God’s View 09

Rick Warren emphasizes four thoughts about God’s view of us: “a) You’re completely accepted; b) You’re unconditionally loved; c) You’re totally forgiven; d) You’re considered extremely valuable.” I like his statement “There are two things that create value: who owns something, and what somebody’s willing to pay for it”. It is so humbling to grasp how much God loves us that can take no credit for His grace or for His pursuit of us. Our lives are not about us but about His honor and glory. What deep overwhelming joy we will have when we are gathered before Him in eternity. Let’s keep looking for where He is working, not wasting any efforts about He views us. He paid our way to Himself. All we owe is our love for Him.

Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV) [14] For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, [16] that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, [19] and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Surrender 08

 How is God’s love the strength we need to overcome our fear of surrender? How is the concept of surrendering difficult to digest? How is surrendering self the core of following Christ?

We grow up in our American culture thinking that independence and the pursuit of our own happiness is “ultimate success”. We enjoy great freesom to pursue our dreams and passions yet we are tempted to forget our real call as Christ followers, and become indifferent to submitting our will, desires, and emotions to Him in loving obedience. I have often been indifferent because I was afraid of what I was giving up; that I would be less than what I really want out of life. But I’m learning that there is no greater joy than submitting myself to His authority. I have a long way to go.

“When you and I are hurting, whether it’s physical or emotional pain, we’re tempted to say, “I wonder if God really loves me. I wonder if he cares.” We know the answer. He does love us; he does care; he always will love us and care for us. God’s holy character is much greater than our feelings, and his promises never fail. He’s working out his purposes for us, even though he doesn’t always explain his reasons.” - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Cross of Jesus: What His Words from Calvary Mean for Us

Unbiased Love

Practicing unbiased love has been true by working in the public school setting. I’ve had to practice unbiased love and compassion to all types of groups and individuals. I have not always agreed with a student’s comments or behavior, but finding a way to extend acceptance of the person but not the behavior has been essential. The same has been true when working with adults, yet harder to practice. Some adults are hard core with their opinions, words, and agendas, but it is still important to work with them, inviting them to work as a team with academic or community goals. It’s become even more difficult and confusing at times within the church as some have become driven by anger and political opinion rather than the gospel. 

Mastering Moods 07

Many of our plans have been turned upside down, and the challenges of 2020-2022 keep coming. The storms of circumstances get heavy, overwhelming, and seem never-ending—whether we are facing a pandemic, a health crisis, a financial crisis or a family and relationship crisis. But when they all happen at once? It’s almost unbearable.  How can we honor God when our hearts are heavy?  If we aren’t in a crisis, we probably have just come out of one or we are headed toward one because we live in a broken world with sin abounding. But God had promised grace to meet our needs.  He allows His Spirit to meet us in our uncertainties, predicaments and disappointments. He reminds us that, even though things have changed in a way we did not prefer, God is still in control.  God is shaping us to to be the person He desires, changing us to be less self diffident, depending on Him in all humility  

“We spend too much time concealing our neediness. We need to stop hiding. Being needy is our basic condition. There is no shame in it—it’s just the way it is. Understanding this, accepting it, and practicing it will make you a better helper.” -  Ed Welch, Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love

“In the midst of pain and trouble, it takes faith for us to say, “God intends this for good,” but that’s just what we must do. To say that “everything is against me” when everything is working for me, is to rebel against the loving heart of God. To ask, “What is God doing?” when we know His purpose is to make us more like Jesus, is to make our situation worse.” - Warren Wiersbe, The Defining Verse, p77

3 Questions

Rick Warren asks 3 questions based on ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:1-2‬ (‭MSG‬‬)

‭‭“Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like Him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.”

1. What are the reasons behind my emotions?

2. Does my emotional reaction reflect what is really happening?

3. Does my emotional reaction hurt or help?

   
   

   Ed Welch is a counselor with insight regarding our emotional well being. I’ve much to learn with managing my emotional response to life issues:  “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. (Psalm 63:1–3) These words might not speak on your behalf, but they can—they must. If you think they can’t, that is not shame talking. It is hopelessness, indifference, and a heart that is getting hard. These are completely understandable, but they are also a whopper of a lie. A warning about “a heart that is getting hard” is not the nicest comment to slip into a book’s final chapter of one’s life.” - Dr Ed Welch

Purpose

 What is a strategy you and I can develop to live on purpose for His glory?

Additional comments by Rick Warren: God is giving you the opportunity to build your life around his mission for you. The only way to do that is by starting with a firm foundation: Jesus Christ. “And no one can ever lay any other real foundation than that one we already have—Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 TLB).

You can choose to build your life on Jesus, the only foundation that will last. Or you can choose to spend your life chasing things that ultimately will fail you.

What’s certain is that one day you will stand before God and he’ll ask you: “Did you fulfill the mission that I gave you on this Earth?” On that day, it will be clear whether you spent your life fulfilling God’s mission for you—or you chose to chase lesser things.

It’s never too late to start living the life God has planned for you. Start building your foundation on Jesus and pursuing God’s mission for your life today.

Questions from Rick Warren:

• What are some ways you have seen others live for themselves rather than for God’s purpose? In what ways have you done that too?
• Why do you think it can take people such a long time to discover God’s purpose for their lives?
• What do you believe God’s unique purpose is for your life?”

Life is far shorter than I would like!  I often wonder how much I’ve wasted on useless goals and efforts, but I no longer want to merely conform to cultural expectations. I want to be transformed to what He wants. 

“To be a Christian is not only to believe the teaching of Christ, and to practice it; it is not only to try to follow the pattern and example of Christ; it is to be so vitally related to Christ that His life and His power are working in us. It is to be “in Christ,” it is for Christ to be in us. Martyn Lloyd Jones 

Not Cheating Others

 How do we know when God is working through our life? Rick Warren emphasizes the use of our gifts for the benefit of others, encouraging and building each other up in Christ. There have been Bible teachers in my past who taught all the right words on this topic, but left me wondering if there are more more important gifts and individuals than others. But Galatians 5:22-23 have helped me see that if I’m following the Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit will work in and through me. If I’m leaning on Him, listening to what He wants in my life, and don’t need to be anxious about my less or more important gift.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” ‭‭