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Enjoy Full Fellowship With God Through Your Life In Christ

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Jesus Cross Cutout Sky - 900

“For you have have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3

This is truth too marvelous for the common mind to grasp quickly. It often escapes us, as we continue to live as if we are primarily people of the natural world, the fallen world. We are so accustomed to defining our reality by familiar feelings, that we tend to put such truth off into a category that we label "spiritual," by which we really mean not practical or not now. It is so easy to buy into the lie that we have to wait until heaven to enjoy full fellowship with God Himself.

The fact is that the new order has invaded the old. The new consists of Jesus, our forerunner and ultimate representative in obtaining the blessing that God has always intended for his people. He has so identified with us that (in a certain sense) His past is ours, if we are of His people. His future is ours. In the present His life is ours. One day every creature in every sphere of existence will see the full manifestation of what is now hidden in God.

For now it is somewhat hidden. But being hidden doesn't mean it is not available. We are "in Christ." What is true of His life is true of ours -- not that we are infinite and eternal, as only God can be, but that sin has been condemned in His flesh. In Him, wrath has been expended upon sin. Death has been conquered. Authority has been granted. Satan has been defeated.

Circumstances can no longer define the person who knows that he “has died” to this world, and also knows where his life is hidden. He lives in an inexhaustible resource of love.

This is a truth that we must seek and pursue! It is too grand to grasp with casual attention. We must think true thoughts instead of flowing along with old patterns, old ways thinking. We must refuse to substitute regulations and ritual for joyful fellowship. We must remember, remind and repeat the majesty of this great truth.

So, if all that we are is not yet visible to the gawking world, it is because our life is hidden with Christ in God. It is too precious to be marketed or bartered. It will prove to produce a kind of life that causes the genuinely curious to seek out what's going on there. One cannot live in such intimacy with God without being fundamentally transformed.

Consider what God has done in Jesus Christ. His love has been fully expressed in this great gift of the Son. Taste this love. It satisfies fully.

God Can Afford It: His Extravagant Gift of Grace and Mercy

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Ennis Texas Wildflowers - 900

Recently, I was walking on a Texas ranch filled with wildflowers. The blues, reds, oranges, yellows were so bright they almost hurt my eyes. I stopped to examine my favorite: the deep purple Wine Cup. (At least that's what we call them on this ranch.) I sat beside it and looked carefully at the intricate design inside the cup. Fantastic! Unbelievably beautiful in every detail! I contemplated again the thought that there were millions of them blooming all over the Southwest, and most of them would never be seen by a human eye. "That's extravagant!" I blurted out. Immediately I seemed to hear a sound from heaven saying, "I can afford it."

It is no wonder that the Bible tells us that both the existence and eternal nature of God can be seen in creation. (Rom. 1:19-20) The human dilemma exists not because God is too small or too reticent, but because mankind has refused to embrace what can easily be seen. Refusing to acknowledge how big and good He is, we have created gods that more easily fit our limited understanding. If we really knew how good He is, we would enthusiastically worship Him. It is blindness that prevents such a view. We desperately need new sight.

In truth, He is always extravagant in his expression of love. He wants us all to know a kind of love that does not give in order for the sake of getting. It was such extravagance that moved Him to create. He was completely happy within His own three-fold unity, yet He delighted to create beings who could enjoy what He enjoys. When the first couple chose to trust another's explanation of reality, God was extravagant in covering their shame and providing a way for them to live, even in their exile. Later He was extravagant in revealing himself to Noah who saved the race by following God's instructions. His extravagance was again seen in His promise to Abram that he would bring blessings on the earth rather than curses. He was extravagant in the mighty miracles of deliverance of Abraham's descendants from Egypt. He fed them bread from heaven and water from a rock, and He defeated their enemies. He was extravagant in blessing the kingdom of David and in granting wisdom to Solomon. When both Israel and Judah went into captivity because of their refusal to respond to His extravagant love, he again displayed His love in moving Cyrus to release a remnant to rebuild their city and temple.

But all that was a small foretaste of His grandest display of extravagant love. God gave Himself to become a man so that He could endure the death sin had earned us all. As the "Son of Man" Jesus lived to show what love looks like in human form. He fed thousands with a few pieces of bread and fish -- and had basketfuls left over. He healed every kind of disease. He cast out every level of demonic power. He forgave the worst of sinners and opened the eyes of the blindest people on earth. And He forgave! No sin was too great. No stronghold was too secure. He set people free -- many of whom never turned to follow Him. He could afford the mercy.

Then he carried out the plan of the Godhead. He died in our place so that we could live. After His resurrection, he ascended to the throne in heaven, having all the spoils of his victory; and again He extravagantly gave gifts to His people. These were not just trinkets or toys. The gift was the Spirit -- the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. God again gave Himself to live inside believers so that each could enjoy the continual fellowship of shared life with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All of this is truly unthinkable to the human mind. God has extravagantly given us the privilege of unbroken fellowship with Him. Forgiven of our sins, freed from our shame, empowered by His Spirit, we live with the dignity of being His partners on earth in the business of displaying the extravagant love of God for His creation.

It would be the epitome of mockery to define this extravagance primarily in terms of financial or material luxury. There are some who justify their own gaudy excessiveness on the basis of God's extravagant love. They reveal a misguided appraisal. God's extravagance is shown in giving Himself, not in boasting in His resources. His was rich and became poor so that we could have the riches of reconciliation with God. (2 Cor. 8:9) Those who know his extravagant love are so enamored with Him, their earthly possessions -- whether great or meager -- are mere tools with which to carry out His mission. They are never used to measure success or exercise power over others.

All this takes some getting used to. Living with an extravagant God stretches our perspective of realty. We who have lived so long in spiritual poverty tend to think God is a penny-pincher. If you doubt that your particular sin could be forever forgiven, or that your request is too much to ask, I remind you that God can afford it.

God Can Afford It: His Extravagant Gift of Grace and Mercy

by

Ennis Texas Wildflowers - 900

Recently, I was walking on a Texas ranch filled with wildflowers. The blues, reds, oranges, yellows were so bright they almost hurt my eyes. I stopped to examine my favorite: the deep purple Wine Cup. (At least that's what we call them on this ranch.) I sat beside it and looked carefully at the intricate design inside the cup. Fantastic! Unbelievably beautiful in every detail! I contemplated again the thought that there were millions of them blooming all over the Southwest, and most of them would never be seen by a human eye. "That's extravagant!" I blurted out. Immediately I seemed to hear a sound from heaven saying, "I can afford it."

It is no wonder that the Bible tells us that both the existence and eternal nature of God can be seen in creation. (Rom. 1:19-20) The human dilemma exists not because God is too small or too reticent, but because mankind has refused to embrace what can easily be seen. Refusing to acknowledge how big and good He is, we have created gods that more easily fit our limited understanding. If we really knew how good He is, we would enthusiastically worship Him. It is blindness that prevents such a view. We desperately need new sight.

In truth, He is always extravagant in his expression of love. He wants us all to know a kind of love that does not give in order for the sake of getting. It was such extravagance that moved Him to create. He was completely happy within His own three-fold unity, yet He delighted to create beings who could enjoy what He enjoys. When the first couple chose to trust another's explanation of reality, God was extravagant in covering their shame and providing a way for them to live, even in their exile. Later He was extravagant in revealing himself to Noah who saved the race by following God's instructions. His extravagance was again seen in His promise to Abram that he would bring blessings on the earth rather than curses. He was extravagant in the mighty miracles of deliverance of Abraham's descendants from Egypt. He fed them bread from heaven and water from a rock, and He defeated their enemies. He was extravagant in blessing the kingdom of David and in granting wisdom to Solomon. When both Israel and Judah went into captivity because of their refusal to respond to His extravagant love, he again displayed His love in moving Cyrus to release a remnant to rebuild their city and temple.

But all that was a small foretaste of His grandest display of extravagant love. God gave Himself to become a man so that He could endure the death sin had earned us all. As the "Son of Man" Jesus lived to show what love looks like in human form. He fed thousands with a few pieces of bread and fish -- and had basketfuls left over. He healed every kind of disease. He cast out every level of demonic power. He forgave the worst of sinners and opened the eyes of the blindest people on earth. And He forgave! No sin was too great. No stronghold was too secure. He set people free -- many of whom never turned to follow Him. He could afford the mercy.

Then he carried out the plan of the Godhead. He died in our place so that we could live. After His resurrection, he ascended to the throne in heaven, having all the spoils of his victory; and again He extravagantly gave gifts to His people. These were not just trinkets or toys. The gift was the Spirit -- the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. God again gave Himself to live inside believers so that each could enjoy the continual fellowship of shared life with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All of this is truly unthinkable to the human mind. God has extravagantly given us the privilege of unbroken fellowship with Him. Forgiven of our sins, freed from our shame, empowered by His Spirit, we live with the dignity of being His partners on earth in the business of displaying the extravagant love of God for His creation.

It would be the epitome of mockery to define this extravagance primarily in terms of financial or material luxury. There are some who justify their own gaudy excessiveness on the basis of God's extravagant love. They reveal a misguided appraisal. God's extravagance is shown in giving Himself, not in boasting in His resources. His was rich and became poor so that we could have the riches of reconciliation with God. (2 Cor. 8:9) Those who know his extravagant love are so enamored with Him, their earthly possessions -- whether great or meager -- are mere tools with which to carry out His mission. They are never used to measure success or exercise power over others.

All this takes some getting used to. Living with an extravagant God stretches our perspective of realty. We who have lived so long in spiritual poverty tend to think God is a penny-pincher. If you doubt that your particular sin could be forever forgiven, or that your request is too much to ask, I remind you that God can afford it.

Are You Sure That’s What God Wants?

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applepie

It was my dear friend and mentor Peter Lord who spoke of how some people spend their lives trying to make the perfect apple pie for God, only to discover that God doesn't even like apple pie. Of course maybe if Jesus had had apple pie on earth he would have liked it - but you get my point: it's about trying to do one thing really well, supposedly for God, without ever making sure it's what God wants.

The Pharisees of Jesus' day didn't catch the absurdity. They fussed about the disciples eating from the grain field on the Sabbath. Jesus reminded them; "And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless." Matthew 12:7

The mentality is still around. Many assume what sacrifice God wants, hoping that some personal deprivation will gain his favor. Too many have sacrificed their involvement in the marketplace where their heart and skills lie, to pursue vocational Christian ministry. They burn out or fall out when they discover that God never asked them to do it.

It is epidemic in every denomination of Christendom: we forget to ask God if He likes apple pie.

What does satisfy God's appetite? He loves mercy. It is His very nature. He loves to give us his unmerited love. Jesus made it very clear that He didn't come to call the righteous, but the sinner to Himself. (Matt. 9:13) The “righteous” (those deceived into thinking they have no need of mercy) don't want mercy. To the needy, though, it is a balm that heals the sin-sick soul. Nothing satisfies like mercy! Nothing transforms us like mercy. Those who are forgiven much are much more forgiving. Those conscious of being loved much are very loving.

Failure to grasp this eternal truth is at the root of all kinds of spiritual bondage. Some may still be functioning but are filled with angst about their imperfection. Others are completely dysfunctional because of misguided traffic in their thoughts. Either way the problem can often be traced to mistaken views of sacrifice. Trying to give God something He doesn't ask for takes the focus off of trusting Him as our Father who has accepted the sacrifice of Jesus, our human representative.

Jesus' obedience, and the accompanying blessings in trusting His Father, have been transferred to us. He stood in our place and made a sacrifice we could not make. It is ridiculous for us to try to add to it or trust our own meager efforts to please God. He has another way, through Christ.

Millions could walk out of spiritual, emotional, and relational prisons today simply by accepting Jesus' sacrifice as fully as the Father does. He delights in mercy. He delights to find an acknowledged sinner upon whom He can lavish his mercy. If you know you are needy and incapable of doing anything to gain God's favor, then you qualify for the big prize, what God wants most to give: mercy.

It’s Time For Men In the Church To ‘Man Up’

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Young Man in the Woods - 900

With all due respect for the current emphasis on women's equality and appreciation, it’s time for men to rise to their calling. Much has been written about how the role of husbands and fathers has been culturally ridiculed for decades. (Think: Dagwood and Blondie or All In The Family with Archie.) But men can no longer hide behind victimization. It is time to Man Up.

I realize that such phraseology is not politically correct. Some will immediately accuse me of misogyny. Go ahead if you must, but the deplorable state of current masculinity compels me to continue. It is no wonder young boys have trouble determining what men are like. When political leaders spurn civil dialogue to demean opponents with name-calling like first graders, what's a boy to think? When male athletic heroes express themselves in terms of abuse toward women, or when they display unhindered unabashed ego in shamelessly promoting themselves, real men are embarrassed.

Then there is the effort by some to redefine masculinity in terms of passivity and ill-defined meekness. Often fashion tries to hide masculine identity under a unisex look. Reacting to such obvious attempts, some have resorted to crudeness and barbaric behavior. Vulgarity and shameless machismo have nothing to do with real masculinity. I could go on about how so many men have disqualified themselves in the church, and abandoned spirituality to the care of women, but the point is made. It is time to Man Up.

Being a man myself, I have a special interest in genuine masculinity. If there is a right way to be a man I want to know it. I have read varied opinions discussing whether or not there is any real difference (other than obvious biological ones) in masculinity and femininity, and have concluded that unless one has already decided what they want to believe, there is compelling evidence that men and women are distinctly different while sharing a common life in equality.

Of course the best selling book of all times tells us that in the first few pages:

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 ("Man" is used in a generic sense as the context makes clear.)

In fact, the Bible tells the time-proven story about a personal God who created, out of love, a world that has order. Everything in creation has both value and purpose. In His crowning act of creation, He created male and female in such a way that their differences would both attract them to each other and complete each other. Masculinity and femininity are designed to complement each other, not compete. Since God loves, He created mankind to love. He gave them roles that matched their design. Peace reigned as long as they lived according to their creator's design.

As the story develops, the male and female chose to reject His design and the resulting disorder infected the human race as well as the creation they were to manage. It wasn't a design flaw. It was the human choice to reject God's design that proved to be the culprit. Those today still trying to address the human dilemma by ignoring the original design are as misguided as Adam and Eve.

It is revealed in the Genesis account that Adam was given the responsibility to "keep the garden." That meant he was to guard it, protect it, and develop it. He along with Eve had God-given authority over all the creatures, yet when a serpent suggested they should not trust God, Adam did not forbid him, nor protect his wife. He did not "man-up." It is history's first example of masculinity letting the whole race down.

We have seen it many times since, and today it is alarmingly evident. We have all read or heard of the rampant fatherlessness in our society. It is reported that some communities have more than 70 percent of the children growing up without a father in their lives. Millions of single moms struggle to "keep their gardens," while irresponsible men walk away. In their absence young men and women are left wondering what men are like.

I would lead you astray if I didn't mention that as the story continues, there was another "Adam" who confronted the enemy in the wilderness and chose to do whatever was necessary to redeem what Adam had forfeited. He gave His life for His bride and made it possible for all of us to live by His design. (See 1 Cor. 15:42-50; Romans 5:12-21.)

The apostle Paul in his closing remarks to the church in Corinth exhorts them to "act like men." (Man-up is a close translation in today's vernacular) Of course he is writing to both sexes, but they obviously knew what it meant to act like men. Real men act a certain way. I would be afraid to write that to the church today. With such confusion about masculinity, there is no telling what behavior would result if the readers tried to comply.

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Cor. 16:13-14, NASB)

The surrounding statements in this text help to explain what was meant by "act like men." They are alert to what might threaten those under their care. They stand firm, refusing to bend to the pressures of culture that seek to minimize faith and faithfulness. They are willing to confront and forbid those destroying influences trying to invade their garden of responsibility. They know the true nature of their enemy and fight with weapons that are effective. Above all, they act in love. This precludes and dismisses all the facades of masculinity that have crept into our culture. There is no place for manipulation, domination, or condemnation in true strength. It is the weak man who tries to bully his way to the top. Real men are meek but they aren't weak. They don't have anything to prove; just their "garden" to keep. They lead by serving and serve by leading when leadership is demanded. Un-intimidated by voices that seek to disqualify and accuse, they have something grand to live for and someone they will die for.

The family begs for this kind of man. Contrary to Hollywood hype, women long for such men. The church suffers from the lack of such men. Society will die if men don't Man Up.

Bound By ‘Oughts’? God’s Grace Gives Freedom

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oughteries

Someone once told me he knew why so many Christians look so miserable. "They are all suffering from the hardening of the ‘oughteries’. They never feel they’ve done as much as they ought to have done."

I was going to be the guest speaker at a church in central Texas one Sunday. I arrived early and waited in the foyer for someone to open the doors to the main auditorium. A lady came in and waited with me. Making conversation, I asked, "Do you regularly attend church here?" "Not as much as I ought to," she replied sheepishly. Realizing she felt examined, I tried to relieve the tension by saying, "Well isn't it wonderful to go to church because you want to rather than because you ought to?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to as much as I ought to."

What a trap the oughteries are! You can never do enough. If you pray for two hours, you ought to have prayed more, or you ought to have been more intentional. If you’ve fasted for one week, you ought to have tried two. Just think how much more would have been accomplished if you hadn't quit so soon.

Jesus didn't live with the oughteries. He wanted to do the will of His Father. He was so conscious of the Father's love, He could think of nothing better than to trust Him. When Jesus was only twelve, he gave His parents a good scare because when they started for home after a temple visit, He stayed behind, discussing his Father's business with the religious leaders. (Luke 2:41-49) He was so caught up with being there that He completely forgot about going with his family. I don't think He stayed because He felt He “ought to.”

On another occasion (John 4:1-34), He stopped to rest by a well in Samaria while His disciples went to town for food. His rest was disturbed by a woman coming to the well to draw water. Jesus could see that her thirst was for more than physical water. He gave Himself to her so fully that when the disciples came back He was no longer hungry. "I have food to eat that you do not know about." He told them His intimate partnership with the Father was better than eating. Even though he was "off duty," He was energized by loving the way He was loved by His Father. He was focused on opportunities rather than oughteries.

Believers have been given His very life. We have the same privilege of being loved and sharing it when the opportunity arises. There are no interruptions to a life lived with God. He is constantly flowing His love through us and by it empowering us with a joy that is unspeakable. Gradually our desires change as we look forward to such exchanges. We get to do what we really want to do. The "oughts" are replaced by the delight of sharing the moment with God himself.

We are highly privileged to share in such heavenly dynamics. God is not measuring our performance, nor scrutinizing our motives. He is granting us the privilege of being his instruments of love. We will forget our sense of ought when we are captivated by his grace. Jesus has performed for us and has been declared RIGHTEOUS. We can do no better. Since we are righteous in him we can begin to practice what brings us the greatest satisfaction, loving as he loves.

 

Excerpted from Dudley's book Grace Works. Kerygma Ventures Press, Kerygmaventures.com. Used by permission.

HELP! I Am Trying to Love

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Chained Sad Heart - 900

I've had it with exhortations to love more, or better, or longer. In my youth I sang the song, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love..." I know we should love our neighbors, heck, even our enemies. I can see the damage being done between religious and political rivals. I wish the world would just stop fighting and love one another. Still if I hear another preacher tell me to love more, I'm calling the police to stop the harassment. Surely in today's environment, there must be some regulation that would stop such people from making me feel uncomfortable. Aren't my human rights being violated?

Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15) For years I interpreted that to mean I could and should show my love by keeping Jesus' commands. In other words, I was focused on "keeping" rather than "loving." I should have noticed that such an interpretation, though consistent with popular religion, was contrary to the teaching of Jesus. He made it very clear that we cannot love until we have been loved. We cannot give what we don't have. We cannot tell what we don't know.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

The kind of love that was revealed in Jesus is of divine origin. It is galaxies beyond the kind of love humans can generate. He had no need to use people for His own acceptance or significance. He didn't need to be vindicated; there was nothing pressuring him to manipulate others to His view. He loved with nothing to gain personally -- nothing but the joy of seeing another person being built up and blessed. And He didn't have the need to make sure others knew how well He was doing at loving.

When we have been touched by the delight of God's love, we can't help but pass it on. In fact, it would be safe to say that if we are not sharing His love, we don't really have it. This love is God's nature. Some think that before creation, He was so thrilled with the love shared between the persons of the Godhead, He wanted to share it with others, and that's why He created a universe that could experience the same joy He had.

Whether that's the reason He created us or not, we know God wants to share His love. And if God meant to share it, wouldn't those loved by Him do the same? Jesus demonstrated it in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. He fixed it so that humans could know God as Father, and in that relationship be fully satisfied. They would have no need to prove themselves. They would have no fear of want. They would not need to put others down in order to rise. They would be able to risk loving because they are safe in his care. In short, they could love -- and love doing it.

Trying to love like Jesus does, without being loved by Him, is like trying to breathe without air. It's much more taxing than living by religious standards of behavior. We could technically keep the outward commands of Jesus behaviorally without loving Him, but we cannot accept His love without responding in obedience to His words.

His love didn't just open the door to heaven when we die. It opened the door to share His life now. We get to be partners with Him, as He loves the world He created. We get to be free from our own agendas because we are captured by His. He is meeting all our needs so that we don't demand others to serve us. Living in His love releases us from the anchor of self-obsession and empowers us to be the display of His love.

If love seems hard to you, check to see whether you are focused on keeping His commands or on loving the one who loves you so much. Loving precedes keeping -- and you will love it.

The Beauty of a Timely Word

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Words of Advice Glasses Paper Gold Script - 900

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. -- Proverbs 25:11

Apples of gold in a setting of silver -- a treasured symbol of prosperity and favor during the time of Solomon. It was jewelry or art at its best. What could compare? A timely word; a word fitly spoken. If you’ve ever been the recipient of such a word, you will agree.

My father continued to live on his beloved farm long after retiring from active farming. He loved sitting out under the big oak trees in his front yard. I loved sitting there with him, too, especially if I was in the midst of a big decision regarding my own family or ministry. My father had only a ninth-grade education, but he had vast wisdom beyond what any formal education could bestow. Often after listening to my dilemma, he would suggest a new perspective with only a brief phrase that opened my eyes to what I had been missing. Those were words fitly spoken, and they were invaluable to me. They had four characteristics: They were timely, relevant, loving and life-giving.

In the larger view, there is an ultimate word fitly spoken. God waited thousands of years as mankind struggled to find a way back to the Garden of Eden with God. Finally, he spoke with clarity the one Word that would more than qualify as fitly spoken.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our father by the prophets but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. (Hebrews 1:1-2a ESV)

All previous messengers who delivered messages from God to his people were faithful but incomplete, but finally God put all his thoughts into one Word and displayed him to the world. It was the right time.

But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

He is always relevant. He came revealing the true nature of God and humans. He identified the one primary problem causing a scourge in the earth and solved it with his own sacrificial death. He revealed the purpose of life, and the joy possible when people hear his word and believe.

Though sometimes including a warning, his Word is incomparably loving. Since God is love, he does everything from that motivation. He never manipulates his people. Even in the midst of confusing circumstances, his people have learned that his love never fails. We have no good reason to fear his word. It comes from the heart of love.

When he speaks, life happens. Just like in the beginning, God spoke and the world came into existence, today his word still has regenerating power. When we really hear him, the ability to believe and align is given by the very same word.

When you want something even better than the best of art or jewelry, try listening to the ultimate "Word fitly spoken."

You’re Free To Raise Your Hand

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Black Teen Hand Raised - 900

It was my first day of school. I was in first grade, going to a consolidated school out in the county where there was no kindergarten. The teacher asked, "Who can spell your name?" I was sitting by a distant cousin who raised her hand. I leaned over to ask her if she knew how to spell my name. She misunderstood the question and told me how to spell her name. I enthusiastically raised my hand just as the teacher looked my way. "Okay, Dudley, spell your name for us." "J-o-y." I proudly exclaimed.

I should have kept my hand down.

Back around 740 B.C. Isaiah the prophet raised his hand. It happened like this. King Uzziah had been a good king. His death was quite a blow for the whole nation, but especially for Isaiah, who had loved him greatly. It was during this time of shock that he had a life-changing vision. (Isaiah 6) He saw the Lord in glory so magnificent, the temple could hardly contain it all. There is no description of God Himself here, just the majesty of the worship surrounding Him. The hem of His robe was enough to fill the whole temple. Angelic beings proclaimed His glory over all the earth. The smoke of a holy fire filled the air. A loud voice shook the temple to its foundations.

What would your first reaction be, if you found yourself in the middle of all this glory? For Isaiah it was his own desperate sinfulness. The Lord was prepared to meet him in grace, though: Isaiah had barely spoken his guilt aloud when an angel took a burning coal from the altar and purged his lips, signifying his total forgiveness and cleansing.

Then the Lord asked, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And immediately Isaiah's hand went up. "Here am I. Send me!"

This was no easy job that God was assigning. He knew the people were hard-hearted and wouldn't listen, and He said so. He told Isaiah they would reject the messenger along with his message.

Still they needed to be told the truth, and Isaiah volunteered to speak it. It wasn't expectations of applause or visions of popularity and success that had captured Isaiah. He had experienced the grace of God.

Everything changed for him, you see, when he saw God’s greatness and goodness. He had been anxious over the death of a good king and the prospect of a wicked successor following him on the throne. He was well aware of the lax spiritual condition of the people. All that anxiety was dissipated at upon his recognition that God was still on His throne, and that He still had control over everything.

Through the looming hopeless, Isaiah saw God, and was assured that human sin is never greater than the Lord's sovereign grace -- not even his own sin, of which he had became so painfully aware. God took the initiative and cleansed him, the moment Isaiah confessed it. From here on nothing would matter but trusting God and obeying Him.

Of course he raised his hand. He knew he was heading into a tough assignment, but he also knew his God would sustain him.

Today's spiritual leaders wonder how to motivate people to commit to God and his ways. Some use guilt tactics. Some use fear. Some promise rewards for faithfulness. All leaders want volunteers to raise their hands to serve. We could all learn from Isaiah. When people get a clear vision of God's greatness and goodness, their hands will go up.

There may be other ways to attract volunteers for service, but none like leading them to experiencing the majesty of God’s grace. Those who raise their hands without that knowledge of God will likely be doing it for the rewards of worldly success. They will expect God to show them favor because they volunteered.

Does God have an assignment for you? Are you finding it hard to raise your hand for it? Maybe you're afraid He has some trick up his sleeve, or you'll be making a mistake like I did when I spelled J-o-y. You need not worry. Look long and hard at the beauty of Jesus. Just as God forgave Isaiah and prepared him spiritually for service, so also will He do for you, if you will accept the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. He gives you access to the very throne room of God. He shares His own resurrected life with you.

Jesus is better than you realize. Find out for yourself. The one who created and redeemed all things is worthy of your trust -- even the trust it takes to raise your hand.

 

Money Can’t Buy God’s Grace

by

Jesus Cross Money - 900

DUDLEY HALL -- The visitor saw an old sombrero on the rack in my house. "Boy!" he said, "I have always wanted one of those, but never been to Mexico to get one. Would you be willing to sell it?

"Why don't you try it on?" I said.

He did and it was pretty close to a fit. (Being rather short and slightly built, he looked like a thumbtack under the big sombrero.)

"What would you take for it?"

"You can have it. I have never used it. It's a souvenir from long ago. I'll be happy for you to enjoy it."

"Oh no. I couldn't just take it. Just give me a price."

"There is no price. It’s a gift."

"I just can't do that." He said sadly. "I really like it and will give you whatever you ask."

I stopped and looked him in the eye making sure I had his attention. "If you are ever going to have this sombrero you will have to receive it as a gift."

He turned sideways and reached back and took it and said, "Ok. But I would rather pay for it."

I can totally identify with him. Grace causes me discomfort. I like to make deals where I get the better of it, but it’s deception to think we can negotiate with God for blessings. He is ultimately gracious. To reject grace is to reject him. We can't use either our goodness or our badness as currency with him.

Before his conversion Paul (Saul) thought his moral achievements gave him some advantage with God. He looked with contempt at others whose lives were characterized by lawless deeds. Later, though, he considered all his badges of merit as manure compared to the privilege of knowing the God of grace. (Philippians 3:7-8)

Others have been convinced that God wants us to grovel, and the more we do, the better qualified we are for His blessings. This too is wrong. The very nature of grace means there is nothing in the recipient, neither goodness nor badness, that affects the exchange. It starts with God's love and concludes with His love. If we're ever to get what He offers, it will be simply by trusting Him as being fully gracious. This doesn't just apply to our initial conversion. It's for every blessing we get along the journey.

If you're longing to know this God of grace, it's because He has come all the way from heaven to stir your heart. Your desire to know God is a sure sign that He is here for you with His grace.

Don't turn away. Don't assume you don't qualify. You don't have to. He has done everything necessary to satisfy eternal justice so that He could come to you and offer what you have always needed.

You can't pay for grace. There is no human currency accepted in his kingdom. You can receive grace, though, not as some "thing" that's given, but as the very person of God revealed in Jesus Christ for you. To know Him is to live in grace.

Charlotte Elliot's old hymn says it well.

Just as I am without one plea But that thy blood was shed for me And Thou bidd'st me come to Thee O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am Thou wilt receive Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve Because Thy promise I believe O Lamb of God I come.

Chicken Little is Not Our Prophet

by

Feather and Acorn - 900

DUDLEY HALL -- For hundreds of years children have been told the story of Chicken Little, or Henny Penny, as the chicken is sometimes called. An acorn falls on the unsuspecting chicken's head, and she interprets it as the sky falling. In her panic she relays the event to other animals in the yard and they buy into her interpretation. Fear reigns.

In one version, a fox invites them to his lair and finally eats them all. In other versions, they escape when the truth is revealed. "The sky is falling!" has become a favorite way to describe it when people over-react to negative events.

When the news seems mostly bad we tend to listen to Chicken Little. After all, there is a verifiable lump there: something painful did happen and the victim is an eyewitness. Her interpretation must be considered. But is it truth? Not necessarily.

We're entering a new year. We could look back at 2015 and say we took some lumps. Why then do we tend to jump to the conclusions that things are as bad as they can be? Why assume that secularism has won? Why assume that we've lost our religious freedom? Why assume that the current Supreme Court's decision is the final nail in the coffin of the family? Why conclude that the church is on the wane; that younger people are no longer interested in God? Why would some theologians be developing means to accommodate the seeming spread of evil, giving up hope of victory this side of escape? Why do people say they're going to move to Canada if the opposite political party wins the election?

I can think of at least one reason. (It isn't a good one.) Possibly, down deep we believe we deserve such punishment. We live, waiting for the other shoe (or the sky) to fall.

Some people hold up polls and surveys to authenticate their dire interpretations. No doubt if a poll had been taken in Chicken Little's barnyard, the results would have confirmed that the sky was indeed falling. Panic is like that: it makes the worst possible outcome seem like the only possible outcome, whether it's true or not.

We should make no mistake. Evil is real. Refusing to call it evil doesn't eliminate it. But it is not superior to God's truth and goodness, just as darkness is not superior to light.

We don't need Chicken Littles in today's world. We need true prophets to help us know the meaning of what's going on. Consider the first Pentecost. Even the believing disciples didn't know what was happening there, when unusual phenomena began to take place. (Acts 2:1-36) If Peter had not acted as God's prophet, they would have gone away thinking that the believers were drunk, or that magic had been introduced to this already dubious sect. Peter explained that God had acted, and that what they feared most, death, had been dealt a deathblow.

If there was ever a time for a "Chicken Little" to speak, that should have been it. The greatest evil of all time had just been done. Horrifically deceived religious leaders, along with power-hungry civil leaders, had led the crowd to unjustly crucify the "Author of life." (Acts 3:15) Hope had been dashed. Injustice had won.

But there was another interpretation. "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:36) It was the best news ever. God was working (God is always at work!) through the atrocious events of that fateful weekend, to establish His kingdom above all powers and forces, even death. Justice had been done as Jesus had taken the place of guilty criminals and paid their debt. Goodness had won over evil. Light had penetrated the darkness. Death had been defeated. Love was enthroned.

The same one who created this world has redeemed it. It will be restored and forever display the wonder of his glory. We have God's assurance of that. We who follow Christ have been privileged to be his instruments of restoration. We refuse to flinch when darkness exposes itself. We have the light.

We're not here for personal comfort, but for the glory of our Lord who rules in love through us. We have challenges, but nothing compared to the tomb that Jesus conquered. We live by the same Spirit that raised him.

So as we look ahead to a new year I call for true prophets to stand and declare what God has done, and what it means. The media tells us about events. We need interpretation -- true interpretation, according to God's Word. Chicken Little's interpretation can't be trusted.

This is our Father's world. The sky is not falling. God is working through all events to display the glory of His own endless love, which transforms everything it captures. We are anything but victims. We represent the King who reigns forever. Presently, darkness covers too much of His purchased possession, but we have only just begun. It is time for those who have seen the light to carry it forward into the darkness.

We don’t know what 2016 will bring, but we know this: the sky is just fine. God is in control, and all the heavens are bright with the glory of the Lord.

The Joy of Giving In a Mixed-Up World

by

Christmas Gifts under Tree - 900

DUDLEY HALL -- I have a confession to make: I really like all the hoopla that’s associated with Christmas. I know I should be offended by all the commercialism, materialism, secularism and waste, but I love watching people running around buying things to give away. Oh, I can remember as a child not being so concerned about giving. I was focused on what I would get for Christmas. My parents seemed to enjoy the whole thing as much as I, even though they didn't get much. They knew something I hadn't figured out quite yet.

While I am confessing, I'll go ahead and admit that this year I enjoyed the Halloween festivities with our grandchildren. I know: Halloween is a mixture of celebrating death and darkness and some foolish superstitions along with harvest festivals, so some will surely conclude that I have crossed over the dark line to cultural accommodation bordering on demon worship. I don't see it that way. There's giving at Halloween, too.

I loved watching all the kids dressed up in Star Wars costumes going around with big baskets of cheap candy. Most all the neighbors seem to really enjoy giving away the treats. Sam and Ben (ages 5 and 3) got back early from their trip around the neighborhood with their baskets full. The doorbell at their home (where I spent that evening with them) was still ringing. They began to give their candy away to the late trick or treaters. They told their mom that was what they enjoyed the most about the whole night.

What is it that makes giving so fun? Giving is the nature of our Creator. Creation is a gift. God didn't owe anyone anything. He created all things and gave humans the privilege of being His representatives on earth. After Adam and Eve sinned, He gave them skins to cover their shame. He gave Noah the plans for an ark. He gave Abram promise of a descendant who would restore the earth. He gave Israel a covenant that would make them His nation. He gave them a king. He gave them promises of full and final redemption. And then he gave his own Son.

We humans are recipients of the very breath of God, so like Him we all are imprinted with a desire to give. We can't represent God properly if we don't delight in giving. Sin intruded into the lives of God's creation, interfering with this delight. It introduced fear of not having enough for ourselves. We hoard, steal and even murder, hoping to get what it will take to make us secure. The deceitfulness of sin perverts even the giving drive: some give to get more.

Selfishness smothers God's designed desire for us to love giving, yet it can't take it away completely. We can -- and do -- still find giving to be more satisfyingly joyful than getting. If all this sounds a bit mixed up, it is, because we humans are mixed up. We're God's creatures in God's image, so there's a lot right about us, but sin has made a lot wrong, too. Christmas is mixed up, and Halloween is mixed up, because we're mixed up, too.

God gave again. In giving his Son, he opened the way for humans to be born again of the imperishable seed of his word. Those who put their faith in Jesus receive the very life of God -- his spiritual DNA, if you will. His Spirit liberates the giving urge from the inner prison of fear and greed. Those who know the nature of their Father discover that they have been born of his Spirit and their greatest delight is found in giving. They find that God so delights in giving that he will channel his abundance through his representatives on earth when they live to give. Learning and living in the truth, they begin to get less confused about life and giving.

While we celebrate the greatest gift ever this Christmas, let's also enjoy giving ourselves. Let's not allow our mixed-up world and the commercialism of our culture rob us of such a pleasure. We may not have great financial resources, but the giving heart finds a way to give. We have something that will refresh another and put a smile on their face. It touches something at the core of our being. We have been born (and born again) as givers.

Not only that, but we can keep it up all year. Why limit such joy to the holidays?

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