February 16, 2013

^"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18

 

Have you ever seen God?

 

Have you ever seen a soul?

 

Neither have I, although I feel like I have been close as I have sat at the bedside of saints who slipped away into eternity.

 

Pause for a moment and think about the important truth communicated in these verses. As Christ-followers we fix our focus on developing something that we cannot see (our soul) in order to please and prepare for Someone we have never seen (our God).

 

No wonder faith is so important!

 

How timely is this study we are embarking upon over the next 40+ days because we will be focusing like a laser on the significance of the soul.

 

The challenge of living for the invisible is dealing with distractions of the visible. The truths of the eternal are obscured by the temporary troubles of life. Life is the clash of two realities - the physical and the spiritual or, the momentary and the eternal. We live in both realities but must decide which one we will live for. Faith is focusing on spiritual realities in the world of the physical.

 

Our physical existence is fraught with pain and suffering. All pain and suffering is allowed by God to develop our faith since it forces you to choose which reality you will permit to define your circumstance. Will you let the pain define your faith or will you, by faith, focus through your pain and see the real and eternal world? The purpose of our temporary suffering is to strengthen our faith by choosing to rest our invisible soul in the presence of an invisible God.

 

This truth is expressed well by the writer of Herbrews in describing the faith of Jesus during His earthly trials, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

 

Our soul is our escape hatch from the painful realities of the physical to the powerful realities of faith! Without our soul our pain WOULD be our reality with no hope of anything better. The invisible soul God gave us lifts us above the temporary until we arrive in the eternal.

 

How is your soul! Will you allow that which you have never seen to help you focus on the invisible?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 15, 2013

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

 

Well, you are already reaping the benefits of this 40+ Day emphasis!

 

How so?

 

Your preacher has been convicted already! Yes, already! This early into the study it has already stomped on all ten of my toes!

 

In reading and watching the video for Sunday service and LIFE group Steve DeNeff made me squirm when he made the point that so many Christians (aka - preachers) have focused so hard on "saving" souls they have failed to adequately teach on the signficance of the soul. It is necessary to teach both to emphasize the importance of each.

 

This is my moment of shame and I won't drag you into it by asking you if you have ever done the same.

 

Ouch! Thank you Holy Spirit! It hurts so good!

 

I have repented of this error and will begin mid-course corrections immediately. Hopefully you will benefit as I refocus my teaching and preaching for the next couple of months.

 

By implication, Jesus makes it sound like losing your soul would be the worst possible loss. He makes a strong value statement when He claims that "gaining the whole world" is not worth losing your soul over.

Do I REALLY believe that?

Do you?

When I stand back and look at how I actually live my life does the evidence show that I value my soul more than I do acquiring and accomplishing worldly gain? As I think about how I spend my time, my money and my energy am I investing in my soul or in my status?

What am I giving in exchange for my soul?

That makes me re-evaluate the significance of my soul. It makes me seriously re-examine my priorities, my passions and my purpose. I have and I will continue to do so!

Does that qualify as a "soulshift"?




 

February 14, 2013

"the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Genesis 2:7

 

Nowadays the word "soul" is often attached to a type of food or a genre of music.

 

While I have no problem with either of those and like both, it is deeply troubling that our understanding of the soul is so limited and lacking.

 

How can you fully appreciate the significance of salvation and the demand for discipleship until you capture the concept of the soul?

 

You can't, so you'd better!

 

In yesterday's post I shared the OT word for "soul". In the New Testament, the Greek word for "soul" is transliterated as "psuche" or "psyche." We will use "psuche". This word occurs over 100 times in the New Testament. Combine the OT and NT references and you will find 850 "soul" scriptures.

 

Add to that number the other synonyms used in conjunction with the soul. Consider:

 

"Heart" is synonymous with soul and refers to the seat and source of your emotions. Your "heart"  is where you set your desires. (Luke 10:27)

 

"Mind" refers to the bias that forms your thoughts and your attitudes. Your "mind" includes your assumptions and your predispositions. You could say it is the "mind behind your mind."

(Colossians 3:2; Romans 12:1-2; Luke 10:27)

 

"Spirit" is the image of God within you. It is what gives life to your soul. It is where God desires to dwell and rule.

 

Your soul (heart, mind and spirit) is the core of your being and the essential you. Your soul is what forms at the instant of conception and endures eternally. The destination of your soul depends on the decisions you make during life. It is your soul that slips into eternity at the moment your body dies.

 

Jesus, as you would expect, posed the most poignant question in regard to the soul when He challenged, " For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul." Mark 8:36

 

How is it with your soul?

 

 

 

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!