One-a-Day Monday, 2/17/14

Posted on by February 17, 2014
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number 1The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16).

OK, so you’ve got to be careful when people claim spiritual knowledge.   I mean, I used to work with a woman who came in one morning and announced that she had heard the trumpet sounding while she brushed her teeth.

As in, the first trumpet from Revelation 8:7.

By lunch, when the only smoke I smelled was my BBQ potato chips, I figured she was wrong.

On the other hand, I trust the Apostle Paul far more than I do the girl at work, and Paul says that the Spirit himself testifies with our spirit.

So what does that look like?  Sound like?  Feel like?

Frankly, I’m often afraid that I can’t tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and my own imagination.  I mean, I’m the creative type, and I can imagine all kinds of voices in my head.  How do I know what to listen for?  How do I keep from being like Trumpet Girl?

I really wish I had the complete answer for you…for me.  What I can tell you is this—when the message your spirit is telling you is consistent with scripture, you can accept it, believe it, bank on it.  And this message is. You are God’s child, and he loves you completely.  So take a few moments today—like now—to close your eyes, quiet your heart, and let your Father tell you that you are his.  Let his Spirit speak to your spirit, and rejoice in your Abba’s voice.

Happy Monday, Beloved of Christ.

Truth in Beauty

Posted on by February 15, 2014
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roseIt’s show time…again.

Last night, Beauty and the Beast opened at LifeHouse Theater.  This time, Carissa and I are in the production.  It was supposed to be Cathy’s turn to audition for a show, but when it comes to making our domestic life function, I am ever so much more expendable.  It worked out for the best anyway, because I got cast in the role of the Father—no actual name, just “Father”—and as good as Cathy is, I don’t think she could have pulled it off.

Before we get too deep into this, I should point out that the show we are doing is not the version that you may be familiar with from the Disney universe.  It is based upon the same source, however, and the underlying story should track.

Beauty and the Best is a great story, and every great story is an echo of the Great Story.  I know I have said that before, and my readers—both of you—are probably feeling a little redundified.  Still, it’s true, so you’ll just have to go with me for a bit.   Take a look with me at some of the lessons God can teach us through this show.

Lesson #1—Look Deeply

Man looks at outward appearances, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).  When God sent his prophet to anoint a new king for his people, Samuel was naturally drawn to the tallest, strongest, manliest looking of the men.  Had I been on the scene, he probably would have gravitated to me. God nixed that one, however—as he would have nixed me—because God could see the man’s heart.  In our show, the Enchantress comes to the Prince to test him.  She sees what is in his heart, and transforms him so that his outward appearance reflects his inward, ugly self.  Over the course of time, the Beast has a change of heart so that, again, the outward visage does not reflect the man within.  Rose must choose to see beyond outward appearances—like both her heavenly and earthly fathers have taught her—in order to see, love, and free her Prince.

 

Lesson #2—Treasure Wisely

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).  Jesus instructed his followers to focus on the things of Heaven, because the things of this world are fragile and temporary.  Ivy and Iris, Rose’s two sisters, apparently missed that message.  These girls are utterly consumed with their place in the world, and how they appear to others.  They are constantly looking for the material possessions—and rich husbands—that they think will bring them happiness.  In all their plans, there is no room for God.  Rose, meanwhile, is content.  Her treasure is her family, particularly her Father, who loves and cares for her.  She does not concern herself with worldly gain, and does not seem to care about other’s opinions. This gives Rose a quiet strength, wisdom, and beauty that her sisters just can’t understand.  When crisis comes, Rose trusts and follows her heart, and it leads her to a far different, far better place than her sisters’ limited imaginations could conceive.

 

Theme #3 Love Sacrificially

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Rose willingly goes to the castle of the Beast in the place of her father.  Her love for her father spurs her to take the punishment that is rightfully his.

Sound familiar?

The Beast, who has finally found someone to love in Rose, gives her up so that she can return to her father.  He loves her enough to want what is best for her, even at the cost of his future.  He also risks his life by protecting Rose and her father from the attacking wolves.  Father shows this same love by releasing Rose to return to the Beast.  His other daughters have already left to make their way in the world, and Father knows that his choice may leave him alone and bereft of the person he loves most.  Still, his love for her is such that he must let her go.

 

Story has power when it reflects the inner truth of our lives and the ultimate truth of God’s will.  Frankly, I’m surprised that I can learn from a dream-sotted girl with a ditzy dad, two obnoxious sisters, and a boyfriend with hygiene issues.  But to the extent that I see myself in the characters—I won’t tell you which—and see God’s truth at work in the plot line, I find power.  Life changing kind of power.

Every great story is an echo of the Great Story.

And this is a great story.

One-a-Day Friday, 2/14/14

Posted on by February 13, 2014
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…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

It’s Valentine’s Day, right?

OK, so let’s talk love.

Forget the hearts and flowers.  Forget the candy.

Real love sacrifices.  Real love gives, even when there is no reasonable expectation of a return on the investment.  Real love sees you at your worst, and does not turn away.

While we were still sinners.  While we were totally unworthy and unlovable.  Beyond pot bellies and vanishing hairlines.  Beyond bad hair and no makeup.  While we were steeped in darkness, inside and out, Jesus died for us.

For you.

Want him to prove his love?

He did.  We call it the Cross.

When I write these One-a-Days, I often call you “Beloved.”  I’m not putting the moves on you, nor am I trying to be J. Vernon McGee.  I’m praying, along with Paul, that you, “May…grasp how high and long and wide and deep is the love of Christ.”

In the Song of Songs, God gives us a picture of the love between a man and a woman.  Beyond that, though, he paints a picture of Christ’s love for his Church.

He calls the Church his Beloved.

He calls you his Beloved.

And so will I.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Beloved.

One-a-Day Thursday, 2/13/14

Posted on by February 13, 2014
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number 1For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

Interesting how similar Paul’s discussion of fear is to his discussion of sin.  I mean, he’s right in the middle of talking about sin vs. living by the Spirit, and out pops this comment about being a slave to fear.

I wonder what connection fear has to sin…

Something to chew on.

My children never need to fear being unloved, empty, alone, because they have a father who loves them and stands ready to protect them.  Sure, there will be things that make them afraid, but as long as they are with me they need not be controlled by fear…slaves to fear.  How much more can we all say the same, because we have a Father who is always with us, loves us even more, and is infinitely better able to care for and protect us.

If I were cool enough, I’d end with a “Who’s your daddy?” line.

But I’m not.

One-a-Day Wednesday, 2/12/14

Posted on by February 11, 2014
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number 1You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you (Romans 8:9).

If.

If the Spirit of God lives in you.

That there’s a pretty big “if.”

If you’re not certain whether the Spirit of God lives in you, that, I humbly suggest, is your first fish to fry.  If you have admitted that you are a sinner, “Fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), if you have accepted Christ’s death on the cross in your place (Romans 5:6-8), and if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9), then yes, the Spirit of God lives in you (Acts 2:38).

And, therefore, you are not controlled by sin.

It may feel like you are some days, but you are not.

Notice, Paul didn’t say you won’t sin, he said you won’t be controlled by sin.  As tough as it is to admit, the sins we commit, we choose.

Whaddaya say we both give the Spirit a little more control today?

I‘ll pray for you—you pray for me.

One-a-Day Tuesday, 2/11/14

Posted on by February 11, 2014
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number 1Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…  (Romans 8:5-7)

You hear about people who win the lottery, and then turn around and squander all that money.  They end up worse off than they started.

(That could never happen to me…and I would really appreciate the opportunity to prove it.)

Our freedom in Christ is like an inheritance—we are not responsible for how we earned it, but we are responsible for how we spend it.  I’ll repeat my question from yesterday: What will you do with your freedom today?  Will you live for yourself, for your own desires—for the sin nature?  Or will you let your life be controlled by the Spirit, following the desires of the God who knows you so very well, and loves you beyond measure?

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again with the yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)

 

One-a-Day Monday, 2/10/14

Posted on by February 9, 2014
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number 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  (Romans 8:1-2)

Oh, Beloved, if you and I could just wrap our hearts around this.

You are not condemned.

You should be—of course you should be.  Me, too.  There aren’t enough digital pages in all of cyberspace to catalogue my sins.  I am wretched, top to bottom, inside and out.  I know that I am made in the image of God, but some days that image is so blurred…I deserve nothing but wrath and scorn and disgust and condemnation.

BUT I am not condemned.

You are not condemned.

We are free.

Realize that.  Rest in that.  Rejoice in that.

Now, Beloved, what will you do with your freedom today?

 

 

 

One-a-Day Friday, 2/7/14

Posted on by February 6, 2014
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number 1 …to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:11b)

It was all for the Father’s glory.

Exalted to the highest place…

given the name above all names…

every knee bowing…

every tongue confessing him Lord.

Looking back at this week’s verses, it seems that Christ’s whole purpose is to obey, and by obeying glorify, the Father.  Yes, he came to die for us, but isn’t that also serving the higher purpose of glorifying God? He came, he died, he rose, to bring the Father glory.

For God so loved the world that he sent his Son…

Never has there been a life more worthy.

So, Beloved of Christ.  What within you is “to the glory of God the Father?”  What within you cries out to obey, and by obeying glorify, him?

Listen to that something.

Follow that something.

 

Have a good Friday.

One-a-Day Thursday, 2/6/14

Posted on by February 7, 2014
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number 1…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord… (Philippians 2:11a)  

I am so looking forward to this.

Just imagine it.  Everyone who has ever mocked Christianity, everyone who has ever scoffed at the idea of Creationism, everyone who has ever lived a life that blasphemed the King of All—every last one will confess Jesus as Lord.

I know I shouldn’t gloat, and hopefully when the moment comes I will be too awestruck to gloat, but right now…thinking about it…

Let’s just call it reason #86 to be glad I’m not God.

One-a-Day Wednesday, 2/5/14

Posted on by February 7, 2014
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number 1…that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in Heaven, on Earth, and under the earth… (Philippians 2:10)

We’re not real big on kings here in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Bowing the knee to anyone sort of sticks in our collective craw.  After all, we fought a revolution to chuck the King of England over the side of the boat, and we haven’t missed him much.  We’re an independent, self-sufficient, stand-on-your-own-two-feet kind of people.

But we’re gonna bow—all of us.

Californians will bow.

New Yorkers will bow.

Republicans will bow.

Democrats will bow.

Angels will bow.

Demons will bow.

Your neighbor will bow.

You, my friend, will bow.

The question of the day is this: How does that make you feel?  Do you (A) shift uncomfortably at the thought of giving up the last wisps of the illusion of independence, (B) tremble with joy at the thought of finally kneeling before the king of the universe, or (C) offer a halfhearted “meh” and go about your business?

Far be it from me to intrude, but may I suggest that if your answer is anything other than (B) you spend some time in conversation with the One to whom you will one day bow?  It might make the whole experience more pleasant.

Just a thought.