Thursday, February 23, 2017

Falling in Love With God’s Word

“The greatest need in the church today is for God’s people to fall in love with His word.”
“The greatest need in the church today is for God’s people to fall in love with His Word.”

Most folks are familiar with the King James Version of the Bible that was published in 1611. It was truly a “world-changing” book as it brought God’s Word into the common language.
Around the same time, in 1602 in Spain, Cipriano de Valera revised the 1569 translation into Spanish by Casiodoro de Reina and it is as much of a mainstay to the Spanish-speaking world as the KJV is the English-speaking world. The Reina-Valera translation was known as “La Biblia del Oso” or “The Bible of the Bear” because the title page showed a picture of a bear trying to reach a container of honeycombs hanging from a tree. This picture perfectly captured the desire of believers for the Word of God.

Throughout history, many have struggled and even died for their passion for God’s Word. Governments have banned it. Political machinery has burned it. Popular opinion has said it’s old-fashioned and outmoded. Political correctness has said it’s mean spirited and intolerant. But it’s still the only thing that brings peace in the midst of the storm, that quiets the savage heart, that expresses the loving feelings of a loving God for His highest creation. We need to fall in love with God’s Word!

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, and it has a lot to say about God’s word. It contains many verses, but I’m going to focus on just five examples from that Psalm of how a love for God’s word can help us.

IT GIVES US A CLEAR MIND.

Ps. 119:97 says, “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” What we love, we love to think about. So often, we seem to struggle with clouded thinking. We have a hard time making decisions and can be overwhelmed by options. Some might even feel like they’re sinking, struggling with depression, or wandering about lacking direction. All this is directly traceable to the battleground for our souls: the mind!

In Rom 8:6 Paul shows that the mind can go either way, the flesh or the Spirit! In 2 Cor. 4:4 he shows that Satan blinds the minds of the unbelieving. That’s why it’s so important that we grasp the truth of Rom 12:2 where it says we need to be renewed in our mind, then we’ll understand what the will of God is.

The promise of the peace of God guarding our mind is wonderful. Phil 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” But we need to continue renewing our minds. That’s why Ps 119:97 is so important. To keep that clear mind, we have to LOVE God’s word.

IT KEEPS US FROM BEING DOUBLE-MINDED.

Psalm 119:113 says, “I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Thy law.” Double-mindedness (or divided allegiances) can be a major problem in the life of the believer. It’s a sign of a carnal, weak, immature believer, one who has made allegiances to more than one cause. Jesus articulated this truth in Matt. 6:24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other…” It’s very plain. You cannot serve two masters. But some try!

In 2 Tim. 2:4 Paul speaks of enlisted soldiers and their need to not be entangled with the things of the world so that they can please their superior officers. We need to watch out for entanglements. The more we love the law of God, the more watchful we shall be, to make sure we’re not drawn from what we love.

IT KEEPS US FROM FALSEHOOD.

Psalm 119:163 says, “I hate and despise falsehood, But I love Thy law.” One of the biggest problems in life is lying. It’s one of the Big Ten Sins (aka, “The Ten Commandments”)! It is such a significant issue that God included it in the ten most important areas of our lives that need watching over. Many people struggle with it… and unfortunately, some have become so callous and accustomed to lying that it doesn’t even bother them anymore.

But God HATES lying! The scriptures are full of reminders about this. (Ps 5:6; 101:7; Prov. 6:16-19; 12:22; Rev 21:27) If you recall, the first time God dealt with sin in the New Testament church in a big way was regarding THIS sin (re: Ananias & Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11). Paul warned the church about this area. (Col. 3:9) One way to stay away from this danger zone is to LOVE God’s word!

IT GIVES US GREAT PEACE.

Psalm 119:165a says, “Those who love Thy law have great peace...” One of man’s greatest needs is peace. We can live without many things, but we go crazy if we can’t find some peace and quiet every now and then. (Am I the only one who has “Calgon, take me away!” moments? Or even remembers the commercial?) But those who love God’s word have an inner peace that others often don’t understand.

Phil 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is what Corrie ten Boom had in the concentration camps of WWII. This is what Richard Wurmbrand had when he was tortured for Christ in a Romanian prison. This is what the Christian martyrs down through the ages have had as their cornerstone. This is what we need, when making decision, with faced with difficult circumstances, when sailing uncharted waters. It’s promised us in God’s word!!!

IT KEEPS US FROM STUMBLING.

We already looked at the first part of this verse, but here’s Psalm 119:165 in its entirety: “Those who love Thy law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.” One of the biggest fears of new believers is, “What if I stumble?” That reminds me of the song by DCTalk of the same name, “What If I Stumble.” It speaks of a desire for holiness and the concern about letting down the people who are watching us. It’s a legitimate concern.

The good news for us is that even if we stumble, we will not fall. Speaking of the righteous man who loves God’s law, David writes, “though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him in His hand.” (Ps 37:24 NIV) And the wisest man in the world (before Jesus) said “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…” (Prov 24:16 NIV) This is the power of God’s Word in our lives - it keeps us from falling and picks us up when we stumble! In fact, Jesus’ brother, Jude, actually wrote that God is able to to keep you from stumbling…” (Jude 1:24 NASB) If you love God’s word, you are stumble-free!

FALL IN LOVE WITH GOD’S WORD … AGAIN!

If you’re not already making God’s word a daily part of your life, why not start to change that right now? If you’ve been following my blog or some of what I’ve been sharing on Facebook, you know that I’m a big advocate of YouVersion’s devotional reading plans. They’re an easy way to pick up a very positive habit! You don’t have to commit to reading the Bible 7 hours a day! Start out with a small sampling. Find something that speaks to you. Savor it. Enjoy it. And keep coming back for more!

Sometimes you just have to do it! You have to take the first step. Make a choice, from this day forward, you’re going to LOVE God’s word!

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Growing In Security


In my Facebook Bible Reading group, we just finished a 12-day devotional plan called In_Security: Break Free from What Holds You Back. I didn't want this one to end! It has truly been one of my favorites in the several years I've been using the YouVersion Bible app. It has spoken so much life to my heart, and I know it’s been meaningful to others in the group as well. This reading plan directly attacked the issue of insecurity in our lives and challenged us to grow in God's security.

I believe that security essentially starts with a healthy self-identity, independent of what others say or think. In John’s account of the Last Supper, we get a glimpse of just how secure Jesus was.

Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him.”
(John 13:3-5 NLT) (emphasis mine!)

Because Jesus knew who He was (“Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything”), where He came from (“Jesus knew … that He had come from God”), and where He was going (“Jesus knew … that He would return to God”), He was able to humble Himself to serve. He wasn’t so wrapped up in His own insecurities that he needed to BE served, but instead He was secure in His identity and was able to serve others.

That goes against what our culture tells us. Have you ever watched the show “Undercover Boss?” It was a “reality TV” series where CEOs or other top level executives went undercover in their own organizations doing entry level work. The shock value of the program’s premise worked in large part because those who are successful and secure in the world’s eyes are usually seen (and often see themselves) as being “above” that type of work.

But Jesus isn’t an undercover boss… He’s the Revealed Savior! Washing the Apostles’ feet was just one example of an entire life lived in the kind of humility and service that only comes from true security.

“Though He was God,
   He did not think of equality with God
   as something to cling to.
Instead, He gave up his divine privileges;
   He took the humble position of a slave
   and was born as a human being.
When He appeared in human form,
   He humbled himself in obedience to God
   and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
(Philippians 2:6-8 NLT)

Insecure people have a hard time serving in humility. Their insecurity causes them to fear being seen as "less.” One of Satan's greatest tactics when it comes to planting seeds of insecurity, is to make us question our identity and worth. If we're not sure of who we are, we'll constantly be looking for affirmation and validation from others. It can come out in people-pleasing tendencies, but it can also be seen in our willingness to put others down in order to make ourselves look better. We can become preoccupied with worrying about how others perceive us and trying to carefully craft and control a façade to impress them or influence their opinions of us.

I remember my mom saying to someone who was struggling with this, "Honey, you're so wrapped up in what you think people are thinking about you. But people just don't think about you as much as you think they're thinking about you!" Interesting, no?

We need to be set free from the prison of what we *think* people are thinking.

But there's another issue here as well. Sometimes what we think others are thinking is actually a projection of our own negativity, our own struggle. As a young missionary I was often bothered by my fellow missionary's apparent selfish behavior. Every time we ate at a restaurant together, if he offered the prayer to bless the food it seemed as soon as he said "Amen," his hand was already reaching for the ketchup bottle.

I was complaining to the Lord about his selfishness when I heard the Lord whisper that the only reason I was worried about his selfishness was because I was selfish! OUCH! Sometimes the truth hurts – but that was a truth I needed to hear. I never worried about his ketchup bottle again!

At the beginning of his Gospel, John tells us that Jesus was "full of grace and truth." That's an amazing and powerful combination. And they need to come in equal parts. Too much grace (or grace alone) never deals with the problems that need correcting. Too much truth (or truth alone) deals so harshly and severely with the problem that there's hardly any room for correction. So we need the right combination of truth and grace - truth to reveal the problem, and grace to empower change.

But here’s another great truth: It’s not enough to know the truth, we must apply it! The devo author used an analogy of a delicious, healthy meal. It does you no good unless you eat it. You can look at it, smell it, admire it, take pictures of it, tell others about it - but unless you eat it, you get none of the nutrients, none of the benefits.

So it is with God's Word. We can read it, tweet it, put plaques of it in our walls - but unless we believe it and act on it, we get none of the benefits. And just like in the example of the healthy meal, it’s not enough to eat once and assume you’re covered for an extended time! Growing in a relationship with God is a process. It requires daily attention. Security comes from having a healthy relationship with God. And that’s a process, not an event, not something we’ll ever be “done” with on this side of heaven.

I love the picture of this being a process, not a destination. That's encouraging because while we can find freedom from insecurity in one area we can still struggle in another. And if we’re not careful, that second struggle can make us feel like we've failed. But we should celebrate every victory as we continue to take every thought captive to the obedience is Christ!

You're not who you were. Hallelujah! But you're not who you're going to be, either. So keep growing, keep pressing forward, keeping leaning in to truth, and keep walking in every freedom Jesus gives you. You'll walk from truth to truth, from freedom to freedom, from victory to victory. And you'll live in the security that Jesus has provided for you. No more insecurity, but rather living securely, Growing In Security!

Thursday, February 09, 2017

God’s Perfect Peace



“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.”
(Is 26:3 NASB)

When all is going well, it’s easy to read this scripture in a very superficial way. But it was given to Israel in a dark period of her history. That makes it even more precious to us. The Bible doesn’t promise that we’ll be free from troubles, wars, trials, temptations, tears and sorrows in life. God promises something better. He promises peace in the midst of the storm. In the fiercest of battles, while the storm is at its height, the trusting soul can know inward peace and tranquility. There can be a deep down calm and quiet confidence. How much do you want God’s wonderful peace? Do you long to experience it?

“For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
‘In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.’
But you were not willing,”
(Isa 30:15 NASB)

Are we willing? That’s the question each one of us has to ask ourselves.

PERFECT VS IMPERFECT PEACE

God’s peace is described as “perfect peace.” In Hebrew, this is “shalom shalom.” It’s like a “man’s man” or “pizza pizza”. This is the kind of peace that peace has! Not necessarily freedom from conflict on the outside - but freedom from disturbance on the inside. “Shalom” has an idea of soundness or health. I would equate this to being spiritually healthy. This is Jesus saying “Peace be still” to your soul.

We all want the “perfect peace” that God offers us, but if we’re honest, most of what we call “peace” is actually something less than God’s best. God’s Perfect peace is qualitatively different from our own imperfect peace. For example, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Ignorance is bliss.” We can believe that all is going well in our lives when it really isn’t. Sometimes we choose to ignore reality because it is uncomfortable to face – but don’t mistake human comfort for God’s peace! Satan can delude the minds of people and make them think all is well when it just isn’t so.

“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
But there is no peace.”
(Jer 6:14 NASB)

Stagnation is another form of imperfect peace. A pool of water may appear beautiful and serene, but underneath it is a foul, green slime. The peace some people know is just like that. We can stagnate out of complacency – “things aren’t so bad, I’m doing OK,” so I’m lulled into a false sense of peace. Stagnation can also come from dependence on someone or something. But that “thing” can fail and that “someone” can let us down. It doesn’t take much to stir up the waters of our lives: illness, financial difficulties, problems at work or at home. These circumstances have a way of revealing what lies beneath the surface. Unfortunately, when trouble comes, we may discover that we have no real peace at all.

God’s peace is “perfect peace.” It’s a peace despite our circumstances, not because of them.

DOUBLE PEACE

God’s peace isn’t just perfect in quality, it’s perfect in quantity. The supply is more than sufficient to meet our needs. Going back to the Hebrew, this “shalom, shalom” is “peace, peace” in English. It means a “double peace.” (Mother of all peaces!) There’s enough peace in this double peace to guard both our hearts and our minds! How? First by giving us peace WITH God then giving us the peace OF God. Peace WITH God comes at salvation.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
(Rom 5:1 NASB)

Jesus gave us this peace. He obtained it for us and it is our through saving faith in Him. You’ll never know the peace OF God until you come to peace WITH God.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
(Phil. 4:7,9 NASB)

The peace of God is with us because the God of peace is with us!

HOW DO WE GET (AND KEEP) THAT PEACE?

It is only through Jesus that the peace of God flows through our souls. Only the Christian can know that peace. So it’s not surprising that the same activities that are associated with having a healthy relationship with God are also associated with having peace.

“Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.”
(Psalm 119:165 NASB)

“If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out…  I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble…”
(Lev 26:3,6a NASB)

Peace is given to those who love God’s law – which is God’s Word. When our relationship with God is vibrant, we’ll want to spend time in His Word. It won’t just be an obligation; it will be something we love! And it won’t just be an intellectual exercise, we’ll want to do what it says!

Peace is a result of obedience. “If you walk in My statutes…” God guarantees us that if we will do our part, He will do his part. It might be tempting to read that as a legalistic statement – some sort of spiritual quid-pro-quo. But it’s not a transaction, it’s a relationship, and relationships need to be cultivated!

Having a peace problem? How are your daily devotions going? How’s your obedience?

Remember, Jesus purchased our peace on the cross and He is the source. But it is CONVEYED to our hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 says peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we give ourselves over to Him more, we are filled with Him more. And as He fills us and controls us, He produces in us more and more peace.

So that means we need to be “Spirit-filled” believers! I don’t mean that we’re supposed to be emotional chandelier-swingers - although there’s nothing wrong with that at times! In fact, having God’s peace doesn’t mean that we’re always outwardly calm – we can be exuberant in praise and worship. But the reality is, we’re to live submitted to the Spirit at all times, constantly listening for His nudgings and promptings as we seek to please Him in all respects.

I know that the idea of being “Spirit-filled” might have different connotations for different people, depending on your church background. But I believe we can all agree that a person who seeks to live filled with God’s Spirit is going to demonstrate that, not necessarily by certain gifts, but most definitely by the fruit of their lives. Whatever is inside them is going to overflow onto the outside! That's how you can tell what a person is filled with! And since peace is certainly listed among the fruit of the Spirit, if we're filled with God's Spirit, His peace will overflow our lives!.

I do believe we have a lot to do with whether we experience God’s peace or not. Because, ultimately, experiencing God’s peace comes from trusting that God is in control, even when it doesn’t look like it! So when we are troubled, we bring our concerns, fears and worries to the Lord in prayer. And when we finally choose to leave them there, we leave with God’s peace. Listen to Paul’s description:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Phil 4:4-7 NASB)

Ultimately, peace is not a thing. It’s not some experience, doctrine, a code of belief, or even an “it.” God’s Peace is a Person – the Lord Jesus Himself. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “For He Himself is our peace…” (Eph 2:14a) Have you experienced God’s Perfect Peace yet? If not, may I introduce you to Jesus?