Discerning Love

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” - Philippians 1:9-11

When you pray for others what do you ask for? We can learn a vital lesson from Paul in this passage in Philippians. We see his heart as he prays for the Philippians. Paul doesn’t want these people he loves to just be safe or comfortable, he prays for deep life changing heart issues that only come from a God who graciously gives good gifts to His children.

It is key to remember that it is not our love channeled through Christ, but Christ’s love channeled through us. Jesus Christ is the source of love, we need to ask for abounding and discerning love. The heart and mind need to work together so that we have discerning love and loving discernment. Christian love is not blind or ignorant.

This life is hard, it is difficult to love people at times. When we love without discerning love it can ultimately lead back to selfishness which really isn’t love at all. When we love without discerning love we often times get used, walked over, and ultimately think we are being loving but only putting a band aid on a deep wound. This can lead to bitterness, unforgiveness, and not feeling loved in return. We have to love with the end in mind.

My prayer today for you is that your love may abound, that you would have discerning love, mature character, and mature service.

Further Reading: Philippians 1, 1 Corinthians 13

The Antidote for Discouragement

“...Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.” - 1 Samuel 1:7b

Do you know the only cure for hopelessness is hope? Often times our circumstances, people, or just the worries of this world can take us to this place of hopelessness if we are not careful. Discouragement is a dangerous thing that can very quickly take away our joy that is rightfully ours in Christ.

Hannah is truly an amazing story. Life was rough. Being mocked, barren, and not being able to have the one thing she desperately desired, a child took away most of her hope. When she hit bottom she went to the temple to find hope. We can always find hope in Yahweh and that is what happened for Hannah. You can read about it in Samuel 1.

Are you tired? weary? discouraged? Take a few notes from Hannah:
- She honestly prayed to God
- She was encouraged by others
- She put the matter in God’s hand (no more “woe is me”)

Many times the antidote for discouragement is telling God how you really feel and then leave your problems with Him. Then rely on the support of good friends and Godly counselors. We need people to help us walk through despair and discouragement. Be encouraged today, our God is greater than whatever you are facing today. Remember that discouragement changes to hope when you add God to the equation.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 1, 2 Corinthians 4

Billboards

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” - Matthew 5:14

If your life was a billboard what would it say?

A billboard on a hill cannot be hidden. Recently I was doing some traveling and noticed how many billboards are alongside the highway. For the most part they are all up on hills. As you travel along the road you begin notice the many messages being presented to you. I saw signs that promoted fast food joints, hotel hot spots, gentleman’s clubs, and the occasional sign spreading the message of Christ. Billboards are placed in high traffic areas. There is research and planning in what gets advertised where. In Christ we have a life transforming message given to us. Matthew 5:15 says,

“Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

We were not meant to hide. We were meant to shine. As Christians we need to be visible. The message of Jesus Christ, his redemptive work on the cross need not be hidden but spoken from the hill tops. Light is meant to shine into darkness and we are to be that light.

A billboard directs you to the destination. Many times it says the exit number, website, or general information where you can find the product advertised. Where do your words, actions, life direct people? Is your life a billboard for Christ? We have this incredible gift, this light burning bright inside of us, the question is will be allow it to shine. Remember your Father in heaven, how glorious and great he is and allow your life today to bring him glory.

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” - Philippians 2:14-15

Further Reading: Matthew 5, Philippians 2:14-18

Man In The Mirror

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” - James 1:22-24

When you look in the mirror what do you see? As you read James 1 you start to see how important it is not to rush through the Bible but to absorb the Word of God and let it penetrate into your life. James tells us that we should not only hear the word but to be a doer of the word. What good is it if we hear the words of life but never put them into practice?

Mirrors are interesting things, sometimes we like them and sometimes we don’t. It usually depends on if we have a good hair day, what our facial complexion is, if we think we look skinny or fat, etc. The one thing a mirror doesn’t do is lie. They show us what we look like no matter how good or bad it is. This is why it is crucial in our spiritual life to take a look in the mirror. It is important for us to do a spiritual inventory and evaluation. We need to ask ourselves, “In what areas have I been a hearer and not a doer?”

Michael Jackson had a hit song called “Man in the Mirror” and part of the lyrics say, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways...” It starts with us, we are the ones who need to stop living in hypocrisy. We can complain all we want about other people not changing but if we aren’t willing to start with ourselves who are we to talk? Look into the perfect law, be a doer, be a man or woman who takes an honest look in the spiritual mirror and makes a change.

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” - James 1:25

Further Reading: James 1

I Wanna Be Like Mike

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” - Hebrews 13:7

Michael Jordan is in most basketball fan’s opinion the greatest player to ever play the game. Back in his prime Nike ran a marketing campaign with the slogan “be like Mike.” The whole idea was that by purchasing Nike clothes or shoes you were imitating Michael Jordan. Many young people during this time grew up wanting to be like Michael Jordan.

Do you have heroes? Do you have heroes of faith? Maybe it is the sweet old lady at church, or your parents, mentor, teacher, pastor, etc. In Hebrews it says to remember our leaders, our heroes, our Godly men and women who invest into our lives. We are to consider their lives, how they have lived and the outcome of their impact. Once we do this we should take good notice of their faith and imitate it.

What would it look like to have a generation grow up wanting to be like Jesus instead of Mike? What if men and women of God lived out radical passionate faith in Jesus Christ for this younger generation to see and imitate? This is the challenge we face, we are either watching or being watched. What impact do you want to have? Today remember your leaders, consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Further Reading: Hebrews 11 & 13

Mountains & Valleys

“I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” - Psalm 121:1-2

How are you letting your mountain top and valley experiences shape your life?

It is truly amazing to be on a mountain top. To reach the peak or summit is a breathtaking experience. However, as we have all experienced life has many struggles which are going to take us right back to the valleys. The trials and testing that come at these times are when we struggle the most. How long does it take you to climb back up the side of the mountain?

The first few times we attempt to reach the peek it can be exhausting both physically and mentally. It can be a challenge to keep going, it may cause us to puff and pant just to get back to the top. If we take the time to train ourselves, our bodies become physically adapt to what we are putting them through and so the journey is a lot less exhausting. This is the same for our spiritual lives. We can find ourselves constantly in the valley fighting to get up to the mountain. This is largely in part to us trying to reach the top in our own strength. We need the power of God in our lives, to fight sin, to overcome adversity, and to live a joyful, effective life for Christ.

Instead of always running to the peek of the mountain glancing at the view and then turning around and ended up in the valley again why not seek to live life on the mountain top? At the top of the mountain you can see the beauty of life, you are ultimately closer to the creator of the outstanding view. Would you not much rather live life with your eyes fixed on that than stuck in the valley where all you can see is trees and the mundane things of life? Allow Christ to rule and reign in your life, rely on his power working in and through you and enjoy the view.

Further Reading: Psalm 23, 121

That You May Know

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” - 1 John 5:13

How confident are you in your God? Is he trustworthy? Is he worthy of your affection? desire? love? We see in 1 John that he is writing “these things” that we may KNOW we have eternal life. Are you struggling with doubt? Is it hard for you to accept forgiveness? Do you think you have sinned so bad that God can’t forgive you? 1 John 1:7 says that is we walk in the light the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from ALL sin.

Many of us struggle with assurance of salvation, we constantly strive to be “good enough” for God. This is chasing after the wind because we will never be “good enough.” It is not possible, as much as we strive to be good it doesn’t change the fact that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

God deals with absolutes. When he says all he means all. Our lives should be lived in thanksgiving. When we truly realize that we don’t cut it, that we are not good enough for God, that we need help then transformation really starts to happen. This is why our need for Christ is essential, we needed his righteousness to save us. Jesus Christ came so that we may KNOW that we have eternal life in him.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9

Further Reading: 1 John 1, Romans 3:9-31

Where is Your Mind Looking?

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
- Colossians 3:2

Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home. - C. S. Lewis

Do you ever feel like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde? There is this tension inside of you. Paul shows us the internal battle in Romans 7. There is this tension inside of us to make Godly choices but somehow we find ourselves making bad choices. He says it is because of the sin that dwells inside of us. This sin and our fallen flesh constantly lead us to focus on ourselves, to keep our eyes off of Jesus, and ultimately have our minds set on things of this earth.

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”
- C.S. Lewis

We need a mind that is set on things above, an eternal perspective. As we read in Colossians 3 we are to put to death what is earthly in us, to put on a mind that is set on things above. Do you realize the eternal impact you can have right now? Do you know that this life is not about you? It is about a an awesome God who is redeeming people and he wants to use you! Will you pray for an eternal perspective? Will you set your mind on things above? No matter what you’ve done will keep you from being ineffective for the kingdom of God if you surrender your will to him. We need a constant realignment, a mind, heart, and soul that is focused on an eternal kingdom instead of an earthly one. Can you imagine that? What if everyone in your Church had this mind? What impact would you have? It starts with you, God wants to use you, will you look to the eternal with your mind?

Further Reading: Colossians 3, Romans 7

Listen With The Heart

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” - John 4:10

If you want to learn how to listen read the gospels. As we read about how Jesus interacted with people we constantly see him listening with his heart. Listening with the heart is to hear the hurt behind the words. Jesus not only was able to hear the heart behind the words but was able to offer water that will satisfy. The woman at the well was searching for something. She was trying to find meaning in promiscuous relationships. She was looking for hope and she found Jesus at a well.

There are millions of people in this world, just like the woman at the well who are walking around trying to fill a God-shaped whole inside of them. Their actions, desires, dreams, and words are all flowing out of the need to fill this hole. They live empty, desiring to be filled. Do you hear them? Does your heart break for these people? You cross paths with them everyday. Are you listening with your heart? What happens when you encounter these people?

Maybe the person I am describing is you. Maybe you have never drank the living water that satisfies as Jesus talks about in John 4. Will you put your faith and trust in Christ’s death and resurrection as the sacrifice for your sins? Will you surrender your heart to him and allow the healing to begin to take place?

We as followers of Christ have to learn how to listen with our heart. We need to see the hurt behind the words, actions, or body language. We possess the answer to the God-shaped hole which means we have the privilege and responsibility to share with others.

Further Reading: John 4:1-45

The BOSS

“...Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’...” - Isaiah 45:9

Do you know that boss? The one who lets you know he or she is the boss all the time. They make sure you know what your position is, they are the boss and you are to submit to them. Doesn’t that person drive you crazy? They can be very frustrating to work for but there is still one truth, they ARE the boss. As much as it frustrates you, as much as you may not like it they have position and authority over you.

Often times we forget that God is the ultimate boss. The LORD is a jealous God, he is God alone and there is no other like him. Since God is the boss he holds position and authority over his. In fact, he created us. In Isaiah chapter 45 he warns us against challenging God’s right to do his will in his own way. In our lives there are times when we just don’t like the way God does things. We start to get frustrated with our boss and challenge his motives, character, and authority. Think about that for a second, do you see sin working in our sinful flesh. Who are we to even think of challenging the author of life? What gives us the right to even start to question the motives or character of God? We see in this chapter that as the created it is a serious offense to demand explanations from God. There are times to cry out to God and to lament before him but we have to been very careful to cross the line of questioning the character and nature of God that leads us embittered with God.

Have you ever been frustrated or upset in the midst of a situation and after you got through the storm it all made sense and the frustration was gone? As the created we can’t see with the same eyes the Creator can. No one knows us better than the one who created us, who knit us together in our mother’s womb. My prayer today is that no matter what you are going through you will not challenge God but embrace him. Know that as the Creator he knows what is best for the created. He cares about you and loves you in ways we can’t even fathom.

“Turn to me and be saved all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” - Isaiah 45:22

Further Reading: Isaiah 44 & 45