Do You Have the Love of God in Your Heart?

While reading through John’s gospel yesterday, I was struck with Jesus’ words to the Pharisees: “I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts” (John 5:42). At that point, I stopped and asked the Lord “Do I have your love in my heart?” Then I thought, 'Lord, what does it mean to have your love in my heart?' Later in the morning, this ‘e-votional’ arrived in my inbox. I hope it will provoke the same thoughtful reflection in you as it did me!

“Love means to commit yourself without guarantee, to give yourself completely in the hope that your love will produce love in the other person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love. Perfect love would be one that gives all and expects nothing. It would, of course, be willing and delighted to take anything that was offered, asking nothing in return. The person who expects nothing and asks nothing can never be deceived or disappointed. God’s love is unique in that it causes us to seek to meet the needs of the other rather than demanding that our own be met. Our irritability and frustration diminish when we love another person because we are seeking to fulfill rather than be fulfilled. This is what God’s love is all about.” (Norman Wright)

Do You Have Enough Salt in Your Diet?

Have you been reading all the news articles about the health risk of too much salt? In short, Americans eat too much of it. It's called the silent killer!

Spiritually speaking, American Christians are not getting enough “salt” in their diets. The “seeker sensitive” movement—that began in the 80’s—unintentionally ‘dumbed down’ the average church’s teaching to themes of how to live a better life, have a good marriage, how to raise your children, etc. None of these is wrong, and certainly not heretical. But the church needs a revival of the Word: expository teaching of sound doctrine—more salt, not less.

Giving birth to a new ecclesiastical movement (the “Emerging” church) is a perception that the Church has lost its impact on a disaffected world. Their objective is to be “missional”—seeking new ways to be the salt of the earth. Unfortunately, some of these “emerging” churches have rejected sound doctrine along with stale methodologies. But perhaps they are right about this one thing: the Church is losing its saltiness.

What can you and I do about this problem. Make sure your spiritual diet is full of salt! Too little of it will silently kill you! Center your life, your thoughts, and your decisions around the Word of God: Be salty.

Why fly like a chicken if you can soar like an eagle?

God says ‘I am like an eagle that carries you on wings of deliverance.’ (Ex. 32) Isaiah says “those who hope in the Lord… will soar on wings like eagles (40:31). Some eagles’ wings can be nearly 7 feet across. The ‘bald eagle’ rides on columns of rising air and can average speeds of 30 miles per hour. With wings like that, isn’t it obvious eagles were born to fly?

There is no bird more dissimilar from the eagle than a barnyard chicken. Chickens are quite content being earthbound and confined. Even when a chicken tries to fly, he barely gets more than a few feet off the ground! Since we possess a ‘heavenly’ spirit, there is something wrong if we are satisfied with the comfort and familiarity of earth. Created to fly like eagles, we cannot be content unless we soar in the wide-open spaces of the heavens.

Jesus said “I am from above.” Even so, we too are “born from above” and possess an innate desire to soar above the earth. I know what someone is saying right now. In your circumstances, it seems like God has clipped your wings and cooped you up. But if you will set your mind on things above and stop thinking about things on earth (Col. 3:2), you will soon be soaring like an eagle.

Have You Ever Tried Nailing Jello to the Wall?

Last week Zac Poonen posted a teaching called “God Wants us to Recognize Our Nothingness,” which prompted me to expand on his idea in today’s post: God wants us to recognize our nothingness so that He can fill us with His abundance and so that Satan cannot touch us.

Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth” (1 Cor. 3:7-8). In other words, the one who does evangelism is nothing and the one who does Bible teaching is also nothing. God alone is everything and without Him is nothing. The secret to Paul’s success—he embraced his nothingness and reveled in God’s abundance.

Even more, when you have been reduced to nothing (of your ‘self’), you are really free. No more defensiveness—because you have nothing to defend. No longer critical—because nothing bothers you. Offensive and irritating people will still try to evoke some negative reaction from you. Satan’s minions will harass you. But if you have embraced your nothingness, even the demons will find no place to engage. Jesus said “the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in me” (Jn. 14:30). Wouldn’t that be great if Satan couldn’t get a hold on you? His attempts to pin you down would be like trying to nail jello to the wall.

Off Ramp Closed

Last week my daily route to 24-Hour Fitness was interrupted by road work. Bright orange cones blocked the off ramp to San Antonio Road. Immediately, I saw a great blog post.

As you travel the “Holy Highway,” every time you go back to your old ways of getting relief or revenge or act out your pain, you are improperly exiting God’s path of righteousness (Prov. 4:14; Is. 26:7). And getting off on “Compromise Lane” makes it that much easier to come back for a return trip the next time things aren't going your way.

Off ramps are enticements that lead to unrighteous roads. But as a traveler with Jesus, you have no business getting off His highway to go there anymore—these dead-end boulevards of shame and regrets. But Good News, my fellow travelers! God has given you power steering—it is the power to stay on course—to drive straight (Prov. 3:6). Every time you lean hard into the Holy Spirit for the strength to resist that wrong turn, you not only continue in joyful pursuit of your destination, you have just closed another off ramp.

Hating Yourself is the Beginning of Loving God

Have you ever said “I hate myself; I’m a failure—I will never be good enough”? That’s a great place to be—hating yourself is the beginning of loving God. Jesus said: He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal (John 12:25).

What does Jesus mean? He means we hate our sinful flesh as it manifests itself more times in a day than we want to admit. He means we hate our selfishness and self-centeredness. He means we hate our life when it becomes all about earthly things: obligations, duties, responsibilities—the cares of this world.

A holy hatred of all that keeps you from experiencing your victory in Jesus should rise up in your soul, where you cry out, 'Oh, God! I hate what I have become.' You must hate your present life so much that you cry out to God, “who will deliver me from this body of sin and death?” (Ro. 7:24). Then you are ready to make the great exchange—your emptiness for His fullness; your pride for His glory. Hate yourself? Yes. But don’t stay there. Let God’s love embrace you and lead you into the present reality of eternal life and love.

How Will You Celebrate Earth Day?

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Undoubtedly, today you will hear the term Mother Earth to describe the source, giver and sustainer of life. In the wake of the Iceland Volcano eruption this past week I have heard the term used by mainstream TV newscasters more than once. The idea of a pagan goddess who created and sustains the earth is not only foolish and silly; it’s insulting.

I don’t know whether or not Christians should support Earth Day. Certainly you can make a sound biblical argument that God wants His children to be caretakers (not abusers) of the animals and the wildlife on our planet earth. Certainly, we should all be mindful of being good stewards over all God has given us. But even more....

Let this be a day to remind ourselves of this: Jesus Christ is Lord over all of creation (Ps. 24:1; Col. 1:16). Today is a day to give thanks to “God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). As others celebrate Mother Earth, let us remember that at every moment all the energy in the universe is supplied by Jesus Christ, who is sustaining all things by his powerful word (Hebrews 11:3).

Come and Sit for Awhile

I love the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) for its offering of spiritual insight: in particular, as we see Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening intently to “every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

Sitting teaches us that our hearts must be at rest and our minds still, before we can give God our undivided attention. When Altha and I have something important to discuss, we don’t stand in the kitchen; we sit in the living room. Preoccupation with the affairs of this world will “stand” in the way (pun intended) of quiet time with Jesus. When Jesus finished His work on earth, He sat down next to His Father (Eph. 1:20).

Sitting at someone’s feet is an act of humility. Mary positioned herself below Jesus. God waits to speak to the child-like, humble person (Matt. 11:25). Sitting as Mary did is a picture of subjection—the position of the true disciple in the presence of his Master. I don't mean to be cavalier with this comparison, but my daughter and he husband just got a dog. And the first think they taught their little puppy was to sit. Why? Sitting is the position of submission—of obedience.

Can you hear Jesus saying come and sit for awhile “and learn from Me [listen to me, submit to me, obey me] and you will find rest for your souls”? (Matt. 11:28).

You are the Scum of the Earth

Some believers in Denver have chosen to name their church the “Scum of the Earth”—that being lifted from Paul’s statement: “We respond gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage [the scum of the earth] like everybody's trash…” (I Cor. 4:13, NLT, NIV in brackets).

Maybe we are not being treated like the scum of the earth today, but Jesus spoke of a day when we would: “when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” (Matt. 5:11) But Jesus didn’t leave it at that. He went on to say: “Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too” (5:12). But then Jesus said [but you are not the scum of the earth,] “you are the salt of the earth” (5:13).

I could write a book about this analogy but I will emphasize two things. On one hand, salt makes foods better—sweets taste sweeter; naturally bitter foods, like chocolate, become deliciously palatable. And even more, salt is a preservative (you will find tons of it in canned and frozen foods!). On the other hand, too much salt can harm you—causing high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks.

Can you see the paradox? Though our saltiness is meant to bring the sweetness of Jesus to a bitter world, it offends unbelievers, causing them (metaphorically) strokes and heart failure. And for that reason they hate us. Don’t hesitate to salt the world around you for fear of being reviled. But be like those Christians in Denver who proudly call themselves the scum of the earth!

The Word, the Spirit, and the Devil

The Holy Spirit inspired men to write the Bible (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16), breathing the Words right into them. This is what makes the inspired Word of God a divinely powerful weapon against the enemy (2 Cor. 10:5). Because Satan is powerful, you will need something that is even more powerful: God’s Word. Even Jesus knew this, using specific Scriptures to refute the devil’s lies (Matthew 4).

Because the Holy Spirit inspired the Word, He alone empowers its use in demonic warfare. He brings to our minds the Words that will defeat the enemy (John 14:26). Paul testified that the heart of his gospel message was the Spirit-empowered Word (1 Thess. 1:5). If you have not realized God’s power in battle against the devil, and if you are not experiencing victory over sin, is it because you forgot to make use of the Spirit empowered Word at your moment of temptation?

Are You Testing God?

It’s easy to look back critically on the Jewish sojourners who tested God’s patience in the Wilderness. “We would never have done that,” we think. But Paul warns us that “We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents” (1 Cor. 10:9).

How is it that we test the Lord? By testing the limits of His grace; taking advantage of His grace. “Just how close can I get to sinning without facing the consequences?” we think. While we may never admit thinking this, our ambivalence toward sin gives us away.

What’s worse is that when we permit ourselves these private indulgences, we not only test God’s patience, but we become desensitized to sin’s injury—which can lead to a hardening of your spiritual arteries: “Don't harden your hearts against Him as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested God's patience in the wilderness” (Heb. 3:8).

I can tell you that your heart is already getting hardened if you think your indulgences are of little consequence. But treating sin lightly shows contempt for God’s grace. Let's examine our hearts, and ask the Lord to show us how we have been testing the limits of His grace.

How Much Do You Owe?

April 15: the day of reckoning: Your taxes are due. Famous for declaring that the only certainty in life is “death and taxes,” Benjamin Franklin also said government taxes were nothing compared to our more grievous obligations. “We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, 3 times as much by our pride, and 4 times as much by our folly,” he said. Now there’s a man who did not understand forgiveness.

Forgiveness is to be free of obligation. Imagine for a moment that you have received a letter from IRS forgiving your tax obligation. But “feeling” undeserving, you refuse their offer. You pay it anyway.

I think many Christians live under false debt, presuming their sins are too great to be forgiven. “I know God forgives me, but I just can’t forgive myself,” they say, thus lingering in their guilt. Do you know the Bible never talks about “forgiving yourself?” Only God can forgive. You possess no such power within yourself! And God's forgiveness is based on Christ having paid our obligation in full. It is as simple as that (1 Jn. 1:9).

Moreover, the Bible says that when God forgives us, He remembers our sins no more (Jer. 31:34). Not that He forgets, but that He chooses not to remember. If God chooses not to remember your sins, why do you? (And how much more insulting is your failure to receive God’s forgiveness than to refuse forgiveness from the IRS!) Do your former sins keep coming to your mind? Choose to remember them no more! Fill your mind with gratitude. And rejoice that you are debt free. You owe absolutely nothing.

The UN-Branded Generation

Remember when 7-Up was promoted as the “UN-cola?” Well, according to a Pew Research survey, the Milliennials (the first generation of the 21st century) are the UN-branded generation— they are rejecting religious denominations—UN-willing to conform to or be labeled by tired traditions.

Frankly, I fail to see how this makes the Millennials so different from my generation—the Baby Boomers. We also were dissatisfied with the status quo, looking for ‘new’ ways of expressing. We too were disturbed by the feeble state of the church. So the “Jesus Movement” was born: new ministries and “Bible churches” were launched. The question is “how will the Millennials—the ‘net’ generation—deal with their disillusionment?” Having grown up watching reality TV, no doubt they are expecting genuineness from their church experience. I believe this desire for authenticity underlies the emerging church movement.

Pray that this “hungry-for-change” generation will not be so eager for change they will believe in almost anyone who promises it. Peter warns in the ‘latter days’ there will be false teachers who will secretly introduce destructive heresies…” (1 Pet. 2:1). We are already seeing heretical doctrine coming out of some of the emerging churches. Pray that our UN-branded Millennial children will not fall for the wrong brand!

Are You Finding Rest?

A weary traveler arriving in an unfamiliar town says to a local resident “I am looking for a place to rest.” And the local responds “Well, let me know when you find it!”

In our faster-than-the-speed-of-light world, we are all seeking rest. Even in Jesus’ day, He recognized the need for stress release, assuring His fatigued followers: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Mat. 11:28). Now the truth is no one can “give” you rest any more than someone can “give” you laughter. But just as someone can “cause” you to laugh, so Jesus can “cause” you to rest.

While Jesus will cause you to rest, He also explains that you will need to “find” it—implying rest is something that can be “lost.” How? Through the stress of daily life. Growing up in a world of chaos and unpredictability, we have learned creative ways of managing stress—eventually finding they don’t work. Thus Jesus says “come and learn from me… Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mat. 11:29). In order to learn Jesus' way of finding rest, no doubt there will be a need for some unlearning.

I encourage you today to spend some time asking the Lord to help you identify those things you will have to ‘unlearn’ before you can learn how to find it in Him!

"In Step" or "Twelve Steps"?

In the past 50 years, our culture has given birth to a multitude of self-help gurus who promise success to anyone willing to follow their steps: 3 easy steps to weight loss, 7 steps to reaching your potential, 12 steps to recovery… But the apostle Paul’s ‘formula’ for success was simple: just keep ‘in-step’ with the Holy Spirit.

To the Galatians Paul said walk [keep stepping] by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (5:16). A few verses later, Paul clarifies: let us keep in step with the Spirit (5:25, NIV). The phrase, “keep in step,” was used by the Greeks to express the regimented walk of soldiers—literally, in lock-step with one another.

As a counselor I certainly value ‘step’ recovery programs for their practical guidance. But I also know, both by way of experience and by Paul’s simple admonition (Gal. 5:16), that no number of steps will get you to your desired destination unless you are walking “in step” with the Holy Spirit.

Think about it: the last time you stumbled, you were not “in step” with the Spirit, were you!?

On Easter Sunday at Joel’s Church, It was All About YOU!

Anyone who knows about Joel Osteen knows his constant message is all about “YOU,” well established by his book titles: Become a Better YOU: Seven Keys to Improving YOUR Life, YOUR Best Life Now, and It’s YOUR Time. Last week (March 30 post) I warned “as Easter nears, I am afraid that many well-intentioned pastors’ sermons will make Jesus’ death more about us than about Him.” This is what Joel Osteen did.

Joel’s message to his audience of 50,000 in Houston and countless thousands around the world (his TV program is now seen in 100 countries) focused entirely on the benefits of Jesus’ resurrection for YOU; so now YOU can accomplish YOUR goals and realizeYOUR dreams. What I found most offensive, however, was Joel’s comparison of our trials to Jesus death on the cross. Specifically, Joel said “you may be experiencing your ‘Friday’ (the day of despair) but I promise you your resurrection day is just around the corner.” The notion of comparing Jesus’ torture and death by Roman executioners (as He took on the sins of the world and was forsaken by His Father) to your disappointments is so self-centered, it is absurd (as though Jesus was just having a bad day!).

Joel made no attempt to teach the meaning of the cross for mankind—remission of sins, the defeat of Satan, and the promise of victory over sin: a resurrection message without any mention of Christ's atonement. Jesus said “If I be lifted up I will draw all men to myself.” Jesus was not lifted up in Houston this last Sunday morning but YOU were.

Do You Believe in a Compassionate God?

God is Holy. Yet, He is also compassionate: "He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14). He understands why we’ve developed our bad habits and our defenses. He knows the comfort zones where we take refuge when we are stressed. But that doesn’t mean He isn’t grieved when fall back into our old patterns. Think of what it cost Him to give us victory over sin and the power to change. S0 when you sin, confess it, and let His compassion move you to His holiness.

That does not mean, however, we should ever take God’s compassion for granted. Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4 ESV) Or, as the New Living Translation puts it: Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?

The next time you find that you have fallen back into your old ways, remember His Holiness, yes, but also remind yourself of His love and compassion. Receive His forgiveness and walk away from your past. Isn’t that what it means to walk in the “newness of life”? (Romans 6:4)

Are You IN?

In high school everyone wanted to be in the ‘in’ crowd, wear ‘in’ clothes, and be seen at the ‘in’ places. Though I did have one friend who was ‘in’, I was definitely ‘out’—condemned by those on the ‘inside.’ In hindsight, I realize this was why I eventually became a ‘drop-out’ in the 60’s. (Of course at the time, we didn’t realize we were just creating a new ‘in’ group).

Why was it so important to be IN? Because to be ‘out’ was to be rejected. To anyone who has ever felt rejected, the words of Paul are music to our ears: “There is therefore now no condemnation [rejection] for those who are IN Christ Jesus” (Ro. 8:1). Christ makes those who are IN Him acceptable to our Father. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has ... made us accepted IN the Beloved” (Eph 1:6).

If this is true, why do so many believers still care so much about ‘fitting in?’ Paul warned the believers not to be conformed (trying to be IN) to this world (Ro. 12:2). But many are trying to be in because they are controlled by the old feeling of rejection. Ask the Lord to examine your heart and reveal your conforming behaviors: things that show you do not yet fully believe you are accepted IN Christ.

Are You Proud of Your Weaknesses?

As a male, I have been conditioned by my culture to be strong. When life gets out of my control, I get anxious and agitated. I feel weak; and I don’t like it. Paul tells us that “God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, foolish, the base things and despised, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:27-29, paraphrased).

Are these the words you like to hear about yourself—weak, foolish, despised, abased? Yet that is how God stocked the early church! Later, Paul explains how God puts the treasure of Jesus in earthen vessels (humans) so it will be quite evident the power is of Him and not us (2 Cor. 4:7). In a culture that promotes power and independence, it is not natural, or easy, to embrace weakness.

Nonetheless God says to Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” And then Paul replies “most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me… I am well content with weaknesses… for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong… If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10; 2 Cor. 11:30). OK—time for a reality check. When is the last time you honestly boasted about your weakness (and not in false modesty or feigned self-deprecation)?

Have You Ever Lost Your ID?

If you've ever lost your wallet that had your photo ID and other forms of identification, you will agree it's the headache you'll remember the rest of your life. The history of identity loss can be traced back to Adam and Eve. But when they sinned, they didn’t just lose their ID cards. They actually lost their identity, and became something God never intended—merely human. Consequently, God purposed to reclaim His ‘lost’ ones, and restore their spiritual identity as His children.

When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was unrecognizable by even His most intimate friends: Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and even John and Peter. Thus Paul clarifies: “even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer” (2 Cor. 5:16 NASB). Then, applying this to us, Paul explains: “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17 NLT) In other words, like Jesus, we should be longer recognizable as the ‘humans’ we were.

Jesus first introduced this idea of changing His identity when He referred to Himself as the “grain of wheat” that must go into the earth and die in order to emerge as something/someone new (John 12:24). In the earth, the grain of wheat is cracked open and destroyed—losing its identity. In God’s inside-out economy, losing your identity is not bad. In fact, it is essential if you want to experience your new one in Christ. For then, “just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly” (1 Cor. 15:49). Wouldn't it be great if someone were to look at you and say "What happened to you? I hardly recognize you!"

The Finest Hour the World has Ever Known

Shortly after he took over as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill delivered the “This was their finest hour” speech. Though it may have been Great Britain’s finest hour, we can be certain it was not the finest hour the world has ever known. That honor belongs only to the Son of God.

Many times during his three-year ministry, Jesus said “My hour is not yet come” (John 2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20), revealing His life-long anticipation of that “hour.” When finally Jesus said the hour has come (John 17:1), He knew it was the HOUR that would change the world—the finest hour the world has ever known. Jesus’ finest hour was the polar opposite of the world’s idea of greatness. He suffered a cruel death as a common criminal at the age of 33, alone and deserted by all his followers. Yet this was His finest hour.

Today, Good Friday, Christians around the globe will remember the hour of Jesus’ death. But the meaning of the Cross remains incomprehensible to the natural man. Jesus achieved more in his darkest hour than all the world's heroes and benefactors put together. It was the hour when He died for all mankind to destroy the devil, the one who held the power of death, and to free those who all their lives were held in slavery (Heb. 2:14-15). Death was swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:54), bringing infinite blessing to mankind, turning sorrow to joy, sickness to health, hatred to love, darkness to light and death to life. His final words “it is finished” reveal the purpose of His life—“accomplishing the work God sent Him to do” (John 17:4)—to set the captives free!

Is this not the finest hour the world has ever known! This Easter, let us determine to walk in the freedom He died to give us.

Risen or Resurrected?

Do you have a tradition in your Easter morning service where each one turns to another and says “He is Risen!” and then the other responds with “He is Risen Indeed!” I don’t mean to wrangle over semantics, but I think A. B. Simpson makes a good case for distinguishing between RISEN and RESURRECTED.

One may rise from one level to another; but when one is resurrected he is brought from nothing into existence, from death to life. A true Christian does not rise, but is resurrected. The great objection to all the teachings of mere natural religion and human ethics is that they teach us to rise to higher planes. The Christian life is not about self-improvement, but it is wholly supernatural and divine. Resurrection cannot come until there has been death, and just as real as the death has been will be the measure of the resurrection life and power (The Christ Life).

On this Easter, I fear that too many will be teaching that Jesus’ resurrection means we too will be able to rise to greater heights, achieve our goals and dreams, and reach our full potential. Let’s have none of that. Let us remember that our co-death and co-resurrection with Jesus (Ro. 6:1-11) means we have been raised from the grave of our nothingness to be seated with Him in heavenly places” (Eph. 2:6).