant response was “I am willing”!

The centurion faced the hard fact that he was an outsider.  He was a soldier, a leader in Rome’s occupation force.  Jesus was a man of peace. Entering a gentile home would defile Jesus and subject him to criticism from the Jews.  But, Jesus’ unqualified response was “I’ll go to your home and heal him”.  We focus on the centurion’s response which is a great lesson in faith.  But I want to think about our savior and the lengths He will go to reach me.

No matter how repulsive my condition, no matter what roadblocks may exist, Jesus pushes them aside to reach us.  His focus is on our needs; our need for salvations, for healing, for encouragement, for strength.

Matthew sums it up with his quote from Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." Taking them up means Jesus gets personally involved.  It does not say He simply sweeps away our problems.  It says he takes them up and carries them.   His sympathy and empathy is so intense that He chooses to step under the load with us and participate in our weakness and pain.  He touches the outcast, the lowly.  He’s placed himself in the place where He will get soiled scooping me up. He will go where the need is, no matter who it is and where they are.

That’s the savior we have!

God makes me stand

From my reading a couple of weeks ago in 2 Corinthians 1:21,22

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

My Observations:

• God makes me (and others) stand firm in Christ
• God has anointed me
• God owns me
• God has set his Spirit in my heart as His deposit on me
• God guarantees my future

Application:

It seems in my experience I try to "dig deep" within myself to hang on through difficult situations and problems. Yet, today I'm reminded that it is not me that makes me stand. My best efforts; my understanding/insight, and my inner resolve will fail me. Left to myself I will fall and fail. But, I am firm in Christ! The anointing of the Holy Spirit is not just for preaching, healing, etc., but is also for my personal stability and encouragement. God has put a deposit on my life, His promise for what is to come is sure. The more I recognize my inadequacy, the more I can stand on Christ’s overwhelming power.

So, today I am consciously giving to concerns and anxieties about my children, grandchildren, finances, church challenges and future plans over to God. God has all of this under his control. I'm anointed! The future is His, not mine, and the outcome is guaranteed.

My Prayer:

Lord, help me not to slide into self reliance, which is my first instinct. In that, I will be disappointed at the least. Instead, help me trust in your Spirit for my daily living and needs. I thank you that your Spirit living in me is your guarantee of what is to come.

Coming Soon

This is Pastor Todd's blog.  I will soon begin sharing some of the thoughts and words that come to my heart as we walk this incredible journey with our Lord.  Keep posted, I will begin updating soon!