I Hear You

Scripture: Luke 11:13 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Observation: Clearly Luke chose "the Holy Spirit" intentionally when he recorded Jesus' instructions on the need to pray, pray specifically, pray frequently, pray expectantly, pray passionately, pray with faith, pray unguardedly, and pray confidently. But such a response--the promise of the Holy Spirit--seems, at first, strange. It seems strange until I begin to see God Himself as the first and greatest answer to prayer.

What do I mean by that? Jesus main point in this context is that God will give good things to his children when they ask. Thus, Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit is a sure gift to the asker makes perfect sense--God Himself is the greatest good! God seeks those that will first and foremost pursue him and desire him when they or those they care about face struggles, hardship, and lack in this life (Matt. 6:33).

Proverbs 30:8-9 says ". . . give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor and steal
 and profane the name of my God." In this Proverb the writer is expressing his passion for God. He asks God to arrange his life in such a way that it does not become a hindrance to his faith in God nor a distraction from his pursuit of God. Priority #1 is the experience of God and with that God will fill all the gaps that are bound to come. In this Proverb the request centers around money, but it applies to fame and shame, health and sickness, popularity and loneliness, and accomplishment and failure alike.

But is this a right request? I see a danger in it. There is a sense in which I could pray for a life free of extremes under the auspice of "contentment," but while contentment is good (Heb. 13:5), when it comes to our desire for God it is a poor descriptor.

Therein lies the danger.

I do not need to be reserved in my pursuit of God. As C. S. Lewis wrote, I am not unfilled because my passions are too lofty. I am dissatisfied with things in my life because my passions are too base! I wallow in the mud seeking treasure when all the while the purest and strongest pleasures which are only found in God Himself are offered freely to me. My fervor is set on a target too low. In seeking contentment, I have mistakenly categorized the relationship with my Creator with cookies, cars, square footage of my home, and accolades among my profession! Be content with such things as I have, but be content with no less than the fullness of God!

Application:
Pray. Pray specifically. Pray frequently. Pray expectantly. Pray passionately. Pray with faith. Pray unguardedly. Pray confidently.

Believe that Psalm 16:11 is true. Treasure the presence and knowledge of God like a suitor cherishes being with and learning about his betrothed.

Prayer: . . .

SOAP: Looking Up

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-2 "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth."

Observation: "Seek those things..." seem to be reminiscent of Matthew 6:33 ("seek first the kingdom of God..."). The further context seems to point to it as well. He follows with two long lists of "the deeds of the flesh", the first of the lists almost entirely focusing on desires, longing and sins that result.

Application: Pastor Bill said frequently that he longed to be known as one who was too spiritually minded to be any earthly good. That can be taken out of context but the encouragement is there - my priority #1 should be the spiritual. My efforts will fall short of eternal meaning and purpose if I only attend to what I can engage with my body. "For the world is passing away..." I must pray. I must intercede. I must share the gospel of God - not just the material or physical blessings of a relationship with God. My prayers should be MORE about sanctification and salvation than sickness and safety.

Prayer: Please give me the mind of Christ and an eternal perspective. Make me sensitive to Your Holy Spirit to be led by Him. Set in me a steadfast heart for You so that I can "lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares" me. I love You. Amen. And please help me and all those in the room with me concentrate during my test for SMSgt today.

It's Up To You

A couple days ago, after surviving a grueling 60 minute work out known as "Core Class,"  Candi and I were talking about the fact that we wouldn't get as much out of the class if we were doing the class alone.  Knowing that Candi is around, plus the occassional "LET'S GO!" or "THIRTY MORE SECONDS... THIS IS WHERE YOU MAKE YOUR MONEY!" motivated me to not give up and to push just a little bit harder than my mind and body wants to.  Without my highly motivational wife and friends I would probably not even go to the class.  Anyone else with me?  In reality, we were really reflecting on the strength and determination that comes from knowing that we're not alone - the encouragement to push on despite the struggle and weariness - the vibrance which is almost gleaned from others as we drive toward a common goal.

And then I was immediately drawn to the parallel in our relationship with God and our mission between now and eternity.  I thought about how I would quit so soon or not even enter the gym without a partner, an encourager.  I thought about how desparately the individual members of the body of Christ need one another. 

So may this be of some encouragement to you.  Don't try to do something alone that God didn't intend for you to do alone.  I know the pain and frustration that people can cause within the church of God, but I also know that I cannot do anything about the past.  My choice is to draw closer to God in daily prayer, pouring those hurts out to Him, and to wait for God to act.  And while I wait I know that He has commanded me to push on in obedience (to everything else that He has already commanded me to do). 

If you've been walking as a lone wolf, seek the pack.  If you're keeping your distance because of anger or hurt, don't leave it at that!  Do you believe that extending forgiveness is far greater than bitterness or anger?  If today were the last day of your life, would you want to carry the weight of unforgiveness and condemning others to your grave?

Or if you think that being with the church is unnecessary and you can have a relationship with God without it, consider the following:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.  As I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13:34, 35.       It's tough to fulfill this command from Jesus by yourself.

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.  But exort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."  Hebrews 3:12, 13  Two for one deal - warning and an encouragement!  Nice.

"And [the new church] continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers."  Acts 2:42

"so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."  Romans 12:5  Without you, the body is missing some vital part; a solitary hand or foot laying around is just freakish.  It might have worked in the Adams family, but not in God's family.

"But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."  1 Corinthians 12:24-26 And may this passage be an encouragement to those of us faithfully fellowshipping - show no favoritism; judge no one by their appearance; build no cliques; seek out those in the body of Christ with whom you feel you have no connection, because in truth you have more of a connection with them than any unsaved person.  The time you take to make the connection and the love that you show is just what others (and you!) are seeking.

Living the Dream

I now have 2713 days left in the Air Force until I'm retirement eligible.  Maybe blogging about that is like my daughter saying she has six years until graduation.  It's a little early, hey?

The retirement concept in the military is a little different because it's really just preparation for another job.  So then I'm left thinking about what that job will be and how I should prepare for it.  But how do I prepare for something I don't know?  Here's my game plan which will probably get revised often, but I thought it would be good to have it here to look back on one day and think "That's funny."

1. Pray.  That sounds like the church answers I hear from my kids: "God" "love" "Jesus" "the Bible."  I tell my kids that those answers are great when they are correct answers.  So as you've all seen from the past prayer is something I consider on a practical rather than religious level.  So I'll pray about... well, I'm not all together sure yet.  I probably need some more brainwashing and better glasses, frankly.

2. Focus on improving the skills that God has placed before me now.  They may only be needful at this time of my life, or they may be a stepping stone.  Either way, those skills are worth the attention.

3. Watch those that God has placed around me (friends, family).  God has provided me with amazing friends and family who love God and teach me daily how to pursue dreams and desires in a healthy way.

4. Don't obsess over what job or activity I'll be doing; God's plans are always about the people that we will have influence on and about His glory - not me and mine.

So that's the "road map."  It's not very definitive, but really how can it be when the Bible says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."  and "A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." and "A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?"

While I'm thinking about this, does anyone have any suggestions?

The Power of Prayer

In the last year or so, Candi and I have asked several things of God. We hoped to be stationed in South Dakota to be near family - he said "No." We prayed that I would be stationed anywhere but Korea (because Candi and the kids could not come with) - he said "No." I've prayed (for the last two years) that a friend's coworker would be healed of cancer and turn to Jesus as savior - "No." and "No." We prayed for our friend's newborn to live despite difficult circumstances. This one seemed like a no brainer for God, but he said "No."

Why in the world do we keep praying? There's seemingly no stopping the disappointments. Do I continue to pray because the "Yes" responses outnumber the "No"? It seems "good" things happen regardless of whether we pray or not.

I have plenty of reasons for continuing to pray daily, bringing things to God that are important to me and to others. The biggest cause for continued prayer is corrected spiritual vision. We usually suffer from myopia (near-sightedness). We see the bad and the good, and call the event bad or good. Then we move on. However, God says that if we hang around long enough we'll see Him use the bad to bring good in the end. For example, Candi and I are hanging in there to see what God does after this Korea event is over.

I say "corrected" vision, because if we're all honest our vision is messed up. God has to fix it and we have to be patient enough for Him to make us some good glasses. As I get more comfortable wearing them, I keep them on more often and so I have better "vision" more often.

You could also say that we need to have a "bigger picture" on life, but that just doesn't sound quite right.

I wonder if the glasses that I have will be replaced with even better ones down the road.

I wonder if those new glasses are covered under the new Health Care bill.

What's the point?

I got into a conversation recently about prayer (this pertains to the God of the Bible because of my belief that He is the only living God, thus the only one that can hear us pray) and how in this world it is supposed to work! This has been something that has confused me for a long time. So, I'm opening this up for input after putting out my stance.

1 - Does He answer prayer?

2 - If so, how should we expect to see His answer?

3 - Should we bring Him everything from the big to the little?

4 - Should we seek God for His over arching will for our life?

First, I think God wants us to pray. I think it's clear from Jesus' interaction while on earth and the things He said, that God both wants us to pray and wants to listen our prayers.

I think He is infinately capable enough to handle anything we can throw at Him so "Yes" to Q3. In fact, as it relates to Q4 I think the "little" things are more important to bring to Him because that's the everyday stuff. That's where we live and move. For example, "God, we need a new car but aren't sure how we'll afford it." (I've seen that one answered multiple times in my life and my friends.) Or "God, I need to know how to deal with little Jimmy's problems with math." Or reading, english, hitting, stealing, etc. It's at this level that we can sense that God loves us privately or personally.

Feel free to add more questions.