Obligation or Passion

10/19/12

I heard this phrase on the radio this week and it caught my attention; Microwave Christians. It’s not a new term it has actually been used a lot during the past 20. You might wonder how you can put the two words together to make a point well this is the best description I have found. Have you ever gotten something out of the microwave that was so hot you had to get mittens just to pick it up? Only to discover the insides of it were as cold as ice. There are a lot of well-meaning Christians that fill the pew every Sunday serve as greeters, ushers,  musicians, singers, and even some preachers who have lost that inner passion for what they do every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday. To be honest with you it affects more people than you think. It is currently one of my own struggles; I have lost a passion to do many of the activities I have always done. In my own life I have allowed the doing to overtake the purpose for why it was done in the first place. You see we can be busy doing God’s work but not doing what God has for us to do. There is a difference between obligation and passion many of the things that are done in churches is out of obligation. First because we believe that if I don’t do it; it won’t get done. Let me tell you that you may be keeping someone else from doing what a God has called them to if you are not willing to step back and examine what God’s plan is for you. I have learned from experience that God has called and created each of us to do certain things and reach certain groups of people. Often though we grow comfortable and conform to a pattern that locks us into a position of self-control. This hinders God’s work in our own life not to mention what it does to the people around us.  In my struggles with this issue I have turned to God and sought after His wisdom and plan for my life as should anyone else that finds they are lacking a passion for what you are doing for God. I started in Proverbs 2:

1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV)

 

and found myself back in the Book of James; the Proverbs of the New Testament, and the verse that I want to share with you is:

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 (ESV)

 

We cannot live a double minded life and serve God. We must be willing to turn over full control to His sovereign will for our lives. I pray that God guides me where He would have me be so that I can be affective for His kingdom and I pray the same for you. It is not an easy decision to make but it is the best one you will ever make if you truly desire to serve God with all your heart, mind, body and soul. Have a blessed day as you walk in God’s word.

Not Why But What

This past week I have listened to several wonderful speakers discuss why we have suffering and trials in our lives and it has amazed me as to the varying reasons and lines of though t that have been given for why God allows this. One speaker explained it as part of the discipline of God in a believer’s life. Another shared that it was part of the redemptive plan of God and that often it was the point in which believers began to truly learn to walk with God.  The point that I heard though that really got my attention was when one of them explained that it was alright to ask why of God. Often we struggle with this question; I know I have I often ask Him, yet I really know less today than I thought I did.  Last night as I was reading and studying I was looking at the book of James and with all this other going through my mind I read these words;

 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:2-4 (NLT)

As I prayed about it I really believe the question about our trials and suffering becomes not why I lord. But what purpose is God trying to bring about in my life.  It’s alright to ask God why you are enduring this trail go ahead and ask.  If you really want an answer maybe it’s time you change the question to what does He want to change in me. Have a blessed day.

The Prepared Way

This morning I was reading about Deborah and Barak in Judges 4 and this phrase stood out to me it is found in verse 14. (emphasis added)

14 And Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him. Judges 4:14 (ESV)

 

I wonder how many times in our lives we need to be reminded that the Lord is going before us in everything that we do. Time and again we see in scripture God’s promise of protection and direction if we will only heed his word and follow were he leads. We read in Exodus 23:20-21 of the promise of God to provide direction and safety to Israeli.

 

20 “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Ex 23:20 (ESV)

 

I serve an amazing God we even see this promise in the prophecies of Isaiah in Chapter 45 as Isaiah foretells of the man God has chosen to use to restore Israel from the Babylonian Exile that will not occur in His life time. God prepares for King Cyrus to take control from Babylon and allow Israeli to return home and rebuild the temple in as recorded in Nehemiah and Ezra.

 

2 “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, Isaiah 45:2 (ESV)

 

These promises did not end with the Old Testament and Israeli they are available to us today. We read in Hebrews 12:2, “2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (KJV)

Some versions of scripture use founder instead of author but I think the King James makes the point a little better yes our faith is found in Jesus. But He is the one writing the story of our walk with Him. You see I can say this with confidence because Jesus told the disciples this very thing in John:

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:2 (ESV)

 

One thing that I am certain of is that if God has done it for one He will do it for others when they are willing to let him have control and guide us. I pray God blesses you today as you seek to be in His will and obey His calling on your life.

Reflections on Psalm 16

You know I serve an awesome God and his word is always perfect. I was reading this morning and I love to read the psalms and today this one really spoke to me and I wanted to share it. It is Psalm 16 and in my Bible it was entitled, “You will not abandon my soul.”

1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” Psalms 16:1-2 (ESV)

In a time of trouble and despair it is not easy to say this first verse. The questions overcome us and we fight with God about His will and our lack of understanding. Yet David reminds us that without God there is nothing good in our lives. He understands our anger and our pain he does not wish for us to hurt. Though hurting is what makes us human. David goes on to say.

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in who is all my delight.

Psalms 16:3 (ESV)

As much as I love my church family and rely on you for support in my life and struggles God is truly the only place I can find peace when life becomes more than I can bear. Prayers and a compassionate touch are how we can lift one another up in this world but there are some things only God is able to carry us through.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. 5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. Psalms 16:4-5 (ESV)

Today we each have a choice to make as we live our lives I was once addicted to alcohol pornography, and tobacco. I allowed each of these to set themselves up as a replacement for the one true God who knew me and called me to greater things but I was unable to bow to His will in my own life. Yet he was there for me.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Psalms 16:6 (ESV)

It has amazed me as I have gone through old pictures this past week how truly blessed God has allowed me to be, even while I was fighting Him for control of my life. Even in the darkest hours and deepest pits I have found myself in I can see God’s hand directing me to this stage of my life. He has sustained me through war, mortar fire and car wrecks all of these in a time when I did not know Him. Why should I not trust Him now?

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalms 16:7-8 (ESV)

Today we have a choice and I assure you it comes with a cost who will you turn to. I wish like David I could tell you that my faith has never been shaken but that would be a lie.  

Something’s that occur in our world shake my faith to the core of my being. Yet it never changes the truth of who God is or how much He loves each and every one of us. You know we talk of Jesus sacrifice on the cross yet we forget the sacrifice God made in sending Him to die for us. We are not worthy of that kind of love yet He has provided it to us. As the rain falls on my roof I Pray you have a blessed day.