Don’t Do What I Say!

Matthew 23:2-3 (NIV) “The teachers of the law and the Pharisee sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” These are Jesus’s words.

Wow! I just read this verse as I contemplate writing a post about my blog fatigue, and once again, God gives me what I need to hear.

What’s blog fatigue? It’s the effect of having read too many Christian ministry blogs and feeling overwhelmed, and yes, even confused. Why am I confused? Because lots of folk can take one small verse of the Bible and dissect it to mean a myriad of things—sometimes things that contradict what the guy last week said it means. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes a simple verse can be more meaningful at different times (and circumstances) in our lives. And sometimes the author can bring meaning to a simple phrase we’d not seen if we hadn’t read the post (see MaryLu Tyndall’s post on Jesus’ words, “I Thirst”. Just LOVE this one! I will never look at these words the same again). But other times I wonder if the author is stretching something a little too far, wanting to stand out as more knowledgeable than they really are.

Yikes! I’m tired of trying to figure it all out. But what really bugged me is that I’m probably doing the same thing to my readers. Oh, no! The last thing I want to do is lead anyone astray. Doing that heaps one of those “Woe to you” statements from Jesus in the Bible and somehow I don’t want to be the recipient that!!!

The verse above caught my eye. Why? Not because I think you should do what I say, and not what I do. After all, I’m not a theologian and do NOT sit in Moses’ seat. Even more reason to ignore my words. I quoted this scripture because, in the end, all this writing I do, or that of any of the other bloggers, should lead you back to the ultimate resource—not us. The Pharisee’s words, from this passage, represent their teaching of God’s Word. This is what we need to follow. Not man’s word, nor even man’s actions.

So now that you’ve read my musings, should you ignore them? You’ll have to decide the answer to that question. I do not write so you think I’m wise and can impart that wisdom onto you. I write to point you back to the Bible. I hope you will not take anything I say as absolute truth until you evaluate it for yourself, using His source. I’m only human. I’d hate to be the mentor of anyone who wanted to better themselves, because if the student can only be as good as his master, you would not be shooting very high. I want more for you. I want more for ME. So let’s reach for God’s standards. They are good. How do I know this? Because He is Good … and He is wise!

So, though God can use us bloggers as empty vessels of His Will, don’t stop there. See what the Bible itself says. But don’t just look at one verse. Delve into its context, learn all the meanings of the words. You’d be surprised at the treasure you’ll find there. A story of Goodness, Righteousness, Mercy and Hope. A story of love poured out in the Wisdom, Knowledge and Power of our Father in Heaven.

Note: A great resource to find all the meanings of each individual word in the Bible is at MyStudyBible.com. I use this regularly, and Wow! It opens up a whole new world to God’s Word.

Other posts you might like:

Let Him Steal Your Show

What Brought You To Christ?

A No-Matter-What Kind of Joy

What Brought You to Christ?

What Brought You to Christ?

I have been pondering this question a lot lately, both for myself and those around me.

Why?

Because I want to know what the draw is so I can explain it to those who know nothing about Him. But now I’m thinking there is no one right answer. For some it’s Grace, the idea we are forgiven for all our sins. That would make sense, but I don’t think it’s what first drew me.

You see, though I’ve been a sinner all my life—I know, shocker ;o)—and I did lots of things adults told me were wrong, so did everyone else … or so I reasoned. Yes, unfortunately, I think I believed in a “works theology,” but I thought I was doing pretty well, because there were lots of people around me doing much worse.

I worked very hard to maintain some standards in my life. Some for my vague notion of a moral authority (or God), but many to ensure I was successful as the world defines success. I liked being master of my own destiny, feeling I couldn’t go wrong, because I had control over what happened to me. This gave me a sense of power, but became increasingly wearying as the awesome responsibility attached to it grew.

When I first heard—vaguely—about this thing called Grace, it didn’t resonate as having a ton of value. I didn’t realize the depth of my sins, nor did I recognize the sacrifice made for my prescribed punishment—death. I guess I thought my “good” behavior was more about escaping punishment in this life.

What did it for me? What finally attracted me to this Savior guy and His Father?

I asked my sister the same question recently and she answered with the same word—Peace.

Why peace and what does it come from? The answer for me would have to be from order and security. You see, now that I can trust a wise God who knows all and believe that His framework is a good one, I don’t have to wonder what to do next. I do what He calls me to do, whether it be abstaining from sin or acting on an answer to prayer. I didn’t used to trust God completely. You might say I didn’t have faith. But once I saw other Christians following His precepts from the Bible and watched the fruits of that faith, I decided to try it myself. That’s when I discovered something amazing—He knows what He’s talking about, and the fact there is someone out there who truly knows—amongst the contradicting talking heads—gives me peace.

Which brings me to the next characteristic—security. Oh, how I used to worry about every little thing. When relying on myself to achieve, I also relied on myself to stay safe. But this is not a safe world, so for someone desiring absolute safety, I’d be tempted to cloister myself and never take risks. Not a good way to live. Then, I learned about the Sovereignty of God and I no longer need be ruled by my own control. I could leave it in God’s hands and know that whatever happens He has a purpose in it. Yes, bad things still occur, but I’ve been able to see how He’s used even these for good.

As I listen to sermon after sermon on Grace, or read about others putting down churches for focusing on the abstention of sin—calling them hate-mongers—I wonder why it is I sometimes feel a greater comfort (yes, I said comfort) with the latter. For me, I guess, it’s partially because that is the place God met me first—showing me a better way. It’s where I learned to trust Him. It was also the first time I was able to relax.

Think about Psalm 23:4 where it says, “your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (NIV). Why would a rod and staff bring comfort? They are big sticks! The word for rod, as translated, can be a tool for punishing, ruling (like a scepter) and walking. The word for staff means a walking stick used for support. The message here is that His authority and our trusting reliance on His wisdom gives us comfort. And it does for me. I no longer have to figure EVERYTHING out. I need only look to Him.

I like that!

So where does Grace come in? Given it is the one thing that sets Christianity apart from all other religions, it plays a huge roll. For some who’ve grown up in a works-based church it is the immediate draw. But for those whose lives were saturated in relative good and bad, it appears almost meaningless.

Finally, as I learned more about this God of the Bible and how smart this dude really was, I learned two things: 1) His ways are right; and 2) Knowing He’s right, I still don’t always follow Him. It began to dawn on me that He is really really good, and I am really really … not. He does not have to save me from my prescribed punishment and yet He sacrificed everything to do just that. The more I come to know Him and the more I seek to do His will, the more I feel the gap between who He is and what I am.

NOW, I appreciate Grace! Oh boy, do I appreciate Grace. I think this is what Paul meant when he wrote, “No one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of sin” (Romans 3:20, NIV). We cannot truly appreciate this wonderful gift until we understand, not just the law, but the wisdom of its author. It’s humbling to say the least. And yet God reaches down to us and calls us His.

So as we preach the Gospel, let us not only teach of God’s love, but of His wise counsel. Let us help others experience the totality of their Creator’s greatness: order, tempered by His unending love.

Please tell me in the comments below, what is it that first drew YOU to Christ? And if you have a longer testimony you’d like to share with me, email me from my contacts tab. I’d love to hear from you!

Other posts you might like:

A No-Matter-What Kind of Joy

You Are Holy

Evolution or Intelligent Design?

You Are Holy

If you can’t see the imbed above, click on this link to hear Lamb of God by Tenth Avenue North.

Enter video caption here

There’s nothing like being with a body of believers, throwing my hands to the heavens and praising my Creator. However, sometimes a child of God needs to speak to Him alone, in holy reverence. That’s what this song reminds me to do.

When I was young, I went to churches that taught written-out prayers to speak to God. We were expected to memorize these and say them over and over again in our alone time with Him. Some of them are beautiful blueprints of how one should address a holy God. But now and again I felt the need to throw in a little discourse of my own with the Big Guy. He is my Father, after all.

But was that right?

Later, I met Christians who told me Our God was an approachable God, and His Son, Jesus was “God with us.” We could have conversations with Him like a friend throughout the day, not only on bended knee with closed lids. I loved this idea, because now I could pray in my car on long commutes—not convenient while kneeling, and kinda dangerous with your eyes shut.

So, I ventured into this new relationship with God, relishing the Oneness I felt in all my travels. I wasn’t required to kneel. So I didn’t.

Hmmm.

I’m in a different place these days.

You see, those who taught me of a relatable God also taught me about the God of the Bible. They said I could know Him better by reading His Word. So I did. What did I find out? He is good, He is holy, He is worthy. He is beyond anything I could imagine Him to be. And He loves me.

I found that when the great ones in the Bible were faced with just an angel of the Lord, they were moved to the point of falling on their faces in this presence. The disciples trembled when Jesus quieted the wind and the waves, knowing Him to be more powerful than the storm. And yet, I resist to bow to this God who I treat as a friend.

No more!

He is holy. He is worthy. He is the Lamb of God. He created me, He provides for me and He even died for me. He deserves my reverence. He deserves my love.

He deserves my all.

I still don’t pray on my knees—lids shading my eyes from all other distractions—because I’m required to. I now do these things because I want to. I am in awe and my spirit aches to reverence Him. I am blessed to spend this time with my Creator every day.

Thank you Lord!

P.S. You’ll be relieved to know that though I spend my mornings in bodily reverence, my “conversations” in the car are still with opened eyes and feet to the pedals.

Other posts you might like:

Be His Witness By Demonstrating With-ness

Is God Teaching Me Patience Or Praise?

To Parallel My Life with My Savior

Rise Up

Try this link or the imbed below:

 
When reading Rachel Rutledge’s testimony last week and knowing Rise Up was one of her favorite Third Day songs, this was the image that came to me. Thanks, Rachel.

* * * * *
 
You’ve fallen off your bicycle, the smell of concrete in your face, and the neighbor kids snicker from their lawns. “He’s so lame,” they mock. “He can’t even ride a two-wheeler.”

The tears burn in your eyes, but somehow you hide them from your accusers. You try not to think of the raw flesh on your palms, your elbows or your knees. You brush the gravel from the wounds, but can’t do a thing about the scar on your pride.

“No one cares. I can’t do anything right,” you add to the words of the bullies next door.

A large, calloused hand stretches before your eyes. One that knows the work of hard labor. Maybe that of a carpenter. One that is sensitive to the decorative grooves carved deep into his creations.

A voice resonates within your soul.

“Rise up,” it says. “I will help you. I am with you.”

Though your palm still smarts from the scab yet to be formed, you place your child-sized hand in His. And though your knees still ache where they met the side walk in collision force, you stand, because now you know …

You are not alone.

Do you know that?

You are not alone!

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Friday, Greg Holt shares his testimony of how God changed his life.

Related Posts:

Rachel Rutledge—A Gomer Testimony

Consuming Fire

Robyn C’s Journey to God

The Gomer Testimonies

I’ve always found it funny how some Christians hold up figures from the Bible, beating others over the head with these icons of faith, until the subject of that beating is uselessly crushed. I’ve met individuals who even do this to themselves.

And yet, when I read of the “great ones” in the Good Book, I find many of them … flawed … sinful, and until Christ died for their sins, guilty. But in a strange way, this gives me hope.

Why?

Because I’m flawed, sinful and guilty. Still, I’m loved.

That’s the story of Gomer, the wife of Hosea. The harlot, who didn’t know how good she had it, so she left. Why focus on her? Because she is Israel when Israel turned from God to worship Baal. And in parallel, she is us, when we turn from God and choose our own path. Or sin.

Interestingly, this is the name a group of Third Day fans have given themselves. I just recently became one. The name was chosen because of a song on the Conspiracy No. 5 CD, released August 27, 1997, called Gomer’s Theme. A song of an unfaithful wife who is deeply loved.

A song about us.

This is why I am a Gomer. Because being a Christian is not about sitting atop a high-horse, looking down on the sinners before me. It’s about being broken and knowing there is only one way to be fixed—Christ!
 
Gomers know this.

Some of my new Gomer friends have recently blessed me with a rich and wonderful gift—their testimonies. Stories of brokenness, woundedness, chaos and loss, punctuated by healing, direction, redemption and wholeness through Christ. They’ve agreed to let me share these with you, so you too may be blessed.

I will be posting “The Gomer Testimonies” over the next few weeks, interspersed with Musical Devotionals of their favorite songs and other inspirations. Come and be inspired by what God can do for you!

If you’d like to hear the song Gomer’s Theme, click the link, or the imbed below:

 
 
Posts you might like:

Should You Strive to be Only Natural?

Surrender

God Loves Broken People, by Sheila Walsh—A Review

Surrender

 
It was one of those divinely appointed moments only the Holy Spirit can design. I told my daughter not to speak while the song “Surrender,” by Third Day, played from the car stereo. But does she listen? Sometimes she actually does, having heard this request from me in the past as I absorb the words to that song. But on this day, like Esther before King Xerxes, she boldly opened her mouth.

“Mom, what does it mean to surrender?” she dared, fear wobbling in her eyes from the boldness of her actions (not really).

It was on the tip of my tongue to remind her of the rule … but … She wanted to know why a single word could reduce me to tears. And I needed to tell her.

Then I thought about it. What does “surrender” mean? To most it’s a bad thing. The act of giving up, giving over control to one’s enemy. But the surrender mentioned in the song is different. Why? Because the One I am relinquishing control to is not only not my enemy, He is my Savior. He is all powerful, He loves me and … He’s good.

For this reason my surrendering to Him brings peace, strength and hope for the future. It means life.
So I told my daughter this. Now she longs to surrender, too.

What does surrender mean to you?

Related Posts:

Let Him Who Boasts, Boast in the Lord

His Power is Made Perfect in My Weakness

The Great and the Small, Part 3—God

What Makes Your Work Most Valuable in the Church, by Zeke Lam

 
One day when I was explaining to my daughter why the Third Day song, Surrender, made me cry, she asked me what the word meant. I had to explain it’s origin and how it is used in terms of battles—it’s usually a bad thing … unless the One you are surrendering too is greater, more powerful than yourself, and loves you more than you can imagine. Then, surrender is a good thing. The same is true for the word "submission." 


Zeke Lam is the author of the book, subMISSION: heeding only His voice. He has graciously agreed to visit LBOC today to tell us how obedience to God’s call for you and working in unity with the body of Christ will make your work most valuable.


… And don’t forget to check out the information below about his new book. It promises to be a most inspiring read!

 
The Body of Christ

The body of Christ, also known as the Church, is the common expression given to those who have been transformed by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. It represents power, authority, love, and a measure of unity that can only exist through Christ. In terms of importance, there is not an institution on the face of this earth that can be considered its equal. Why? It is an expression of the very character of our Savior, and He gave His life for her!

Paul spoke frequently about the body of Christ. He emphasized the importance of the Church operating as a true body. In other words, each member understanding that he/she is essential although possessing differing gifts, talents, and roles. I Corinthians 12: 12-26 paints a beautiful picture of the importance of a properly functioning body. Similar to the human body, it is made of many different members, all of which play a critical role in its overall success.

The human body is set up in such a way that each part, regardless of how glorious it is, remains essential to the overall unity of the whole. Unity is not a struggle when each member’s focus is not on themselves. Consider verse 25 of I Corinthians 12 in light of this statement. Paul writes: “so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Division in the body of Christ is perhaps one of the most devastating plagues infecting the Church today. God creates each individual with a specific purpose and function through which He can be glorified. For some it is pastoring. For some it is missions. For some it is parenting. For some it is business. For some it is volunteering. While some callings and gifts appear from the eye of man as more glorious than others, God only sees one thing. Will we be obedient to the calling and purpose He has for our lives? Whether on a big stage or in a mountain jungle, what makes you and I an effective member of the body of Christ is our willingness to assume the role He ordained for us.

When we take our eyes off ourselves and place them on Christ, we can remain in a condition as a member of His body to do our part to see Him glorified. If you have received Him as your Savior, you are His beloved bride. He will cherish and love you like none other.

Consider this question as you and I think about the parts we play in His Kingdom work, and our faithfulness to it. “If you ceased to exist today, would the body miss you?”

Never forget how valuable you are to the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rank or title does not apply. The only thing that counts is obedience! If He created you to be an “ear”, and you spend your life as a “head”, then despite being one of the more crucial members, you have failed. An effective, Kingdom minded member is one who steadfastly obeys God’s purpose for his/her life.

LBOC Would love for readers to leave a comment about how God called you to do something you once thought was crazy, but were blessed enough to see its fruit ...
 
Prepare to be stirred by this authentic calling to return to Scriptural obedience.
—Pastor Gabe Turner, The Point Church of Charlottesville, Virginia

In my opinion Zeke has laid his finger on the defining message for our time. This message is essential for believers everywhere…
—Eric Stephens, Pastor of Life Changing Ministries and Fellowship in Sugarland, Texas
______________________________________________________
What is the greatest challenge that the Church is facing today? Zeke Lam suggests that one word is the greatest challenge:  submission, or the lack thereof. It is not external forces that nullify the testimony of a Christ-centered believer, but rather the failure to humbly submit to the voice of the Lord. This book will help you to live a surrendered life abiding in Christ.
Ø  Is the approval of God more important to you than the approval of man?
Ø  Is the presence of God evident in your life?
Ø  Do you fiercely protect your intimacy with Christ?
Ø  Do you desire to live a life of truth, free from the lies of the devil?
Ø  Is God’s divine character visible to those around you?
Learn how to submit your life wholeheartedly to the Lord so that you can dwell continually in the secret place—a place of intimacy, surrender and joy.
______________________________________________________
ZEKE LAM is the founder of SUBMISSION Ministries—a ministry devoted to seeing lost souls encounter God and live lives fully surrendered to the risen Christ. A graduate of Liberty University, Zeke’s deep passion for following Christ’s will has led him through many years of youth ministry and itinerant evangelism. Both of these experiences have enriched and fueled his desire to hand others the keys to a Christ-centered life. Zeke resides in Virginia with his beautiful wife, Kathleen, and a growing family of future world-changers.
3.  ISBN-13                  978-1-9374-8100-1
4.  ISBN-10                  1-9374-8100-X
5. Author website
http://submissionministries.org/

If you'd like to see a great interview with Zeke and learn more about the writing of his book, visit the blog Peering Through Life's Window.

The Great and the Small, Part 3—God

Recently, I viewed a Youtube video of a preacher sounding off about how some ministers of the Gospel want to make God into a people-needing wuss, which of course He is NOT. I only saw a portion of the sermon (that which was on Youtube) and can’t speak to the whole of the text, but I think the man had a problem with the way God was portrayed in the novel, The Shack. This brought to mind reviews I’d seen of the book that also disliked it, feeling it made God look small.

Okay, I admit, I haven’t read the Shack, so I can’t respond to the criticism of whether or not the picture of God is accurate. However, given that my series this month is entitled “The Great and the Small,” and it IS Christmas season, I just wanted to speak to the idea of God being “small.”
I can see you now, hackles up. “Don’t call the Creator of the Universe small,” you cry, and threaten to navigate away from my blog. So I won’t do that. But—think about this now—He can be small …

If.

He.

Wants.

He’s that powerful!

God is the alpha, the omega, the beginning and the end. The Creator of All Things. Not just you and me, folks. I said All Things. And yet, He chose to become God With Us, Emmanuel. He chose to be born of a virgin in a stable, which by the way, was really a dung-filled cave. He chose to be laid in a manger--aka. a feeding trough—by a lowly carpenter and his wife.

A man once suggested to me that what Jesus did on the cross was really not that big of a deal, because, after all, he was God. I submit to you the reverse. That’s what made it so extraordinary! Think about it. Who would be most troubled by sudden poverty? One who has lived it all his life, or one who has had everything he’s ever needed and suddenly is bereft of these. God could have chosen to leave it, and yet He did not. God did not NEED to be a poor carpenter. God did not NEED to be mocked, harassed, beaten and put to death. WE needed Him to be those things. And so He did them. He became small. Not because He needed us, but because we needed Him. His occasional “smallness” is not about His lack of power. It is about the depth and intimacy of His love.

So yes, God is great … and small. He is all in all. He is sculptor of the walls of water that allowed the Hebrews to escape Pharaoh. And He is the still, small voice that speaks to us every day. He is Wonderful, Counselor, Teacher and Father. The alpha, omega, beginning and end!

He is God!

Other posts in this series:

The Great and the Small--How One Small Girl Inspired a Ministry of Access

The Great and the Small--The Man Who Inspired a Congregation

The Great and the Small--The Button Lady  

Writer As Creator

            One of the amazing things about being a writer is how it gives one a glimpse of what it is like to be God. No, I do not have the power to alter realities … but I do have the power to alter “unrealities.” And oh what an exciting prospect. I can make new worlds and tweek them to be just what I want them to be. I can control the weather, making it rain when the crops need water, and clear when the picnic needs to run its course. But one thing I still have no control over is … the human character.

            Of course, I could create nice little robotic characters who do what I say and treat everyone nice, including me. But that’s like when your husband says he loves you right after you tell him you want him to. Like kissin’ your sister. Though, I’m not going to say I know what God was thinking when He gave us Free Will, I can understand how He might just want us to choose Him on our own, and not just because He told us to.

            So, I end up with these characters who, even though I want them to do one thing, I scratch my head and say, “He’d never do that.” It just doesn’t fit with who he is. But what if that thing I want him to do would really help? I might just have to prod him in some way. Give him some sort of life-changing event that will make him want to do that one thing … even if it hurts.

            So I do it. Sometimes I cringe as my character traverses this difficult land, and I have even shed a tear as I read through the scenario, but I know it’s necessary. My character needs it to grow. So I let it happen.

            I suspect God does the same thing.                                                               

Let Him Who Boasts, Boast in the Lord

Has it ever occurred to you when God wrote His big story (or His-story) book, the Bible, He wasn't much for stereotypes? In fact, it seems He often purposely went against the grain. The younger, garden-tending son gets the blessing and has a nation named after him, while the older, more virile son walks off into oblivion. The man "slow of speech and tongue" is the spokesman for the Jews to Pharoah. The man a head above the others was the lesser king, but the one smaller in stature was great. And he fought a giant while still a boy.
Let's not forget, either, that the King of Kings, Lord of Lords began His life in a stable, His first bed a feeding trough.

Why would God, as He created these His-stories, use such paradox? To remind us of the Truths stated in 1 Corinthians 1:27-31. He chose the foolish to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong, so we would not boast in ourselves, but in the God who made us.

So remember this the next time you are tempted to look down on someone with the lesser profession or a lower level of education and experience. Hold your tongue about the person struggling with a learning disability or one born in a slum. God has a way of turning tables on us all. Make sure you align yourself with those He will use.