Who Do We Really Please

In Today’s Lifejournall.cc online devotional we read:

“We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” 1 Thess 1:2b

Observation: Paul is writing this because the church in Thessalonica was obviously questioning his motives (how do we know this? because when he writes, he addresses issues raised through letters sent to him that we may not have today). They (the church) were not confident that his motives were completely pure. They perhaps thought he was preaching and teaching for some kind of personal gain, pride, power, or fame. So Paul reminded them that in his suffering it would be silly to do such a thing, unless completely inspired to do so by God.

Application: Has anyone ever questioned your motives. As a man, sometimes we are extra nice to our spouse because we want something in return. Or you bought a cup of coffee for the boss to get in the right position, or you were kind with hopes of something in return. What Paul is teaching us today is that when it comes to loving and serving others, our motives must be completely pure, otherwise it has no baring on how you are serving God and His kingdom. So ask yourself today, what are the things you do because of pure love and obedience, and what are the things you do to gain something. If you only have time for one make sure you drop the one that has selfish motives.

Prayer: God, give me pure and absolutely unselfish desires to serve you today!

 

The Formula

Acts 2:42-47 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Observation: This passage gives us a glimpse into how the church was suppose to work. This early group of Christians devoted themselves to 4 things: Doctrine/The Word (the apostles teaching), fellwoship, breaking of bread, and prayer. And then we see the fruit of those devotions: Awe, wonders, unity, joy and additions being added to their numbers.

Application: People ask what it takes to have a strong walk with the Lord, or they will ask how we are suppose to grow in our faith. God gave us a formula. You could break those 4 things they devoted themselves into this: The Word, Worship (not just singing but our spiritual act) and Prayer. And the outcome will be amazing! Awe, wonders, unity, joy, salvattions…honestly, what else could you ask for?

Prayer: God, keep me in your word, your will, your presence so that I can see your amazing hand at work in my life and in the life of those around me!

Extreme Forgiveness – Genesis 50:18-21

Genesis 50:18-21 says, “Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. “So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Observation: Jacob/Israel has died. The sons of Israel are left to the will of Joseph, the Pharaoh’s right hand man. Now consider this: Joseph’s brothers did horrible things to Joseph (first tried to kill him and ended up selling him into slavery). What would you do to your brothers if they had done such things? At the very least I would scare the heck out of them in one way or another. The sons of Israel were all pretty much punks except for Judah (read the final blessings from Israel to his sons). They all deserved punishment. And now that Israel was dead, Joseph could do as he pleased because he no longer had to worry about upsetting his father, Israel. But instead, Joseph says one of the most powerful statements in the Old Testament: “…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” What!? after all that he went through he was able to not only FORGIVE but he was able to see the GOOD in what they had done. Now, it’s impressive enough to truly forgive someone, but he also looked for God’s purpose in it all. Joseph must have been an amazing man!

Application: I have forgiven people who have done things like calling me names, making up lies, going against my authority, you know, the normal kind of stuff. But I have never truly had to forgive someone that has wronged me in the way the Joseph was wronged. So I can’t even say how I would react to such a thing. Some application #1 is to forgive. But now you’re telling me that if something happens to me like what happened to Joseph, I need to ask God what his intentions were and how they apply to my life? Folks, I gotta be honest here, the prospect of such things makes me nervous.

Prayer: God, I mean this prayer…please help me to have the strength to forgive when the time comes. And please let me have the ability to see your hand at work in everything in my life…good and bad!

Stop acting your age and grow down!

Luke 18:14-17 says, “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Observation: Being a children’s pastor I have used this passage many times to show the importance of children to God. But it is so much more than His love for children, He loves everyone equally. Jesus was trying to drive home a point, and it began when he was teaching humility in vs. 14. He drives it home with the illustration to have the attitude of a child. If you don’t have kids, you’ve at least been around kids. They have this cool innocence that impresses me. But even more than the innocence of a child, I love the attitude of a child when it comes to the simplest things of this world. The BIble Knowledge Commentary says it best, “Children come with expectation and excitement. They come realizing that they are not sufficient in themselves. They depend totally on others. If these same attitudes are not present in adults, they can never enter into the kingdom.”

Application: When I was a child I remember fishing with my grandpa and dad. One thing that the adult always must do for a child is tie on the hook and bait it correctly. A child must rely completely on the adult otherwise the fishing experience will be unsuccessful. I always assumed that if I was with my grandpa I would always catch a fish because he was a master fisherman. It was a given that we would have a great time. I want that same attitude today, but with God. I want that feeling of going out to catch a fish…knowing that if he ties the hook and is present, I can’t fail. I want to rely on God for everything in my life. I can’t fail when I know that a part from him, I am nothing, but with him, all things are possible.

Prayer: God, continue to teach me humility. Give me the heart of a child. Vs. 27 says that with God all things are possible. Let me have that child-like faith and expectation. And that in itself is the success, trusting in him with all things.

Jesus is the un-coolest dude ever!

Luke 13:23-27 says, “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. “Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’;and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’”

OBSERVATION: Can you imagine being a child of Father Abraham hearing such words? The crowds had assumed that because they were physically related to Abraham they would be able to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yet, he was teaching almost the exact opposite of what they wanted to hear. While we know there was great fruit of Jesus’ ministry during this time, we also know me met a ton of opposition. It’s almost like the whole purpose of a Pharisee was to discredit what he was teaching because he would totally upset the status quo of the religious standards at the time. Jesus lays out two of the craziest statements in my opinion in this passage. First, he tells the parable (a earthly story with a heavenly meaning) about the gates of Heaven and that we should want to go through the unpopular gate because many will want to enter through and will not be permitted. Second, he says the first will be last and the last will be first. That would totally rock anyone’s understanding of what it meant to be a child of God at the time.

APPLICATION: I remember when I was a child and all the kids would fight to be the first in line, thus becoming the line leader. Those were the good ol’ days. If you had the fortunate opportunity of being the line leader there were certain fringe benefits with the position. Being the first to race to the jungle gym, first to get pizza at lunch, first to the bathroom, and the ability to lead other kids in your footsteps were just a few of those benefits. But, if we apply what Jesus said, we would learn that while my earthly benefits were plentiful, I would be wise to accept my place in the back because those rewards were irrelevant in the bigger picture. I’m reminded of what Luke 14:11 says, ““For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” I have always wanted a good reputation and sometimes gone overboard in making sure people know I have my act together…at least on the surface. But, if I apply these passages to my life I must know that God will be responsible for letting people know what they need to know about me.

Back to why Jesus is so un-cool. He is totally counterculture. He is the exact opposite of what the religious leaders thought was cool. We was probably more like a nerd. Why? Because so few were following him and he knew way more about God’s word than they did. Today, some kids pride themselves in being un-cool, which in itself turns into a click…the un-cool kids (which makes them cool). But none of that even matters. This gives me a peace for a few reasons. 1) They masses will never really like what Jesus has to say. 2) Sometimes I take responsibility when others don’t like what I preach, but that is not my responsibility, I’m only to preach. 3) When I feel that my walk is strong but others aren’t following, I can know that Jesus pretty much said that is how it’s going to work anyway.

So the moral of this story: Love God, Love Others, you’ll probably be a nerd but that’s ok.

PRAYER: God, you know one of my struggles is impressing others and trying to be spiritually popular and cool. Remind me that your son was un-cool, and in your eyes, the Fonzy of Christians. I just want to be madly in love with you.