God
A redefined disciple
As this year began, there was a restless stirring in my soul. I couldn’t put a name to it, or identify a precise reason for it. There was just this vague knowing that God was about to do something. So I waited and prayed. The prayer that seemed to spring from my heart unbidden, with a life of it’s own, was “Lord, what do I lack?”
The days turned into weeks, and yet there was no answer. Still there was the question, “Lord, what do I lack?” As truly as the Scriptures say that He will be found by those who seek Him, He did indeed send the answer. It started with an email I received. (You can read it here)
As I read about the daily life of these believers, I was cut to the heart. I had evaluated my walk with God by comparing my life with other believers that I knew. But my error suddenly seemed so clear as I sensed the Lord saying “why have you assumed the American church is the proper standard of measure?”
I began to review my spiritual life and saw how I had bought into American church culture as normal and acceptable to God. How about this phrase……God understands that you don’t have time to pray. After all, you have:
– a demanding job
– family responsibilities
– too much drama right now
Not only have I believed this, that God would just accept whatever I felt like giving Him based on how comfortable it was for me, but I had told this to other people. But is this the way He reveals Himself in the Bible?
He didn’t tell Abraham, “I understand how important Isaac is to you. A good father should love his son intensely.” No. He said “put him on the altar and kill him.”
No gods before Me. He still means that. He still wants those Isaacs on the altar. Some of them He will give back to us. But others He will require us to plunge the knife into. The choice is His.
David said, I will not offer to the Lord that which cost me nothing. (2 Samuel 24:24). My discipleship has cost me very little.
I don’t want American Christianity. I want radical, authentic Biblical Christianity. Discipleship is being redefined in my life. It is a journey into reality. I expect that it will be revolutionary.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
Discontentment – you liar!
There’s an old adage that goes like this – “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” I’ve seen the truth of this demonstrated many times in my own life and in the life of others. I see it also in Numbers 11.
The people of Israel have just been miraculously delivered from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. This group of people has never experienced freedom, but only the oppressive rule of Pharoah. Throughout the time of their captivity, they cried out to God for deliverance. He heard them and sent Moses. Now they are free.
It’s hard to imagine what that must have felt like. It seems as though the emotions would have been overpowering at times, especially as they witnessed the mighty power of God displayed on their behalf.
But after a year, the newness of freedom has worn off. Manna from heaven is no longer quite so wonderful. And the complaining begins. Dissatisfied with what God has provided they listen to the voice of discontentment and make it their own. But discontentment is a liar.
Discontentment lies about the past – “we remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.” (Num. 11:5) Discontentment’s selective memory seems to have forgotten the bitter slavery, harsh taskmasters and forced murder of their children. It paints a picture of the past that appears very appealing and then casts it before our eyes that we might gaze longingly upon it.
Discontentment lies about the present – “but now our whole being is dried up…” (Num 11:6). Discontentment will always exaggerate the present difficulty, convincing you that it is unbearable and unreasonable to expect you to tolerate it. Discontentment will convince you that you are a victim of circumstances, one unfairly treated, deserving so much better than what you have received.
Discontentment lies about the future – “who will give us meat to eat?” (Num 11:4). The question implies that there is a fear that since they do not currently have meat, they will never have meat. Discontentment always seeks that thing that it does not currently have and grumbles because it sees no means to acquire it.
Complaining, grumbling and murmuring are the companions of discontentment. Where you find one, you will inevitably find the others. There are a sneaky lot, and can come upon us stealthily. But by the words of our mouth we can know if we have been caught in their net.
While discontentment may not be frowned upon in the world, it is most certainly frowned upon by God. Numbers 11:1 says that “the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused.”
Our heavenly Father graciously allows us to ask Him for the things that we need. He even allows us to ask for things that we desire. But when all the asking is done, He expects that we will gladly receive what He judges best to give, with contentment.
We can safely be content, knowing that we have such a good Father who always gives us exactly what we need.
Unmoved
Anchored firmly, I’ll not waver
Though the storms rage all around
I’m gripped so tightly by my Saviour
I’ll not be moved by quaking ground
Though buffeted by trials and fears
My hope endures and has prevailed
No sorrow has the strength to slay me
Defeat is conquered, despair has failed
Jesus, all my hope and glory
Clinging to Him, I will stand
No darkness now shall make me stumble
It is dispelled at His command
So rage on, storm, my gaze is fixed
In Christ I find all fears allayed
My strength and peace in Him hold firm
My Solid Rock is never swayed
Rollercoasters
As a former rollercoaster enthusiast, I travelled to several states to experience the thrill of the coaster. The higher and faster, the better. I would wait in line for hours for a 3 minute ride.
You will find those who are mere amateurs in the ways of thrill rides clinging to the bars or harnesses through the whole ride, as if their grip in some way makes them more secure. But those who are more experienced defy the danger and hold their hands up, thus boldly making the declaration “I am not afraid.”
I haven’t been on a rollercoaster in a few years. Except the one that I’m living. I have become somewhat more experienced in this ride than I would have liked. But what my experience has taught me is that throughout the duration of this ride I MUST cling.
Jesus is my protection during this ride. He keeps me safe and keeps me from falling. I must cling tightly. And the more tightly I cling, the more firmly I can proclaim “I am not afraid.”
There are some rides we would rather not get on. But if we must ride, let us also cling.
“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.” Psalm 73:28
I can’t hear You, God
“So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.” Exodus 6:9
To get the total context of this you’ll need to start at the beginning of this chapter, but in the previous 8 verses the Lord has made some wonderful promises to Israel. Promises of deliverance and relationship with Himself. He hasn’t asked them to do anything, but states over and over – I will, I will, I will.
Moses brings this word to the people, a word that should have brought hope and encouragement, but they could not receive it.
Why? They were overpowered by the anguish of their spirit and the difficulty of their situation. To be fair, they were in great difficulty. Slavery is bad enough, but their affliction had only increased since Moses’ arrival. They were tired and discouraged and their spiritual condition and unfavorable circumstances prevented them from heeding what God had spoken through Moses.
I have this problem sometimes too. I have a friend at work who can tell when I’m stressed almost beyond my limit. At those times, she’ll look at me so compassionately and say, “It’s gonna be alright. Jesus is coming.”
That never fails to make me smile. Because He IS coming. He has promised to “come again and receive me to Himself” (John 14:3). But in the midst of my struggles, that promise doesn’t always resound so clearly in my heart.
I am thankful for the many ways He sends reminders to me. He always finds a way to help me hear Him.
Epaphroditus – a risk taker
“because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.” Philippians 2:30
Epaphroditus was sent to Paul by the Philippians. Perhaps he was bringing an offering of love from the beloved Philippians believers. But at some point in his journey Epaphroditus became sick. So sick that he almost died. Paul says of this man that he did not regard his life because of the work of Christ. He risked it all.
This reminds me of the words of the Saviour in Mark 8:35, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” This is what Epaphroditus did.
The apostle Paul’s instructions to the Philippians regarding Epaphroditus are as follows: “Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem” (v. 29). There is something very admirable and praiseworthy in risking it all for Jesus.
John Piper has written a book titled “Don’t Waste Your Life.” It sits on my bookshelf and every time I see the title I feel rebuked. What a comfortable life I have. How little I risk for Jesus.
Safe? Yes. But isn’t there more to this life than being safe and comfortable? Isn’t there more than being liked and respected?
My heart aches to make an impact in this world for Jesus Christ. Why do I continue to cling to comfort, security and safety? What will it take for me to throw it all on the altar?
These questions are uncomfortable. They are haunting. But they must be answered.
He is my Delight 