A growing faith

Faith by itself is insufficient.  Before you pass out or hit the escape button let me explain.  Whether my blog or someone else’s is followed, or a thousand sermons heard, or one reads through the Bible a hundred times, if action is not put into our faith it will be insufficient.

How can I say this?  Peter said the same thing when he wrote, “In view of all this*, make every effort to respond to God’s promises.  Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Prior to those verses Peter reminds his audience, *“God has given us everything we need for living a godly life by his divine power when we come to know him.  He has given us great and precious promises that enable us to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”  (2 Peter 1:3-4) 

Faith was not meant to be a onetime experience, it was meant to be lived daily which equals action.   I, as well as you, have heard people say, “I wish I had faith like____.”  I can almost guarantee the ones being admired for their faith have had occurrences in their lives upon which they have had to add to their faith with what Peter suggests.

Faith will never grow in a vacuum.  Each supplement Peter talks about requires action and interaction with others.

A growing faith looks like this:  “The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8)

A dormant faith looks like this:  “But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9)

Which faith will you choose today, growing or dormant?

The Word

“I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6

When Jesus made this statement it wasn’t that his physical birth prompted these truths.  He already was the way, truth and life from before the beginning of time.

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.

God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:1-9)

 “I will never leave you or forsake you” was not just a promise to Jesus disciples when he physically walked this earth.  Since Jesus has always been, he will always be with us…never leaving us.

His coming into our world did not originate the promises Jesus made, but rather proclaimed what had been since before time as we know it and will continue to be truth for all eternity.  Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” (Mt 24:34)  Why?  Because the Word…the Truth has ALWAYS been and ALWAYS will be.  That is why we can stand firmly on his promises!

What do you want me to do for you?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus would ask a blind man what he would want Jesus to do for him?  To me it would have been obvious the man would want his sight back.  In the coaching classes I have taken one of the key principles is not to assume what the other person is in need of, even those needs that would seem obvious.  Through good questions from the coach, the one being coached reveals what they believe their need is and the goal of the coach is to help them set their own goals in how to accomplish their task.

Jesus shows he is the Great Coach in his interactions with others.  The Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 and the blind beggar in Luke 18 are perfect examples.   

The woman at the well left that day with her unseen need fulfilled even though the obvious need of water was left behind for the greater , “the woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village…”

The blind beggar left that day with the obvious need met, yet Jesus still gave the man the opportunity to answer the question, “What do you want me to do for you?”

As we go about our daily lives, let’s keep our eyes and ears open to those around us.  Let’s not be in such a schedule driven day we fail to respond to the silent cries of the hurting hearts in order to quickly fulfill the obvious need.  Take the time, and the risk, to ask, “If God were to do something for you today, what would you want him to do?”

What would YOU want Jesus to do for you today?

Faith Grows from Obedience

We have an elderly family member that even though I know they are grateful in their hearts for what is done for them, they haven’t always verbally expressed their thanks.  To the point where sometimes it seems they just bark orders all the while we are waiting for the “thank you” or “please”.  When I mentioned this observation to them, their response was one of surprise, “I always say thank you and please” and in their minds they may think this is so.

I was thinking about this while reading Luke 17:10 this morning.  The disciples were asking Jesus to show them how to increase their faith.  Jesus gave them the illustration of the mustard seed and then adds,

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

Am I the only one or have you ever thought this was an odd illustration of how to increase ones faith?  What does a master not thanking his servant for doing what he should be doing have to do with increasing faith?

Simply this, why do we crave recognition for doing what God expects us to do as part of his family?  And is it God’s recognition or man’s we want?  Are we doing God a favor by simply carrying out what his desires are?

Self honor, appreciation or thanks are not to be the driving force behind obedience to God.  Love is.  Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them.  And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.  All who love me will do what I say.  My Father will love them and we will come and make our home with each of them.  I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.” (John 14:15-27)

Truth is the foundation trust is built upon. Obedience-love is the result of trusting even though we don’t understand.  Faith grows from obedience, a resignation not in our own way.  These do not require 'thank you', 'please' or appreciation.  We are merely doing what is required of us with the greater reward being faith.

As with a circle these three are a constant flow into each other.

There is no shortcut to faith.  Want faith?  It starts and continues with obedience.

A Watchman In Prayer

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
    Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

This verse has always inspired and moved me to belief-action.  When I begin to feel as though my prayers are just words I am always reminded of David and his burning passion and intimacy with God.  This reminder was not just David’s but is as necessary for us today as is breathing for our physical bodies.

Do we really pray expecting God to answer or do we wait until the answer is known before we become expectant?

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, “I publicly proclaim bold promises.    I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me I could not be found.  I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.” (Is 45:19)

“Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.” (Is 59:1)

Micah declared, “As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” Micah 7:7 

Today can we really trust God will hear us, even want to hear us?  Is his ear only bent toward some and not others?

Expectantly in Psalm 5:3 means to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch, watch closely.  This is similar to a watchman on the city walls looking intently and waiting expectantly.

What does a watchman do?

1.  Stays alert

 AT ALL TIMES……“Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

IN PERSISTENCE….. And so I tell you keep on asking, and you will receive…Keep on seeking, and you will find…Keep on knocking and the door will be open.” (Lk 11:9-10); Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Eph 6:18)

WITH A THANKFUL HEART… Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Col 4:2)

  

2.  Announces what he sees/hears

OPPOSITION…Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

VICTORY… You were dead because of your sins…Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.  He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.  In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities.  He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Col 2:1-15

 3.  Keeps guard of an entrance

TO THE HEART…Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 1 Corinthians 16:13

TO THE MIND…Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7

TO THE MOUTH…Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
 Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.
Don’t let me share in the delicacies (gossip??) of those who do wrong. Ps 141:3-4

4.  Sits high above so he can see over what he guards

THERE IS NO OTHER POWER OR AUTHORITY ABOVE OUR GOD… Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. Ephesians 1:21

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:21-23

Go deeper

When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)

At the height of Peter’s need he meets Jesus.  He has no clue the answer will become the catalyst for a life transformation.  But before Jesus provides the solution he asks Peter to help him…to give of his resources (the boat).  We know the end result but Peter didn't.  We also get glimpses of what may have been some of the teaching Peter heard that day.  Whatever Peter heard Jesus say caused him to try again, to ‘go deeper.’   Peter was a professional fisherman; he didn't need anyone instructing him in his trade. 

“We worked hard all night and didn't catch a thing, but if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”

Several observations:

 Jesus asked Peter for something before he provided for Peter.    “…Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it (the boat) out into the water.  So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.”  This observation is not to be taken as a “1-2-3 step for receiving”.  Peter was in the midst of washing his nets—he was working and took time away from his work.  I often wonder if we get so focused on ourselves and the expectations for our needs to be met before we are willing to give or help others. What would Jesus want from me before____________?

Peter’s transformation begins.  He was willing to give, to leave behind exactly what he needed.  What if God answered our most desperate need today?  Would we be willing to give back to God totally and without reserve the very means by which that desperation was met? Would we clench with closed hand the blessing God has given us?  Going deeper is costly.  Fear and worry are replaced with trust and faith; surrender takes the place of resistance. Going deeper requires leaving the usual for the unusual.

“And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.”

‘I’ is not part of ‘we’.  “..I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you…All who love me will do what I say.  My Father will love them and we will come and make our home with each of them….I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 14:16,23,27; 16:33)

We fall prey to stinkin’ thinkin’ when we believe ‘I need to take care of myself… better myself…cleanse myself…before I can give out to others.’    In the presence of Holy, Peter was overwhelmed by his own sinfulness and he was awestruck with the answer to his need.  Jesus said, ‘Don’t be afraid!’  Peter was not going to become and do what Jesus was calling him to do by himself.  Nor did Jesus require Peter to fix himself before he could be used.  Jesus doesn't call us today to be or do for him by ourselves.  Peter abandoned ‘I’ to become part of ‘We’.  Are we truly willing to abandon the ‘I’ to be overtaken by the ‘We’?

There will no doubt be readers of this blog going through difficult situations. 

“Teacher, we have tried everything we know to do and it just isn't working.”   What if Jesus were asking us to, “go out where it is deeper.”    What would that ‘deeper’ look like?  Would we trust him enough with no excuses and no answers needed to go there?

What are we desperately praying for and when he answers would we be willing to leave everything and follow Jesus?

Do we sincerely want God’s wisdom?

Setting boundaries is a popular word phrase to express taking control in a particular area(s) of one’s life.  I agree there are some instances where this is critical for the physical and emotional well being of someone who is being victimized.  But just as boundaries can be a protective measure it can also become an excuse to keep people out or to wield control.

So what do boundaries have to do with wisdom?  I guess it would all depend on what kind of wisdom we are seeking.

We probably all know of situations where boundaries have been drawn because of offenses yet the offenses have not been talked through to any resolution.  Each is waiting for the other to make a move.  Each is a believer in Jesus Christ and wants to live according to God’s way.  Each one claiming they have sought God’s wisdom and feel justified in their decisions before the Lord. 

Yet the chasm grows wider with each passing moment.  Those close to the situation see the affects of the standoff but their concerns are met with charges of interference.

How can this be? Friendships, families and churches are torn apart all waiting for the other person(s) to make the first move.  What and how does praying for God’s wisdom look like in these circumstances?  How can both ends of the spectrum be deemed correct yet destruction loom?

To help answer these questions, let’s look at what James has to say about wisdom.

     If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.

     If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.  For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.  For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

      But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 1:5-6;3:13-18NLT)

Ø  If we sincerely want wisdom, ask God…don’t rely on another person for our wisdom.  In the process be ready to possibly receive a different direction not anticipated.  Are we willing to change or even abandon our course to follow God’s wisdom? Do we ‘sincerely’ want God’s wisdom?  

Ø  Wisdom is shown by the way we live our lives, our deeds and depth of humility in which we do those.  Wisdom will only grow in the soil of humility.  Bitterness, jealousy, selfish ambition, boasting and lying are not byproducts of God’s kind of wisdom and need to be weeded (not just surface-cut but deep roots pulled) from our hearts soil in order for wisdom to take root.  Humility is fertilized with purity, mercy, good deeds, sincerity, gentleness, peace and a willingness to yield to others.  This is the environment wisdom grows.  Do we ‘sincerely’ want God’s wisdom?

Ø  Wisdom and peacemaking go hand in hand. To be a peacemaker means actively pursuing peace regardless of whether it is reciprocated.  Our actions and reactions are the only ones we have control over.  This peace, in the Greek, is the same Paul talks about in Galatians 5 as part of the fruit of the Spirit.  Do we ‘sincerely’ want God’s wisdom?

Ø  Wisdom and willingness to yield to others, no matter who is right, go hand in hand.   Being willing to yield to another in some translation is “being reasonable.”  Perhaps this is in our yielding to the other person or in our expectations of that other person.  Do we ‘sincerely’ want God’s wisdom?

Each bullet point ends with a deliberate question:  Do we ‘sincerely’ want God’s wisdom.  If we do, we will no doubt be the one to change course, to abandon our right (real or perceived) for the good of wisdom to be shown, to re-evaluate certain boundaries and for healing to begin even if it is in our hearts alone.