Month: July 2014

Categories
Christian Living

Freedom from Suffering

“Suffering affects each of us in three ways:
1. Suffering as the result of living in a fallen world (e.g., infertility, natural disasters, etc.);
2. Suffering as the result of my personal sin (e.g., addictions, anger, racism, etc.); and
3. Suffering as the result of someone else’s sin (e.g., victims of abuse, hate, anger, etc.).
Our churches are filled with people in every category.”

Because of this suffering, we want freedom – in fact, we need freedom. But how will we get this freedom? Jesus tells us that we can only receive complete liberty by becoming his disciples – and that occurs through faith in Him and obedience to His Word. Therefore, our task is to lead people out of suffering into the way of freedom by pointing them to the only One who can give freedom. After we choose to begin a relationship with Him, He will start pointing out areas in our life that need to be “cleaned up.” He will also give us the power to obey Him.

“In the end, therefore, the goal or aim of gospel-centered leadership is the formation of Christ in people who long to see the formation of Christ in other people. We are called to make disciples who make disciples. It should be clear from what we know about our own sanctification process that this is a slow, arduous calling requiring patience and perseverance…. Discipleship is long, slow, and messy. In short, it’s hard to measure.”

checklistThat is why it is not something that we can just “check off the list.” Instead, discipleship (and therefore complete freedom) is something that takes a life-time to accomplish – but it is so worth it! I continue to be amazed at how faithful God is at giving me freedom from suffering and freedom from worry as I turn more of my life over to Him. I hope you’ll join me in testing this promise of God to its full measure.

We will find Him faithful!

(Quotes from ‘Creature of the Word’ by Matt Chandler)

Categories
Serving Others

What Attitude Will You Take To Your Workplace Today?

Your Workplace…workplace caution sign stating - caution, people working

Does it ever get stressful?
Do you ever find it frustrating?
Are the situations you experience there unfair?

Certainly your workplace has some significant challenges. And yet, it is where God has placed you right now. He might move you somewhere different tomorrow, but for today… He has you in your current situation. And wherever He has placed you, there are people there that need you to serve them.

That isn’t always a cheerful thought, because we would prefer that someone serve us. But as a follower of Christ, you are called to be a servant… even to those rascals you work with!

“In the Workplace, believers are given an opportunity through the gospel to serve in several different directions—upward, downward, and laterally.”

“Serving upward means consistently working hard, knowing you ultimately work for the Lord. Believers should be the best employees on the job because they realize their work is truly done for God’s glory. Serving one’s supervisor well is a means of serving Christ Well. And if a believer works for another believer, he should serve that person even better.” (see 1 Tim. 6:1—2 & Col. 3:23-24).

“Believers Who are supervising others are given the opportunity to serve downward. By treating employees well and fairly, calling out the best of their gifts, the supervisor honors his or her ultimate Boss in heaven, who sees everything that’s done on the job…and who is not impressed with the lines and boxes on the org chart.” (see Col. 4:1).

“Most believers are also given the opportunity to serve laterally, assisting the colleagues who work alongside them. Because of the gospel, believers should encourage and serve these who are equal to them in responsibility, without being a burden to them, without being the slouch at the office who must continually be bailed out by others. One of the best ways a believer serves those who work alongside him is just to do his job well. That alone is more spiritual and gospel-centric than many people realize.” (see 1 Thess. 4:11-12).

You have the opportunity today to be a Workplace Pastor to the people who serve above you, below you, and beside you. How will you use that opportunity?

Why do we find it so hard to embrace this role of Workplace Pastor to serve those around us?

(Quotes from ‘Creature of the Word’ by Matt Chandler)

Categories
Serving Others

The Cold Water Challenge!

three people taking the cold water challenge of having ice cold water poured on them for charitySo Facebook and social media are presently filled with people pouring ice cold water on themselves and asking others to do the same – all in the name of charity… “Pour cold water on yourself to serve others.” Sadly, we are finding out that several people may have died from the challenge, and warnings are popping up asking people to “not rise to the challenge.” So maybe it is time to take a different twist on it and engage in the “cold water challenge” that Jesus provided… “Give a cup of cold water to someone else to serve them with hospitality.”

As I mentioned in my previous post, to give someone a cup of cold water in Jesus’ day required effort – it meant doing a little extra to serve someone else through your hospitality. It meant more than just taking care of their thirst by pouring them a glass of room-temperature water from the water urn. Instead, it meant taking another trip to the well or the stream to get a fresh cup of cold water.

But another aspect regarding this idea of a cup of cold water is that anyone could provide this cold water to someone else. It didn’t require wealth. It only required effort. A cup of cold water was a blessing that even the poorest person could give to another. It would simply take the effort of going to the well and drawing the water.

This helps to teach us that kindnesses and hospitality are valued in Christ’s kingdom, not according to the cost of the gift, but according to the love and affection of the giver. This takes us back to the idea that God desires mercy & compassion for others to exist in us more than He wants us bringing an offering to the altar.

So the idea is that if you are truly full of the grace of God, you can also be truly rich in good works, even if you are poor according to the world’s standards. God desires us to sacrifice our own desires to care for others, and no matter who we are we have the ability to provide care for others. And we are to do it with the right heart.

So take Jesus’ “Cold Water Challenge” today and richly serve someone else.

How have you seen people show hospitality to others without having to use the world’s “wealth” to do so?

Categories
Serving Others

How To Properly Give A Cup Of Cold Water

How to Properly Give a Cup of Cold Water

“…if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” –Jesus

cold water coming out of kitchen faucetFor us to give someone this cup of cold water, it takes a lot of effort. First, we have to fight against gravity to get off of the couch. After completing that task, we then have to make the looooong journey into the kitchen to get a glass. Next, we are required to strain against a button on the fridge and patiently listen to the small rumble that tells us that the ice is on its way. The ice then magically pops into our glass. Then we strain against a second button to make the water to fill the glass (or you may have to choose option 2 and endure the arduous journey over to the faucet and laboriously turn the handle). Done. In less than 30 seconds, we have our glass of ice water ready to give to someone who is thirsty. And We never had to leave the comfort of our air conditioned home.

But what was actually involved in providing a “cup of cold water” for someone in Jesus’ day? They didn’t have our magical ice dispensers nor clean tap water from the faucet. Giving someone a “cup of cold water” meant taking the trouble to walk to the well or to the stream to draw a bucket of fresh cold water, perhaps even in the heat of the day. To “provide someone with a cup of cold water” meant engaging in an act of hospitality – not something that could be done in 30 seconds without any real effort.

The principle seems to be that God asks us to go out of our way to show hospitality to others. When we do so, we are imitating Him and showing His compassion and kindness.

Unfortunately, many of us (myself included) have forgotten how to provide generous hospitality. We are too focused on our own wants to take the time to serve others in humility. What sacrifices do I need to make today to bless someone else through my hospitality?

When have you been blessed by someone else’s “unlooked for” hospitality?
Any good examples you have encountered that could spur us on in this direction?

Categories
Christian Living

Back in the Saddle Again

saddle
Photo Credit: U.S.G.S. Museum

Two weeks ago my posts mysteriously disappeared once again. The reason… I had headed off to Mexico for a mission trip and didn’t have an easy way to post while I was there. (I’ll share some of the trip with you in the near future.) And then last week was “catch-up” week on all the things that had piled up on my desk. But now that I’ve almost caught up, I’ll get back to posting! Time to get back in the saddle!

It is said that in the late 1700s, a German prince traveled through France and visited one of the prisons. To show his respect to this important visitor, the commander over the prison invited the prince to select any single prisoner to be set free. In order to make the best decision, the prince spoke to one prisoner after another, asking each one why he was condemned to this prison and punishment.

What he found was that one after another told him of the injustice, oppression, and false accusations that had caused him to be placed here. In fact, from their accounts, they were all injured and ill-treated persons who were wrongly convicted.

At last he came to one who, when asked the same question, answered: “Your Highness, I have no reason to complain. I have been a very wicked, desperate man. I deserve even worse punishment than this and to be broken alive on the torture rack. I consider myself to have received a great mercy by being here.”

The prince looked hard at this man, smiled, and said: “You wicked man! It is a pity you should be placed among so many honest men. By your own confession, you are bad enough to corrupt them all; therefore you shall not stay with them another day.” Then, turning to the prison commander he said, “This is the man, sir, whom I wish to be released.”

Interestingly enough, we find ourselves in the same situation. We are desperately wicked people who deserve severe punishment. But the moment we are willing to admit our sins to Jesus, we find liberty.

The Word of God indicates that if we say that we have no sin, we make God out to be a liar, but if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.