Biddeford Church of Christ

As I watch the world around me, I am reminded of last week’s lesson on self-control.  Sadly, in this case it is the lack of it that I am reminded of.  History shows us that this is not unusual with mankind, including God’s own people.  In Exodus 32, because they were impatient waiting for Moses return from the mountain, they asked, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us…” (v1).  Controlling, or as the Latin word brought out, the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, is not as easy as it sounds for any of us.  Our subject today is something that I believe is intended to go hand-n-hand with self-control.  Some may even suggest that it is the same as it.  It is this idea of self-discipline.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

                                                                                        2^nd Timothy 1:7, NIV           

There it is, right?  Well, your translation may use the word, but it is from the same Greek word translated self-control in Galatians 5:22 (NKJV) and soberly in Titus 2:12 (NKJV).  So, is there a difference?  Principally speaking, I believe there is and let me explain.  Remember the definition of self-control mentioned above.  One person explains it as the effort of “removing or managing things that make you ineffective.”  Paul exhorted the church in Ephesus saying, “You were taught to leave your old self — to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do” (Ephesians 4:22, NCV).  He would exhort the church in Colosse in a similar manner, “But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk” (Colossians 3:8, NCV).  All these things, and the list is longer for sure, are bits and pieces of our carnal man that need management to keep them from making us ineffective.  This is the role of self-control. 

But like anything else, there is more to it than simply getting rid of things.  As someone has told me before, “That is only half the battle.”  Here is the other half, and it is called self-discipline.  Self-control involves the keeping away or taking away while self-discipline is just the opposite, or as one person says, it is the “adding things to get better.”  Let’s go back to what Paul said to the churches in Ephesus and Colosse.  He exhorts them to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24).  To the church in Colosse he writes, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on” (Colossians 3:12) these qualities that reveal who you really are in Christ.  If I understand it correctly, self-discipline is the intentional activity in a Christian’s life to promote the development of Christ likeness which will “help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2^nd Peter 1:8).  As I write these thoughts, I am once again reminded of this quote, “The new life is now theirs, yet they are to actualize it – not to gain it but because they already have it.”  We seek to have self-disciplined lives because we have life in Christ!

So, why is it so important to me to try and understand the difference between self-control and self-discipline?  In so many areas of my life, I agonize in trying to rid myself of unwanted behavior (self-control).  Yet, often times I do not work as hard in trying to replace it with something healthy (self-discipline).  Could this be the reason, at least in part, why we struggle with the old man so much?  Something to think about.  For I believe both self-control and self-discipline are intended to go hand-n-hand.  As one person writes, “In order to live a set apart life, we need self-control and self-discipline…Self-discipline is the habit and self-control the good choices we make to realize this plan in our lives.”  To the glory of God, let us live such lives.  Have a blessed day in Christ.

Dennis

A couple weeks ago I talked briefly about God’s grace and how it is a sort of teacher, which helps to equip us for good works (Titus 3:3-8).  Part of what is needed for good works to flourish is the decision to “live soberly” or as the NIV say, “to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12).  Honestly, I am hesitant to speak on this subject of self-control, almost embarrassed, because I do not exhibit it in all areas of my life very consistently.  The words of the apostle Paul echo in my mind, “Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me — I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is earthly and sinful. I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them” (Romans 7:18, NCV).  So, it is here that I start; that is, at the point of where I know we all find commonality.  Where is that you ask?  At the place where dying to self is needed and where self-discipline is or can be developed.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness

faithfulness, goodness, self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

                                                                                         Galatians 5:22-23           

As the saying goes, “Some people have it.  Some people don’t.”  When it comes to our Christian walk, that idea is just a lie which Satan wants us to perpetuate in our minds.  Why?  Because it keeps us from reaching our full potential in Christ!  For those who are in Christ, we have been given to fruit of the Spirit which includes self-control.  Exactly what is self-control?  Well, the Latin for this word, continentia, means the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions.  And although we have all received it as a portion from the Spirit, it needs to be developed.  Titus was to teach the older men and older women on the island of Crete to be temperate, this is, self-controlled.  All Christians are urged to add to their faith…self-control (2^nd Peter 1:6).  For some, we may look around and see others that exhibit self-control so easily, while in your mind you say something like this, “That’s easier said than done.”  That very well could be true.  But we are not talking about whether something is easy or not; but rather, if something is possible.  As one person said, “Self-control is a discipline that God grows in us when we continually choose to die to our flesh and live in Him.”  Self-control is a Christian virtue that is a gift from God that is intended to be developed as we walk with Christ.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful…

                                                                                         1^st Corinthians 10:13           

Self-control is not a one man show, at least not in our walk with Christ.  God’s faithfulness to provide an “escape,” that will ensure that you are not “tempted beyond what you are able” is also part of how we fight against our sinful tendencies.  It might be that self-control enables us to see with greater clarity that way of escape while teaching us just how vulnerable we may be in a given situation.  Remember, God provides the escape and we make the choice on whether to access it or not.  Listen to 1^st Corinthians 9:25 in the NCV, “All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win crown.  That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed.”  If we are going to finish this race, we need to ask God to help us develop godly self-control.           

As I close this article, I will admit that it has been stimulated by a recent class (The Daniel Plan) that I am not a part of at this time.  It has caused me to think about a variety of things, one of which is my health.  While considering things, I realized how this all plays into our spiritual lives as well.  Resisting those things which can influence our spiritual development is not easy.  Saying no to TV, video games, and the list can go on so we can spend sufficient time in prayer, study (reading) and fellowship takes self-control.  Create within us Lord a desire to develop what You have given us to the glory of Your name and the growth of Your church.

Dennis

It may be oversimplifying it, but I found this quote by Richard Foster rather intriguing as he sought to give the reason for meditation.  He writes, “Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word.”  It is of value to put that thought in the context of the last couple of lessons focused on God’s amazing grace.  Grace does not negate obedience but rather places it in the right order of things.  I would be willing to say that God’s grace promotes and heightens one’s desire to be obedient.    Meditation is one of those tools meant to help the disciple accomplish such a goal.  So, I would like to briefly examine some of the objectives of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 5 that reveal some Christian intentions and consider how meditation can help us in achieving them in our lives.

“Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love…”

                                                                                                 Ephesians 5:1-2            

When actors are offered a role in a movie that portrays a real historical person, what they do is invest enormous amounts of time looking into the person’s life: how they expressed themselves, how they walked, and the list goes on.  All this effort is to try to reveal to the audience a reality of what that person was like while subduing their natural tendencies.  Some memorable roles might be George C. Scott as General Patton, Russel Crowe as John Nash, Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher or Cuba Gooding Jr. as James Robert Kennedy in the movie Radio.  The point being, without much effort, the ability to mimic someone is impossible.  The intention of those verses that encourage us to “be diligent” (2nd Timothy 2:15) and give “all diligence” (2nd Peter 1:5) are not intended to have us try and earn something, but rather, to become more like someone.  This call to “walk in love” is defined for us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  The more we spend time learning about (i.e., meditating on) the character and life of Christ, the more effective we will be in imitating Him and thus show that love.

“Walk as children of light…”

                                                                                                     Ephesians 5:8           

 Listen to this statement of confidence given by Paul, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8).  I know I am redundant at this point, but it is worthy of repeating.  “The new life is now theirs, yet they are to actualize it – not to gain it but because they already have it.”  This effort to “walk as children of light” is sought after because we “are light in the Lord.”  When Paul exhorts the church in Ephesus to “Try to learn what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10, NCV), he is inviting them to respond to God’s grace found in Christ.  Such a response will take time and energy; that is, effort on our part.  Meditation is part of the learning process that helps to make what we learn part of who we are: in this case, children of light.

“See then that you walk circumspectly…”

                                                                                                Ephesians 5:15            

Finally, we can see a direct link between this idea of walking in a fashion that gives us insight into our surroundings and to our ability to “understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).  The more we understand His will, the better able we are to recognize Satan’s efforts to draw us back into darkness.  Meditation plays an essential role in equipping us to fight such battles.            

We are called, as God’s chosen to “walk in love,” “walk in the light,” and “walk circumspectly.”  Each helps us to pursue Christlikeness.  What does it mean to be Christlike?  I invite you to take some time and meditate on that very question.  You can find the answer in the pages of our bibles.

Dennis

As I said last week, I wanted to return to Titus and build on some of the things mentioned last week, found in Titus 3:1-8.  We considered this incredible idea of grace; that is, God loves us, sinful man, so much, that He planned “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4) to put His grand redemptive plan in place.  God yearns for this to be our reason for the change, for transformation.  That is what happens when grace impacts the believer, as we consider in last week’s lesson.  Today, we dive into it even further.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation to all men, teaching us that…”

                                                                                                                                    Titus 2:11-12a

            As is always the case, it is crucial to seek to understand the context, and this one is powerful.  Slaves who have come to accept Christ as Savior, those who have come to know the grace of God found only in Christ, are exhorted to “be obedient to their own masters” (Titus 2:9).  Their behavior is such “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10).   As one person put it, they “were giving it [The “it” is the gospel.] drawing power by making it attractive to those whom we are striving to win to Christ through the preaching of the gospel.”  In this case, it was the slave seeking to draw his master towards the gospel.  The question is, how does one achieve such a perspective in life?  The answer is simple and profound: God’s grace teaches us.  The word “teaches” here means to cause one to learn, at times, through the process of discipline.  When “grace” is the center of our reasoning, it sets the stage to learn about His ways.  Then we can implement His concepts in our lives.  His grace teaches us “not to live against God nor to do the evil things the world wants us to do” (NCV, Titus 2:12).  This is part of the “good works” we considered last week mentioned in chapter 3 and chapter 2 verse 6; which involves the desire to get rid of the old man and pursue the “new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).  Grace beckons us to seek Christlikeness, because of the unmerited favor shown towards sinful man.  This transformation of character, that is, the changing of the external because of what God through Christ has done to the internal man is what helps draw others towards Christ and the gospel.  People see something different.

That same grace teaches us to turn from our old ways, and now “teaches us to live now in a wise and right way and in a way that shows we serve God” (Titus 2:12).  Those old ways of life are “torn up by the roots” by God’s grace.  We seek to live wisely, or as my NKJV says, soberly; that is, with self-restraint.  It spurs the believer to live a “right way” or “righteously” towards those around us.  Okay, think of the slave for a minute—the challenge of how he was to interact with his master.  Things have changed now that he is in Christ, and there is no doubt his master would notice.  This grace also causes the believer to change how he or she engages with God. There would be a newfound reverence towards God because of His grace.  The truth of the matter is simple: life would not be the same once someone comes to know His grace.  I wonder what the master would think as they come in contact with a slave transformed by God’s grace.

Treating their master with respect is a lot to ask of those who found themselves held captive in slavery.  There had to be something that enabled them to look beyond their present situation.  They were “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:13-14).  The grace that brought them hope is the same grace that caused them to hope. John C said a couple of weeks ago, not a hope that is wishful thinking, but rather, a hope that causes them to anticipate their Savior’s return.  A hope that generates within them a desire to pursue good works.  Such a change is not without its impact.  Why?  Because grace changes the believer. 

Dennis

I am so thankful for John Carter’s thoughts last Sunday as we prepared to partake of the emblems that draw our attention back to the fantastic gift of redemption exhibited on that cross some time ago.  If you remember, he focused on two words of significance in the text he read (Titus 3:4-7): the word “might” and the word “hope,” both found in v7.  The emphasis on these words sought to bring out the absolute confidence we as Christians should have when it comes to eternal life (v7).  I have spent a lot of time thinking (i.e., meditating) on this idea this past week.  It has blended well with our morning bible reading, which now finds us in Romans.  In Romans 5:1, we read, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”  God so desperately wants us to grasp the magnitude of His grace, the unfathomable depths of His love (Ephesians 3:14-19).  Why is this so important?  Let’s go back to Titus chapter 3 and consider some verses that surround the beautiful idea of grace.

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities,

to obey, to be ready for every good work…”

                                                                                                                       Titus 3:1

            Paul says to the church in Ephesus, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  So often, when we speak of eternal life, we look beyond this life, this physical world in which we live.  But the gospel of Christ is as much about now as it is about our future!  God has created us through the work of Christ to do good works now, in this world.  There was an “old man” mentioned in Titus 3:3, which was apart of the sinful world around him, something all of us were once every bit part of it.  But now, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  As new creations, part of the Christian journey here, those good works, involves the “putting off” of the old man and “putting on” the “new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).  Let’s remember a quote from last week’s lesson that I think is crucial here.  It said, “The new life is now theirs, yet they are to actualize it-not in order to gain it but because they already have it”; that is, “Become what you are!”  The “good works” we are called to do are not to make us what we are.  Instead, we should see “good works” as what happens when sinful man collides with unimaginable grace, producing within man a new heart that wants “to learn what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10, NCV).

“This is a faithful saying and these things I want you to affirm constantly,

That those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good

works.  These things are good and profitable to men.”

                                                                                                                                    Titus 3:8

            Paul’s exhortation to Titus was to “affirm constantly,” that is, assert confidently regularly.  Assert what?  Our tendency may be to direct our attention to the transformation that needs to be taking place in the life of the Christian; but although necessary, that would put the cart before the horse. Change begins, find its strength, its reason, in the amazing grace afforded us through Christ Jesus.  When confidence is first placed there and left there, transformation becomes more natural, although not necessarily easy.  May we all be influenced by His grace in such a way that we pursue good works, not to earn somehow what we don’t have yet, but because in Christ, we have all we need.  Be blessed and live confidently in Christ.

Dennis

Okay, I need to be honest about something when it comes to this whole idea of meditation: I struggle with it.  The constant rushing of thoughts that often occupy my mind seems to put stumbling blocks in the way of meditation.  Like so many things regarding our spiritual journey with Christ, whether it be praying, reading His word, serving others, and yes, this idea of meditation, there is a need to develop discipline.  In the book, I mentioned a couple of weeks ago entitle God’s Battle Plan For The Mind, I came across a chapter that lists several things one could consider meditating on.  This morning, after Debbie and Corey left for work, I found myself sitting on the couch with the windows open, listening to the marvelous sounds of creation.  It caused me to think of Psalm 145:5, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.”  As I exalted God in my mind, it lifted my spirit.  As purposed as meditation needs to be in our lives, it need not be complicated.

 I believe the title of the book mentioned above is appropriate regarding the challenges Christians have faced from the beginning.  As Paul exhorts the church in Corinth, he says, “We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ” (NCV, 2nd Corinthians 10:5).  Paul portrays this battle when he writes in Romans 7:23, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”  For the Christian, this battle within is every bit real, for the Spirit which God has given us fights with the flesh of man, or as the NCV says, our sinful selves.  Why mention all this?  I believe, biblically speaking, meditation is one of the many tools God reveals to us that can help us in this battle for the mind.  The question is, how does it work?

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which

are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

                                                                                                                  Colossians 3:1-2

The practice of meditations is rather simple, with some essential components that help us to achieve the desired objective.  The text above provides simple goals to enable believers to practice and thus benefit from this discipline.  First, Paul encourages these early Christians to “seek those things which are above.”  The keyword is “seek.”  It means to aim at, strive after.  Like this morning, as I sat and listened to God’s creation, I intended to think of His incredible creative power.  As the saying goes, “You will always find what you are looking for.”  Here, we are encouraged to focus on those things above.   To focus is so crucial because something here seems always to want our attention.  Second, Paul builds on this idea by saying, “set your mind on things above.”  The KJV says, “Set your affections,” while the NCV says, “Think only about things in heaven…”  This idea to set means to direct one’s mind to a thing.  Paul is teaching them and us today that the Christian journey is a battle of the mind.  That being the case, it is crucial for us to purposefully seek to grow in our awareness and understand of God and His will for us.  Meditation is one of the tools to help us achieve that objective.

One final thought.  Why do this?  Like so many things in our Christian walk, it comes down to the incredible gift of Christ.  Paul writes, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:3-4).  If for no other reason, and there is genuinely no better reason, let us seek and set our minds on things above because of what Christ has done for us and will do for us one day.  Have a blessed day, knowing you are loved.

Dennis

In a recent email I sent out to everyone, I mentioned a song written by Andrew Peterson that I have become very fond of lately.  In his song, he asked a question.  This question has been stirring in my mind as I read this book on biblical meditation.  The question is, “Is He worthy”  Is He worthy of all blessing, honor, and glory?  In the business of everyday life, I have never really considered and thus answered that question.  What happens if we do?  If I do?

Before we consider the text for today’s lesson, it would be helpful to understand the hope this chapter seeks to bring.  For instance, we can confidently know that “we have a building from God” (2^nd Corinthians 5:1) that awaits us.  This “building” is a new, resurrected body.  Our guarantee is the Spirit, which God gave to all who put their trust in Christ’s completed work on the cross (2^nd Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14).  This extraordinary love is what drives Paul to proclaim the message of hope.  What is that message of hope?  Paul says, Christ “died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”  Is He worthy?  He is!

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,

so that in him, we might become the righteousness of God.

                                                                                                            2^nd Corinthians 5:21

Worthy, as I am using it this day, means having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specific way.  What is it about Christ and His work on the cross that deserves our attention?  The above verse provides three profoundly power reasons.  First, Jesus had no sin.  I know we can quickly run through the bible verses that speak of what Jesus represented while on this earth.  He was God who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) through the man Jesus Christ.  In His humanity, “he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15, NCV).

From the beginning of His ministry, being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), He did not sin.   The ridicule He repeatedly faced: the doubt of those who followed Him, the betrayal He encountered, the beatings He endured, and the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.  Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep, before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.”  Because of this, He is “able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).  Is He worthy?  But there is more, for He who was sinless God made “to be sin for us.”   He took on humanity’s sin!  My sin!  Your sin!  Peter writes that Jesus “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1^st Peter 2:24).  Through this act of unquestionable love, Jesus became “the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1^st John 2:2).   This word propitiation seems hard to understand, so let’s consider the NCV translation, which says, “He is the way our sins are taken away…”  He, who was sinless, chose to carry the burden of our sin my sins…enduring the penalty that I so deserved.  Is He worthy?

Although this alone gives sufficient reason to answer our question, there is one more powerful thought.  Jesus did all this that “we might become the righteousness of God.  The NCV reads, “Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ, we could become right with God.”  Paul writes in 1^st Corinthians 1:30-31, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption–that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.'”  That is so amazing!  The sinner becomes sinless because the sinless took on their sin.  In so doing, the sinner can claim righteousness, not of his own, but that which God imputed upon him through Christ.  Is He worthy? He truly is!

As the song goes, He is worthy of all blessings, glory, and honor.  As I try to finish this article, tears begin to flow.  What God has done for sinful man, for me, is beyond words of gratitude.  The hideous nature of sin, so destructive and pervasive in this world, is no match for the love of God revealed to us through His Son and our Savior.  He is truly worthy of all blessings, glory, and honor. Thank You, Lord, for saving me.  May my life be renewed through Your grace to bring you all blessings, glory, and honor.  You are worth it all.

Dennis

I thought we would step away from the subject of our present plight and consider once again the subject of meditation.  If you remember, our theme verse for this year is Psalm 1:3, which says, “He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”  It has been a little while since I have reflected on this verse, and I noticed something new about the image presented.  You see, a tree grows through its roots. Roots locate themselves, close to “rivers of water” which enable them to be continuously fed or nourished.  For a plant to grow and bear its fruit, it needs to be close to its supply of food.  If there is a lack of food, the plant may not die, but the lack of nutrition hinders it from bearing fruit.  Let’s make some spiritual application to this for us today.

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by

Every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

                                                                                                                    Matthew 4:4

The tempter is confronting Jesus to tempt him after being in the desert for “forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:2).  The first temptation is His need to eat, for the tempter knows He is hungry…very hungry.  Turn the bread to stone, the tempter urges.  What would your response be, especially if you could do it as Jesus did?  Jesus’s response is the above verse and, in it, reveals a profound truth.  Our spiritual life needs nourishment, and the word of God is what will sustain us through all of life’s adversities and guide us down all paths of righteousness.  Consider this often-quoted text anew, “All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right.  Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be capable, having all that is needed to do every good work.” (NCV, 2nd Timothy 3:16-17).  Like a tree, planted by the river’s edge, the child of God stays close to God’s word because it allows nourishing to take place so they can bear fruit for the Lord; that is, do good work.  Staying close to God’s word is what the act of meditation is all about.  Joshua, now given the task to lead God’s people into the promised land, is urged by God to meditate on the Book of the Law “day and night” (Joshua 1:8), and the result will be “good success.”    Proverbs 4:20-22 (NCV), “My child, pay attention to my words; listen closely to what I say.  Don’t ever forget my words; keep them always in mind.  They are the key to life for those who find them; they bring health to the whole body.”  If that were not enough to ponder, consider the very next verse, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (NCV, Proverbs 4:23).

The act of mediation enables us not merely to read the word, but to consider it and seek to understand how it applies in my life.  I am presently reading a book entitled God’s Battle Plan for the Mind by David W. Saxton.  Its focus is to try and grasp a deeper understanding of biblical meditation.  As I was reading it, I came across this thought; everyone meditates on something.  In other words, we all are focusing on something, dwelling on it in our minds.  Someone who is unjustly hurt may ponder in his thoughts on seeking revenge.  Someone who is looking to get ahead in life is looking for a better paying job.  Even when we spend time worrying about something, whether we realize it or not, we are meditating.  The point is, something has our attention.  What we focus on in our minds will eventually bring us to a location: We become a little more transformed.  The question is, “Where is our meditation bringing us?  What are we being transformed into?”  God wants us to meditate on Him and His ways because when we do, we become more like Him.

Dennis

If you haven’t noticed, the lessons over the last few weeks have centered around how we can handle this pandemic in a way that brings glory to God and helps strengthen His church: Today will be no exception.  In those lessons, you may have noticed that they were inspired in part by many of you as we share our lives during these troubled times.  As I was thinking about what I might focus on this week, my mind was brought to a verse often mentioned by Matthew Sampson over the years.  This Bible verse, I believe, provides a helpful hint in dealing with times of uncertainty.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt

you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

                                                                                                                               1st Peter 5:6

It is no surprise that humility starts us off.   Someone once said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”  Peter reminds of this simple truth, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1st Peter 5:5).  It is here that we need to reflect for a moment on the situation at hand.  Early Christians faced “various trials” which “grieved” them.  The Greek word translated grieved means to make sorrowful; to affect with sadness, cause grief; to throw into sorrow.  The situation they found themselves in was troubling and was impacting them emotionally.  Peter would say later on, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed” (1st Peter 3:14).  It was not easy being a follower of Christ, both then and even today.  Okay, I have a question to ask.  When do we tend to try and take control of things?  Well, it is when we believe things are out of control…right?  Could that be the reason that humility is so desperately needed?  We need to remember that we are “under the mighty hand of God.”  He’s got this!  He knows what He is doing, even when it does seem like it.  Things are never “out of control”; but rather, under the control of His mighty hand.  Now the next part is equally important, for that faith that accepts His power needs to know that He will “exalt us in due time.”  We might feel tempted to ask, “When?”  The answer is simple to say and, at times, hard to understand.  He will exalt you at the right time.  Our faith needs to trust Him enough to know that He knows what He is doing.

Okay, with humility steering our thoughts and faith urging us to believe that God is in control, we are now positioned to receive some much-needed help to deal with those “various trials” of life.  Why now?  Because without humility and faith, who is going to really “cast all your cares upon Him”?  Not some…all!  We do this because we believe that He cares for us, even when circumstances may cause us to question that fact.

So, as we travel through life, may the God of all grace guide you heavenward.  May he strengthen your faith, and your resolves unmovable.  Why?  Because God’s got this!

Dennis

You don’t hear too many lessons about Judgment anymore, and I say this simply because I know I haven’t spoken of one for a long time.  I think the reason is simple, and we don’t like to hear that type of news…right?  You know, the end of times sort of thing.  So, this past week, as I was getting ready for one of our evening prayer times on zoom, I found myself looking at what Jesus taught in Matthew 25:31-46.  One’s attention, and rightly so, can gravitate towards the “judgment” side of things as you read down through it.  But it is not only the Judgment which Jesus seeks to bring forth: but also, that of what we do before it.

“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one

from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”

                                                                                                                                    Matthew 25:32

The visual that Jesus uses must have grabbed the attention of His listeners.  He has prepared a kingdom (I think of John 14:1-4.)  from the foundation of the world!  For who?  Jesus continues by saying, “…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:35-36).  Jesus is seeking to draw a line that reveals that His followers, those who believe in Him, will be committed to serving Him in life.  Jesus was leaving soon. He would first resurrect than ascend to the Father. The followers asked, when did we do these things for you?  I need to know because it is part of our Judgment.  Jesus’ answer is so important to hear, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40).  We serve our King as we serve His children.  He sees all that we are doing, even down to a simple gesture of a cup of water.  It all matters to God!

Why am I thinking about this right now?  In a time of isolation, where regular everyday routines are replaced with “stay at home” mandates by officials, we can struggle to think we can make a difference.  I wonder if that is, in part, what Satan would want us to believe.  But Jesus wants us to know that He is looking not only at the big picture, but the details of that picture.  Those seemingly insignificant expressions of kindness that to us, at the moment, seem well inconsequential.   The truth is, they matter a lot to our Lord.  Jesus sees every expression of love as valuable. Even the small ones.  By loving one another, we love him. Those emails that express care: those texts that say, “Have a great day!”: those brief calls just to say hello: all of them are important to our Lord because He knows the difference they can make in someone’s life.

Okay, I have avoided it thus far.  The close of this teaching is to the point and needs to be, for the Judgment is no laughing matter.  We have freedom in Christ because of the cross. We don’t need to fear the Judgment, but we should anticipate it. As we wait for His coming, we have work to do, and that work is to show our love for Christ and what He has done for us through His redemptive work on the cross.  How do we love Him?  Through the simple everyday aspects of life as we interact with those around us.  Although our present situation may limit some of what we can do, it does not stop us from doing anything at all.  A simple meal to a neighbor.  A card to someone.  A phone call to a shut-in.  A thank you to the clerk in the store serving you.  Jesus sees the little things in life.  God, help us to notice those opportunities and serve Your children as though we loved You.

Dennis