Give Up. Pursue Christ.

     Is there value in Lent?  Is there value in giving up those doughnuts I love so much?  How about a "Facebook Fast" or abstaining for other forms of media.  If so, what should be given up and what are the benefits? In Colossians 2, Paul states, "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh" (Colossians 2:20-23 ESV).   Paul doesn't seem to have a high view of abstaining, at least not for the purpose of stopping our flesh from it's pursuits.  This is because an external focus will never address the heart of our spirituality or sin issue.  Sin is not "out there," sin begins in our own hearts and minds.  Doughnuts are not the cause of my sin, my desires are (James 1:13-15).  
     The obvious question is, "So, Paul, what IS of value (or helpful) in stopping the indulgence of the flesh?"  The answer is not found in physical pursuits or restraints themselves, but in what we set our minds upon (Colossians 3:1-2).  When we set our minds on Christ, we will put off the pursuits of the flesh and put on the spiritual pursuit of Christ-likeness.  But how does one set their mind on Christ?  Paul says,  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16 ESV)"  To the Ephesians his similar admonition is "do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit"(Ephesians 5:17-18 ESV).  In other words, be saturated with the Word of God, filled with the Spirit of God and make no provision for the appetites of the flesh!  We attack the deceptions of the flesh with the truth of the Word and we submit to the work of the Spirit as we obey God's Word in the power of the Spirit.
     An eternal focus is the result of the Scripture saturated, Spirit filled child of God.  The passing nature of the physical world and this temporary body is secondary to the eternal reality of what is to come.  To do otherwise, is to live opposed to the eternal life and hope which Christ died to give us.  In Philippians 3, Paul puts it this way: "For many...walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself" (Philippians 3:18-21 ESV).  
     The physical pea shooters of mere physical restraint ultimately have no effect in an all out spiritual war.  Should we fast?  Some would say that Jesus' instructions on fasting in Matthew 6:16-18 were given before his death, resurrection and ascension and prior to the promise Holy Spirit.  However we find the church fasting in Acts 13:1-3 we find the believers at Antioch fasting and the Holy Spirit directing them during this fast.  What was the focus of their fast?  NOT giving up food, but prayer!  A chapter in Acts 14 later Paul and Barnabas are found "fasting and praying" as they commit newly appointed elders to the Lord. Again, the focus is not giving up, but rather pursuing Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.  There is no sense of a bargaining with God and while this was a corporate fast (yes, they each knew the other was participating), they did not do it for the approval of others (Matt. 6:16-18), they did it to rid themselves of distraction.
    So we find ourselves back at Colossians 3:2 where Paul exhorts us to "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."  If fasting can help you clear away distractions in order to focus upon "Christ who is your life" (Colossians 3:3), then by all means fast.  If fasting is in any way performance or a physical restraint to combat your fleshly indulgences, then be reminded that they "are of no value" to such ends.  Faith in Christ is everything, so when we abstain or fast, may it be to express our longing for more of Christ! . Faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4-5).  Faith is how we began this walk--not by works.  Therefore, faith is how we daily continue this walk--by the Spirit (Galatians 3:1-3). 
     Let's not ask what our friends are giving up for Lent, rather let's ask those who are participating, "What are you pursuing?" and engage one another in a Christ-centered conversation that focuses on our longing for the person, work and promises of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Let us ALWAYS PURSUE CHRIST with all the strength that the Spirit of God provides! Pursuing anything less is chasing shadows...a lot of religious activity with little to show for it.


Additional resources on fasting:
1.  Scripture: Isaiah 58
2.  Desiring God Ministries:  http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/topic-index/fasting

• Including this quote:  "Do you have a hunger for God? If we don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because we have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. If we are full of what the world offers, then perhaps a fast might express, or even increase, our soul's appetite for God. Between the dangers of self-denial and self-indulgence is the path of pleasant pain called fasting."

3.  Grace to You:  http://www.new-testament-christian.com/fasting.html

"Buffering. Please wait...."

      We've all impatiently waited for a streaming video to play while the notification on the computer screen or smartphone noted that it was "buffering..."  Infuriating, isn't it?  We wait without any option but waiting, except to abandon our quest to view the video which is promised just beyond the reach of “Buffering…”  We feel helpless and dependent on our computer and our connection, longing for a better signal that will give us the immediacy we demand.  No amount of begging, cajoling or complaining changes the wait.  Even refreshing the screen merely restarts our wait!  We demand that the computer bring us our visual entertainment, now!  We may have watched countless videos without wait, but if this one video refuses to flash forth its promised pleasure, then we are reduced to our complaining and passively waiting (or maybe an irritated call to customer service who helpfully offers no help at all because that's what they are paid to do!).  But the computer doesn’t care and our internet connection has no ears to hear or desire to come to our aid, regardless of the length of our wait or the loudness of our complaints.

      Waiting is not our strength.  We do not want to wait for anyone or anything, or at least I don’t.  I don’t want to be late. I don’t want to be dependent.  I don’t want to be delayed.   I don’t want to be in need.  But in God’s economy, my need is opportunity.  It is an opportunity for me to wait patiently and it is an opportunity for him to act graciously.   Patient waiting is belief in action, which is faith.  Patient waiting expresses the belief that what is coming will care for my present need and expresses dependence upon the one who delivers what is needed.   Waiting and faith go hand in hand for they are they are, in fact, made up of the same ingredients of knowledge, dependence and helplessness.  If you know that God is the source of your strength and the supply of your needs, then you wait.  If you cannot change your situation or alter your need, then on your own you are, in reality, dependent and helpless.  Depending on your situation and your personality, this may leave you feeling lonely, discouraged, depressed, angry, bitter....or all the above.

      However, the believer is not without hope for we have been instructed to “wait upon the Lord” with the expectation that on the other side of this “buffering” of grace is the pleasure of God’s rich supply (Psalm 24:14; 31:24; 37:7; 130:5; Isaiah 33:2) .  We wait because we know waiting to receive what God provides is far greater than moving forward depending on our strength.  Thankfully, we do not wait in passivity.  We actively wait as we confidently “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).  This active waiting avoids despair and it avoids the strange pride of the religious martyr who strives to impress God and others in his waiting.  Unlike the buffering video, there is something you can do in your waiting upon the Lord—seek  Him and all he provides in prayer.  He already knows you and your needs (Matthew 6:32-34; Luke 12:30-31) and will provide for all your needs according to his supply, which is unending and unaffected by connections and equipment!

      Do you want to hear an amazing truth?  The God who commands us to confidently approach him in our need to find mercy and grace is waiting to be gracious to you!  Isaiah 30:18 states,  “The LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”  God often waits to bless, for our waiting on Him rather than our self-willed persistence brings glory to him and puts us in position to recieve his mercy and grace. 

Moments are but Shadows

At the Alpine Center on Trail Ridge Road,
Rocky Mountain National Park

We recently returned from Colorado where we were captivated by the beauty of the mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park at every turn of the road and every vista from the trail.  It was amazing the effort we took in order to experience a few moments soaking in the next grand panorama.  We climbed boulders, drove up roads so narrow and twisting that traffic was only allowed one way, hiked (apparently along with 100's of others) several miles...and all this after driving over a 1000 miles in order to see shadows.  Not shadows created by mountains and trees blocking the sun, but mere shadows of the glory of their creator.  

No doubt these shadows are real, yet they are only temporary delightful reflections of the greater reality of God himself, the very fountain of delight, beauty and existence.  How easy it is to marvel at the grand mountains of the Rockies and to gain great pleasure from not only seeing these massive geographical wonders, but to seek through hiking, biking, climbing, and rafting to extract every possible pleasurable experience.  Then in an effort to prolong the pleasure, we photograph the highlights of our experience.  We then share these breathtaking moments with others through means like Facebook.  All of this is good, but in itself, it's all just enjoying shadows. (See Romans 1)

Our daily existence isn't really much different from our journey to the Rockies.  True, the views may not be as magnificent, but our pursuits are largely the same.  We pursue moments of passing pleasure.  Moments which are but reflections are shadows, intended by our Creator to point us on towards the ultimately reality of Himself, but moments and experiences which we treat as though they themselves were the end all or ultimate prize.  

While on our vacation, I read in You Can Change by Tim Chester,  "One of our problems is that we think only of moments.  In the moment, we think the pleasures of sin are real and the joy of God is insubstantial or distant.  But in truth it's the other way around:  every joy we experience is but a shadow of the source of all joy, which is God."  Even moments spent in good pursuits are but shadows.  Marriage, family and work are examples of wonderful experiences in which we immerse ourselves, but each of these are reflections realities we find in God himself and in our relationship with him.  When we live for our marriage, live for our family or live for work, we substitute moments of our life as idols.  We are worshiping shadows when God is calling for us to see beyond the shadows, beyond the vapor, to Him.  

Consider the following thoughts to move you beyond the moments and shadows:

1.  How should my marriage cause me to think about the even greater, more permanent union which a believer has in Jesus Christ? (Ephesians 5)

2.  How should my family cause me to thing about my eternal family into which I am adopted in Jesus Christ? (Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5)

3.  How can my work be about more than a paycheck, more than building an empire (for myself or the owners), more than an occupation, but how does it fit in the eternal plan of the one who created work as part of His creation?  (Colossians 3:23-24; Genesis 2:1-15)

4.  How can the food I eat at my next meal give me a greater appreciation for God in His creativity, kindness and sovereignty? (Genesis 2:15; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

This list could go on, but THAT is the daily responsibility we each share.  How to go beyond the pleasures of moments to considering the joys of eternity hinted at in these moments!  So, "whether you eat or drink" or view mountains, love your spouse, raise your kids, work at your occupation, "or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Now THAT's a Mouthful!

"Show me your life and I'll show you your doctrine."

Romans 12:4-21 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, (5) so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (6) Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; (7) if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; (8) the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (9) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. (10) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (11) Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (12) Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (13) Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. (17) Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. (18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (19) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (20) To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Take a breath, Brother Paul! Once Paul finished his amazing theological treatise that is Romans 1-11, he could hardly hold back the practical implications of these doctrinal truths! Here is an exercise in meditating on God's Word: What doctrines of Romans 1-11 might lead Paul to commend the applications of Romans 12:4-21? Much has been said of the theology of 1-11 and many sermons and lessons taught from 12-16. However, how often do we consider the connection of the theology and the praxis (orthodoxy/orthopraxy)?

Doctrine may, as many say, divide. However, one must never divide doctrine from life. As goes your doctrine, so goes your life. It's important that we make these connections and teach our children to make these connections. In Romans 12 some of these connections are easier than others. For example, Paul has already established the "one body" (v. 4) and equality among the body repeated through Romans 3:22-23 ("there is no distinction...all have sinned"), 2:10-11 ("he shows no partiality"), 2:29-30 (justifies those circumcised by faith and through faith)--in other words we are unified through faith in Christ. Since He is one God, we are one people--saved by God's grace, justified through faith in Christ's work, kept by His love, etc.

What other doctrine-application connections can be clearly made? Something to chew on that helps us set our mind on things above, thinking "beyond the vapor" of this quickly passing life.

Desires Redefined

I recently read an excellent description of the battle for our mind, our emotion and our will. In his book, "Pursuit of Holiness," Jerry Bridges writes the following:

"When God originally created man, the reason, the emotions and the will all worked in perfrect harmony. Reason led the way in understanding the will of God, the will consented to God's will, and the emotions delighting in doing it. But with the entrance of sin into man's soul, these three faculties began working at cross purposes to one another and to God. The will has become stubborn and rebellious and will not consent to that which reason knows to be the will of God. Or, more commonly, the emotions get the upper hand and draw away both reason and will from obedience to God."

My prayer is that in thought after thought, desire after desire and choice after choice that all my thinking, longing and choosing will be brought into submission to the Creator God who designed me for more than a life manipulated by passing feelings (1 John 5:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5). May I grow in my knowledge of Christ, thereby experiencing the continued transformation of my mind and thoughts which will redefine my love and desires (Romans 12:1-2)--from earthly passions to longing for that which exists beyond this earth (Philippians 3:14-4:1; Colossians 3:1-4). May my longing for heaven redefine today's choices from obeying my feelings to obeying my God!

Bible Reading for the Rest of Us

Progress & Consistency Bible Reading Plan

To download the reading plan go to www.harbourshores.org/forms-download

The Reading Plan’s Layout:

The Progress and Consistency Bible Reading Plan divides Scripture into seven general categories. This method, recommended by others, helps ease the struggle of reading through some of the more difficult books of the Bible. You will read from that particular book only once a week until finished, rather than every day!

The week starts with Psalms as they seem to particularly move us from the reality of our lives to a proper heart and mind of worship. The Gospels are chosen for Monday with the goal to provide a Christ-centered mindset as we begin our work week. They also tend to be more easily read by most, and, let’s face it, Monday is a day when we need something easier! The New Testament Epistles are separated from the Gospels and Acts by Old Testament reading (Pentateuch & History) in order to have New Testament reading in both the first and second half of the week. Each category (or column) is, in turn, divided into a list of 52 reading assignments. This certainly allows for the ease of reading through the Bible in a year, if one should choose. However, the emphasis of this reading plan is on PROGRESSING through the Scriptures and BUILDING CONSISTENCY in the discipline of Bible reading. Simply select the day of the week (i.e.-Monday (see Fig. A) and read the next Scripture reading assignment in that column. If you miss a Sunday, simply pick up the next Sunday where you left off previously. You will not complete the Bible in a year in this way, but that is not the primary goal. The goal is the reading of God’s Word!

One other benefit of this plan is that you start anytime. It is not tied to a calendar or schedule. You start any day of the week and any time throughout the years:

Prayer: Speak to the Lord and share your heart with Him and humbly ask Him to speak to you through His Word. As we come to our time in the Word, our hearts and minds are often racing in many different directions. We need to seek God’s help in inclining our hearts towards Him and His Word!

Journal: I encourage you to begin a journal to accompany your studies. This is simply a means to force you to think more fully on what you have read. I encourage you to fully complete your reading for the day, then journal. This discipline forces you to listen to God before just throwing thoughts on paper. You may not journal every day, but after completing your reading, write down a key verse or verses. Prayerfully note any context and observations that the Spirit of God may bring to your attention through the passage. Next, briefly summarize the author’s intended meaning. Finally, in a sentence or two, note how you need to begin to apply this message of God’s Word. Application may vary from meditating more fully, repentance (putting off), practice, thinking differently, acting differently, worshipping more fully, etc. You can remember these four steps using the acrostic COMA (Context, Observation, Meaning, and Application).

Parents (Family Devotions): Parents, simply select a passage from your reading for the day to share with your family at meal time, bed time or drive time to not only pass along truth, but to model Bible study , meditation and application as you disciple your children “when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6: ).

“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble

and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2b)

To download the reading plan go to www.harbourshores.org/forms-download

Hopeful Humility

A man of humility says, “I will submit, for God has the right.”

Humility submits to others who don’t seem to deserve it, Philippians 2

Because it is the model Christ gave to us.

Humility runs the race enjoys honoring others,

Not in false humility, but in sincere gratitude.

Sincere humility has no aversion

To “in honor preferring others better than yourself.” Romans 12:10

A man’s humility is his perfect vision;

Seeing himself in his proper place

Confidently trusting that God exalts at His perfect pace;

Resisting proudly lifting up one’s name and efforts,

Only to be brought lower than at the first. 1 Peter 5:5-6

Pride resists the criticism of others, Proverbs 15:12

And always attributes fault to them;

While humility weighs such words with care,

Knowing that the wise can find value,

While ignoring the cut of the criticism,

Because certainly the criticism would be much greater,

If my heart and thoughts were open for all to see. Proverbs 15:31-32

Pride is the source of all contention, Proverbs 13:10

At work, home, church and nation.

Humility is the heartbeat of reconciliation,

The lifeblood of restoration.

Humility is the breath of strength and hope,

Empowering enduring forgiveness,

Even when another’s offense seems greater. Ephesians 4:32

Pride says, “I’ve been hurt by men and women.”

And results in withdrawal and ineffectiveness;

When surrounded by difficulty and ungodliness,
Humility declares, “Speak Lord, your servant listens”

Humility responds to trials with expectant joy,

Knowing trials are designed by a perfect God. James 1:2

Humility is willing to give up everything wanted,

In order to receive everything needed. Matthew 23:12

It sacrifices what a man believes he is due,

In order to receive much more than one deserves. Luke 12:29-34; Mark 8:35-36

Humility fights not for oneself and rights,

But for the glory of God and what is right. Ephesians 5:25

Humility says, “I will submit, for God is right, Romans 8:24

And He is in sovereign, loving control.”

His way is just, His path one of joy.

His plan is perfect, His promises are absolute. Hebrews 10:23; Isaiah 57:15

I can be humble in all of life’s circumstances,

Because I, like Job, recognize that God is in control. Job 1:21-22