Jesus Teaches How to Stop Worry

 This video message is trending higher than most of my recent ones. Clearly, people are wanting answers on how to deal with worry. I know this can help.

8/28/2022 Jesus Teaches How to Stop Worry

https://youtu.be/paTRdk_MjOk #worry #anxiety #stress #peace 

Does Bible Literacy Matter?

 New book out entitled: Truth over Tribe: Pledging allegiance to the lamb instead of the donkey or elephant. 

Not bad title. Wondering if the book lives up to that. Looks promising.

Our nation is dividing into tribes. Sometimes we self-identify. Other times somone puts us in a tribe. Regardless, this makes it easier to divide and conquer. And there are forces at work trying to divide our nation…and the Church. 

As it relates to the Church, unity around the basics of the faith is essential. This requires Bible literacy.

Yes, doctrine matters.

Theology too.

But without the foundation of Bible literacy, we’re not going to have sound doctrine, theology or teaching. It starts and stays with Bible literacy. 

We must listen-to, read, study, memorize and mediate on God’s word daily. This gives us a good five-fingered grip on His word. That’s the foundation. This is essential to staying unified around what really matters.

As Christ-followers:

Q. Do we believe that the Bible is truly God’s word to humanity? 

Q. Do we really believe that the Bible is the inspired words of our Creator?

If you do, then ask yourself: 

Q. Do my actions, words, and thoughts reflect that belief? 

Q. Does my lived life look consistent with the words, ways and works of Jesus?”

Because they should.

Dear Dad, please help your kids get their act together starting with what you’ve already said to us. 

Imagine Change That Works

Imagine if everyone walked rightly with God and with people, in peace, and in joy. 

Imagine if this happened because they believed that God empowered them to through his Spirit living inside of them. 

Imagine if people were honored that they get to serve their Creator-King knowing how it pleases him. 

All these things are possible through Christ. It’s why God works the way he works. 

Want to change the world? Start by humbling yourself and asking God to change you. 

This is why so little changes. So few are willing to do that—humble themselves and admit that they need someone bigger than themselves to change (REALLY change). Change at a level that says I’m not just going to change my behavior. I’m going to change my motives behind my behaviors. 

I know that I cannot do this without God’s help. That’s why I pray and seek God in the Bible early and often. 

I have no hope to make a real difference in this hurting world apart from God in me. Thankfully, that is possible in Christ. Lord help us!

Quick Overview of Philippians

Here’s a great, quick summary of Philippians.

Philippians is a letter in the New Testament in the Bible written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Philippi around AD 61.

The letter in a nutshell according to Willmington is this:

Paul presents Jesus Christ as:

1. The believer’s life-Purpose
2. The believer’s life-Pattern
3. The believer’s life-Prize
4. The believer’s life-Power

Outline Bible, Willmington Preview here

Link to the detailed outline from his book:

Outline of Philippians

xDM = ?

I use this abbreviation a lot. Here's what it means:

x = multiply
D = Disciple-
M = Makers

Multiply disciple-makers.

That's what we're called to do.

Let's get after it!

Coronavirus: How should I respond?

A thought. A verse. A prayer.
#coronavirus #faith #peace

Every day brings more gloom and doom over the Coronavirus pandemic. Even in the faith community we find a wide range of reactions to the current news cycle.

 In America, it seems that there are two common reactions:

1) Alarming and dramatic responses that include runs on toilet paper and the cancelation of major sports events, and
2) Business as usual with little concern or awareness that this virus is a serious threat.

What should we do?
How should we respond?

Can I make a few suggestions?

1. Pray. It seems like we only go here when we do not know what else to do. But it is actually where we should start. When we start with God, we think about things from a more eternal perspective. This is always a healthier place to think from. Are you praying as if it all depended on God?

2. Study. Studying is reading with a pen in your hand. It is concentrated research that results in potential actions. Whether you are watching an interview on YouTube or reading the USA Today website, you should be reading with a researcher’s mentality. Research multiple sources. Read critically and with discernment.

3. Agendas. Keep in mind that those who are sharing information are doing so for a variety of reasons and motives that affect what information they share and how they share it. Be discerning and thoughtful as you take it in.

4. Reserve judgment. It is so easy to react instead of respond. Reacting is like a reflex. There is a time for that but usually we have time to contemplate, process and then to respond thoughtfully. Remember too that inaction is still a response.

5. Explore the extremes: Is everyone overreacting? Maybe they are. What are the downsides of this? Am I contributing to panic or waking people up to a sobering reality few are taking seriously enough? Remember that the press has access to a lot of information. They are also in a hurry to get it out. Are they cross-checking their sources? Remember also that their reason for existing is to turn a profit. That happens when people tune-in or click on a link because it generates advertising revenue. Could this cloud their judgment?

6. Explore the extremes: Am I not taking this seriously enough? Is there any harm in preparing? Even if this is being politicized, does that mean I should not be paying more attention to what could be happening? What are some simple steps I could take to prepare now while it is still easy to do?

7. Prepare. Are you preparing as if it all depended on you? What if God wants to answer your prayers in part through your preparation? Can you prepare in such a way that your preparation is helpful for a number of different possible disasters? Would that be wise?

8. Believe. How does my faith hold up to this? Does this cause me to doubt what I say I believe about God? Do I find myself in a crisis of faith? How does the gospel apply here?

9. Love your neighbor as yourself. Are you thinking about others—beyond yourself? Are you preparing with those in mind who cannot or will not prepare? Is compassion even on your radar?

The verse that came to mind for me today was of Jesus sharing with his disciples how to respond to his earth-shattering news that one of them would betray him and that he would be killed and then rise from the dead on the third day.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” -Jesus, on the night he was betrayed and arrested

‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/jhn.14.27.niv

Paul gives us more wise counsel,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/php.4.6-7.niv

A Prayer

Lord, we come to you needy of your peace—that peace that transcends all understanding. Give us a confident belief that nothing has ever surprised you and that you are in control even now.

Give us a peace that is content in you whether things straighten out or continue sideways. Help us remember that in the end, you hold it all together for those who know and trust you through Jesus Christ.

Flood our hearts with your peace! Guide us with your wisdom! Help us rest with all our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual weight on You! In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.

Sacrificial Love Always Has Value

I was trading-in books at my local used bookstore yesterday. Julia (not her real name) is usually there to greet me ready to go through my boxes of old paperbacks in search of anything she thinks she can re-sell. Yesterday was a good day for two reasons.

First, she took a quarter of the books I brought in. A good number of the four boxes. Mission accomplished.

Second, she was excited about one book in particular that she set aside for herself. Julia said that book changed her life. That struck me as quite a statement. It was not her pattern to make bold assertions like that.

She proceeded to tell me why the Squire Rushnell book, When God Winks at You, has changed her life. She came to life as she told me story after story of "God winks” in her own life. She said that the last year and a half had been a rollercoaster and that God was helping her through it all through this book, the Lord, and her church friends. 

This was unusual. I’ve been taking Julia books for 4-5 years now. She’s always friendly and helpful, though some days less chipper than others. She’d picked up from our conversations that I was “In the ministry” (her words). So when I walked in on this day, she was ready to share. But I never thought she was a Christian. 

Now the part I’m a little ashamed to share, but from which I’m learning, is that I stood there listening to her share her story for at least 20 minutes. I’m not as enthused about such conversations as you might think. 

That may not sound like a long time to you--especially when it’s so positive and God-honoring. (Did I say I was a little ashamed?) When you’re standing and it’s not a true conversation but more of a monologue it can get long. Add to that my default mindset (still ashamed) that I always have somewhere else to be and you have me fidgeting quite a bit. 

But I settled down quicker than usual, for two reasons I think. First, God’s grace. He’s teaching me (I’m slow, admittedly) to slow down and be fully present. I did. 

Second, her stories were good and her enthusiasm for God working in her life was contagious. She was genuinely encouraged and glad to see my copy of that book. 

So, my first takeaway is to continue to learn to slow down and to be fully present.

My second takeaway is that it can take a while for people to warm up to you and start sharing their life with you. Remember, I had been visiting her store for 4-5 years.  We were on a first-name basis. She knew if I was coming in that it was to trade-in books.

My third takeaway has to do with sacrificial love. We’re preaching through 1 John at Grace CF right now and I challenged each person present last week to do at least one act of sacrificial love toward another Christian that week. It could be big or small, but it had to cost you. 

This is one of my acts: Standing and listening to Julia (not her real name) for 20 minutes. 

That’s pathetic, I know. But it makes a few points I want to elaborate on.

I wanted to move on (even though this was God “winking” at me). Ironic, I know. I was all about my agenda. I was initially bummed over the setback to my “pressing” schedule (It was not) so there was a cost associated. (Admittedly a very small cost)

But, by God’s grace, I didn’t put up a wall and cross my arms impatiently waiting for her to pause so that I could bolt. Instead, I relaxed and became more fully present. I responded with enthusiasm and listened to the end. She didn’t take a breath until the door chime signaling a new customer "broke the spell” of her dialogical riff.

My fourth takeaway is that sacrificial love doesn’t have to be huge to be costly. It cost me time and attention to actively listen to her for that long. There is even an emotional cost when you make the effort to listen sympathetically, as I did. I can quickly become exhausting for some. 

My fifth and final takeaway is that sacrificial love, no matter how big, is always valuable. 

The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was a sacrifice of infinite and eternal value. In this case, the value was me valuing her as a person by giving up my time to listen to her stories. Good stories or not was irrelevant. I valued her by listening and engaging. They were good stories and so I was edified in the process. She certainly was.

Finally, a love that costs you can still include joy, even if it’s not pleasurable. I left encouraged and blessed. I received value and I believe she did too. That day, we crossed a line relationally that we’ll likely build on going forward. She talked about her divorce after 30 years of marriage, her dysfunctional friends, and, between OMGs, her personal growth in her relationship with God.

Even in light of the torment on the cross, the writer of Hebrews says that “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross scorning it's shame.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) Jesus joyfully obeyed his loving father so that he could lovingly sacrifice himself for the sins of the world. That added infinite value to my life forever. Yours too, if you believe it.

So, in the end, sacrificial love always has value. Usually, if not always, for both the giver and the receiver. That’s why God encourages it. After all, God is love. 

Why 'Best Neighbor Ever'?

That's a pretty arrogant statement. 

Best neighbor ever!

Not my intent.

My desire is to become somebody I was made to be. Somebody God made me to be. 

That would a great neighbor!

Jesus told his followers to love their neighbor as they love themselves. So that is what I am learning how to do. 

I cannot love every neighbor. 
I cannot be the best neighbor ever on the planet. 

Nope. 

But, I can be the best neighbor ever where I live, work and play. 

That is possible.

That is my life mission.

Welcome!