March 12, 2018

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44 

What determines the value of an object?

Is it what you think it is worth?

Is it what it's worth to you?

Is it what you wish someone would give you for it?

Is it what Consumer's Report says you should get for it?

Ultimately, the value of an item is determined by what someone is willing to pay you for it.

You know that from going to yard sales or from buying and selling on eBay. The market drives the value.

That is the point of this parable Jesus is telling.

What determines the value of God's kingdom?

Jesus did!

That's right! When Jesus offered Himself up as a sacrifice on the cross to redeem it and to redeem us, He attached the price tag to the kingdom.

If you want to enter the kingdom of God it will cost you everything! You must commit to loving God more than anything else in your life to take possession of His kingdom.

There are no discounts or mark downs or clearance sales in the kingdom of God. It is either sell out or miss out.

In sharing this parable Jesus is posting a sign that says, "Casual Christians need not apply!"

God gave His Son to purchase the kingdom and the Son gave His life.

Are you willing to sell out in order to get in?

March 11, 2018

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers." Philippians 4:6

In the best selling book "The Hiding Place", Corrie ten Boom tells a remarkable story about gratitude. During World War II, she and her sister Betsie lived in three different concentration camps. The entire ten Boom family had been arrested for providing a safe haven to Jews and Nazi rebels. It is estimated they saved 800 lives before being caught and sent away.

Corrie describes how the barracks of the Ravensbruck concentration camp in Germany was infested with fleas. The sisters were forced to sleep on wooden platforms with straw on top, but the straw was dirty, smelly, and crawling with the skin-biting pests. Corrie writes:

I saw up quickly and bumped my head on the platform above. "Fleas!" I jumped down to the floor. "The place is crawling with fleas!...I don't know how I can cope with living in such a terrible place!

"Corrie, I think God has already given us the answer," my sister Betsie said. "What was that verse from the Bible we read this morning?"

I pulled my Bible out from the bag I wore on a string around my neck. In the dim light, I read from I Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.' Oh, Betsie, that's too hard for a place like this!"

"No, come on, Corrie - let's try. What are we thankful for?" my sister asked.

"Well....if we must be in this awful place, I'm thankful that we're here together"....

"That's right!" Betsie's eyes dance. "And thank you, God for the fleas -"

Corrie goes on to say that the flea infestation kept the guards out of their barracks, allowing Corrie and Betsie to read the Bible aloud twice a day for any woman who wanted to hear. More and more women found the light of Christ in the darkest of places because of fleas.

There is reason to be grateful in every circumstance.

When you live out this difficult urging from the Scriptures I cannot guarantee what your outcome will be BUT I can tell you His input will be well worth it!

March 10, 2018

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers." Philippians 4:6

A grandma was very uncomfortable flying but she wanted to visit her grandchildren who lived across the country. Riding in a car or a bus for that distance wasn't a viable option for her so she reluctantly booked a flight and white-knuckled it all the way to her destination.

When her grandchildren met her at the airport they welcomed her with warm husky hugs. Then they asked her, "Grandma, now that wasn't so bad was it? After all of your worrying the plane stayed up in the air and carried you safely here, right?"

Grandma reluctantly admitted they were right but then added, "But I didn't put all my weight down on my seat!"

That's what anxiety can do to you! It can keep you stressed out and on edge all the time.

But the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians, "When you are feeling anxious put your full wait upon prayer! Settle into prayer by faith!"

When you feel like worrying tell Jesus about it in prayer!

When you find yourself anxious share it with Jesus in prayer!

When you are overcome by cares and feeling distressed throw your full weight on Jesus.

When prayer doesn't seem to be helping keep praying. 

That's what it mean to "pray about everything"!

Everything?

Everything!

So, it is up to you! 

You can worry and stress or you can pray!

Someday I'll...

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:11-13

I've never been to the Hawaiian Isles.

I haven't been to the Philippine Isles.

I've not visited the Virgin Isles.

I would love to vacation to those tropical Islands sometime!

Unfortunately, I have to admit I have spent a considerable number of days on "someday I'll".

Someday I'll? Where is that?

Someday I'll is found in your heart and in your mind and your imagination. It is the hope and wish that contentment is "out there somewhere" and SOMEDAY I'LL find it!

So, the frantic search begins.

Someday I'll find someone who will make me feel happy and fulfilled! So, you go from relationship to relationship looking for that ONE. But because you really have no idea what to look for you end up dissatisfied and disillusioned and you lose yourself in the process.

Someday I'll find the perfect career that will maximize my potential and get me the recognition I deserve. Then I will have the satisfaction and security I long for. But you refuse entry level positions and keep holding out for jobs more "worthy" of your talent. As a result, you fail to build a resume or experiences or references. You put yourself on a path to frustration and anger.

Someday I'll be the Christian I should be when I find the right church and the pastor who recognizes my spiritual gifts. But rather than settle into a local fellowship you run from church to church never knowing anyone or being known. Consequently your become more shallow and cynical.

Paul, at least following his conversion to Christianity, never spent a moment on "Someday I'll". Once He knew Christ and His grace he replaced someday I'll with already is and already have and already am!

Paul understood that contentment wasn't somewhere "out there" but it was "in Christ". It wasn't about something happening to him it was everything happening within him as he was in Christ! He learned to live in Christ in the moment!

Someday I'll is anything but a paradise. It is a dead end. It is an illusion. So, if you are living there, get off! If you are thinking about it don't go there!

Sit down right now. Begin to count your blessings. Start thinking and thanking for what you have. Worship God for His mercy, grace and goodness to you. Empty yourself of self and invite Him to fill you up!

March 8, 2018

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.  Luke 15:17-24

When Jesus wanted to give a word picture to illustrate how God loves He told a parable about a very wealthy and loving father who had two sons very different from each other. His younger son took his inheritance and ran while the older son stayed home and stayed bored.

You know this story as the Prodigal Son but the word "prodigal" means extravagant and the real extravagance is demonstrated in the extravagant love of the father. The father in this parable represents God, our Heavenly Father, and how He loves. This "Prodigal" father loved with a big hairy audacious love!

AUDACIOUS LOVE IS:

1) A Giving Love!

The younger of the two sons made a bold and unconventional request of his father. He wanted his share of the inheritance. Under the laws and customs of that day there was nothing obligating this father to grant this demand. But, because of the father's love for his son he made an exception to the norm and handed over the inheritance. I am sure he did this against his better judgment but love does that - love gives! God gives!

2) A Gracious Love!

It didn't take very long for this younger son to prove the foolishness of the decision to give him his inheritance. He was not prepared for that opportunity or responsibility and he soon blew all the money on wanton living. When he ran out of money he ran out of friends. With no money and no job and feeling too foolish to go home, he was in desparate need. His desparation is revealed in the fact that he was willing to take a job slopping hogs for a farmer. Jews didn't have anything to do with pigs but he was so hungry that he not only fed them but he ate with them!

Stinky, slimy and starving, this boy suddenly had his first good idea in a long time! He began to think about how good and decent and loving his father was back home. He remembered how much his father had once loved him and realized that returning humbly to his dad might be the best chance he had. If he was going to work for a farmer, why not let it be his father the farmer? He took a chance on the gracious love of His father.

3) A Generous Love

So, the son climbed out of the pig stye and started the long uncertain journey home. The way was long and dusty and he didn't have much strength left as he trudged to the top of the last rise before he reached home. All the way he had been rehearsing his apology that he hoped would give him a shot at landing a job with his dad. "I am no longer worthy to be called your son. I have sinned against you, my father" he repeated over and over.

Apprehension was growing as he reached the top of the hill - so much so that he hadn't heard the footsteps - of his father running to meet him. About the time he realized what was happening he was buried in the strong embrace of his father and it felt GOOD!

He was still trying to offer his apology while the father's servants were shoving a ring on his finger and covering him with a fine new robe as his feet were being washed and brand new sandals placed on his feet!

All he had hoped for was a job and now he was getting a party! What generous love for one who had blown a third of the family fortune!

4) A Gentle Love

It seems like every party has a pooper and this one was no exception. The older brother was not at all happy about the reception being given this underserving fool of a younger brother. Refusing to come to the party he remained outside having his own - a pity party.

Upon noticing that the brother was MIA at the party the dad came out and listened to his complaint. After hearing him out, the father reassured this other brother that he loved him, too. This father loved with a gentle love.

What a beautiful look at the AUDACIOUS LOVE of God!

His love is a giving love giving us what He thinks will prove His love for us.

His love is a gracious love, calling us back when we stray from it.

His love is a gentle love, patiently bearing with us when we are unloving.

Where else do your find a love like this?

How can you refuse a love like this?

Why not receive it?

Why not now?

Content In Prison

"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." Philippians 4:12

I have to continually remind myself that Paul is writing these incredibly powerful and positive words from a miserable Roman dungeon surrounded by rats, roaches and chained to a Roman guard. He awakes to wonder if this day will be his last. Some days he hopes it will be.

I also remember that he could have been released from all of that distress in a matter of hours if he would have disavowed his faith and disowned his God.

But he had learned to be more contented in this prison than he could ever be in a palace.

How is that possible?

He had long ago come to a radical conclusion that what he had in Christ was greater that what he didn't have in life!

As miserable as the Roman dungeon was, and the Romans worked hard to keep them miserable. Paul had found himself in even greater distress.

"Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones,three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin,and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." II Corinthians 11:23-20

Wow! That's a lot of suffering! Severe suffering! How did he endure all of that misery and torture? Why didn't he just curse God and quit? He had a good life as a Pharisee and could have gone back to that status.

So how did he endure such cruelty and rejection?

He had long ago come to the conviction that what he had in Christ was far better than anything he didn't have in life.

No wonder he could say with complete integrity, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

Can you say that about your relationship with Christ?

Have you come to share his conviction that what you have in Christ is far better than anything you don't have in life?

March 6, 2018

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:4-8

We are beginning week three in this study on how to deal with anxiety from a biblical perspective. Thus far we have established that the roots of anxiety are found in control issues. 

We were able to trace back to a time before anxiety contaminated the human condition and Adam and Eve lived fully contented under the Sovereignty of God. But the Serpent deceived them into believing they could find greater happiness by taking control of their own lives. That selfish rebellion against God removed God's blessing and subjected them to the curse of a sinful nature. Men and women have struggled with anxiety ever since.

Writing from a dark, damp, dank dungeon cell Paul pens these verses to lead his beloved Christ-followers out of the anxiety of rebellion into the serenity of surrender to God's sovereignty. To begin that process Paul urges then to take control of four areas of their personal lives as they release control of everything else to God.

First, they are to "rejoice in the Lord always". That is, rejoicing in the reality that God is wisely and powerfully in control of everything we have surrendered to Him!

Second, they are to demonstrate the gentleness of one living in the presence of God and preparing for the Coming of the Lord.

Third, when feeling anxious they are to pray specific, personal and passionate prayers in an attitude of gratitude toward the Lord. As they do they will experience God's peace.

Finally, they are urged to focus their thoughts and fill their minds with pure, positive and powerful truths.

Anxiety is fueled when we try to wrestle control from God while failing to control what is within our power to control - aka - these four areas we just highlighted.

So, all things being equal, this is exceptional! You have it within your power and control to overcome anxiety and find His peace!