Important Or Essential?

My pastor sends out devotional emails, and I thought this one was certainly worth sharing. Just how important is God to us? Is He important in our lives, or is He essential? A car is important, but air and food are essential. Which is Christ?  Here's Pastor Bill Crank's words...

It is 4 AM and I have been awake for over an hour. Amazing that if I needed to get up at this time, I might have struggled to wake up but not needing to, I find myself awake and unable to sleep. I have been praying during this time. That is a good use of my time. Talking to the Father is never a waste of time. After all, God hears and answers prayer.

For over a week now, I have been mulling over a question in my mind. It was posed by a writer for some internet publication. The question is this, is prayer important or is it essential? There is a difference.

To be important, something must be a high priority. It is also something that can be a daily choice. To be essential, there is less of a choice by our choice and more of a must do. To be essential, it is like the air we breathe. To be essential, it is like needing to have water to survive. To be essential is to believe that there are things in our lives that cannot happen apart from prayer.

I have taken this a step further. Is God important in my life or is He essential. We have often sang the praise chorus stating that God is the very air we breathe, that He is our daily bread. Every notice how we can sing words without stopping to think about what we are singing? For a lot of folks both prayer and a relationship with God are important but by the lives they live, He is not essential.

When He is essential, everyone knows about it. Our schedule and calendar are planned around Him. Our daily lives are His. We wake up with Him and carry Him all day long. We go to bed at night with Him on our mind.

Colossians 2: 2 I want You to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want You to have complete confidence that You understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In chapter 3 verse 11, Paul tells us that Christ is our everything.

Revival

When we think of "revival" in a church setting we normally think of a special event where a preacher spends time trying to get people fired up for God.  In very traditional settings this may involved services by a traveling minister in a large tent, or a visiting preacher spending several days in a church.  In any case the event is normally outside of the typical church time and services.

Why?

Revival can certainly be defined as this kind of religious service.  However, the definition is also as follows:
1. the act or an instance of reviving or the state of being revived

2. an instance of returning to life or consciousness; restoration of vigour or vitality

 

Which set of definitions more closely approaches what the Bible says?  Let's look at some verses. 

 

For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

 

Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
       the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you;
       revive us, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.
(Psalm 80:17-19)

Will you not revive us again,
       that your people may rejoice in you?  
(Psalm 85:6)


Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  (2 Corinthians 4:16)

It seems to me that God is talking about renewing and refreshing someone when He talks about reviving people. The implication isn't that we should have a special religious ceremony, but that God himself can revive our faltering spirit whenever we ask for it.  So why don't we ask for it?  Why do we have to have special times of bringing God to the forefront?

Are you wasted and drawn out?  Are you burned out and tired?  God can revive you from this state.  All you have to do is ask and then let Him.

God's Disney World

Last week my wife and I took our children to Disney World for the first time.  We have been talking about doing this for several years, and the kids have been really looking forward to it.  However, it took a long time for us to save up enough money to do it, so they thought it wasn't really going to happen.  We actually surprised them with the trip, not telling them where we were going and arriving late at night when they had fallen asleep in the van.  The next morning we woke them up and told them where we were.

The joy and excitement on their faces was incredible.  Finally their dreams were coming true and they were getting to experience the magic of Disney.  As we walked up to the Magic Kingdom my daughter made a comment that epitomized their anticipation.
Elena:   Come on, come ON!
Stacey (my wife):  We're coming!
Elena:  Can you come a little faster?!

Are we ever like that with God? How many times do we hurry up to spend time with God?  I know that God wants us to run to him like children.  Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)  He wants us to have the glee and excitement of a child.  Have you ever seen a kid get excited about getting to see Mickey and Minnie Mouse?  That's how we should feel about God. 

And what about Heaven? Disney World is one of the best places I've ever visited, and I'm excited to go back some day.  But Heaven will be even better!  As great as Disney's Imagineers are, God is better at designing amazing and wonderful things.  He has made a place for each of us that will be more wonderful than anything we can experience here on Earth.  So why don't we get excited about it?

Remember that this week.  Let's treat coming to God like going to Disney!

A Blood Donor

Sorry for a lack of activity on this blog lately, but I haven't abandoned it.  Now it's time to get back to talking about God.

This weekend I did something that I've always wanted to do, but have been to scared of.  I donated blood.  Believe it or not, I have a bit of a problem with needles when I'm on the receiving end.  Even though I do surgery almost every day and handle needles throughout a work day, it bothers me to be poked or have blood collected.  In fact, I've passed out when having blood taken.  So it was a big step for me to do it.

So why now?  Well, I was at Dragon*Con and every year they have been asking for blood donations.  This year it really struck me how important blood donation is, and how we need regular blood supplies.  But it also came to my mind how Jesus donated his blood for us.  Any pain or discomfort I might endure is nothing compared to what He went through for me.  I was only giving a pint, while Jesus gave all of His blood.  And like a donation of blood being able to save lives, Jesus' "donation" has allowed anyone to have their eternal lives saved.  He was the ultimate blood donor.

With Christ's example, I was able to work up the courage to face my fears and donate blood.  Though my donation was nothing compared to His, I am glad to have been able to help out.  And I plan to do so again next year.

Expelled For Being A Christian

This week I read a story about a woman who was expelled from a graduate program in counseling because of her Christian beliefs.  Sound unlikely?  Read that article at this link, because not only is it true, but a federal judge upheld the expulsion after a lawsuit was filed.  To summarize the situation, the student had previously stated that homosexuality was a lifestyle choice, and not something innate.  She also stated that she felt that according to her Christian beliefs that homosexuality was immoral.  According to the university officials and the judge, the expulsion was a rational decision.

“Furthermore, the university had a rational basis for requiring students to counsel clients without imposing their personal values,” he wrote in a portion of his ruling posted by The Detroit News. “In the case of Ms. Ward, the university determined that she would never change her behavior and would consistently refuse to counsel clients on matters with which she was personally opposed due to her religious beliefs – including homosexual relationships.”

Apparently her opposition to homosexuals violated the American Counseling Association's code of ethics, even though there is never any mention that she specifically acted against homosexuals or condemned them.  Merely that her beliefs found this lifestyle objectionable.  Then, she was apparently told that she could stay in the program if she changed her beliefs.

Ward’s attorneys claim the university told her she would only be allowed to remain in the program if she went through a “remediation” program so that she could “see the error of her ways” and change her belief system about homosexuality.

I find this whole story very disturbing. Here we have a woman who is trying to pursue a career that will let her help people in difficult situations.  Because she happened to have a belief system that was opposed to a particular behavior, officials and a judge have acted against her.  All of this merely because she held to her Christian beliefs.  And unfortunately, this sort of thing is becoming more common.  It seems that we in modern society are expected to accept all ways of life except Christianity.  Muslim sharia law is being adopted in many non-Muslim countries because we're supposed to accept Islamic beliefs; some Muslims are trying to do this in the US.  Homosexuality is now merely another lifestyle, and one as acceptable as heterosexuality.  Promiscuity and premarital sex are a routine and accepted part of daily life.  Adultery is used as a common device in many TV shows and few consequences come of it.  All of these activities and beliefs are "normal" for society.  Criticizing these sorts of things is becoming less and less acceptable.  In fact, if you talk against homosexuality, Islam, or other things, you are labeled as insensitive and a bigot.

Yet Christianity is fair game for criticism.  If we are supposed to accept "alternate" beliefs and lifestyles, why can't they accept ours?  If everyone's beliefs are supposed to be treated equally and respectfully, why can't anyone respect Biblical beliefs?  Supposedly "open minded" and liberal people are only accepting of teachings and beliefs that agree with theirs.  Start paying attention to when they talk.  They speak a lot of "acceptance", "equality", and "tolerance".  Yet the minute you disagree with them their tolerance suddenly goes away.

If we're not careful, Christian beliefs will continue to erode.  We have to make a stand and not back down from our beliefs.  Yet we also have to understand that what is happening was already spoken of in the Bible.  Jesus warned us that we would be persecuted like He was.  But if we are firm in our beliefs and don't compromise, we can delay the complete degradation of our society.

Ms. Julea Ward, my prayers are with you.

Being Effective And Productive

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
2 Peter 1:5-8

As I was reading my Bible today this passage stuck out to me.  I've been reading Peter's epistles because I really relate to him and find him my favorite Biblical figure.  I've been seeking ways to become closer to God and to handle certain disappointments in my life.  I've been wanting stronger faith in trusting what God wants of me.  Then I read this passage.  So let's break it down.

"Make every effort."  God knows that we're not perfect and we will fail at times.  However, He also expects us to strive to do our best.  We're not supposed to give a half-hearted try, but are expected to make EVERY effort.  Every single way we can think of to accomplish what He wants.

"Add to your faith goodness..."  We start with faith.  That is the basis for everything else.  Faith in God and what He can do.  Faith in Christ and what He did.  Once we have that faith we should add "goodness".  The exact definition of this can be open to interpretation, but I take it to mean being good.  Doing good deeds, treating people nice, and so on.  No, we're not saved by our works.  But our faith is shown by our works, and God calls us to treat others with love.

"And to goodness, knowledge..."  We need to know God and know the Bible.  We need to study His Word and understand it.  By having knowledge of God, we increase our ability to know Him and defend ourselves against Satan.

"And to knowledge, self-control..."  Now I find this an interesting addition.  Self-control against what? Anger.  Lust.  Envy.  Hatred.  Just pick your sin.  Whenever we find ourselves in situations that go against God's wishes, we need to control our own urges.  Following sinful impulses can lead us into big trouble, and that's not what God wants.

"And to self-control, perseverance..." Tough times are going to happen, and we're going to have struggles.  We need to keep trudging on and persevere in these times.  When hardships hit them the Apostles didn't give up.  We shouldn't either, no matter how difficult things may get.

"And to perseverance, godliness..."  Godliness.  Acting like God.  We're imperfect and unholy and we can't be God.  We're only human, and can't reach the perfection of the human Christ.  However, that doesn't mean that we can't strive for these characteristics, practicing love, patience, forgiveness, understanding, and so on.  Jesus was on this Earth to be an example for us, and we should follow that example.

"And to godliness, brotherly kindness..."  We are to love and be kind to other people.  We are expected to treat them like brothers.  Even when people aren't being kind to us (or maybe especially when this happens) we are to treat them like beloved family members.  When we see someone in need, we are to reach out to them and give them kindness.

"And to brotherly kindness, love."  I don't think it's insignificant that this is the final thing in the list.  God calls us to love each other and all that implies.  The other characteristics in this list all boil down to love...loving God and loving others.

So if we have all of these qualities (faith, goodness, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love) we can be productive and effective.  By knowing more about Christ we can emulate Him better.  When we're more like Christ, we can do amazing things in our own lives and the lives of others.  Let's all strive to have these characteristics and be more effective for Christ.

Strength And Joy

One of the songs we sing in church is Chris Tomlin's "Holy Is The Lord God Almighty."  I love Chris Tomlin's songs, and think that he really is blessed by God for the kinds of lyrics he sings.  There is one part of this song that stood out to us this morning.

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He

One of the principles behind this song comes from chapter 8 of the book of Nehemiah.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”  (Nehemiah 8:10)

One of our congregation pointed out that we are weak, and we have nothing by ourselves.  We feel downtrodden and discouraged, often unable to make it through our days.  I know that I feel like that many days.  My work and the trials of life wear me down and I feel like just laying down and pulling a blanket over my head.  What can help me overcome that?

The joy of the Lord.  THAT is MY strength!

So what is the "joy of the Lord?"  If you read this passage of Nehemiah in context, you'll see that the Israelites are told to be joyful after they have heard God's word and had the meaning explained to them.  In other words, they read their equivalent of the Bible, understood it, and took all of those things into their hearts.  When they were sad and weak, those words would come back to them and give them strength.  The stories and laws of God helped them when they felt they had nothing else.

Look at Jesus' words...

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:11-13)


I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. (John 17:13)


Jesus' words are the source of Joy.  And since the Bible calls Jesus "the Word" (John 1:1), we can say that Jesus himself is the source of Joy.  Jesus and the Bible are the "joy of the Lord".   When we need strength, where do we go?  To these sources.

Know the Bible.  Know Jesus.  Then you will have Strength.