July 30, 2011

"When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed."  Psalm 126:1


 Most of us start off life with a dream of making a good life and making a difference with our life.

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A few are able to shape their reality into that dream. Most don’t. Their job becomes a nightmare or their marriage turns into a nightmare and before they know it they are looking for a way to escape reality.

Dreams have two main purposes: 1) To escape reality (Disney World) or:  2) To shape reality.

For most of us life is spend dwelling between the dreams trying desperately to keep the dream alive so we can survive the nightmare.

The dream of King David and King Solomon had brought such joy and prosperity to God’s people as they turned the nation back to God and then built the Temple. But when God’s people turned away Him and rejected Him the dream came crushing down when the Babylonians took them into 70 nightmare captivity. During those long years held captive in a foreign land, they struggled to keep the dream alive.

And suddenly, the dream was revived in a way that seemed like – a dream!

So, when you are dwelling between the dreams and your life has become a nightmare – when it has taken you captive – when it has been a long time since you have seen God move in your behalf – is there a way to keep the dream alive?

Learn from this Psalm:

REALIZE - You Can Live In Freedom, V. 1


While they were longing for the freedom to return to Jerusalem so they could worship God, God sent the Persian army to take their captors captive! They could be as free as they would allow themselves to be!

Did they forget how Joseph found freedom even as a slave in Egypt?

Did they forget how Daniel maintained his freedom even when held in captivity or thrown into alions den!

They were in captivity but they chose to live in freedom. They realized that God was in control and no one could put them in spiritual or mental bondage.

Has a career setback taken you captive and your dream job is a nightmare?


Has your dream marriage become a nightmare….?


Has a financial setback turned your dream retirement plan into a nightmare?


Have you been taken captive by a troubled teen?


Maybe your dream house is so far under water that it has turned into a financial nightmare?

You see God moving and doing miracles in other places and over bigger situations than yours, but it is not happening for you. You are hanging on by the only fingernail that you haven’t chewed off in anxiety.

What do you do? How do you keep life from taking you captive and crushing your dream like a coke can?

REALIZE:


1) If you belong to God, He is in control of you and your captivity (Ro. 8:28)

God had allowed the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and capture them because of their sin and disobedience. And in time, He took their captors captive and set them free!

2) If you belong to God, He has taken your captor captive – you are free!

JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T SEE GOD WORKING DOESN’T MEAN YOUR DREAM IS DEAD! LET THE SAME GOD WHO WAS IN CONTROL OF YOUR DREAM TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR NIGHTMARE! HE MAY NEED TO TAKE THE DREAM TO SHAPE YOUR WORLD SO YOU CAN SHAPE THE WORLD!

REALIZE HE IS CONTROL AND IF HE IS IN CONTROL, HOW CAN YOU BE A CAPTIVE?



July 29, 2011

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” Psalm 14:1

Researchers say they may be close to answering one of the world’s biggest mysteries.

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) recently announced that researchers will know whether the Higgs boson particle, commonly referred to as the God particle, actually exists by the end of 2012. Some say the particle could be responsible for the creation of the planets and stars and that it may be the key to understanding the Big Bang.

Rolf Heuer, director-general of the CERN research center told the International Business Times, “We can settle this Shakespearean question — to be or not to be — by the end of next year.”

According to an International Business Times’ report, a recent experiment that involved shooting streams of protons through the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) obtained some atypical results that have led to a resurgence of confidence in those who have searched relentlessly for answers. For those of us who don’t know, the LHC is a large particle accelerator that sits deep in a tunnel beneath the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva. Experimenters say the findings are exciting.

CERN’s Director for Research and Scientific Computing, Sergio Bertolucci, told the International Business Times that any discovery- either the confirmation of the particle’s existence or otherwise, would be good news for the world. Both results, he said, would push the research forward.

It may seem like a big question to answer in a little less than a year and a half, but with the Worldwide LHC grid’s ability to process 200,000 physics analyses simultaneously, some think the work may get done.

They seem to be working awfully hard to disprove something that they say doesn’t exist. While at the same time they are trying equally hard to prove something else they are not sure exists. Some of their statements sound a lot like faith statements to me - they believe it exists but are yet to prove it……

There are a couple of key questions that remain unanswered even if they discover this particle. The obvious question is still, “Who created the particle?”

The other question is, “Why would they rather find their origin in a sub-atomic particle rather than a Gracious, Eternal, Redemptive God?”

July 28, 2011

“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.” Psalm 126:1

Sometimes we fall captive to what my friend, John Maxwell calls, “destination disease”. That may have been the case here in the 126th Psalm. Sure, they had suffered 70 years of being held captive by the Babylonians but I think the greater captivity was in their spirit where they longed for the days when they could worship God in a certain way at a certain place.

It seems they had forgotten that though they were restricted to a foreign land, their God wasn’t. He was longing to meet them right where they were. It seems they failed to remember that Abraham had worshipped God in his travels and Moses had worshipped God in the desert. They failed to miss His presence because their experience with Him was mired in the past.

Because of this “destination disease” they almost missed the wonderful new thing that God was doing! As they longed for God to restore them back to the sacred soil of Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple, God sent a captor to take their captor captive! Cyrus the Great and his Persian army overwhelmed the Babylonians and God put it on his heart to “restore the fortunes of Zion”!

Are you suffering from “destination disease”? Are you held captive to notions that worship has to happen in a certain way at a certain place? Are you holding God captive to your traditions and your comfort zone? Are you missing a new thing God is doing because you are locked into the old? Are you waiting for Him to show up or are you seeking to find Him where He is?

God has called us to freedom! God has sent Jesus to take our captor captive! Even when the circumstances of life take us places we don’t want to be , we should live in spiritual freedom! We should meet Him where we are! We should not look for God in old places and retreat to comfort zones, we should expect God to do knew and wonderful things for us!

Tradition can be a wonderful thing but it can also inflict us with “destination disease”. Be thankful as you remember what God has done in past places and in past ways, but also realize that He is doing something new! Remember the past and respect the past but don’t retreat there! Live in His freedom! Live in His freshness! Right now! Right where you are!

July 27, 2011

“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Psalm 126

My “Summer in the Psalms” series has become more than I expected. I am not sure why because I should have learned by now the Word of God is always filled with wonders. God always exceeds our expectations so why wouldn’t His Word?

Psalm 126 is no exception. I came to it with one paradigm but it is taking me in another direction – a better one! It will be a joy to share my discoveries with you.

Barbara and I discovered a restaurant recently. We had driven past it almost every day and had wondered about it but never stopped to try it out. The steak sandwich I ordered exceeded my expectation. She enjoyed her wrap. We left contented but both commented on the way out, “Wow! We will definitely come back here!” Our contentment with the experience had already put a “discontent” within us. We went back this Sunday!

Today I want to share a thought with you that may seem to contradict my post from a couple of days ago when I shared how to find contentment. Psalm 126 shows how to live in what I call a state of “holy discontent”.

Contentment is the result of knowing you are exactly where God wants you while the “holy discontent” has moved you to this place, and it is what will keep you chasing Him. It is the dynamic tension that Christ-followers have as they live in relationship with an infinite God. Contentment is the moment you enjoy with God and the “holy discontent” is the momentum that moves you to the next God-moment. It is like Abraham building an altar to mark where he met God yesterday as he packs up his tents to move on.

This is how God deals with those who have allowed His dream to be birthed into their spirit. Psalm 126 gives us insights into where this “holy discontent” comes from, how to manage it and where it takes me. It is how you dwell between the dreams with a God Whom has done great things in the past, is doing great things today that you are yet to recognize but has also promised His best for tomorrow.

It is hard to dwell between the dreams as you witness the great things He is doing for others and you remember when He did it for you and you long for the next big thing He will do – but it doesn’t seem to be happening for you now. If you don’t understand the “holy discontent” you may find yourself doubting, disillusioned or just plain discouraged.

Are you “stuck” between dreams? Do you long to see God move for you like He is for others? Are you struggling to keep your discontent “holy”?

July 26, 2011

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalms 119:105

I was saddened to learn this week that Borders Bookstores are going out of business. That was one of the favorite places for Barbara and me to go for our Friday Date Night when the weather was bad.

For less selfish reasons, it also means 10,000 more folks will be out of a job nationwide. The nagging question for me is, “Why are they closing?” Is it an indication that the popularity of books is declining or is it the result of a 40 year-old business plan that hasn’t adjusted to the times? Perhaps it is a little of each. I guess most people are buying their books on Amazon via the internet.

There is a lesson there to be learned. We must be careful to adapt to the times.

I hope books aren’t becoming a thing of the past. That would be tragic. As convenient as the internet is and as neat as the Kindle-type reading devices are, we need to be book people! I hope there is never a generation that doesn’t get the great pleasure of cozying up with a good book.

Speaking of a good book, the most important Book is the Good Book – the Bible. Friend, we need to be people of the Book and this Book will never go out of style! It doesn’t need to adapt to the times, times adapt to it! So should you! I know you can read it online and sometimes I do. And I know that you can listen to it on CD’s. No doubt you can get it on Kindle, as well.

But those are not substitutes for The Book! You need to have the Book on your night stand. You need to have the Book underlined and marked in the margins. And you should carry the Book to church with you. This Book should never go out of style. This Book can never go out of style and it still the top-selling book in the world!

Leaders are readers and spiritual leaders MUST be Bible readers! Learn it! Love it! Live it!

July 25, 2011

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

This seems to be the Summer of discontent.

The NBA players and owners are at an impasse and the players are locked out. So is the NFL. And our political leaders can’t seem to agree on the best way to address our massive debt and deficit problems. We are discontent in our play and in our plan to pay.

Contentment is hard to find. In our study of Psalm 142 we learned that the Psalmist finally found some contentment in the cave and he did it by focusing his heart and mind on what he loved not on what he lacked.

That appears to be the same approach the writer of Hebrews took in this challenging verse. If you love money will you ever have enough? Certainly, if you love $100’s then you will want $1,000’s. When you get $1,000’s you will meet someone who has $10,000’s and you will be discontent again because you will be focusing on what you lack. I think you see the point.

This verse implies a very important fact, contentment is a choice. You are content when you decide that you will be content. And the key to that is to fix your heart on Who you love rather than on what you lack. When you have Him, you have everything you need! He will fill the God-shaped vacuum in your heart and until that happens you will never know contentment.

 

I like the verse to the old chorus we used to sing – “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!”

Stop fussing about what you lack and begin focusing on what you love! You will find contentment!

July 24, 2011

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 

How do you know that God loves you?

How would God know that you love Him?

God made a commitment to you when He sent His Son to die for your sins. And He requires a commitment from you.

I have been beating the commitment drum for the past week. There is a good reason for that. Love is a relationship and relationship requires commitment. God desires a relationship with you so badly that He made the first commitment. For you to receive His love you must make a commitment to Him.

The most important human relationship is marriage and marriage requires a commitment from each partner to the other. Love cannot begin without commitment and it cannot grow without further commitment and it won't continue to grow without continued commitment. It is this hard work that builds healthy relationships.

If you want to do relationships better do commitment better. Commitment means I sacrifice first. Commitment means I serve first. Commitment means I forgive first. Commitment means I listen better. Commitment means I become more patient. Commitment means I give the benefit of the doubt. Commitment means I love unconditionally, like God loves me.

Obviously, if I am to commit to loving like God I must be committed to God. How can I love like Him if I don't know Him? To love like Him I must allow Him to love through me. And, if I need to grow in my love I need to deepen my commitment.

If you are struggling in relationships, examine your commitment level.