General Articles

As a Theology (Religious Studies) major in college, I read through our texts each week and reflect on my own life in relation to the objectives and concepts we’re learning. This week in Spiritual formation, I find myself praising God that I chose to take this course this session because we are studying the balance between being and doing which is really hitting home for me. I most certainly sacrifice the “being” aspect in regards to maintaining an intimate and consistent relationship with God — gathering my strength and energy from Him. Most days, I run on little to nothing while giving 110% to causes unworthy of all the sacrifices I make to fulfill my activities and obligations. I sacrifice time with my kids, study time, personal time, prayer time, and sleep time to keep my design business going steady.

I overload my plate on a regular basis and I habitually push myself to meet deadlines and accept projects that require me to operate on about four hours of sleep. I dedicate myself to my own ambitions while pushing this ministry (among other things) to the backburner. I float through many days delirious and grabbing few-minute naps here and there where I can. Every couple of weeks I will completely crash, but the vicious cycle only gets worse at that point because then I feel guilty as though sleep is “unproductive.”

Right now, we are studying Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg, Conformed to His Image by Kenneth Boa, and Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald. These readings have spoken volumes in my spirit and I know that if I am ever going to truly be usable by God, I have to better manage my life – I have to take better care of myself and devote more time to my relationship with Him. As much as it pains me to admit it, despite my desire to be obedient and pleasing to God, my actions reflect what Kenneth Boa describes to be, “the false belief that we have a better understanding and desire for what is best for us than God does.” I’m essentially ignoring His instruction and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, substituting my work for His Will.

My activities are most definitely NOT flowing out of a life energized by a growing relationship with the Lord. If anything, I’m distancing myself from Him by trusting my own ability to provide rather than in His promise of provision as the reward for my obedience and worship. I’m basically shooting myself in the foot. The practical steps I can take to bring my “doing” in balance with my “being” would likely start with examining and redirecting the focus of my heart and resisting the temptation to lose site of the necessity of integrating Christ into every aspect of my life. Other changes I need to make include praying more and making time to study God’s Word OUTSIDE of assigned class readings!

The final step I believe is to condition myself to “see life from God’s side” so that I am not journeying “through life … missing the point.” (Quotes from Kenneth Boa)

Reflecting on a story I read about a man and his experience with cancer, I started asking myself, “Why is it that it takes nearly dying before many of us are able to even consider the joy and blessing in the simplicity of just being alive?” I know that it is often said that we don’t know what we have until it’s gone, but why is that? Why do we have to lose a thing to appreciate it — to even really consider it? Why are we not as enthusiastic about our life and our family and our relationships on a daily basis as this man was when he found out he was in fact NOT going to die? Why are we not as grateful for the life we have each and every day as he was when we found out he would in fact NOT be losing it? John Ortberg wrote, “The very selfishness that keeps me from pouring myself out for the joy of others also keeps me from noticing and delighting in the myriad small gifts God offers each day.” We should be able to see the precious gift of life in each and every moment we experience it, but more often than not, it just simply is not that way. We get so wrapped up in ourselves that we take the way things are for granted until we are presented with the prospect of it changing.

As a final thought, I want to share something very personal. In class, we were challenged to document our experience during a 2-hour “retreat” during which we isolated ourselves from everything but God. It was actually a total failure for me. I’m so accustomed to being consumed with work and obligations and responsibilities that withdrawing from all of those things to turn inward and upward was nearly impossible for me and — dare I say — even somewhat painful! I wasn’t able to focus because my mind is conditioned to constantly be at “work” so I was completely preoccupied by what wasn’t getting done while I was doing nothing. It makes me ashamed, saddened, and disappointed that I’ve allowed my life to get to a point where my actions basically declare that God is obsolete and that work is my priority. I’m grateful for the challenge, however, because I see it as a definite turning point. I was forced to be honest with myself about how far I’ve allowed distractions to separate me from my personal relationship with God and it’s truly ridiculous. John Ortberg also wrote, “the great danger is not that we will renounce our faith, but settle for a mediocre version of it.” That struck me deeply because it’s exactly what I’ve done and I can’t waste any time reversing that in my life — “slowing” myself down.

Can anyone relate?

Let me know what your battles are and let’s keep one another in prayer as we make improvements all around us!

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15 [show] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." (ESV)

As followers of Christ, we can’t do everything on our own! We have to acknowledge that God gifted each and every one of His children and never intended for us to become SO confident in our own abilities that we lose sight of the fact that we haven’t really done anything on our own! We also cannot just idly praise Him in our hearts – He calls us to be ACTIVE in our participation and do our part.

Pastor Beeson of Granger Community Church in Granger, IN said in last week’s sermon, “When you follow Christ, you are called to influence others with integrity and intentionality toward what is good and right and true!” What this means is that none of us were called to simply follow. We are called to follow Him so that we can lead others to Him through our loving example! We are all essential parts of the body of Christ. If we aren’t operating in our intended purpose, there are jobs not being done and the “machine” of the church is not going to function in its full capacity. God can do His will without our help, but why would we want Him to?

Today’s fellowship had a couple of interruptions (the baby re-busted her lip *awww* and my browser froze completely) so please forgive the two separate recordings!

Key Scriptures

Philemon 1:6 [show] and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. (ESV)
My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ.

1 John 1:7 [show] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (ESV)
But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.

Ephesians 4:26 [show] Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (ESV)
tells us in no uncertain terms that while it is natural to feel angry, God expects us to be strong enough to control our anger and not allow it to cause us to fall into sin or succumb to sinful temptation. Being human is a test in itself. No matter what, the trials we face are always going to seem to amplify our weaknesses – or at very least, expose them. The reason for this is that we are attacked at our weakest points. The devil would be wasting his time trying to make you struggle in areas you are strongest! In keeping with his own cowardice, he manipulates the heart of man by causing us to struggle in our weakest points – where we are most vulnerable and most likely to break! The positive thing about trials, however, is that when we handle them correctly, they have the potential to cause our weaknesses to actually strengthen us! By resisting the temptation trials present in our lives, we become stronger!

Temptation is anything that forces us to decide which is right or wrong when considering two or more reactions to any situation. When someone provokes us to anger, that temptation can be emphasized by pride, insecurity, resentment, or even pain – once all of those emotions begin to flow through our hearts, something toxic happens in our spirits and the result can be quite damning! It is essential that we often remind ourselves that the battle is not between ourselves and our offenders (those who come against us); nor is it between ourselves and our offenses (the wrongs in our lives). The battle is between the spirit that dwells within us which desires only to do right, and the flesh that is influenced by the world around us and can be corrupted into confusing the divide which separates right from wrong to the point that we learn to justify wrongs by making exceptions to God’s rules. As fleshly creatures, it is much easier for us to acknowledge the role others play in our offenses than it is for us to accept responsibility. We blame provocation for our responses, justifying our wrongs by blaming them on the wrongs others have done against us! This process goes completely against the concept of forgiveness and in the end we only hurt ourselves…

While our reactions – and our emotions – may be understandable or even reasonable in the circumstances we face, that doesn’t make them acceptable to God, nor does it make them justifiable. We undermine our own righteousness when we allow our responses to be dictated by the motives or intentions of others. These habits also prove that others are in control of our behavior. We relinquish the power we have over our OWN lives when we become too weak to resist the temptation to sin in our anger. Are there people in your life who seem to routinely bring out the worst in you? Why do you believe that is? You will do yourself a great service by using those experiences to practice Godly responses and consequently develop patience, self control, and strength in the process!

Psalm 18:49 [show] For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.
“Therefore, I will praise you among the nations, O Lord. I will sing praises to your name.” {David sung praises to God when he was delivered from his enemies & from the hand of Saul.}

Give thanks today for what God has allowed you to overcome – for all the ways you’ve been blessed and for every situation He has delivered you out of! It’s easy to lose track of how good He’s been when the devil’s attacks are successful at redirecting your focus to the storms raging around you… when that happens, you forget God’s power, mercy, and protection. It is in those times that our faith is tested and we must begin to praise God through our trials, believing by faith He will deliver us, provide for us, protect us, comfort us, and transform us from the overwhelmed to the overcomer!

Life doesn’t promise to be easy, but God’s Word tells us there is a blessing in trusting Him through the battles that rise up in our paths. There are benefits in rejoicing through our trials; there is safety in His everlasting arms! No matter what you’re facing, sing praises to God now and He will make His power in your life evident according to your faith!

Have you found yourself endlessly frustrated with trying to find your purpose in life? Do you pray constantly for God to reveal what you were created for? STOP! God’s Word reveals completely what our Purpose is in Him! You were created and purposed to have a personal relationship with Him. Through having a personal relationship with God, your desire becomes to bring glory to His name. You begin to delight in Him, trust in Him, and operate your life daily in faith and love. By just living for Christ, your purpose takes on a life of its own – your gifts come together to support the dreams and aspirations God places in your heart.

“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart” Psalms 37:4 [show] Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The purpose for which you were created is to have a close, divine relationship with God… God wants you to be happy, successful, and fulfilled in this life. As such, once your faith in Him is established, the desires of your heart ARE your purpose in life!! Many of us have been taken through a period of brokenness because we have not realized how impersonal – or even nonexistent – our relationship with God is. This doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us; it doesn’t mean that He has forsaken us… and it doesn’t mean that “karma” has come back to “get” us or that we are paying for past mistakes. Job went through a period of brokenness – and his brokenness wasn’t even due to any fault of his own… it was simply for God to bring glory to His name by proving Job’s faith and loyalty to Him was not selfishly dependent on how God had blessed him. In Job proving this to be true – showing the devil that he would love and trust God regardless of his condition – God decided to replace everything Job had been stripped of, and then some!

Do not grow weary believing that you are being punished through your trials! In the first chapter of the Book of James, you will read the following:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

In a nutshell, what James is saying is that our troubles are for our benefit – for us to grow stronger in our faith, closer in our relationship with God, wiser in our decisions, and more virtuous and moral in our characters. Trials teach us to be humble and to overcome obstacles we face, knowing that with God all things are possible. The feelings we experience during our period of brokenness teach us to resist tempatation and to seek the truth in our spirits and ACT on the Word of God rather than accepting the truth of religions of the world and sitting on the knowledge we gain – being DOers of God’s plan and not just HEARers of it.

As difficult as it may be, EMBRACE what you are going through today – because it will shape who you are tomorrow, equip you with what you need INSIDE to walk in Christ’s example, and prepare you for where God is taking you in His divine – and perfect – plan for your life. So, stop searching out your purpose in life … and start seeking out the truth in GOD, which will lead to things greater than you could even think to ask for. (Ephesians 3:20 [show] Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (ESV)
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Your love for Christ should create within you a desire to walk in His likeness. God never asked for us to be perfect, and places no conditions on His love for us. God never asked us to earn His favor or be worthy through our works. Despite these things, knowing He loves me unconditionally just as I am makes me want to be better than I am. My faith in Him and the personal sacrifice He made for me results in my wanting to please Him and never disappoint Him… My hope and joy that comes from Him gives me a desire to share that with others… to reciprocate the love I receive from Christ.

We are not called to judge, condemn, or convict. We are called to love, support, and show compassion. We are called to minister to unmet needs. Today I’m inspired by my circumstances. Things are tough; I feel pressure in the pit of my stomach, but I know God and He is bigger than this. Whatever you are enduring is for a reason. God wants you to just let Him have it. Can you bring yourself to let Go and let Him work it our in your favor? Where is your faith?

When met with difficulties, pray for those less fortunate than you are… spiritually, financially, mentally, physically… those without peace; those without God. Not only will caring for others take your mind off of your own situation, but it will also remind you that you are not alone in your struggles – that others are enduring seasons worse than the one you are in now and they need your prayers as much as you need the prayers of others. Let your hardships inspire you… because eventually, they will complete the testimony that will inspire others going through the battles God has already fought on your behalf.

“But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father…”
-Matthew 6:6 [show] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (ESV)
(GNB)

Praying to God in public assembly is great; praying to God with a prayer partner is great; praying as a family is wonderful and essential; but it cannot replace the time you spend alone with Him in prayer.

“Are any among you in trouble? They should pray.”
-James 5:13 [show] Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (ESV)
GNB

Sometimes we bring unnecessary troubles on ourselves by not spending enough time in personal prayer… we go through things we would not have otherwise had to go through because we fail to seek the guidance of the Spirit. The purpose of prayer is not to get God’s attention, but rather to turn our attention to God. He does not allow troubles in our lives to hurt us; those troubles are gifts – blessings from GOD! It is through those troubles that He allows us opportunities to get back on track and to seek His face. It is through those troubles that God continues to strip away bits of our old natural selves, replacing it with our stronger spiritual selves, helping us to see the world around us through eyes that are of the Spirit rather than with our natural eyes. Our natural eyes are influenced by our minds, which are susceptible to suggestive thought – when suggestion creates negative perception, the way we perceive things will always be with a negative perspective, making it easier for us to be deceived as to the plan and purpose behind our circumstances.

“Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.”
-Colossians 4:2 [show] Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (ESV)
GNB

The power in prayer lies in consistency and awareness. Keep up your constant times of prayer, without being diverted from it by other business. Keep your mind focused on God; pray at times that there are least likely to be distractions. We are all human, and the devil is crafty – Satan will even try to get us bogged down in GOOD things so that we don’t think anything is wrong, but eventually in all of our “busy-ness” our relationship with God is neglected and our defenses are weakened. Keeping a proper balance and managing our time efficiently means that we will have sufficient prayer, study, and devotional time and will not allow other things to take away from our time with God. We have to learn a good balance, and pray for discernment – the simple key is PRAYER! If you don’t let your focus be taken away from him, you won’t have a chance to sink. When you condition yourself to make time for Him, things get much easier in your life. This doesn’t mean you won’t experience hardships, but you will be more able to see them for what they are and more apt to grow in them rather than be overcome by them.

“…pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances.
This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.”
-1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 [show] pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)
GNB

Be thankful – and content – no matter what your circumstances are. Today is only preparation for tomorrow… God is always working on elevating you for His glory! Are you prepared? Are you a vessel that is open to His call, listening intently for His voice? Every situation is a blessing because all situations, no matter how simple or how complex, are opportunities for edification and growth and ultimately for increased faith, wisdom, and spiritual discernment.

“The end of all things is near. You must be self-controlled and alert, to be able to pray.”
-1 Peter 4:7 [show] The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (ESV)
GNB

* Written by Kathleen J Robertson April 12, 2008

Ecclesiastes 7:9 [show] Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
: “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”

Life is going to present you with a quandary of experiences. Some good, some bad. No matter what those experiences may be, you should never allow them to stir you to anger. This Scripture basically says to keep your temper under control because it is foolish to harbor a grudge (see the Good News Bible version). No matter how another person chooses to to handle a situation, you should continue to keep your focus on that which pleases God. Responding out of anything but patience and love will not please God, but rather will disappoint Him. Proverbs 22:24-25 [show] Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
tells us to “[m]ake no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go. Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.” If you know that a person will receive you with an angry spirit, don’t “go there” with them. Leave them be, or they will become a stumbling block in your path, provoking you in ungodly ways.

When you know that things aren’t as they should be, remain prayerful and do not allow yourself to fall into traps set by the devil. Paul tells us in Romans 12:21 [show] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)
: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” You do not have to respond to anger, but you can easily overcome anger by taking your thoughts into captivity and concentrating your efforts on always reacting out of love and without allowing your flesh or pride to drive your words. If someone tries to incite anger in you, no matter what another person says to or about you, be reminded that God knows your heart and the truth about your spirit. Should we repay wrongs with wrong? Luke 6:35 [show] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (ESV)
tells us “No! Love your enemies and do good to them” and verse 38 goes on to tell us why: “Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over, they shall give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you again.” Does this refer to giving in material means? No! In all things, the same measure that you measure will be measured to you again! Repay wrong with love and compassion; understanding and patience; joy and forgiveness… and God will reward you in the same manner.

“To repay good for good is natural. To repay good for evil is supernatural!”

In our lives, at times we are faced with decisions that are difficult for us to make. The battles that we experience within ourselves are often more intense than the struggles that we encounter within the world. Our desires do not always fall into alignment with the paths we must take in order to reach our final goals. What we wish to do may not always turn into what we should do, but the decision that we make has a lasting impact on our lives, and perhaps the lives of others as well. The forks in the road of life can lead us on very interesting journeys and in order to be productive, we must choose those journeys wisely.

Throughout our lives, we are taught various concepts pertaining to acceptable behavior, attire, speech, and standards that we are expected to follow if we are to contribute anything of value to our society. When we enter into adulthood and become a part of that contributing social group, it becomes more important for our decisions to bring about effects that are of substance. Otherwise, we are simply wasting time and our success may begin to make a turn toward failure. God’s word tells us in James 2:26 [show] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (ESV)
that just “as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” Much in this same sense, a plan that simply consists of a beginning and an end is of no worth without a plan of action. We must have works to apply to the thought or the thought is dead within us and has no value.

In my opinion, there are circumstances in which it may be better to do what we want to do rather than what we feel we should do. However, those circumstances that I am referring to may not be exactly what one would think. Some of us are givers. Some of us are takers. Some of us let our spirits guide us. Some of us let our flesh guide us. Within ourselves, what we feel we should do may not always be the right thing to do. That may not seem possible for those of us who are able to distinguish between our wants and what we should do, but there are those who are less diligent in deciphering the truth from our truth. The truth is always right. Our truth may not always be right. It takes wisdom to be able to learn the difference between ‘what we should do based on what we feel in our spirit’ and ‘our perception of what we should do based on what we have learned in the world.’

In contrast, those of us that are givers may become so accustomed to giving that we give of ourselves so freely until that is all we know how to do. In this case, it may be better to do what we want to do rather than what we feel we should do because what we feel we should do most of the time is give, even though it may counter what we actually should do. Believe it or not, even in today’s ‘look out for #1′ world, there are those who are actually uncomfortable with taking because of the conviction that they feel in their spirit to be givers. The struggle between wanting and feeling turns into a balancing act between doing things for others and still allowing ourselves to look out for ‘#1′ as well. Giving is not always the answer, as we are instructed throughout the Bible to not be foolish.

In the end, it comes down to developing a character of discernment for God’s will, diligence in knowing how to choose what is right, and dedication to always acting out of truth and love. When those things come together to motivate our actions, we will be able to make our decisions more confidently and wisely. As a result, the impact on the lives of those persons involved, including ourselves, will be greater and more prosperous than merely gambling on the chance that we may be doing the right thing. More consideration should be given to even the smallest decision that we make because it is the smallest pebbles that make the largest ripples.