Cardiac Bankruptcy

“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.”

1 Corinthians 13:3-7a (Message)

This section of scripture has fascinated me for several years. The Apostle Paul, boldly and unapologetically, elevates ‘love’ so far above any other aspect of Christianity that there is absolutely no comparison. Every time I read it I am reminded more and more that ‘love’ defines the drive, purpose, and soul of every believer’s faith journey. I could lead 10,000 lives to Christ, build 500 orphanages in South Africa, and feed the homeless in China…but if love is not behind it all, I am nothing! Would Heaven not still rejoice over those saved souls? Yes. Would those orphans not be in a better situation than before? Of course. And would those fed in China not be hungry any more? Definitely. So then, why the critical attention on ‘love’ behind it all? I’ll tell you why. If I throw money and resources at a cause, the people will be thankful to me. If they see Christ-like love behind my efforts, however, they will be thankful to God!

I’ll leave you with a quote from one of my favorite authors. “A relationship with Christ doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it does change the way we see ourselves, see others, and see God. Why? Because we see with our souls. We become less self-conscious and more God-conscious.”[1] And it’s that ‘God-consciousness’ that enables love to fuel our actions.

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[1] “Primal” by Mark Batterson, p. 69

Hope Floats!

Romans 12:12 says this…

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ‘hope’ in this way: desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment.

What do you think of when you imagine what Heaven will be like? When I ponder the unimaginable mystery of this very real place, these are some of what comes to mind for me:

- Finally getting to physically see Jesus!

- Endless, unceasing happiness.

- Aside from praising God and remaining in His presence, nothing else will matter…nothing!

This verse tells us that we should be celebrating, having a party in our hope of eternity with our Savior. Our confidence of this comes from God. Its that confident hope that gives us the ability, despite our humanity, to patiently wade through our oceans of trials and remain praying to an untouchable God no matter what!

This week, try to identify those things that threaten to sink your hope. Next, pray against them. There is immense power in recognizing the enemy. Lastly, hold on to this hope of spending eternity with Jesus himself…don’t let go for anything…and encourage others to hold on with you!

Faith: Substance & Evidence

Take a look at Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Do you see that? Faith has both tangibility and credibility. It’s real…something we can hold on to. Those who have it faith in God, therefore, have substance in their belief through the evidence of His activity in their lives.
Early in my relationship with God, I had no problem believing He could/would literally do anything I asked of Him. In the times that I could not see Him moving the direction I had prayed, however, I would get quickly discouraged. My early years with God very much resembled a ‘yo-yo’… easily up, and just as easily down. Over the years I’ve grown in my faith. Don’t get me wrong, there are still times when I pray, “OK God, where are you in this situation? Why are you not doing anything?” But I have learned (sometimes the hard way) that He is always engaged in, and planning through, every single moment of all my ups and downs of life. I could share with you dozens of times that He as given me tangible evidence of His loving activity in my life. Sometimes it’s seen in the midst of a trial, and yet other times that ‘a-ha’ moment comes months or even years later.
Do you have faith today? Do you ‘know’ that God is with you in every step today, tomorrow, and the next? Take time this week to look back on your life. What evidence do you have that gives your personal faith in Jesus substance? Pray for that evidence today…and be patient for it tomorrow.

Real Mission Vs. Inhibition

My wife and I recently began attending a new Community Group at our church, and we are loving it! Part of the excitement is related to the new study guide we are journeying through together as a group. It’s a daily devotional called ‘The Tangible Kingdom.’ Each day challenges our group to live truly missional lives to those around us.

This morning, I was really challenged to examine what I think about some of these common slogans:

· TGIF – Thank God I’m Forgiven

· Live It Up, Sinner

· Bible or Murder, Pick One For Your School

· Christians Aren’t Perfect…Just Forgiven

· This Fish Won’t Fry, Will You?

Here are the two questions that followed. “What do you think about these slogans?” and “What kind of posture do they represent?” So, I leave you with these……what are your thoughts? Join the discussion and leave your comments on this blog or on Facebook.

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?^” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:29-32 (NLT)