Empowered

    Last week I wrote about being filled with the Spirit. “Filled” is a past tense verb and I must caution my readers that being filled with the spirit is a present tense action.  We live in a world that requires us to continually seek God, repent daily and allow the Holy Spirit to be a part of our life.   When that’s happening, goal #2 becomes easy.

 Live in the Holy Spirit

  This goal is going to require an active effort on our part. The amplified Bible explains Galatians 5:25 this way.  “If we (claim to) live by the Holy Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit (with personal integrity, godly character and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit.”   

  To live in the Spirit requires us to imitate Jesus.  A popular chorus in the 70’s was “to be like Jesus, ….  All I ask, to be like Him.”   In college, a chapel speaker suggested we quit singing that because “all” you ask, is a big ask. Nonetheless, we should aspire to be like Jesus, knowing we will not attain that goal.  Notice the things mentioned above.  

Personal Integrity.   The first thing that struck me was “personal”.  This is about me, not about the Donald, Joe, or my pastor.  This isn’t about comparing myself with anyone else.  It’s about me; my character, my behavior.  Dictionary.com says integrity is “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.”  For the Christian, it’s also “adherence” or obedience to Biblical principles.  Living in the Spirit requires me to live according to the teachings of Jesus. 

Godly Character.  Character is the features and traits of your personality.  It governs how you talk, act, and think.  We are not born with this because “all have sinned”.  Becoming “Godly” doesn’t mean being a god.  It means we strive to live so God would be pleased with our actions. 

Moral Courage.  The nerve to stand up for what is right and speak out against what is wrong.  Silence is agreement. It’s never been more important for us to speak out against corruption. It’s never been more unpopular in our world that paints Christians as intolerant.   Jim Cymbala says, “There is a tolerance that is cowardly.”  Cowardly is the opposite of courage. 

So, ALL I need to live in the Spirit is be exactly like Jesus.  Before we throw up our hands in despair of that impossibility, let’s look at the end of the verse, “our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit.”  Empowered by the Holy Spirit,  filled with the Holy Spirit,  we can have integrity, courage and Godly character.   

Live,  Reside, Dwell, Inhabit, Exist, Breathe,  make your home in the Holy Spirit.  

Thinkin’ on that. 

 

 

Here We Go

   I mentioned last week that I’m a goal setter.  I don’t do resolutions, but I try to prayerfully set goals for areas of my life.  I start with Spiritual goals because I want all the others to be filtered through what I believe Jesus wants.  Sometimes it takes several days into the new year before I get them.  This year they came, unexpectedly, through an online sermon Sunday morning.

   Herb Cooper of Oklahoma City People’s Church was preaching about revival starters.  As my notes took shape, I immediately saw the overarching goals.  It took longer to break them up into practical aspects.  And I always want to dig deeper into the accompanying scriptures

   A successful 2021 is only possible as God deems it so.  However, he invites us to partner with Him in the success. So, to that end, I have four goals to share with you.  One each week for the next four weeks.

#1 Be filled with the Spirit. 

    Being filled with the Spirit starts with repentance. “Sorry” is thrown around as easily as leaves in the wind. True repentance brings a change in the way we act.  I cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit until I have asked Jesus to forgive my sin, shortcomings, failures AND change my behavior. The difference between “sinning” and “living in sin” is a change in behavior.  Only after I’ve repented and began to work on change, can I look at Ephesians 5:18.

    Which (NLT) says “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.  Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”   It’s interesting that Paul contrasts filling of the Holy Spirit with being drunk.  Scholars believe Paul used this phrase as “a reckless pursuit of excitement at any cost.”  The Pulpit commentary suggests that resorting to drink to “cheer and animate you” is the meaning here. One author suggests that Paul was speaking more positively than at first glance.  Drunkards are out of control.  They walk differently when drunk, they speak freely, they act in ways they would not normally act.   Could Paul be suggesting that when we are filled with the Spirit, we might walk differently, speak boldly, act different than our sinful nature would?   

When the Holy Spirit fills or invades our life, we become bold and courageous.  Our prayers become His will; His Word becomes alive. It convicts but also encourages. Assurance, peace, and confidence become our companions. 2021 demands this.

    Pastor Cooper challenged his listeners to list three things they needed to repent of and change in this new year.  I won’t share my list.   However, I challenge you to make your own list. What are things you might need to change to be full of the Holy Spirit?

Think on that.  

The Year of Disappointment

   I’ve turned the page to the last week in my 2020 planner/journal/prayer list and I sighed relief.   This weekend I’ll go through it and look at all the colorful cancellation stickers that graced the calendar pages.  I’ll evaluate the goals written last January, ☹   I’ll smile at the few, very few pictures of the scarce events that took place.  I’ll skim through the documentation of phone calls and zoom meetings because they took on a new importance.  I’ll spend more time reading the inserted prayers and long journal pieces.  And by Monday, despite 2020’s failures, I will write goals for 2021, choose a word and verse for 2021.

  My word for 2020 was “Emmanuel, God with us”.   In the first few days of 2020, I wrote that God was speaking to me regarding my spiritual growth. While He appreciated my works, He wanted more of me.  I had previously read Lysa Terkhurst’s The Best Yes and I committed to finding the best yes; to saying no to every opportunity and look for the ones that He chose for me.  I wish I had better prepared for that, instead I just logged disappointment after disappointment.  Every time I said “yes’, it got cancelled. 

  Several times in early 2020, I jotted down the words to an old chorus, “I’m hungry for a mighty move of God, I’m thirsty, pour out your Holy Ghost, I long to see the hand of God move mightily inside of me, I’m hungry for a move of God.”

   Over the past 8 months, I’ve bemoaned every possible spiritual experience cancelled; Churches, camps, retreats, conferences, seminar. There was no place for God to move at all, let alone “mightily”. 

   Sunday morning, I was asked by an online pastor, “What did you learn this year?”   My first answer was cynical; Nothing, disappointment is constant, never plan anything or dream again.  Really?  God asked. So, I stopped to think about the question.

   2020 shook me from complacency.  The smorgasbord of church services online led me to go in depth in some areas and gave me discernment in others.  I received a clarity of what I was lacking in teaching, reading, & devotion.  I found that I was missing some things I needed to grow spiritually.  I branched out in study, prayer, and purpose as never before.  I searched scripture to solidify and/or change my belief to line up with the Word of God.  I read the Bible through and blogged weekly about what I was learning.  I recovered my prayer language. 

  It’s about your definition of “mighty move of God”.  This Pentecostal girl defines it as Azusa street complete with healings and miracles, and it is.  But the song says, “move mightily inside of me”.  

  “I’m not saying I have this all together, that I have it made.  But I am well on my way, reaching out to Christ, who has so wonderfully reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong; By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.  I’m off and running and I’m not turning back.  So, let’s keep focused on the goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.”   Philippians 3:12-15(the msg.)         

    Thinkin’ of that in 2021. 

ShadowMan

   On this eve of Christmas Eve,  I'm thinkin' about the people of Christmas.  Top billing goes to Mary,  the shepherds, the Angels.  Joseph joins the cast as a secondary character.  He only gets sixteen verses in the entire Bible and we don't hear his name except for a few weeks in December.  He is the non-speaking part in the main scene of the Christmas pageant.  Sixteen verses, no quotes, barely even a "supporting" actor.  Briefly seen, never heard,  always present:  Joseph.

   Joseph was a twenty-year old carpenter from a dusty, dirty town never mentioned in the Bible until Christmas.  He was probably born and raised there and never traveled extensively.    His father was probably a carpenter and his family had probably known Mary's family his entire life.  He boasted a impressive lineage. Judah, Boaz, David, Solomon.  It was not  coincidence that many years later, a many "great" grandson of Solomon would be engaed to a young lady named Mary.  

   In New Testament times, an engagement was as legally binding as marriage.  The engagement was a contract from the bride's family to produce a virgin daughter for the groom.  Mary's unplanned pregnancy was humilating and  embarassing for her father.  He could no longer fulfill his contract with Joseph's family. 

  I wonder how Joseph found out Mary was pregnant.  She couldn't have told him,  perhaps her father was required to notify him.  Maybe he heard it through the grapevine.  He knew he wasn't responsible for this pregnancy, yet there is no record of his denial.  He plans a quiet divorce to decrease the embarassment for both of them.  He's got a plan when an angel appears.  Joseph doesn't converse with the angel,  doesn't get clarification,  yet,  he gets right up and does "what the angel said".  His actions made him look guilty in a little town of gossips.  

   Joseph loved and cared for a seemingly cheating woman and a child that was not his. In Bethlehem, he did his best to provided for his pregnant wife and ultimately delievered her child himself in a barn.  He left his job, family and home to live in Egypt for several years, because of this child.  He taught this child Jewish history, customs and carpentry.  From a heart of unconditional love,  Jesus learned loyalty and service from this man.  Joseph has stood the test of time with only sixteen verses to his fame. 

    In our current culture,  it would seem that the Josephs are few and far between.  The airwaves of our media champion the arrogant, the proud, the rich. Rebellion and riotous living is applauded.  I say with James,  "Brothers,  this should not be".   I believe the Josephs are out there. I know some of them.   Quietly raising  their familes,  faithfully loving their wives and children,  consistently providing for them.  Going to work each day and coming home each night.  Praying over their families, friends and their country.  Bring Joseph out of the shadow of your nativity tonight,  think about him as a main character.  Encourage the Josephs in your life.

   Thinkin' about the Josephs in my life.  

   

   

   

Good Days

    I spent the last week substituting for a Kindergarten class in a Christian school. This class starts each day with a Bible lesson and prayer requests. 

   For the past 6 days I have written on the board, the same request:  that my grandma, parents, siblings have a good day. Yesterday I asked them what would constitute the answer to that prayer, what would make a “good day”?  They all stopped and looked at me quizzically.  One little girl reported that if her brother said she was a good sister, that would give him a good day.  Another said if others would help her Dad it would make his day better.  (Sounds like a Dad working at home).  One little girl said when she gives her grandma a hug, Grandma will have a good day!  I can testify that is probably true. However, I wondered that the only request that seemed pressing in these little minds was that someone “have a good day”.   At home, grandson Judah always prays for an end to Covid but he hasn’t mentioned it at school.

   I can’t remember when my most pressing need was having a “good day”.  Wouldn’t that be nice that your only worry was a “good day”?  Then I realized, this teacher has cultivated an environment of security and safety.  In this place, Covid is not a worry. Their teacher is quarantined but they aren’t worried about her.  They simply want everyone to have a “good day”.  Their world is run by people who love them and care about them and want the best for them.  They are unconcerned with things outside these walls.   

  I'm reminded that I live in a world where someone loved me enough to die for me.  Someone cares enough about me to be involved in my everyday happenings,  (when I let Him)  and someone who wants the very best for me.  So,  I'm releasing the worry, stress and uncertainity of today.  Today,  I just want to have a "good day".      

Thinkin’ about that.  

Wait Expectantly

  Find today's blog at   https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/watch-expectantly-for-the-lord

It is the featured devotional on CBN.

Life. Well lived or Not.

   I am a superfan of the Chosen* Not only have I seen the complete series 4 times but I also watch all the updates, interviews and filming recaps.  The Chosen does not refer to Jesus, He is not the main character.  It’s about the people He chose while on earth.  Not just the disciples although they are prominent, but also about the women and the Pharisees and the Romans.  My favorite scenes are the ones with the families of the disciples, Simon and Eden, Matthew and his parents.  When Zebedee tells John & James to go with Jesus and they question what he will tell their mother…   Maybe Rona brought too much isolation, but I am deeply invested in these characters.  A recent round table with the director and several of the actors who play disciples took my breath.  The director reminded them that they all die in the end.  I got to thinking about that.  Why do I, we, watch and read so much about characters, real or fictional, whom we KNOW will die in the end?

   Books about Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, 9-11, WWI  abound and are best sellers.  Miss Saigon was an award winning musical about the Vietnam War and ended sadly.   This is Us is a popular, acclaimed TV show and viewers hung on for a season to find out how Jack died.  Remember Who shot JR?  I don’t think we are obsessed with death; I think we are amazed at life.  A life well lived and in JR's case,  not so well lived.

    We are going to die.  It is one thing everyone can agree on.   Benjamin Franklin said, “The only thing certain is death and taxes”.  It’s how we live that is important.  That sounds trite and we’ve all heard it before.  Still, how we live determines how we will be remembered when we die.

   The last eight months have brought out the worst and best in us.  In me.  The disappointments and subsequent discouragement of this season has become a chronic struggle for me. I don't always handle this struggle well.  I'm convicted but also challenged to grow through the Rona.

  In these days of uncertainty, Thinkin ‘bout how I’m living. 

*The Chosen