Uncategorized – Page 5 – Running After Papa

It’s Not Complicated (Acts 15)

Acts 15:2b: … So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Why is it in our human nature to take what God has so simply given us and make is so stinkin complicated? Salvation is so straightforward (simple in command – a daily struggle in practice) – ACCEPT THE FREE GIFT OF CHRIST. That’s it. Why do we add our own crap to it? In this passage, God had clearly given the invitation of grace to the Gentiles and the same Holy Spirit in Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:47-48). Why then did those from Judea and Antioch think some aspect of the law (and WOW what an aspect!) – a longstanding tradition – was required to receive the grace of God through Jesus Christ?

My belief? Jealousy… Pride… They didn’t really want the Gentiles to be saved, and if they did they should suffer for it. They were too steeped in “the way we do things around here”. I think they chose circumcision for two reasons: 1. It was a steep price to pay. It was painful and required suffering and they hoped it would dissuade the Gentiles from conversion. 2. More importantly, it was an outward expression, a visible sign, a way of keeping control and a way to stay in “high regard” and “be respected”… again PRIDE! They didn’t want all the “things” they had already done to not count! Can’t you hear their hearts? “How dare God give away salvation freely! How dare he give to the ‘heathen Gentiles’ the same salvation my people have suffered for and worked so hard for through the generations!”

You know what? I suffer from the same sickness… the same depravity. Jeer 17:9 says “The heart is more deceitful than all else; who can understand it?” My heart deceives me… not so much with salvation, but with God’s blessings. I have grown to understand and know of God’s saving grace and that I can never do ANYTHING to earn it. Not so with His blessing. I have, almost unconsciously, felt that I have to do the right things and do them consistently and long enough for God to bless me. I have sinned.

Father, I repent to you now for making my Christian walk more complicated that you require. You simply want my heart. You simply want me to be in love with you. I’ve said it a hundred times that we can’t work for or earn our salvation, but deep inside I’ve let my heart deceive me. I’ve taken the world concepts of “you can’t get something for nothing” and “you get what you pay for” and applied them to your blessing. Forgive me. Papa, you know I want all that you have for me. Help me get out of the way and help me to quit trying to “earn” or “pay for” your blessings. I’ve known that my salvation is by your grace and your grace alone, now I realize that your blessings are by your grace and by your grace alone. Thank you for loving me in spite of myself. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for blessing me. I love you. Amen.

Running After Papa…

The Stuff of Life (Acts 4:20)

Acts 4:20 (NIV)

For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard

What topics dominate my conversation? What have I seen and heard that I “cannot help speaking about…”?

It’s not uncommon to go into the office and spend time (sometimes too much) chatting with my coworkers about really significant stuff…. Like, who sang what on the last round of American Idol, or what Jack Bauer is going to do in the next episode of 24. You know… real life & death stuff.

My children are forever remembering, and recounting, something they found particularly funny on SpongeBob Squarepants or “The Suite Life of Zach & Cody” or a scene from “Nacho Libre” (Ok, this movie WAS laugh out-loud funny!)

We spend countless hours dissecting play by play of the last football game we watched, or the last hockey game, golf tournament, baseball game, tennis match, basketball game, (fill in your favorite sport).

How much time TODAY have I spent talking about what Jesus has done in my life? How much time have I spent recounting how He has freed me and changed my life? How many people have I testified to about how Christ has transformed who I am? I am sad to say, not near as much as He deserves. If I cannot help but speak about what I have seen and heard, then the question becomes:

What am I seeing and hearing?

Are we – Am I – speaking with Father and hearing from my Daddy enough?

Father,

Today I ask for forgiveness for not speaking with you enough. I repent of my selfish, pride-filled ways that act like cotton in my ears and prevent me from hearing from You. Forgive me Papa that my speech and my conversations are more about “the stuff of life” and not the “Giver of Life.” Open my eyes to see You, open my ears to hear You and open my mouth to speak with You and testify about You. Help me today to converse with you across the kitchen table or at my desk. Let my conversations be more about You and less about me. Holy Spirit I invite you today to refill me – moment by moment – today. Amen

Running After Papa…

Oooh Hands! (Acts 3)

Acts 3:16b (NIV)

… It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

1. There is power in Jesus’ name

2. I have to believe in it

It is only when my faith is tied to the power of His name that I am completely healed – of whatever ails me.

James 5:15-16 (NIV)
¹⁵And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Acts 3:19 (NIV)

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord

Acts 3:19 (The Message)
^19–23 “Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you,

How The Message version puts the word ‘repent’ only reiterates to me that every choice we make, everything we do or say or think or feel, every direction we go, is only ‘on’ or ‘off’, north or south, yes or no. There are no grey areas in God-speak as it relates to our relationship with Him. We are either moving toward Him or we are moving away from Him. There is no 3^rd option. We cannot simply “stay the same” or “not move” or “stand still” as it relates to our relationship with him. Our path of travel is either directly at God or directly away from God. That is a sobering thought.

How many of the old testament passages have “do not turn to the right or to the left” in them? I wonder if that’s because THERE IS NO RIGHT OR LEFT. There is only forward and backward!

The picture I see when I read this passage in The Message is this:

Have you ever tried to wipe the face of a toddler who is really just beginning to walk/run pretty well? You know how they eat Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches… bite after bite straight through the middle of the sandwich. Of course, this gets the sticky, gooey, wonderfully delicious mess all over their chubby little cheeks.

Now remember (or picture – if you don’t have children) trying to wipe their face after they have gotten down off the chair and they are all hyped up on the sugar in the jelly. They want to be zooming all over the place, but they’ve got sticky gooey all over them!

I remember when my children were toddlers. In particular, when my first born was at the stage of feeding herself. For whatever reason, she couldn’t stand to have stuff on her hands. She would begin eating (as most toddlers do) mushing stuff all over and occasionally into her mouth. Then she would realize how messy her hands were. She’d raise her arms in the air and look for one of us and cry out “Oooh hands! Oooh hands!” waiting until we would wipe them clean. Then she would commence to eating (if you could call it eating) again until she realized her hands were dirty. The process would start all over and continue all they way through her meal. I was always amazed that she didn’t seem to care about how messy her face was, just her hands. I wonder if it was because she couldn’t see her face while she was eating. Regardless, after her meal, we would get her down and begin the cleaning process of getting all the food bits and goo out of her hair, off her nose and cheeks, out of her nostrils and ears, (you get the picture) – she had it everywhere! But after the cleaning, she always got kisses from Mommy or Daddy all over her chubby little cheeks.

I think Papa is waiting for us to cry out “Oooh hands! Oooh hands!” or more likely he wants us to cry out “Oooh Heart! Oooh Heart!” When we do, can’t you just see him stooping down and wiping all the crap and dirt and junk from our faces – out of our hearts – and then just kissing us all over the cheeks like a good and loving Father? I can. I relish those kisses.

Look back at Acts 3:19… “… that times of refreshing may come…”. How awesome is that? God refreshes us Father has to clean us up and clean us out in order that he can refresh us – so he can re-fresh us and make us fresh again.

Father,

Help me to always be moving toward you so that my face is always before you so you can clean my face and refresh me. I always want to be moving forward and in your direction; never away from you. I thank you for times of refreshing. Help me to look for and notice all the kisses on the cheek that you give. I love you.

Running After Papa…

Do They Like What They See ? (Acts 2)

²Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ac 2:2). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

I just noticed something today. When the Holy Spirit fell on the first church it wasn’t a wind, per se, but a sound like a wind; like a mighty rushing windstorm.

The New International Version

⁵Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ac 2:5-6). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

The New Living Translation

⁶When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. “Text edition”–Spine. (2nd ed.) (Ac 2:6). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

The New King James translation

⁶ And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

The New King James Version. 1982 (Ac 2:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

It wasn’t everyone speaking in other native tongues that drew the people of Jerusalem to the disciples. When the Holy Spirit came, he made his presence (the sound) known throughout the city of Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit drew the “God-fearing Jews” (v5) to himself.

The Holy Spirit:

Empowered the apostles with supernatural ability (other spoken and real languages) in an instant.
Emboldened the apostles to speak in a language they had never spoken before
“In Gathered” the peoples from other nations, from within the city, to Himself to hear the apostles proclaim the word and deeds of God through Jesus.

As the Lord gathered people into the church, notice God’s church building program found in verses 42-47:

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ac 2:42-47). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Look at how The Message version put part of this:

They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day t
heir number grew as God added those who were saved.

Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Ac 2:46-47). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.

Do people, in general, like what the see when they see me in my Christian walk?
Do people, in general, like what they see when I fellowship with other believers?
Better yet, do they see my Christian walk when I fellowship with other believers AND do they like what they see?
Is my fellowship, is every get-together “…exuberant and joyful…” as I praise God?

I’ve often wondered why crusades, such as the Billy Graham crusades, have been so productive and successful in bringing people to the Lord. Part of the answer lies in this passage. WE NEED EACH OTHER. People feed off of each other. Being a Lone Ranger is hard to do and it’s hard to maintain excitement. Loners are easily picked off by the enemy. If you’ve ever watched Discovery Channel, you’ve seen how the stalker (be it a wolf pack, a lion den, or whatever) always goes after the isolated and alone prey.

Can you imagine that first church? Picture over 3000 people worshipping DAILY together, eating DAILY together – each meal a celebration “…exuberant and joyful as they praised God.” Over 3000 people DAILY! Don’t you believe that would change a community? Don’t you believe that would change a city?

Papa,

Help me today to be joyful and exuberant as I praise You and celebrate You DAILY. I want to draw others to you by my excitement and DAILY adoration of You. I submit to Your will and surrender to your power through the Holy Spirit. Use me in whatever way you want – even if you want to download a new language and give me the courage to speak it! I know if you do, that you’ll draw those who understand it near to hear of Your good work and saving message in Jesus. I am yours. Fire me up, Lord!

Running After Papa…

Hiding God’s Word (Acts 1)

Acts 1:15-26 (NIV) ¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— ¹⁷he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”

¹⁸(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms,

” ‘May his place be deserted;

let there be no one to dwell in it,’

and,

” ‘May another take his place of leadership.’

²¹Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

²³So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ac 1:15-26). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

One of the things that captures me about this passage is how the scriptures that Peter had hidden in his heart in some previous time all of a sudden were incredibly relevant in the present. Think about it, perhaps Peter learned those Psalms in his childhood or early teen years. Perhaps he had learned them during the “training time” with Jesus. It doesn’t really matter the exact time, what matters is that he hid the word of God in his heart.

Peter would have no way of knowing the circumstances in which he would draw upon them. If someone would have told him that just a few hours earlier, he would see the resurrected Son of God ascend into heavens, he might have thought “… yeah…. ok…. whatever you say!” He didn’t know beforehand that he would be a disciple of the Messiah and that one of the inside 12 would betray the Christ to his death and subsequently have to be replaced.

My point is this, You and I will never know when we need to draw upon the word of God stored up in our hearts. Therefore it is crucial that we hide as much of it as possible into the deep recesses of our hearts.

Papa,

You are so awesome! I love your Word and I thank you for it. Help me to continually hide your Word in my heart so that when the time comes, I will have a deep reservoir of Spiritual Truth and Wisdom to draw from. Help me to memorize, not in pride and for pride’s sake, but that I may bring You the glory that You are due. In Jesus name, Amen.

Running After Papa….

Remembering His Words (Luke 24:5-8)

Luke 24:5-8 (NIV) ⁵In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” ⁸Then they remembered his words.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 24:5-8). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

First off, what an awesome God we serve! Jesus is alive! He rose from the grave! There is not one other world religion that worships a living, eternal God.

I have been encouraged reading this passage today. The women who went to prepare the body of Christ FORGOT what Jesus had told them. Praise God it’s not just me that forgets!

It must be human nature for us to “file away” those things God tells us. In this passage, it’s when – and only when – the women are faced with the reality of Jesus’ words – and reminded of what he had told them – do they remember what He said.

I find this happens to me from time to time. Just recently, I felt that God was giving me some very specific information about something which I am passionate about. If what was going on in my head were true, it would be an awesome blessing and expression of God’s goodness. I would love to tell you that I clung to those words, but I didn’t. I actually dismissed it as my own selfishness and filed it away under “wishful thinking.” Several days later, God reminded me of what he had said and gave me even more details. Again, I told myself that I was just making it up and again “filed it away”.

Can I tell you something? A short time after that, every single word of what God said came true, and manifested itself in my life. It was exactly what He said it would be – to every detail. Do you know what I did? I “… remembered his words.” just like the women at his grave.

First of all, I was so encouraged to know that I did in fact hear Father God and that I heard Him very specifically. Secondly, I was encouraged because of His blessing that he promised.

James 1:17 (NIV) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Jas 1:17). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

That passage confirms two things about my Papa:

Every good thing – and that includes good thoughts – comes from Him
He never, ever changes.

It is also a lesson for me personally to remember the sound of His voice; to not dismiss those things as “wishful thinking” and file them away somewhere.

Papa,

You are such a good Father. You love to lavish your children with good gifts. Thank you for your voice. Forgive me for dismissing your goodness to me and doubting that what I heard was from you. Daddy, help me listen so much that I never forget the sound of your voice and that I could recognize it in the midst of a storm. Amen.

Running After Papa…

What if….? (Luke 23:55-56)

Luke 23:55-56 (NIV) 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Lk 23:55-56). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

What would have happened if the women who were going to prepare Jesus’ body for burial had not observed the commandment? It would have been a noble and worthy cause to prepare the body of the one they believed to be the Christ for burial… regardless of the commandment… regardless of the Sabbath.

Just let that scene play out for a moment. Pretend you are one of those women. I imagine that I would justify it something like this…

“I know that the Sabbath is beginning (remember it began at sundown), but Jesus has just been taken down from the cross! The Son of God is wrapped only in linen and put in a tomb. This is NO WAY for the Son of God to be treated! Certainly God would forgive me if I take a few hours to prepare Jesus in a proper and fitting way. It won’t take that long…“

You can see where this is going. I can see myself doing that; in fact, I see myself do stuff like that all the time! Had those women proceeded down that path, in stead of doing what they knew God had commanded (keeping the Sabbath holy) they would have missed Jesus!!!!

There would have been NO reason to go back to the tomb on the 3rd day… on Resurrection Day!

Papa,
I pray that today, I do what I know you have called me to do. I pray that in my own ignorance and foolish wisdom, I don’t miss seeing you today! Keep my heart tuned to you Lord, keep my ears open to your instruction. I don’t ever want to miss Jesus!!

Running After Papa….

Jesus Responded (Luke 23:35-43)

I am reading the most amazing book on humility I’ve ever read. It is simply titled “Humility” and it was written by Andrew Murray in the late 1800s or early 1900s. It is a hard read because every paragraph is something to chew on. In light of Christ’s humility, I’ve often thought about the the crucifixion on the cross. Today, however, Papa gave me new insight into this very well-known account in Luke 23. He shed new light on humility vs. pride.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered … “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

Jesus did not respond.

36-37 The soldiers also came up and mocked him… and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

Jesus did not respond.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

Jesus did not respond.

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus responded.

As I read passage today I found the various peoples responses to Christ amazing.

The Ruler – Judgment

Look first at the ruler’s sneering response. Their responses were based in judgment. They felt superior to Jesus.; He was messing up their long standing traditions and the status and clout they had attained through their lineage. I wrote about my struggle with judgment in a previous blog called “Bumper Stickers.” Judgment = Pride

The Soldiers – Doubt

Next look at the soldiers response. Their mocking was based in doubt of who he said he was… “If you are the king of the Jews…” In Matthew 4, Jesus is tempted by the devil during his 40 day fast. Two of the three temptations specifically begin with “If you are the Son of God…” The devil is certainly consistent. We see in Genesis while engaging in conversation with Eve, his tactic is creating doubt about what God really said and what he would really do.

Genesis 3:1-5 (NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”²The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, ³but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”⁴“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. ⁵“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

The enemy never changes…  He the the original FUD machine (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) and he never shys away from throwing it onto our pride. How does Pride relate to doubt, you ask? When we doubt what God says (what He says about who and what we are, what He says that He will do, what He says about He is, …) then we think we are smarter and know more than Him… Doubt = Pride.

The 1st Criminal – Selfish Motives

This passage does not differentiate between the crimes of the two criminals. All we know is that they are both going to be executed with Christ. I think this speaks volumes about us. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done. There is no “little sin” or “big sin”. Sin is Sin. It is all unholy and putrid to the nostrils of God. The only differences we see in the criminals, in this passage, is the attitude of their hearts.

Jesus said in Matthew 12

³³“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. ³⁴You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ³⁷For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The first criminal was only concerned with getting out of the mess he had gotten into.  He was getting his just rewards and deserved consequences. He wasn’t truly confessing that Jesus was the Christ, he was double-dog-daring him to prove it! He was only being selfish.

I know I’m guilty of throwing up the “flare prayers”, as I call them. “God… please, please, PLEASE get me out of this mess I have gotten into! I know I should have (listened to you, heeded the warning signs, prayed about this first, fill-in-the-blank), but I didn’t and I need you to bail me out… AGAIN!”

James 4:3 “When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives…”

Selfishness is an easy attitude for us to take… Selfishness = Pride.

The 2nd Criminal – Humility

James 5:16 says we are to “… confess your sins to each other…” and 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” In his rebuke of the first criminal, the 2nd Criminal confesses is guilt and unworthiness. He cries out for mercy hanging from the cross. And Jesus responds.

Take aways:

Am I exhibiting pride in any form of judgment, doubt, or selfish motive?
What is overflowing out of my heart? What words are coming out of my mouth?
Will I be acquitted or condemned by the words I speak? What am I speaking without my mouth?
Is Jesus responding or is he not responding?

Running After Papa…

Run On! (Rom 15:4-5)

Romans 15 (NIV)
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

I am a marathon runner – not a particularly good one, mind you, but a marathon runner none the less. I began running a few years ago in a effort to get some personal discipline in my own life. I decided that about the only type of run I could set a goal for and not cram (a polite way of saying procrastinate – which is why I needed discipline in my life!) was by running a marathon.

I say that because anytime I run across the word “endurance” in Scripture, my eyes immediately draw to it. So I was drawn immediately to verse 4 this morning. Verse 4 is POWERFUL to me… if I might summarize… The Bible was written to teach me. If I will persist digging into God’s word, God himself will encourage me and the byproduct will be hope.

I think the endurance part doesn’t just relate to digging into God’s word, but in enduring the trials of life; in learning how to apply God’s word to every situation; in learning to hear God’s voice in the midst of the storm; in learning to be victorious by total surrender to Jesus Christ… because it is NOT easy!

James 1:2-4 (NIV) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.

James tells us that we ARE going to have trials and storms – “… of many kinds…”. Check out verse 4… if allowed to finish its work, perseverance will make us mature and complete. The Romans passage says God gives us endurance which leads to hope and unity. So – my question becomes – Does “maturity” and “completeness” – or my progression toward such – manifest itself as hope and unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ? Interesting question to ponder.

Endurance running has certainly changed my perspective on my Christian walk, both from a physical discipline as well as from an spiritual discipline. For me, a 20-30 minute run is less fulfilling than a 1-2 hour run. The same thing is happens in my spiritual walk – I’d rather spend a hour or more digging into the word than just reading a brief passage or a 5 minute devotional; memorizing a verse here and a verse there is much less satisfying than memorizing a chapter and whole book of the Bible; Consequently, if I don’t have an hour for study and memorization, then more times than not, I end up skipping with a mindset of I’ll “do it later” – again, another nice way to say “procrastinate.” (see first paragraph)

Having said that, I’ve let this attitude ruin my discipline. If you look at marathon training plans, there are more days of “short runs” than “long runs”. Usually there is only 1 or 2 days that include a “long run” (2+ hours). When I am diligent about the short runs, I’m in better condition for and enjoy my long run so much more. It’s the same in my spiritual life and this is extremely important. I need to spend time DAILY “training” myself and taking in the Word. Having 3-5 days of “short run” studies and readings tees up my “long run” days to be much more in-depth and fruitful. When I through the “short run” days, I am conditioned and have seeds of God’s word planted in my spirit that I can chew on and let God work in my heart so that on my “long run” day(s), I am ready to receive what He has to give me.

Another spiritual parallel to marathon training is this. In every marathon training program, the day after a “long run” is a scheduled “recovery day”. This is a day of either rest or a slow / easy jog or walk. Spiritually, I see this as a quiet day before the Lord – listening and reflecting on the week’s reading and what God is teaching me. I think this could be a day of fasting and prayer.

The more I write about this the more I am continually amazed at the parallels of endurance training and the Christian walk. Look for more in future blogs…

Today’s food for thought:

I need my daily “short runs”. Heb 12:1 (NIV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. “
I need my regular “recovery runs” to listen and quietly be before Papa. Heb 12:2-3 (NIV) “2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.“

When I consider, really consider the cross, the pain, the endurance that Christ demonstrated on my behalf, I am overwhelmed with His love, His mercy, His grace, and His compassion for me. It inspires me. It makes me want to be more like him. He becomes my hero, who I want to emulate. Praise God that I don’t have to do it on my own! I all I have to do is get out of the way and let Him take control.

Run on!

Running After Papa…

Bumper Stickers (Jas 2 & Rom 15:5-7)

As I was driving to work this morning, I began to notice the bumper stickers on everyone’s cars. Since it’s over 30 miles and over an hour one way, let’s just say I saw LOTS of bumber stickers!

I began to ponder why people – including myself – put bumper stickers on their cars. I am a Texas Aggie… and proud of it. I have my Texas A&M Former Student sticker on both cars. Why? Why do any of us put stickers on our cars? What causes us to put a sticky piece of $.05 plastic – that fades in the summer sun – on our automobiles – some of which cost a small fortune!

I believe it’s for basically one reason… …to somehow identify with someone or something out there.

Bumper stickers tell people about us: what we like, what we dislike, what we wish we were doing, what we support, what we don’t. Bumper stickers tell people what we’re proud of, how smart our kids are, how smart our dogs are. Bumper stickers tell others what kind of music and bands we listen to and what our favorite radio stations are. Bumper stickers tell people about our education (Gig’Em!), our beliefs, our passions and our fears. Bumper stickers tell all kinds of things about the owner of the car.

So… what bumper stickers are on your car? What do you tell your fellow commuters about yourself with your stickers?

Me? I tell them I graduated from Texas A&M. I tell them that we have family serving in Iraq and that we support our miltary. I thought about putting a plastic fish on my car to tell others about my faith, but after careful consideration and self evaluation, I decided not to! I want to glorify Christ in my actions, not bring shame to his name…

I find myself judging people by their stickers…. Yep… I said it. My guess is that you do too. When I started thinking about this, Papa reminded me what I had studied this morning as I read.

James 2:8-9 (NIV)
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor
as yourself,”you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are
convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

I find myself classifying people into various catagories by their stickers. Some people, I immediately dismiss as ingnorant, stupid, a punk, selfish, “___________” (fill in the blank). Honestly, “stupid idiot” is THE most used utterance out of my mouth in reference to others on the road. My dad uses my personal favorite… “inbred moron” – it makes me laugh.

I find myself disliking people that I don’t even know because of their stickers… because of what they have chosen to identify with. I hate it when I do that. I really do. All that really matters is WHO we have chosen to identify with. There are two groups of humans in all the earth – those that know and trust Jesus Christ as their only salvation (we’ll call these “believers”), and those that don’t (“non-believers”). Everything else is insignificant. That which is on the outside of the car is not near as important as what’s on the inside of the car. People – and their eternal destiny – are the only thing that matter.

Romans 15:5-7 (NIV)
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of
unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

God is encouraging me to live in unity with my brothers & sisters in Christ and to glorify Him in all ways. That addresses both classifications.

Accept fellow believers – however broken we might be (“… just as Christ accepted you…“) and
Show God’s glory to non-believers in unity at all times. In God’s uncanny wisdom, this is exactly opposite of how the world deals with believers. James 2:7 says that they “slander and blaspheme that precious name by which you are distinguished and called” (Amplified Version).

Of course, this is all a picture for me. The piece of plastic on the car is totally insignificant. It does draw a good picture for what I wear on my face and in my heart and in my attitude as I “commute” through this life. So in the context of my heart, Papa is asking me the following questions… questions that I really need to search out to find the answer to:

Am I identifiable (“distinguished and called“) with that precious name?
What “bumper stickers” do I wear on my self (metaphorically) that identifies me with Jesus Christ?
What old “stickers” do I need to take off that just don’t identify me with Christ – that send mixed and confusing messages to my fellow man?
Do the “stickers” of my life bring glory and praise to God?

Running After Papa,