Narrow 2

 The tension of following Christ in an unchristian world shouts loud and clear from Jesus in the Beatitudes. How can I live with a poverty of spirit all marketing strategies promote dissatisfaction and scarcity?  How can we live in peace when many professing Christians shout opinions, slogans, and agendas?  We tend to think we are in the ‘correct side’ of most issues but I’m not sure we are communicating like Jesus would. 

“…you will be tempted to believe that you can live your life off your gifts and not do the deep work of character formation. Your gifts can take you only so far. But there are no such limits when it comes to a life marked by deep character.” - Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life

Narrow 1

 The Beatitudes seem to go against much of our world. We live in such a busy hurried and noisy world. The words of Jesus are inverse of our temptation to improve our resume, reputation and to gain power or possessions. His kingdom is upside down to the way we are accustomed to living. What are the implications to the narrow way?  How are we living like the broad and wide way?

“Our world continues on, faster and busier, and we are reminded that our souls were not created for the kind of speed to which we have grown accustomed. Thus, we are a people who are out of rhythm, a people with too much to do and not enough time to do it.” - Rich Villodas, The Deeply Formed Life

Bible 235

 Following Christ is not a half hearted project. I’m finding it is life changing. If the resurrection actually happened in real time and history, it changes everything about us. Jesus rising from the dead was not in secret and it has not been disproven by any conspiracy theory. We have everything to lose if we do not by the power of the resurrection, motivating us to be different than just trying g to be the average guy who tries to achieve the same as everyone else. It’s so easy to look for purpose and meaning in all the wrong places. 

Lord, I thank you that your eyes ‘range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed’ to you (16:9). Please, strengthen me as I recommit myself to serve you wholeheartedly.

Bible 234

 I’m guilty of attending most anything with a consumer mindset, rather than as a participant and contributor. Church attendance can easily slide toward a consumer attitude with questions of ‘what am I getting out of this’. Disappointment can be the result if I’m always looking for what satisfies my emotional ill and downs. But if I’m searching for His presence and wisdom in my activities, I’m far less disappointed.  Even more, praying for others and keeping their needs in mind brings an entirely different approach to everything. Just as Kkng Asa prayed in our reference today:

 “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you”’

James 10

 What has James urged us to stop doing?  What has his letter urged us to start doing or keep doing?  For me, I’m convicted of being condescending and judgmental. I need to work on expanding my understanding what others may be experiencing or what has happened to them. It is so easy to categorize and pudge on hole a person’s story. I have a default of comparing myself to others, thinking that I’ll never measure up or that I havd out distances them.  But how am to know what God is teaching them while He is teaching me?

“Once you are able to afford to live in a particular neighborhood, send your children to its schools, and participate in its social life, you will find yourself surrounded by quite a number of people who have more money than you. You don’t compare yourself to the rest of the world, you compare yourself to those in your bracket. The human heart always wants to justify itself and this is one of the easiest ways. You say, “I don’t live as well as him or her or them. My means are modest compared to theirs.” You can reason and think like that no matter how lavishly you are living. As a result, most Americans think of themselves as middle class, and only 2 percent call themselves “upper class.”43 But the rest of the world is not fooled. When people visit here from other parts of the globe, they are staggered to see the level of materialistic comfort that the majority of Americans have come to view as a necessity.” - Timothy J. Keller, Counterfeit Gods

 

Bible 233

 Growing in maturity with our faith, hope, and love enables us to see life from a less selfish view. Life is not about us. God allows each person to be gifted and talented for the benefit of encouraging others. I’ve been with individuals who say they have experienced a variety of gifts by the Holy Spirit. I’ve come to the conclusion that it is not up to me to be the judge if their experiences are authentically from the Holy Spirit. I like Nicky’s prayer:

Lord, please give me wisdom in hearing your voice. Help me to learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit.

James 9

 How do you know if your response to an issue is with humility or pride?  Celebrating accomplishments and milestones can be done with a self congratulations that smells like pride. Shouting opinions and marketing ideas can also be filled with the a proud view that we are right and other views are wrong. Promoting ourselves and our illusion of building a kingdom do not meet God’s approval. He is jealous for our attention as our Creator and Sustainer. 

“Humility, as we all know, is one of those virtues that is never gained by seeking it. The more we pursue it the more distant it becomes. To think we have it is sure evidence that we don't.” - Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline