INTAKE DETERMINES OUTPUT

INTAKE DETERMINES OUTPUT

A Cherokee Chief was sitting at the fireplace with his grandchildren one cold winter evening, sharing a lifetime of sound judgment and wisdom.  “In every life there is a life or death struggle,” he admonished “a terrible fight between two powerful wolves.  One wolf is evil: it brings fear, anger, envy, greed, self-pity, resentment, selfishness, dishonesty and arrogance.  The other wolf is good: it brings truth, serenity, sincerity, confidence, generosity, gentleness, joy, compassion and humility.”

His youngest grandchild nervously queried, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The elder sage looked the little boy straight in the eye and said firmly: “the one you feed.”

In life, we have definite options.  We can choose either evil or good.  However, the overall result we achieve is actually the product of a life decision tree which is comprised of a host of smaller and seemingly ordinary choices we make along the way.  How we spend our time is a choice.  The company that we keep is a choice.  The spouses we choose, the books we read, the music we embrace, the television programs we follow, the events we attend, the church families we join...all are monumental choices that impact our thinking, and thus our short- and long-term decision making, as well as our eternal destiny.

“…choose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Sisters and brothers, choose well.  Eat well.  The leaves, branches and fruit on your life tree are the product of what you purposefully ingest along the way.  Dine sumptuously, healthily and faithfully…on The Word.

DIVINE FRIENDSHIP (Part II)

DIVINE FRIENDSHIP (Part II)

Abraham, the patriarch of faith, was accorded a superb commendation by The Almighty: “He was called the Friend of God.” (James 2:23)  Just think about it.  What a supreme honor to be the designated friend of the Creator of Heaven, earth, and every animate being and inanimate object therein! 

It is important to note that Abraham’s friendship status was directly connected to his faith response to the will and Word of God.  God had issued a challenging and inexplicable command to Abraham (whose name was Abram at the time and would later be changed by God): “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)  Bear this in mind: God had not yet revealed a reason for this radical relocation or a description of the ultimate destination.  The scene was set up by Heaven to provoke a pure and unequivocal act of faith.  God simply said ‘Gather your stuff and start walking.  I will guide your footsteps and I let you know when you arrive.’  Wow!  Double Wow!!

I wonder how we might have responded to such a “walk by faith, not by sight” situation. (II Corinthians 5:17)  Fidelity, or faithfulness to God’s Word, is an indispensable requirement of our stewardship. (I Corinthians 4:2)

Abraham’s faith was tested in ways I could scarcely endure or imagine.  I really don’t understand how he mustered sufficient faith (with Sarah) to believe-to-conceive a baby son at the age of great-grandparenthood. And I really don’t understand how he escorted their only son, Isaac, to the top of Mt. Moriah, prepared to offer him as a sacrifice to God.  What a terrifying telegram he had received from Heaven: “Take your son, your only son whom you love – Isaac – and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:2)  The inner turmoil and agony must have been excruciating, even unbearable, but Abraham acquiesced to the divine will and obeyed without hesitation.  Paul penned this passage of tribute to Abraham and his demonstrative faith: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform.” (Romans 4:20-21) 

In fact, Abraham’s faith in God’s Word was so profound that it was “credited to him as righteousness.” (James 2:23)  No wonder he was deemed the friend of God.

Whenever we review the saga of Abraham, we tend to focus on obvious crisis points that seem to dominate his life experience.  However, we must never ignore the bountiful blessings that accrued to Abraham, his family and his nation due to his unmitigated trust in God.  As a result, not only was Abraham one of the wealthiest men of his era, he became the revered Patriarch of three world religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.  In fact, his personal influence is so far reaching that it is difficult to quantify its impact on human history.  Thus, the conditional promise that God gave Abraham is verifiably accurate: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

There is a wondrous lesson here for believers.  The Word declares that we are also entitled to participate in this phenomenal friendship covenant with Almighty God.  Yes, God’s occasional directives to us may feel formidable and challenging, but our obedience invariably connects us to divine favor and amazing benefits.

Most importantly, it is a signal honor and privilege to forge such an intimate association with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  According to inspirational lyrics by Anthony Showalter, each day in the life of a Christian is a faith adventure that can be best described as “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”  Although at times we appear to walk through troubled and dark places, we are guaranteed the constant counsel and comfort of “the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

My personal affirmation during times of testing is sure and simple: “I Am a Friend of God!”

Who am I that YOU are mindful of me?
That YOU hear me when I call?
Is it true that YOU are thinking of me?
How YOU love me…it’s amazing…
It’s amazing!

I Am a Friend of GOD…
I Am a Friend of GOD…
I Am a Friend of GOD…
HE calls me Friend!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

DIVINE FRIENDSHIP (Part I)

DIVINE FRIENDSHIP (Part I)

There is a praise chorus that I always love to hear, not because of its beautiful melody or rhythmic cadence, but rather for the power and synergy of its lyrics.  The song is “I Am a Friend of God” by Israel Houghton and Michael Gungor.

Who am I that YOU are mindful of me?
That YOU hear me when I call?
Is it true that YOU are thinking of me?
How YOU love me…it’s amazing…
It’s amazing!

I Am a Friend of GOD…
I Am a Friend of GOD…
I Am a Friend of GOD…
HE calls me Friend!

What an artful and robust reminder of our relational intimacy with the Creator of Heaven and earth!  Approaching the endpoint of his 3½ year public ministry, Jesus Christ made a life-changing announcement to his disciples (and it includes us): “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15)  Wow!

Christ’s affirmation suggests that friendship is a living stream in which both parties are revered, renewed, replenished and refreshed.  Implicit in His statement is the theological concept of mutuality, i.e. there are shared rights and responsibilities that derive from (and accrue to) this crucial covenant partnership that we call friendship.

Typically, we believers mentally frame our friendship with God as a one-way mirror through which GOD faithfully sees and supplies our needs.  However, if the relationship is to be mutually fulfilling and authentic, would it not require a bilateral investment of love, integrity, communication, obligation and accountability by all parties?

 It reminds me of the story of two men who were stranded on a deserted island.

A voyaging ship was tragically wrecked during a powerful storm and only two men were able to swim ashore to a tiny uninhabited island.  The two survivors were very good friends, and not knowing what else to do, they agreed that they had no other recourse but ask God for help.  However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

It seemed like the most important item to pray for would be food.  The first man did so, and sure enough, the next morning, he spied a fruit-bearing tree growing on his side of the island.  He was able to dine on its delicious fruit, while the other man’s parcel of land remained barren.

After a week or so, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife.  The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who, of course, swam to his side of the land.  On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, some clothes and more food.  The next day, supernaturally, all of these were given to him.  However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his lovely bride could leave the island.  In the morning, he found a ship docked on his side of the island.  The first man boarded the ship and decided to leave the second man behind on the island.  He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since obviously none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from Heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”  The first man answered, “My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them.  His prayers were all unanswered, so he does not deserve anything.”

“You are mistaken!” the voice from on high summarily rebuked him.  “He had only one prayer, which I answered.  If not for that one prayer from your friend, you would not have received any of My blessings.” 

“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”

The voice from Heaven whispered, “He prayed that all your prayers would be answered.”

When I first read this story, my imagination conjured up a rather unlikely scenario: ME being personally marooned on a desert island with GOD, Himself.  As I re-envisioned the story above, this peculiar picture of God and me alone on an island stirred an important question: ‘What am I doing here-and-now to validate the mutuality of the covenant with my Creator?’  In other words, is my relationship with The Lord completely self-serving, and thus all about ME, or am I bringing something to the table to assist in building God’s Kingdom, as He constantly showers benefits and blessings upon me?  Insert yourself in the story and think about it.  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

THE SPIRIT'S INTENTIONAL DESIGN: EMPOWERMENT & FELLOWSHIP

THE SPIRIT’S INTENTIONAL DESIGN: EMPOWERMENT & FELLOWSHIP

Pursuant to Pentecost Sunday (nine days ago on May 19^th), it is of critical importance that believers understand the true intent of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  As the third person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit empowers believers via the divine mandate and the practical means to fulfill the evangelical mission of the church. (Matthew 28:19-20 – Acts 1:8)  In the physical absence of the ascended Christ, His Spirit endows and enables our Christian witness.  While we are thusly engaged, He teaches, reveals and aids our remembrance of all truth.  Additionally, He guides our footsteps and provides ongoing comfort as we traverse a fallen and corrupt world system. (John 14:16,17,26 – John 15:26-27)

Nevertheless, there is an aspect of the earthly work of the Holy Spirit that is sometimes overlooked.  His overarching intention is to cause spiritual sons and daughters to become “fruitful.” (Genesis 1:28 – John 15:8)  It is interesting to note that our fruitfulness is not only tied to our productivity in soul-winning, it is manifested in our relationships with others.  The temporal “fruit” (outlined by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Church of Galatia) are the primary effects of the eternal cause known to us as “The Holy Spirit.”  Prayerfully consider the following passage of scripture:

Galatians 5:22-26

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

²⁴ And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

The work of the Holy Spirit is evangelical in nature, i.e. His principle concern is to win lost souls via impartations of the Word and the Spirit that are effectively communicated through the lives and witnesses of believers.  To become authentic ambassadors, we must embody consistent and loving relationships that accurately reflect the character of God and the message of His Word.  In the words of Jesus Christ, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)  Therefore, the most powerful, positive and practical proof that our GOD is real is the authenticity of our relationships. Does your life show evidence?  What does your life say?

When believers are baptized in His Spirit, we automatically start producing the fruit of His Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, which is self-control. (Galatians 5:22)  In other words, the intentional design of the Holy Spirit is to produce empowerment for Kingdom service, supported by a level of fellowship that confirms our witness authenticity.  Sisters and brothers, it is the divine will that both be manifested fully, with clarity and consistency.  According to the lyrics of a familiar chorus, the bottom-line is this: “They will know we are Christians by our love.”