Lies and Deceit

A quick confession upfront: I’m stealing this from my lesson last night.

But I want your help in shaping our Youth’s teaching in our next series.

Last night I talked about lies. What they do to us and how we should respond to them.

This is what I said:

The problem with lies is that they shape our reality.

Both for the one lying and the one being lied to.

The one doing the lying must now live his/her life as if that lie is the solid truth. Basing his/her reality on a lie. This is difficult and can become very imprisoning.

The person being lied to may not know any better and goes on living life as if the lie were true. This person is living in a false reality.

This happens to us everyday from the time that we are born. It’s not difficult to identify some of the bigger lies we are told.

For girls the lie that comes up the most is that they must be skinny, sexy, and attractive to have purpose and be successful.

This type of lie is very common and has different shades with every age and gender.

The lies that we are told trap us in a false reality that Christ came to break us free from.

However, some of these lies are deeply entrenched in who we are.

With effort, prayer, and discipline we must identify these lies, discover Christ’s truths, and then through Christ live in freedom.

The question I then asked the students and am asking you now is: What are the biggest lies about yourself that you have been told?

I will be taking these lies and turning them into a lesson series for our youth; they were excited, and I hope you can share their excitement as you help to shape their teaching.

The Standard

Ive been married 11 days.

This is absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of life or who I am.

But these 11 days have already given me insight into who I am and who I need to become. Both in my marriage, everyday life, and in my faith.

I have learned that I am inherently selfish and that I need to become SOOO much more selfless in my every thought and action.

Selflessness needs to be my first reaction and thought in any situation. (Of course I need to look out for my own welfare, let’s not take this to an extreme)

There are so many examples of this. Simply thinking of my wife first, her desires, emotions, passions, feelings, and so on before I think of kicking of my shoes and lying down.

I’ve also been reading a couple books that have got me thinking. They are: “Unconditional” by Brian Zahnd and “The Christian Atheist” by Craig Groeschel.

These authors both dived into the Sermon on the Mount. They explored the commands that Christ gives in these three chapters and the importance of them in our faith.

After living 11 of the most important days of my life and spending my thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount one conclusion pops out completely.

My life as a follower of Christ is meant to be radically and completely unselfish.

With my wife I must go with her the second mile. How much more should I go with those who need Christ?

As much as I pray for my wife I must be praying for my enemies.

The Sermon on the Mount is a call to selfless faith which serves.

It’s east to serve my wife; I love her completely and wholeheartedly. and it’s only been 11 days! It’s easy!

But I am called to also serve those I don’t love, I don’t know; but who need the Savior I walk with and for.

This takes active and intentional practice for me and I’m sure for you to.

What are ways that we can more pro-actively live out the Sermon on the Mount?

 

Marriage

The blog world is in suspense…but I am now married.

Thank you for being patient in not seeing any new posts for a couple weeks.

Jackie and I had an awesome wedding and honeymoon.

There will be a new post this afternoon!

Forgiving Rep. Weiner

Top Dem Urges Rep. Weiner to Step Down Over ‘Unforgivable’ Behavior Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/08/dems-join-chorus-calling-for-rep-weiners-resignation/#ixzz1OiYP6WML

This is one of the headlines on Fox News online.

The article goes like this: “”Lying is unforgivable. Lying publicly about something like this is unforgivable, and he should resign,” former DNC chief Tim Kaine said.

As a disciple of Christ this should immediately strike at my core.

However, for a different reason than some may think.

It is not this leaders character or actions that hit my gut, but the statement that what he has done is unforgivable.

Is there really any act that is unforgivable?

We have to answer “no”.

Matthew 18:21&22 says we should forgive seventy seven times and it’s making the point that there is no limit to our forgiveness.

Matthew 18:23-35 states plainly that those who cannot forgive are just as guilty and will be treated the same way as the offender.

When we do not forgive we do not let healing happen. If the woman assaulted by this man cannot forgive she runs the risk of forever being a victim.

If Rep. Weiner cannot be forgiven or forgive himself he runs the risk of forever being labeled “offender”, “victimizer”, or worse.

Is there consequences to your actions, absolutely. A public figure deeply tarnished his integrity.

We should not equate forgiveness with guiltless or innocence.

This man must be held accountable; but this man can and should be forgiven.

What are your thoughts?

Here I Am

I apologize that I haven’t written a post in the last several days: life is hectic!

Many of you know and hopefully I have some readers who don’t, that I am getting married the 17th of June.  So with all the craziness that surrounds a wedding I will do my best to keep posting, but don’t expect too much!

Here’s a quick thought to start your day.

I’ve had this Matt Papa song stuck in my head for the last couple days.

I love the line: “SEND ME LORD HERE I AM I OFFER MY DREAMS MY PLANS I WILL GIVE MY LIFE A LIVING SACRIFICE LORD HERE I AM”

It’s straight from scripture: Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God– this is your spiritual act of worship.” NIV

How are you living as a living sacrifice?

What are you practically doing to live this out today?

The Innerds of Grace

I have to make a confession.

When it comes to my thoughts I don’t give people much grace, if any.
Yesterday at the Grocery store I was running in and out to buy a bunch of soda. The only line open had two people in it and the lady at the front had a billion coupons and was going through the receipt with the cashier. I guess you can call her an extreme coupon-er.

There was no other way out and my immediate response was disapproval and annoyance.

Let me give myself a little credit…I didn’t physically show any of these emotions or thoughts.

I immediately got a tweet from the awesome people at People of The Second Chance. A movement all about spreading and sharing radical grace.

I immediately felt guilt run through my veins. These thoughts and responses are not grace and love filled. Am I really so selfish that an extra 3 minutes in line at the store frustrates and annoys me?

Obviously I am.

So what does it mean for me to show grace? and how can I show more of it.

Grace means different things to different people. To the culture at large it means elegance or beauty. “That woman has grace.”

To Christians it means so much more. In light of Christ’s death on the cross it has come to mean love and salvation given for no reason other than love.

That’s pretty simple. Books have been written on the subject. But to give grace is to give love for the sake of giving love.

That means I see the woman with the coupons and out of my inner being I give grace. I give love.

This means my thoughts and immediate responses exude the qualities of grace.

“This woman is saving cash!” “This woman has put some work into this, I hope she gets hooked up.” “This woman is an awesome example of caring for your family.”

All these could have and should have popped in my head.

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” NIV

Christ tells us to love generously. It’s telling us that the grace we have received from Christ should be given to all of those around us.

I’m not calling myself to a higher standard than we should have.

Our thoughts must reflect grace.

I’m not you…so how do you spread grace?

The Roast of Joseph

Have you all heard of a roast?

Not the meat but the honoring of someone for their life through comically making fun of them.

The purpose of the roast is to honor them for the life they have lived and their accomplishments. But all of who they are is brought to light through humor.

It’s a good way to show that everyone has their hang-ups and these hang-ups can be a part of us that doesn’t have to hide shamefully. These hang-ups sometimes end up being a huge part of our story which work out for good.

The history of Joseph is such an important part of Israel’s history and an incredible testimony to the character of God. I don’t want to roast Joseph, but I do want to show one of his hang-ups in the light of God’s greater good.

Without Joseph the nation of Israel would not have seen God move through the Exodus, they wouldn’t of gained wealth, and they wouldn’t of gotten to see the promises of God come true.

Joseph is to be praised, though there are aspects of his life that don’t stand up to the standards set forth in Scripture.

This is nothing new. All the characters in God history have flaws that God uses and works through. This is one of the coolest aspects of scripture. It doesn’t pretend to use extraordinary people, just an extraordinary God.

While we remember Joseph for the great man that he was and the great things that God did through him, we should also look at where he fell short so that we can learn about ourselves and God.

Joseph was the youngest son who had the great dreams of his whole family worshiping him, was his father’s favorite, and was hated by his brothers.

So much so that they sold him into slavery the first chance they got.

It ends up God is with Joseph so that he ends up running the whole nation of Egypt during 7 years of surplus and 7 years of famine. (realize that I skipped A LOT of the story)

During this time Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt and to him in order to buy grain.  Joseph recognized them and now has to face a tough decision.

How do I treat these “brothers” who treated me so badly, wanted to kill me, and sold me into slavery? This is Joseph’s chance for revenge.

Joseph did not treat his brothers well. He accused them of being spies, deceived them, sabotaged them, imprisoned them, and then sabotaged them again before coming clean about who he was.

As soon as Joseph saw his brothers he remembered the dreams he had as a boy. Dreams of being worshiped. Dreams being fulfilled in that moment.

I can’t imagine the emotions going through Joseph. He felt rage, anger, vengeance, and pride. “Look at who I’ve become even though these scoundrels are begging for my mercy.”

It was at this moment that Joseph condemns his brothers for what they have done and begins the list of ill-treatment described above.

Did Joseph treat his brothers like a man of god? The answer in light of Jesus and the cross is certainly no.

We have to cut Joseph a little slack. Remember this is before Moses and the Law. But God had revealed himself to Joseph’s family and the way to follow their God would have been passed down.

We, however, have no excuse to treat our brothers and sisters this way.Romans 1:20 makes it clear that both we have clearly seen God and the way God works so that we should walk rightly with him.

Well…In light of Joseph what does that mean.

Joseph failed in three ways.

1. He took God’s place of Judgement: Joseph put himself in the place of God. This is never the place we want to be and we can never accomplish God’s desires and plans if we take over his rightful place

God clearly stated in Deuteronomy 32:35 and Paul quotes in Romans 12:19 that God will avenge and repay for wrong doing. Vengeance and criminal justice are God’s responsibility. When we put ourselves in God’s place many more evils follow.

2. He condemned his brothers: This wrong quickly follows the man who puts himself in God’s shoes. Joseph immediately treated his brothers as criminals. He put them on the defensive and made them squirm. To him, it was as if they threw him in the pit and sold him yesterday.

Paul tells us in Romans 8:1 that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This means that we treat our brothers and sisters in love, freeing them as Christ and the Holy Spirit have freed them.

3. He did not forgive: This story would have been much more beautiful (and shorter) if Joseph had forgiven his brothers. I’m not saying this would have been easy, but Joseph certainly had enough time to accomplish it.

Forgiveness is one of the highest qualities our Savior calls us to. It is also the most important step in our own healing and salvation. Christ told us to forgive seven times seventy in Matthew 18.

So let me ask: what would you be roasted for?

Is it the same as Joseph?

How can we live as men and women of grace and forgiveness?

Judgement delayed

Whether we like it or not we often act and think like God is some unknowable thing out there in the universe. This God doesn’t have any real knowledge of who we are and what we go through. This God is out there, intangible, and uncaring.

At first we absolutely don’t agree with the above statement, but in many of the moments we are just going through life this is the mindset we are in.

At least this is the way it is for me.

But this is not the Truth of God displayed in the Bible.

In God’s Word to us we see a relative God who understands that we are fragile, stubborn, and take time to figure things out. While at the same time a God who is Holy and Righteous.

Let’s see this in action: Luke 13:6-9 “Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” NIV

Jesus’ favorite method of teaching was the parable and He uses this parable to teach us about God’s intimate knowledge of us; as well as His righteousness.

God is the owner of the vineyard, naturally. He planted it, looks over it, and has put others in charge of it’s maintenance and care.

Jesus is the man who takes care of the vineyard. He intimately knows the plants in a hands on fashion.  He waters them, prunes them, and knows where each plant is at in it’s life, in it’s ability to produce fruit.

Let’s get this clear, we are all expected to produce fruit.

God made creation to create. He looks over it and expects to see it moving and growing. What is creations purpose if it is not moving and growing. But Christ is intimately involved in our growth. He knows what we need and the time that we need it in.

God’s judgement is sure; but God’s patience is great. Take hope in the fact that God’s concern is with His creation.

Promises & Dreams

I love that God lays out who he is and what he wants clearly.

We often try to read between the lines of Scripture to interpret what God is really trying to say. Or on the opposite spectrum we try to be very literal giving each word only its Webster’s definition which limits God’s visibility.

But God is clear if we listen to what he says to people and what he does in human history.

I love that to both Jacob in Genesis and the Disciples in Matthew God spoke clearly so that they could immediately see God’s Character, God’s plan, and His promises.

Read Genesis 28:10-22 & Matthew 28:17-20.

God speaks to us plainly.

In these passages God says who he is, what he wants to do, and gives a promise.

Who God is:                                                                                                                                     Jacob: “I am the Lord the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.” (remember how I provided for Abraham a ram instead of sacrificing Isaac, how I prospered him, and spoke to him?)
Jesus: “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Remember the miracles I performed, the death I suffered, my resurrection, and the promises I made…now I’ll do them!)

God’s plan/your purpose:                                                                                                    Jacob: “I will give you this land and a people.” (Your purpose is to be my people, act justly, obediently, and teach this to your people.)
Jesus: “make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching obedience.” (be a disciple, grow other disciples, be obedient and teach obedience, be baptized and baptize…your purpose is to be my representative.)

God’s promises:                                                                                                                         Jacob: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised.” (I am eternal and will be with you eternally, I’m watching and will fulfill my purposes for you, I got your back.)
Jesus: “and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (I am within you  {John 14:20}, I will work through you, I am eternal, like a good shepherd I will protect you.)

We are supposed to do what God wants; having faith in who He is and his promises.

The awesome thing about scripture is that it is both local and global. God speaks to individuals in the Bible but he also speaks to us. It is locally given and globally authoritative.

The purpose and promises that God gave to Jacob and the disciples are His purpose and promises to us. We are to be His obedient people (disciples), bringing in more obedient people all the while taking courage and hope in His promises to be with us and protect us.

God’s word is awesome and powerful. But when we meet God in our lives we have to respond. We always respond…either through action or inaction. Our inaction to seeing and being moved by God is a response.

We have been entrusted with grace, truth, and love. Luke 12:42-48 says we are held accountable for the way in which we follow Christ.

God has given us a clear purpose and clear promises. He has also given us individual talents and dreams. Often we look at these dreams as selfish and therefore ungodly.

God’s promises to us include those dreams he has given us. God made us unique individuals with the tremendous power to transcend the boundaries of our world.

God wants to do incredible and powerful works through us. We have to rely on Him and His promises.

Have you internalized God’s purpose and promises into your life?

What dreams has God given you?

In what ways can you actively see God’s promises daily?

Have you looked at yourself lately?

It is a daily routine for us to make sure that we are looking presentable before we head out the door into the responsible world.

We take a shower, shave, put on deodorant, and put on clothes that match.

This routine is important. I don’t want you or me to smell or look bad.

But as I read the Word of God I constantly come across a similar theme. A theme of looking at ourselves as if in a mirror and asking the tough questions of our faith.

Am I really Christ’s disciple; as the Bible defines disciple?

Jesus addresses this in Luke 14:25-30 “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters– yes, even his own life– he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’”

This is a tough passage to digest and presses buttons which make us lose touch with His original message.

Does Christ really expect us to hate our families? And then what does building planning have to do with our families and following Christ?

Jesus is talking about discipleship, and an aspect of discipleship we tend to overlook.

Jesus’ Father said “honor you father and mother” and Jesus himself ripped into the Pharisee’s for not living up to this standard.

He is not contradicting himself but making a strong statement about discipleship. We cannot put anything before Christ. Not ourselves or our families.

This is serious stuff…we must hate ourselves and carry our cross. The cross was a tool of death just as a gun or electric chair is a tool of death. This death takes the form of completely giving all of who we are (heart, mind, body, soul) to Christ and His purposes for us. That is very physical and should be able to be seen and tested.

Weigh the cost. Just as a builder counts the cost to complete a project we must count the cost of following Christ…and regularly.

We cannot follow Christ halfheartedly or without planning to finish the race set before us.

Psalm 139:23 says “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Just as in business we need to give ourselves a regular performance review. Though ours will focus more on company loyalty and affiliation.

If we give our physical appearance daily check-ups and our health annual check-ups are we doing the same for our faith?

Ask yourselves these questions:

1. What do I spend most of my time thinking about? (Does this honor God and demonstrate my faith?)

2. What are my priorities in life? (Are these priorities that bring God glory and fit into God’s call of purpose in my life?)

3. What are my dreams and passions? (Are these my own or dreams and passions given me by God to fulfill?)