Tag Archives: Faith

Testing

Posted on by

0

I still have the dream sometimes where I am late for a test that I hadn’t studied for. And it always seems to be a calculus test.  I hated calculus. Anyway, in my dream I’ve always forgotten to study and I am running late and I just know that I’m going to fail this test and it’s going to be awful.

I hate that dream.

I will wake up, thankful each time that it’s just a dream.

What a terrible feeling to have forgotten that you have a test!  What a terrible feeling of impending doom. It’s a helpless feeling, one that just grips the whole of your soul.

Well, in life, we are going to have tests. And the bad thing is that they may make that calculus test look easy.  These test may be hard. They may involve sleepless night.  Tears.  Pain.  Hurt.  Doubt.  These test could be the things that try our faith and leave us shaken.

And in James, it says we should thank God for these tests.

Huh?

Yep.  James says to thank God for tests.  Listen to James 1:

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

These tests we face will grow our faith. They will grow our strength. They will grow our trust. They will grow our dependence on God.

When you face a test, a real, a tough test, you can’t face it on your own.  You’re not strong enough.  You’re not able.   You can’t do it.

But, through God, you can. Through Christ, you can do all things. Through Christ, nothing is impossible. Through Christ, you can do it.

Through Christ, you can have joy in the tests. Through Christ, you can have joy.   Through Christ, we can endure. Through Christ, we can grow.

Through Christ, we can not only take these tests. We can triumph over them.

Today, and in the future, you will have tests coming. What will you do? What will we do? Will we count it joy?  Will we use this to grow? Will we let this grow us closer to God?

We can count these tests as joy. When we turn to God in the midst of the trials, they will grow us.

May we grow closer to God today and each day.

The Puzzle – Faith Podcast

Posted on by

0

The sermon podcast for Sunday, July 3, 2011 is up on Asbury Church’s website.  This is the second sermon in our series about Spiritual Gifts – “Puzzle.” This series talks about spiritual gifts and this one deals with the gift that is most prevalent at Asbury Church – Faith. The texts for this sermon are Genesis 32: 22-32 and Matthew 9: 19-22.  You can listen to it by clicking here, or you can listen to it here on this blog by clicking below. And, as always, you can subscribe to my sermon podcasts through iTunes.

Know Your Lane

Posted on by

0

One of the statements I once heard at a leadership event was the phrase “know your lane.”  I really like that phrase, and I use it a lot when talking about leadership and being who God wants us to be. We should know our lane. And we should “stay in our lane.”

Ok Andy, what does that mean.

Think about driving on the interstate.  There are two lanes.  And, let’s say, you are driving a 1990 Pontiac LeMans (my first car. We used to call it the turtle. Because, well, you know).  As I was driving to school on the interstate, I stayed in the right, i.e. slow lane.  Why? Because I was driving a 1990 Pontiac LeMans. Fast was not a speed that it had.  I knew what my car could do, and I knew what lane I needed to be in. And I stayed in it.

Know who you are.  Know what you can do.  And do it. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Know your strengths and weaknesses.  Know what you can and can’t do. And do it. Know your lane and stay in it.

Ok, what’s that got to with God?

Listen to parts of Psalm 78 this morning:

Their hearts were not loyal to him.
They did not keep his covenant.
Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins
and did not destroy them all.
Many times he held back his anger
and did not unleash his fury!
For he remembered that they were merely mortal,
gone like a breath of wind that never returns.

God knows who we are.  God knows our lane.  I love the end of this passage. There were many times God should have just destroyed the people.  He should have wiped them off the face of the map.  He should have ended them.

But He didn’t.  Why?  He knew their lane.  He knew that they (we) were merely mortal.  They (we) are like a breath of wind that will never return.

We are weak and we are frail. We are going to make mistakes. We are going to fall.  We are going to do it wrong.

That’s who we are.

But, here’s the thing. I’m not telling you to accept that. I’m not giving you permission to stay in your sin.  This is what it teach us.  We are weak.  And if we think that the can overcome our weakness and sin based off our own will power and strength, we don’t know our lane.

We can’t.  If you try today to be very good, you will fail.

But, through God, all things are possible.

You can’t do it. God, through you, can do all things. All things.

Today, know your lane. But, also know God’s lane.  You are weak.  He is strong.  Trust in Him. And through Him, all things are possible.

 

A 2×4

Posted on by

1

Sometimes when I’m reading scripture, I have to sit and think.  Slow down.  Listen. Stop. Wait.

Sometimes, in these moments, I think, come on, God!  What are you wanting to say to me?  I’m not hearing it!  I’m not hearing anything!

So, I wait.  I ponder.  I pray.  I listen.  I stop.  I breathe.  And sometimes, sometimes I see that word, or hear that thought, or feel that presence, and I know God is saying something to me.

Sometimes not.  Sometimes I just know that I am being faithful, and in the end, that’s all God wants.

And then there are sometimes the Lord picks up a 2×4 and proceeds to wail against my hard head, saying, come on, boy, are you listening?!?!

Today was a 2×4 day.

Listen to what the Word says in Proverbs 3:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Lot’s of good stuff there, but the one word the Lord really spoke to me about was that word “impressed.” Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Don’t think you are so smart. Don’t think you’ve got it all figured out.

You don’t.

God does.

Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t trust in your might, in your power, in your wisdom. Trust in God, and in His wisdom. Trust in what He wants to do, and who He is. Trust in His might, in His power, in His way.  Trust not in your own wisdom.

Trust in God’s.

Don’t be impressed with yourself. But, be blown away by God.

Don’t be impressed with your wisdom and strength, but stand in awe of the Lord and who He is, and what He has done.

The Lord took a 2×4 to my head with this passage.  And I am thankful.  We need to trust in Him, His plan, His wisdom, His might.

He knows what He is doing.

We need to trust.

What are you Looking at?

Posted on by

0

What are you looking at?

Well, you are probably thinking right now, my email.  Or my smart phone.  Or your blog.  That’s what I’m looking at right now.  Ok, what will you look at next next?  What you have you looked at already today?

And I’m not just talking about what you’ve “seen” with your eyes.  What have you dwelled on with your soul?  What have you allowed your mind and your spirit to rest upon today? What have you focused your thoughts and your presence upon today?

In the Bible, one of the things that we see Jesus do over and over again is heal the blind. Now, in scripture there is a physical miracle that happens here, but there is a deeper spiritual miracle. To heal the blind isn’t just to bring sight to the eyes, it’s to bring sight to the soul. Not just to let folks “see” physically, but to really let them see what’s going on in a deeper, spiritual way.

So, today, what are you looking at?  Where are you gazing?

Listen to the words of Psalm 101 today:

I will be careful to live a blameless life—
when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
anything vile and vulgar.

What are you looking at? Where are you dwelling? Where is your soul today?

Today, are you “looking” at the things of God? Are you “looking” at the things of the world? Are you “looking” at your own fleshly desires?  Are you looking at the things that dishonor God?  Or are you looking at the things that honor God and give life?

Are you “looking” at anger?

Are you “looking” at pride?

Are you “looking” at hatred?

Are you “looking” at unforgiveness?

Are you “looking” at you?  Or are you “looking” at God?

Our kids used to sing that song – Oh be careful little eyes what you see, Oh be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful little eyes what you see.

Today, are you being careful what you see?  Are you placing your eyes, your mind, your soul on the things of God?  For only in doing that can we find life, love, peace, and joy.

Today, what are you looking at?

 

An Anchor

Posted on by

0

I don’t do water. Anyone that’s ever been around me at a water park, or the beach, or really anywhere with water has learned that I don’t do water. I’m glad if water works for you, but just not my thing.

So, I’m not going to lie to you, I know nothing about boats, water, deep-sea fishing, or sea creatures. Other than the fact that I like most sea creatures fried.

But, in reading about ships, boats, and sailing, one of the things I’ve learned to appreciate is an anchor.

Now, you sea folks may correct me, but from what I’ve read and learned, it is that anchor that keeps the ship stable and in one place in the water. The anchor allows the ship to stay where it is and not be moved. And when a storm blows up, that is incredibly important. This anchor will keep the ship safe, unmoved, and undamaged.

This anchor will allow a ship to survive a storm.

Listen to what the author of Hebrews says this morning:

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Storms are coming. There’s no doubt. There will be troubles. There will be trials. There will be tough times. There will be tears. Storms are coming.

But, remember, when the storm comes, and even when the water is smooth, you have an anchor. You have something to keep you anchored and safe. You have something you can trust.

Or, some one you can trust.

Jesus. He is your anchor. When the storms come, He is your anchor. When the wind blows, He is your anchor. When trials and temptations affect you, He is your anchor. You can trust in Him. And He will be with you in all that happens in your life.

He is the anchor for our lives. He is the one that we can count on. He is the very truth, heart, and love of God. And our lives must be anchored in Him.

Today, when the wind blows, may we find our anchor in Jesus. And may we know that no matter what blows up around us, we are safe and secure in Him.

Keep Moving

Posted on by

2

Remember back in school, after a big lunch, how hard it was to pay attention in the class that followed?  In college, I tried to always have something active after lunch, a lab, a PE, something that would get me up and moving.

Because I knew, that no matter how much I loved history (and I did, I really did love history) that after a big lunch, being in a classroom sitting still listening to a lecture was just the perfect way to put me to sleep.

We all know that feeling of being tired and sluggish, don’t we? Sometimes, occasionally, but not often, we may even feel that way in church! 🙂

The author of Hebrews talks a little about this today in a reading from chapter 6. Except he’s not talking about being physically sluggish, he’s talking about being spiritual sluggish.  Listen to what he says:

And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

We are reminded today to remember the hope that we’ve been called to. To remember where we are going, to remember what God has called us to. And to keep moving towards it.

God has placed a high calling and a high purpose on you and for you. You’ve got something amazing to do for Him. You are called to a high purpose in this life and your highest purpose in it all was that you were created to spend all of eternity with Him.

You are made in His image, called by His spirit, and given His grace.  So. . .

Keep going.  Keep walking. Keep moving. Don’t stop. Don’t get sluggish. Don’t stop chasing after Him. Don’t stop being faithful. Even if life is hard. Even if it’s not perfect. Even if it’s not what you want or what you’d do.

Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Don’t forget. You are called a high purpose in life. For God. And for eternity.  Don’t quit moving. Keep going.

First Things First

Posted on by

0

We live in a busy world.  Now, it is summer, so things, at times, may be a little slower. But, by and large, the world we live in is pretty busy. There always seems to be something coming up next we have to worry about. Something next we have to do. Something next that demands our time and our attention.

And, because there is always something to worry about and focus on, we only have so much ability to focus and think through things.  There’s only so much mental focus that we have. Eventually we will lose it.

So, what’s first?  In your life, with all that you’ve got going on, all that you’ve got to focus on, what’s first? What takes the priority in your mind for what to focus on?  Listen to Jesus’ words of advice this morning:

And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Jesus reminds us to keep the first things first.  Focus on what matters.  Focus on what is truly most important.

The Father knows we need things to live.  He knows we need food and drink.  He knows we need the basics of life.  He is aware of that. He hasn’t forgotten.  He knows.

And He will take care of us.  He will not leave or forsake us.  He knows our needs and will provide our daily bread.

So don’t worry about it. As much as we may want to. As much as we can’t help it. As hard as it may be.

Don’t worry about it.

Keep first things first. Keep your focus on Him.  Chase after God.  Keep your mind on the things of God today.  Make Him your priority.  Make Him first.

And He will take care of the rest.

Grow Up!

Posted on by

2

I love my children.  I mean, I really do. They are just my joys.  I love spending time with them, I love laughing with them, I love playing with them. They are just great.

And as a parent, I want what is best for them. I want to do all that I can do to make sure that they have all that they need, and most of what they want.  I want them to have every advantage in life.

The thing I want most of all for them is two-fold, that they grow up to be responsible adults that respect all persons and that work hard; and that they follow Jesus Christ with all that they have.

I want my children to grow.  In short, as much as I don’t “like it,” my goal for my children is for them to grow up.  To mature. To become adults.  I don’t like that notion, I wish they could stay 6 and 4 forever, but I know it’s just not possible.

You know what God wants for us today?  Much the same thing.  Listen to what Paul writes to us again in Colossians:

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

God has given us this hope of glory, Jesus Christ, in the desire that we should fully mature in Jesus Christ.

You know what God wants?  He wants us to grow up!  Just like as parents, we want our kids to mature, to be responsible, to make wise choices, to do what is right and be people we can be proud of?  God wants the same thing for us.

God, in our walk with Him and others, wants us be mature. To do what is right.  To make wise choices.  To be responsible. To be mature.

That’s our desire for our kids and our grandkids.

That’s God’s desire for us.

Today, are you doing the things to help you “grow up” in your faith?  Are you praying? Reading scripture? Worshiping with the people of God?  Serving?  Are you deepening your faith?

Or, are you staying a child?

God doesn’t want us to stay a spiritual child forever. He wants us to grow up. Today, are we doing things in our lives to that will help us mature? Are we doing the things to help us grow up?

Everything You Need

Posted on by

0

What do you need today?

What do you need today to be the person God has called you to be? What do you need to be faithful?  What do you need to accomplish great things for Him?

Let’s take the conversation out of the clouds. What do you need to be nice to your co-workers?

What do you need to not get frustrated with your spouse?

What do you need to not get angry with you children?

What do you need to not give into peer pressure today at school?

What do you need to think of yourself as someone of precious worth?

Whatever it is, you have it today.  Listen to the words of 2 Peter 1:3

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

By God’s power, you’ve got it.  Through knowing Jesus, you’ve got it.

You’ve got everything you need. Through a relationship with Jesus, you’ve got everything you need to be who God is calling you to be, to do what God is calling you to do, to live as God is calling you to live.

Through Jesus, there’s not anything that is impossible.  You can be nice. And forgiving. And strong. And faithful. And brave. And patient.  Through Jesus you can do it all.

So, today, in those moments when you hear the whispers. When you hear the temptation. When you hear the doubts. When you hear the fear. When you feel the anger. When you think you can’t do it.

Remember, you’ve got everything you need. Through Jesus, you’ve got it all. Turn to Him. In your trials, your worries, your troubles.

Turn to Him.

And in Him, you’ll find everything you need.