The Lord's Supper

There's nothing more important for God's children to remember than the cross. It's horrifying and disturbing, yet it's through that death and destruction where we find our life and restoration. Don't wince and turn away, but  tremble in awe at the blood that washes us clean.

Here's the word from an old old old hymn I was reading tonight. 

"Bread of the world, in mercy broken,
Wine of the soul, in mercy shed,
By whom the words of life were spoken,
And in whose death our sins are dead.

Look on the heart by sorrow broken,
Look on the tears by sinners shed;
And be Thy feast to us the token
That by Thy grace our souls are fed."
- Reginald Heber

Love Them Again

I will plant [my people] for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called "Not my loved one."
I will say to those called "Not my people," "You are my people";
and they will say, "You are my God."
              -Hosea 2:23

The entire book of Hosea hits me like a truck every time I read it. Hosea's wife betrayed him over and over, but God instructed him to "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods."(Hosea 3:1)

I'm so grateful the Lord is patient with me. When every ounce of logic says He should throw me away and disown me, He loves me again and again and again.

On Our Side

I had a few Skype meetings today with some awesome people. One of them was with a good friend who is always incredibly encouraging. After talking about some struggles for a while, she reminded me of the words of a song she wrote a few years ago: God is "on our side".

We talked about how God cares about our struggles and actively fights on our behalf. He stops at nothing to win victory for us and to help us through anything that is dragging us down. He offered up His own Son to be brutally beaten so that our own wounds could be healed. We don't need to battle our demons alone, because God is with us. If God is for us, who can be against us? The Creator of the universe who mightily controls all things, that God is standing in our corner cheering us on and picking us up when we fall.

We are never too broken, too sinful, or too lost that God will not sit down with us and love us.

Mixing Things Up

Last week in a Bible study group, some friends and I talked about the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost and giving people the ability to speak in various languages. This was in response to Christ's commission for the early church to go out and make disciples of all the world. Since people in different parts of the world speak different languages, these early believers would need some divine help in order to communicate with those people.

I've been spending a lot of time in the Old Testament lately. Today I read Genesis 11 which tells the story of the tower of Babel. People point to this story as a warning against pride and self-security, but I think the root sin in this (and every) situation is disobedience. God commanded these people to spread out and fill the whole world. Instead, they decided to clump together and build a big city. So God came down and mixed up their languages so they had no choice but to separate from each other.

God said, "Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. - Genesis 11: 6-7

When I read this verse, it reminded me of thediscussion last week about the Spirit coming down at Pentecost. This is another instance of God showing up and mixing up peoples languages. Interestingly, these two stories aren't all that different.

The reason for the mix-up at Babel was to send people out around the world. At Pentecost, the languages were given to send people out around the world.

One difference, however, is that in the story of Babel, the languages came as a result of disobedience. At Pentecost, it was because of faith. This happened after the sacrifice of Jesus. The blood has been shed, forgiveness is now available. God was enabling and sending those first believers out into the world, to preach to those were who have been scattered for millennia, gather them up, and bring them back to God. Using those exact same languages that brought about the original scattering, God brought healing and redemption to people all over the world.

I find it so comforting to know that God doesn't scatter things without gathering it up again later. He doesn't convict without later offering redemption. He may tear down, but He will rebuild. If you're in a season of tearing down, I encourage you to seek God like never before. He will rebuild you if you offer yourself to Him.

Cares For Me

God's Spirit goes ahead and guides me. Other people who have thrown themselves into the River of God have been pushed by the Spirit to intercept my paths and carry me back to my Father.

The enemy tried to knock me down, but he knocked me into the River. Now I'm sinking in God's grace and being carried along faster and further than I can go on my own. I'm being carried to places too wonderful for me, seeing things angels long to look into, tasting grace I didn't earn.

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. Or in my case, He cares for those who are rebellious but who will come to trust in Him someday. God tells His people "Now I will break the yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away." He's a God who sets us free. An invitation has been extended and the offer for salvation is on the table of the Lord. Not just salvation from sin, but salvation from the fruit of sin: suffering, worry, rage, shame, regret.

The River is the only way to the table and it starts at the cross.

My Healer

The healing power of God cannot be overemphasized. Not just His ability to heal physical diseases or injury, but His unique capability to reach our souls and mend the things that medicine can't dream of touching.

Reading through the Old Testament prophets can be difficult sometimes. It's a awful feeling to read over and over again of Israel's failures, rebellion, and vicious acts of sin. It's even worse to see yourself reflected in those words. But God never convicts without giving hope; He never tears down without a chance to build up; He doesn't inflict injury without offering to heal.

 "I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to them." - Isaiah 57:17-18

This passage of healing is specifically speaking to those who are contrite (see Isaiah 57:15). "Contrite" people are those who weep over their wrongdoings and are filled with genuine sorrow for their sins. Throughout Jesus' ministry, He preached repentance over and over. This is because it is only those who are contrite that are capable of true repentance. And these are the people God will heal. Sometimes I find myself feeling spiritually lazy and slipping into a lifestyle that is not pleasing to God. During those times I need to pray for eyes to see my sin for what it is; I need to pray that God would allowed me to be mournful over my actions. When I can come to God broken and genuinely repentant, there is healing.

A Little Overwhelmed

This morning I'm a little overwhelmed by God's grace.

He loves when I have nothing lovely to offer. He forgives when I'm rebellious and stubborn. He cleanses when I've fallen in dirt. He's patient with me, far more patient than I've ever been with anybody. Time and time again I've screwed up, but He holds me up and says "let's try this again, I'm with you."

I'm blown away by the truth of Psalm 94:18 - "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me."

Unfailing love. I'm so in need of Him because I fail often... but He is unfailing.

All Are Welcome

When I read this passage a while ago, it really jumped out at me. It's a story about several different categories of people. Each of us fall into one of those categories, and each of us has a role to play in God's kingdom.

Matthew 20:1-8 (TNIV)“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.

He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’

So they went.“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing.

About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

“ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his supervisor, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

The landowner in this passage, obviously, is God. Before I go on, I just want to point out something remarkable at the beginning of this passage. God, the landowner, went "to hire workers for his vineyard." I want to say that I think it's amazing that God would choose to use people for His work. He's an all powerful, all knowing, and all sufficient God. He has no need for us, but He chooses to use us. He gave us life and a purpose.In this passage, the landowner returns to hire workers several times throughout the day. Whenever the Bible repeats things like this, I always like to see why it's being repeated. What is different about each repeat?The first time the landowner goes out to hire workers, it is "early in the morning". These workers are, for lack of a better word, the "keeners" of the world. These are the people who seem to always be on the ball, always seem to do things right. These people rise early and work hard all day long. I'm sure you know people from you church who you might classify in this category. They come from a strong Christian family, perhaps they're involved in the choir or leading small groups. These people are very important to God's work and it's obvious why God has hired them to work in the vineyard.But not everyone is like this. The landowner returns a second time. This time it was nine in the morning. The landowner found some more people standing around "doing nothing". These are the "late comers". Why were they doing nothing? Why weren't they there early in the morning when the first group was hired? Perhaps they slept in. Perhaps they were the wild crowd who, to be blunt, might be a little hung over from the night before. For whatever reason, they weren't there the whole time. Something made them late, but they did eventually show up. In today's world, these might represent people who didn't know God for their whole life. These people might not have come from a Christian background and it might have taken a while before anybody introduced the gospel to them. They're "late", but they showed up. They're repentant and ready to work. They're not perfect, as nobody is, but God invites them in all the same, "You also go and work in my vineyard".The final group hits me the hardest. This is group I most identify with. The landowner returns late in the day and finds a few more people standing around. These people were not late. They did not necessarily do anything wrong. After all, we're told that they have "been standing here all day long". They were there when the first group was hired. They were there when the second group was hired. But when asked why they're still standing around, they shyly confess "no one hired us"."Nobody wants us", "We're not good enough", "We are of no value", "We have nothing to offer".This sad statement resonates with millions of people in our hurting world. Every time a person turns to drinking or suicide, they are looking for acceptance. Every person who gets fired from a job is looking to have value. Every one who is the last to be picked for a sports team wants to be wanted. When a marriage breaks up, people wonder if they have anything to offer.They did everything to the best of their ability, they stood there all day long, but they couldn't measure up to the best of the best.But the landowner gives hope.

He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

In God's kingdom, you have value. In God's plan, you are essential. In God's heart, you are wanted. In God's vineyard, there is work that you have been specifically hired to do. God is saying to you, no matter how worthless the world may say you are, "you also go and work in my vineyard". You're wanted, you're welcomed, you're valued.This part of the passage concludes with the end of the work day. This, in my interpretation, represents the end of our earthly lives when we go meet our "landowner" face to face. Each worker is given the same payment. Whether they were the "best of the best" who showed up bright and early in the morning, or the last group hired late in the afternoon. All who enter in to God's kingdom are given the same reward: Eternal life!God is a fair and just God. He's a God who welcomes all, rewards all, and loves all. He's a God worth serving. Whether you've grown up in the church or have been beaten around by life, there's a place for you in God's kingdom. He came to you, He wants to hire you. He sent His son to make it all possible.That is one awesome landowner.

Defining Humility

Humility is one of those interesting virtues that everyone values, but few possess. Or, at least they don't possess as much of it as they want. Even the most prideful person around will likely say how much they admire humility and boast of how humble they are.

Scripture warns of pride many times.

Proverbs 16:5 - "The Lord detests all the proud of heart"
Proverbs 11:2 - "When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with humility comes wisdom.

Romans 12:16 - "Do not be proud ... "

Pride, however, thrives in our culture. It's a substantial temptation for anyone preparing for a job interview, filling out a school application, or even trying to make new friends. But in addition to the temptation of pride, I also think a huge concern is that humility is very poorly understood by the church, at least among the younger members. The most common definition (or at least application) or humility I've noticed is to refuse compliments and put yourself down.

Does this sound familiar?

Person A: "You're really smart!"
Person B: "Not really, I'm quite dumb actually."

Person A: "I wish I could play the piano as good as you."
Person B: "No, I suck at the piano."

This isn't the biblical definition of humility. In fact, person B might be "fishing for compliments" which is a deceptive form of pride. Pride and deception... a double-whammy sin. We've all been person B.

Here's a short excerpt on this subject from a older blog I used to write, discussing Luke 1:1-25.

In verse 25, Elizabeth acknowledges that her blessing is from God. She trusts in Himand doesn't credit this gift to luck or her own works. Not only does shegive God credit for doing that great thing for her, but she also saysthat He has shown her favor, meaning that she acknowledges God as aloving God who does good things. She says that He has taken away herdisgrace. She confesses that the disgrace is hers, yet God is the onewho removes it. This again shows God's love and favor and ability toheal and forgive. Not only was the disgrace taken away to benefitElizabeth, but also to glorify God, because the child she would bearwould bring people to God (see Luke 1:16).

In our own lives, we should thank God forwhat He has done. Daily reminding ourselves that what we haveis not from ourselves, but from God. We should remember His favor and thankHim for it. Also, We should remember that God has taken away our disgraceand healed us of sin. He has done this for my benefit, and alsofor His glory.

The point is not that we must refuse compliments, but re-direct them to where they belong. You are good at certain things because God has created you to be good at them! Acknowledge the blessings and gifts we've received, but also acknowledge the giver of those gifts. You shouldn't call yourself dumb if you're actually smart, because God has created your intelligence. You shouldn't put down your musical abilities if you are skilled in that area, because God has given you that ability. Disowning or degrading the gifts God has given you is insulting His creation. So welcome your gifts, just make sure the credit is given to the One is belongs.