Food For A Rich Life

How fitting as the craziness of the world seems to be engulfing all my time and energy… a passage that I read a couple of days ago (Isaiah 55:1-2, 8-11) :

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

Do you feel it? Do you feel that thirst for life, for purpose, for fulfillment?
It can’t be bought. Instead God is beckoning to us to come and take, “buy”, “eat” and be filled with nutrients for life… without money, without payment for is the required payment (The consequence of sin is death – but it can be paid in full by Christ so that we instead can have life!).

2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Yes, Why? The great question. Even as Christian we need to ask ourselves this question. Why do we do what we do? And why do we still get so off track from “providing” for ourselves and our family and make it so much more and yet so much less at the same time. Why do we end up spending money on things that are not necessary (I mean really necessary) and instead put in so much  energy and effort on things that do not satisfy us. Even “good” things – like work, food, gifts for our family, care for ourselves, so many “good” things – but which still don’t give us a lasting fulfillment .

Instead of blindly forging ahead on the path that we started, we need to “take a breath” to listen to God and turn to  “consuming” that which is good (and healthy) – physical food and spiritual food, mental and emotional “food”. Then our poor ragged soul will delight is the richness of life!

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For if we try to do things in our own power (which I am 99% guilty of) and if we reason with our own faulted reasoning on how to have a Rich Life and quench our thirst, it just flat-out won’t work. It’s not how God intended things to be. It was not he created us. We are not these independent beings (from each other or from God). So then, how can we think that we can fill ourselves up, how can think that we can mend our own brokenness, how can we think that we can fulfill our deepest desires (for something beyond and greater than ourselves)?

Instead God thoughts and plan and “way” are the way. We should instead look to Him to be filled, to be mended and to be fulfilled.

10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Just as rain and snow come down from heaven to nurture the land, God’s Word will come down and nurture us. His Word never returns empty if we will listen and follow. And then from us, He will produce a yield of seed & fruit for others. When he fills our cup, we produce an over abundance that fills others up and continues to fill us up too. What a “beyond me” thought. Such a beautiful cycle (that thankfully doesn’t rely on me)!

Entitlement, Contentment and Being little Christs (Jesuses)

We’ve been taught (by our parents and culture), have grown accustomed to the thought and have lived probably most of our life (especially in this, the US, rich country full of extra luxuries) with a sense of entitlement. No, more than that, a belief rooted in our very worldview (even if we were brought up Christians) that happiness, ease of life, pleasures, only good things are our due. Strife, hardship, being persecuted, being oppressed in any way shape or fashion is an affront to us. It all equals “bad”s that can ruin our life, darken our days and cause us sourness to all who cross our path. But for those of who our Christ followers, is this right? What about “godliness plus contentment is great gain”? What about Job when he said to his wife “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” What is the problem? Where is the disconnect? Is it really the our of the ordinary (that seem to happen daily) circumstances that prevent us from doing what we want, the unjust way people treat us or something else that that is really causing us so much discontentment, unhappiness and even anger? What happens when we can’t get what we want?

Paul says “I have learned to be content in all circumstances. I know what it is to be in need (and I’ll add, still be content), and I know what it is to have plenty (and still be content). I have learned the secret of being content in any and every (emphasis mine) situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Paul relied on God. Let me say that again, Paul relied on God. He did not only casually consult him on “major” things. He did not only think about God once a day to hopefully help him “get through the day”. He did not only go to God when times were tough and then only praise him when times were good (although I’m sure he did do all these things). No, he continually and desperately relied on God. No one else was trustworthy all the time. No one else was there for him all the time. No one else had done what Jesus had done for him, died for him, washed him clean all while he (Paul) was still an enemy of Jesus. And this is what I believe Paul learned. That contentment was not based on his circumstances. His contentment (and even happiness.. his joy) was based on God’s promises – that He loved us, that He died for us, that He was redeeming us and that He wanted us to be used to share His glory.

So what does that have to do with raising kids?… oh, everything! How many times has a little incident just quickly soured my mood (if not a good portion of my day)? How many times has a little toddlerism (mind you, kids are still sinful people as we all are, and they’re also trying to still figure out this whole right from wrong plus arbitrary social rules and how to “behave” thing) sent me over the edge and resulted in screaming and anger? How often do I find railing (and repeating exasperatedly) about being gentle, being patient, not to yell, to calm down, to love others better? (Ironically the very same items I myself need to work on.) But all this cajoling, lecturing, disciplining doesn’t seem to get through – because my children are not “hearing” what I’m saying because my actions are louder than my words. They see that circumstances are causing me unhappiness, that when things are not my way they result in anger and that my frustration is a reason to yell at others. Oh Dear! My children are learning from me… but all the wrong things!

This is because I am not making it a priority to hide in my heart God’s Word. I am not allowing the Spirit to transform me. And I am not modeling Jesus to my children; His love, compassion, mercy and righteousness (right living). My lazy habit of not breaking from what the world is telling me I should do, think and act versus what the Bible tells me to do, think and act is causing pain and destruction in me and my children. Instead I need to throw off the old beliefs and put on the new beliefs and live a life of contentment in all circumstances. Acting (not just a heady belief, but with a next level of heart belief attached to action) on the promises of God, obeying his commandments and relying on God that He will do what He says He will in my life and others. This is especially hard as Moms, giving up our kids to God, their growth, character and lives all in His hands. And instead of trying to change them (deceptively called “raising”), I need to focus on the change that starts with me; and which then will naturally overflow to my husband, my children, my family, my friends and everyone that I meet. Not that they’ll see a more wonderful me, but that they’ll see the inexplicable and irresistible Christ in me.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NIV)

Memory verse for me (and my E):
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:19-22 (NIV)

“I never knew you.”

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:21-23

(Aaaarrgh, even the thought of those words strikes a blow to the heart that is almost unbearable!)

Two question that Matthew 7:21-23 presents to me. 1) Could we be doing the Lord’s work, but altogether miss The Lord? and 2) How do we discern that those who with spiritual gifts (that we may follow) are legitimate followers of Christ and not just skilled or worse, false teachers?

My thoughts/answers:
1) Yes. But we would know for ourselves if we “know” the Lord. I don’t believe those Jesus was referring to were unaware that they were just doing the works and hoping that would get them into heaven. They knew and deliberately tried to deceive Jesus – as if!

Sure we could always know God/Jesus better and could spend more time to know him more. But each person should know whether they truly do “know” the Lord. Of course, even if Jesus is our Savior, we could still be missing him daily as we get too caught up “living the Christian life” versus becoming a Christ follower – in our character. God doesn’t need us to do his work, he desires us to be transformed, renewed and redeemed.

2) By the fruit of the bearer! And not just fruit in the area of our spiritual gifting, the fruit in all areas of their life. The tree that’s bad will eventually produce bad fruit and be known. The tree that’s good will produce good fruit. We need to be changed from the inside out – our inside character produces our outward fruit.

And yet, how do we get there… not by works (see answer to 1) above)… No, by transformation that comes from DEPENDENCE on God and his Spirit in our life. That’s a lot of laying down our “stuff”, dying to ourselves and coming to God for everything. A “Thank you God”, a “I need you God”, a “Change me God”, a “Use me God”! Amen.

Yet the image of the tree and the fruit also reminds us that behavior flows from character, and in Christian teaching character comes through being born again rather than merely through self-discipline (see Odeberg 1964:72). Our own best efforts at restructuring unregenerate human nature are doomed to failure (Gal 5:19-21). By contrast, a person transformed by and consistently dependent on the power of God’s Spirit will live according to the traits of God’s character because of God’s empowerment, just as trees bear fruit according to their own kind (Gal 5:18, 22-23).
IVP New Testament Commentary

Live as Dying Daily (Part 2)

God’s loves calls us to obedience. God’s ever dependable promises calls us to trust. God’s sacrifice of his one and only son, shows us his love and gives us an example. His deeds gives us a road-map to follow.

So how do we lay our lives (first, and most selfishly guarded), our spouses and our family on the “altar”. It’s not to just sacrifice to sacrifice. Or sacrifice without reason. It’s to give over to God, dedicating to God, trusting God that he will love, care, grow and lead our families and children to not only a saving knowledge of him but a life of full abundance. The very thing we hope for ourselves fulfilled in them because we were able to let God move in them and we did not hold it so closely to suffocate his work.

Dying Daily, and leaving all to His expert hands. That’s a sacrifice that is “easy” to make.

Now how to live that out…

Pure Joy

Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul. For as his soul was free from disturbances, his outward appearance was calm; so from the joy of his soul he possessed a cheerful countenance, and from his bodily movements could be perceived the condition of his soul, as it is written, ‘When the heart is merry the countenance is cheerful, but when it is sorrowful it is cast down .’ Thus Jacob recognised the counsel Laban had in his heart, and said to his wives, ‘The countenance of your father is not as it was yesterday and the day before.’ Thus Samuel recognised David, for he had mirthful eyes, and teeth white as milk. Thus Anthony was recognised, for he was never disturbed, for his soul was at peace; he was never downcast, for his mind was joyous. (St. Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chapter 67)

Peace. Pure Joy. A Calm Heart. Real Contentment.

These are just a few things I strive for daily, but they seem to always be just out of reach. Or quickly gained but only for a moment and then lost to another moment of anxiety, fear, stress and sadness. And I think (and hope) no one will see it. But it brands our countenance. (Is that why I always look “tired”?)

Yet, freedom in Christ breads a calmness and peace in our hearts that will attract people to us.

If only I would cleanse my soul daily and give all things to God. Be joyful in all things. Praising God. Trusting the Lord and receiving His peace. And then I would have a heart and mind filled with Pure Joy (unshakable and founded in Christ) …. oh how I long for this.

Live as Dying Daily (Part 1)

We are commended by the early church to “Live as Dying” daily. But, there is rarely a plausible (in my opinion) list or discussion on how to do this. We can’t all be Monks hiding in the mountains wrestling with our flesh, isolated and fasting, giving everyone thing we have to others.

So how are we to do this? Especially with a family? Or a job?

Who would care for our children? Who would raise the next generation? And how could we live to give them up, our very own flesh and blood – those we love dearly.

What is the mindframe that we ought to have concerning our lives?

And how do we live as if dying daily, but not forget to live prudently for the future and tomorrow as well?

The Fear of the Lord

Thus has the vigour of faith dwindled away among us; thus has the strength of believers grown weak. And therefore the Lord, looking to our days, says in His Gospel, “When the Son of man cometh, think you that He shall find faith on the earth?” We see that what He foretold has come to pass. There is no faith in the fear of God, in the law of  righteousness, in love, in labour; none considers the fear of futurity, and none takes to heart the day of the Lord, and the wrath of God, and the punishments to come upon unbelievers, and the eternal torments decreed for the faithless. That which our conscience would fear if it believed, it fears not because it does not at all believe. But if it believed, it would also take heed; and if it took heed, it would escape.
St. Cyprian: On the Unity of the Church – Chapter 26

We often hear how only in the modern days there is a spurning of the Lord and a general Fear of the Lord. But it’s not true. Even in the Early Church era the Fear of the Lord was taken lightly by some. How much and how little has changed.

So let us, Christians today, learn from the past. Let us not be complacent or let the “world” tell us that we are safe, comfortable and able to work for and provide all our needs by our own two hands. Let us instead Fear the Lord and walk in faith, knowing how life is fleeting – but not fear death because of it. Instead look forward to our home in heaven and living life as today is our last.

(Oops, I found this in my post queue as a draft from the 14th of this month…. here it is completed and only about a week and a half later.)