Memories Light The Cornesr Of My Mind

"Therefore remember...remember that you were at that time separated from Christ," Ephesians 2:11,12

Memories are an interesting phenomena. They are imprints of emotionally charged events of the past. Strong emotions like anger, hurt, pain, as well as joy, excitement, and ecstasy create the most intense memories.

Time wears down memories and we suppress and forget bad ones, and our propensity for hope colors even the good ones to make them better then they really were. 

Some of my fondest memories are traveling with my family, the dog packed in ceiling high luggage, kids scrunched together, camping on the beach, and staying in hotel rooms. I vividly remember kindergarten, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth grade. At least the fun times.

My best memories have been since following Jesus, and my new life in Christ shapes the way I remember the past, and the memories that I retain. Pain is redeemed and forgiven. Joy in the world more clearly understood. 

The scripture continually tells us to remember the past, the way we once were, so that we can appreciate the work of God in us. When we forget where we have been, we can develop an entitlement mentally; I deserve what God has done. When I remember where I have come from and where I would be without Christ, I am amazed at all that Christ has accomplished in my life. It also gives me hope, that he is still working in me, refining me, smoothing the rough edges, forgiving my daily sins, and conforming day by day into the image of His son. I'm just saying...

Knotty Wood

Craftsmen have a singular mind, focus, and attention to detail that produce some of the most wonderful pieces of work in history. Others, myself included, who are borderline ADHD find it difficult to concentrate too long on any one thing. Squirrel!

Craftsmen paint, sculpt, write, and build. My appreciation for their craft goes beyond the piece of work to the raw talent, the gift, that is part of who they are. They can hone their gift, but their abilities are intrinsic, and I am awed.

The workmanship is exact. The attention to detail demanding. You can tell the dedication and skill of the craftsman by the quality of his work. It is their signature.

Everything the craftsman produces has a purpose, whether to inspire or keep time, the craftsman expects something from his creation. Often if the piece doesn't meet his exacting standards he will destroy it, take it apart, and start over. Perfectionism dances within his DNA.

We are the workmanship of God, but instead of creating us from scratch He is recreating us. Instead of throwing the worn and broken out, He uses the raw material and creates something new. God's standard is perfection and He is constantly at work in us to confirm us to the image of His Son.

He is never satisfied, but patient. He is never finished, but is making us complete.  The challenge for God is like the wood worker who has a board full of knots. The more there are the more challenging the work. In God's case his works of art can be stubborn and rebellious. Yet, he continues to work refining and pruning.

We are his workmanship and we have a purpose that has been prepared with us in mind. Our purpose entails good works. Doesn't sound really exciting, but the opportunities are multitude. Every act, every moment, is filled with the possibilities of our purpose. There isn't one work, but scores.

The work for which we have been crafted is a part of who we are, therefore, we walk in them daily. Our lives revolve around our purpose and when we don't conform to them we will feel empty and lost. 

I am glad to be a workmanship of God, crafted in the image of His Son, designed for a glorious task. I have a purpose for which the words of God, "well done good and faithful servant," are full of meaning. I'm just saying...

No Room To Boast

"I can do it by myself!" The toddler demanded.

"Yes, you can." Replied the proud parent.

We admire independence and encourage self reliance. As parents we teach  our children to work hard and be responsible. Even the scripture teaches that maturity is more desirable then immaturity. We are told to grow up, stop drinking milk, eat solid food, and stand on our own two feet.

Is it any wonder that when it comes to our salvation that humans have a predilection toward working out their own salvation, and when Paul tells the Philippians to do just that there is confusion? 

There is a balance between self reliance and pride. What teen hasn't been left standing, scratching their head at their parent's statement, "we are proud of you, but be humble about it." 

We live in a can do society, and that is a breeding ground for cheating and dishonesty for those who can't do. The books are cooked, mistakes covered up, and laziness dismissed. The standards are lowered so that everyone can succeed. 

But what happens when the standard remains high, so high that no one can achieve it? What happens when our best will never be good enough? What happens when reconciliation with God is humanly impossible? One of two things.

First, man attempts to change the rules. His efforts become paramount. The nature of God is changed. A loving God wouldn't punish someone who really tries hard, so the standard is lowered. In the end you have a watered down view of a holy God who is secondary to the process of reconciliation. Man is the focus.

Or, when man is at his weakest, at his utmost vulnerability, a Holy God steps in to display the riches of his mercy, the immeasurable abundance of his grace, and provides a way that is not dependent of the objects of his love. The focus is on God.

The standard remains high, the Holy God remains just, and the accolades are turned toward the appropriate person. Salvation becomes a gift not a reward, and the recipient becomes grateful not proud. Even our faith is a gift; the insight to believe a product of the Holy Spirit.

Today I must go and produce something to be considered a valuable contributor of society. I am glad, relieved, ecstatic that I don't have to worry about the most important aspect of my life, my salvation. God has that taken care of for His honor and glory, and for that I am eternally grateful. I'm just saying...

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Epesians 2:8,9

The Best Seat In The House

God delights in displaying the immeasurable riches of His grace. As I discussed in my blog "Undeserved" we experience God's grace daily, before we became followers of Jesus, now, and throughout eternity.

We are the recipients of His mercy and grace, and as the Aposlte says, we have been seated with Christ in the heavenlies so that in the coming age he may show us his immeasurable grace.

In this digital age we are able to archive some of the most mundane, embarrassing, and important moments of our children's lives. Rebecca and I have pulled out video of our children eating a chip off the bird infested ground, picking his nose, blowing up toy cars, lip syncing into a golf club, staring in the student play, concerts in the park, walking down the isle of graduation and their weddings. We can't get enough of them and we can't show them enough. We are proud parents (and now grandparents).

If you are a parent you have done this, if not you have experienced it. You are over at a friends for a nice evening when the conversation turns to the subject of children. "Oh, have I shown you the one where...?" Politely the saw no. You dig for what seems like hours to them, but only moments for you. Finally you find the video you have been searching for, and fumbling with the remote you display it for your guests. 

"Can you see it? Is it loud enough? You are not going to want to miss this." 

You move cushions out of the way, and you give them the best seat in the house, because you want them to witness the wonders and joys of your children.

"God has raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ, SO THAT in the coming age he might SHOW his immeasurable grace."

God has prepared us a place, next to his Son, the best seat in the house in order to show, make manifest, to reveal once again his wonderful Grace.

The archived experiences of God's grace will be played before us. We will understand the reason for the pain and the source of our joy. We will revel in God's sovereign will and marvel at his inescapable plan. We will weep over how we have been used by him and stunned by his mercy when we were obstacles. 

At its conclusion we will hear "I just wanted you to understand," and we will know him like he has known us. With tears in our eyes we will join the multitudes in the song of the lamb because we will have seen with our eyes and heard with our ears the great glory of our King. I'm just saying...

Undeserved

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. God is rich in mercy because he does not give us what we deserve. He withholds his wrath and judgment because He is a merciful God. Grace is the opposite side of the coin. It is receiving what we don't deserve. 

It is the lavishing of his love. 

It is reconciling us with himself. 

It is the bestowing of the Spirit. 

It is the giving of gifts. 

It is the protection of the armor. 

It is the hope of His coming. 

it is the preparation of a mansion. 

It is the wiping away of our tears. 

It is the deliverance from evil. 

It is making a way in temptation. 

It is the provision of our daily bread. 

It is the forgiveness of sin.

It is the world overcome.

It is the defeat of satan.

It is the compassion for the down trodden.

It is the father to the fatherless.

It is the sanctifying of our souls.

It is the the way, truth, and life.

It is the healing of our infirmities. 

It is the answers to our prayers.

It is the community of believers.

It is the encouragement of the saints.

It is the bearing of our burdens.

It is the ransom of His Son!

If God is rich in Mercy, its wealth pales in comparison to his Grace. He withholds one thing and delivers so much more. He displays his grace daily, and we are as undeserving. We are sinful and faithless; proud and ungrateful; obnoxious and uncaring; oblivious and unconcerned. Daily we struggle to remain on the straight and narrow path, and daily God displays his grace.

The scripture says that all good gifts come from the Father and that in trials he works them for good, for our sake and his glory. These, and much more, are the daily graces we receive. When we count our blessings we are brought back into focus for the wonderful relationship we have in Christ. 

We were saved by his grace, we are being saved by his grace, we will be saved by his unmerited favor.  I'm just saying...

What I Don't Deserve

Our inheritance is the riches of God, and what are His riches? Mercy.

Of all the monetary, physical possessions, and power the evil one offers, there is no more valuable inheritance then the mercy of God. Mercy is a reprieve from God's wrath, the pardon from His retribution.

We were once objects of this wrath, but his rich mercy has spared us. That is a coveted inheritance, that belongs to us.

It is born out of God's love. His mercy isn't pity, it's loving. It isn't capricious, it is deliberate. It isn't an afterthought, it is planned. 

Jesus said there is no greater love then for a man to lay his life down for a friend, but I am going to disagree with him. God has shown a much greater love, because while we were lost in our trespasses, while we wallowed in our sin, while we were servants of the evil one and enemies of God Christ died for us.

That is God's great love. He took us from death and made us alive. Alive to love. Alive to serve. Alive to worship. Alive to obey. Alive to follow. Alive to work hard. Alive to be content. Alive to wonder in the marvels of God. Alive to appreciate the beauty of God's creation. Alive to be grateful. Alive to show dead men the author of life.

It is easy to get wrapped up in the activities of dead men, the darkness of sin, the pursuit of the world, and the hatred that separates us. It is easy to follow the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, and the passions of the flesh. It is easy to look for the worst because it is all around us.

Buried beneath the rubble is the cross. Hidden, and now revealed, is the mystery of God's love. Tarnished and now gleaming for all to see is the beauty of his riches, the mercy we don't deserve, the love that is unfathomable, the life that is ours in Christ. I'm just saying...

I Am A But Man

I hope I don't offend anyone, however, I am a but guy. I love them, because every time I see one I know something is going to happen. Let me give you a couple of examples.

1. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him.

2. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

3. You were by nature objects of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because if his great love.

Buts introduce contrast, sometimes they have a good result and sometimes a negative one, BUT they are always exciting.

We were objects of God's wrath, but God in his mercy and love does something about it. The Apostle lures us in with our fated condition and when there is no hope sets in front of us a contrast. 

You have no hope BUT God hasn't left you alone!

We deserved wrath BUT God has mercy!

We deserve condemnation BUT God has love!

We deserve judgment BUT God has compassion!

We are in sin without hope in the world BUT God sent His Son!

There are other contrasts that aren't as pretty. 

You strut in your pride BUT God will bring you low.

You think you are self sufficient BUT God will call you to account.

You chose to live in sin BUT God's wrath rests on the wicked.

You want to slide by BUT God's standard is holiness. 

Like I said, I am a but man. They point out our deficiencies and point us to the remedy. They provide contrast between the good and bad, the positive and negative, and the best and better.  I could have chosen any word to talk about today, BUT I chose this one. I'm just saying...

Like The Rest Of Mankind

We were once like the sons of disobedience, living according to the flesh, and indulging our passions and desires.

I have now been a believer longer then I was an unbeliever, but the memories of my former life have not disappeared. I became a follower of Jesus at the age of 17 and it would be easy to dismiss my former behavior as typical of adolescence. That would be only an excuse. I was driven by lust, selfishness, rebellion, lying, greed, and ungratefulness, and as my sister in law says, I was the good son. Change never comes easy, but the Holy Spirit worked in my life, bringing me to salvation and sanctifying me daily. The course of my life would be drastically different had I not heard and responded to the gospel.

The Apostle Paul was reminding the Ephesians, in chapter 2, where they had come from, that they once walked on the dark side, and that they were just like the rest of mankind -- objects of God's wrath. 

I can not boast about what I have not accomplished. I can not look down and judge others with whom I once walked. I can not condemn those who are already the object of God's wrath, I was too.

When I remember where I once lived I appreciate what God has done even more. When I remember my dark roots the light is more precious and my heart more pliable. When I remember that I, too, was an object of God's wrath I am slower to condemn and more ready to dispense mercy.  

Our past shapes our lives, but does not dictate its course. We chose to follow Jesus or not, live in darkness or light, remain objects of wrath or mercy. If this is not true the world is without hope and God's word is void. But God has kept his promise and the past remains so, and the once was and used to be's are footnotes on a fabulous journey of mercy and grace. I'm Just Saying...

The Sons Of Dissobedience

One thing is for sure, Satan is not inactive. His goal is to keep people from following God through Christ, and to hypocrisy, immorality, division, and apathy among Christians.

The persecution of Christians around the world is horrific. We need to pray daily for their safety and perseverance. Dare I say, however, the greater victory of Satan is not their death, but our complacency. They suffer for the cause, we revel in prosperity. They endure for Christ, and we complain of inconvenience. This to say that Satan is at work.

Keeping us ineffective is to keep others from Christ. Keeping others from Christ perpetuates his kingdom, and he is at work among those who do not believe.

American culture is a prime example of his work. We are increasingly a society that embraces all forms of evil in the name of tolerance, acceptance, and love.

If we speak out we are labeled bigot, hater, intolerant, prudish, and old fashion. If we share the gospel we are intrusive and closed minded. If we shrink away we are labeled cowardly, immature, and barren.

There are no easy and simple answers to the questions raised by the evil one, accept to lay our failures and weaknesses at the cross and endeavor to be obedient. We need to learn that what Jesus said is true: "in this world you will have troubles (the evil one is at work), but do not be afraid, I have overcome the world." 

Yes, the prince of the power of the air is at work in the sons of disobedience, BUT the Spirit of the living Christ is at work in the sons of God!   I'm just saying...

"following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" Epesians 2:2

In Your Face Satan

Satan masquerades as an angel of light. He doesn't present himself to us in the horror and gore of Hollywood. He often works behind the scenes enticing us, luring us with delectables that promise to fill our appetites.

 Yet, he is a lion prowling to devour, to find that unsuspecting and vulnerable person who he can prey on. He is the thief who who comes to steal, the wolf in sheep's clothes, and the anti-truth convincingly telling us that God is wrong.

He is the ruler of this world, the prince and power of the air, stirring up nations in a frenzy of war. He is the priest of the false religions, the cult of the damned, and works tirelessly to deceive.

In the darkness of our sin we followed him and walked his path. But Jesus said, "Get behind me; be gone; it is written; I will not worship you; hell is reserved for you and your angels; it is finished!"

Through the power of Christ our eyes are opened, our bonds are broken,and we are delivered. We follow a new master and a more perfect way! In your face Satan! I'm just saying...

At First Glance

"Seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." Ephesians 1:21

At first glance I am reminded of the song "From A Distance". Where God looks down on all he has created and sees a beautiful round ball, blue oceans, lush green forests and even the desert looks in order. The reality that everything has fallen apart and is going to hell in a hand basket, has missed God's notice. He is distant, removed, and unconcerned.

Isn't this how we feel at times? We pray and wonder if God hears our voice, whether he cares about our needs? The Scripture says that the Father feeds and houses the sparrows, that all good gifts come from above, that everything works together for good, all these things will be added, that our pain is momentary and light, the Father answers the persistent prayers of the righteous, and the Spirit speaks to our spirit. Yet, in the moment, we often don't feel these things to be true, and God sees us from the distance.

But when Paul says that Jesus is seated far above it isn't a matter of distance, but of position. There is no dominion or power, no name or person, no religious figure inside or outside the church that comes close to his authority, his majesty, his holiness.

Jesus is a friend to sinners, but we are not his equal. We are not his buddies. We are his friends in that he has brought us into his confidence concerning God's plan of salvation, but we should not become too familiar in our casual response to his person or position. 

The promises, in whatever way God choses to answer them, are based on Jesus' position and authority. If he has the power to rise from the dead, forgive sins, and be seated at God's right hand, then he has the power to fulfill all the promises he has made. That's a tall order since has made some very specific and wonderful promises. 

But we must see him for the righteous king that he is. When we start to treat Jesus as just one of the guys we risk treating his words with the same weight as our own, and that never ends well, it puts distance between us. I'm just saying...

It's Not What You Think

"having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,What are the riches of this glorious inheritance?" Ephesians 1:18

Its not wealth. There is too much disparity and poverty in this life among true believers to regard wealth within this statement. If God is promising wealth then he is truly a capricious God, dolling out money to his favorites.

It's not possessions. If it were what we have would only be matched by our greed for more. We have more in our culture, not because it is a promise of God but because we pursue it as an end, and that is why only a few have all the toys and many are in debt.

It's not position. I hear from so many that they work in jobs by necessity rather then passion. Its easy to say "find something your passionate about a go for it" when you have bills to pay, or your too old, too ugly, too etc.

Its not power. Most of the time I feel powerless. Powerless to change the political landscape, powerless over my circumstances, powerless over my finances, powerless to even change me (the same things I have wrestled with for ever seem to rear their ugly heads all the time).

It's not health. As much as I want to believe sickness away there are too many who get sick and die to accept that health is the promise of this glorious inheritance.

We can pray for all these things, and we might stumble upon them, but that doesn't make them a part of this glorious inheritance.

The world (Christian world) might offer these things as a reward for faithfulness but too many who have been faithful lived their whole lives without them.

We work, we pray, we wish for these things at one time or another only to find the sand slipping through our fingers. All the while Paul prays for the Ephesians that the eyes of their hearts might be enlighten to understand the riches of this glorious inheritance. 

If the inheritance is any of the above, why must my heart be enlightened? Would I not know it if I had it? Or is it because this glorious inheritance is something different altogether, something not of this world, something that I inherit but doesn't make me rich in the eyes of the world.

At the end of this audaciously long sentence, plus one, is chapter 2 verse 1, "and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, as you once walked."

Wealth may come or it may not. Power may arise or remain trampled. Health will last only for so long. Position is fleeting.

The riches of my inheritance is what Christ bought on the cross, that I might not walk in my trespasses and sin any longer. That is the glorious nature of my inheritance.

Whether God promises or answers prayers for all or any of the above is up for debate. But the bedrock of our inheritance is Christ. 

If for nothing else, but for this glorious inheritance will I be thankful today.  I'm just saying...