What kind of god lies?

January 24, 2014 / Craig / Leave a comment

1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; Titus 1:1-3

The Gospel showed me God keeping His promise.

Eternal life available through Jesus Christ.

Just as He promised.

Made known now through the preaching of the Gospel.

By people entrusted with the Gospel and animated by God’s command.

What kind of god lies?

The one that wants to use me up.

False promises constructed on shiny words

fail to deliver the life Jesus intends.

But echoing in the chambers of my heart is the lie of the gods:

if you have achievement,

beauty or strength,

riches,

then you will have power, control,

and love.

The lie lasts but only a while.

The love of our Saviour lasts

forever.

Jesus does not lie.

Not a project. I hold you in my heart.

January 23, 2014 / Craig / Leave a comment

6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6-8

I’ve always loved the promise held in verse 6: He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. Jesus will complete what He has started. Its a promise for each one of us.

Its also the longing of the servant of Jesus who has poured her or his heart into the life of another. “Ok, Jesus, that’s the end of me. I’m not there 24/7. You keep doing your work from start to finish, its all about you.”

Notice Paul’s affection for these followers of Jesus, “I hold you in my heart!” “We have a share in the same grace!” “You have been part of my struggle.” “I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

The Disciple-making lifestyle let’s people get under your skin. In fact, you let them into your heart. Who is Jesus giving you? Who are you making room for in your heart?

For years I have prayed, “Lord, enlarge my heart for loving people.”

This kind of life is a matter of prayer.

How Much Faith?

January 16, 2014 / Craig / Leave a comment

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 7:5-6

Jesus prevents a lie from taking root in the disciples’ hearts. It goes like this: Hey if I only had more faith, then I could do more and see more dramatic things happen.

Jesus stops that in its tracks.

“If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed…”

When it comes to that, I just need a little faith.

The issue must be in the one in whom I am trusting.

The issue must be in what I am expecting.

The issue must be in what motives I am having.

Hold this thought: Awesome Jesus! + My Small Faith

What are you trusting Him for today?

The Voice

January 9, 2014 / Craig / Leave a comment

32And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 1 Samuel 25:32-33

What’s your capacity for hearing the voice of wisdom?

David was on long journey to become King of Israel. A seventeen year journey.

But now the one who tapped him for the job was dead. Samuel had died.

Now he’s leading a ragtag group of misfits and malcontents.

600 of them. And they must be fed.

Now he’s living in the desert with so many things unsure.

Now he’s being hunted by Saul the King of Israel.

Now he’s been shamed and dissed by Nabal.

Now he’s wondering what’s the use of persisting in doing good.

Now he’s out for blood; and honour; and stuff.

But God intervened.

He sent a voice of wisdom.

He sent Abigail.

She humbled herself. Fell at David’s feet.

She reminded David of God’s hand on his life.

She reminded David of God’s hand to provide.

She reminded David of God’s promise to establish his throne.

She reminded David that their future was linked.

She reminded David of how the stain of revenge would never leave him.

The Voice of Wisdom.

We need this voice of wisdom.

We are so short-sighted in our views, attitudes, and actions.

So Jesus comes to us as the voice of wisdom.

God’s wisdom from above.

Jesus intercepts us on the path of destruction.

Jesus humbly kneels at the feet of his disciples and washes their feet.

Jesus serves us at the point of our greatest need — forgiveness —

through even through death on the cross.

Jesus fulfills God’s promises for us.

Jesus establishes us with Him in His Kingdom.

Jesus links us to His future.

Jesus provides.

He is The Voice.

Are you listening?

My Resolution Dilemma Caused by the Gospel

January 2, 2014 / Craig / 3 Comments

20For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

Dilemma: Goals or Resolutions or Not at all?

Some of my friends are resolved in 2014 to not make resolutions. They make goals instead. And then there’s the crowd that’s resolved not even to make a goal! The benefit of setting goals is well-studied. Make them, break them down, and set out on a path of improvement. I’m all for it.

The New Vision Created by The Gospel

But the Gospel does not begin with a vision of self-improvement. The Gospel begins with a vision of Jesus showing us who God is. God does not start with a vision of making us better. God starts with a vision of Jesus glorified in our lives and in all creation. God’s word for us is not one of self-perfecting in order to gain presence and peace. His Word is life through His Son. So now even the promises of God find their “Yes,” their possibility, their fulfilment, in Jesus.

And now through Him we can say “Yes” or “Amen” for His glory with not just our mouth but also our very lives. He has made it possible through the work of the Cross and the gift of His Spirit. I believe the apostles were saturated with the Gospel reality expressed in 2 Corinthians 1:20-22.

For His Glory

So my dilemma. Its the New Year. Its time to declare my resolve and make some goals. The Gospel sets me on a path of growth, not in order “to get God to like me,” that would be religion. The Gospel sets me on a path of growth for the glory of Jesus in my life. Now my desire for each year is that somehow by His grace I would be like Jesus in character, attitude and action. Now I trust Him, that even in my weaknesses the greatness of Jesus will be displayed.

Goal: this speaks to my effort to achieve. I will make bite sized goals about every six to nine weeks.

Resolution: this speaks to the over-arching desire of my heart.

Live the Yes

I am making a resolution for 2014: Live the Yes.

By the grace and power of God keep saying “Yes” to Jesus.

What’s your resolution for 2014?