A Boy and A Man

I'm not much of a poet, don't really like poetry that much. But I've slowly added to this over the past few years and thought maybe I should put it somewhere that most no one will look but maybe will be saved. So here it is.  

A Boy and A Man

A Boy works because he is made to,

A Man works to serve others.

A Boy is given responsibilities,

A Man takes responsibility.
A Boy looks out only for himself,

A Man looks out for others.

A Boy depends on others to help him,

A Man is depended on by others for help.

A Boy looks for how little he can do,

A Man looks for the job to be complete.

A Boy makes excuses,

A Man sees his faults.

A Boy complains,

A Man is grateful for what he has.

A Boy thinks he did everything right,

A Man is always looking for ways to do it better.

A Boy sees himself as the final authority,

A Man recognizes the need for submission.

There are old boys and there are young men.

Which are you?

Christian Response To The World

Recently there have been many stories that pop up in the news that have lead to conflicting responses from many people. With the easy and constant access to media and social media many people form opinions and state their position. I don't think this is all together bad I it gives an opportunity for your opinion to be scrutinized and debated for different angles. The benefits of being published are now given to every person with a Facebook account and blog and within minutes of posting you can have hundreds if not thousands of comments and opinions. Some helpful and some a complete waste of cyberspace.

In light of situations like the abundance of children coming across the border, ISIS in Iraq, Hamas and Israel, and the conflict in Ferguson, MO I find myself asking what is the correct christian response. Not what is the conservative or liberal response, or even what is the best response to get our government back on track but as a follower of Christ what is the correct response in this situation and how can I encourage others in that way. 

Jesus gave us a picture of what life should be like and what it will be like when he comes to reign on earth. Before he got into the details of exactly what that kind of life looks and acts like he gave a summary list and said if you do these things you will be happy. Not our american you-just-ate-ice-cream happiness but a deep contented, satisfying, joyful, blessedness. That list is commonly referred to as the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5.

Next time you are listening to the news and hear about things happening around the world and are trying to figure out what your response should be in the matter, try looking up Matthew 5 and reading the first few verses and see how you can live the beatitudes out in your response. Are you being meek in your response or are you overbearing and forceful? Are you longing for righteousness or are you longing for constitutional resurrection? Are you seeking peace or do you just want the other guy put in his rightful place?

In the end, when you help the law-breaking kids at the border that need help people will hate you for helping them, when you say that more war is not the best answer people will  revile you, when you say that protesting in the streets and creating chaos is not the best way to find the truth, people will call you names and maybe lie about you. But we are ultimately called to love God and spread His truth not to get caught up in the latest and greatest news story and which side of the political line you fall on.

Chances are if you have the same opinion/reaction for the same reasons as the majority of the other political parties out there, it's probably the wrong one. God's way is not natural, is not selfish or self-serving. It also cannot be forced or legislated it has to come from a heart of faith in God. Forced charity is not helpful to the giver or receiver. The giver will despise the receiver for taking what was not his and the receiver will despise the giver for not willingly giving up what is entitled to him.

14 Responsibilities of a Faithful Father

In Sunday school we have been going through the book of Titus. Our teacher was going through the section on  the qualifications of an elder. While doing this he pointed out the the responsibilities of an elder are very similar to the responsibilities of a father. I thought I would post the list as it was a good reminder. Also I'm very grateful to have a father that fulfilled these responsibilities well. 

Responsibilities of a Faithful Father:

•       To love them unconditionally.

•       To be concerned for their well-being.

•       To develop the relationship with them.

•       To pray for them.

•       To serve as an example in doctrine and life.

•       To provide biblical instruction.

•       To guide them through conflicts and difficult decisions.

•       To give spiritual comfort during trials.

•       To warn and protect them from danger.

•       To pursue them when they stray.

•       To lovingly discipline them when they become rebellious.

•       To labor to restore them when they fail.

•       To call them to maturity.

•       To prepare them for their future responsibilities.

How we should act as Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Dealing with emotional situations is difficult for anyone. In the fullness of the moment it is easy to forget how we are challenged to act as brothers and sisters in Christ and turn to our own selfish desires. Because of that tendency and because we all claim Christ as our savior and are striving toward perfection and glorification I believe it is fitting to include a reminder of our responsibility to Christ and others.

All to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31)

There are many reasons to care for people in their time of need but our foremost reason is because it is glorifying to God to help those in need. Our objective in everything we do should be to glorify God through it. The decisions we make, the advice we give, the care and support we give should be filtered through the lens of; “Is it glorifying to God?”

Submit ourselves to one another (Eph 5:21)

We would all have great benefit in reading Ephesians  4 and 5 as we go through conflict and difficulties. We are all Christians saved by grace and should act as such. A great leader or caretaker is humble, preferring others before themselves, being thoughtful in their service to others. There may be times of anger but taking care to not let the sun down on that anger. People tend to avoid problems in hope it will go away but we should seek to resolve and restore the relationship with those around us.

Confess and repent of your sin and seek out to resolve conflict (Matt 5:23-24)

This is a crucial step in the life of a Christian that is often avoided or even advised against. Do not expect to go to church, serve in ministry and live a Christ honoring life when you know someone has something against you. Don’t just say you are sorry or apologize to skirt around the issue. If you have sinned against some else then say it. “I did this, it was sinful for me to do it, I will take steps to not do it in the future”. True repentance doesn't just stop a thief from stealing; they will start giving things back.

Love God and others (1 John 3:16)

This is a great verse because it is only through Christ that we can know love. Look to Christ for how to love correctly. As your relationship with Christ grows stronger so will your love for others. It is through our love for each other that people see Christ displayed in our lives. People should look at our lives and see how well the church pulls together and helps each other out and know that it is not normal. 

Discerning the Will of God

This is a difficult topic to discuss not so much because the Bible does not give clear direction as much as there are so many different thoughts and expectations that it is difficult to not to give the wrong impression.  For that same reason it is a vitally important topic to take about. How do I know what the will of God is for my life? Young people especially struggle with this question as they are making vital life changing decisions. The scripture I want to reference is Rom 12:1-2 but before I do I want to talk about God’s will in a general sense.

Two wills of God

I believe the Bible refers to two types of God’s will. God is in control of everything and nothing happens outside of His control and knowledge. That would be God’s decreed will.  There is also God’s will of obedience. Throughout the Bible God reveals to us his desire for us in everything we do from morality, to how we view and worship God, to how we view and treat others. I believe these verses are talking about God’s will of obedience for a number of reasons which for time I will not go into right now.

Transformation Takes Work

When we were saved we became new creatures in Christ. Our hearts were changed and we have a desire by faith to please and glorify God but God is still in the process of making us to be like Christ. Phil 2:12-13 tells us to work out what God has worked in. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is accomplished by God, through His word. As we read God’s word and come to understand Him better we change our minds to think like He does and to have the desires that He has. Filling our minds with God’s word will show us who he is in any giving situation.

Know God’s Will by Testing and Discerning

Knowing and understanding God’s will does not come by meditating on nothing and waiting for it to come. Do not sit around trying to attribute your own thoughts and feelings to a spiritual voice to discern God’s will. Never in the Bible do you see someone struggling with discerning whether or not God audibly has spoken to them. And never is that spoken word incorrect or inconsequential to their life or the life of others. If God speaks to you directly He will do it such a way that there was no doubt that God has spoken. God has shown us through His word how we are to discern His will for every area of life and never does it involve mysticism, clearing your mind or chanting the same phrase, song or verse over and over. Next I will cover 4 practical and Biblical ways of testing and discerning the will of God and what is good, acceptable, and perfect. 

Testing through Scripture

I would argue this is the single most important tool for discerning God’s will. Anything and everything else should be viewed through the filter of scripture. That is why it is so important for us to be constantly in God’s word, being transformed and renewing our minds. This type of transformation comes from a deep understanding of God’s word in the context of the whole Bible. It takes time, work and prayer to understand God’s word and how to apply it to your life. Years of time, study and experience which leads me into item two.

2

            Spiritual Advice/Counseling

Spiritual advice can be very helpful from someone who is outside of the situation. But be very careful who you go to for this advice. The Bible mentions in several places about the younger women going to the older women and younger men to the older men or elders for advice. Godly advice can provide a different perspective on your situation. Be careful as bad advice can be just as detrimental as good advice can be helpful.

3 

            Prompting and peace of the Holy Spirit

I almost hesitate to even mention this because of the heavy emphasis on mysticism in the church today. At the same time I believe it can be an important factor in discerning God’s will. I would not look at this as a reason as much as assurance of the right direction. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If you are grounded firmly in God’s will you should be demonstrating these characteristics. If you are lacking peace, faithfulness, joy etc. then you should look at your life and see why the fruit of the Spirit is lacking in your life. Maybe it is due to decisions you have made or maybe it is because you believe something about God that isn’t true. It may be a small decision of what you believe about a situation or a big decision of being engaged to a certain person without careful thought. The Spirit’s prompting will come through scripture not a feeling, a voice, or goose bumps.

Be weary of the people that tell you to just sit and listen for God's voice, to clear your mind, or even chant scripture over and over to where it becomes a thoughtless process. The Bible never tells us to look within ourselves, our heart, or our own mind for answers but to look to God, His word and to those who are wise in the faith. 

Small Things are Big to God

I was recently reading through the stories of Elisha in the book of 2 kings. You Version had a 13 day reading plan with a small devotional for each section and when through the life and miracles of Elisha. The devotional portion was interesting although I disagreed with the main premise behind the devotionals it was insightful and thought provoking. What struck me more than anything else while reading through the life of Elisha was how meaningless it seemed in the grand scheme of things. You have Elisha the shadow of Elijah who confronted King Ahab multiple times and demonstrated the greatness of God before the prophets of Baal. He stopped rain on the nation for 3 years as God’s judgment on Israel and at a word made it to rain again, and doesn't even die he gets taken up in a whirlwind. What could be more amazing than the life of Elijah?

Enter Elisha. He burns his plows, sacrifices his oxen and follows after Elijah with a fervent dedication. When asked what he wants he doesn't hold back and asks for a double portion of the power of Elijah. Who has the confidence to say I want everything you have plus double because I’ll know what to do with it? And yet, God gives it to him. You have Elisha, with amazing power, faith, and dedication. His high school would have voted him most likely to do something amazing.

As I read through the stories and miracles, of which there are many, I began to see a pattern. God uses this faithful man not to proclaim to kingdoms,  to bring down kings, to win mighty battles for the nation of Israel, God uses him in the most unlikely and strange places. God, through Elisha is gracious to an unnamed man by making his borrowed ax head float. God ministers to a unnamed widow and her son by providing them bread and restoring her sons life. Elisha did heal one captain of an army from a different nation but to no know benefit to anyone but that captain. Finally God brings another unknown man back to life after touching Elisha’s bones.

Many would see this life and think, what a waste. Elisha, a man of great faith with the spirit of 2 Elijah’s and God uses him to show His love to individuals. Maybe the small things in life are much more important to God than we can ever dream. Maybe the most powerful, dynamic thing we can do sometimes is fed someone in need in the name of Jesus. God will raise up Elijah’s who will perform great and mighty things, but that does not mean they are any more important than the person who prays for a sick family member and provides comfort. The small things are just as, if not more important than the big things. 

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People

Here I am sitting on a plane at a time when I would generally be getting ready for bed plagued by a question from my sister in-law earlier in the day. Why do bad things happen to good people? Not an easy question to resolve in a short amount of time but in my best rambling fashion I did my best at a semi concise, cohesive answer that most likely left the listener in much of the same state if not worse than when I started. With a plethora of time on my hands and a desire to put thoughts on paper I hope to provide a slightly clearer response to this question.

Before getting started I would like to throw out a disclaimer of sorts. First, that I have not been through the dire and distressing times that so many go through in these days. I have not known the death of close relatives and friends, I have not known deep debilitating depression, and I am not close to anyone who has battled day and night, month to month with cancer or another devastating illness. If you have been through distressing times my heart and love goes out to you. At the very least I know that it is not easy, that some fight moment by moment to continue and that hope though not easily found is a fountain of joy when it arrives. I desire that nothing I write belittles your pain but brings hope in a God that truly is in control and desires the best for your life.

To answer the question of “Why do bad things happen to good people?” I believe you must first review your terms closely. I believe the Bible is the ultimate source of truth and that is the source from which I will define my terms. In this question I believe it is best to work backwards through the question addressing the subject first; good people.

Typically the thought process behind the question follows the logic that there are some people who make an effort to be good. They treat others fairly well, they give to charity, they go out of their way to help others, and they live a fairly good life. Most would consent that maybe they don’t do everything right, they mess up but in the end they are good people who live honest lives and care about others. First and foremost, regardless of experience and philosophy the Bible must be the source of truth so we must look at what does the Bible say on the matter of good people.  It doesn’t take much study through the Bible before we realize that no one is good. Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, David talking of being sinful in the womb in the Psalms, countless times of men being left to their own devices only to reject God. I would argue that even the most upright action from an unbelieving person is at best only in an effort ultimately to do the right thing for them and not for God revealing the selfishness of their heart. Hebrews states that without faith nothing is pleasing to God.

That still leaves the question of why would bad things happen to people to do believe in God, who do trust and obey and try to live to the glory of God, people who are not righteous in themselves but are made righteous through Jesus Christ. Why would bad things happen to them? That leads us to the next section of the statement. What are the “bad things” that happen to these good people? This is where I find nowhere to turn but faith and trust in Jesus Christ because it does not always make sense to me. He ultimately knows what we need and has our best interest in mind. Romans 8 it says that God works all things out for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Verses 29 and 30 go on to explain what that purpose is; to make us into the likeness of Christ. To make us, like Christ. That is a hard verse to swallow at times. When you are going through depression, deep loss, or illness how do you trust that God will work it out for your good? My only answer is faith in future grace based on past grace. God saved me, He brought me this far, I know His work is true so I will have faith that He will bring me through this trail more like Christ than previously. Although the trial may be more than I can bare, His strength is shown through my weakness. It is not a feeling at this point, it is not something to be reasoned, it is pure unadulterated faith that His word is true. I pray that God would bring comfort to anyone going through a situation like this currently and pray that God would be able to use you mightily in the future because of it.

The last part of the question is, why. I don’t know that we will ever fully know the answer to why. Job tried asking that question and found out that it was too much for him to handle. The God of the universe, who does all things justly, who holds the earth in his hand is supposed to reduce the awesome complexity of why this one thing was allowed to happen to you? Can you imagine all the small details and reasons and unknown situations that lead up to, and resulted out of each and every decision and situation? First and foremost I think the answer is who are we to question God, and yet David and Job did just that. I don’t think it is wrong to ask, and many times God may provide at least a partial answer. It is when we believe we need, deserve or have earned an answer that our self-righteousness becomes prominent.

To wrap up my answer to the question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  1) No one is good except God. 2) God allows bad things for His purposes. Why do bad things happen in general is another blog post but for now it is enough to say that those bad things are allowed and that God will work it out for good in the lives of Christians. Sometimes the evil prospers, sometimes the righteous struggle but God holds all things in His hands. That should be comforting to those who trust in Him. 3) It is not always for us to understand why, but we can know that God will perfect those who are saved into His likeness.