..but I sure am sometimes.
Two sisters were in a hurry once – and for a good reason, too. Their brother was deathly sick and needed nothing short of a miracle to save his life. The sisters sent word to the man whom they knew could heal their dying brother. Time was of the essence. There wasn't a moment to lose.
"Too late. So sad. Sorry, Sisters. Jesus just arrived into town but we buried your brother four days ago so there goes that idea."
I would have been pissed off if I found myself that day in the sandals of Mary and Martha. Jesus was late! He took his sweet time and showed up four days after Lazarus died. You may know the story. Jesus actually wasn't late at all. He purposely allowed Lazarus to die so that an incredible miracle could take place. Lazarus was raised from the dead after spending four days rotting in his grave. Amazing.
I want you to know something today. God is not in a hurry. He works on a time clock that's a bit different than yours and mine. But sometimes we panic..
"God, where are you? Can't you see what I'm going through?! Lord, hurry! What's the deal?! Don't you see what's happening??"
You feel that same panic at times. Maybe you're wondering why you haven't gotten married yet. Perhaps your current situation is totally different from what you imagined it would be previously. Are you stuck in a job that has nothing to do with your passions? Has a relationship recently turned sour?
I'm glad that Adam waited for God to bring him a wife. If Adam had taken matters into his own hands, he may have married an ape or something. Adam waited though. No eHarmony. No singles cruise. What did Adam do? He took a nap! What a treat to wake up, after resting in total peace, to a lovely woman that was created just for him.
There was another guy called Zacharias. This fella was a priest and a righteous dude. The problem was that his wife Elizabeth couldn't have children. Their prayers had gone unanswered for years and Elizabeth grew into old age without a child. One day, Zacharias was just worshipping God at church and BAM an angel showed up and said that Elizabeth would have a baby. God's timing was very different from Zachariah and Elizabeth's timing BUT it was all good because they raised John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah.
Hey, I know it's sometimes hard to wait on the Lord and to trust that He's truly got this whole thing figured out. Check out this verse that has been rockin my day..
"No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." –Psalm 84
Are you walking uprightly? If not, get back on track right this minute.
For those that are walking with God though, you have an incredible promise to hang your hat on today. God will not withhold ANY good thing from your life. What do you think you're missing? A husband or wife? The job you've dreamed about? A lifestyle that you just don't have enough money to live? God is NOT in a hurry. You don't have whatever "it" is today because it's not good for you to have today. Simple as that.
Ok, last verse for today's rant…
"Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ." -Philippians 4
Chill out! Don't be anxious or panicky. GOD IS NEVER LATE. You get to be thankful today and then let God know what you want. Then, DROP IT. Trust that your God will not withhold any good thing from your life as you're abiding in him. You'll discover a peace that doesn't make any sense. Notice that this peace doesn't come FROM understanding but rather SURPASSES understanding. The people around you will marvel that you have an unexplainable peace in the midst of difficult circumstances. Relax. You have nothing to worry about as you abide in Christ today. Let the weight just slide off your shoulders and allow God's peace to saturate your heart. It's all going to work out beautifully. Guaranteed. Don't freak out and marry an ape. Trust the Lord. I promise you that he won't let you down. He'll come through right on time.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Beer and lions
I bombed out Friday night. One beer turned into several and I acted like a total moron. I spent the weekend frustrated and defeated. On the way home from the office, I stopped by the bookstore to just sort of lose myself in some books. Perhaps it's my version of cable TV. You've seen those huge coffee table picture books that are always on sale at bookstores, right? Well, I spent an hour in this book about lions. Lions are such beautiful creatures.
God suddenly spoke to me through the pages of lions. This photograph of a lion eating a gazelle started to move. The lion spat the gazelle's liver out of his mouth and then started talking to me right there from page 67. ACID TRIP. Just kidding.
A verse hit me like a sumo man hits the Chinese buffet (err, Japanese buffet. Whatever.) Check it:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." 1 Peter 5:8-9
Woahhhhh. Isn't God so clever? He knew I was down in the dumps. God used the random book about lions to speak to me. It blew me away.
Satan wants to gobble you up. Me, too. Yes, it's true that I'm going to heaven and Satan can't mess with my salvation. However, he sure can depress, discourage, and tempt me into doing stuff that nullifies my witness and destroys my character. What does Peter tell us to do? BE SOBER! Although Peter is referring to the idea of being careful and watching out, it also applies to my example of drinking too much on Friday night.
Peter doesn't say to run away or freak out. He advises us to RESIST. James agrees: "resist the devil and he will flee from you." How do we resist? Paul talks about spiritual armor. There are spiritual defenses as well as spiritual weapons. The entire body is covered and protected except for the back. Why? Because we aren't meant to freak out and run away.
You've heard the roar. Really, you have. The roar can be absolutely intimidating and deafening.
"Roarrrrr, you suck. Roarrrrr, you're a failure. Roarrrr, you blew it again. Roarrrrr, stop fooling yourself. You're nobody. God can't use you. Give it up…"
Do you hear that roar and get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach because it rings true? Do you get discouraged and start giving in to the temptation? Maybe you just throw the towel in and stop fighting. Simply ignoring the reality of the temptation or trying not to think about it will only lead to defeat. However, if we battle by going directly to the Father in prayer every time there is a roar of intimidation and temptation, we'll be turning the enemy's weapon back on him. What will happen? That roaring lion will realize that his teeth have been kicked out!! According to James, he'll take off with his tail between his legs. How did Jesus fight his temptation? He fired right back with Scripture. So, too, you and I can use the same tactic. It's true that the lions often attack the sick gazelles and zebra that are hanging out on the outskirts. Stay spiritually healthy by eating the Word everyday and living in the center of the pack. Surround yourself regularly with likeminded believers that will encourage you and pray for you. Keep your "sword" sharp by meditating on the Scriptures. Talk to the Father in the heat of the battle which will strengthen your shield of faith. If you're just chillin and doing your own thing alone, the lion will sneak up and devour you – he'll devour your day, chomp on your mood, and rip on your character.
Be sober. Watch out! Be careful. Resist. Fight! Be steadfast in the faith! When you do, when I do, that toothless bully will run away like the old wimp that he is.
God suddenly spoke to me through the pages of lions. This photograph of a lion eating a gazelle started to move. The lion spat the gazelle's liver out of his mouth and then started talking to me right there from page 67. ACID TRIP. Just kidding.
A verse hit me like a sumo man hits the Chinese buffet (err, Japanese buffet. Whatever.) Check it:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." 1 Peter 5:8-9
Woahhhhh. Isn't God so clever? He knew I was down in the dumps. God used the random book about lions to speak to me. It blew me away.
Satan wants to gobble you up. Me, too. Yes, it's true that I'm going to heaven and Satan can't mess with my salvation. However, he sure can depress, discourage, and tempt me into doing stuff that nullifies my witness and destroys my character. What does Peter tell us to do? BE SOBER! Although Peter is referring to the idea of being careful and watching out, it also applies to my example of drinking too much on Friday night.
Peter doesn't say to run away or freak out. He advises us to RESIST. James agrees: "resist the devil and he will flee from you." How do we resist? Paul talks about spiritual armor. There are spiritual defenses as well as spiritual weapons. The entire body is covered and protected except for the back. Why? Because we aren't meant to freak out and run away.
You've heard the roar. Really, you have. The roar can be absolutely intimidating and deafening.
"Roarrrrr, you suck. Roarrrrr, you're a failure. Roarrrr, you blew it again. Roarrrrr, stop fooling yourself. You're nobody. God can't use you. Give it up…"
Do you hear that roar and get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach because it rings true? Do you get discouraged and start giving in to the temptation? Maybe you just throw the towel in and stop fighting. Simply ignoring the reality of the temptation or trying not to think about it will only lead to defeat. However, if we battle by going directly to the Father in prayer every time there is a roar of intimidation and temptation, we'll be turning the enemy's weapon back on him. What will happen? That roaring lion will realize that his teeth have been kicked out!! According to James, he'll take off with his tail between his legs. How did Jesus fight his temptation? He fired right back with Scripture. So, too, you and I can use the same tactic. It's true that the lions often attack the sick gazelles and zebra that are hanging out on the outskirts. Stay spiritually healthy by eating the Word everyday and living in the center of the pack. Surround yourself regularly with likeminded believers that will encourage you and pray for you. Keep your "sword" sharp by meditating on the Scriptures. Talk to the Father in the heat of the battle which will strengthen your shield of faith. If you're just chillin and doing your own thing alone, the lion will sneak up and devour you – he'll devour your day, chomp on your mood, and rip on your character.
Be sober. Watch out! Be careful. Resist. Fight! Be steadfast in the faith! When you do, when I do, that toothless bully will run away like the old wimp that he is.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
It's the Year of the Rat. Lucky us.
Here on the rightcoast, it's 75 minutes into the New Year. Don't you love fresh starts? I'm sure we all do.
My 2007 was quite a year and full of many incredible and awesome experiences. Although I dealt with my share of problems and issues, the year drew to a close on a wonderful note of God's faithfulness and mercy.
In the past year, I said many goodbyes. I said goodbye to my best friend of nine years. I said goodbye to the first woman I ever truly loved. I said goodbye to my credit card debt once and for all. I said goodbye to many habits and traits that hindered me from running well in the race. I said goodbye to my dad.
Reflecting on those goodbyes is bittersweet. My heart aches for those I've said goodbye to but the memories are sweet and put a smile on my face. This New Year will be full of rich new experiences and fresh revelations of God's unmerited favor upon my life.
The word "new" appears 173 times in 153 different verses in the Bible (NKJV). Let's check out a few…
"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy." Ps. 33:3
"He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord." Ps. 40:3
""Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Jer. 31:31, 33
"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. " Lam. 3:22-23
"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh," Eze. 11:19
"For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Mat. 26:28
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;" Mark 16:17
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Jhn. 13:34
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." 1 Cor. 5:7
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17
"Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Eph 4:24
Far out. You and I both have a New Year sitting in front of us today and that's awesome. I'm thankful to be alive and excited to see what's in store. However, I'm much more excited about the new stuff going on in those verses. I have a new song in my heart. I'm living in the new covenant life! I have a new spirit in me upon which God's laws are written. There are new words of life that I can now speak. I have a new commandment to love others around me. The old crap is being purged out so that a new work can be done. By God's grace, I've become a new creation and a new man.
Perhaps you have a resolution or two for '08. I have plenty. It's healthy to strive for improvement in our lives. The only resolution that I actually kept all year from 1/1/07 was flossing. Go figure. Well, at least my dentist is proud of me.
Here are the only resolutions that really matter though:
a) love God more passionately, authentically, and transparently
b) love other people around us consistently and sacrificially
c) reach out to the lost and bring them to Jesus
2007 is over. You and I can't go back and change it or relive it. However, we have 2008. Resolve with me to make it a great year. Seek the Lord. Love Him passionately. Learn what it means to actually love other people – especially the jerks (like me) that you want to punch in the throat. Homies, bros, chicas, friends, folks, people, LETS GO FOR IT. We've only got one shot at this year and then it's finished. Renew your vows to follow the Lord with all your heart. It's a fresh clean slate today. It's time to be all in or all out. It's nice in coffee but let's not do the half-and-half stuff in our Christian walks anymore. Are you guys with me? Let's follow Jesus for real this year.
My 2007 was quite a year and full of many incredible and awesome experiences. Although I dealt with my share of problems and issues, the year drew to a close on a wonderful note of God's faithfulness and mercy.
In the past year, I said many goodbyes. I said goodbye to my best friend of nine years. I said goodbye to the first woman I ever truly loved. I said goodbye to my credit card debt once and for all. I said goodbye to many habits and traits that hindered me from running well in the race. I said goodbye to my dad.
Reflecting on those goodbyes is bittersweet. My heart aches for those I've said goodbye to but the memories are sweet and put a smile on my face. This New Year will be full of rich new experiences and fresh revelations of God's unmerited favor upon my life.
The word "new" appears 173 times in 153 different verses in the Bible (NKJV). Let's check out a few…
"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy." Ps. 33:3
"He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord." Ps. 40:3
""Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Jer. 31:31, 33
"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. " Lam. 3:22-23
"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh," Eze. 11:19
"For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Mat. 26:28
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;" Mark 16:17
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Jhn. 13:34
"Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us." 1 Cor. 5:7
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17
"Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Eph 4:24
Far out. You and I both have a New Year sitting in front of us today and that's awesome. I'm thankful to be alive and excited to see what's in store. However, I'm much more excited about the new stuff going on in those verses. I have a new song in my heart. I'm living in the new covenant life! I have a new spirit in me upon which God's laws are written. There are new words of life that I can now speak. I have a new commandment to love others around me. The old crap is being purged out so that a new work can be done. By God's grace, I've become a new creation and a new man.
Perhaps you have a resolution or two for '08. I have plenty. It's healthy to strive for improvement in our lives. The only resolution that I actually kept all year from 1/1/07 was flossing. Go figure. Well, at least my dentist is proud of me.
Here are the only resolutions that really matter though:
a) love God more passionately, authentically, and transparently
b) love other people around us consistently and sacrificially
c) reach out to the lost and bring them to Jesus
2007 is over. You and I can't go back and change it or relive it. However, we have 2008. Resolve with me to make it a great year. Seek the Lord. Love Him passionately. Learn what it means to actually love other people – especially the jerks (like me) that you want to punch in the throat. Homies, bros, chicas, friends, folks, people, LETS GO FOR IT. We've only got one shot at this year and then it's finished. Renew your vows to follow the Lord with all your heart. It's a fresh clean slate today. It's time to be all in or all out. It's nice in coffee but let's not do the half-and-half stuff in our Christian walks anymore. Are you guys with me? Let's follow Jesus for real this year.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
On peace and feces
Perhaps you've heard that the toilet was invited by a guy called Thomas Crapper. I finally decided to look it up tonight. What a jip. Thomas Crapper didn't invent the toilet but he did have a very successful plumbing business and had his last name plastered all over manhole covers and toilets. Quite the legacy.
So I've been going through some crap for the past two weeks.
Emotional crap is tricky business. Just when you think you've got a lid on it, something happens and you get to deal with the crap all over again. I feel flushed. I feel totally wiped. Heh. Seriously.
Anywho, I've been wrestling with some severe emotional heartaches and heartbreaks lately and trying to keep my eyes on God for some sanity. A friend of mine had a verse for me tonight:
"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isa. 26:3
Interesting. All I have to do for the peace I so desperately crave right now is to keep God on my mind and to plain ol', flat out trust Him. Hmmm. That isn't so easy when I feel like crap.
I found a few other verses that go along with that..
"'I create the fruit of the lips:
Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,'
Says the Lord,
'And I will heal him.'" Isa. 57:19
"..Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives I give to you.." John 14:27,28
"..and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7
So I guess that my conclusion is that crap is going to happen and it's going to stink. It must be dealt with eventually. As much as I wanna pick up the phone and make a bigger mess of things, I'm going to keep my mind on the Lord and trust Him. He knows what's up. I don't need to panic or be depressed. What's important is that I recall to my mind that my God is orchestrating this season of my life and will work out the crap that seems to be stinking up my world at the moment.
OH and I just remembered another verse about crap..
"Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. Even the hilt went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the dagger out of his belly; and his entrails came out." Jgs 3:20-22
The sword went in and the crap came out. So, too, the Sword of the Spirit goes into my life and the crap comes flowing out.
Here's the magic of the whole thing: God can actually take our crap and turn it into a thing of beauty and value. I have no idea how but God is really good at doing that. Earlier this month, I heard about the International Rhino Foundation auctioning off dried rhino poop on eBay for wildlife conservation funding. How much more creative and ingenious is my God than those rhino people?
So I've been going through some crap for the past two weeks.
Emotional crap is tricky business. Just when you think you've got a lid on it, something happens and you get to deal with the crap all over again. I feel flushed. I feel totally wiped. Heh. Seriously.
Anywho, I've been wrestling with some severe emotional heartaches and heartbreaks lately and trying to keep my eyes on God for some sanity. A friend of mine had a verse for me tonight:
"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isa. 26:3
Interesting. All I have to do for the peace I so desperately crave right now is to keep God on my mind and to plain ol', flat out trust Him. Hmmm. That isn't so easy when I feel like crap.
I found a few other verses that go along with that..
"'I create the fruit of the lips:
Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,'
Says the Lord,
'And I will heal him.'" Isa. 57:19
"..Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives I give to you.." John 14:27,28
"..and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:7
So I guess that my conclusion is that crap is going to happen and it's going to stink. It must be dealt with eventually. As much as I wanna pick up the phone and make a bigger mess of things, I'm going to keep my mind on the Lord and trust Him. He knows what's up. I don't need to panic or be depressed. What's important is that I recall to my mind that my God is orchestrating this season of my life and will work out the crap that seems to be stinking up my world at the moment.
OH and I just remembered another verse about crap..
"Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. Even the hilt went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the dagger out of his belly; and his entrails came out." Jgs 3:20-22
The sword went in and the crap came out. So, too, the Sword of the Spirit goes into my life and the crap comes flowing out.
Here's the magic of the whole thing: God can actually take our crap and turn it into a thing of beauty and value. I have no idea how but God is really good at doing that. Earlier this month, I heard about the International Rhino Foundation auctioning off dried rhino poop on eBay for wildlife conservation funding. How much more creative and ingenious is my God than those rhino people?
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Pass the fruitcake..
Have you ever heard Christians talk about being fruitful?
Fruitful. Bearing fruit. FRUIT. What the crap? Are they all gay? Health nuts? What then?
"Fruit" in the Bible is symbolic. Just like an apple tree produces apples, healthy Christian produce fruit. Track with me and lets explore this..
What exactly is the fruit that the Bible talks about? Here are a few specific examples:
Turning from sin and leading a holy life (Rom. 6:22)
Good works (Col. 1:10)
Leading people to Christ (Rom. 1:13)
Praising God (Heb. 13:15)
Giving tithes and offerings (Rom. 15:28)
And these are all summed up in the ultimate fruit
LOVE! (Gal 5:22)
Soooo.. you may be saying, "Bill, that's great but I really don't care!"
Do you realize that God doesn't exist for you? YOU exist for God. (Col. 1:16) You and I were created for HIS pleasure and glory. I cannot find satisfaction in life if I'm not bearing fruit!!! It's true. I've tried it and so have zillions of other people but to no avail. I must bear fruit to find contentment, satisfaction, and to bring pleasure to God. After all, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Check it..
On his deathbed, Jacob referred to his favorite son Joseph:
"Joseph is a fruitful bough,
A fruitful bough by a well;
His branches run over the wall." Gen 49:22
Joseph was fruitful in every one of the ways I mentioned earlier. So, what's the secret of Joseph being fruitful? Simple: he was by a well. See, throughout the Word of God, the Bible is symbolized by water (Eph. 5:26). Joseph planted his roots in the waters of the scriptures. He grounded himself in God's truths and precepts. "He [the person that delights and meditates in the Word of God] shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in it season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper." Ps. 1:3
That's the key, Gang! The fruit naturally starts popping out as we're meditating on the Word of God. Joseph's roots were sunk deeply in the waters and it kept him from shriveling up and drying out.
Here's the key to this whole concept..
Jesus said in John 15
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away [or lifts up] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes [or washes], that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoke to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
THAT'S THE ANSWER !!
The word for "takes away" is "airo" in the Greek. It means to lift up. In a vineyard, the vinedressers lift up any branch that is down in the mud and prop them up on a stick or something so that they can start bearing fruit. The ones that are already bearing fruit are pruned (or washed) so that they'll bear even more fruit. This is what God is doing with you and me. How? The very next sentence says "You are already clean because of the WORD..." That's it! As we ABIDE in Christ and let the waters of the Word wash through us, we'll produce fruit. Fruit cannot be faked (well, not for long). It just naturally starts popping out as we're attached to the Vine and receiving the waters of the Word.
The last part of Gen 49:22 mentions that Joseph's branches ran over the wall. The idea is that his fruitfulness affected people around him. (Actually, a whole nation was saved from famine because of Joseph, but that's for another day.) As you and I bear fruit, our families, coworkers, friends, and neighbors will get blessed and refreshed by that fruit.
We're never supposed to try, force, or strain to be fruitful. Just hang in there, Homie. Be a branch, hang in there, and abide in the Vine. Let His truths and scriptures permeate your life. Without even trying, you'll find yourself loving people and producing much fruit. God will be glorified. You'll be satisfied. People around you will be blessed and refreshed. Woot, woot.
Fruitful. Bearing fruit. FRUIT. What the crap? Are they all gay? Health nuts? What then?
"Fruit" in the Bible is symbolic. Just like an apple tree produces apples, healthy Christian produce fruit. Track with me and lets explore this..
What exactly is the fruit that the Bible talks about? Here are a few specific examples:
Turning from sin and leading a holy life (Rom. 6:22)
Good works (Col. 1:10)
Leading people to Christ (Rom. 1:13)
Praising God (Heb. 13:15)
Giving tithes and offerings (Rom. 15:28)
And these are all summed up in the ultimate fruit
LOVE! (Gal 5:22)
Soooo.. you may be saying, "Bill, that's great but I really don't care!"
Do you realize that God doesn't exist for you? YOU exist for God. (Col. 1:16) You and I were created for HIS pleasure and glory. I cannot find satisfaction in life if I'm not bearing fruit!!! It's true. I've tried it and so have zillions of other people but to no avail. I must bear fruit to find contentment, satisfaction, and to bring pleasure to God. After all, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Check it..
On his deathbed, Jacob referred to his favorite son Joseph:
"Joseph is a fruitful bough,
A fruitful bough by a well;
His branches run over the wall." Gen 49:22
Joseph was fruitful in every one of the ways I mentioned earlier. So, what's the secret of Joseph being fruitful? Simple: he was by a well. See, throughout the Word of God, the Bible is symbolized by water (Eph. 5:26). Joseph planted his roots in the waters of the scriptures. He grounded himself in God's truths and precepts. "He [the person that delights and meditates in the Word of God] shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in it season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper." Ps. 1:3
That's the key, Gang! The fruit naturally starts popping out as we're meditating on the Word of God. Joseph's roots were sunk deeply in the waters and it kept him from shriveling up and drying out.
Here's the key to this whole concept..
Jesus said in John 15
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away [or lifts up] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes [or washes], that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoke to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
THAT'S THE ANSWER !!
The word for "takes away" is "airo" in the Greek. It means to lift up. In a vineyard, the vinedressers lift up any branch that is down in the mud and prop them up on a stick or something so that they can start bearing fruit. The ones that are already bearing fruit are pruned (or washed) so that they'll bear even more fruit. This is what God is doing with you and me. How? The very next sentence says "You are already clean because of the WORD..." That's it! As we ABIDE in Christ and let the waters of the Word wash through us, we'll produce fruit. Fruit cannot be faked (well, not for long). It just naturally starts popping out as we're attached to the Vine and receiving the waters of the Word.
The last part of Gen 49:22 mentions that Joseph's branches ran over the wall. The idea is that his fruitfulness affected people around him. (Actually, a whole nation was saved from famine because of Joseph, but that's for another day.) As you and I bear fruit, our families, coworkers, friends, and neighbors will get blessed and refreshed by that fruit.
We're never supposed to try, force, or strain to be fruitful. Just hang in there, Homie. Be a branch, hang in there, and abide in the Vine. Let His truths and scriptures permeate your life. Without even trying, you'll find yourself loving people and producing much fruit. God will be glorified. You'll be satisfied. People around you will be blessed and refreshed. Woot, woot.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Totally righteous, Dude!!
What's up mah Homies?!
I've been chewing on this rockin verse this week -
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21
Jesus died for me. I get that. I'm a big fat jerk and Jesus died in my place for my sin. However, the second part of the verse is blowing my mind this week. Not only did Jesus die for my sin but I have become totally righteous as well. It's the doctrine of substitutionary atontment.
You're saying, "umm, what?"
Ok, look. Jesus died a brutal bloody death for my sins. On that day, Jesus was totally butchered and nailed because of my crap. God treated Jesus AS THOUGH HE HAD LIVED MY LIFE.
But that's only the first half….
God now looks at me AS THOUGH I LIVED JESUS' LIFE. See, Jesus was absolutely perfect. He never had a temper tantrum as a baby. He never stole his brother's toy as a child. He never flipped through a Playboy as a teen. He never got caught up in money and greed as a young man. He was totally righteous for 33 years. That perfect life is now pinned on ME. God treated Jesus on that day as if Jesus had lived my life and God now views me as if I had lived Jesus' life.
This is why Jesus didn't come for a weekend, die on the cross, and go back to heaven. Why did he live 33 years on this earth? It was not primarily to relate to people or teach or be an example, though that happened as well. The primary reason Jesus came for that many years was to switch lives with me (and you, too). He lived the perfect life on my behalf and then died the death that I deserved. AMAZING.
How does this change me today? Today, I am totally convinced that God is going to bless me, take care of me, and have incredible favor upon me. It's not because I'm a good guy – I'm not. It's because I have literally BECOME the righteousness of God IN Christ. I don't totally get it but I'm really glad about it.
I've been chewing on this rockin verse this week -
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21
Jesus died for me. I get that. I'm a big fat jerk and Jesus died in my place for my sin. However, the second part of the verse is blowing my mind this week. Not only did Jesus die for my sin but I have become totally righteous as well. It's the doctrine of substitutionary atontment.
You're saying, "umm, what?"
Ok, look. Jesus died a brutal bloody death for my sins. On that day, Jesus was totally butchered and nailed because of my crap. God treated Jesus AS THOUGH HE HAD LIVED MY LIFE.
But that's only the first half….
God now looks at me AS THOUGH I LIVED JESUS' LIFE. See, Jesus was absolutely perfect. He never had a temper tantrum as a baby. He never stole his brother's toy as a child. He never flipped through a Playboy as a teen. He never got caught up in money and greed as a young man. He was totally righteous for 33 years. That perfect life is now pinned on ME. God treated Jesus on that day as if Jesus had lived my life and God now views me as if I had lived Jesus' life.
This is why Jesus didn't come for a weekend, die on the cross, and go back to heaven. Why did he live 33 years on this earth? It was not primarily to relate to people or teach or be an example, though that happened as well. The primary reason Jesus came for that many years was to switch lives with me (and you, too). He lived the perfect life on my behalf and then died the death that I deserved. AMAZING.
How does this change me today? Today, I am totally convinced that God is going to bless me, take care of me, and have incredible favor upon me. It's not because I'm a good guy – I'm not. It's because I have literally BECOME the righteousness of God IN Christ. I don't totally get it but I'm really glad about it.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
My hair is on fire!
We hear a lot about "faith to heal" but what about "faith to be sick?" We hear, "have faith to succeed," but what about "faith to be in last place?"
Check out this rockin verse.
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." - Job 13:15
Job lost everything - his family, his stuff, his health. Job busts out a crazy faith in God that's the REAL DEAL. Job declares that even if God zaps him down for whatever reason, Job will STILL trust God and follow him.
WHAT A TRIP..
This past week, a very close person to me wrote a suicide note and prepared to end it all. Why? Because life got too difficult and uncertain. Financial problems, marital issues, health dilemas - and it was just too hard to cope. Even doing her best, everything was still falling apart. She landed herself in the emergency room from such intense stress and anxiety.
The type of faith that Job is touching on is genuine. Sure, trusting God will often times bring you prosperity and success. However, that is not the ESSENCE of faith. Real trust in God does not attempt to manipulate. Real trust in God holds up even when the world collapses down.
Even in the darkest and most depressing day, you and I can have this type of faith in God. Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please him. When Job said his piece (read it again at the top), Satan lost the game.
Remember those three godly dudes that wouldn't bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol? Nebuchadnezzar told the three of them that he would throw them into a huge furnace if they wouldn't bow down and worship the idol. Check out this JOB-LIKE FAITH in their response:
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." (Dan. 3:16-18)
They CHOSE to trust God REGARDLESS of the outcome. "Tourched? Great. Deliverd? Great. Whatever God chooses is cool with us so we're just gunna trust him."
Lately, I've been going through some pretty dark days. Everything is up in the air. Many difficult decisions have been made and troubling conversations have taken place. I don't understand why certain stuff has happened in my life. No matter what does or does not happen, God wants me to trust him..
AND GOD WANTS SOMETHING FROM YOU TODAY.
He wants you to trust him. Just trust him.
You may love God but do you trust him? Trust is a greater compliment than love. Ever seen a relationship where there is love but not trust? Those types of relationships absolutely suck.
The greatest compliment you can give to your God today is to tell him that you ABSOLUTELY trust him. That is what God wants from you and me while we're going through crap and unsure what the hell is going on. If you're not trusting, you'll have restless nights and be full of anxiety. However, trust annihilates anxiety.
So how do we trust God?
First, just give up. You won't find peace and serenity until you surrender. Give up trying to control your situation and surrender the outcome to God.
Next, be content with whatever you have and wherever you are. Be cool with where you're living, who you're married to, the job you work at. Want whatever you get and nothing more. Be thankful for exactly what you have because that's what God has hooked you up with.
Finally, realize that God gives his best to us when we come to him with NO agenda and NO demands. Try it. Have a quick chat with the Father and tell him that you absolutely and totally trust him. Tell him that you don't care what the outcome is and that you simply give it up to him to figure out. And mean it. Suddenly, you and I will be able to have incredible peace and serenity regardless of our circumstances.
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
Check out this rockin verse.
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." - Job 13:15
Job lost everything - his family, his stuff, his health. Job busts out a crazy faith in God that's the REAL DEAL. Job declares that even if God zaps him down for whatever reason, Job will STILL trust God and follow him.
WHAT A TRIP..
This past week, a very close person to me wrote a suicide note and prepared to end it all. Why? Because life got too difficult and uncertain. Financial problems, marital issues, health dilemas - and it was just too hard to cope. Even doing her best, everything was still falling apart. She landed herself in the emergency room from such intense stress and anxiety.
The type of faith that Job is touching on is genuine. Sure, trusting God will often times bring you prosperity and success. However, that is not the ESSENCE of faith. Real trust in God does not attempt to manipulate. Real trust in God holds up even when the world collapses down.
Even in the darkest and most depressing day, you and I can have this type of faith in God. Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please him. When Job said his piece (read it again at the top), Satan lost the game.
Remember those three godly dudes that wouldn't bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol? Nebuchadnezzar told the three of them that he would throw them into a huge furnace if they wouldn't bow down and worship the idol. Check out this JOB-LIKE FAITH in their response:
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." (Dan. 3:16-18)
They CHOSE to trust God REGARDLESS of the outcome. "Tourched? Great. Deliverd? Great. Whatever God chooses is cool with us so we're just gunna trust him."
Lately, I've been going through some pretty dark days. Everything is up in the air. Many difficult decisions have been made and troubling conversations have taken place. I don't understand why certain stuff has happened in my life. No matter what does or does not happen, God wants me to trust him..
AND GOD WANTS SOMETHING FROM YOU TODAY.
He wants you to trust him. Just trust him.
You may love God but do you trust him? Trust is a greater compliment than love. Ever seen a relationship where there is love but not trust? Those types of relationships absolutely suck.
The greatest compliment you can give to your God today is to tell him that you ABSOLUTELY trust him. That is what God wants from you and me while we're going through crap and unsure what the hell is going on. If you're not trusting, you'll have restless nights and be full of anxiety. However, trust annihilates anxiety.
So how do we trust God?
First, just give up. You won't find peace and serenity until you surrender. Give up trying to control your situation and surrender the outcome to God.
Next, be content with whatever you have and wherever you are. Be cool with where you're living, who you're married to, the job you work at. Want whatever you get and nothing more. Be thankful for exactly what you have because that's what God has hooked you up with.
Finally, realize that God gives his best to us when we come to him with NO agenda and NO demands. Try it. Have a quick chat with the Father and tell him that you absolutely and totally trust him. Tell him that you don't care what the outcome is and that you simply give it up to him to figure out. And mean it. Suddenly, you and I will be able to have incredible peace and serenity regardless of our circumstances.
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
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