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.

July 23, 2011

“I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Psalms 142:5

It amazes me how many Christians are looking for the fast, flashy, quick-fix, five-step formula to spiritual maturity. If there is something that looks like a sure short-cut, they are on it.

Before I get off this topic of commitment I want to assure you that there is no short-cut or superhighway to becoming a spiritual giant.

Don’t get caught up in these shallow stupid fantasies of the flesh. The only way to spiritual maturity is the way David did it – commitment. Commitment was the one constant of his life. It didn’t matter if he was caring for sheep, confronting a giant, cowering in a cave, conquering enemies, or wearing a crown he was fully committed to His God.

You will have to be committed in the mundane tedious tasks that meet the needs of others when God calls you to that. There will be some giant risks you will be called to confront and some giant-sized spiritual enemies you will have to defeat. There will be lonely difficult times when you will feel like you are trapped in a cave and no one cares – even God. Every one of those challenges will require a commitment to keep chasing and embracing God. David had his cave and Jesus had His cross and so will you!

But, the fact is you will be committed to something. Everyone is! And whatever you commit to will cost you – ultimately it could cost you your soul.

Do you need to renew your commitment to obey and follow God? Have you been thinking about bailing on your commitment? Where is your commitment being tested? Usually when it feels like you want to get out it is time to get back in.

 Jesus proved God’s commitment to you. David showed us what it looks like. It’s your move!

July 22, 2011

I have been sharing some insights regarding the nature of commitment from Psalm 142.

The Psalmist found himself trapped in a cave primarily because of his commitment to God. Sometimes commitment seems like a trap because when you commit you eliminate every other option. Jesus' commitment led Him to a cross. If you are a committed Christian there is a cave or a cross in your future.

Also, his commitment was tested the longer he remained into the cave. He cried out and complained to God but never caved in on his commitment.

Because he endured the pain and loneliness of being trapped in a cave his commitment became stronger and he found a measure of contentment. Here is how the Psalmist found some contentment in the cave:

He Clarified – Where is my focus?

I think the key to contentment is focusing on what you love rather than on what you lack. If you obsess over what you do not or cannot have you will naturally stir up discontentment. Rather, concentrate on what you DO have in the One you love - God. The fact is that when you have God and His love you have all you need!

He Confessed - "I cry to you, LORD; I say, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.'"

Anytime you may feel your commitment wavering and you are tempted to doubt, confess your faith and confidence in the Lord! It will always work! There is tremendous strength in positive confession.

He Committed

Another good practice when it comes to keeping commitments is this - when you feel like getting out of your commitment - recommit! When loneliness and discouragement and the pain of being trapped in your cave weakens you so you are tempted to quit, renew your commitment! Tell God, "I will love you in the cave!"

Learn from David and also from Jesus. Consider this - "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:3

When Jesus' commitment led Him to the cross He stayed focused on the One He loved and the joy of pleasing Him! That's how you find contentment in the cave!

July 21, 2011

“I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”   Psalms 142

So, here you are in a dark, damp, desolate, disgusting cave and you don’t like it. You feel like you are trapped because you are. That's how commitment works, which is why you need to work on your commitments.  So when you feel trapped and you don't like the feeling what do you do?

The Psalmist could have given up and turned Himself in to the King and hope for mercy. He could have killed the King and do away with his enemy. But His commitment to His God would allow Him to do neither. So he decided to bear the consequences of His commitment to serve God, even though it was terrible in the cave.

You do what David did:

Complain - “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.”

You don’t have to like it in the cave. Who would? David was innocent. He had done nothing to deserve being hunted down like a stray dog, but he had managed to get on the wrong side of an insecure king.

I imagine it would be hard enough to be public enemy number one if you were guilty but it is very unfair to be totally innocent but still have your life totally disrupted.

Pour out your complaint to the Lord. But when you complain, don’t curse the Lord or don’t accuse the Lord. When you complain, let it out and get it over with – keep it short.

Cry – “Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.”

Being trapped in a cave and having your life completely disrupted is very difficult. Long dark lonely nights in a damp cave can take an emotional toll on a person. The natural way to release emotional pain is to cry out. The Psalmist cried out.

I can think of another innocent Man Who was brutally treated and cried out to God in His agony. His Name was Jesus and He was the Son of God, Who became your Savior. He cried out from the Cross and complained to His Father.

Frankly, most people these days, including Christians bail on their commitments at this point. When they are feeling trapped and life is very uncomfortable they "cave in" rather than stand true to their commitment.

David cried and complained in the cave but did not cave on his commitment. Jesus cried and complained on the Cross but He did not cave-in. How about you? Are you feeling trapped and thinking about caving in on a commitment? This is where character is built and integrity shows. What will you do?

Calm Down and Connect - "LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Once the Psalmist dealt with his ragged emotions and calmed down, he fixed his focus back on His God and reconnected with his faith. He remembered why he had committed to God in the first place. Just when he felt like getting out he got back in. The good news is that when we can't leave the cave, God can come to us! He can comfort and encourage and strengthen so we don't cave in on our commitments.

 

If you have feeling trapped in a faith commitment or a family commitment or a financial commitment - you don't have to cave in. The Psalmist proves it!