Speaking Up

May 13, 2009
Text: Titus 2:1-8
Title: Speaking Up

Thoughts:

Since we’re on the subject of personal hygiene this week, I thought I’d throw one more enticing story in. A few years back I was meeting with someone to discuss some ministry expansion ideas. It so happened that the two individuals I was meeting with, no one related to our church, were both older than myself. As we sat meeting over breakfast, one of the individual’s allergies flared up. And, with the allergies came hana butter, which in Hawaii means “nose butter” or the affectionate nasal goo that produces boogers. Thankfully, I was finished with my “Two eggs and things”!

As is typically the case, there were remnants that remained on the outer portion of her nose for the rest of our meeting time. It was a bit uncomfortable and embarassing. But who wants to tell a lady the age of your grandmother that she has a remnant remaining on her face?!

Titus addressing the spiritual conditions of the Cretan elders was probably as appealing as was telling this elderly lady that she had da kine on her face. In his case, Titus was dealing with spiritual issues of people who were much older than himself. I can’t imagine that there would be any comfort in this. Nevertheless, the apostle Paul emphatically calls the minister of God to his position as a leader in the church. Indeed, it was his responsibility to lead, even the elders.

At times it is difficult for us to confront core spiritual hygiene with those who should know better. Better yet, it is difficult for us to tell our friends that they have something on their face. Yet, if we were polled, the large majority would want to know that we had something that needed to be corrected in our hygiene, rather than walking around looking unkept. Such should be the case for us spiritually, we should both be ready to lovingly accept spiritual direction and correction, as well as receive it. But it’s not always that simple.

Why does hygiene have to be so persnickety?!

PS: I never told the lady she had da kine on her face.

Application:

Why do you think we struggle to speak up in the lives of others?

How do you respond when others do speak up about issues in your life?

What might people be noticing about your spiritual hygiene right now, but just aren’t saying anything?

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for the spiritual and practical direction of Scripture. Truly, You are calling us all higher in You. Looking back over my life, I have come to appreciate those Titus’ who were willing to speak up concerning some spiritual blind spots in my life. I am the better for it. Yet, I struggle with speaking up in the lives of others, especially when they are my elders. Help me to become confident to speak up for healthy doctrine. May Your body become all that You desire it to be!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Money: Mercury of the Heart

April 30, 2009
Text: Philippians 4:10-20
Title: Money: Mercury of the Heart

 

Thoughts:

As I sit to write today’s devo, centered in a passage of giving, in the background I have a streaming webcast. It is of a live meeting of my tribe, affectionate term for the denomination I serve in, discussing how they might ‘reallocate resources’ that are sent in by the individual churches throughout our denomination. Though a bit of a distraction while writing, I find it an intricate part of my role as a pastor and leader in this great tribe.

With the ancient text before me and the live-breaking discussion streaming in the background, I find myself caught in a current approach to embody Scripture. The ‘reallocation of resources’ is dealing with the amount of monies our local churches send into the larger denominational offices. The concern: the management of money. At stake: ministry. The epicenter: the heart.

As embodied in Philippians 4:10-20, giving is a natural by-product of the heart. I say money is the mercury of the heart. As seen in a thermometer, mercury does not change the temperature, but responds to the temperature. Likewise, our money, and its flow, merely responds to the temperature of our heart. (And, that varies from one region to the next.)

Thankfully, we have examples throughout Scripture that reveal the harvest that correlates with the generosity that flows from the heart warmed by God. Ministry is funded and fulfilled through generous givers. Sadly, when our hearts grow cold in the region of our contributions to ministry, our hearts have grown cold toward the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The two are inextricably intertwined. Likewise, when the recipients of ministry contributions fail to plant the funds in the harvest of the Gospel, it reveals a temperature change in the heart of the ministry organization.

Giving matters because it reflects the temperature of the heart. Jesus said, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21) May we exercise caution when we begin to withdraw from generous giving in ministry, this applies to both the giver and receiver.

 

Application:

How has your giving reflected a temperature change in your heart?

What region of your heart is the warmest at the moment? (i.e., where does your checkbook say your treasure is?)

What elements initiate climate changes in your giving? (e.g., withdrawing from church, becoming more involved in your faith, latest fashions, new gadgets, etc.)

 

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for the opportunity to sow into the ministry. May my generosity and stewardship ever reflect my heart ablaze for You and Your kingdom work. How I long to reveal continuously my devotion to You above my material possessions. Today, help me to find the place that I can invest Your resources into ministries that will proclaim Your sovereignty and beauty.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

No Regressions

April 17, 2009
Text: Philippians 3:15-21
Title: No Regressions

 

Thoughts:

With the evolution of the internet comes a plethora of information and instruction. The click of a mouse sends streaming videos of speakers, teachers, and would be theologians. The scroll of a page brings thousands of views of what Scripture is saying; none of which agrees with the other. Each webpage, author, and blogger seemingly introduces a new and better faith.

Perhaps, the Philippians were in a similar world. We know that many had come in to instill more insight into Scripture and discredit the apostle Paul, as seen throughout the entire letter. Nevertheless, Paul narrows his audience in verse 15 and begins to address those who are sincere about having a “mature” attitude about their faith. To the “other-minded” ones: “If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision–you’ll see it yet!” (Phil. 3:15b The Message).

Back to the marriage of our internet culture and the vast array of theological interpreters…I marvel at the libertinism that is rampant in our faith at the moment. Even within myself I find a creeping presence of laxness seeking to enter my walk. It seems, we are at a place where lowering standards is an accepted norm; an area where immaturity has become the new maturity.

Lest the sincere be tempted to regress in their faith’s standards, the apostle’s words are to be spiritual handcuffs. He writes, “However, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained” (Phil. 3:17) The Message aptly summarizes it as, “Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” In Paul’s counsel there is no room for regressing into our old ways and less than truths.

May this be a call for us today. All around us haphazard approaches to faith are accepted mores. It is the new normal. Nevertheless, there must remain a remnant that seeks to live up to the revelation of Jesus Christ they have received. If the Lord has revealed something as unacceptable practice in our lives in the past, our years of spiritual service have probably not made the practice any more acceptable. Let us live to the standards we have already received. No regressions!

 

Application:

Are there areas in your life and faith that you can see regressions?

What areas of your spiritual walk might be in regression? (Bible reading, Scripture memorization, prayer, etc.)

Paul encouraged the Philippians to follow him in his walk. Who’s example are you following?

 

Prayer:

Father,

How easily I find myself being swayed by those who seem to be more spiritual than me. Yet, in my own heart You have clearly given me a revelation that speaks otherwise. May I have the courage and commitment today to remain firm in my standard of faith. I desire progression and not regression. May I grow closer to You in these last days and not farther away. Help me, I pray.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Tyranny of the Past, Present, and Future

April 16, 2009
Text: Philippians 3:12-16
Title: The Tyranny of the Past, Present, and Future

 

Thoughts:

tyranny |ˈtirənē|noun

cruel and oppressive government or rule : refugees who managed to escape Nazi tyranny | the removal of the regime may be the end of a tyranny.
• a nation under such cruel and oppressive government.
• cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control : she resented his rages and his tyranny | figurative the tyranny of the nine-to-five day | his father’s tyrannies.
• (esp. in ancient Greece) rule by one who has absolute power without legal right.

Perhaps, it seems a bit of an overkill to have a tyranny of the past, present, and future. Nevertheless, many of us live under the demanding control of such tyrannies everyday.

As I wrote in a previous blog (Forgetting the Past…I Press On), I was absolutely shocked to find the apostle Paul, an invincible saint in my eyes, struggling with the shameful actions of his past. Describing his persecution of the church in Phil. 3:6, he uses an active verb that refers to his past as a present action (cf., aforementioned blog). Not even the mighty apostle could break the recurring horrors of his past.

Nevertheless, Paul refocused his attention towards forgetting the past and pressing on toward his future. As actively as he remembered, he forgot. In his present state, he was neither what he was, nor was he what he should be. Nevertheless, he was pursuing to overtake, chasing to capture. He was in transition.

Before Paul was a state of perfection which he had not yet reached (Phil. 3:12). Neither in his past, nor in his present had Paul ever reached perfection. And, in the end, his perfection will not occur until he meets Christ in glory. However, he charged forward in an attempt to become all that Christ had intended for him to be. He says, “I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12).

Either of these three, our past, present, or future, can become an ill tyranny for anyone of us. To live under the horrible dictatorship of the past is to live a death sentence for what was. Presently we live with the consequences, whether positively or negatively, of our past choices. Yet, what we do today determines who leads tomorrow. Will it be what was or what we desire to be? If it is the former, then the future becomes yet a continuance of tyranny. If it is the latter, you live within the grasps of life the way God intended it.

The past is a horrible dictator.

The present is a transitional leader.

The future is either a kingdom of euphoria or infamy…and this is determined by who rules in the present.

 

Application:

How have you experienced the tyranny of your past, present, and future?

Is today’s leadership a tyranny? (i.e., Are you living under the oppression of your past or future?)

What is active in your life at this moment: Remembering or Forgetting?

 

Prayer:

Father,

How liberating it is to know that You have given me today. With this day, I am given the opportunity to forget my plaguing past and pursue perfection in You. My past makes for such a wicked master. Yet, the glimpses of a life where You rule and reign offer me the hope and joy of a peaceful kingdom. Lord, I desire to be “lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” I want to become what You have desired me to be.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.