February 13, 2013

'And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.'  Genesis 2:7

The church I attended in my adolescent and early teen years had only one exit. And each Sunday my pastor would strategically position himself in that foyer between me and the front door. It was humanly impossible to leave the service without receiving a firm handshake and the probing, often convicting question, "Brad, how is it with your soul?"

It wasn't always so good with my soul and it was even worse after I lied to the preacher by saying it was. He knew I was lying and I knew that he knew I was lying. It isn't easy to lie to your pastor but I am ashamed to admit I got used to it. I never got good at lying but it wasn't from lack of effort and experience.

Sorry, Pastor Ralph.

Decades later I am grateful that I can truthfully  affirm that it is good with my soul! In fact, it is very good! And these many years later I am thankful that I learned early in life that I have a soul and what happens to that soul really matters.

What more important topic to discuss in the beginning of this Soulshift" study than to talk about the soul?

What is the soul? Beyond some metaphysical or spiritual definition, what is the soul, why does it matter, and what  must I know about it?

We know it came from God because the Scriptural account states God breathed it into us. So, the soul is our original connection with God. It was His image and His life shared with shared with us!

Shall we consider some definitions for the soul?

"The soul designates the physical life. Vitality in all of its breadth and width of meaning is meant by the soul. The Hebrew word in Genesis 2:7 is "nephesh" and it's basic meaning is throat." Holman's Bible Dictionary

Isn't it neat to think that life entered into man through the throat and the things that sustain life enter through the throat? Doesn't it give new meaning to the idea of "hungering and thirsting after God"?

Words of praise and prayer and petition and proclamation pass forth from where(?) - the throat! Cursing and blasphemies also come from the throat.

The word "soul", referring to human beings occurs in the Old Testament 755 times! So, it is a very important concept! To appreciate the importance of this "Soulshift" study I want to make sure you are clear on the meaning and significance of the soul.

Pastor Ralph's soul is rejoicing in heaven right now, so I will ask in his stead, "How is it with your soul?"



 

February 12, 2013

 ^"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." II Corinthians 5:17

 

It is human nature for a person to want to be different and yet resist change. The absurdity of this contradiction seems fairly obvious and yet you and I try to find ways to avoid the pain of change.

 

We want our spouse to change so our marriage will be different. But we won't change - unless we eventually change spouses.

 

We want the boss or a co-worker to change so work will be differerent. All the while we steadfastly refuse to make any changes.

When we feel like we are spiritually stagnant we pray that the church will be different or the pastor will change so we can feel different. If that difference doesn't happen then we change churches.

The great John Maxwell said, "People change when they hurt enough that they have to, learn enough that they want to, or receive enough that they are able to."

 

If you are honest with yourself you will admit that your life is different than it was just a year ago. You have changed and your life has changed and there was not much you could have done to prevent those changes.

 

In the next couple of months you will be confronted with seven change points or "soulshifts'. Every week you will learn how to change and receive enough to enable you to change. Each "soulshift" will be a chance to change and each will have the potential to make a positive difference in your spiritual life. You may not need to change at all seven points but each change you make will make a difference.

 

Actually, you will be different even if you refuse to change. It will not be a good change, but you will change.

 

So, since you will be changing why not allow God's "soulshifts" to happen in your life?

 

Begin today by reading the preface to "Soulshift".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 11, 2013

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited." Romans 12:16
 

Here is a great example of harmony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsCp5LG_zNE
 

The Scripture says, "Live in harmony with one another". Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live with a harmony that was as beautiful as that? Well, that is exactly what God calls us to do! And we certainly cannot do it without the AMAZING GRACE of God!

 

How can this happen?

Get In Tune

Harmony is a matter of getting in tune with God! He is the Music and He is the Maestro! Until you harmonize with Him you will ever be out of tune with life, and love and hope! The inspiring music you just enjoyed happened because all the musicians got in tune with each other and the musical score.

Get Your Tone

Harmony is a matter finding your tone. Each of those lovely Irish ladies sang a separate part. One was a soprano, one was a second soprano, one was an alto, and one sang the melody. In the orchestra, each instrument has a unique sound and different notes that when played correctly blended into beautiful music.

Similarly, in the church each believer has unique gifts and talents that must be recognized, acknowledged and committed in concert with other believers in the church. When each plays his part, the church makes inspiring music for the glory of God!

Get His Timing

Every song has a time signature. For the music to work, the tune must be correct and in tone and then done together with the proper timing. The notes and the words must all be played and sung together at the same time and in the right way!

If this analogy makes sense to you, understand that it is a beautiful illustration of the Church!

Wouldn't you love for your church to make inspiring music like this? Music that inspires love! Music that inspires hope! Music that draws others to Christ!

Is your life in tune with God?

February 10, 2013

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited." Romans 12:16

You don't have to be an expert in music to appreciate the importance of harmony. Even an untrained ear can hear when the music doesn't mesh!

First of all, you wouldn't want to listen to an orchestra consisting entirely of one type of instruments. One violin is beautiful when played properly. Even several of them when played harmoniously. But an entire orchestra made up of violins would grow tedious rather quickly.

Even worse, would be an orchestra made up entirely of violins and everyone of them playing out of tune.

When you listen to an orchestra or a choral group you expect to hear instruments or voices lifted in harmony. All the instruments or all the voices meld into one glorious sound, full and rich. It is a thing of beauty! It touches the soul!

But when you go to a concert prepared to be inspired by the music you notice right away if one of the voices or one of the instruments is out of tune or off key. The fine music of the many is spoiled by the lack of harmony by one.

Harmony is many blending their talents together into one beautiful result. It is what a local church is supposed to be. When each member plays his part so as to blend with the parts of the others in harmony, you have an example of what God wants His Church to be like. When that happens those people make beautiful music that is like a masterpiece in God's ears.

Harmony is preserved and protected by humility.

How so?

Each member of the orchestra must agree to play his part and only his part, nothing more or less. Perhaps there is a brief solo piece somewhere in the score for the concert, but a the beautiful music is realized when each member plays his music in a way that blends with the other instruments.

That is how God designed His church. It is not a place for solos or for stars to perform. It is a fellowship of God-lovers presenting a concert of love in unity with His Spirit and one another. At the heart of the harmony is humility.

The Church of Jesus Christ is better when each of us blend with all of us! When I humbly honor you and merge my talents with yours we hit all the right notes for God and He is glorified!



February 9, 2013

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Romans 12:16

For the past several weeks we have been studying about spiritual peace. This section of Romans 12 mentions three aspects of this peace:

Giving grace not holding grudges, V. 14
Empathizing with other's emotions, V. 15
Humility helps with harmony, V. 16

These spiritual characteristics are significant be cause they promote peace and unity within a church fellowship. But even more so because they show evidence that you have found spiritual peace within.

The fact that you can extend grace to someone who has hurt you shows a spiritual maturity that comes only from the Holy Spirit.

And being able to celebrate the joys of others as sincerely as you celebrate your own and being able to bear the pain of others is a sure sign of spiritual maturity.

Unless you have arrived at a point of peace and contentment in the Holy Spirit, you will not be able to live like this.

Humility is the third quality of a spiritual person. For the next several posts we are going to think about humility and come to a better understanding of why it is so important within a fellowship of believers.

My favorite definition of humility comes from Dr. Elton Trueblood, the great Quaker scholar and theologian. He wrote, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, humility is not thinking of yourself at all."

If humility is anything, it is certainly removing your self interest from the spiritual equations of your life. It is being delivered from the natural human inclination to ask, "What's in it for me?" Humility is "seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness". Humility is factoring how you can benefit your brother or your sister.

Humility is a clear indication that your "flesh" has been crucified and that His love rules in your heart.

How do you measure on the humility scale?

Have you removed your self interest to the perimeter of your life?

Are your actions showing evidence that you "love God with all your heart and all your soul and your neighbor as yourself?"

Will you humbly assess your heart today?

February 8, 2013

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

It is easy to say, "I love you." But how can you be sure if someone really does love you?

Let's learn from the original Lover, the best Lover, the source of all love - God.

God teaches us that love must be proved by a sacrificial demonstration of true commitment. And if love is anything, it is a commitment! One indication of commitment is cost. What are you willing to pay to prove your love? How did God demonstrate His?

First, through creation!

Can you view a stunning sunset and not see divine love?

Can you look at a Spring landscape and miss the message?

Can you hold a newborn and not appreciate what inspired such a miracle?

Can you stargaze into a moonlit sky and not recognize the love behind it?

Creation surely demonstrates a supernatural love. But while it is proof of His creativity it didn't cost Him anything.

Then, through Christ!

If you ever had a long-distance relationship you know it is hard to love that way. Love is better when it is up close and personal.

Through the creation of man, God demonstrated that He desired a personal relationship with him. And before that love was rejected by disobedience, Adam walked and talked with God and experienced the love of God up close and personal. But sin resulted in a long-distance relationship.

So, once again, God demonstrated His desire for a personal relationship by coming in person. Jesus, God's Son, the Word of God, put on flesh and came to dwell among us! He was "Emmanuel" - "God with us"!

Love was demonstrated by a precious gift. Jesus left the splender and security of Heaven and slipped into flesh and blood so He could get personally involved with loving us. During His brief visit to earth He demonstrated daily what the love of God looks like.

Then, Through the Cross!

The ultimate and undeniable proof of God's love was death on the cross. What higher commitment could you demonstrate than dying for one you love? What greater cost can you pay than substituting your life for the one you love?

And that is what Christ's death was! It was a substitutionary death for you! You were sentenced to die in the sin that separated you from a Holy God. But Jesus suffered death for you! Though He was innocent He assumed your guilt. He bore the guilt and the penalty for your sins. He took rejection so you could be accepted into a personal relationship with God!

There can be no doubt that God loves you! And, He loved you first! And He loved you when you were lost and unloveable!

God can do no more than He has done to demonstrate how much He loves you!

So, how can you demonstrate your love for Him?

Receive that love by faith! It is a gift purchased for you and offered to you. Jesus is God's valentine to you, how can you refuse it?

February 7, 2013

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Romans 12:14-16

One of the first disillusioning experiences of my ministry happened in my first meeting with fellow pastors in my area. Prior to prayer we were sharing concerns. Several of them were facing some very tough situations and asked to be supported by their brothers. Each of them was met with great empathy, compassion and heartfelt prayer.

When it came my turn to share, things had been going well with my church and my people so I shared some praises giving God glory for what He had done. To my great disappointment my praises were met with a great lack of enthusiasm. In fact, the responses ranged from indifference to resentment. Nowadays we would say it was "awkward".

I left that meeting feeling sad that my brothers in ministry could not seem to find it in their heart to share in my rejoicing. I was not sharing those things to brag, I wanted to praise God for His faithfulness. It hurt when they acted as they did. As I worked through my disappointment, I resolved that while I could do nothing to change how they responded to me, I would consciously celebrate with them whenever they shared victories. And, in the many years since, I have - always - every time. I did not want any other pastor to feel the disappointment I suffered that day.

For some reason, especially among pastors, there seems to be a spirit of competitiveness that exists. That spirit makes it hard to celebrate the successes of others. I have seen it happen between churches, too. Human egos can get in the way at times.

In this portion of Scripture we are reminded that God expects us to empathize with one another. When your heart is breaking, I weep with you.I share your pain and get involved in providing comfort. When you get a big win, I am to celebrate as though it happened to me!

May this be a reminder that God has not called us to compete with each other but to COMPLETE each other for His glory!

Are you competing or completing?