I hate it when I go to pay a $12 meal tab with a $20 bill and the server asks me, "Do you want your change?" Um. Yes. I believe in tipping well, but not that well. Of course I want my change! Or do I? When it comes to the most important kind, maybe I'm pretty quick to say, "No, actually. Why don't you keep it?"
The apostle Paul writes to Christians: You yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers! Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?. . . And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:8-11)
Four things about character jump out at me here: 1) People can change ("that is what some of you were"). 2) Believers should change ("you were washed, you were sanctified..."). 3) Many of us have not changed ("you yourselves cheat and do wrong"). And 4) Without real change, people show that they have not truly received God's Kingdom, his reign, and will miss its glorious culmination ("the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God").
In my own life first and also in my ministry, I must recognize that transformation--getting better--doesn't happen mystically or passively. God isn't likely to just zap me and change me. It's a process. And its a process that requires my intentionality, not just my good intentions (if, in fact, I even have them--a lot of believers I know don't seem to have any intention of changing).
It first takes seeing what areas that I need change. Next it takes wanting to change. Then it takes asking my Savior King to change me on a daily basis while I engage myself in spiritual practices that will help facilitate that change.
Lord, I don't want to stay stuck in the same old weaknesses that limit me and diminish my capacity for the full life that you want to give me. I really do want my change. I really do want your Kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth, starting in my own heart. Amen.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Good Judgment
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." (1 Cor. 5:12-13)
It is clearly not the church's job to condemn the world, right? Yet we are known for doing just that. How can we be God's agents of redemption when all non-Christians hear from us is judgment and condemnation? They feel cursed by us when they should feel loved. Our perspective has to change from one of us vs. them to a conviction that it is us for them against the powers that dominate them.
The reason there was immorality among the believers in Corinth and other Greek cities is that they were loving and accepting broken people from out of a thoroughly immoral background. It is messy business being involved in God's mission in the world. That was not their mistake.
Their mistake was that, even after people received Jesus, they weren't calling them to a commitment to live in the freeing Way of Christ. They let grace become license. But in thinking they were free, they were really still enslaved.
There are no perfect people, including Christians. We must love and accept people in their messiness yet walk with them towards purity. As John Burke puts it at Gateway Church in Austin, a church reaching many lost people: "Come as you are . . . but don't stay that way."
It is clearly not the church's job to condemn the world, right? Yet we are known for doing just that. How can we be God's agents of redemption when all non-Christians hear from us is judgment and condemnation? They feel cursed by us when they should feel loved. Our perspective has to change from one of us vs. them to a conviction that it is us for them against the powers that dominate them.
The reason there was immorality among the believers in Corinth and other Greek cities is that they were loving and accepting broken people from out of a thoroughly immoral background. It is messy business being involved in God's mission in the world. That was not their mistake.
Their mistake was that, even after people received Jesus, they weren't calling them to a commitment to live in the freeing Way of Christ. They let grace become license. But in thinking they were free, they were really still enslaved.
There are no perfect people, including Christians. We must love and accept people in their messiness yet walk with them towards purity. As John Burke puts it at Gateway Church in Austin, a church reaching many lost people: "Come as you are . . . but don't stay that way."
Sunday, November 25, 2007
To Hear His Cheers
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. . . . The Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receie his praise from God. (1 Cor. 4:2, 5)
Today, Sunday, I went with my family to a church gathering and I praised God for who he is and all of his goodness. One day, God is going to praise me! Now that sounds weird. Of course, that doesn't mean that God is going to worship me. He'll give me the kind of praise that I give my children when they do well, or the staff who work under me when they score a win.
Everything I have and am--my gifts, experiences, understanding of God's will--is a trust given me to use to bring the reign of God to dark places. I will have to answer for how well I managed that trust. One thing that scares me is the possibility that while I'm trying to bring the reign of God to dark places, I may glide right on over the dark places that still live in me. I know they're there. And I've seen others make that tragic mistake.
It's the ego needs that get in the way. I want people to remark about what a great leader, minister, or speaker I am. It's part of my human nature that I accept. But that ego need can drive me underground with my own life struggles and conflicted motives. Any masks I wear, any secret corruption that I hide to look good will be exposed in the end.
Better to be real. Better to bring the reign of God to my own darkness, shine the light around, and let others join me in my search for what God can do in me. He's the only one "in whom there is no darkness at all." Better to seek not the accolades of people, but the cheers of my eternal God and King.
Today, Sunday, I went with my family to a church gathering and I praised God for who he is and all of his goodness. One day, God is going to praise me! Now that sounds weird. Of course, that doesn't mean that God is going to worship me. He'll give me the kind of praise that I give my children when they do well, or the staff who work under me when they score a win.
Everything I have and am--my gifts, experiences, understanding of God's will--is a trust given me to use to bring the reign of God to dark places. I will have to answer for how well I managed that trust. One thing that scares me is the possibility that while I'm trying to bring the reign of God to dark places, I may glide right on over the dark places that still live in me. I know they're there. And I've seen others make that tragic mistake.
It's the ego needs that get in the way. I want people to remark about what a great leader, minister, or speaker I am. It's part of my human nature that I accept. But that ego need can drive me underground with my own life struggles and conflicted motives. Any masks I wear, any secret corruption that I hide to look good will be exposed in the end.
Better to be real. Better to bring the reign of God to my own darkness, shine the light around, and let others join me in my search for what God can do in me. He's the only one "in whom there is no darkness at all." Better to seek not the accolades of people, but the cheers of my eternal God and King.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
God's Contractor
You (all) are God's house. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. . . . Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you'll be found out. . . . If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn't, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. (1 Cor. 3:9-15 NIV/Message)
This passage of Scripture speaks to me. It reminds me that God's business is the ultimate business, and that whatever a good businessman would invest to build a great company, God's church deserves at least that kind of investment. It really peeves me when people who have the potential to do a lot better think small and shabby when it comes to the church of the living God! But who cares what I think? What does God think? The passage above tells me--surprise, surprise--that God expects first-rate, top quality work. His Kingdom deserves our attention to best practices.
Church leadership is a heavy responsibility. We're contractors, so to speak, hired by God. We're working on the same building. This isn't a competition but a team effort. We better give it our best. If we seek popularity by simply being trendy, putting up an impressive front to mask our actual shallowness, all of our work is eventually going to be shown for what it is.
This also tells me that it's not just my work that needs to be quality. As a leader, I've got to motivate my people to do the same. It's the Temple of God we're building! There's no place for sloppy, mediocre, or "good enough." Do it right and do it big!
Jesus, with your help I can be a master builder. I'll give you my very best. Please bring the best people, the best co-leaders, the best resources to me so that the work we do will please you.
This passage of Scripture speaks to me. It reminds me that God's business is the ultimate business, and that whatever a good businessman would invest to build a great company, God's church deserves at least that kind of investment. It really peeves me when people who have the potential to do a lot better think small and shabby when it comes to the church of the living God! But who cares what I think? What does God think? The passage above tells me--surprise, surprise--that God expects first-rate, top quality work. His Kingdom deserves our attention to best practices.
Church leadership is a heavy responsibility. We're contractors, so to speak, hired by God. We're working on the same building. This isn't a competition but a team effort. We better give it our best. If we seek popularity by simply being trendy, putting up an impressive front to mask our actual shallowness, all of our work is eventually going to be shown for what it is.
This also tells me that it's not just my work that needs to be quality. As a leader, I've got to motivate my people to do the same. It's the Temple of God we're building! There's no place for sloppy, mediocre, or "good enough." Do it right and do it big!
Jesus, with your help I can be a master builder. I'll give you my very best. Please bring the best people, the best co-leaders, the best resources to me so that the work we do will please you.
Monday, November 19, 2007
The God-Conceived Me
God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. . . . what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us [that God determined for our glory, NIV], long before we ever arrived on the scene. The "experts" of our day haven't a clue about what this eternal plan is. (1 Cor. 2:7-8 Message)
Understanding God's Kingdom--and life in it--continues to mystify people. It runs so counter to our fallen nature. Yet it beckons us back to a primeval time when the world was new and innocent. It is a distant, glimmering light that allures us to rediscover our true identity, the real "us" that God conceived, but which has been hidden under layers of scars and all but forgotten. It has to compete with talk-show guides and self-help authors, the endless empty voices of humanity's own futile attempts to patch ourselves up around the seams.
I will relentlessly seek God's wisdom so that the real God-conceived me can find its way to the surface in all its beauty and glory. I will let it change me from the core and embrace the greatness for which God conceived me. When that greatness is seen and experienced in the people he formed, God is glorified. He wants us to shine for him!
Understanding God's Kingdom--and life in it--continues to mystify people. It runs so counter to our fallen nature. Yet it beckons us back to a primeval time when the world was new and innocent. It is a distant, glimmering light that allures us to rediscover our true identity, the real "us" that God conceived, but which has been hidden under layers of scars and all but forgotten. It has to compete with talk-show guides and self-help authors, the endless empty voices of humanity's own futile attempts to patch ourselves up around the seams.
I will relentlessly seek God's wisdom so that the real God-conceived me can find its way to the surface in all its beauty and glory. I will let it change me from the core and embrace the greatness for which God conceived me. When that greatness is seen and experienced in the people he formed, God is glorified. He wants us to shine for him!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
To Have It All
I got a call from a young friend the other day. He was drunk and cussing out God because his girlfriend had just broken up with him. It reminded me of some times in my own life when I've been mad at God, exasperated that he didn't come through on something that was very important to me. Been there?
Just think--you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you. . . . God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. (1 Cor. 1:7-9 Message)
It seems to me that there is an ironic paradox built into life. As long as we pursue God simply as a means to an end (getting what we want out of life), the abundant life in Jesus alludes us. We feel disappointed by God. It's like putting your coins in the machine, pushing the right button, but nothing comes out. Frustrating! But what kind of God would he be if he functioned like a vending machine, anyway?
Only when we discover that God himself is the only thing that is really worth pursuing--seeking him just to know him, just to be close to him, just to be more like him--do we find the content satisfaction of discovering that in God we really do have all things.
Disappointed with God? Try pursuing God instead of God's blessings. You'll find more blessing than you can imagine.
Lord, I have you, and that is truly enough. Amen.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
We're baaaack
We've been out of town for most of a week at a church planting assessment lab. It was good to get a strong affirmation of our calling from this group of qualified people. God is good!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Cross Comparison
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. . . . When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (Jn. 21:20-22)
Comparisons--we love to make them. When I buy something, I always compare to make sure I'm getting the best deal. And I do the same thing with my life. I can relate to Peter, who seems to have been feeling a little envious of John's relationship with Jesus. Perhaps he felt that John was getting special favor. He wanted to know if John's path of ministry was going to be as rough as the one Jesus was plotting for him.
Funny how when I compare myself to others, I most often look at those who seem to be better off than me and come away feeling deprived. Rarely do I look at the guy who has it much harder than I do and think about how blessed I am. I have often wondered why some ministers seem to have the golden touch. "Why can't I lead a church like that?" I wonder. "Why didn't God give me those kinds of opportunities?" I'm not spending much time looking at the guy who has been preaching to the little rural church of less than 50 people for 50 years and thinking, "Wow! I sure have had it good compared to him."
Okay, this passage chides me a bit. Jesus has the right to do what he wants with what is his. I am just to follow him wherever it takes me. How quickly I forget that Jesus' path led to a brutal cross. Lord, when I feel jealous of others, remind me that you chose the way of suffering for me. Amen.
Comparisons--we love to make them. When I buy something, I always compare to make sure I'm getting the best deal. And I do the same thing with my life. I can relate to Peter, who seems to have been feeling a little envious of John's relationship with Jesus. Perhaps he felt that John was getting special favor. He wanted to know if John's path of ministry was going to be as rough as the one Jesus was plotting for him.
Funny how when I compare myself to others, I most often look at those who seem to be better off than me and come away feeling deprived. Rarely do I look at the guy who has it much harder than I do and think about how blessed I am. I have often wondered why some ministers seem to have the golden touch. "Why can't I lead a church like that?" I wonder. "Why didn't God give me those kinds of opportunities?" I'm not spending much time looking at the guy who has been preaching to the little rural church of less than 50 people for 50 years and thinking, "Wow! I sure have had it good compared to him."
Okay, this passage chides me a bit. Jesus has the right to do what he wants with what is his. I am just to follow him wherever it takes me. How quickly I forget that Jesus' path led to a brutal cross. Lord, when I feel jealous of others, remind me that you chose the way of suffering for me. Amen.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Faith Lost & Found
Thomas said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands . . . and put my hand in his side, I will not believe it." (Jn. 20:25)
If you've ever taken a leap of faith toward God and then had the bottom fall out of your hopes, you can relate to Thomas. Maybe you lay it on the line for God, and then your ministry fails, you get fired, or crisis strikes. It feels like you trustingly fell backwards, expecting God to catch you, and he didn't. Whack! You hit the ground and the breath of faith is knocked right out of you.
That's what happened to Thomas. After that kind of experience, the next time someone tries to talk to you about what God can do, you don't want to hear it--not because you're a stubborn skeptic, but because you've been burned and you're skiddish about reapproaching the fire. What if you get burned again? You're afraid of the pain of further disappointment.
The best thing you can do is put yourself in a position to where if Jesus shows up, you'll not miss it. Thomas wasn't with the disciples that Sunday after the crucifixion, but he showed up again the next week, doubts and all. You have to open yourself up to the possibility of faith again. You have to want to believe. That is the difference between Thomas and the many religious leaders who saw Jesus do indisputable miracles and yet still refused to believe.
Thomas' desire to believe again, despite his doubts and fears, was rewarded. Even more "blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." (v. 29)
Jesus, my faith in you will not be conditioned on you fulfilling all of my expectations. Amen.
And here's food for thought--how was Thomas better as a result of God letting him fall and then helping him get back up?
If you've ever taken a leap of faith toward God and then had the bottom fall out of your hopes, you can relate to Thomas. Maybe you lay it on the line for God, and then your ministry fails, you get fired, or crisis strikes. It feels like you trustingly fell backwards, expecting God to catch you, and he didn't. Whack! You hit the ground and the breath of faith is knocked right out of you.
That's what happened to Thomas. After that kind of experience, the next time someone tries to talk to you about what God can do, you don't want to hear it--not because you're a stubborn skeptic, but because you've been burned and you're skiddish about reapproaching the fire. What if you get burned again? You're afraid of the pain of further disappointment.
The best thing you can do is put yourself in a position to where if Jesus shows up, you'll not miss it. Thomas wasn't with the disciples that Sunday after the crucifixion, but he showed up again the next week, doubts and all. You have to open yourself up to the possibility of faith again. You have to want to believe. That is the difference between Thomas and the many religious leaders who saw Jesus do indisputable miracles and yet still refused to believe.
Thomas' desire to believe again, despite his doubts and fears, was rewarded. Even more "blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." (v. 29)
Jesus, my faith in you will not be conditioned on you fulfilling all of my expectations. Amen.
And here's food for thought--how was Thomas better as a result of God letting him fall and then helping him get back up?
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Looking for Someone?
Early Sunday morning at the empty tomb . . . Mary Magdalene weeps in confusion and anger.
"Woman," Jesus said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" (Jn. 20:15)
Why the question? He already knew. Was he toying with a grieving friend? More likely, the question is for the rest of us. It jumps off the pages of John's manuscript.
Why is life looking so hopeless? why the despair? Why do we feel so lost and confused? Does it, perhaps, relate to the fact that we're looking for someone we haven't found yet that alone can turn our world around?
We may think that person is a new wife or a husband, or a child, but we find they aren't the final answer. When we hear him call our name, we will realize that it is Jesus that we're really looking for. And he loves to let us find him.
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out, "...Teacher!" (v. 16)
Jesus, you are the one I have been looking for. Please reveal yourself to me. Amen.
Can you relate? When did you figure out it was Jesus you were looking for?
"Woman," Jesus said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" (Jn. 20:15)
Why the question? He already knew. Was he toying with a grieving friend? More likely, the question is for the rest of us. It jumps off the pages of John's manuscript.
Why is life looking so hopeless? why the despair? Why do we feel so lost and confused? Does it, perhaps, relate to the fact that we're looking for someone we haven't found yet that alone can turn our world around?
We may think that person is a new wife or a husband, or a child, but we find they aren't the final answer. When we hear him call our name, we will realize that it is Jesus that we're really looking for. And he loves to let us find him.
Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out, "...Teacher!" (v. 16)
Jesus, you are the one I have been looking for. Please reveal yourself to me. Amen.
Can you relate? When did you figure out it was Jesus you were looking for?
Monday, November 5, 2007
Dump the Clothes
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares. . . . This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled which said: "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." (Jn. 19:23,24)
Have you ever thought about the sad irony of that? Fighting over Jesus' clothes, when he was offering them forgiveness and life that is truly life! The God of heaven and earth is there before them in human form and all they are focused on is who gets to wear his suit. Somebody walked off wearing Jesus' outfit. But the clothes didn't give him the life that their original owner possessed, and while the clothes wore out, the life he would have given them is forever.
Is it just me, or do a lot of people today continue to "fight over Jesus' clothing" and miss the essence of his life and mission? All they seem to care about is the externals, the trappings, the way things look. They love to dress up "Christian," and their eyes never really turn upward to take in the Man himself. Why do you suppose that is? I used to be one of them. For me it was just a whole lot easier to argue over the clothing than to be confronted by the real heart of Jesus and what he was asking of me.
Jesus, clothe me in your deep, inner goodness and your grace, your compassion and your reckless love. Amen.
Have you ever thought about the sad irony of that? Fighting over Jesus' clothes, when he was offering them forgiveness and life that is truly life! The God of heaven and earth is there before them in human form and all they are focused on is who gets to wear his suit. Somebody walked off wearing Jesus' outfit. But the clothes didn't give him the life that their original owner possessed, and while the clothes wore out, the life he would have given them is forever.
Is it just me, or do a lot of people today continue to "fight over Jesus' clothing" and miss the essence of his life and mission? All they seem to care about is the externals, the trappings, the way things look. They love to dress up "Christian," and their eyes never really turn upward to take in the Man himself. Why do you suppose that is? I used to be one of them. For me it was just a whole lot easier to argue over the clothing than to be confronted by the real heart of Jesus and what he was asking of me.
Jesus, clothe me in your deep, inner goodness and your grace, your compassion and your reckless love. Amen.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Your Witness
"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. . . . You are right in saying I am a King. In fact, for this reason I was born . . . to testify to the truth." (Jn. 18:23, 37)
John emphasizes the importance of testifying to the truth of who Jesus is. the power of the spoken word to sway the opinion of others is indisputable. Talk shows make their living doing it. Jesus goes on to say, "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
Speaking up for Jesus is part of being his follower. It often feels like my beliefs about Jesus are unwelcome, and that my testimony is unwanted and has no impact. But it's not my job to be Jesus' attorney; it's my job to be his witness. I don't have to convince the jury, I only need to tell what i have read, seen and experienced. Truth-seekers will be impacted. I may not get to see the final result, but my words get them thinking.
Jesus, I will be your witness. Just teach me to do like you did, and first ask what the other person's perspective of you is, to gain the right to be heard. Amen.
John emphasizes the importance of testifying to the truth of who Jesus is. the power of the spoken word to sway the opinion of others is indisputable. Talk shows make their living doing it. Jesus goes on to say, "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
Speaking up for Jesus is part of being his follower. It often feels like my beliefs about Jesus are unwelcome, and that my testimony is unwanted and has no impact. But it's not my job to be Jesus' attorney; it's my job to be his witness. I don't have to convince the jury, I only need to tell what i have read, seen and experienced. Truth-seekers will be impacted. I may not get to see the final result, but my words get them thinking.
Jesus, I will be your witness. Just teach me to do like you did, and first ask what the other person's perspective of you is, to gain the right to be heard. Amen.
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