“It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart…” (Philippians 1:7)

             When I think about the apostle Paul, this is not the first verse that comes to my mind.  I mostly think of his dramatic conversion and his strong defense of the gospel.  Recently, I was reminded of another side of Paul, one I knew existed, but perhaps not always fully appreciated.  At the beginning of the year, our pastor began a series entitled “Authentic Joy”, preaching from Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  Philippians is known as Paul’s most joyful letter.  When considering that he wrote it from prison tells us that the Bible defines joy, not based on human circumstance, but that which is rooted in a deep satisfaction in God in spite of circumstance.  Paul knew this type of joy.  Another prominent theme of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi was the importance of humility in pursuing spiritual maturity.  To grow spiritually requires humility on our part as well.  Paul’s humility was expressed in his life in several ways, and he is an example from which you and I can learn.  

            “It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart” Paul was thankful for those in the church at Philippi, expressing joy for their partnership in ministry.  As partakers of God’s grace, Paul knew God had done, and would continue to do great works in their lives.  He shared in that very same grace and knew his fellowship with those in the church was special.  Paul loved them greatly.  That is what grace does.  It creates a Holy Spirit inspired humility that is impossible to produce in our own strength.  This kind of humility not only finds joy in God in all circumstances and strongly defends the truth of the gospel, but is also a tenderhearted lover of others.  Because of God’s irresistible grace, that once hard heart is now yielded to the work of the Lord.

            Is that your testimony?  Is the basis of your joy God Himself?  Has His grace made you humble like Paul?  Has it caused you to defend God’s truth?  Do you show more grace and love to others?  Our love for others is always rooted in our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Never forget that He is the one who loves us the most, displaying that love most fully at the cross. Will you respond to that love by loving others?  Will you “hold them in your heart?” 

 Prayer

Father, grace has a great impact on those who truly receive it.  Paul received it and it brought about humility in his life.  That humility manifested in both his defense of the gospel, as well as his love for others.  Let my life testify to the same.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, let me be both, a strong defender of truth, and let me love others as you have loved me.  Let my joy always be found in you.  Amen.    

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church…” (Ephesians 5:25) 

            Today, my wife Karen and I celebrate twenty years of marriage.  I first met Karen in high school when I was a senior and she, a junior.  We dated for a few months that year and then went our separate ways.  I never imagined that ten years later we would be married.  I can say with certainty that at the point in which we married both personally and in marriage, I had a completely different set of priorities than I do now.  It’s not that those priorities were necessarily bad, but they just were not the best because they were not centered on Jesus Christ.  Unfortunately, for way too long after we married, my priorities remained elsewhere.  How does a man lead his family in the way God designed when his life is not centered on Christ?  Certainly not the way God would have us lead.  But in God’s timing, and only by His grace, our marriage now has a different center.  I believe that in both of our lives, Christ is the priority and by God’s grace, it will remain that way. 

            “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church…” Marriage is the most important human covenant.  It is also a covenant in much need of God’s grace.  In fact, outside of grace in salvation, I don’t know of where it is needed more than in marriage.  Is there anyone more uniquely qualified to tell you about your faults than your spouse?  Probably not!  No matter where we are in our walk with Christ, marriage is tough.  It is tough because it involves two imperfect people with an inherent disposition to sin.  It is made even tougher because Satan attacks it like no other institution because of what it pictures.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:32 that marriage is a picture of Christ and the church.  As humans, our inclination is to take God’s Word and remind others what they should be doing; all the while ignoring what God is telling us.  I imagine this tendency is even greater when it comes to our spouses.  Husbands, God’s command is clear in that our wives needs, as He defines them, are to be our goal.  His command to us is not conditional on her response.  We are to love her, as Christ loves the church. 

            I’m well aware that it will be an impossible task to love Karen as Christ loves the church, but that doesn’t lessen His expectation that I do just that.  This means that I’m left to rely on His strength, because in my own, I will fail.  I have failed.  For all marriages to be what God would have them be requires that our relationship with Him be the one we treasure most.  That is the only relationship that has the power to change all others.  I thank God for His grace for my past failures in loving Karen as Christ loves the church, and I know I’ll need more grace for future failures.  I thank God for you Karen.  These years have really gone fast, like all marriages, have been far from perfect, but I am so grateful that I have you as my wife.  After twenty years, you are more beautiful than ever.  I can’t wait to see what God has in store for our future.  Happy Anniversary Karen!  I love you!  

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for Karen, my wife, and for all wives.  As husbands, you have called us to look to you as our example for how to love them.  Forgive us when we don’t.  Let us look to you for much more.  You are Savior and Lord and the most important relationship we can ever have is with you.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to love you as I should and to love my wife as Christ loved the church.    

“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”  (2 Corinthians 5:21)

             Many Christians have sung this verse from the popular contemporary Christian song “Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin.  It is a great worship song containing sound theology.  But let me ask two questions as it relates to 2 Corinthians 5:21.  First, do you understand the truth being taught in this verse?  Secondly, have you embraced that truth?  This is a verse in which I believe theology and experience meet.  Let me explain.  Some say we can have too much theology and what we really need is to only experience God.  Others lean heavily on the theology side and do not seek to truly experience God.  When we apply this verse of Scripture appropriately, it should lead to both.  Scripture teaches that, “…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  We find in this section of 2 Corinthians, Paul describing the greatness of God’s love is and an answer to how we are reconciled to Him.  That answer culminates with the most beautiful truth of verse 21.

            “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”  It truly was for our sake, because God didn’t need you or me for anything, but He loved us enough that He made “Him”, that would be Jesus “sin”.  Jesus was sinless, and by becoming sin for us, we become, “the righteousness of God”.  Righteousness means to be in a right standing or relationship with God, it is what is right and just.  This is known as the doctrine of justification, a legal term in which one is declared not guilty before God.  The best way that I have ever heard 2 Corinthians 5:21 explained is this, “Though Jesus was not a sinner, on the cross, God treated Him as if He was.  On the other hand, you and I are not righteous, but God treats us as if we are.  So in essence, this means that on the cross, God treated Jesus as if He had lived our life so that He could treat us as if we had lived His.”  This verse also supports the doctrine of atonement, which is the work that Jesus did in His life and death to earn salvation for you and me.  Christ was our substitute, and took on our sin that we might be given His righteousness.    

            So you ask, “What do you mean about theology and experience meeting?”  The point is simply this; we can have an experience and it not be based on right theology.  That never leads to proper worship or God’s glory.  But when you grasp and fully embrace the theological truth of this verse, realizing that because of Jesus Christ, your position before God is perfect, you will experience God and your worship will change.  You will no longer be paralyzed by your past, present and future failures because this verse tells you that they are completely paid for.  What freedom when you realize God loves you this much!  And because He loves you, you love Him and your motivation to serve and to worship Him will be pleasing to Him because it comes, not out of duty, but out of gratitude.  Theology; meet experience. 

 Prayer

Father, I can’t believe you love me that much, but you do.  Thank you.  I know my sin put Jesus on the cross, but He bore it willingly.  As I live today, with my failures before me, help me to grasp that my position before you God is perfect, because my Savior is perfect.  Let that motivate me to live for your glory each day, thankful that Jesus chose to be my substitute.

“…for the LORD will be your confidence and your foot will not stumble” (Proverbs 3:26) 

            I spent last evening at the Alabama Theater watching Hoover High School’s 2012 Beauty Walk.  It was only the second time I’ve ever been there.  On both occasions, it was a result of my daughter Kristin’s involvement in an activity.  The first time, she was participating in a dance recital as a first grader.  Last night, as a high school senior, she was a contestant in the Beauty Walk.  As I watched, I couldn’t help but reflect on the two occasions of my being in this venue.  The first time, I remember hoping she would just move when it was her groups turn to dance.  Last night, as she glided across the stage, she was no longer a little girl, but a beautiful young woman.  These years have really gone quickly.  Probably like many parents, times like these make me think about all the activities we put our children in, wondering of their value.  I know for Kristin to get exposure to things such as this event does help build her confidence as she prepares for her future.  But my hope for Kristin, as her father, is that she will draw her confidence from a greater source. 

            “…for the LORD will be your confidence and your foot will not stumble” A primary theme of the book of Proverbs is wisdom, challenging the reader to seek God’s wisdom.  Proverbs 3:26 in particular advises that we put our trust in the LORD to see us through life’s challenges.  In this world, there will be many.  As such, we should seek God’s wisdom first.  In some ways, I’ve spent much of these 17 years afraid of Kristin, and for that matter, Logan as well.  Afraid that in an attempt to balance the right amount of “push” in order to help them to a better future; I might be hurting their confidence along the way.  This is a difficult task as a parent; you love them so much, in many cases you have been where they are, and all you want is for them to avoid your mistakes.  Yet all the while, you know they are young and fragile, and you’re trying your best not to do something wrong.  The truth is; you can’t avoid doing something wrong, particularly when using your own wisdom and not God’s.  Human wisdom is always distinct from God’s wisdom.  We can, however, take great comfort because there is an answer to this dilemma we face as parents.  That answer is to seek God’s wisdom and to teach our children that true confidence is only to be found in Him.  It is for you, as a parent, to demonstrate your confidence in Him and thereby give testimony to its truth.   All of these other ways of building our children’s confidence, though perhaps useful, are secondary.  Kristin didn’t win Beauty Walk, but it really wouldn’t have mattered if she had if she lacks confidence in the LORD.  He is the only one who is faithful and true.  He is also the one who loves her the most.  That will always be enough.  It is in having confidence in these truths, that I hope Kristin, “my” beauty, walks. 

Prayer

Father God, thank you for the gift of children.  Thank you for your forgiveness when we parent them apart from your wisdom.  Help us as parents to seek your guidance more each day in order to serve our role in preparing our children for what lies ahead.  But more than that, let us be an example to our children that you are our confidence and that they can trust you to be theirs as well.  No one loves like the Heavenly Father loves.  Thank you for showing us and our children that love.  Amen!   

“You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48) 

            I’ve been thinking a lot about my dad this week.  In just a few days he will turn 81 years old and I imagine his upcoming birthday and his age are causes for my reflection.  As I think back over the years, I remember the various stages of what I thought about my dad.  They’re probably not much different than the thoughts you had regarding your own father.  When I was little, I looked at him with such reverence.  I felt as if he could do nothing wrong and I took in every word he said.  Then as I grew and became more independent in my teenage and early adulthood years, though I loved and respected him, I wasn’t quite so eager for the advice he had to offer.  As I’ve aged, now having teenagers of my own, though we sometimes differ on the means of achieving an outcome, I realize how wise he has always been.   

            “You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” The central theme of this passage in Matthew is not on how to be a good father, but on emphasizing that the Heavenly Father is perfect.  The Greek translation for the word perfect means to mature.  In the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), Jesus taught about the high standard in which Christians are to live, and though unattainable in this life, how we are to pursue that perfection.  God’s standard is His own perfect character.  Well, my father can’t meet that perfect standard, nor can I or any other father.  We never will.  Our Christian walk as fathers, or anyone’s Christian walk for that matter, should desire perfection.  Though we know it’s not possible, our heart should desire that it be.  At best, earthly fathers are but a dim reflection of our Heavenly Father. 

            I have always known that I have a great dad who loves me very much, and I truly appreciate all he has done for me throughout my life.  The mistakes he made along the way, he made loving me.  He is an imperfect dad because all earthly dads are.  That is another thing God’s Word teaches us; in our pursuit of Him, we will always fall short.  The value in knowing that, on our own, we fall short is that it points us to the One who never does.  He is the perfect Father who gave His perfect Son to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin.  God the Father is to be our role model.  And as the Heavenly Father has dealt so graciously with you, honor Him and extend that same grace to your imperfect earthly father.  Thank him for what he has done for you, but also forgive him for what he has failed to do.  That will bring glory to the Father who loves you the most, the Father who awaits you in heaven.  

 Prayer

 Heavenly Father, thank you so much for my earthly father.  Thank you for the wisdom you gave him in raising me.  Though imperfect, he loves me.  Father, in the ways that he may have failed, I forgive him.  We all have failed.  You are the one perfect Father and we adore you.  Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help me to show the grace you have shown me, and by the power of your Holy Spirit, give me a desire to be perfect before you.  Amen!

“James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1) 

            In order to appreciate God’s grace fully, we often need a lesson from the past.  In James’ epistle, he encourages Jewish Christians to live out their faith in spite of difficult circumstances.  He wrote to them saying, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).  James never taught that people were saved by their works, but that true faith, faith that is “living”, works out practically in one’s life.  There are many important lessons in the book of James, but I want us to see the lesson of the grace of God as displayed in the life of James.  In the opening of his letter, James, the brother of Jesus describes himself as a servant.  But James had a past.  Having grown up alongside of Jesus, witnessing His childhood and His public ministry, James rejected Jesus as Messiah (John 7:5).  It was only upon Jesus’ resurrection that James believed.  So why would Jesus have any use for James after he had denied Him for all those years?        

            You and I have a past as well.  The title of this devotion is not meant to imply that God’s grace is in some way obscure, but to show that it permeates all of Scripture, even where we may not readily see it.  God’s grace is displayed not only in what the Holy Spirit inspired James to write, but also that after years of unbelief, he was allowed to write it.  James becoming a leader in the church of Jerusalem and known as one of its “pillars” has wonderful implications for you and me.  He is a testimony of God’s grace.  No matter how long you have been in denial about Jesus Christ, when you believe, God can use you in a mighty way.  God’s grace is free flowing and when truly received, like it did with James, it will affect change in our lives.  So, look for God’s grace in His Word; even in the places it may not seem obvious.  Think about how God has shown His grace to you and respond to Him in a manner worthy of that grace.  

Prayer 

Father, what a gracious God you are.  You displayed that grace prominently in how you used James although he didn’t believe Jesus to be Messiah until after the resurrection.  But you revealed yourself to Him, changed him and used him for your glory.  Thank you for that same grace you’ve shown me.  Let it continue to change me that I may bring you glory as well.