peace

I see the church operating in freedom and security because of the strength and generosity that comes with knowing Him intimately. I see the body of Christ embracing everyone that needs Him, not just those deemed acceptable to show up on Sunday mornings. I see those with a diversity of opinions/backgrounds/lifestyles still breaking bread together because "we're all baptized by one Spirit into one body." 1 cor. 12:13
"This is not a time for peace-loving, but rather for peacemaking, which is much more demanding. And peacemaking is, finally, less a position than a path--the path Jesus has clearly instructed us to take."
Jim Wallis
...on the journey

attitude

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same..."
Phillipians 2: 1-5
Unity and devotion?...the mind of Christ. Pretty much says it all.

weighing the cost

"The trouble with deep belief is that it costs something."
Donald Miller
I think the problem with our mindsets much of the time is that we think in temporal rather than eternal values. If what we believe is what we do, then it only follows that we still need to learn in our deepest being what is truly important.
Lord, make our hearts one.

burnout/bailout vs. getting it right

Hooray for the in-laws! Jethro was one smart dude. I have seen this truth played out in several ways. As a preacher's kid, I know the damage that ministry overload has on leaders and their families. As a life-long church goer, I've seen the extent of the burnout that 20% of the congregation doing all of the work has. As an individual with past tendencies of isolation and independence, I know the truth that I need other people like I need food and water. And as a member of our local body of Christ, I agree that it will take every one of us functioning according to our calling to accomplish the vision. But what an exciting prospect!
Romans 12:4-8

One

Why do churches "fight" against each other? If we are all working for the same cause, spreading Jesus' message, should we not all be on the same team? Yet as we go through this life we hear about churches who split over petty things. Carpet color, the pastor uses the wrong translation of the Bible, the pastor wants his own house, and the list could go on and on and on. Are these the thing the church needs to be concerned with? Probably not. If we are all living / working for the same God then we are all on the same team.

It is like a baseball team. Each player has a specific roll. A player specializing in one area, 3rd base left field, pitching, etc. He does not try to do it all, and he depends on others to help him. If he wants to win he helps to focus everyone on the same goal.

It is the same with churches. Each church has an area that they do better than other churches. We all form a team that is playing of God. We should all be working together for one cause, to reach our cities for the KINGDOM!

Go

Jesus commands his followers to go and make disciples. Where is one place I go regularly? ...to the grocery store. Who could I tell? ...neighbors. I need to be kind and loving in my interactions with people at the gocery store and with my neighbors. Those that see me know me by my actions. I can share God's good news but only if my actions are louder than my words.

the normal christian life

I've noticed these devotions talking a lot about sacrifice.(right?--recurrent theme, hard to ignore) And I get that I need to be pushed out of my complacency. But it also feels like sacrifice isn't even the right word. I mean, if we're Christians, we've already given our lives to Him, right? We belong to Him. It seems to me this is just normal stuff we should be doing without even thinking about it.
Yes, of course my life experiences--specifically God's work through those life experiences--have made me the person I am. And yes, of course I'm better off for God having done (and hopefully still doing) His work in me.(partner in the benefits of the gospel) What comes next (and next and next) is always up to Him. There is no turning back. I wouldn't want to if I could. There's no way I could ever outgive God. How absurd.
"There can only be two basic loves, the love of God unto the forgetfulness of self, or the love of self unto the forgetfulness and denial of God."
Augustine

the least of these

Visiting the sick is what I do. It's my job. But recognizing that I'm serving Jesus while I'm doing it is another story. If I'm just going through the motions, how can I be engaging God or consequently sharing His love with those whom I serve? I have found that serving those less fortunate is something I have to be very intentional about. If I don't pursue it, it won't get done. And if it doesn't get done, then what am I even here for?
"It is a great mistake to think that God is chiefly interested in religion."
William Temple

Day 22 - The Forest for the Trees

As a "church goer" of most of my life, I have heard may messages and many lessons on the latter of the three parables. However, 99% of them have been on the younger brother coming home. But the focus on the older brother made me take a look at some of my motives. I say this because, the older brother was upset because he was not getting "fair" treatment. What is fair treatment? He had a roof over his head, food on the table, a job and clothes. He may not have had any need, I am not sure. But he was so focused on himself and what he thought he was missing that he did not realize all the blessings he had. He could not see the forest for the trees.

What was he missing, we are asked? He was missing the Father's eyes and heart. Three times in the passage Jesus said, "There will be more rejoicing over one sinner who repents...." What does it take for us to gain the eyes and heart of the Father? Surrender and suffering. We have to step out of ourselves and step into our Father who is waiting. We have to be like the younger son. We have to be willing to come before our Father and say, "I have sinned against you and I am no longer worthy to be your son [or daughter] ", but will you still use me to further your Kingdom. Then we have to be (as my favorite musical group says), "put on our backpack and throw out [our] road maps!"

day 19-afflictions

First of all, the word "suffering" sounds so melodramatic, I had a hard time relating. But I looked up afflictions..it is defined as "the cause of continued pain or distress." Lots of things could fall under that category..loneliness, being wronged in any number of ways, discouragement r.t. various circumstances,etc. I don't know that I can honestly say that I rejoice in these things. But maybe I'm not as afraid of some of them as I used to be? Because I can see their value in drawing me closer to the Father.
Thank you, God, for always seeing the big picture and guiding me through even when sometimes I don't really want to go. (Good dads are like that.)
"The things of the kingdom aren't worth comparing with words like 'easy' and 'hard.' Whatever God has called you to is going to be hard..if you're where God has called you, you can be sure that it will be both difficult and rewarding. This is the way of the kingdom. It is a pearl of great price, so that a man sells all that he has to buy it."
Brian Sanders

day 16-plans I have for you

God's words to Jeremiah have been an encouragement to me for many years. I remember claiming their promise in the midst of ongoing disaster, not knowing how or when the hope they spoke of could be fulfilled. I discovered, among other things, that God is, indeed, a jealous God and requires that we are seeking"Him" (not our own kingdom) and that we seek Him with "all our heart." He has no interest in competing with our dreams. It can be a hard lesson. The end result is that we realize we are here for only one purpose. In that purpose is abundant life.
"The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer."
Oswald Chambers

Day 15

It is hard to think of ourselves as harmful to God's mission. Jesus was so strong in his warnings against those that speak about devotion to Him, but their lives show otherwise. In Matthew 7:15, He says "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart." If our life is not on mission with God, truly, then we are the wolves disguised as harmless sheep because our life is not representing what God truly is. We could be doing more damage to the kingdom than good. Let's be those who are truly on mission with God, discovering His almighty plan for our lives which in turn will produce much fruit for the Kingdom.

day 12-mercy me

Pretty lofty description in v.9...doesn't really seem to fit what we usually see or feel re: the body of Christ. Perhaps we have missed some context...don't have to look very hard, though. "The Message" translates v.10 as God bringing us "from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." The truth is...mercy is all we've ever had. But His mercy is so great it's unfathomable.Sometimes it literally stops me in my tracks. It's the only explanation for the kind of servant leadership that Jesus exemplified. Who we really are--as individuals and as a body--ONLY makes sense in light of who God is and what He has done for us. I believe we must understand both sides of the coin in order to effectively fulfill His purpose.
"To lend each other a hand when we're falling...Perhaps that's the only work that matters in the end."
Fredrick Buechner

September 22

Before the crowds came Jesus went out and spent time with His Father. I need to spend time with God each day to be prepared for the crowds. The crowds want me to do their will, stay where I am, be safe, comfortable. God would want me to move out at His command, be the friend to those who I don't like or don't really have any thing in common with, see the needs of others, be willing to proclaim the good news to them.

day 9-God's heart

"When we live insular lives, when everybody around us believes the same things we do, has our same color skin, shares our political interests, we are easily made to believe absurdities about everybody else."
Whenever I consider the character of "God's heart" or, for that matter, Jesus time spent on this earth, compassion is what stands out head and shoulders above the rest. I've done the "holy huddle." In restrospect, I can imagine God shaking his head and saying, "That's not really what I meant AT ALL!" There was something distinct about Jesus' compassion. It always led
to action. Not only did He spend time with the people, he took time to appreciate who they were... He loved them.
Putting others' interests before my own seems absolutely foreign at times.
May I decrease so that You may increase.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Question number three sparked much thought around my home. When God looks at the future for the people in our community, what do you think He sees? It was two simple words with so vast an idea that it is almost uncomprehendable unless you truly understand the kingdom frame of mind - HIS PLAN. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. God has a plan for this city in relation to His Kingdom. His plan is not the state of our community now with examples of divorce, sickness, job loss, orphans, abuse, addictions, etc. If this is not His plan....then what is His plan? The Kingdom...His rule and reign within every man, woman, and child in this community. How do we get to this point? Chris left us with a question today that could answer this question. What would it look like if you were truly filled with the Spirit of God? The effect of that, being filled with the Spirit, would change lives all around this city. We would be those willing to serve others, suffering for our faith, and boldly proclaiming the Kingdom through our actions and deeds.

The song by Brandon Heath, "Give Me Your Eyes" is a great reminder.

Let our prayer be "Give me your eyes Lord to see everything I keep missing. Give me your heart for those forgotten. Give me your love for humanity."

in the world or of it

As we continue this week I discover I really miss my desserts, esp when our journey group brought desserts over.The time after dinner, & work, is when we have dessert, and now I substitute the devotional guide and prayer.I still do my am quiet time....but this an intentional time on the guide.It is getting a little easier, but I did not relize how much I thought the dessert made me feel ? Happy?, and when I read and pray in the evening, it is teaching me not about momentary ?happiness and worldly things, but a bigger picture of kingdom, that is less tangible....at least for now.I wonder what I will learn this time next weel....on the journey kathy

day 6-more on "the kingdom"

"True faith cannot be kept inside the narrow boundaries of the 'sacred,' as some would suggest; but is intended to be 'salt and light' in the midst of what is often called the secular world."
Jim Wallis
Therein lies the rub..How can any of us be salt or light when we are consumed by our own agenda? The Colossians were evidently "getting it." In contrast, one contemporary author confesses, "Six billion people live in this world, and I can only muster thoughts for one. Me." That is getting really old. If I actually listen to God when I pray, sometimes I'll hear Him say..."Get off your butt!" Pretty simple..direct. And if I think about it, the kingdom of God in me is more than enough to celebrate. It's more than enough to get moving. And being salt and light has got to be the most gratifying thing on this earth.
Father, forgive me for getting so distracted and off track sometimes. It's such a privilege to be a part of You.

Day 5 of 40 days devotional - Thursday 9/17

Luke 17:20-21
Where is the Kingdom of God? His Kingdom is His people. Why can't I see evident of His Kingdom? His people are stuck. Why can't I move out because I feel so helpless, I am helpless, He is strong. What I need is to be revived. I will praise Him, for His Son, for Jesus who died and is now gone above. I am reminded of the hymn "Revive Us Again". Revive me again, fill my heart with Thy love, May my soul be rekindled with fire from above. Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah amen Hallelujah, Thine the glory ! Revive me again.

relevance

"The task of the church is not so much to make God relevant to the people as much as it is to make people relevant to God."
Ravi Zacharias
What If...we, as the body of Christ, were relevant? What would that look like? I'm just starting to search for how I should be praying for these new endeavors.
God, teach us how to be relevant to you. We certainly don't want to be involved in anything that you're not about or do any more damage than has already been done, sometimes "in your name." We don't want to waste time or resources. May our desire be solely to do what we see our Father doing and make Your name famous in the process.
love,
your child