Worshiping Celebrity

This is the time of year when celebrity worship reaches its peak. If you haven’t the stomach for TV anymore, you’ve missed these worship services: Golden Globes, SAGs, and Grammys, with the highly exalted Oscars and Super Bowl Sunday worship services yet to come.

 

This adulation of celebrity stems from man’s longing for excellence. Created to worship, Adam was an enthusiastic spectator of God’s glory. But sin changed the object of veneration—from Creator to creature: “We will make a name for ourselves” (Ro. 1:25; Gen. 11:14). Mankind is a worshipper by nature. Enamored with youthfulness, strength, beauty, and intelligence, his thirst for excellence is unquenchable.

The sons of Adam search in vain for ‘something’ worthy to worship on this earth. Sadly, many believers are also easily deceived and captivated by these futile fetes. Please understand that I am not saying it is wrong to watch the Super Bowl or the Oscars. But in light of worldly adoration, it behooves us to watch our hearts so we won't unwittingly fall into the worship of celebrity. It's not worth it! 

God Takes No Pleasure in Your Legs

A few years ago, I wrote a post called “Can You Outrun the Chariots.” In this story (1 Kings 18), Elijah supernaturally outruns King Ahab’s chariots, escaping from Jezebel who was out to kill him for destroying her prophets of Baal.

Chariots represent the might of armies. Man’s legs represent the power of the individual. “God does not delight in the strength of the horse [chariots]; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man” (Ps. 147:10). In other words, it was neither slow chariots nor fast legs that accomplished God's purposes that day. It was the superhuman power of God working through a mere man.

This story illustrates the divine/human partnership where God operates through weak, humble humans. In these perilous times, with events beyond our control, we certainly cannot rely on our armies, and our legs will surely fail us. No, God wants us to relinquish control to Him who accomplishes all things, “Not by might, not by power, by My Spirit” (Zech. 4:6). Only Spirit-filled legs will hold up in the days ahead.

Infused with Steroids

I promise you (I think) that this will be the last ‘chemo’ comparison I make, but it’s too good to pass up. My cancer-killing chemo treatments are called ‘infusions’ because they are administered intravenously. After my first infusion 2 weeks ago, I had flu-like symptoms for 2 days. My friend Janet told me that as she was praying for me to have a better post-infusion experience, the Lord brought to her mind the words “He restores my soul” (Ps. 23:2)—but not in English; in Spanish, “Me infunde nuevas fuerzas,” which translates “He infuses me with new strength.”

What Janet did not know is that before getting my 2nd chemo infusion, the oncologist gave me a steroid infusion to diminish my symptoms. So Janet’s prayer, “infuse Greg with new strength,” was answered in a tangible way. Making this spiritual event even more interesting is the detail that the English word “steroid” derives from the Greek “sterizo”—meaning “strength.” In answer to Janet’s prayer, I was strengthened both physically and spiritually.

At those moments we are feeling most weak and vulnerable, we tend to reach out to God for new strength! But at a time in Israel’s history when they were vulnerable, they looked to Egypt’s armies for strength rather than God.  So, He patiently reminded them, “In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me], you shall be saved; in quietness and trust [in Me] is your strength” (Is. 30:15). As thankful as I am for man-made steroids, I am thankful for this tangible reminder of His strength. Thus, I am well content with weakness...for when I am weak, I am strong (2 Cor 12:10).

Let us Build a New Tower

Resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. It is a gift of God to help us cope with hard things in life. But it can also be an instrument of self-supremacy—the “I can do anything” attitude that was birthed in the Garden of Eden—“you shall be like God.”

From Genesis to Revelation, "Babylon" is used to denote the strength and resiliency of man—its first mention, the Tower of Babel. Ever since, men have built towers to display their strength. After the fall of the World Trade towers on 911, it seemed Americans were brought to their knees and humbled—churches were full of scared people. But within weeks, resilience returned. And national leaders said, “We will build a new tower!” Thus a new Word Trade tower (the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere) will be completed in 2013, reaching a symbolic 1,776 feet—referring to the year America declared its independence.

Isaiah describes Israel’s resilience after tragedy: “The people say in their proud, lofty hearts, ‘The bricks are fallen down, but come, let us hew stones and cut down trees and build for ourselves a tower’” (9:8–10). We American Christians must be especially leery of how the spirit of resilience affects us. We can forget that our trials are meant to make us more dependent on God.  Because Paul understood this, he boasted in his weakness (1 Co. 12:19). But the resilient American spirit hates weakness, and says, “let us build a new tower.”

God’s Ways are Smaller than Ours

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isa 55:8-9 NLT).

As I was reflecting on these verses, it occurred to me that God’s ways are not just different and higher, but smaller. There’s something about fallen humanity that worships “BIG” proportions!—and quality is often sacrificed at the altar of quantity—big is better. But in Deuteronomy, God says “The LORD did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations!” (7:7)

This “smaller is better” theme is played out many times in Israel’s history whenever they came up against large enemy armies—but nowhere is it more striking than in the story of Gideon. When it was time to go to war, he gathered 32,000 soldiers. But to make sure they wouldn’t credit the victory to their manpower, God reduced Gideon’s army to a meager 300. And you know the rest of the story.

Here is the principle: God must reduce your strength before He can give you His. “God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong” (1 Cor. 1:27).

Can You Outrun the Chariots?

“Then the LORD gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.” (1 Kings 18:46). In this Old Testament story, Elijah outruns King Ahab’s chariot. Chariots represent the strength of man.

Chariots signify speed, accomplishment, and domination. Yet, Elijah outran the chariots. You may think that Elijah must have really been ‘in the zone’ at that great moment. But the fact is, Elijah was so discouraged and despairing, he was ready to give up. Even though he had just been used by God to defeat and destroy 450 prophets of Baal, he made a 180 degree turn, and ran for his life when Jezebel threatened to kill him. Running to the desert, he sat down and prayed “Lord, I’ve had enough; just let me die.” (I Kings 19:4).

How is it that no matter how much God shows His power in our lives, we, like Elijah, so easily turn away when our feats are followed by defeats, and we say I’ve had enough? These are the times when God simply wants us to relinquish control and believe in His power, having confidence in God's promise “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9). If only we could abide in that truth, we would be able to outrun the chariots.

Getting Rid of that Post-Holiday Weight Gain is a "Piece of Cake"

Shortly after the New Year, a junk email showed up in my inbox that nearly shouted at me: “Too Much Holiday Food? Get Back In Shape With Beach Body Fitness Programs.” Ha! , I thought; I don’t think anyone wants to see this 62-year old body on the beach (nonetheless in a speedo)! Seriously, I’m having trouble this year losing my annual “holiday” weight gain. (The term “belly fat” has taken on new meaning!) Overindulgence in holiday treats and less time at the gym have apparently shrunk my Levi’s.

But it all comes down to self-control, which has everything to do with being able to stand against temptation. (By the way, ‘self-control’ is a gift from God that I should have already opened long before Christmas. And should have been using!)

Though there is some comfort in knowing Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, He never caved in to uncontrolled appetite—He never had to go on a diet. Why? He knew how to draw from that place of Holy-Spirit empowered self-control. So rather than setting a goal to lose 10 pounds, I should be aiming to walk in the same Spirit-empowered self-control as Jesus did. After all, how can I expect to pull down strongholds of Satan if don’t even have the strength to close the refrigerator door?

Self-Contained

I believe one of the primary characteristics of spiritual maturity is our readiness to accept whatever condition we are in without complaining. Paul wrote, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11). The Greek word for content here means self-sufficient. Paul is certainly not claiming self-sufficiency in the way we speak of it—autonomy and independence. No, he is declaring that Jesus is all he needs. With Christ indwelling him, Paul says ‘I am self-contained’ not wanting or needing anything more than I already have.

Spiritual maturity comes when we have learned to trust Jesus has given us all we need. But let me be quick to add: being content in an undesirable circumstance doesn't mean we enjoy it. It means we have learned to focus on Jesus’ sufficiency—not on our discomfort. We have joy (not 'en'joy) knowing our Lord is using the circumstance to mature our faith, and that it is, in fact, ‘normal’ and ‘necessary’ for our growth in faith.

Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Peter 5:9-10). In other words, you will have all you need: self-contained.

God Doesn’t Like Your Legs

Our manufactured home does not sit on a solid foundation; it rests on a number of strategically placed piers. And 15 years, they are still holding up our house.

Foundations are the unseen, unnoticed, but critical part of any building. The strength of the foundation will determine the quality and integrity of everything built upon it. The writer of Hebrews (6:1) describes our SPIRITUAL foundation as being built on two key principles: REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS and FAITH TOWARD GOD. You cannot build a house of faith on a foundation of dead works.

Dead works are things done in your own strength, “self life” always wanting to prove its goodness & strength. While not inherently sinful, dead works are sin because they are acts of self-reliance, not faith: “Whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Ro. 14:23).

The psalmist says “God does not delight in the strength of a horse not does he take pleasure in the LEGS OF A MAN” (147:10)—legs of a man referring to one’s natural strength, talents, cleverness, resourcefulness, all contributing to self-righteousness. A man’s LEGS may be the foundation upon which his body rests. But cannot be the base upon which he builds his house of faith!

Have you been too proud of your legs! Is there anything you need to repent of?

Increasing Strength in God's Gymnasium

In your physical fitness training, you will have to continually increase your resistance if you hope to increase your strength. If you are a body builder, you will need to add weights and repetitions; if you are a runner, you will need to increase speed or distance or incline. So, as a card-carrying member of God’s Gymnasium, you can expect resistance. And the more RESISTANCE you can endure, the greater your spiritual growth.

Here is a biblical principle of spiritual growth:
Whenever you begin to move with God to change things in your life, you will be met by resistance—from within and without! Specifically, your enemy the devil is going to get very upset with you. He will attack you internally by doubt, fear and discouragement. He will attack you externally by slander, ridicule, even threats. One thing is clear: opposition (RESISTANCE) is inevitable.

At times like this you may need a work-out partner. Whenever the devil’s attack comes, don’t try to fight it alone. Find someone to pray with, to join you in the battle; someone to encourage you and keep you working out when you are tempted to give up. (When Elijah was so discouraged he said “Lord, take my life; it’s not worth it; I’m alone,” God sent him Elisha.) And remember: Jesus sent the disciples out in two's.

As you stay in God’s Gymnasium, don’t be surprised when you encounter RESISTANCE. But expect God to send help! “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10).

But of this you can be sure: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

In God's Gymnasium, the Strong become Weaker!

[In yesterday’s post, I spoke of the importance of spiritual exercise, using the metaphor of God’s gymnasium. As a pastor and counselor of 25 years, it grieves me that so many Christians think that this daily discipline is optional.]
In God’s Gymnasium, you will become weaker, not stronger.

The result of exercising yourself in GOD'S GYMNASIUM is the opposite of what will happen to you at 24-Hour Fitness!—where the purpose is to become stronger. In the spiritual realm, God’s training regimen is to make you weaker. Let me explain.

Our natural desire is to become stronger in our in self-esteem, self-confidence, and competence. In secular psychology, this is called EGO-STRENGTH. Ego-strength is considered a ‘good’ thing (by secular psychologists). In God’s Gymnasium our ego-strength is exposed. Conversely, the Holy Spirit shows us how weak and unable we are to live holy lives. The intent of God’s training, then, is to weaken (and ultimately destroy) our self-life, and make us stronger in spirit (God-reliant; God-dependent).

Before his conversion, Paul was a naturally gifted man, esteeming himself highly. But Paul learned that “[God’s] strength is perfected in [our] weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). To the self-congratulating Corinthians, Paul says God has “chosen the weak things of this world to shame the things that are strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

If you do not visit God’s Gymnasium regularly, you are in peril of thinking you are stronger than you really are. You are in danger of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Through daily exercising our spirit through Bible study and meditation, we are humbled and broken of self-strength. And we learn how to exchange our strength for His.

Isaiah says:
“He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD [in God’s Gymnasium] will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (40:29-31).

And finally, listen to the words of the prophet Joel (3:10):

“Let the weak say I am Strong."