Colossians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. When I was a pastor in Philippi, West Virginia, I did a series of bible studies on Wednesday nights with our church members on this little letter that Paul wrote. Most likely he did not even personally know the people at Colossae. It was a town that was on no major highway at the time. The two churches I pastored were a lot like that. They were both miles off the beaten path.
One of my church members in Hull, Texas where I was pastor told me when she had trouble sleeping at night she would count how many businesses had been on main street at one point. When I was there there was a post office, hardware store and our church. There was a place to eat and a gas station several blocks away and nothing else until you get to the next town. This lady who had lived in Hull most of her life said she had at one point counted 28 businesses that had been there including 3 car businesses a movie theater and a two story hotel. All of that was gone. There was at least 7 abandoned buildings around our church.
This was the kind of environment Colossae was. That is why Paul didn't stop there. You didn't get there by accident. But, having heard from some of the believers there that some people were coming in and trying to mislead the believers there Paul writes this little letter from prison. Paul tells them, specifically in the first two chapter, put Christ first and don't add to the gospel. It seems that people are constantly tripping over the simplicity of the gospel. We want to add to it with works since we want to do something instead of simply receiving what Christ wants to give us. In some ways, we want to try and earn it. But, God doesn't tell us that we earn it. The Bible says that it is a free gift of grace. The very word "grace' means "unmerited favor". It is unmerited because there is nothing you did to impress God or warrant God treating you with kindness.
Then, in chapter three Paul goes on to talk about what our response should be as believers to what Christ did for us. It is not in order to be saved, but because we are saved that we want to do these things. Understanding the high price that Christ paid on our behalf and how much He loves us, now we are to live for Him. So, Paul tells us to "set" our minds on things above. It is very intentional what we set our minds on. Then, he goes on to say that we should "put to death" Col 3:5 the things that belong to the flesh. As believers in Christ, I have a choice each day what type of spiritual clothing I put on. I have a choice who I surrender to. When I was lost I didn't have that choice. But, now I am to put on the new creation that Christ brings to us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Discerning God's Will
I know that at different times in my life, I have found myself at a crossroads. Whether it is to take one job or another or to go to one school or another. During times like that, I have tried to determine what God's will is. Or if God had a will between the individual choices I needed to make. During those times, I have sought through Bible study and prayer to understand God's voice amidst many other voices.
I've come to the point where I am honestly not sure anymore if God has specific choice for each decision that we make. But, I do know that it seems clear that when God's people are walking closely to the Lord that God is more than able to let his voice be known. It seems to me that the job of the believer is not so much to discern God's voice from someone else's, for God may use someone else to convey His will. But, rather it is to draw closely to the Lord and to make sure our hearts are right with Him.
One of my good friends in college and now pastor down in Clear Lake, Brett Dutton would often quote the verses in Psalms that said that if we delight in the Lord, He will make our paths straight. I think these verses talk as much about priority than anything else. If we are delighting in God, then we would also be delighting in the things that please God. So, if I have a choice then what I believe will please God will be a priority. My love for God and desire to please Him will be a motivator in my choices. My desire to rid my life of those things that don't please Him will also be strong. I will not want things to come between us.
In thinking about God's will for your life
Are you trying to please God with the choices you make?
Do you seek like the prophet Daniel to set aside regular times to repent of sin and seek God's face?
"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Hm, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousnessness as the light. And your judgment as the noonday." Ps 37:4-6
I've come to the point where I am honestly not sure anymore if God has specific choice for each decision that we make. But, I do know that it seems clear that when God's people are walking closely to the Lord that God is more than able to let his voice be known. It seems to me that the job of the believer is not so much to discern God's voice from someone else's, for God may use someone else to convey His will. But, rather it is to draw closely to the Lord and to make sure our hearts are right with Him.
One of my good friends in college and now pastor down in Clear Lake, Brett Dutton would often quote the verses in Psalms that said that if we delight in the Lord, He will make our paths straight. I think these verses talk as much about priority than anything else. If we are delighting in God, then we would also be delighting in the things that please God. So, if I have a choice then what I believe will please God will be a priority. My love for God and desire to please Him will be a motivator in my choices. My desire to rid my life of those things that don't please Him will also be strong. I will not want things to come between us.
In thinking about God's will for your life
Are you trying to please God with the choices you make?
Do you seek like the prophet Daniel to set aside regular times to repent of sin and seek God's face?
"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord. Trust also in Hm, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousnessness as the light. And your judgment as the noonday." Ps 37:4-6
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
God of Silence
If you listen to most modern day preachers, the only reason possible that God isn't answering your prayers is sin. Or it could possibly be a lack of faith on your part. Or maybe your just not close enough to God. But, a careful look at scripture and early church father and preachers would tell a different story. The truth is, that God sometimes seem to hide himself just at those moment where we may feel like we need Him the most. One example I was thinking of is Abraham.
You remember the story of Abraham. He was promised a child when he was in his 70's. His wife was a card carrying member of the senior citizen group and pregnant. Abraham was well into his senior years himself and still no kid. After God first promises Abraham a son, 25 years go by without an answer. You might not notice if you read fast, but Abraham is near 100 years old before the promise is fulfilled. When God does finally show up and say something he doesn't explain the wait either. He just affirms his promise to Abraham again. Sarah's response was to laugh.
Or maybe the story of Job. Job complains like a 5 year old that didn't get a treat at the birthday party. Where is God? I want to let God know my complaint? I can relate to that. But, when God does show up does God say, "You know what Job, your right. I am a little late. Sorry about all those sores." No, God just shows up and for Job it seems enough.
I have struggled at times to deal with the silence of God. "God where are you at and why aren't you. . . " It appears that I am not alone. In fact, it seems to be a common experience. I think part of the reason for this is that God wants to challenge us to grow up. God wants to call us to walk by faith and not simply warm fuzzy feelings. God wants us to trust Him when we don't see Him at work. The faith is based not on what we see, but on God's reputation. We know that God is good and that He knows how to give good gifts to His children. So, we have to trust Him when we don't see anything happening.
In James 1 that I have been looking at, James tells us that we should not be like a person who is double minded and full of doubt. Then he goes on to say that the reason for our faith is that God does not tempt anyone nor can he be influenced by temptation. John said it this way, because God is light and there is no darkness in His at all. It is good to know that God isn't like the old mythological gods that might bother someone or trick someone like life is a big game. Furthermore, God is a God who is with us. He sees our pain and has struggled himself in a human body on earth, so he understands.
You remember the story of Abraham. He was promised a child when he was in his 70's. His wife was a card carrying member of the senior citizen group and pregnant. Abraham was well into his senior years himself and still no kid. After God first promises Abraham a son, 25 years go by without an answer. You might not notice if you read fast, but Abraham is near 100 years old before the promise is fulfilled. When God does finally show up and say something he doesn't explain the wait either. He just affirms his promise to Abraham again. Sarah's response was to laugh.
Or maybe the story of Job. Job complains like a 5 year old that didn't get a treat at the birthday party. Where is God? I want to let God know my complaint? I can relate to that. But, when God does show up does God say, "You know what Job, your right. I am a little late. Sorry about all those sores." No, God just shows up and for Job it seems enough.
I have struggled at times to deal with the silence of God. "God where are you at and why aren't you. . . " It appears that I am not alone. In fact, it seems to be a common experience. I think part of the reason for this is that God wants to challenge us to grow up. God wants to call us to walk by faith and not simply warm fuzzy feelings. God wants us to trust Him when we don't see Him at work. The faith is based not on what we see, but on God's reputation. We know that God is good and that He knows how to give good gifts to His children. So, we have to trust Him when we don't see anything happening.
In James 1 that I have been looking at, James tells us that we should not be like a person who is double minded and full of doubt. Then he goes on to say that the reason for our faith is that God does not tempt anyone nor can he be influenced by temptation. John said it this way, because God is light and there is no darkness in His at all. It is good to know that God isn't like the old mythological gods that might bother someone or trick someone like life is a big game. Furthermore, God is a God who is with us. He sees our pain and has struggled himself in a human body on earth, so he understands.
Monday, December 28, 2009
My story- an introduction
I've been sharing my blog address a lot lately after not doing much with this blog for almost a year. So, if your new here I would like to take a minute to share my story with you.
This winter has been a tough one for me. I have been depressed and not sure why. I know Dr.Stanley has a book out titled "The Source of My Strength". Well, I would like to tell you about the source of my strength also. When I was about 14 or so I had a major problems with my self-esteem and depression. I simply didn't like myself. I wanted to be invisible. I tried very hard not to stand out. I spent a lot of my time alone. I didn't make friends easy. Around the time of my 16th birthday, I decided to go to a mystery retreat that my youth group at the church we attended was doing. At first, I thought it was a huge mistake. But, I felt accepted there and a part. It may have been one of the first times in my life I felt accepted by a group outside of my family. I will add that I have the greatest parents and sister in the world. Home was always a shelter in the storm for me.
One of the first things that I noticed about what the minister was saying is that God loves me. I always heard that, but something about seeing it in action made it more clear than ever. It became clear to me that if God can accept me as I am than I should also be able to accept myself. I began to get strength from that love from God. As time went on, I wanted to share that love. Because it also became clear to me that God didn't just love me, but also loves other people. He loves them with an unlimited love whether they want to acknowledge him or not. Since we are his hands and feet and mouth, he wants us to express His love for others. That was brought home to me not just by the youth in the group, but also by the adults who led the group and who mentored me.
I still have horrible periods of depression where I search for meaning. I didn't have a good day today as I write this to you. My son had two horrible temper meltdowns that trouble me. My job and life is not all fun and roses. I don't have all the answers. In fact, I have some pretty good well thought out questions of my own I would like to ask God. But, after questioning and arguing and debating and yelling at God at different points in my life I have come to settle one question and issue that before I struggled with. I know that even though I live in an unfair world where terrible things happen, God is good. I know that God is not out to get me. I know that God cries with those who cry. I know that God doesn't cause my pain. How exactly that meshes with God's sovereignty, I don't have a clue. I'm not a theologian. I am not a scholar. I am just an ordained guy that likes to study the Bible. But, after years of arguing and telling God that I don't think he is paying attention or asleep at the wheel, I can honestly tell you that we don't have that argument anymore with God as far as I am concerned. That issue is settled. Life is definitely unfair at times. Horrible things happen. Let me give you one example.
I was an intern at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh in fall 2006. I was on call for 24 hours. During the last hour of my on call I went to a trauma call. A young man was driving his pick up to work. He was about 23 years old. I had to call his mother and ask her to come to the hospital because her son was in a wreck and had been sent to the hospital. It seems that he wasn't wearing his seat belt. When he came to a sudden stop, his internal organs were crushed by the steering wheel. I don't know if you've ever seen someone bleed ou, but it isn't a pretty picture. His mother spoke to him in the trauma room, but he died less than one day later.
I've alway thought about that family. He was just driving to work. He made a mistake of not putting on his seat belt and paid for it with his life. That is a horrible story. It is unfair. In fact, some emergency rooms see that kind of thing every week. It reminds me of what Dr.Meredith said when there was a shooting at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Ft.Worth years ago and seven people were shot and killed. A reporter asked him where was God when these people were shot. Dr.Meredith said, "I suppose he was in the same place when His son hung on a cross for you and me. He was on his throne." Good answer Dr.Meredith.
This winter has been a tough one for me. I have been depressed and not sure why. I know Dr.Stanley has a book out titled "The Source of My Strength". Well, I would like to tell you about the source of my strength also. When I was about 14 or so I had a major problems with my self-esteem and depression. I simply didn't like myself. I wanted to be invisible. I tried very hard not to stand out. I spent a lot of my time alone. I didn't make friends easy. Around the time of my 16th birthday, I decided to go to a mystery retreat that my youth group at the church we attended was doing. At first, I thought it was a huge mistake. But, I felt accepted there and a part. It may have been one of the first times in my life I felt accepted by a group outside of my family. I will add that I have the greatest parents and sister in the world. Home was always a shelter in the storm for me.
One of the first things that I noticed about what the minister was saying is that God loves me. I always heard that, but something about seeing it in action made it more clear than ever. It became clear to me that if God can accept me as I am than I should also be able to accept myself. I began to get strength from that love from God. As time went on, I wanted to share that love. Because it also became clear to me that God didn't just love me, but also loves other people. He loves them with an unlimited love whether they want to acknowledge him or not. Since we are his hands and feet and mouth, he wants us to express His love for others. That was brought home to me not just by the youth in the group, but also by the adults who led the group and who mentored me.
I still have horrible periods of depression where I search for meaning. I didn't have a good day today as I write this to you. My son had two horrible temper meltdowns that trouble me. My job and life is not all fun and roses. I don't have all the answers. In fact, I have some pretty good well thought out questions of my own I would like to ask God. But, after questioning and arguing and debating and yelling at God at different points in my life I have come to settle one question and issue that before I struggled with. I know that even though I live in an unfair world where terrible things happen, God is good. I know that God is not out to get me. I know that God cries with those who cry. I know that God doesn't cause my pain. How exactly that meshes with God's sovereignty, I don't have a clue. I'm not a theologian. I am not a scholar. I am just an ordained guy that likes to study the Bible. But, after years of arguing and telling God that I don't think he is paying attention or asleep at the wheel, I can honestly tell you that we don't have that argument anymore with God as far as I am concerned. That issue is settled. Life is definitely unfair at times. Horrible things happen. Let me give you one example.
I was an intern at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh in fall 2006. I was on call for 24 hours. During the last hour of my on call I went to a trauma call. A young man was driving his pick up to work. He was about 23 years old. I had to call his mother and ask her to come to the hospital because her son was in a wreck and had been sent to the hospital. It seems that he wasn't wearing his seat belt. When he came to a sudden stop, his internal organs were crushed by the steering wheel. I don't know if you've ever seen someone bleed ou, but it isn't a pretty picture. His mother spoke to him in the trauma room, but he died less than one day later.
I've alway thought about that family. He was just driving to work. He made a mistake of not putting on his seat belt and paid for it with his life. That is a horrible story. It is unfair. In fact, some emergency rooms see that kind of thing every week. It reminds me of what Dr.Meredith said when there was a shooting at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Ft.Worth years ago and seven people were shot and killed. A reporter asked him where was God when these people were shot. Dr.Meredith said, "I suppose he was in the same place when His son hung on a cross for you and me. He was on his throne." Good answer Dr.Meredith.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Reflecting
Recently, I started this book that my wife gave me called "What am I supposed to do with my life?" by Douglas J. Brouwer. It is more like a Bible study than a novel. It has questions at the end of each chapter. This has been a big question for me throughout my life as I have struggled at times to find my place. The big question seems to be "What does God want me to do?" I will add that at the present time I am content to serve God outside the church as a mental health case manager. It is a challenging job, but also at times rewarding.
I don't have all the answers, but I think a turning point for me came when I went to a camp called "UM ARMY". Particularly in 1984 when we went to college station. I remember the mayor coming and proclaming it UMARMY day and giving up a key to the city for the day. UMARMY is a Methodist camp that emphasizes helping those who are needy and handicap. We would go out each summer for a week and paint, cut grass, clean, build things. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of hard work. It was Texas in the summer time and believe me it was hot. But, it really reinforced for me the blessing that it is to give. My faith encourages me to give. It encourages me to live out my faith in a way that I can be a light and a encouragement to others.
This all came up also as I have reflecting the last several days on James 1. James says in James 1:22-23 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." James keeps going back to this theme throughout this little epistle of James. He challenges us to show your faith by your deeds. I think people are still looking today for us to do that. They have heard sermons in words, now they are looking for sermons in action.
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder." James 2:18 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26
I don't have all the answers, but I think a turning point for me came when I went to a camp called "UM ARMY". Particularly in 1984 when we went to college station. I remember the mayor coming and proclaming it UMARMY day and giving up a key to the city for the day. UMARMY is a Methodist camp that emphasizes helping those who are needy and handicap. We would go out each summer for a week and paint, cut grass, clean, build things. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of hard work. It was Texas in the summer time and believe me it was hot. But, it really reinforced for me the blessing that it is to give. My faith encourages me to give. It encourages me to live out my faith in a way that I can be a light and a encouragement to others.
This all came up also as I have reflecting the last several days on James 1. James says in James 1:22-23 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." James keeps going back to this theme throughout this little epistle of James. He challenges us to show your faith by your deeds. I think people are still looking today for us to do that. They have heard sermons in words, now they are looking for sermons in action.
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder." James 2:18 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26
Thursday, December 24, 2009
James 1
In James 1:2 it says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything." The next few verses talk about wisdom after that. James tells us if you feel you lack wisdom you should ask God to give you more.
The ability to have joy in trials is not one that I see very often from myself or anyone else for that matter. As I was pondering this section of scripture, I thought to myself that it is because of our perspective on the trial that we experience. James is saying that there is a purpose behind the trial. That if we could look at the big picture, we would realize that God is up to something in the middle of the trial. Not that God causes the trial, but that he brings something good out of it. It is not just time wasted. Just as Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes."
The ability to have joy in trials is not one that I see very often from myself or anyone else for that matter. As I was pondering this section of scripture, I thought to myself that it is because of our perspective on the trial that we experience. James is saying that there is a purpose behind the trial. That if we could look at the big picture, we would realize that God is up to something in the middle of the trial. Not that God causes the trial, but that he brings something good out of it. It is not just time wasted. Just as Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes."
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
I am the true vine
Jesus has several statements in the gospel of John that are called the "I am" statements of Jesus. Jesus made some incredible claims about himself. He claimed to be sent by the Father. He claimed that Abraham, who lived hundreds of years before Jesus, saw his day and was glad. Jesus claimed to be the bread of heaven and the light of the world. He made this claim in John 15 to be the true vine.
Sometimes Israel was referred to as a vine. In Isaiah 5:1-2 "I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard; My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and clearned it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit." Then, in verse 7 Isaiah clearly defines that the vineyard is the house of Israel and the men of Judah. God says that he looked there for justice, but found bloodshed. He looked for righteousness, but found distress.
Now, we are the people of God as believers in Christ. We are the branches. Jesus gives us this clear designation in John 15:1-5. Then, he goes on to say what he expects from us. He expects us to be "fruitful". He says that we do this by "abiding in Him" and not through our own effort. Our job is not to bear the fruit through our own effort or intelligence or good planning, but our job is to abide. Our job is to stay attached if you will to the vine.
One of the way we do this is through prayer and surrender. I must be willing to lay aside my own will and to take up my cross and follow Him. I must be willing to surrender to Him will and ways and not my own. I must be willing to trust Him when I don't see Him at work. Believe me, there are plenty of times when it appears God is not at work. But, God stillness does not mean he is not at work.
God desires your holiness more than your happiness.
God desires for you to grow up and trust Him.
God is willing for you to be uncomfortable in order to make this happen.
God is willing to wait as long as He needs to to get your attention.
God is willing to wait for us to learn to trust Him. God is willing to be quiet and to wait for you.
He is waiting and watching over you today. You wouldn't believe how much He loves you.
Sometimes Israel was referred to as a vine. In Isaiah 5:1-2 "I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard; My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and clearned it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit." Then, in verse 7 Isaiah clearly defines that the vineyard is the house of Israel and the men of Judah. God says that he looked there for justice, but found bloodshed. He looked for righteousness, but found distress.
Now, we are the people of God as believers in Christ. We are the branches. Jesus gives us this clear designation in John 15:1-5. Then, he goes on to say what he expects from us. He expects us to be "fruitful". He says that we do this by "abiding in Him" and not through our own effort. Our job is not to bear the fruit through our own effort or intelligence or good planning, but our job is to abide. Our job is to stay attached if you will to the vine.
One of the way we do this is through prayer and surrender. I must be willing to lay aside my own will and to take up my cross and follow Him. I must be willing to surrender to Him will and ways and not my own. I must be willing to trust Him when I don't see Him at work. Believe me, there are plenty of times when it appears God is not at work. But, God stillness does not mean he is not at work.
God desires your holiness more than your happiness.
God desires for you to grow up and trust Him.
God is willing for you to be uncomfortable in order to make this happen.
God is willing to wait as long as He needs to to get your attention.
God is willing to wait for us to learn to trust Him. God is willing to be quiet and to wait for you.
He is waiting and watching over you today. You wouldn't believe how much He loves you.
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