Grace always goes to the root or heart of a matter. John the Baptist comes as an ambassador of grace and shouts, "The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (Matthew 3:10, Luke 3:9) The Apostle agrees with John the Baptist when he says that the goodness of God leads us to repentance.
I look around and I don't see many people responding to the goodness of God's grace. I see many doing what the Apostle warns us against in Romans 2:4- despising that goodness.
What do I mean? Remember grace goes to the heart or root of every matter. What do I mean that many are despising the goodness of God?
The Number #1 reason I say this is because I don't see the fruit of repentance in most people's lives. What is the fruit of repentance? It is a transformed life. The fruit concentrate of repentance is a person who has self control over his own ambition and appetites and submission to God above all other things.
The Number #2 reason I believe many are despising the goodness of God is I don't see them focus on the root problems we face as people or nations. Instead of focusing on the root causes of our problems we are acting to prove we are acting. It's a surface show we are staging so the discontented will have someone other than us at which to throw their tomatoes.
Today, I turned on the news as the president and first lady made their way to the G20 Summit. Was the news about the root solutions they were going to offer there to turn our economic turmoil around? No, the news report was how the first lady was dazzling those at the summit with her evening wear.
All I could do was envision a cartoon with the president and first lady atop a firewagon as it plummets down a hill into a European (Roman) city as it is burning. They have no fire gear ready to deal with the fire that is consuming the city. They are too busy trying to keep their seat.
The president in his formal attire has one hand on the reins trying to control the wild horses pulling the wagon. His other hand holds a violin on which I'm sure he will give a remarkable performance later.
The first lady is dressed in her finest evening gown though at this moment she is trying to keep from being thrown from the wagon. The only remark of the two bystanders who see them on the way into town is "Did you notice how good the first lady looked?"
Stop and pray for your nation and its leaders today. Pray that they will not despise the goodness of God. Instead let us pray we will allow grace to get to the root or heart of the matters we face.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Getting Away with Disobedience
God desires obedience. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14: 15) There are consequences if we don't. I want to share one of those consequences.
The word for disobedience in the Greek language is the root for the English word apathy. If you love God but are apathetically slow in obeying God, you will miss out on the blessing God wants to give you.
The story of the Good Samaritan can teach us a thing or two about this. The obvious lesson this story teaches is what a neighbor looks like. The other lesson, less obvious at first, teaches us if the person God positions to show his mercy passes up the opportunity and doesn't act quickly to do it, God will send someone else. If God has to, God will send a Samaritan.
There are two ways to be blessed and successful in business: be the first in the marketplace with a particular product and work the kinks out as you go or have such a superior product that you overcome being late. But, what if you're not first and have a similar product with no distinguishing qualities? Might as well practice playing second fiddle.
Before I get my violin out of its case let me tell you where I noticed I might be running late and missing my God-given opportunity. God has positioned me to write the book Moving at the Speed of Grace: Discovering How God Always Works. In this book you can learn how to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be by matching your movement with the movement of God.
I've been very slow in finishing the book and today I noticed someone has now written it ahead of me. (Now, I don't know if it's exactly like mine but I bet it's close.) The book is called The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley. I pray finishing my book can bolster the success of Andy Stanley's book, build up the faith of others, and bring blessing to my family.
Let me hurry up before God sends someone else!
The word for disobedience in the Greek language is the root for the English word apathy. If you love God but are apathetically slow in obeying God, you will miss out on the blessing God wants to give you.
The story of the Good Samaritan can teach us a thing or two about this. The obvious lesson this story teaches is what a neighbor looks like. The other lesson, less obvious at first, teaches us if the person God positions to show his mercy passes up the opportunity and doesn't act quickly to do it, God will send someone else. If God has to, God will send a Samaritan.
There are two ways to be blessed and successful in business: be the first in the marketplace with a particular product and work the kinks out as you go or have such a superior product that you overcome being late. But, what if you're not first and have a similar product with no distinguishing qualities? Might as well practice playing second fiddle.
Before I get my violin out of its case let me tell you where I noticed I might be running late and missing my God-given opportunity. God has positioned me to write the book Moving at the Speed of Grace: Discovering How God Always Works. In this book you can learn how to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be by matching your movement with the movement of God.
I've been very slow in finishing the book and today I noticed someone has now written it ahead of me. (Now, I don't know if it's exactly like mine but I bet it's close.) The book is called The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley. I pray finishing my book can bolster the success of Andy Stanley's book, build up the faith of others, and bring blessing to my family.
Let me hurry up before God sends someone else!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Understand How Grace Works
What is grace? Some desribe it as the unmerited favor of God. The Merriam-Webster dictionary says the word arises in the 12th century Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks, from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit gṛṇāti he praises. The primary definition is "unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b: a virtue coming from God c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace".
I want to say it is much more interactive than that definition implies. Grace is the ground or substance upon which faith stands before God. It is the breath of God through which we live, and move, and have our being.
It is like a river whose headwaters are the throne of God. Your Daily Grace is written to help you navigate that river, understand its flow, and be carried along by it. I believe its current has cut a pathway in the earth. Occasionally it floods over those regular channels but more often than not follows a narrow pathway.
There is only one place to launch out into or enter the river. That beginning place is repentance. The flow carries us from there into believing, building up our most holy faith, blessing, bringing life, and breaking through. Trying to access the river other than beginning in repentance will eventually drown our hopes of reaching eternal life.
Isaiah carried the hope that someday multitudes would follow this path; they would seek and find the Source of Life.
"This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isa 2:1-5)
I want to say it is much more interactive than that definition implies. Grace is the ground or substance upon which faith stands before God. It is the breath of God through which we live, and move, and have our being.
It is like a river whose headwaters are the throne of God. Your Daily Grace is written to help you navigate that river, understand its flow, and be carried along by it. I believe its current has cut a pathway in the earth. Occasionally it floods over those regular channels but more often than not follows a narrow pathway.
There is only one place to launch out into or enter the river. That beginning place is repentance. The flow carries us from there into believing, building up our most holy faith, blessing, bringing life, and breaking through. Trying to access the river other than beginning in repentance will eventually drown our hopes of reaching eternal life.
Isaiah carried the hope that someday multitudes would follow this path; they would seek and find the Source of Life.
"This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isa 2:1-5)
Jesus: Even Better Than A Pancake
You can learn a lot from a pancake. You can learn even more from Jesus. Though a pancake can serve as a wonderful breakfast, it is Jesus the prophet Isaiah is describing when he says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
You can put syrup, butter, peanut butter, or a lot of things on a pancake but you can put the government on the shoulders of Jesus and he can carry it. Isaiah 53:5-6 prophesies that "he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Yes, you can put a lot on a pancake. You can put even more on Jesus.
There is a Welsh proverb that says "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" so one could hope pancakes could change a person's heart. But, Jesus alone claims every heart as his own when he says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one makes progress to the Father but by me." (John 14: 6)
Yes, pancakes can make you feel good. Jesus can even make you good. Pancakes can be anointed by syrup and feed someone when they are hungry. The Apostle Peter said, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10: 38)
Yes, pancakes are great. I love pancakes. Jesus is greater. I love him more. How about you? "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8)
You can put syrup, butter, peanut butter, or a lot of things on a pancake but you can put the government on the shoulders of Jesus and he can carry it. Isaiah 53:5-6 prophesies that "he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Yes, you can put a lot on a pancake. You can put even more on Jesus.
There is a Welsh proverb that says "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" so one could hope pancakes could change a person's heart. But, Jesus alone claims every heart as his own when he says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one makes progress to the Father but by me." (John 14: 6)
Yes, pancakes can make you feel good. Jesus can even make you good. Pancakes can be anointed by syrup and feed someone when they are hungry. The Apostle Peter said, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10: 38)
Yes, pancakes are great. I love pancakes. Jesus is greater. I love him more. How about you? "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Parable of the Pancake: Being Served
You've gone from a mixed up bunch of stuff in a box to finding your place in your Maker's home. You were dry and useless but the missing ingredient was added to your life. You were stirred up and everything began to come together. Your Maker poured you out, your service only a matter of time.
You faced the heat and in your Maker's hands you were transformed. Everybody could see the change in you. This is the moment for which you were made.
The Maker's spatula slides beneath you. You are lifted up and set down for your Maker's pleasure. You are crowned with sweet syrup. The Parable of the Pancake is coming to its final stage. You are being served.
The Apostle Paul shared this moment with his disciple and son in the faith, Timothy. "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (II Timothy 4: 4-6)
This is the aim of every disciple: fulfill our course and receive the crowning approval of our Maker. This is what we learn when we understand the Parable of the Pancake!
You faced the heat and in your Maker's hands you were transformed. Everybody could see the change in you. This is the moment for which you were made.
The Maker's spatula slides beneath you. You are lifted up and set down for your Maker's pleasure. You are crowned with sweet syrup. The Parable of the Pancake is coming to its final stage. You are being served.
The Apostle Paul shared this moment with his disciple and son in the faith, Timothy. "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (II Timothy 4: 4-6)
This is the aim of every disciple: fulfill our course and receive the crowning approval of our Maker. This is what we learn when we understand the Parable of the Pancake!
The Parable of the Pancake: Facing the Heat
The Maker pours out the mix into the hot pan. Oil is poured beforehand to keep the mix from sticking. In the same way God is at work in every place before us so that we don't get stuck.
When we face the heat this is our first problem. We're shocked and surprised this is where our Maker has poured us. We want to be formed without getting fried. We want to carry out ministry without opposition. We want everything to change by staying the same. I know it's an insane approach but the one we most often try to take.
Let the Pancake teach us the heat is necessary. Without the heat we would run everywhere. Our ministry would be formless and lack substance.
Do not despair. The Maker will turn us when the way is too hot. "Trust in the 'Maker' with all your heart. Lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your 'movements'." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
Don't flip out when you come in contact with the heat. The Maker has got you in the place that will make you whole. Don't resist his work and end up a "cake not turned" (Hosea 7:8) - a half baked Christian.
When we face the heat this is our first problem. We're shocked and surprised this is where our Maker has poured us. We want to be formed without getting fried. We want to carry out ministry without opposition. We want everything to change by staying the same. I know it's an insane approach but the one we most often try to take.
Let the Pancake teach us the heat is necessary. Without the heat we would run everywhere. Our ministry would be formless and lack substance.
Do not despair. The Maker will turn us when the way is too hot. "Trust in the 'Maker' with all your heart. Lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your 'movements'." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
Don't flip out when you come in contact with the heat. The Maker has got you in the place that will make you whole. Don't resist his work and end up a "cake not turned" (Hosea 7:8) - a half baked Christian.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Parable of the Pancake: Poured Out
The Pancake knows that if it got out of the box, water was added, and it was stirred up there is only one conclusion. It is about to be poured out.
When we get out of our box and begin in repentance a relationship with God, when faith is added, and the Holy Spirit stirs us up we must come to the same conclusion. We are about to be poured out. We are about to be made a blessing.
Notice the pancake does not pour itself out. That would be a spill, a mess the Maker would have to clean up. No, the pancake mix rests in the container the Maker has provided until the Maker's own hand guides the pouring.
We are to act in a similar fashion. We are to be led by the Spirit. We are to be like Jesus when he said: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." (John 5:19) This is the nature of being poured out. This is what it means to be a blessing to others.
We live in a nation of those who must "do something" when needs arise or when hungers exist. We must show them how to live a life that is poured out and not become a spill the Maker or someone else has to clean up.
When we get out of our box and begin in repentance a relationship with God, when faith is added, and the Holy Spirit stirs us up we must come to the same conclusion. We are about to be poured out. We are about to be made a blessing.
Notice the pancake does not pour itself out. That would be a spill, a mess the Maker would have to clean up. No, the pancake mix rests in the container the Maker has provided until the Maker's own hand guides the pouring.
We are to act in a similar fashion. We are to be led by the Spirit. We are to be like Jesus when he said: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." (John 5:19) This is the nature of being poured out. This is what it means to be a blessing to others.
We live in a nation of those who must "do something" when needs arise or when hungers exist. We must show them how to live a life that is poured out and not become a spill the Maker or someone else has to clean up.
The Parable of the Pancake: Getting Stirred Up
Add water to your pancake mix and there is hope you might have pancakes. Have faith in God and there is hope you will have eternal life. You thought that was it? Faith alone is sufficient, right? Well sort of.
The pancake mix can never become a pancake without water but the water must be stirred in and mixed with the mix if you hope to have something good to eat. Faith, too, must be stirred into our lives. It can't float like a freestanding prop of some kind. It can't set under us like a crutch that helps us move along.
The Holy Spirit must be integrated with our spirit. Our spirit bears witness with the Holy Spirit that we are God's through Jesus Christ. Jude says, "Build up your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." Mix yourself up with God. Get stirred up.
Otherwise, like the pancake we are a lumpy glob of mix and water. We are like the shoot that springs up from the soil with the promise of life but has no root to sustain it. (Mark 4: 5-6)
Don't sell yourself or God short. Allow the Holy Spirit to stir you up. Ask for God to baptize with with the Holy Spirit. Jesus pours the missing ingredient of faith into you so once stirred you can be poured out to share faith with others. You don't want to be the unwanted glob of grace in someone's life. Get stirred up!
The pancake mix can never become a pancake without water but the water must be stirred in and mixed with the mix if you hope to have something good to eat. Faith, too, must be stirred into our lives. It can't float like a freestanding prop of some kind. It can't set under us like a crutch that helps us move along.
The Holy Spirit must be integrated with our spirit. Our spirit bears witness with the Holy Spirit that we are God's through Jesus Christ. Jude says, "Build up your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." Mix yourself up with God. Get stirred up.
Otherwise, like the pancake we are a lumpy glob of mix and water. We are like the shoot that springs up from the soil with the promise of life but has no root to sustain it. (Mark 4: 5-6)
Don't sell yourself or God short. Allow the Holy Spirit to stir you up. Ask for God to baptize with with the Holy Spirit. Jesus pours the missing ingredient of faith into you so once stirred you can be poured out to share faith with others. You don't want to be the unwanted glob of grace in someone's life. Get stirred up!
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