Growing Out of Our Difficulties

I said I wasn’t going to be cheesy and write about 9/11, but I just couldn’t help but recall our nation’s difficulties 8 years ago today. Today’s devo seeks to take some of the lessons we’ve learned this week, combine them with lessons we learned from 9/11, and offer a challenge for each of us to take difficulties and leverage them for growth. We can learn from our struggles (individually and corporately; spiritually and physically).

My we remember and restructure for growth.

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
Few Americans have gone through this day without recalling the horrific events of 9/11. My Facebook friends and fellow Twitter-ers have dotted their updates with recollections of where they were, how they felt, and their commitment to remember 9/11. Having recently moved to the Big Island, I’ll never forget the silence in the air in the days that followed. Positioned in an area above the airport, I was beginning to acclimate to the sounds of jets taking off and landing at all hours of the day and night. The silence of parked air carriers and sights of armed guards at our small airport was a constant reminder that life had changed.

A few years later, we now grumble about the amount of security at our airports. The TSA lines and 3 ounce bottles packed in a plastic bag seem to serve only as time penalties for arriving at the airport a little too close to your departing flight. Worse yet, there will be no running to the gate because you must retie your shoes that you have just reapplied after the screening process. Yes, I am guilty of thinking bad thoughts and mumbling disrespectful statements about the men and women who are seeking to keep our airways safe, even if the greater population of the world has never even heard of Hilo, HI.

As a nation, we learned a lot on September 11. We were awakened to the reality that we have real enemies who are willing to invade our soil in order to destroy us; a reality we had forgotten in our pride-induced comma. But it’s a lesson that’s not just worthy of a nation’s attention. It is a reminder that we too should recall as believers. The safety we enjoy within the walls of the church is still territory for the enemy. The victories and peace we enjoyed yesterday is being targeted by our enemy today. He is persistent and success can be his tool for our demise as a disciple, husband/wife, church, nation, etc.

Warning of complacency and resting guards, Warren Wiersbe writes, “In times of success, it is easy for us to maintain the status quo, but this is dangerous…Any ministry or organization that thinks its success will go on automatically is heading for failure. We must regularly examine our lives and our ministries lest we start taking things for granted.”

The early Church had experienced rapid growth. More than 5,000 had been added to the Church in a short amount of time. They were riding an unparalleled wave of the Holy Spirit’s success. However, there was a restructuring that had to be made in order for the continued growth of the Church. Without it the enemy would have performed a horrific act within the confines of such a beautiful community. The apostles had to clarify and devote themselves to their calling: prayer and preaching the Word (Acts 6:4). Meanwhile, the congregation had to assume responsibilities for which the Holy Spirit had equipped and prepared them (Acts 6:3). With this formula of realization + realignment = growth, discovered through their difficulties, the Church made the necessary changes that have sustained it throughout the generations.

If America was to remain an open and free country following 9/11, changes had to be made in order to secure its safety and growth. Likewise, the Church, if it desired growth, had to make changes. The apostles could not fulfill their tasks and minister to the daily needs of the widows. A new system was developed. It was a system that allowed numerical growth and inward spiritual growth.

“…problems give us the opportunity to examine our ministry [and lives] and discover what changes must be made.”

Warren Wiersbe (inclusions mine)

Application
What difficult situations have caused you to experience growth? Did you experience growth without realization and realignment?

What difficulties in your life today might be signals for an opportunity to grow?

Are you willing to pay the price for growth? (dedication, discipline, commitment, etc.)

Prayer
Father,

It was difficulties in life that led me to You. Realizing my need for change and a Savior, I turned to You and sought to align myself with You. Like our nation, along the way I have been lulled to believe that I am safe. Yet, my current difficulties are a continual reminder that I am more in need of You today than I was in the beginning. Help me to realign myself to Your Word and will today. I desire growth personally and corporately. Lead me in this endeavor I pray.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Realignment and Body Function

I cannot tell you how much I am learning from Acts 6. Each time I think I have wrapped my understanding around it, God reveals more of Himself. As we continue through these first few verses, diligently seek to internalize what it is that God is trying to say to us, His body. When we align ourselves to His will and way, the world has yet to see what it is that He can accomplish through us.

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
I’ll never forget my first trip to the chiropractor. After a back injury at 19, I often experienced pain in my feet and legs. This time, however, it was more than I could handle. So, I took the plunge and went to the chiropractor.

While waiting for his appearance, I took the time to educate myself on the many ‘disfunctions’ of a ‘misaligned’ back. A simple, but painful, misaligned vertebrae affects everything from headaches to skin conditions to bowel movements. Who knew bodily functions were affected by misaligned vertebrae?!

Spiritually speaking, there are many body functions that are affected by misalignment. Consider a few: a pastor living in sin, members who suffer with control issues, leaders who do not disciple others to do what God has called them to do, etc. In the early Church, the latter was the problem. The apostles had not yet released the believers to their functions in the body. The result: the body was suffering from misalignment issues.

When Paul wrote of the five-fold ministry in Ephesians 4:11-16, he described the intent of ministry. In verse 12 he says it was “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry…” The role of Christian leadership is to disciple new leaders for the work of the ministry. When the leader fails, the growth of ministry is stunted, division results, and differences become irreconcilable.

I would be amiss if were to ignore the greatest alignment issue of all of our lives: repentance. Realignment is ultimately about realigning ourselves with God’s pattern, will, and way. In terms of this week’s devo, ‘realization’ is likened unto conviction and ‘realignment’ to repentance. We must realize our failures, acknowledge God’s ways, and align ourselves through the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

The next time things seem to be malfunctioning, don’t forget to check your alignment first. It affects the body.

Application
When have you seen a misalignment cause the body to function improperly?

Understanding the body relationship, how does your misalignment affect the body?

What area(s) might you need to be realigned today?

Prayer
Father,

How quickly we, Your Body, become misaligned. And, as Paul noted, I am the chief culprit among them. I often misunderstand how greatly my actions affect the body of Christ. Whether it is in my personal disobedience or neglect of biblical duties as a leader, my actions hinder the function of the body. Forgive me and help me to realign with Your Word and will today. I desire to see Your body flourish as You masterfully created it to do. Realign us today.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Without Offense

Today’s devo goes hand in hand with yesterday’s. In order to realize the need for change, we must accept the reports of what needs to be changed. However, my temptation is to often make an enemy out of the one who is trying to apprise me of my need for change. How narrow-minded I can be?! I only seek to stunt my growth and the growth of the Church.

I hope you gain something from today’s devo that will help you grow!

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
Few can deny the increasing temperatures in the political realm. Just bring up one of the hot topics like the budget or healthcare in an open market place. Quickly, friends and foes are created with just a few words. The Democrats leap on the Republicans and vice versa. To the left, it seems obvious that this is the way it must be. To the right, it is just as obvious that such a move is the wrong move. And, each are as passionately opposed to the other. Generally, however, the truth lies somewhere in between. Nevertheless, the groups push headlong into their respective positions.

Here’s a life principle:
        It is hard to accept truth from an enemy—even when the same truth is obvious to our friends.

I am continually amazed at how some things are so obvious to everyone around us, but we refuse to accept it because it comes from our enemies. Acts 6 describes two different groups in the early Church: the Hellenistic Jews (Greek speaking) and the native Jews (Hebrew speaking). “In the Jewish world as a whole there were tensions between them, and some of these tensions endured between members of the two groups who had joined the “disciples”—as the followers of Jesus are here called for the first time in Acts.“ (F.F. Bruce). The clash between these believers—devoted, Christ-following believers—remained despite their membership in the body of Christ. And from the words of Acts 6, skepticism remained among them.

There are multiple ways this tense dispute of Acts 6 could have worked out. The apostles could have taken the complaints of the Hellenistic Jews as being their normal nagging complaints. The Hellenistic Jews could have taken their offense, said nothing to the apostles, and pulled out of the Church; leaving the apostles wondering what had happened. There are so many ways this dispute could have gone.

But it worked out beautifully. Why? Because both groups were willing to set aside their offenses and come to realize the other’s position. The apostles had to recognize that the complaint of the Hellenistic Jews wasn’t just their negative criticism. It was constructive criticism. There was a legitimate flaw in the system. Be it intentional or accidental, a flaw existed. Meanwhile, the Hellenistic Jews had to understand the immense demands being placed upon the apostles. The Church was more than 5,000 members. How could they preach/teach and take care of the day to day management issues of the Church?

For a solution to be reached, both parties had to put aside their offenses, drop the title and temptations of making the other party an ”enemy“, and realize what was truthfully taking place, be intentional or accidental. What incredible lessons there are for us in this foundational text of Acts 6. If we choose to make constructive criticism an enemy, we stunt our growth. Let’s drop our offenses and seek to understand the truth in what others are saying.

Application
Do you find this statement to be true: It is hard to accept truth from an enemy?

Has there been a time when you have made an enemy out of those who brought a legitimate flaw to you?

How can letting down our offenses to accept truth from a critic help us grow?

Prayer
Father,

How difficult it must have been for the apostles and Hellenistic Jews to lay aside their preconceived notions of one another in order to reach an agreement for the good of the Kingdom. Nevertheless, they did and the Church grew and they grew individually. In my life, help me to accept constructive criticism without making an enemy out of those trying to help me solve the known issues. We are not enemies but sharpening stones for one another. Help Your Body today. Help me as a part of Your Body.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Realization

Welcome back from a long weekend. I pray yours was as enjoyable as mine. It is always great to be with friends and family.

I’m uber excited about this week’s devo theme. I have been so challenged by what I’m learning from Acts 6. It is truly revolutionary if we will grasp it. It provides us with a process that brings change. I pray you’re challenged by it as much as I have been.

Aloha,
Allen

Thoughts
On Sunday we looked at a formula for growth that is outlined in Acts 6. According to the things that transpire in the first seven verses, the following resolution emerges:

Realization + Realignment = Growth

It simply states, “If growth is going to take place, one must realize the need for change and make the necessary changes.”

The principle looks so innocent and palpable. In fact, it even rolled off my tongue with ease on Sunday. The congregation seemed to accept the statement with little or no resistance. But I must tell you, accepting the reality that things must change is difficult. It takes maturity, humility, and vulnerability. Realization requires brutal and open honesty with one’s self.

If you’ve ever watched an intervention attempt, you understand that if an intervention is going to be successful the individual with the problem must recognize they have a problem. Until a drug user realizes the demise of his addiction, external attempts are met with resistance. Ultimately, no change will occur until an awareness for change is created.

In Acts 6 the apostles and Hellenistic Jews had to come to a realization that changes must be made to their current leadership structure. Whether real or perceived, the Hellenistic Jews felt their widows were being left out in the daily serving of food. Across the aisle, the apostles had to recognize the validity of their complaint. Defense mechanisms by both sides could have been deployed, but the apostles chose to openness and honesty in order for change to take place.

Realizing the need for change is key to growth. Ignoring the problem, denying the validity—the actual truth—of the claims being made, and shunning all critical comments would have caused the apostles to miss one of the greatest moves of the New Testament church. What growth are you avoiding with your head in the sand?

Application
Why is it so hard to realize the need for changes in our life?

Are claims being made against you that have truth in them, but you are avoiding the truth because of the one making the claims?

Have multiple remarked about similar issues in your life that need to change? Are you willing to admit that things need to change in your life?

Prayer
Father,

How difficult it is to admit my need for change. It’s not that I believe I’m perfect, it’s just that I am often blind to the things others see so clearly about me. Maturity, humility, and honesty could position me for powerful transformation. I ask for an awareness like the apostles. They recognized the needed changes, made them, and the Church grew. I desire that in my life today. Cultivate it in me.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.