Category Archives: Random Thoughts

Does It Work?

Sometimes, we (or at least me) can be anxious about knowing the details of what we need to do in life and overlook the structure and framework of what God does tell us. For some reason, reading the Bible, praying, and following His daily wisdom in dealing with Him, other people and even ourselves don’t seem “practical” enough. We lack in obedience because we doubt its ability to “work for us.” We want something specific and when we don’t see it happening, we say “I tried the whole church, bible, God thing and nothing happened.”

Being obedient to His instructions isn’t a burden to follow, a secret code to get the details unlocked, or a prerequisite to having a relationship with Him (Jesus already paid the sin penalty, restored that relationship – we have to believe that it is true by faith – and redeemed the direct access to our Creator).  Being obedient to God’s word is first and foremost a matter of faith and trust. Being obedient is not based upon the circumstances turning out just as we want them to be.  That doesn’t mean the circumstances are always rough and hard to deal with.  It’s not like watching paint dry or licking dirt. I like what Dave Harvey says in Rescuing Ambition:

“Pursuing Christ isn’t about withdrawing to a cave somewhere so we can contemplate his grandeur. Pursuit means passion, purpose, and action” (p. 30).

God doesn’t leave us hanging around and wondering about what we can expect when we obey. I’m always struck by the way the Scriptures describe the one who is doing what God wants them to do.  Psalm 1:3 says:

 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (NIV)

Being obedient to God results in steadfastness, unflappability, firmness, strength, and assurance because we are right next to the constant and never-ending source of refreshment. We feel alive and vibrant when we are obedient to God. And during the right time, we can see evidence of our hard work slowly taking shape and growing into something refreshing for others.

Likewise, Jesus finishes His great sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7 with a description of the ones who are obedient:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Mat 7:24-27 NIV)

The difference between the “wise man” and the “foolish man” is not access to the right tools and knowledge.  The difference is obedience. The wise man put into practice what he heard and learned. The foolish man blew off the instruction and put his fundamental trust in something else. That something else wasn’t as solid as God’s. The Bible makes it clear over and over that everything you’ve ever needed and wanted for a long and satisfying life (as well as an eternal life with Him) is found living a life with God, in God, and through God.

Who Knows Us Better Than We Do?

“You don’t know me.” “You don’t know what I’ve gone through.” ”You don’t know what it’s like.” “You’ve got it all wrong.” “It’s not like that at all.”

Can someone really be able to understand who you are and what is going on inside? Don’t you know yourself better than anyone else?

Speaking wisdom into someone’s life is a delicate thing. It takes a wise listener to weed through the situations, attitudes, reactions and the facts to get to the “heart of the matter.” It takes a willing talker to expose their heart in a way that share their inner workings of thoughts and beliefs.  It takes a willing talker to then become a wise listener to the reality of their own heart and to the advice being applied.

In one sense, we do know ourselves more than anyone else. There are many things that we might rather keep a secret. There are things that we would rather people not know about us. Our thoughts and motives are some of these things. Fear of exposing them would hurt our image. Yet, sooner or later, these become such a part of who we are that we also have a hard time grasping them to change them. That’s why it’s important to have a counselor, coach or person that can really help identify the issues and give you the accountability, resources and love that it may take to see it through. Proverbs talks much about counsel. Here are a few:

“The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” (Pro 20:5 NIV)

 

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Pro 15:22 NIV)

 

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.” (Pro 27:9 NIV)

Having a counselor, coach or that close and honest friend goes a long way, not only for yourself, but for those around you. There’s a great example of this in the Old Testament of Moses and what his father-in-law noticed. Check it out in Exodus 18:13-27.

But the biggest thing in all of this is not to stop here.  More than having a counselor, coach or an honest friend, we need to go to the ultimate counselor, coach and honest friend: God. So many times, God is left out of the picture.  So much advice without a connection towards God leaves something lacking in the end. The process might have moved us towards a better place and being a better person, yet I wonder what kind of change it can actually be without God? God, after all, does know us better than anyone else, including ourselves. Humans can look on the outward behaviors and what you are willing share, but God knows the inner thoughts and motives. He alone can take it to a whole new level.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind…” (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NIV)

 

“Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.” (Proverbs 8:14 NIV)

 

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.” (Heb 4:12 NET)

That is why my advice to you would be to have the advice of God. This is more than about living a wiser life.  This is more than about living a more productive life.  This is about living a life that is truly living. That only happens when we allow God to speak to us as the One who knows us better than we do.  He has the power and understanding to actually make a change difference.

4 Ways to Plan Spiritual Growth in 2012

What I like about blogging is that I can look back at what I wrote a year ago. Blogging is like my “Life Journal”, yet without the extreme sharing of personal feelings. I can look back and see how God has been working in my life.  I can look back and see if I’ve changed in any way.  I can look back and see if this year is too much like the year before. All of us desire to have years of growth -whether spiritually or in wealth. To many of us, it seems like we get years of rut-defining repeats.

And as the saying goes, “if you want different results, you have to do something different.” Losing weight is often the first goal or resolution of the new year, yet I’m pretty excited to see many people talk about wanting to get closer to God in 2012.  All of this remind me of what Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:8

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (NIV)

Just like defining workout plans and creating time to actually get at it, what kind of plans are you creating to ensure training for godliness? I want to suggest 4 spiritual workouts:

1) Spend Actual Time with God -

There are many ways to spend time with God. Primarily, we have to get into reading His Word, His letter, His story for us – the Bible. Yet, buying a Bible or downloading the Bible app to your device and not using it is like buying a treadmill or a gym pass and thinking that’s the hardest part. The hardest part is actually carving out time to open it and read it. You are going to have to plan a specific and repeatable time to create a “spend time with God” rhythm. The truth is that all of us can create even a few minutes a day to do this. Maybe it’s getting up earlier? Maybe it’s getting the Bible on CD or MP3 to play during your commute? Maybe it’s putting the Bible on top of the TV remote, causing you to catch up with God before you catch up on the news? It’s time to change the classic icon of the bible to an opened one, versus only seeing the words “Holy Bible.”

2) Fast -

Just as exercising and eating whatever you want don’t mix, spending time with God can’t be just something you add on.  We have to cut out the junk and go to the source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  Fasting is a way for us to feel “hungry for God.” Fasting isn’t some type of self-righteous test or temptation boot camp. Fasting is about coming to a place of uncomfort and filling our appetite with really getting to know God more.  We fill our appetite with prayer or more bible reading or reflection or journal or confession, to name a few. It’s putting us at a place where we know we need God. The truth is that most of us are comfortable in our lifestyles. We have plenty of food to eat.  We have a car, a house and plenty of entertainment devices. Almost anything we want is right at our disposal. Maybe it’s cutting some of those comforts out as well?

Proverbs 30:8-9 “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (NIV)

3) Journal -

Those who are serious about exercise keep track of where they are at in reaching their goal. They get on the scale and record the weight.  They track how many miles they ran and how long it took them.  They count every crunch and bicep curl.  They count every calorie. Keeping a log of repeat temptations and moments of celebration is a great way to monitor your progress.  It holds yourself accountable if you begin to “slip”a little. You may also begin to notice how you get upset over the smallest things. Keeping a journal allows you to step back and see your week or month as a whole. It’s also a great place to record some really great Bible verses or quotes to look back on and teach yourself what you may have already forgotten.

4) Get a Coach and a Cheering Section -

Every great athlete had people pushing them to be better, stronger, faster. Spiritual coaching is no different. We all need people to prod and push us.  We all need people to encourage and support us. Spiritual coaching happens at church, in a small group or One-to-One with a mentor or friend. God has not designed spiritual growth to happen without someone else. The early church had to be told this truth only several years from it’s beginning in Hebrews 10:24-25:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (NIV)

Whatever your goals are for 2012, I’m praying they will transform you as God works through you, with you and in you.