Who Are We to Please?

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10

You no doubt have heard said, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” There seems to be some question as to who is responsible for this particular saying or whether it is an adaptation from another similar quote that uses the word “fool” instead of “please”. Regardless of their origin these words ring of truth. In my line of work – this can really be a tough issue. I’d had a conversation with someone who what complaining in a way that we (referring to myself and the others that I work with) – couldn’t please everyone. Something to which I heartily agree. I asked the person I was speaking to this question – knowing the answer I was hoping to hear – If we can’t please all of the people, who are we supposed to please? That person didn’t have an answer and that made my heart hurt.

You see as followers of Christ; our first priority should be to please God. That is the point Paul is trying to make in the passage above. Let’s back up and get this into some perspective. Paul had written to the church in Galatia in order to address some issues the church was having with false teachers. Paul opens his letter with one of his wonderful greetings but then gets right down to giving this group of believers the what for about their behavior. “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – which is not gospel...” (Galatian 1:6-7). Paul goes so far as to say that those responsible for interfering with the gospel of Jesus should be eternally condemned for trying to tell the gentile believers that they needed to follow Jewish law in order to really be saved. No doubt Paul’s comments didn’t win him any popularity contests, except perhaps by the few who had recognized what was going on and hadn’t fallen for it.

Paul is essentially saying in the passage above that all Christians and especially those who have been called into leadership positions by God need to focus on pleasing God, not men. That was the answer I was looking for when I asked who are we supposed to please.

If as followers of Christ, people who call ourselves by His name, we chose to please God first - with our whole lives what would that look like? Would our judgmental attitudes fade away? Would our desire to be pleased and to have things “our” way change? Would our gathering together as the people of God be less about how we think that should look or sound and more about getting to God’s heart and having God’s heart? Would we balance truth and grace instead of being all truth or all grace in our dealing with our follow believers and the non-believers in our lives?

We can try to please some of the people all of the time or all of the people some of the time knowing full well we will never make everyone happy and that trying to will break our own spirits or we can make the daily choice to please God first and watch as He takes us and those around us on an amazing journey into His heart as He changes ours.

A Prayer
Father – we can be so hard headed and stiff necked sometimes, forgive us for seeking to please ourselves and others before we think to please you. Show us Lord how to please you in our everyday lives. Lord give those You have called to lead on your behalf to have hearts that desire to please you before they please the people You have given them to shepherd. Be the strength, courage and wisdom all of us need to stand against those who want things their way instead of Your way. Thank you for who YOU are, draw us to you. Thank you that Your Son modeled pleasing You over pleasing Himself and by so doing made a way for all who believe to be restored. In the name of Jesus, who showed us how to please the Father – Amen.

Drama, Drama, Drama

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Luke 10:38-42

I really don’t like drama. Wait, no that really isn’t a true statement. I do like drama in a good book, on television, at the movies or on the stage. What I really don’t care for is, the drama that at times seems to be a constant in all of our lives, either because of our own choices, the acts of others or just because life is just that way – full of drama, drama, drama. That kind of drama brings on anxiety and stress; it can distract us from the things that are really real in our lives – especially as followers of Jesus. As I was lamenting to the Lord over a number of dramas currently playing out in my life and the lives of people around me, I couldn’t help but think of Martha and Mary.

Jesus and the guys had stopped in as they were passing through town. Martha set about creating a wonderful meal for the guests. Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet hanging on every word He spoke. Giving Him her full attention – Mary’s choice was an act of worship, she wasn’t about to let anything distract her from what the Lord was saying to her and the others sitting there. Martha

Now understand, Martha hadn’t made a bad decision in wanting to show hospitality to her guests, done will the spirit of generosity the preparation of the meal was also an act of worship. Her hospitality turned into a drama when she allowed it to distract her for an even better choice to be part of the what was really real in her home. Jesus was there, He was Lord, Messiah, the Creator of the universe become like one of His creatures – He was there in her home, speaking life changing truth into those who were listening. Her hospitality was getting in the way of the opportunity she had to just sit and chat with the Lord.

I have no doubt that Martha prepared a wonderful meal that day, but I also think that Jesus would have been just has happy to enjoy a simple meal of bread, cheese and wine, especially if it had resulted in no drama and both sisters sitting, listening, talking and learning about what it means to look like Jesus.

So what drama is distracting you from totally surrendered worship, from sitting at the feet of Jesus – learning to look and live like him. Maybe it’s just everyday life, maybe you are so caught up in serving, that you have forgotten who you are serving for. Maybe there are things in your life that in and of themselves aren’t bad thing, but because you have allowed them to take priority, that now that are turning into idols and keeping you from the One who is really, real.

Whatever is causing the dramatic distractions in your life – take a step back, surrender that worry and stress and just sit. Sit and listen to the voice of the One who know you more and loves you better than anyone else. Listen for the life changing truth He wants to speak into your heart. Breathe in the peace that He gives and find rest from all the drama, drama, drama.

A Prayer
Father – sometimes our lives get so filled with drama, that we are distracted from that One thing that is needed. The need to sit, be still and know that You are God. Listen to the life changing, image transforming truth that He has for each of us. Help to know when things have become more than just things, when serving had become an obligation rather than an act of worship for the One who taught how to serve. Forgive us Lord, replace the drama with your peace. In the name of Jesus, who is the One that is needed – Amen.

Spears and Grace

“Here us the king’s spear,’ David answered. ‘Let one of your young men come over and get it. The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.’ Then Saul said to David, ‘may you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph.’ So David went on his way, and Saul Returned home.”
1 Samuel 26:22-25

There are times in life when people in our lives become spear throwers and we find ourselves ducking for cover or wounded. I know what that feels like it take a hit from a spear thrown by someone, who I would not have thought could do such a thing. Spears are whizzing past my head again, whizzing past others and I care for and my heart aches for those who have been wounded. I’ll be honest this sort of behavior irritates me and I have been struggling as old wounds feel like they are being re-opened and because I don’t want anyone to go through the kind of pain I faced at the hand of a spear thrower. It has taken almost two weeks of talking with God about not wanting to be all brimstone and fire in my response to the drama in my world and to find a way to bring encouragement to those under fire. That’s when David came to mind.

King Saul had become a spear thrower and David was his target. Saul had thrown two literal spears at David in an attempt to kill him. Once David has escaped, Saul continues to pursue him. This week’s passage marks the second time that David could have become a spear thrower himself and taken Saul’s life to stop the relentless pursuit and save his own skin. Two times the Lord had delivered Saul into the hands of David and his men. Two times David chose to show grace, to behave in a righteous manner toward Saul. David chose to continue respecting the office of the King, even if perhaps he no longer respected the Saul himself. David chose to act in a manner pleasing to the Lord God, taking the higher road of grace and mercy.

So what do we do, how do we respond when people in our lives become spear throwers? We take our lead from David. Learn to duck and then remember that the person throwing spears is made in the image of God like we are. Remember that they are just sinners in need of grace like we are. When given the opportunity to let fly a spear of our own, don’t. Lay that spear down and let that spear thrower know you are not going to treat them the way they are treating you.

David reminds us that the Lord will reward us for our righteous behavior and our faithfulness.

I pray that no one is throwing spears at you right now but if they are I hope that you will choose grace instead of picking up a spear.

A Prayer
Father – I ask that you would touch the hearts of the spear throwers in our lives. Forgive them Lord for throwing spears out of fear, anger, jealousy or whatever. Teach us to evade the spears that are whizzing past us and help us to respond with grace rather than spears of our own. In the name of Jesus, who show us grace when we are at out worse – Amen.

Crazy Busy

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
Mark 6:31

It wasn’t until I sat down to write this that I realized how long it had been since I’d written anything, encouraging or otherwise. Two jobs, a major staff led renovation project and life has just had me and others I know crazy busy. Sometimes the pace of life gets like that – at least none of the people I know or work with are being followed around by huge crowds of people in the midst of all the busyness. Jesus and His crew of up and coming leaders, were not only busy to what they were meant to be doing, they also had to contend with large crowds of people who apparently hadn’t read the book Margin by Richard Swenson nor did they recognized that sometime people need to rest when it’s crazy busy.

That’s where we find Jesus and the gang in this week’s passage. In the verses leading up to this passage about getting away to rest, Jesus’ guys had just returned from their first “business trip” they had traveled light but had been really busy. Jesus would have learned during this time that John the Baptist had also been killed by Herod. Jesus and the guys are back together trying to have a little debrief and it would seem that they kept getting interrupted. Have you ever been there – just wanting to have some quiet conversation or alone time, but people are constantly interrupting you? Finally, Jesus is like “Let’s just get out of here and find someplace quiet to have a bite and get some rest.”

Even a little break can recharge our batteries, freshen our perspective and empower us to keep going. I did that recently, after a particularly crazy busy few weeks. I took a day off, got some extra sleep, lounged around in my jammies and then spent a lovely afternoon with a friend, having lunch and then enjoying a beautiful garden - the wonder of God’s creation. Things are still pretty busy but that little bit of rest was important, in keeping things going in the right direction.

Jesus and the guys only got a short boat ride to rest, because by the time they got to where they were going, the crowds were there waiting for them and they have to get back to work – back to being crazy busy.

Are you in a crazy busy place in your life right now? I know it can be exhilarating – working hard, seeing progress happen, seeing lives changed, being driven by adrenaline to get everything done. But even the Son of Man needed a break once in a while. Jesus most often took a break to spend time with His Father. Maybe it’s so crazy busy for you that the idea of taking even an hour off, much less a day or more seem impossible. Maybe it is, but there is time for a minute even in the craziness.

I want to encourage to try this little exercise in the midst of your busy day. Find, a quiet place - just gonna be real here – that place might just need to be the restroom. Close your eyes just for a moment, take of couple of nice deep breaths and remember these words from the Psalmist “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1).

A Prayer
Father – Thank you for modeling the need for short breaks, quiet times in the midst of days that can be crazy busy. Remind us of the importance of just breathing, having some food, a quiet moment or two. Thank you that in that brief time You can recharge us, strengthen us, refocus us for You good purposes. In the name of Jesus, in whom we find amazing rest and strength – Amen.

The Unchanging Changes Everything

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8

The time and space continuum was disrupted and it changed everything. The infinite creator of the universe and everything in it took on the form of one of His creatures and entered into a world limited by time and understanding. His only purpose in doing so was to change everything. That change continues to this very day.

In this week’s passage from the book of Hebrews is nestled among a series of exhortations as the book comes to a close. Jesus’s arrival into the world disrupted how everything had been done up to that point. Shepherds though considered outcasts by society, were lifted up and honored by getting the first birth announcement in a spectacular way. Jesus as the fulfillment of the law changed how the law should be viewed and followed. No longer what it a strict letter of the law kind of thing rather He focused people on the spirit of the law which at its simplest is to love God and love other. He changed what it looked like to go to the temple, he disrupted what everyone expected when they arrived there. Jesus changed the relationship be Creator and Creature. He changed how leaders where picked. He changed how people on the fringe – the tax collectors and a sinners were related to. Jesus changed hearts with love, compassion and grace. He changed the sacrificial system of the old covenant by laying down His own life for a new and everlasting covenant.

The ripples caused by Jesus’ entrance into the world millennia ago continue – His body on this planet – the people who have surrendered their lives to Him and make up what is collectively called the church – is always changing, growing, seeking to be more like Jesus every day.

Like the people of long ago we get set in our ways, we get comfortable in our skins and in our lives – sometimes we fail to continue to change. Jesus shook things up the entire time he was on the planet – that’s part of the reason the religious leaders of His day didn’t like Him – He was messing with the way things have always been done. Personally, I am glad that Jesus messed with the way things were always done, if he hadn’t I might not have had the opportunity to know Him, to call Him Lord – after all I am a gentile and a woman. But Jesus opened the way for all people who believe in Him, who have allowed Him to heal their souls and take away their sins to approach the very throne of God, as a child of the King.

I know change is hard, it means leaving things behind that are comfortable and seem safe. But that comfort and sense of security stunts the growth of our faith. It diminishes our need to rely on God to be with us always, being our strength when we are weak, our rest when we are weary, our comfort when we are overwhelmed with pain, our peace in the midst of life’s raging storms. We need change.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever – His sameness changes everything around Him, especially us and that my friends is a reason to worship God with all our hearts, minds and souls.

A Prayer
Father – Thank you for being unchanging in who You are. Thank you for changing everything else through the life of Your Son Jesus. Thank you that we do not have to stay stuck in the muck and mire of life. Thank you that above all else You want us to be constantly changing until we fully reflect Jesus. Help us to walk with others that need the amazing changes that Jesus and the Holy Spirit have for them. When it is time for us to change more be with us and send someone to walk with us. May we worship You every day for changing everything. In the name of Jesus, the unchanging One who changes everything – Amen.

We Belong to God

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9

Pat Benatar’s old song We Belong has kind of been rolling around in my head lately. I say kind of because it’s really just a bit of it – mostly part of the chorus has been running through my head. Perhaps you are familiar with it “We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder, we belong together.” Doesn’t that sound like the relationship we should have with God?

In this week’s passage Peter reminds us that we have been chosen, that we are a people who belong to God and that our job is to praise the One who called us into His wonderful light. Personally, I love that I belong to God, it gives me peace to know that I belong in His kingdom especially during times when I might feel like I don’t belong anywhere else. Do you ever feel like you don’t belong, that you are alone and maybe wandering in the dark?

Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension makes the way clear for us to belong to God, when we acknowledge the sin sickness of our souls and our need for the saving grace offered to us by Jesus. Once the decision has been made to turn from our worldly ways in favor of Kingdom living – God’s wonderful promises surround us, supporting us even in the midst of some of the terrible storms that life on this planet throws at us. In the opening verses of John’s Gospel, John tells us that Jesus who is God had brought His light into the world and it is a light so bright, so pure and so powerful that the growing darkness of this world will not snuff it out. So when dark situations descend on our lives, as we stand on His promises and rely on Him – His light will prevail bringing us peace, comfort and a profound sense of belonging.

With this sense of belonging comes purpose and responsibility. Peter says we are members of a royal priesthood, that means we are called to care for one another and for those around us who are on the fringe of the community – people who need a place to belong.

All of this leads us to a place where the praise of God, His light, His Kingdom and His saving grace should just flow freely from the very center of who we are and who we are becoming.

I belong to the light, I belong to the thunder, I belong to God. Do you belong to God? Let him choose you so we can belong to God together.

A Prayer
Father – Thank you for sending Your Son into the world as the Light of the world. Thank you that His life, death, resurrection and ascension opens the way for us to belong to You. Show us the places in our lives that need to be healed of sin sickness. Healed may we be counted worthy to be part of Your royal priesthood. Help us to love one another and the people around us the same way You have loved us. May our praises for you ever be on our lips. In the name of Jesus, who paid the price so we can belong to God – Amen.

Another Life

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20

I do not hide the fact that I enjoy playing computer games. Generally speaking, I prefer Hidden Object games – because of the art, the story, the music and the exercise they give my brain. But there isn’t always time to play that sort of game so I frequently play Match 3 games on Facebook. I like these because they can be played fairly quickly and usually I have a friend or two playing as well. These games can be played quickly in part because you have a limited amount of “lives” to play with. Once you have used up the standard five lives, you either have to wait for them to recharge or you can ask friends to give you one. As I was playing one of these games it reminded me of a Bible verse – well because it just works that way in my head.

In Genesis God created man and woman and all the other creatures. That first man and woman were meant to live eternally in pure relationship with God. The world that God had created was peaceful and perfect. Then a talking snake convinced the woman that she could be like God – that was all it took for selfishness to enter the world. The one incredible life in the amazing world that God had made was destroyed. The snake said they wouldn’t die – but he didn’t specify what that meant. No they didn’t die physically. They died spiritually and relationally. In making that one selfish choice the whole world was thrown into chaos – it was no longer peaceful and perfect.

A bit later God made His first attempt at restoring His creation – destroy it all except one family and a ship load of animals. It helped but unfortunately that seed of selfishness was even in the hearts of that one saved family. Plan A didn’t work. It would take generations for Plan B to be set in motion and there will be no Plan C.

Between Plan A and Plan B many lives would be lost, some came to violent ends, some lived to be very old. One prophet got a go directly to paradise card and skipped the whole dying part. Plan B presented mankind with an option to get a new life and a restored relationship with the Creator of everything. A life that can have peace in the midst of the chaos, a life that can live eternally in relationship with God. That new life, given as a gift that we can each chose to accept or deny. That is what Paul is talking about in this week’s passage.

Christ died that we might live. When we accept by faith the gift of new life that the crucified and resurrected Christ offers, we grant permission for Him to remove from our hearts and souls those seeds of selfishness that separate us from God. We get another life even as we continue to live in the bodies we have. It’s a new, eternal life where Christ lives in us and we live in Him.

If you are a follower of Jesus and still struggle with selfishness that is keeping you from abundant kingdom living here and now – let His Spirit work in you in new way, surrender those areas of your life you are still holding onto. If you are not a follower of Jesus and weighed down by the choices you have made in your life – call out to Him, ask Him to make Himself known to you in a way that your faith will explode and He’ll give you another life – one that will never run out and will give you the strength you need to be an overcomer.

Computer games are fun but they can’t change your life. Following Jesus is amazing because He’ll give you another life – one that won’t end.

A Prayer
Father – help us to live the words of your servant Paul, to say with assurance We have been crucified with Christ, we no longer live our selfish lives but that Christ lives in us. Thank you for giving us another life, one that takes us back to the beginning, back to the way we were supposed to live – eternally in relationship with You. Give us the strength, courage and wisdom to invite others to let Jesus give them another life. In the name of Jesus, who laid down His life so we could truly live another life – Amen.