Putting Our Faith to Work
By Mark Earley
10/28/2008
Yesterday on “BreakPoint,” Chuck talked about voting being both a civic and sacred duty. And I couldn’t agree more.
And if we truly care about our country, we ought to do more than just vote. We ought to put our faith to work. One way to do this is to get involved in the political campaigns of the public servant of your choice, from local mayoral candidates to congressmen to presidential nominees.
You might even consider running for office yourself. That’s what John Tyler Hammonds did. John is just 19 years old and a freshman at the University of Oklahoma. But that didn’t stop him from running for mayor of Muskogee, a city of 38,000 in northeastern Oklahoma. He won with 70 percent of the vote! Clearly, with God’s help, big things are possible.
Of course, even outside of political campaigns, there’s a lot of work to do. Tragically, no matter who is elected president, it looks like abortion is going to remain legal for a long time. This means that we should be working at pregnancy care clinics, helping young women in crisis pregnancies find solutions that don’t involve taking the life of their unborn children.
And no matter who occupies the White House, some 2 million people will remain behind bars in America’s jails and prisons. Some of you should be volunteering in prison, bringing the love of Christ to desperate men and women—and helping them when they get out to find homes, jobs, and churches. And speaking to policymakers and lawmakers about bringing biblical principles to bear in the criminal justice system.
Above all, be creative! A colleague of mine is planning to have monthly fund-raising tea parties. The money will go to a different charity each month—charities that are working hard to heal our culture.
If you’re an attorney, you might consider volunteering for an organization that works to protect the rights of Christians under attack from activist groups.
If you have teenagers, encourage them to take on leadership positions. They could lead a Bible study, run for student council, or mentor or tutor young children.
You can strike a blow against wrong-headed policies both by donating your time and your money. For instance, if politicians refuse to support school choice for poor students while at the same time putting their own children in private schools, hold a pizza party. Let the proceeds go to a scholarship fund for poor children. If you and your friends can get just one child out of a violent or failing school, I promise you the angels will rejoice.
Besides being fun and worthwhile, these kinds of activities will help you light a candle instead of being tempted just to curse the darkness.
Sometimes it’s all too easy to fall into a mindset that if your candidate or party loses, everything is lost. Well, it’s not.
So, what do we do when the election is over? Yes, we’ll cheer if our candidates win and probably moan a bit if they don’t. But then, the next day, let’s roll up our sleeves and remember, win or lose, we still have to be salt and light in our culture.
We need to put our faith to work—and that means rolling up our sleeves after November 5th.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Lying to God
Today's Quiet Time
Acts 5:1-11
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
We may think it's a ridiculous idea to lie to God. What were Ananias and Sapphira thinking? How do you lie to God who knows everything? But don't we? Don't we hide things from God, for example in confession? We skip the things that we don't want to give up (like this couple offered something but not everything). Don't we pretend to be Holy in front of God in church, as if He doesn't see our behavior and hear our speech outside of church? Don't we lie to God's face when we recite prayers and sing songs whose words we don't mean? We tell God "You alone are my heart's desire", "You alone i long to worship", "I will give you everything", "I surrender all to You", "I will follow all Your ways", "Only You can satisfy". When really what I mean is "You are one of my heart's desires", "I will give You some things", "I will follow some of Your ways."
We forget that "there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13).
I love David's prayer that says
"Search me oh God and know my heart.
Try me and know my anxieties;
and see if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)
"Search me oh God and know my heart.
Try me and know my anxieties;
and see if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
God's Zero-tolerance Policy for Sin
Today's Quiet Time
1 John 3:8-12
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.
1 John 3:8-12
He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
No, Don't Leave Me Alone!
Today's Quiet Time
Numbers 14:39-45
"And when Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, 'Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised.' But Moses said, 'Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD, when it will not succeed? Do not go up lest you be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not among you. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the LORD. And the LORD will not be with you.' But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah."
We often say and hear the phrase "God be with you!" (Rabbena ma3ak!) It's become sort of like saying "good luck" but in religious language! This passage makes me realize that we totally take for granted God's presence with us. In this somber passage, God tells the Israelites that He is done with them and that He's not leading them in the promised land (because of their constant distrust, rebellion and rejection of Him). But they say "oops we're sorry God, ok let's go" and they proceed to go into the land. Moses warns them repeatedly "the Lord is not among you", "the Lord will not go with you". But they proceed as if they can do it on their own or it really doesn't make a difference whether God is with them or not.
The result is, of course, very quick and utter defeat by their enemies!!!
It is very scary to think that God could actually leave me and what my life would be like if His blessing, strength and grace was not with me.
Moses knew and appreciated the difference that God's presence makes, the difference between victory and defeat, the difference between walking in the light and walking in the darkness of the wilderness, the difference between walking alone and walking with your shephard who takes care of all your needs (hunger, thirst, heat, disease).
That's why Moses tells God "if Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here". (Ex 33:15) Moses is saying "I'd rather suffer in the wilderness with You than go to the promised land without You!!!
Wow! How i take for granted God's presence with me.
Please Oh Lord, don't leave me alone!
Numbers 14:39-45
"And when Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people mourned greatly. In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, 'Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised.' But Moses said, 'Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD, when it will not succeed? Do not go up lest you be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not among you. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the LORD. And the LORD will not be with you.' But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah."
We often say and hear the phrase "God be with you!" (Rabbena ma3ak!) It's become sort of like saying "good luck" but in religious language! This passage makes me realize that we totally take for granted God's presence with us. In this somber passage, God tells the Israelites that He is done with them and that He's not leading them in the promised land (because of their constant distrust, rebellion and rejection of Him). But they say "oops we're sorry God, ok let's go" and they proceed to go into the land. Moses warns them repeatedly "the Lord is not among you", "the Lord will not go with you". But they proceed as if they can do it on their own or it really doesn't make a difference whether God is with them or not.
The result is, of course, very quick and utter defeat by their enemies!!!
It is very scary to think that God could actually leave me and what my life would be like if His blessing, strength and grace was not with me.
Moses knew and appreciated the difference that God's presence makes, the difference between victory and defeat, the difference between walking in the light and walking in the darkness of the wilderness, the difference between walking alone and walking with your shephard who takes care of all your needs (hunger, thirst, heat, disease).
That's why Moses tells God "if Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here". (Ex 33:15) Moses is saying "I'd rather suffer in the wilderness with You than go to the promised land without You!!!
Wow! How i take for granted God's presence with me.
Please Oh Lord, don't leave me alone!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Facing the Mirror
Today's Quiet Time
James 1:19-27
19 "So then,[a] my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
We often evaluate ourselves by common social standards. We compare ourselves to others and feel like we're ok if we're doing what everyone is doing or we feel like "good christians" if our behavior is better than most people around us. But the truth is that others are not the standard. God's teaching is the standard that tells us whether we're on the right track or whether we're off track and need to change. God's word convicts and challenges us. This passages gives us several teachings by which we're to evaluate ourselves:
Verse 19: In my communication with others, am i "quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger"?
Verse 21: Do I stand under the word of God with humility and meekness (asking God to search me and change me daily if I'm wrong)?
Verse 22: Am i a doer or just a hearer of God's word? What is the evidence of this in my life?
Verse 23-25: Is the word of God my mirror? Do i try to see myself through His eyes? Or do i not really care how I look to Him. . . I care more that i'm right in my own eyes or in the eyes of others?
Verse 26: How do i use my tongue/mouth/speech? Do i use it to glorify and praise God? to lift up, encourage, build up others? To share Christ? What does the way i talk tell others about my faith and my God? Can others tell that i'm a Christian by my speech?
Verse 27: If God measures my spirituality or my Godliness by the standards set in this verse, how do i measure up? Do i show compassion and empathy by visiting/caring about the needs of those who are hurting (like orphans and widows)? Am I keeping myself "unspotted from the world"? Or do i dance and flirt with the world, forgetting that "friendship with the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4)
Let's pray for God to change us in every area that we need to change so that we can conform to the likeness of His Son Jesus.
mhs
Monday, September 29, 2008
Deeply Rooted
Today's Quiet Time
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
Today's Passage ends with a promise that I quote back to God often. "[Lord You are]able to exceedingly abundantly above [way more than] all that we ask or think". What an amazing promise!!!
But how? How would He do miracles and mighty works among us like that?
"According to His power that works in us"! So not only can God do way more than we ask or imagine, but He does it through US???
But how? How can we access this Godly POWER? He says: by being deeply rooted in Christ.
-God is calling us to find inner strength in HIM ("to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man").
-He wants us not to worship Christ outwardly but for Christ to "dwell in your hearts through faith"
-He wants us to be "rooted and grounded in love".
-"To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge"
Now wait a minute God, that last line sounds like an oxymoron! You want me to know the love of Christ which is beyond knowledge? Yes, says God, I want you to know the love of Christ which cannot be known with your mind or by hearing about it, the love that can only be experienced through a personal relationship with Him, the love that you'll spend the rest of your life trying to figure out and sing about and talk about, but won't ever completely comprehend it and can never repay it.
-"To be filled with the fullness of God"... Again sounds impossible, but God said, "Allow me to show you, what is impossible for men is possible for God".
Please God, help me to "be able to comprehend and know, with all the saints, the width and length and depth and height of the love of Christ which passes knowledge."
I want to know You!
mhs
In Sharp Contrast
Today's Quiet Time:
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:8-21
Points for reflection:
-Begin by asking God to speak to you thru today's passage.
-Today's passage simply contrasts 2 lifestyles: Living in the Light and living in darkness. The contrast is crystal clear:
1. Darkness vs. Light
2. The fruit of the Spirit vs. The unfruitful works of darkness
3. Shameful vs. Acceptable to the Lord
4. Done in secret vs. Manifest by the light
5. Fools vs. Wise
6. Unwise vs. Understanding the will of God
7. Drunk with wine vs. filled with the Holy Spirit
8. Dissipation (pursuit of physical pleasures) vs. speaking in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing , making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always....
There are 2 questions to ask ourselves:
a. Which side are we on? Are we walking in the light of Christ or are we still in darkness? (this should be an easy question if you're honest with yourself!!)
b. Is there a sharp contrast between the light of Christ and the darkness of the world in your life or have the lines been blurred? Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit but also say there's nothing wrong with drinking? Do you like singing and praising God but also indulge in the pursuit of physical pleasures? When the people of the world see you, do they see a sharp contrast between you and them? Or do they see someone that's "neither hot or cold"?
God is calling us to live in sharp contrast to the world: a contrast that no one can miss. He wants us to live in the light: no lies, no secrets, no compromise, no blending in, no shame, no guilt, no excuses, no divided heart, no serving 2 masters.
Prayer: Take time to ask Christ to expose to you any works of darkness in your life. Ask Him to help you walk in the light and to use you to bring His Light to others.
mhs
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:8-21
Points for reflection:
-Begin by asking God to speak to you thru today's passage.
-Today's passage simply contrasts 2 lifestyles: Living in the Light and living in darkness. The contrast is crystal clear:
1. Darkness vs. Light
2. The fruit of the Spirit vs. The unfruitful works of darkness
3. Shameful vs. Acceptable to the Lord
4. Done in secret vs. Manifest by the light
5. Fools vs. Wise
6. Unwise vs. Understanding the will of God
7. Drunk with wine vs. filled with the Holy Spirit
8. Dissipation (pursuit of physical pleasures) vs. speaking in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing , making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always....
There are 2 questions to ask ourselves:
a. Which side are we on? Are we walking in the light of Christ or are we still in darkness? (this should be an easy question if you're honest with yourself!!)
b. Is there a sharp contrast between the light of Christ and the darkness of the world in your life or have the lines been blurred? Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit but also say there's nothing wrong with drinking? Do you like singing and praising God but also indulge in the pursuit of physical pleasures? When the people of the world see you, do they see a sharp contrast between you and them? Or do they see someone that's "neither hot or cold"?
God is calling us to live in sharp contrast to the world: a contrast that no one can miss. He wants us to live in the light: no lies, no secrets, no compromise, no blending in, no shame, no guilt, no excuses, no divided heart, no serving 2 masters.
Prayer: Take time to ask Christ to expose to you any works of darkness in your life. Ask Him to help you walk in the light and to use you to bring His Light to others.
mhs
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