Several days ago a friend of mine hooked my wife and I up with a couple guest passes to the employee store of the company he works for. His company makes shoes, really, really cool shoes. Once in a great while we receive a guest pass and get to shop at the same store and receive the same discount all of the employees shop at. Whenever we go, I have the same feeling I did as a kid when I would go to Toys R Us because I really like these cool shoes.
As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed a line of people beginning to form along the curb. Most of these people were just sitting on the pavement, but a couple brought chairs and one even had a board game. Before my wife could ask what they were doing, I informed her (because I knew she would ask) that they were waiting in line to purchase some brand new limited addition shoe that would be coming out later that night.
As we walked around the store, I overheard a couple of employees talking about those people in line. I was so shocked at what they said, I had to interrupt to make sure what they said was true. The confirmation of my suspicion was overwhelming! These people were not waiting in line for the afternoon; they would be waiting in line overnight to be there first to get these shoes. As the reality of their commitment to rubber, Velcro + laces began to sink in, something in me began to question these sneaker lovers and then myself. Who waits overnight for shoes, especially in March? What makes these shoes that much cooler than every other pair of cool shoes here? Is there anything that I would wait overnight for? Are my shoes cool? Is there anything I have ever wanted that badly? How badly do I want God? Would I be willing to wait in the pouring rain all night for Him?
One of the things I love about the disciples is how they literally left everything to follow Jesus. For Peter, Andrew, James and John it was their nets (Matthew 4:18-22), for Matthew it was his tax collecting booth (Matthew 9:9). These men left more than just their businesses; they left family, friends and lifestyle. It is a clear picture of the reality of following Jesus. It will cost us something, perhaps even everything. Jesus said it best in Matthew 10:37-38 " 37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Fasting is difficult. It entails something of us. Sacrifice. Surrender. Commitment. It requires us to give up something that we love for someone that we love. But in the end we grow closer to Jesus and our faith in Him increases and that is far more valuable than any pair of really cool shoes.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Towards a Lavish Fast
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 38-42
Fasting is a spiritual discipline of disengagement. We purposefully abstain from something, food, entertainment, etc. Our desire is to grow closer to Christ, express greater devotion to Him and develop sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.
Consider the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-41. We see that lavish devotion involves offering the Lord plenty of unstructured time. Often this passage is taught with respect to priorities, where we are encouraged to give to God first. Martha is bustling about attending to “priorities” while Mary is simply sitting at Jesus feet. Upon Martha’s objection, Jesus compliments Mary saying she has chosen a better way. The implication teased out by most teachers is that Martha is not doing wrong, but that Mary has her priorities straight, and it’s a legitimate conclusion.
But ordering one’s priorities is not simply a question of sequence. It is also a question of quantity. One cannot give God the first few minutes of each day and legitimately call it a priority because God happens to be the first in a list of activities. Again, a lavish expenditure of time is in view.
With Easter coming soon, we’ve been called to fast for the 21 days prior. That fast can become a powerful expression of worship if we are lavish in our embrace of it. What might that look like for you? If you’re a single mom working and raising your kids, it might be lavish to fast your morning coffee, spending those extra 10-15 minutes in prayerful communion with your Savior contending for His Kingdom. That’s lavish.
If you’re someone who has far more time and resources, it might mean fasting those weekends you might normally spend at your beach home, devoting that time instead to reading your Bible, talking with God, and praying for those who will receive the Savior this Easter.
If Jesus response to the Widow’s mite (Mark 12:41-44) teaches us anything, it teaches us that what is “lavish” will look different depending on your circumstances. It also teaches us that God honors those who “spend” so generously on Him. In short, what honors God and invites His blessing is obedience motivated by love. He calls us to pray and to fast, and ultimately to worship Him. He’s far less interested that we simply check a duty off our list in pursuit of the next to-do item.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline of disengagement. We purposefully abstain from something, food, entertainment, etc. Our desire is to grow closer to Christ, express greater devotion to Him and develop sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading.
Consider the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-41. We see that lavish devotion involves offering the Lord plenty of unstructured time. Often this passage is taught with respect to priorities, where we are encouraged to give to God first. Martha is bustling about attending to “priorities” while Mary is simply sitting at Jesus feet. Upon Martha’s objection, Jesus compliments Mary saying she has chosen a better way. The implication teased out by most teachers is that Martha is not doing wrong, but that Mary has her priorities straight, and it’s a legitimate conclusion.
But ordering one’s priorities is not simply a question of sequence. It is also a question of quantity. One cannot give God the first few minutes of each day and legitimately call it a priority because God happens to be the first in a list of activities. Again, a lavish expenditure of time is in view.
With Easter coming soon, we’ve been called to fast for the 21 days prior. That fast can become a powerful expression of worship if we are lavish in our embrace of it. What might that look like for you? If you’re a single mom working and raising your kids, it might be lavish to fast your morning coffee, spending those extra 10-15 minutes in prayerful communion with your Savior contending for His Kingdom. That’s lavish.
If you’re someone who has far more time and resources, it might mean fasting those weekends you might normally spend at your beach home, devoting that time instead to reading your Bible, talking with God, and praying for those who will receive the Savior this Easter.
If Jesus response to the Widow’s mite (Mark 12:41-44) teaches us anything, it teaches us that what is “lavish” will look different depending on your circumstances. It also teaches us that God honors those who “spend” so generously on Him. In short, what honors God and invites His blessing is obedience motivated by love. He calls us to pray and to fast, and ultimately to worship Him. He’s far less interested that we simply check a duty off our list in pursuit of the next to-do item.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Yes or No?
"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)
I am struck with how often I say yes to things that so routinely capture my desire. I am practically unaware of these things when they crowd in for attention. But whenever I fast, this tyranny of desire comes into focus. I am writing this from China, a place where people have learned to say no – not because they were trying to discipline their appetites, but because they didn’t even have the option of saying yes. Whether regarding heat, clothing, housing, travel or food, they say no because they cannot say yes. But I live in a culture that until recently hasn’t had to say no very often. So I fast. Fasting gives me the chance to recognize the frequency of the demands of appetite and the urging of the soul to be satisfied. In fasting, in saying no to those urges, the sufficiency of Christ to meet all needs becomes a point of clarity. When I have to say no to one thing, I find myself saying yes to another. When other desires are set aside during a fast, I find that there is nothing more satisfying than the Bread of Life.
I am struck with how often I say yes to things that so routinely capture my desire. I am practically unaware of these things when they crowd in for attention. But whenever I fast, this tyranny of desire comes into focus. I am writing this from China, a place where people have learned to say no – not because they were trying to discipline their appetites, but because they didn’t even have the option of saying yes. Whether regarding heat, clothing, housing, travel or food, they say no because they cannot say yes. But I live in a culture that until recently hasn’t had to say no very often. So I fast. Fasting gives me the chance to recognize the frequency of the demands of appetite and the urging of the soul to be satisfied. In fasting, in saying no to those urges, the sufficiency of Christ to meet all needs becomes a point of clarity. When I have to say no to one thing, I find myself saying yes to another. When other desires are set aside during a fast, I find that there is nothing more satisfying than the Bread of Life.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Listening to God
Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God”
Can you recall a time when someone was yelling to get your attention at a sports event but you didn’t hear him? There were so many other voices-people yelling, music playing, your own cheering-that you couldn’t hear your name being called. For the same reason, we often don’t hear God speaking to us. We get so busy talking, working and rushing here to there that we cannot hear Him.
We may also miss the voice of God in another way. Have you ever been so focused on what you were doing that you didn’t hear your name being called? Watching TV or working on the computer, someone was calling your name but you never knew it? It was not that you couldn’t hear it, or that the voice they were using was too soft. It was simply a matter of attention. You didn’t hear your name being called because you weren’t paying attention.
Two amazing things happen when we take time to fast. First, we slow down and become quiet so we can hear God. Second, we take time away from our normal daily routine so that we can focus our attention on Him.
Now, listening can be difficult. Sometimes, if we don’t listen, natural consequences arise. Your engine is knocking but you don’t pay attention to it, something inconvenient and expensive is bound to happen! In the same way, listening to the wrong voice can be problematic. We receive all kinds of thought when we are praying and fasting. Some are wonderful thoughts from God, and others might be conflicting thoughts from our memory. Some originate from our selfish nature and draw us away from God and point us in the wrong direction. How can we know which is from God and that which is not? Ask yourself a few simple questions:
· Is the message disruptive, confusing or point in many different directions? Probably not from God.
· Is the message contrary to God’s Word? Definitely not from God.
· Is the message clear, purposeful, peaceful and in alignment with His Word? Then it’s probably a correction, encouragement or directive from God.
Usually when God speaks to us, he is persistent. God called Samuel more than once: “The Lord called yet again, ‘Samuel’” (1 Samuel 3:6). Now, the most important discipline of fasting isn’t the act of fasting from something and enduring the temporal longings for what we are choosing to go without. No, the most critical aspect of fasting is when God speaks or reveals something, we respond and yield to His will, doing what He commands.
Our lives have become hectic. There are jobs, chores, demands, commuting and traffic. We need to come out of the everyday routine, slow down, get still, fast, and make time to listen to God.
What are the results of fasting? Quiet and focus.
Tips on Listening
1. Get Ready. Find a quiet, distraction-free place that is comfortable and dedicate an amount of time to be there. Also, make sure you have your Bible, a journal or notebook to jot down notes, thoughts and scripture (don’t forget your pen).
2. Get Quiet. Like Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still…” If you do all the talking, all you’ll learn is what you already know.
3. Get Still. “Being still” usually refers to the absence of physical motion or activity. Can you “be still” while in motion or among others? Yes! You can “be still” before God while you exercise, on the plane, in the yard, etc. The secret is establishing a “still spirit” or a listening attitude and intent, not just a still body. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
“Be still and know that I am God”
Can you recall a time when someone was yelling to get your attention at a sports event but you didn’t hear him? There were so many other voices-people yelling, music playing, your own cheering-that you couldn’t hear your name being called. For the same reason, we often don’t hear God speaking to us. We get so busy talking, working and rushing here to there that we cannot hear Him.
We may also miss the voice of God in another way. Have you ever been so focused on what you were doing that you didn’t hear your name being called? Watching TV or working on the computer, someone was calling your name but you never knew it? It was not that you couldn’t hear it, or that the voice they were using was too soft. It was simply a matter of attention. You didn’t hear your name being called because you weren’t paying attention.
Two amazing things happen when we take time to fast. First, we slow down and become quiet so we can hear God. Second, we take time away from our normal daily routine so that we can focus our attention on Him.
Now, listening can be difficult. Sometimes, if we don’t listen, natural consequences arise. Your engine is knocking but you don’t pay attention to it, something inconvenient and expensive is bound to happen! In the same way, listening to the wrong voice can be problematic. We receive all kinds of thought when we are praying and fasting. Some are wonderful thoughts from God, and others might be conflicting thoughts from our memory. Some originate from our selfish nature and draw us away from God and point us in the wrong direction. How can we know which is from God and that which is not? Ask yourself a few simple questions:
· Is the message disruptive, confusing or point in many different directions? Probably not from God.
· Is the message contrary to God’s Word? Definitely not from God.
· Is the message clear, purposeful, peaceful and in alignment with His Word? Then it’s probably a correction, encouragement or directive from God.
Usually when God speaks to us, he is persistent. God called Samuel more than once: “The Lord called yet again, ‘Samuel’” (1 Samuel 3:6). Now, the most important discipline of fasting isn’t the act of fasting from something and enduring the temporal longings for what we are choosing to go without. No, the most critical aspect of fasting is when God speaks or reveals something, we respond and yield to His will, doing what He commands.
Our lives have become hectic. There are jobs, chores, demands, commuting and traffic. We need to come out of the everyday routine, slow down, get still, fast, and make time to listen to God.
What are the results of fasting? Quiet and focus.
Tips on Listening
1. Get Ready. Find a quiet, distraction-free place that is comfortable and dedicate an amount of time to be there. Also, make sure you have your Bible, a journal or notebook to jot down notes, thoughts and scripture (don’t forget your pen).
2. Get Quiet. Like Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still…” If you do all the talking, all you’ll learn is what you already know.
3. Get Still. “Being still” usually refers to the absence of physical motion or activity. Can you “be still” while in motion or among others? Yes! You can “be still” before God while you exercise, on the plane, in the yard, etc. The secret is establishing a “still spirit” or a listening attitude and intent, not just a still body. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Nature of God's Love
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously [freely] give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
Too often I’ve caught myself trying to make God in my image. I typically recognize that whenever I catch myself trying to use prayer to promote my own selfishness. My will or God’s will ... that always comes down to whether I’m going to trust or distrust God’s love for me. And I never win whenever I protect my distrust of His love.
That's why this Scripture is so helpful In it, the Holy Spirit presses me to contrast these two divine gifts: on one side of the scale is Jesus, my Savior, who freely chose to die for me (Romans 5:8) and whom the Father freely gave up for me. On the other side is "all things." My natural greed starts salivating over the prospects of what the "all things" on that side of the scale might include. However, "all things" is eternally secondary to Christ. This priceless “all things” includes whatever I need in order for me to gain in my relationship with Him. It includes tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, swords, death, demons, or literally anything else (Romans 8:35-39) ... and it's worth the price! It's my unfair gain.
What the world doesn't understand, but what the Holy Spirit reveals, is that such selflessness, such love, is infinitely powerful yet positive ... it's pure goodness. That is the nature of God's love.
Here, God reveals the perfection of His goodness. By deciding to "not spare," we see the wealth behind His giving: "I will not offer anything that cost me nothing" (1 Chronicles 21:24). From the double possessive ("His own son"), we see the deep love bond between Father and Son: like Isaac being bound by cords of love (as demonstrated by His submission, obedience, and trust), his rope cords were redundant (Genesis 22:9). From the double negative followed by the absolute positive ("did not spare" and "gave Him up"), we begin to see the very personal price the Trinity paid for this gift. Finally, from the simple words "for us all" we barely begin to glimpse the Father's and Son's unselfishness, their distinct but identical desires to risk all things so someone might accept their grace.
This changes the way I pray. My goal is to know my Savior, to know that perfect love that keeps me voluntarily bonded and bound to Him. I want to know His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I revel in the delightful knowledge that He won't allow anything to separate me from His love (Romans 8:39). I don't understand what He gets from this, but I'm very grateful!
Too often I’ve caught myself trying to make God in my image. I typically recognize that whenever I catch myself trying to use prayer to promote my own selfishness. My will or God’s will ... that always comes down to whether I’m going to trust or distrust God’s love for me. And I never win whenever I protect my distrust of His love.
That's why this Scripture is so helpful In it, the Holy Spirit presses me to contrast these two divine gifts: on one side of the scale is Jesus, my Savior, who freely chose to die for me (Romans 5:8) and whom the Father freely gave up for me. On the other side is "all things." My natural greed starts salivating over the prospects of what the "all things" on that side of the scale might include. However, "all things" is eternally secondary to Christ. This priceless “all things” includes whatever I need in order for me to gain in my relationship with Him. It includes tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, swords, death, demons, or literally anything else (Romans 8:35-39) ... and it's worth the price! It's my unfair gain.
What the world doesn't understand, but what the Holy Spirit reveals, is that such selflessness, such love, is infinitely powerful yet positive ... it's pure goodness. That is the nature of God's love.
Here, God reveals the perfection of His goodness. By deciding to "not spare," we see the wealth behind His giving: "I will not offer anything that cost me nothing" (1 Chronicles 21:24). From the double possessive ("His own son"), we see the deep love bond between Father and Son: like Isaac being bound by cords of love (as demonstrated by His submission, obedience, and trust), his rope cords were redundant (Genesis 22:9). From the double negative followed by the absolute positive ("did not spare" and "gave Him up"), we begin to see the very personal price the Trinity paid for this gift. Finally, from the simple words "for us all" we barely begin to glimpse the Father's and Son's unselfishness, their distinct but identical desires to risk all things so someone might accept their grace.
This changes the way I pray. My goal is to know my Savior, to know that perfect love that keeps me voluntarily bonded and bound to Him. I want to know His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I revel in the delightful knowledge that He won't allow anything to separate me from His love (Romans 8:39). I don't understand what He gets from this, but I'm very grateful!
Putting Obedience First
When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood;
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,
Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
(Isaiah 1:12-17 NIV)
At first glance, this is kind of a tough passage of Scripture to read. I try to imagine what it would feel like to hear these words directed at me as someone who claims to be a follower of the Lord. I cannot think of anything more devastating than to know that God is “hiding His eyes” from me when I pray and worship Him. I’m sure that most of us have gone through times where we “feel” like our prayers aren’t reaching heaven, but in this case, God is letting His people know that He is rejecting their prayers & acts of worship.
Why?
The activities of worship (feasts, songs, prayer, etc) are meaningless without a lifestyle of obedience. It’s true that the activities themselves in ancient Israel were somewhat different than the ways work out our faith today, but the goal is the same … we seek to be people who draw near to God and have an intimate relationship with Him. This cannot be accomplished in a weekly church service or by checking off a list of religious actions. Worship & prayer need to be part of a lifestyle that follows God’s commands everyday. Some days are easier than others to live this way, and it’s on the difficult days that obedience requires the most from me. My greatest goal is that my life would be defined by heartfelt, authentic worship of the Lord. However, my “actions” of worship are completely hypocritical if they aren’t accompanied by repentance, a clean heart, obedience to God’s commands, and a faith that gets worked out in service and love (vs.15-17). If my priorities are right and I’m walking in obedience to God’s word each day, then my expressions of prayer & worship are natural outflows of a heart that is worshiping God through my actions, decisions, and conversations 24/7. I want to commit myself to obey first, and then watch what happens in my prayer & worship before the Lord.
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood;
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,
Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
(Isaiah 1:12-17 NIV)
At first glance, this is kind of a tough passage of Scripture to read. I try to imagine what it would feel like to hear these words directed at me as someone who claims to be a follower of the Lord. I cannot think of anything more devastating than to know that God is “hiding His eyes” from me when I pray and worship Him. I’m sure that most of us have gone through times where we “feel” like our prayers aren’t reaching heaven, but in this case, God is letting His people know that He is rejecting their prayers & acts of worship.
Why?
The activities of worship (feasts, songs, prayer, etc) are meaningless without a lifestyle of obedience. It’s true that the activities themselves in ancient Israel were somewhat different than the ways work out our faith today, but the goal is the same … we seek to be people who draw near to God and have an intimate relationship with Him. This cannot be accomplished in a weekly church service or by checking off a list of religious actions. Worship & prayer need to be part of a lifestyle that follows God’s commands everyday. Some days are easier than others to live this way, and it’s on the difficult days that obedience requires the most from me. My greatest goal is that my life would be defined by heartfelt, authentic worship of the Lord. However, my “actions” of worship are completely hypocritical if they aren’t accompanied by repentance, a clean heart, obedience to God’s commands, and a faith that gets worked out in service and love (vs.15-17). If my priorities are right and I’m walking in obedience to God’s word each day, then my expressions of prayer & worship are natural outflows of a heart that is worshiping God through my actions, decisions, and conversations 24/7. I want to commit myself to obey first, and then watch what happens in my prayer & worship before the Lord.
Devote Yourselves to Prayer
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Col. 4:2
Paul encourages us to be a people devoted to prayer. Our devotion is to the Lord and prayer is how we communicate with Him. Jesus taught us to pray and often exampled it to us as well. In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus told a parable about a persistent widow. He told this parable for two reasons. He encourages us to always pray and never give up. The greatest thing about prayer is the communication and communion we share with God. The answers, His answers, are great too, but the real blessing is found in simply being in His presence.
In Romans 12:12 we are told to, “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.”
In Daniel 6 we see what a big part prayer was in Daniel’s life. Daniel who influenced kings and kingdoms three times a day got down on his knees and prayed to the Lord. When the times were tough He always knew where to go. Daniel 6:10
Being watchful in prayer is so important. We need to be watchful so we can:
*Walk in the will of God, Mat 6:10
*Be wise and discerning, Prov. 22:3
*Be the answer to someone else’s prayer,
And be thankful, I Thess. 5:16, 17 & 18,
Never let your expectations and hope exceed your gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for. Phil. 4:6
Devote Yourselves to Prayer!
Paul encourages us to be a people devoted to prayer. Our devotion is to the Lord and prayer is how we communicate with Him. Jesus taught us to pray and often exampled it to us as well. In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus told a parable about a persistent widow. He told this parable for two reasons. He encourages us to always pray and never give up. The greatest thing about prayer is the communication and communion we share with God. The answers, His answers, are great too, but the real blessing is found in simply being in His presence.
In Romans 12:12 we are told to, “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.”
In Daniel 6 we see what a big part prayer was in Daniel’s life. Daniel who influenced kings and kingdoms three times a day got down on his knees and prayed to the Lord. When the times were tough He always knew where to go. Daniel 6:10
Being watchful in prayer is so important. We need to be watchful so we can:
*Walk in the will of God, Mat 6:10
*Be wise and discerning, Prov. 22:3
*Be the answer to someone else’s prayer,
And be thankful, I Thess. 5:16, 17 & 18,
Never let your expectations and hope exceed your gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for. Phil. 4:6
Devote Yourselves to Prayer!
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