Foolishness of the Gospel

Easter is great time to truly reflect on the Christian faith and its implications for us today.

Why God would send His Son to be crucified by His own creation for our place of condemnation on the cross to bring about our salvation is a profound mystery in many ways. 

It baffles human wisdom and logic on every level. No matter how the salvation story is interpreted, Paul was correct when he called it the “foolishness of the gospel”, bringing either offense or ridicule from the world (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

But in the divine wisdom of God, this was His chosen method of salvation to mankind. That only the humble and “foolish” would accept this great salvation into their hearts and admit their need for a Saviour. 

At one point in time the disciples asked Jesus how is it possible that a man can be saved? To which Jesus responded what is impossible for man is possible for God. Clearly our sin and separation from God was so immense and dreadful, which if given serious thought could radically change our personal lives if we let it.

John 12:23-26

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me”.

The theme of the cross will always be present in our personal lives as Christians. Seasons of struggle, suffering and (figuratively speaking) death will be a constant reality whether we like it or not. But this is a beautiful thing and not to be disregarded. There are areas in our lives like selfishness and sin which need death daily, and character flaws of pride, lust, greed and unforgiveness that can take over our lives if not truly repented of.

Death has a way of removing things in our lives that need to go which we can not do in our own strength. Like dying to self in our attitudes and habits. Death to self when forgiving others graciously when wronged. Death to self of sacrificial love. And death to the idols of our hearts and sinful nature which forever wars against our spirit. Diseases to our soul like apathy, laziness and pride which can be replaced with righteous zeal, fruitfulness and humility when a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and…. if it dies produces many seeds.

But after death is glorious resurrection. When we have hit rock bottom, the mighty power of God resurrects us. Our dreams are given new life. We are thankful instead of ungrateful. We value life instead of take it for granted. And we become better and stronger people that God can use, mature and holy vessels ready for every good work.

There can be no resurrection without death and what has died produces new life in our lives and relationships. And some areas need death if we are to move forward into the plans of God for our lives. Jesus gave us His example and as His disciples we are to follow in them.

May the theme of the cross be ever present in your life, so that the glorious resurrection within you may come and new life can begin!

Work in Progress

There are some areas of our lives which are a finished product, and then there are others which are obviously a work in progress....

A construction building is usually covered in scaffolding and building equipment, which has great potential to become something amazing. Its end purpose is to be a finished product and to look exactly like what the architect designed it to be.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

As Christians, becoming like Jesus is a long, slow and painful process of growth. Spiritual maturity and our personal development are to be our greatest goals, which will take the rest of our lives.

I have found that God is more interested in our character than our work, finances or relationships, because at the end of the day, we will take only our character into eternity. Everything else we need follows on the footsteps of character formed into Christlikeness, faith and maturity.

God’s timing is usually based on whether we are ready in our heart and attitudes before He releases us into important seasons of responsibility. How long we wait usually isn’t because God is asleep or behind schedule – but because He is waiting on us to grow up.

What areas in your life is a finished product and what is still a work in progress? How is your faith, patience, generosity and capacity? Or how about love for others, work ethic, finances and social skills? If you need a good list to see where you are at, check out Paul’s words in Romans 12:9-13:

·         Love must be sincere.

·         Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

·         Be devoted to one another in love.

·         Honour one another above yourselves.

·         Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

·         Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

·         Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.

·         Practice hospitality.

It is a beautiful day when a believer grows up into all that God created them to be. When they stand strong, confident and living in the fullness of their freedom in Christ. What today might be a weakness, we are promised God can turn into our strength by his empowering and renewing grace (2 Cor 12:9).

Philippians 2:13 

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purposes.

The Comparison Trap

How many times have you done it today?

When you compared yourself to your family or friends on Facebook just now? That new sports car. That friend’s high paying job in the city which gives free business class travel around the world. That perfect family you have known for years. Or that perfect body you would need to quit your job to go to the gym everyday to ever get close to having one day!

The rat race of comparisons never ends in life, from childhood till the day we die. If we are not careful, we can end up feeling miserable for things we do not have, which some people in the world would jump off a cliff to have what you have. The danger with comparisons is that when you compare you always lose.

Does a dog ever compare itself to a cat, a fish to a frog or a horse to a donkey? Of course not. But we do subconsciously everyday. Instagram, Twitter and Facebook all are communication channels to share our lives with others, along with all our achievements, favourite photos and successes.

The global influence of Facebook has caused what has been termed as “comparison depression”. Seeing that couples perfect relationship, your friends latest four week holiday, and others brand new gadgets can easily bring up insecurities, envy, anger and other negative emotional responses. Human nature is to want more of what other people have. Or in other words “greed”. A bottomless pit that can never be satisfied.

When we compare ourselves it reveals a lot about who we are and what we stand for. Our identity is closely connected with our relationships which can give us an indication of where we fit into society. This can be a good thing, but we can easily use it in a negative light depending on our perspective and self discipline.

I once heard it said that “comparison is self inflicted torture where we never measure up.” It is like worry or fear; something that causes incredible emotional stress which doesn’t actually achieve anything.

We often compare someone’s best achievements and successes with our mediocrity or failures which makes completely no sense. It is lies we believe that left unchecked can ruin our relationships and unlimited consequences.  

Comparing ourselves can go two ways, either we are better and superior to others or we are a failure and a good for nothing. Neither is healthy or beneficial.

2 Corinthians 10:2

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

At least we are in good company. Many people in the bible struggled with this same dilemma which we can read and learn from for our benefit.

·         Cain compared himself to Abel and murdered him

·         Korah compared himself to Moses and tried to lead a rebellion but perished along with his whole family

·         Saul compared himself to David and was tormented by an evil spirit and turned into a madman

·         The Babylonian officials compared themselves to Daniel and ended up being eaten alive in the lions den

We need to realise that comparing ourselves is to believe lies from this world and the enemy who will always use it against us. That we are not good enough, useless, with no value or worth.

Instead of loving people and being happy with their success, comparison destroys relationships and treats others with disrespect. It is completely self centered at the core, believing we should have what others have and happier and more blessed by God.

Even as Christians we can compare ourselves with other believers and walk in jealousy and bitterness, not realising the sacrifices and hard work someone has put in that we never saw.

To kill the temptation to compare requires that we change our perspective, remember our successes and being content with what we currently have today. And most importantly, to be thankful for what God has already given us, and will bless us with later if we can appreciate the good things we have today.

Decide today to be happy in your own skin with how God made you and thankful for everything good you have in your life. And next time you check Facebook, check yourself and how you are already blessed with all that you currently have! 

Hearing from God

Everyday we are faced with never ending series of choices and decisions. Many are small but some are life changing and irreversible, affecting all those around us.

Where should I live? What career should I take? Who should I marry? What investments should I put my life savings into? Which church should I be planted in? Should I wait in this season where God has me or go and follow my dreams and take on the world myself?

All of these are good questions which have different answers for all of us. The bible is silent on many things and life is a very personal journey that only we can take. Making sure we choose correctly the paths we take and being in the center of God’s will is everything as Christians.

Have you ever day dreamed about going back in time and speaking to yourself about a key moment and what you would have said? Well we serve a God who lives outside of time and sees everything in front of us and our future. Wouldn’t it then be wise and beneficial to hear from Him and to know what good plans He has for us? When God says “No” to our prayers, even they are good because they are not His complete BEST for us who sees everything that we can not see.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Throughout our lifetime we will face hundreds of seasons of change, transition, highs and lows. But we don’t have to live this life blind and in fear of what to do with our lives. We have the Holy Spirit who is our guide, our helper and companion. God wants to speak to all of us everyday be in relationship which is what Jesus came to accomplish on the Cross.

When you pick up the phone and you hear a person’s voice, you know who it is because you recognise the voice and have had relationship and experience with them. You know what they love and what they hate and can relate to them. Even though you can not see them physically on the phone, you know that they are there and you can have conversation with them.

This is just the same with God! Just because you can’t see Him doesn’t mean you can not have relationship and conversation with Him. When we remain in Christ and His words remain in us, we are promised that we can ask whatever we desire and it will be done (John 15:7).

At times hearing from God is a very clear prompting that is unmistakable. Other times it is a still small voice like a whisper that needs us to be quiet and attentive to hear it. We need to be alert and ready to hear from Him at all times and most importantly ready to obey.

How many times have you made terrible choices in life that God was speaking to you but you didn’t listen? Often when we fail to listen or believe we know best and trust in our own understanding can be the start of our own ruin. The truth is we don’t know everything and without the grace and mercy of God in our lives, we have nothing.

John 16:33

When the Spirit of truth comes He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority but whatever He hears He will speak, and will declare to you the things that are to come.

Romans 8:14

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

There are some voices we can hear that may not be God’s which are important to differentiate. The voice of our own sinful nature desires, the voice of ungodly people and the voice of the devil. Scripture, godly wisdom, accountability with good counsel and the peace of God are good filters to know if we are listening to the right voices or not. A combination of two or more of these is even better.

Every Christian will have hundreds of seasons in their lifetime of mountains and valleys. Coming boldly to God is not just a one off event... but a lifetime requirement! As the world is changing more and more, we need to be in tune with Gods voice more than ever. If not for you then for those around that you love.

Hearing from God is essential to our journey and knowing what decisions to make and what to avoid. Imagine making a key decision at work based on a word from God which in the natural made no sense but later became profitable and critical. Or meeting someone that was essential to your destiny and purpose in life because God told you to approach them and start a conversation?

I once heard a testimony where a pastor had a number of expensive shares in the stock market. He went to his accountant and said he wanted to sell them that day. The man said he was crazy and being an expert in the market he knew that they were on the rise. But following the voice of God the pastor said “No, I want them sold today”, and stormed out. That week the shares he owned dropped to almost nothing without warning in a mini recession, and he saved himself thousands of dollars.

God speaks to us through a very clear prompting in our conscience and heart. It is an impression or word of knowledge that only you know did not come from you but Someone greater.

No matter what problem you have God has an answer. Everything God does and doesn’t do for you is for your good! We need to be led by the Holy Spirit as children of God. To know His voice and obedient to His ways is what separates us from the rest of the world.

Hearing from God can happen at any time, any day and any circumstance. Being available for God means we are ready vessels that He can use for great purposes with eternal outcomes!

Hebrews 4:16 

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favour), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. 

Distractions

Distractions are the little things in life but have the potential to consume our everyday lives….

There are hundreds of things that can take our attention away so easily these days. Technology, entertainment, materialism, investments, hobbies and others can if we are not careful, become an all consuming idol we bow down too.

They can rob us of our time, finances, and relationships, take joy and peace and in their place put fear, worry, anxiety and selfishness.

Distractions can be defined as “a thing that prevents someone from concentrating on something else” or “extreme agitation of the mind”.

 Matthew 6:24 – No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other…

Mark 4:7;19 – Other seed fell among thorns which grew up and chocked the plants, so that they did not bear grain…..but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Moderation is important to keeping a hobby or passion in its place. Just be careful that you have control of it, and it doesn’t have control over you.

  

Asking, Seeking, Knocking

It is so easy to focus on what we don’t have in life...

Even when we have what most people consider sufficient or even abundant, human nature sees the lack almost all the time. If happiness was defined by possessions and material wealth, then millionaires should be the happiest people in the world. We can become bitter and toxic company to be around if we dwell and focus on the lack in our lives.

We will all have hundreds of different seasons in our lives of varying degrees of lack and abundance. Being thankful in all seasons is essential in our Christian lives. What we don’t have now doesn’t necessarily mean we will never have it. There are some things in life you will never appreciate if you got instantly without any effort, over patiently waiting years trusting in God for.

Keep on asking and it will be given to you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7 AMP).

Scripture says there is a “door” we enter into the promises and blessings of answered prayer for. If you are anything like me, banging hard with your fists and shouting out loud doesn’t get it to open! Time is the great test of our faith where we trust in God’s timing for our lives. He knows when your character is ready and when the perfect circumstances align.

God has ordained seasons and cycles in our lives for His good purposes. We can’t see our whole life in front of us and every ripple effect every decision has. But He does and if we submit to His authority and Lordship over every detail of our lives, we can trust Him that He knows best for us to meet all the desires of our hearts.

Faith is a highly personal experience of trusting God in every area of our lives. Faith activates the promises of God when we stand and believe in them over a consistent amount of time with our spiritual eyes. Don’t look to man what you can only get from God. There are seasons of planting, watering and then reaping the harvest. You can’t have a harvest every day of your life all the time.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

You have responsibilities to meet, character to form, relationships to build, skills to develop, seeds of love and encouragement to sow, time and money to water and invest. Stay faithful in whatever God has given you and keep an attitude of gratitude in everything you have today.

I have found the best way to pray for something important is to pray for it once and then thank God in advance from then on. Keep speaking the Word of God over your circumstances, declaring what is not into existence (Romans 4:17). By staying in faith and trusting in God’s good timing, when we knock on the door in patience, humility, obedience and thankfulness, don’t be surprised when the door suddenly opens!

Patience

Patience....

That annoying little word that either strikes frustration, pain or anger into your mind. It is such a small word - 8 little letters - but seems to withhold such profound complication to our human nature. 

How long is your patience these days, or in other words, until you really make a scene? Like waiting for the morning bus, waiting in line getting lunch, or holding out for that expected phone call? How about waiting for that promotion, holding on for that life partner, or believing for that dream to come true?  

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...

A lack of patience can cost you in life. Running across a busy road, speeding on the freeway, quitting a great job hoping for something better, or choosing anyone to marry.

Some things in life need time to be enjoyed. Food cooked in an oven tastes better than from a microwave. Just ask Gordon Ramsey or Jaime Oliver.

And then some things last the test of time based on the wait required. What took years to develop and deep sacrifice has more sentimental value than something that took no effort at all.

Nature can not be rushed or it will not survive. When a woman is pregnant it takes nine long months to develop and birth a baby. There is pain and sacrifice but once it is birthed all painful memories disappear with the bundle of joy in front of her.   

1 Corinthians 9:26

So I run with purpose in every step...

As Christians there is a divine purpose behind each and every season we live in. A personal development process to equip and prepare you. If not the next season then one coming up which you must be ready for.

Patience is a characteristic God is looking for in all of us. It is an unspecified period of time which tests our ability to trust Him and desire His timing above our own. For He knows when you are ready for the doors to open so that you go forward in victory.

The popular saying “prior, preparation prevents poor performance” is true.  Without it you wouldn’t be ready or worse maybe even damage what was meant to be your biggest blessing. Some people in the bible had to wait decades until God's promise came to pass in their lifetime, and for good reason. Don't be surprised if you do to. 

Patience..... a beautiful word indeed.