A comedian talks about pricey mattresses advertised for sale, offering the best night's sleep. He asks, "Who can't fall asleep? I fell asleep on a ladder once!" I think that is what works for me too. My wife likes to sleep with the fan running. She calls it "white noise", I just call it noise! Some nights it still is a difficult thing for me to ignore when I am trying to fall asleep. I am convinced that some nights it is just being tired enough to fall asleep on a ladder that allows me to eventually block out the noise, and succumb to sleep.
But sleeping habits is not the purpose of this post, rather the need that many people have for a constant barrage of noise attacking their auditory sensors! You have seen it, kids especially, walking down the street with headphones on listening to music. Heck, there is hardly anyplace you can go where there is not some sort of noise trying to get your attention! Go into a restaurant... music. Go into a mall... music. Go into an elevator... MUSIC! It does not even matter if you like the style of music playing, you are being forced to listen to it. Cars driving down the street with music blaring. Sports games filled with noise, not just from the game itself, but a baseball game I went to with my dad last week had sound effects playing during lulls in the game. I guess maybe golf might still be quiet?
So far, you might think I am against music! Well, I am not. The point is constant noise! Even I bought a portable Sirius radio, that I can take with me in the truck at work while I am on a long drive to pass the time. The radio broke recently, and in the time getting one to replace it, I had many quiet days in the truck. It was during those times that it became obvious how hard it was to drive in silence, (not counting the road noise). I was trying to block out the silence without a radio! At the same time, I discovered the purpose of this post!
In my last post, I mentioned hearing a verse in my Spirit while I was in the shower, and that it happens often for some reason. I have a couple theories, but the one pertinent to this post is that it is one of the few times that God can get my attention! When I used to sleep without a fan blowing, then it was often in the time between being conscience and sub-conscience, that I would ponder many of the spiritual mysteries.
How often have we said how much we wish God would talk to us? "I want to hear from God." "I want to know what He want's me to do with my life." "I wish I knew why a certain thing happened?" "What does a particular passage in the bible mean?" "What do I do about a certain person who I don't get along with?" This is just a sample of questions to get you to come up with your own list, and then to have you ask yourself..... Are you listening for His answer?
Or are you so bombarded with noise, that you cannot hear Him? The fact is that He can shout above all of your noise and get your attention, but it seems to me that it is us who needs the quiet to hear clearly with our spiritual ears. It is my conviction that most people bombard themselves with noise to drown out the chance that God would speak to them, because they are not interested in hearing Him, because they are afraid of what they have heard about what God is like from Christians who are misrepresenting Him as some vengeful Dictator! Not much different than sticking your fingers in your ears and going, "la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.... to drown out someone telling you something you want to ignore!
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." There is a first thing, to get to the second thing. Be still first, and get to KNOW secondly! The result is a rippling effect where God will then be exalted not just by us, but among the heathen!
I Kings 19:11,12 " And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Like I said, God can shout to get your attention if He chooses, but it is my experience that He will tell you His intimate secrets in a whisper. I sure like being one that He feels free to whisper His secrets to, and I too find myself easily pulled by the distractions of life. I listen to the radio too much. I watch too much T.V. I read the paper, instead of the bible! I do crosswords, instead of studying His Word.
To be honest, I began doing some of these things on purpose because I was trying to distract myself from hearing from God, because I could not find an outlet to express what was being bottled up inside! From a couple of years after I became a Christian, I felt like God was calling me to preach, and while I spent years studying to pursue that calling, other than teaching some bible studies, nothing much came of it. Even this blog is somewhat of an outlet for me to let off some Spiritual steam so to speak. ha.
That is part of the reason for some of the long delays in posting. But, sometimes I do become aware that I miss Him! I am reminded by inner nudges that He misses me too. But I want more! That has always been my hearts desire.... more of HIM! More, more, more! Even when I don't, I really do! I notice it most when I am willing to Be Still And Know!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Being Led Into The Wilderness!
Recently, it came to the forefront of my thinking where it seems like quite some time has past that life has been going rather smoothly! No major disasters to contend with. No financial collapses. No pestilence or plagues. Okay, that is a little over the top, but you get my drift. I am not talking on a world stage here, I am talking personally. The stormy seas have been calm, and things are going pretty good. Not that we won a million dollars or anything, but no major problems to deal with either.
The funny thing is that when I considered that, I also had the same gut reaction that my wife had when I mentioned it to her. "Oh man, I should not have said anything, now that ruins it, and something bad will probably happen!" It is like we were only safe, as long as we did not notice it, or say it out loud! ha!
At the same time as I was thinking how tranquil life has been for a pleasant change, a verse for this subject came to mind while I was in the shower,(for some reason that happens a lot). The verse is found in Matthew 4:1 "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
The first thing to take note of in this verse, is that which is not usually considered. Jesus was NOT led into the wilderness by the devil. It was the SPIRIT that LED Jesus into the wilderness for the express purpose that He would be tempted by the devil! Ponder that for a moment......
Religion teaches a reward and punishment system of God's way of dealing with mankind. It is the Religious system's way of explaining everything in the Bible, and every action on earth. As far as they are concerned it is okay if bad things happen to bad people, but impossible to understand if good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to "so called" good people. Read Psalm 73 for good insight to this.
It is easy for many to believe when we are going through difficult times that God is busy elsewhere! It is so common for many to think that God uses our troubles as punishments for something that we did, or did not do, though many times our own actions bring positive or negative consequences of their own. In other words the reaping and sowing principle.
In my younger spiritual days, I honestly thought that when I slipped and stepped into a pit of scalding water causing 3rd degree burns on my leg, that God allowed it to happen because I smoked cigarettes! How foolish! Even more so, if you really think about it, how slanderous against the character of our Creator!
Of course we do have a desire to know why.
More important is what is our motive behind the question why? I once read a quote that said, "A son never has to ask why." The meaning behind the quote is that with maturity comes understanding. A child is naturally self centered. Everything revolves around their own needs and wants. It takes maturity to grow out of it... maturity not age... and to begin thinking of others.
A child will always question why. They will always want to know why they can't have their way. Some times a parent will just say "Because I said so, that's why!" It does not solve their selfishness, but it does end the discussion. A son doesn't need to even have the discussion because he has learned that his father loves him, and whatever decision the father has made comes from a heart of love and is for his own good, and that many times the father has more information to base his decision on than the son knows.
All that the son needs to know is that the father loves him. As you can see already, all that we should need to know is that our Heavenly Father loves us! We say we know, but knowing because you read it, or have been told it, or even say it out loud is much different than knowing it experiencially! We learn it experiencially with our earthly father. We learn it experiencially with our Heavenly Father too!
Jesus had just come out of the river Jordan from being baptized, and having a voice that only some recognized saying, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased!" That is all he needed to know to withstand any testing he was to go through during the next 40 days. Testing lets you know what you are made of. How many times have you heard someone say, or even said yourself, "I don't know what I would have done in a particular situation."? We never know until we are put into a situation what our reaction will be. If our life, or our comfort, or our reputation is at stake, will that divert our actions away from our beliefs?
What better way to find out than in the wilderness? Tired, stressed, behind schedule; what better way to find out what you are made of than when your defenses are down? Jesus had fasted for 40 days, and was very hungry.
No one looks forward to going through difficult and uncomfortable times. And to be honest, I would like to see this easier time of rest from the struggle of daily living continue. But one thing that has happened over these many years of relationship with my Father, is that I have matured some, I am more of a son than ever before, so I am learning more to trust His love for me, when the time comes, as I am once again Being Led Into The Wilderness!
The funny thing is that when I considered that, I also had the same gut reaction that my wife had when I mentioned it to her. "Oh man, I should not have said anything, now that ruins it, and something bad will probably happen!" It is like we were only safe, as long as we did not notice it, or say it out loud! ha!
At the same time as I was thinking how tranquil life has been for a pleasant change, a verse for this subject came to mind while I was in the shower,(for some reason that happens a lot). The verse is found in Matthew 4:1 "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
The first thing to take note of in this verse, is that which is not usually considered. Jesus was NOT led into the wilderness by the devil. It was the SPIRIT that LED Jesus into the wilderness for the express purpose that He would be tempted by the devil! Ponder that for a moment......
Religion teaches a reward and punishment system of God's way of dealing with mankind. It is the Religious system's way of explaining everything in the Bible, and every action on earth. As far as they are concerned it is okay if bad things happen to bad people, but impossible to understand if good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to "so called" good people. Read Psalm 73 for good insight to this.
It is easy for many to believe when we are going through difficult times that God is busy elsewhere! It is so common for many to think that God uses our troubles as punishments for something that we did, or did not do, though many times our own actions bring positive or negative consequences of their own. In other words the reaping and sowing principle.
In my younger spiritual days, I honestly thought that when I slipped and stepped into a pit of scalding water causing 3rd degree burns on my leg, that God allowed it to happen because I smoked cigarettes! How foolish! Even more so, if you really think about it, how slanderous against the character of our Creator!
Of course we do have a desire to know why.
More important is what is our motive behind the question why? I once read a quote that said, "A son never has to ask why." The meaning behind the quote is that with maturity comes understanding. A child is naturally self centered. Everything revolves around their own needs and wants. It takes maturity to grow out of it... maturity not age... and to begin thinking of others.
A child will always question why. They will always want to know why they can't have their way. Some times a parent will just say "Because I said so, that's why!" It does not solve their selfishness, but it does end the discussion. A son doesn't need to even have the discussion because he has learned that his father loves him, and whatever decision the father has made comes from a heart of love and is for his own good, and that many times the father has more information to base his decision on than the son knows.
All that the son needs to know is that the father loves him. As you can see already, all that we should need to know is that our Heavenly Father loves us! We say we know, but knowing because you read it, or have been told it, or even say it out loud is much different than knowing it experiencially! We learn it experiencially with our earthly father. We learn it experiencially with our Heavenly Father too!
Jesus had just come out of the river Jordan from being baptized, and having a voice that only some recognized saying, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased!" That is all he needed to know to withstand any testing he was to go through during the next 40 days. Testing lets you know what you are made of. How many times have you heard someone say, or even said yourself, "I don't know what I would have done in a particular situation."? We never know until we are put into a situation what our reaction will be. If our life, or our comfort, or our reputation is at stake, will that divert our actions away from our beliefs?
What better way to find out than in the wilderness? Tired, stressed, behind schedule; what better way to find out what you are made of than when your defenses are down? Jesus had fasted for 40 days, and was very hungry.
No one looks forward to going through difficult and uncomfortable times. And to be honest, I would like to see this easier time of rest from the struggle of daily living continue. But one thing that has happened over these many years of relationship with my Father, is that I have matured some, I am more of a son than ever before, so I am learning more to trust His love for me, when the time comes, as I am once again Being Led Into The Wilderness!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Living HIS Faith!
I am very well aware that it has been several months since my last post. I have certainly never thought it would take so long to write another post again! I have several 1/2 written posts in the draft section. I have even had many more ideas for posts while I am otherwise occupied, and unable to write them down, only to have them disappear into that unwritten draft section of my thoughts. However my goal for this blog has been to never waste anybodies time who would read my blog, with posts that were not at least purposeful and thought provoking and interesting. I hope I am accomplishing this goal.
Today is Easter Sunday, and while I am not writing this with a particular interest for an Easter message, it is only because of that Resurrection day that we have any Good News of the Gospel to write about at all! As Paul says in Rom. 4:25 "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." And again in I Cor. 15:14 "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."
It is not just that Jesus died, but the fact that He rose again from the dead which is the Good News of the Gospel! If He had not risen from the dead, then there would be no Gospel, no Good News to tell, and nothing to believe; no basis for faith since the wages of sin would still be due!
But He is Risen indeed! And we have a basis for faith, and our salvation is assured! Not because of anything we have done, but all because of what He has done! We were under the penalty of sin because of another, and we are also declared righteous because of another!
Paul says in Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
I am always surprised by the number of Christians who will quote this verse in order to suggest that they are indeed not saved by their deeds, and then will list their faith as though that is something that they can brag about. But if you read the verse carefully, you will notice that it says we are saved by grace...how?...through faith... yes, but is it our faith that saves us? NO... it is the gift of God! The truth is that it is not just grace which is a gift of God, but the FAITH to believe that is the Gift of God!
This is important to understand. If it is a matter of you exercising some measure of your own faith to believe, that separates you from all of the other unbelievers, then your faith becomes not only a work in which you can boast but also something for which you are responsible to maintain! Do you not see that the only thing which separates you from any other non believer is the fact that God has placed within you a revelation of the Truth, and the faith to believe that truth, that he has not yet given to another. It is a truth that you played no part in meriting, deserving, earning, or even some act of receiving on your part to have that revelation!
If you can say "I believe that Jesus died on a cross for my sins, and rose again on the third day." If the reason for the celebration of Easter is something that you believe, then by all means enjoy the celebration of that fact, also knowing that were it not for the gift of that faith to believe being imparted to you, then you too would be blinded in ignorance.
"Therefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit." I Cor. 12:3 So you see that you cannot believe; you would not have even the faith to say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit!
What about the others who don't believe? Well, for now, lets just say that they don't believe yet!...But they will! "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." I Cor. 15:22,23.
There are so many directions that the rest of this post can go which would distract me from my initial purpose, so having laid the basis from what is already said, I will move more towards my point.
Having seen that it is HIS faith by which we believe unto salvation, we also must not forget that it is also HIS faith by which we live out this New Creation Life we have! If you try to live by faith in your own faith, or your own efforts of trying to do all of the right things, you will fail! And failing leads to disappointment, and frustration, and self inflicted doubts!
I was reminded of an earlier time in my Christian walk where I was plagued by doubts! How do I know that what I believe is real? What if I am being deceived? Is God really real? Am I saved? I did not know that it was not my faith that sustained my Christian life, and so every time I would do something wrong, then I would question my faith, and wonder if I could ever live good enough to please God!
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth .... Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" Gal. 3:1-3
God is not waiting for you to do all of the right things, and to say all of the right things, and to believe all of the right things before He will change your life. He is already in the midst of changing your life every day! We do not see it very often, partly because some changes happen slowly, and sometimes we focus on how far we think we have to go, not how far we have come! As I said in an earlier post; we are on a journey not to a destination, but to a transformation! There is a Greek word that describes this transformation from which we get the English word Metamorphosis. The dictionary defines it in part as "change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means" The bible describes it as becoming a brand new creation in Christ and that is a change in our Spiritual being!
It is because of this change in our Spiritual being, that has such an effect on our natural man! The problem comes when we try by the best efforts of our natural man, to live the life of our Spiritual man! We try to prop up our faith based on evidence of some kind. We would judge ourselves based on our thoughts or behavior or biblical understanding, or even subjective holiness! And since it is impossible for the natural man to please God, "because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so," Rom. 8:7 ASV then we fall under self condemnation!
So then, if you recognize yourself as one who has been having a hard time TRYING to live the Christian life; as one who has tried to please God with all of your efforts and controlling your behavior; if you have been having doubts about your faith in God, or His existence, or your salvation, then STOP! Lay all of that aside! Don't try to believe just believe! Don't try to have enough faith, let Him live His faith in you! Don't try to live the Christian life based on a set of laws, and do's and don'ts. Instead let go of all of your efforts, and let Him live His Life through you, and then effortlessly, and without any fear or condemnation, you will find yourself going through the day just Living His Faith!
Today is Easter Sunday, and while I am not writing this with a particular interest for an Easter message, it is only because of that Resurrection day that we have any Good News of the Gospel to write about at all! As Paul says in Rom. 4:25 "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." And again in I Cor. 15:14 "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."
It is not just that Jesus died, but the fact that He rose again from the dead which is the Good News of the Gospel! If He had not risen from the dead, then there would be no Gospel, no Good News to tell, and nothing to believe; no basis for faith since the wages of sin would still be due!
But He is Risen indeed! And we have a basis for faith, and our salvation is assured! Not because of anything we have done, but all because of what He has done! We were under the penalty of sin because of another, and we are also declared righteous because of another!
Paul says in Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
I am always surprised by the number of Christians who will quote this verse in order to suggest that they are indeed not saved by their deeds, and then will list their faith as though that is something that they can brag about. But if you read the verse carefully, you will notice that it says we are saved by grace...how?...through faith... yes, but is it our faith that saves us? NO... it is the gift of God! The truth is that it is not just grace which is a gift of God, but the FAITH to believe that is the Gift of God!
This is important to understand. If it is a matter of you exercising some measure of your own faith to believe, that separates you from all of the other unbelievers, then your faith becomes not only a work in which you can boast but also something for which you are responsible to maintain! Do you not see that the only thing which separates you from any other non believer is the fact that God has placed within you a revelation of the Truth, and the faith to believe that truth, that he has not yet given to another. It is a truth that you played no part in meriting, deserving, earning, or even some act of receiving on your part to have that revelation!
If you can say "I believe that Jesus died on a cross for my sins, and rose again on the third day." If the reason for the celebration of Easter is something that you believe, then by all means enjoy the celebration of that fact, also knowing that were it not for the gift of that faith to believe being imparted to you, then you too would be blinded in ignorance.
"Therefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit." I Cor. 12:3 So you see that you cannot believe; you would not have even the faith to say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit!
What about the others who don't believe? Well, for now, lets just say that they don't believe yet!...But they will! "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." I Cor. 15:22,23.
There are so many directions that the rest of this post can go which would distract me from my initial purpose, so having laid the basis from what is already said, I will move more towards my point.
Having seen that it is HIS faith by which we believe unto salvation, we also must not forget that it is also HIS faith by which we live out this New Creation Life we have! If you try to live by faith in your own faith, or your own efforts of trying to do all of the right things, you will fail! And failing leads to disappointment, and frustration, and self inflicted doubts!
I was reminded of an earlier time in my Christian walk where I was plagued by doubts! How do I know that what I believe is real? What if I am being deceived? Is God really real? Am I saved? I did not know that it was not my faith that sustained my Christian life, and so every time I would do something wrong, then I would question my faith, and wonder if I could ever live good enough to please God!
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth .... Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" Gal. 3:1-3
God is not waiting for you to do all of the right things, and to say all of the right things, and to believe all of the right things before He will change your life. He is already in the midst of changing your life every day! We do not see it very often, partly because some changes happen slowly, and sometimes we focus on how far we think we have to go, not how far we have come! As I said in an earlier post; we are on a journey not to a destination, but to a transformation! There is a Greek word that describes this transformation from which we get the English word Metamorphosis. The dictionary defines it in part as "change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means" The bible describes it as becoming a brand new creation in Christ and that is a change in our Spiritual being!
It is because of this change in our Spiritual being, that has such an effect on our natural man! The problem comes when we try by the best efforts of our natural man, to live the life of our Spiritual man! We try to prop up our faith based on evidence of some kind. We would judge ourselves based on our thoughts or behavior or biblical understanding, or even subjective holiness! And since it is impossible for the natural man to please God, "because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so," Rom. 8:7 ASV then we fall under self condemnation!
So then, if you recognize yourself as one who has been having a hard time TRYING to live the Christian life; as one who has tried to please God with all of your efforts and controlling your behavior; if you have been having doubts about your faith in God, or His existence, or your salvation, then STOP! Lay all of that aside! Don't try to believe just believe! Don't try to have enough faith, let Him live His faith in you! Don't try to live the Christian life based on a set of laws, and do's and don'ts. Instead let go of all of your efforts, and let Him live His Life through you, and then effortlessly, and without any fear or condemnation, you will find yourself going through the day just Living His Faith!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
An Aha Moment
"And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
A better translation for this verse puts it this way: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
An Aha moment! You know what I mean, a time when a piece of the puzzle fits into place, and you suddenly see something that you never saw before? It could be as simple as getting stuck filling out a crossword, and then just like that, you see what letters are missing, but more to the point of this blog an Aha moment is one where a Spiritual truth is opened up for you to see for the first time, and you now see something more profound than you had before, and it can be something that will forever change your way of thinking.
That Spiritual truth begins for the first time by seeing for the first time the reality that there IS a Spiritual Truth!
Since the beginning of this blog I have focused on the fact that we are Spiritual beings on a Human Journey, thus the blog title. The focus is on the Spiritual part rather than the human part, because we are indeed Spiritual beings FIRST and foremost! It is very easy to forget that, as we are often so distracted, and concerned with the human part of living! While we are busy about the task of making a living, and fullfilling obligations, and interacting with others, and living daily life, it can be a constant struggle to keep it forefront in our minds that we are Spiritual beings first, and that each of the human experiences we have are for the maturing of our Spiritual man!
The problem with that is that we slip into a lower realm of thinking! Someone has aptly called it "stinking thinking." This is where we begin trying to adapt our Spiritual walk to help us with our human walk. Think of most of the prayers you have made lately. "Dear God please help me to do this or that.... " and the this or that has only to do with our earthly needs or wants. Not that there isn't a place for that too, but really don't prayers like that put our focus in the wrong place? What did Jesus say? "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33 (Now, as a side note I would like to mention that we are to seek His righteousness, and not our own.) Do you see the highest order of priorities?
What is the purpose of our human existance? Fake it till we make it? Just live a decent life? Hang in there till we get to heaven? What about the noble idea of living a sacrificial life for others? If you were to ask me, my answer would be no to all.
I will tell you something about a recent Aha Moment for me. I watched a Christian movie the other day called "To Save A Life." One of the lines by a youth pastor in the movie that struck me the most was "Life is a journey; but not to a destination, but rather to a transformation." A journey to a transformation! Aha!!
You see, even I think I get caught up in thinking that the purpose of our Human Journey is a destination. The very word journey even conjures up in our minds going from point A to point B. And point B is the destination. Now, I am begining to change my focus to the fact that the point is not a destination but the purpose of God, is not to drag us through all sorts of trouble just to get us to some heavenly location, or destination, but rather it is to TRANSFORM us!
Be TRANSFORMED in the SPIRIT of your MIND! One dictionary definition of transform is: "to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation" Think about that! How about we tweak that definition a bit and add a spiritual context and suggest that it means to "cause (our human mind) to undergo genetic transformation into the mind of Christ." Phil. 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" A genetic transformation! A transformation in our genes, or as Lynn Hiles has said it, "To be Re-GENE-erated.
Can you imagine how drastically our lives would change if we began to see everything from the point of view, that God was purposing every detail of our lives in this human journey in order to bring about a spiritually genetic transformation!! And not only if we saw it that way on occasions, but in fact knew it so fully that it changed the way we saw everything that took place both (what we think is) good and bad? Now that would certainly be a life changing Aha Moment!
A better translation for this verse puts it this way: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
An Aha moment! You know what I mean, a time when a piece of the puzzle fits into place, and you suddenly see something that you never saw before? It could be as simple as getting stuck filling out a crossword, and then just like that, you see what letters are missing, but more to the point of this blog an Aha moment is one where a Spiritual truth is opened up for you to see for the first time, and you now see something more profound than you had before, and it can be something that will forever change your way of thinking.
That Spiritual truth begins for the first time by seeing for the first time the reality that there IS a Spiritual Truth!
Since the beginning of this blog I have focused on the fact that we are Spiritual beings on a Human Journey, thus the blog title. The focus is on the Spiritual part rather than the human part, because we are indeed Spiritual beings FIRST and foremost! It is very easy to forget that, as we are often so distracted, and concerned with the human part of living! While we are busy about the task of making a living, and fullfilling obligations, and interacting with others, and living daily life, it can be a constant struggle to keep it forefront in our minds that we are Spiritual beings first, and that each of the human experiences we have are for the maturing of our Spiritual man!
The problem with that is that we slip into a lower realm of thinking! Someone has aptly called it "stinking thinking." This is where we begin trying to adapt our Spiritual walk to help us with our human walk. Think of most of the prayers you have made lately. "Dear God please help me to do this or that.... " and the this or that has only to do with our earthly needs or wants. Not that there isn't a place for that too, but really don't prayers like that put our focus in the wrong place? What did Jesus say? "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33 (Now, as a side note I would like to mention that we are to seek His righteousness, and not our own.) Do you see the highest order of priorities?
What is the purpose of our human existance? Fake it till we make it? Just live a decent life? Hang in there till we get to heaven? What about the noble idea of living a sacrificial life for others? If you were to ask me, my answer would be no to all.
I will tell you something about a recent Aha Moment for me. I watched a Christian movie the other day called "To Save A Life." One of the lines by a youth pastor in the movie that struck me the most was "Life is a journey; but not to a destination, but rather to a transformation." A journey to a transformation! Aha!!
You see, even I think I get caught up in thinking that the purpose of our Human Journey is a destination. The very word journey even conjures up in our minds going from point A to point B. And point B is the destination. Now, I am begining to change my focus to the fact that the point is not a destination but the purpose of God, is not to drag us through all sorts of trouble just to get us to some heavenly location, or destination, but rather it is to TRANSFORM us!
Be TRANSFORMED in the SPIRIT of your MIND! One dictionary definition of transform is: "to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation" Think about that! How about we tweak that definition a bit and add a spiritual context and suggest that it means to "cause (our human mind) to undergo genetic transformation into the mind of Christ." Phil. 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" A genetic transformation! A transformation in our genes, or as Lynn Hiles has said it, "To be Re-GENE-erated.
Can you imagine how drastically our lives would change if we began to see everything from the point of view, that God was purposing every detail of our lives in this human journey in order to bring about a spiritually genetic transformation!! And not only if we saw it that way on occasions, but in fact knew it so fully that it changed the way we saw everything that took place both (what we think is) good and bad? Now that would certainly be a life changing Aha Moment!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Content In Any And Every Situation
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil. 4:12
This verse came to mind during a conversation I had over lunch, with a friend from work. We had just come back from a perfect day of flying. The sky was blue; the wind was calm; the air was smooth. It was just as he prayed it would be, and as much of a perfect day for flying as could be asked. When we landed he took me for a tour of his house before we went out to eat and during such time, he mentioned a few times about how blessed he was, and indeed he had every reason to say so.
I have had many spiritual conversations with him at work, and so it was not out of place for us to have one even then. He started by telling me of a pastor who had preached on the subject of grief, and how it is natural for us to grieve the fellowship, even though we would rejoice knowing they are in heaven.
I said that it reminded me of what Paul had said, that "we grieve, but not as those without hope." Pretty good from memory, considering the verse from 1 Thess 4:13 says: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." I posed the question then whether there was even more of a purpose that God might have by our human grief over the passing of someone from this earth. I did not have an immediate answer myself, but it is to consider that nothing of God is without purpose, and not always having to do with just this earthly existence. To sum it up rather crudely one might say we are Training for Reigning.
The point being that there is a purpose to our Spiritual existence that is enhanced by our human existence! Thus the connection to our being On A Human Journey.
I then reminded him of his saying that he was blessed because of all the good things that God had provided for him, and then I asked him the same question I silently asked myself. My question was whether he would consider himself still blessed if God took it all away? Do we only count ourselves blessed because of material wealth, and a life of ease? - Consider Job.
That was when several verses came to mind. The one mentioned above, and also Luke 12:15 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." What I was thinking about this verse was not that he was being covetous, but rather that the abundance of things we possess is not always a true indication of God's blessings, and the lack thereof is not an indication; as many think; that God is withholding His blessings. God's blessings are really not about abundant possessions, but rather to be content whether in abundance or in want.
As I was speaking to him, it was more for my consideration than for his. I am definitely not Being Content In Any And Every Situation. I am certainly not suffering with lack, but I have not been very content lately even with abundance! If we trust in abundance, then it is never enough to satisfy! How much IS enough?
Well, how high are your expectations? 1 Tim. 6:8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." This does not include the latest electronic gadget, nor even affording flying lessons! Ouch. :-) But it does reduce things to the basis for Being Content In Any And Every Situation.
In the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 6 Jesus tells us not to even worry about food and clothing! 31:Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." Then in verse 36: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof."
I cannot say that I have a complete balanced understanding of how all of these deep spiritual truths apply to our human existence. We are saving for retirement, not a lot, but some. We do have a reserve of money for emergencies but everything lately seems to be an emergency. We are paying our bills. Perhaps the full meaning is to not take undue thought for the future, so much so that it interferes with your trust in: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
Great wealth can be a blessing or a curse depending on the relationship one has with the Creator of the Universe. Great poverty can be a curse or a blessing for the same reason. All we have to do is to learn the same secret that Paul learned, and then it too will not matter whether we are abased or in abundance, because we have indeed learned how to Be Content In Any And Every Situation.
This verse came to mind during a conversation I had over lunch, with a friend from work. We had just come back from a perfect day of flying. The sky was blue; the wind was calm; the air was smooth. It was just as he prayed it would be, and as much of a perfect day for flying as could be asked. When we landed he took me for a tour of his house before we went out to eat and during such time, he mentioned a few times about how blessed he was, and indeed he had every reason to say so.
I have had many spiritual conversations with him at work, and so it was not out of place for us to have one even then. He started by telling me of a pastor who had preached on the subject of grief, and how it is natural for us to grieve the fellowship, even though we would rejoice knowing they are in heaven.
I said that it reminded me of what Paul had said, that "we grieve, but not as those without hope." Pretty good from memory, considering the verse from 1 Thess 4:13 says: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." I posed the question then whether there was even more of a purpose that God might have by our human grief over the passing of someone from this earth. I did not have an immediate answer myself, but it is to consider that nothing of God is without purpose, and not always having to do with just this earthly existence. To sum it up rather crudely one might say we are Training for Reigning.
The point being that there is a purpose to our Spiritual existence that is enhanced by our human existence! Thus the connection to our being On A Human Journey.
I then reminded him of his saying that he was blessed because of all the good things that God had provided for him, and then I asked him the same question I silently asked myself. My question was whether he would consider himself still blessed if God took it all away? Do we only count ourselves blessed because of material wealth, and a life of ease? - Consider Job.
That was when several verses came to mind. The one mentioned above, and also Luke 12:15 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." What I was thinking about this verse was not that he was being covetous, but rather that the abundance of things we possess is not always a true indication of God's blessings, and the lack thereof is not an indication; as many think; that God is withholding His blessings. God's blessings are really not about abundant possessions, but rather to be content whether in abundance or in want.
As I was speaking to him, it was more for my consideration than for his. I am definitely not Being Content In Any And Every Situation. I am certainly not suffering with lack, but I have not been very content lately even with abundance! If we trust in abundance, then it is never enough to satisfy! How much IS enough?
Well, how high are your expectations? 1 Tim. 6:8 "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." This does not include the latest electronic gadget, nor even affording flying lessons! Ouch. :-) But it does reduce things to the basis for Being Content In Any And Every Situation.
In the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 6 Jesus tells us not to even worry about food and clothing! 31:Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." Then in verse 36: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof."
I cannot say that I have a complete balanced understanding of how all of these deep spiritual truths apply to our human existence. We are saving for retirement, not a lot, but some. We do have a reserve of money for emergencies but everything lately seems to be an emergency. We are paying our bills. Perhaps the full meaning is to not take undue thought for the future, so much so that it interferes with your trust in: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
Great wealth can be a blessing or a curse depending on the relationship one has with the Creator of the Universe. Great poverty can be a curse or a blessing for the same reason. All we have to do is to learn the same secret that Paul learned, and then it too will not matter whether we are abased or in abundance, because we have indeed learned how to Be Content In Any And Every Situation.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
He Will Direct Your (Flight) Path
Last weekend Cindi and I traveled back to my home town in Ontario Canada to pick up my dad and bring him here for a week's visit while we are on vacation. While there, it happened that there was a conference at a church on the Six Nations Indian Reserve. We have been to the church many times before, and have come to know the pastor and his wife very well, so it was great to get to see them again, and go to a couple of the services. Lynn Hiles was the Saturday evening minister, and if you have never heard him preach then by all means check out his web site, and make use of what ever he offers there; I can guarantee you will be blessed! Sunday morning was another message given by Dr. Kay Fairchild, and you will find a gold mine of excellent teaching at her web site here.
I tell you all of this in part to say that during Dr. Kay's message she mentioned about the familiar bumper sticker "God is my Co-pilot", and of course she said that it was wrong theology. I talked to her afterward and told her that I had seen another bumper sticker that said "If God is your co-pilot, you are in the wrong seat!"
I also told her that at the same time she mentioned the bumper sticker and I had remembered the other one, that the Lord had brought to mind an aviation rule that I think adds to the analogy of "who is flying the plane" so to speak.
One of the first things you learn as a student pilot is that there can only be ONE person who is flying the plane at a time. This is to prevent the situation where each pilot would say "I thought YOU were flying the plane!" In order to establish who has the controls, there is what is called a "positive exchange of controls". For example, if a student is flying the airplane, and the instructor wants to take the controls, then he will say "My airplane." upon which the student will then say "Your airplane." The instructor can then repeat "My airplane." At that point, the control is now in the instructor's possession. There has been a positive exchange of controls. The one who has the controls is called the Pilot in Command, or PIC.
The same is in reverse. The instructor can hand the controls back to the student by saying "Your airplane." And the student then has to say, "My airplane." Now, the instructor can say to the student, "Do you want to fly now?" and the student can answer in the affirmative, but the instructor cannot give up control, until the student responds that it is his airplane. There has to be that positive exchange of controls verbally expressed.
This is the same verbal exchange even with two licensed pilots. And it should be noted here as well, that most airplanes, and ALL trainers have full dual controls. The plane can be flown from both the right and the left seat. Most if not all instructors will fly from the right seat, and the students and standard pilots will fly from the left seat.
What makes this even more analogous is the fact that since there is dual controls, then when the stick or rudder is moved on one side, it also moves the stick or rudder on the other side. This allows the student to lightly handle the controls in the beginning and follow along with the instructor to get the feel for how to handle the controls even while the instructor is still in control.
Depending on how far you want to take this analogy, can you at least see the point that it is best to let God control your life? If you want to take it further, which is the reason for this post, I think all too often we want to "fly our own life".
I guess you could say then that most people who doubt the existence of God think that they learned to fly by themselves, and that there is no instructor! Others, and even some Christians know that there is an instructor, but they do not trust his ability to fly, or they are sure that they are supposed to be PIC, except when they get in trouble, and then they are willing to hand over the controls.
It has been said that we are In Training for Reigning. Meaning that we are learning through our life experiences things that are necessary for us to know for when we reign and rule with Him...(as Him?) How much easier would it be now if we let God be PIC, and we just follow with Him lightly on the controls, and enjoy the experience of learning to live our life to the fullest! Trust Him in all your ways and He Will Direct Your (Flight) Path!
I tell you all of this in part to say that during Dr. Kay's message she mentioned about the familiar bumper sticker "God is my Co-pilot", and of course she said that it was wrong theology. I talked to her afterward and told her that I had seen another bumper sticker that said "If God is your co-pilot, you are in the wrong seat!"
I also told her that at the same time she mentioned the bumper sticker and I had remembered the other one, that the Lord had brought to mind an aviation rule that I think adds to the analogy of "who is flying the plane" so to speak.
One of the first things you learn as a student pilot is that there can only be ONE person who is flying the plane at a time. This is to prevent the situation where each pilot would say "I thought YOU were flying the plane!" In order to establish who has the controls, there is what is called a "positive exchange of controls". For example, if a student is flying the airplane, and the instructor wants to take the controls, then he will say "My airplane." upon which the student will then say "Your airplane." The instructor can then repeat "My airplane." At that point, the control is now in the instructor's possession. There has been a positive exchange of controls. The one who has the controls is called the Pilot in Command, or PIC.
The same is in reverse. The instructor can hand the controls back to the student by saying "Your airplane." And the student then has to say, "My airplane." Now, the instructor can say to the student, "Do you want to fly now?" and the student can answer in the affirmative, but the instructor cannot give up control, until the student responds that it is his airplane. There has to be that positive exchange of controls verbally expressed.
This is the same verbal exchange even with two licensed pilots. And it should be noted here as well, that most airplanes, and ALL trainers have full dual controls. The plane can be flown from both the right and the left seat. Most if not all instructors will fly from the right seat, and the students and standard pilots will fly from the left seat.
What makes this even more analogous is the fact that since there is dual controls, then when the stick or rudder is moved on one side, it also moves the stick or rudder on the other side. This allows the student to lightly handle the controls in the beginning and follow along with the instructor to get the feel for how to handle the controls even while the instructor is still in control.
Depending on how far you want to take this analogy, can you at least see the point that it is best to let God control your life? If you want to take it further, which is the reason for this post, I think all too often we want to "fly our own life".
I guess you could say then that most people who doubt the existence of God think that they learned to fly by themselves, and that there is no instructor! Others, and even some Christians know that there is an instructor, but they do not trust his ability to fly, or they are sure that they are supposed to be PIC, except when they get in trouble, and then they are willing to hand over the controls.
It has been said that we are In Training for Reigning. Meaning that we are learning through our life experiences things that are necessary for us to know for when we reign and rule with Him...(as Him?) How much easier would it be now if we let God be PIC, and we just follow with Him lightly on the controls, and enjoy the experience of learning to live our life to the fullest! Trust Him in all your ways and He Will Direct Your (Flight) Path!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
What'd He Say??
I drive a tractor trailer these days pulling a set of double trailers to Ohio and back, most of the time traveling with two or three others. During the trip we keep in touch using the CB radio, and on the four hour drive each way, there is plenty of time for some witty banter back and forth! Sometimes the person being verbally picked on will respond as if he didn't hear what was said by answering in a whiny voice "What'd he say?"
It got me thinking that sometimes we might respond to God's directions to us the same way. All too often Christians are taught to pray, but are never taught to listen! And it is a crying shame that is the case. The problem comes from not always knowing when He is talking to you, and not knowing how to be sure you are hearing from Him. But I can tell you from experience, there is nothing so satisfying as knowing beyond a doubt that you heard from God, and then following through with what He told you.
This blog is one case and point. If you haven't already done so, then go back to the first couple of posts, and read how it started. I am convinced that it was a result of sensing the Spirit's leading and direction to do this, and the belief that I was hearing from God within. I am hoping that these posts bear fruit for others, as they are doing an inner work with me, even as I write them.
I am well aware of the long span of time between posts, but, I am also intent on writing what I feel led by the Spirit to write, instead of just my own thoughts. Every time I try to write something else, it is very difficult to word it right, and I can't settle my thoughts enough to write it clearly. The result is that are a few drafts waiting to be finished. Besides, what would you prefer to read?
That being said, and continuing on this theme of hearing from God, there is a recent example I would like to present. Without going into too much personal detail, there is a very significant almost company wide dissatisfaction with management. Much of it has to do with a lot of sacrifices of pay and benefits we have had to make. In our local area there has not been much of a selection for alternative jobs up until recently. What has changed has been an influx of gas companies offering decent money and benefits for drivers, and the need they have for a great number of experienced drivers to hire. There have been a few drivers that have already made the transistion, and a few more that are weighting their options very carefully, and considering it for themselves. Some of these drivers have more than 10 years seniority.
In a recent conversation with one of the drivers asking if I was considering it, I answered that I was, but that I did not want to do anything without hearing from God first. He is a Christian, so I knew he would at least understand my intent. He was considering it more seriously, and did not know what to do.
A couple of days past, and we got a chance to talk on the CB while we were traveling together, and he said that he still was not sure what to do. He said he thought a lot about my telling him that I wanted to hear from God first. He was concerned about not knowing for sure if God was telling him anything, and that he was just not hearing it, or if God was just not saying anything. He did not want to go against God's will, but did not know how to know if he was or not.
During the course of our conversation, I cited some personal examples of times I heard from God, and then it became very clear to me while I was speaking to him that I was hearing from God as I was speaking! I did not say that I was hearing from God on this for him, but I think he sensed it that way anyway. What I said was the following, in a nut shell:
"As long as you are unsure of what to do, then God is not telling you to do anything, so just stay put. Don't make any decisions about any changes yet. You can check out all the information you want about the other job you need to know to make an informed decision, but do not make any changes yet. At some point, something will happen that will take away all of the confusion in your mind, and it will become very clear as to what you are to do. When that happens, you will know it, and be at peace about your decision, and then you will know that you heard from God. It may be to stay put, and it may be to change jobs, but you must wait until whatever happens that makes it clear in your mind what direction you are to go, and then you will know you heard from God. Until then, wait. Sometimes it is all about the right timing."
After that, he indicated that it helped him just hearing me tell him those things. I believe it was a word of wisdom for him from the Lord. Perhaps it is also helpful to a reader of this post? Are you wondering about what to do? Do you have a decision to make, but are not sure of what to do? You want to know what God has to say, but you are not sure you would even know if He is speaking or not! Be at peace. The Creator of the Universe, the Maker of all things that are made, knows your thoughts before you even think them, and also knows how to speak in such a way that you can hear, and knows how to direct in such a way that you will follow. Just be willing to listen. Just be willing for Him to lead, just be willing to follow. God can direct you in many different ways, and when you know for sure that He is indeed speaking, it is such a delight! It comes with practice, each time adds to your experience of walking and talking and hearing from Him. Eventually you might never have to ever wonder: "What'd He Say?"
It got me thinking that sometimes we might respond to God's directions to us the same way. All too often Christians are taught to pray, but are never taught to listen! And it is a crying shame that is the case. The problem comes from not always knowing when He is talking to you, and not knowing how to be sure you are hearing from Him. But I can tell you from experience, there is nothing so satisfying as knowing beyond a doubt that you heard from God, and then following through with what He told you.
This blog is one case and point. If you haven't already done so, then go back to the first couple of posts, and read how it started. I am convinced that it was a result of sensing the Spirit's leading and direction to do this, and the belief that I was hearing from God within. I am hoping that these posts bear fruit for others, as they are doing an inner work with me, even as I write them.
I am well aware of the long span of time between posts, but, I am also intent on writing what I feel led by the Spirit to write, instead of just my own thoughts. Every time I try to write something else, it is very difficult to word it right, and I can't settle my thoughts enough to write it clearly. The result is that are a few drafts waiting to be finished. Besides, what would you prefer to read?
That being said, and continuing on this theme of hearing from God, there is a recent example I would like to present. Without going into too much personal detail, there is a very significant almost company wide dissatisfaction with management. Much of it has to do with a lot of sacrifices of pay and benefits we have had to make. In our local area there has not been much of a selection for alternative jobs up until recently. What has changed has been an influx of gas companies offering decent money and benefits for drivers, and the need they have for a great number of experienced drivers to hire. There have been a few drivers that have already made the transistion, and a few more that are weighting their options very carefully, and considering it for themselves. Some of these drivers have more than 10 years seniority.
In a recent conversation with one of the drivers asking if I was considering it, I answered that I was, but that I did not want to do anything without hearing from God first. He is a Christian, so I knew he would at least understand my intent. He was considering it more seriously, and did not know what to do.
A couple of days past, and we got a chance to talk on the CB while we were traveling together, and he said that he still was not sure what to do. He said he thought a lot about my telling him that I wanted to hear from God first. He was concerned about not knowing for sure if God was telling him anything, and that he was just not hearing it, or if God was just not saying anything. He did not want to go against God's will, but did not know how to know if he was or not.
During the course of our conversation, I cited some personal examples of times I heard from God, and then it became very clear to me while I was speaking to him that I was hearing from God as I was speaking! I did not say that I was hearing from God on this for him, but I think he sensed it that way anyway. What I said was the following, in a nut shell:
"As long as you are unsure of what to do, then God is not telling you to do anything, so just stay put. Don't make any decisions about any changes yet. You can check out all the information you want about the other job you need to know to make an informed decision, but do not make any changes yet. At some point, something will happen that will take away all of the confusion in your mind, and it will become very clear as to what you are to do. When that happens, you will know it, and be at peace about your decision, and then you will know that you heard from God. It may be to stay put, and it may be to change jobs, but you must wait until whatever happens that makes it clear in your mind what direction you are to go, and then you will know you heard from God. Until then, wait. Sometimes it is all about the right timing."
After that, he indicated that it helped him just hearing me tell him those things. I believe it was a word of wisdom for him from the Lord. Perhaps it is also helpful to a reader of this post? Are you wondering about what to do? Do you have a decision to make, but are not sure of what to do? You want to know what God has to say, but you are not sure you would even know if He is speaking or not! Be at peace. The Creator of the Universe, the Maker of all things that are made, knows your thoughts before you even think them, and also knows how to speak in such a way that you can hear, and knows how to direct in such a way that you will follow. Just be willing to listen. Just be willing for Him to lead, just be willing to follow. God can direct you in many different ways, and when you know for sure that He is indeed speaking, it is such a delight! It comes with practice, each time adds to your experience of walking and talking and hearing from Him. Eventually you might never have to ever wonder: "What'd He Say?"
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