I've had quite a lot on my mind these days. And I find myself pondering life more than usual (which is considerable, considering the fact that, over the years, I have honed the craft of inward navel-gazing to a fine art - I am a self-taught master).
One of the subjects I've been thinking about is faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1, ESV). I actually prefer the King James rendering of this verse better: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The reason is this: I really like that word substance.
Why do I like substance so much? Because it is a weightier word than assurance. Don't misunderstand me, I need the assurance that faith brings. But the meaning is much deeper, much more real, when we consider faith to be substance.
When I consider faith as substance, that tells me faith is real, tangible... not just a hope or a pipe dream, but reality. The substance of faith gives the ability to rise from the grave, to heal the sick, to walk on water. The substance of faith puts pay to the promises of God. The substance of faith means my life goes far beyond what I can comprehend with my cognitive abilities (limited as they are).
The substance of faith means, simply, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, ESV), for "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26, NIV). And I don't know about you, but I really need that substantial assurance.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Thoughts on Opportunity
Opportunity.
The word keeps rattling around in my head today.
For Christians, opportunity should be a big word. An opportunity is a chance, a moment, perhaps even fleeting. It may only come around once.
And we may never see it.
For me, I wonder how many opportunities have passed me by - silently, swiftly, without my feeling as much as a breeze on my cheek as it passed. I'm not talking about opportunities to further my career or get ahead in professional ministry or anything like that (although this lesson certainly applies in personal matters as well). I'm thinking of opportunities to help someone. Reach out to someone.
Bless someone.
How many hurting people pass me by each day who could use a smile or a kind word?
How many lonely people pass me by who could use a friendly recognition that they even exist?
How many chances have I let slip by to help a friend or a stranger with my talents, or just some encouragement?
It saddens me to consider it, and puts a sharp new focus on my life. If I truly stop and consider the opportunities God places in front of me every day - multiple times every day - would I ever turn on the television? Would I waste my time in some frivolous entertainment or activity? Would I sit and worry about my troubles (real and imaginary - most of them falling into the latter category)?
Or would I invest my time to reach out to others? Would I invite a friend to dinner? Would I offer to lend a hand? Every situation in life has its opportunities - chances to help, to learn, to teach, to grow, to bless and be blessd.
Inward navel-gazing closes our eyes to the world around us. When we concentrate on ourselves, we are blinded to our surroundings. And we miss so much... so many opportunities to reach out and fulfill God's will for our lives. Our education, talents and abilities are a means to an end, not an end in and of themselves. The "end" is found in these words of Jesus: "Love one another... as I have loved you..." (John 13:34, NIV). Paul tells us to "be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10, NIV). "Serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13, NIV). "Love one another deeply, from the heart" (1 Peter 1:22, NIV). "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24, NIV).
Opportunity. I pray I never miss it again.
The word keeps rattling around in my head today.
For Christians, opportunity should be a big word. An opportunity is a chance, a moment, perhaps even fleeting. It may only come around once.
And we may never see it.
For me, I wonder how many opportunities have passed me by - silently, swiftly, without my feeling as much as a breeze on my cheek as it passed. I'm not talking about opportunities to further my career or get ahead in professional ministry or anything like that (although this lesson certainly applies in personal matters as well). I'm thinking of opportunities to help someone. Reach out to someone.
Bless someone.
How many hurting people pass me by each day who could use a smile or a kind word?
How many lonely people pass me by who could use a friendly recognition that they even exist?
How many chances have I let slip by to help a friend or a stranger with my talents, or just some encouragement?
It saddens me to consider it, and puts a sharp new focus on my life. If I truly stop and consider the opportunities God places in front of me every day - multiple times every day - would I ever turn on the television? Would I waste my time in some frivolous entertainment or activity? Would I sit and worry about my troubles (real and imaginary - most of them falling into the latter category)?
Or would I invest my time to reach out to others? Would I invite a friend to dinner? Would I offer to lend a hand? Every situation in life has its opportunities - chances to help, to learn, to teach, to grow, to bless and be blessd.
Inward navel-gazing closes our eyes to the world around us. When we concentrate on ourselves, we are blinded to our surroundings. And we miss so much... so many opportunities to reach out and fulfill God's will for our lives. Our education, talents and abilities are a means to an end, not an end in and of themselves. The "end" is found in these words of Jesus: "Love one another... as I have loved you..." (John 13:34, NIV). Paul tells us to "be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10, NIV). "Serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13, NIV). "Love one another deeply, from the heart" (1 Peter 1:22, NIV). "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24, NIV).
Opportunity. I pray I never miss it again.
Monday, March 10, 2008
So Much To Do, So Much Mismanaged Time...
Life has been quite busy these days. Its taken a while to get myself prioritized and on track. In fact, I'm not 100% certain that I am entirely "on track" these days, but... its getting better.
Jennie and I have started studying John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. I picked up the small group study at Piper's church (Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis). The title leapt out at me as I perused the bookstore.
I thoroughly believe the Bible is the most economical book on the face of this earth. There is not one word wasted, not one syllable of filler. Every line has meaning, every word important. We skip over so many seemingly unimportant details in Scripture. For instance, did you ever wonder why John (in telling us about the miraculous catch of fish when Jesus reappears to the disciples) goes into the great detail of explaining that, "Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn" (John 21:11, NIV). I mean, look at that... they are not just any fish, they are large fish. And there are not a lot of them. There are not multitudes of them. There are not over a hundred. There are, precisely, 153 of them. (None of them, by the way, being used by Jesus to cook their breakfast.)
Here is my point. God is not a waster. Everything with Christ has purpose, meaning and reason. He lived His life with great meaning. Jesus was focused: He had a purpose, and He fulfilled it - without getting sidetracked or derailed. Troubles didn't trip Him. Busyness of life didn't ruffle Him. Opposition didn't slow Him. He stayed on topic, stayed the course, stayed steady and steadfast. He knew when to rest and eat and pray. He knew when to get away and recharge His batteries. He knew when to hit the road.
I look at my life, how I spend / burn my time. And I'm not happy.
Not happy at all.
Life is busy enough with school and work and teaching and family and... and... and... And there is so much more I want to do - so much more ministry, teaching, learning, writing... Yes, there must be time for rest and regeneration and prayer. Still... I could do better.
I could do much better.
I hope to do much better.
"I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." - 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (NIV).
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
Jennie and I have started studying John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. I picked up the small group study at Piper's church (Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis). The title leapt out at me as I perused the bookstore.
I thoroughly believe the Bible is the most economical book on the face of this earth. There is not one word wasted, not one syllable of filler. Every line has meaning, every word important. We skip over so many seemingly unimportant details in Scripture. For instance, did you ever wonder why John (in telling us about the miraculous catch of fish when Jesus reappears to the disciples) goes into the great detail of explaining that, "Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn" (John 21:11, NIV). I mean, look at that... they are not just any fish, they are large fish. And there are not a lot of them. There are not multitudes of them. There are not over a hundred. There are, precisely, 153 of them. (None of them, by the way, being used by Jesus to cook their breakfast.)
Here is my point. God is not a waster. Everything with Christ has purpose, meaning and reason. He lived His life with great meaning. Jesus was focused: He had a purpose, and He fulfilled it - without getting sidetracked or derailed. Troubles didn't trip Him. Busyness of life didn't ruffle Him. Opposition didn't slow Him. He stayed on topic, stayed the course, stayed steady and steadfast. He knew when to rest and eat and pray. He knew when to get away and recharge His batteries. He knew when to hit the road.
I look at my life, how I spend / burn my time. And I'm not happy.
Not happy at all.
Life is busy enough with school and work and teaching and family and... and... and... And there is so much more I want to do - so much more ministry, teaching, learning, writing... Yes, there must be time for rest and regeneration and prayer. Still... I could do better.
I could do much better.
I hope to do much better.
"I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." - 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (NIV).
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
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