Thursday, January 25, 2018

Faith Inactive Is Faith Ineffective

My husband has a love-hate relationship with change. Mostly hate, really. Our bank issued him a new debit card recently -- the whole "in light of recent identity concerns..." thing. Blah, blah, blah.  He carried it for weeks, refusing to use it because "the old card was working just fine." Until it wasn't.

"They're gonna shut it off," I warned. "You'd better activate your new one."

The words "CARD DECLINED" finally prompted him to do so.

Today I was reading Hebrews 11:1-2:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony."
Faith is the substance, the essence, the manifestation of something for which we hope; the proof, the veracity of something invisible, something you can't even see. Pretty heady stuff. But here's the part that got me: "By it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony." By their faith, those who went before us, those spiritual heavyweights like Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Mary, Stephen -- received a good testimony. Now, that might mean their faith was vetted and proven authentic; or, their faith testifies to us of God's faithfulness through their histories recorded in Scripture. Maybe it's a little of both. But I want to draw your attention to the fact it was their faith that procured them a good testimony about their faith. It had to be active for it to be effective.

Abraham's faith enabled him to take Isaac up the mountain. Moses' faith enabled him to lead hundreds of thousands of grumbling, rebellious Israelites through a barren wilderness, day after day, for forty years. Rahab's faith enabled her to gather her family into her home, watch as Israel surrounded her city day after day, and trust the word of two complete strangers that she and her family would be saved. Mary's faith enabled her to look Joseph, her husband-to-be, straight in the eye and gleefully anticipate the birth of the child in her womb. (Joseph's faith enabled him to take her face in his hands and look back.) Stephen's faith enabled him to take stone after stone, gaze heavenward, and forgive his murderers. That was some pretty incredible faith! But without it being tested, how would anyone know what great faith they had?

What if any of them had replied, "Let's talk about this some other time, when I've built up a little more faith"? Faith is like a muscle: it doesn't get built up unless it's in use. Faith says, "I know..." without ever really seeing; but faith tested -- or exercised -- not only says my faith is real, but it says God is real as well. Being on the other side of tested faith demonstrates what God can do and gives further evidence for stronger faith.

For my husband, relinquishing his old card was difficult -- don't ask me why, it's just one of those "Scott things" I've grown to love. But in order for him to do what he needs to do, when he needs to do it; in order for his card to yield what it was designed for, he had to give up his way of doing things; and he had to make sure his new card was active. Carrying his old dead card -- or even his new inactive one -- was pointless.

Just like inactive, untested, ineffective faith.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Switching Sides

We live in "Birds Country." As I was driving to work the other morning, I noticed a billboard with a mammoth-sized picture of Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, and the declaration, "St. Nick Always Delivers!" I was ashamed. Ashamed because I knew that billboard should have read: "We're Sorry We Had No Faith in You!"

On my way home that day, I noticed a house nearby. All season the sign in the front yard read: "Boycott the NFL" -- a response to the "Take a Knee" movement. A new sign cheers: "GO EAGLES!" They are still part of the NFL, right?

As the big game approaches, I have heard folks who bad-mouthed coach, players, front office, even Aramark employees, suddenly pledge their undying loyalty and hard-earned cash in favor of the residents of 1 LFF Way. A certain someone who decks the family Christmas tree in blue and silver for some rival Southwest team, and talks trash about Philadelphia on a regular, has already begun rooting for the Eagles.

But it's just a sport, right? It's just a game. (Maybe if you live somewhere other than Philly.) Switching loyalty is as easy as changing your shirt, or the sign in your front yard, or your FB cover pic. In life, it's a little different.

I always knew the truth about Jesus, but I always knew how much fun life was without Him. Well, I thought I knew. I'd look at all the smiling "goody-goodies" in school and think, "There's no way they can be that good and still be that happy. They are so fake." Or, I'd look at classmates I knew for certain Christians and I'd rationalize, "You are so insulated and so loved. If God loved me the way He loves you, I could trust Him, too. But I have to survive, and you know nothing of the real world." Then, there were the adults who wanted to talk to me about Jesus. They would talk and I would think, "Yeah, well, you're like ninety; when I get to be that age I'll sit around all day and read the Bible, too. Maybe I'll even understand it by then." I knew switching sides was not going to be easy. At that point, it wasn't even something I wanted to do.

Fast forward to years later, more than my share of wild oats sown, lots of mistakes and lots of scars to remember them. My marriage had been crumbling for years and I could no longer remember who I used to be. I caved. There was no weighing of options -- I had none, not if I wanted to keep my sanity and my children. There was no making of excuses -- they would have never held up against the weight pressing in on me. I surrendered. I switched loyalties, and I was all in. Well, as all in as I knew to be at the time.

Since that day, my life has been wonderfully transformed. But it didn't happen overnight. It was one small prayer, accompanied by lots of tears of frustration and fear, that set me on this path. And I didn't even know what to expect, but I knew I had nothing to lose. I began reading my Bible and praying each day -- a curiosity and thirst for the Lord had settled in my heart. I had to know more. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. The more I prayed, the more I wanted to pray. The more I gave, the more I wanted to give. And my life really began to change! No more lies to cover other lies; no more pleasing everyone, or constantly keeping one plate after another spinning; with Christ in mind, I wanted to make right choices. When problems came; I prayed and trusted God. It was not the same drama day after day. Trust me, drama still had my address, but I didn't create it, and I didn't have to engage in it! I just had to trust Jesus. And then there was the excitement -- brothers and sisters all over the world to talk to, to pray for, to worship with! Camaraderie and kinship in Christ.

This is not the snore through Sunday service, sit around listening to the clock tick, talk softly kind of life I thought it would be. And Jesus challenges me to give Him more each day! The more I give, the more blessed I am. And the more there is to do. It is crazy! But it starts with one small prayer. 

You don't even have to change the colors on your Christmas tree!

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Show Me Some ID Please (Part Two)

During my year long hiatus from blogging, I wrote a book -- to my daughter, for my daughter, and in some ways, about my daughter. You see, as we prepared to let go of Mom's house, I got to thinking about who I was and where I came from. My childhood, my parents' relationship was not the typical "Ozzie and Harriet" of the '60s, and often I felt "less than." But as I cleaned out room after room, I discovered answers to some burning questions, and I discovered all God had done to make sure I would be sitting here testifying to His goodness right at this very moment. That made me feel special, cared for, and dearly loved by an awesome Heavenly Father! Christine's childhood wasn't a whole lot better than mine, and though she had never said it, I thought she might share some of the same feelings. I wanted her to know God can make all things new; I wanted her to know what God is able to do despite any terrible decisions her father and I made; I wanted her to know He has a plan for her and He can keep her in it; I wanted her to know she, too, is special, cared for, and dearly loved by an awesome Heavenly Father. I want her to rest her identity fully in the Lord.

So, what does an identity in Christ look like?

1. We are God's children. 1 John 3:1a. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" To me, this one is a biggie! That the Creator of the universe would call me "daughter"; that He would love me as a parent loves a child; that He would protect me and cherish me as a Father does his daughter? HUGE!

2. We are not condemned. Romans 8:1. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."  Shame and condemnation can be constant companions for someone who has been deeply wronged, especially at an early age. They form an identity that says "unworthy" and "dirty". They give birth to thoughts that begin with "You will never..." But those are chains formed by people, and they were broken by the Son of God!

3. We are new creatures. 2 Corinthians 5:17. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Not only are our sins removed by the blood of Jesus Christ, but we have a new and firm foundation on which to construct the life He now calls us to live. A new vision, a new disposition, new goals, a new family, new life!

4. We have a new purpose. Ephesians 2:10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." We have the opportunity each day to do something good. We are not here to simply gratify ourselves and go home. We can share the gospel in word and deed each day; we can encourage someone by sharing with them the joy that is in our hearts -- even with just a smile; we can pray for others; we can serve others. We have purpose!

5. We are healed. Isaiah 53:5. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." We all have limitations. Some are greater than others; some we're born with; some develop with age; some are physical; some are emotional. If we all waited for perfectly healthy bodies to embrace healing, we'd never be new. We are healed because we walk in Christ -- He supplies our every need. Healing takes place when God enables you to do what He has purposed you to do; not when a doctor says your PET scan is clear or your blood pressure is normal.

6. We are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20a. "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us." If someone was going to make a movie of your life, who would you want to play you? The Lord Jesus Christ thinks of us in such a way that He has chosen us as His ambassadors; and our identity in Him enables us to faithfully represent Him. 

So that's a short list to get you started. I would encourage you to continue searching the Scriptures for aspects of your identity in Christ. The things that resonate with me may be different from the things that are most meaningful to you. Allow God to speak to your heart, to reveal to you who He has made you to be, and call yourself by that name. He does!

Monday, January 22, 2018

Show Me Some ID Please (Part One)

Identity is important. To those who govern and control the business end of life -- birth certificates, driver's licenses, credit scores. To society -- geeks, jocks, posers and wanna-bes, Millenials, type As, slackers and suck-ups. To our families -- "Aunt Judi", "Mom" -- and our friends.

Identity is important to us. Years ago, people went on retreat to "find" themselves. Today, people need "me" time. I caught the tail end of a broadcast yesterday, that was talking about our identities resting in what we do -- works-based, or achievement-driven identity. Last night, a friend was frustrated by people who see his identity as a contradiction -- the things he does or likes versus the color of his skin -- rather than embracing his identity comprehensively. Once you've "found" yourself, or discovered who you are -- if you like that person -- it seems important to hold onto who you are.

But, do you know how important identity is to God? In the Hebrew tradition, a name defined its owner in some way: birth order, physical characteristics, even future aspirations. My mother chose Judi, a derivative of Judah -- "blessed by God" -- for reasons other than it's true meaning. God, however, has fulfilled that prophecy! Bless His name! Throughout the Bible, names have been changed -- not to protect the innocent, but to reflect the innocent! As men and women walked more closely with God, and began to resemble Him and His righteousness, their names were changed to reflect the change in their lives. New identities for new creations! And He wants our identities even today. That's right. Those identities we've worked so hard to establish and guard? He wants us to let them go.

The folks on the radio broadcast were discussing the importance of an identity founded on Christ. It only makes sense that an identity based on the things I have done or am capable of doing would crumble as the things I did lost their significance or I became unable to do them any longer. An identity built upon an athletic career collapses as records are broken and the body deteriorates. Identity that hinges on the bottom line of a bank account -- well, the crash before the Great Depression yielded suicide after suicide. Identity dependent upon volatile or temporary criteria will suffer when that criteria is tested or its time runs out.

Identity that is surrendered to Christ will endure. Surrendered.

Mom often tells me I am nice. I feed her; I help dress her; I do those "nice" things for her. But that doesn't always accurately reflect what is in my heart. Those "nice" things don't always reflect the characteristics of my old identity still lurking. In fact, when Mom says that -- even when others say that -- I don't usually respond; I know the ugliness that lives inside. Sure, it all looks OK on the outside: my behavior is submitted to Christ, and so, I serve her; but some days inner me is just screaming, "Me! Me! Me!" The selfish, sinful part of my identity wants her way now! The selfish, sinful part of me does not want to surrender. The Holy spirit convicts me of that -- a lot lately, to tell you the truth. God wants the neurotic, self-serving, fearful, angry, arrogant me. He wants her so that He can make something new, something that resembles Him, something that will cause others to see Him revealed, and will ultimately bring Him the glory He so richly deserves. He has brought so many of my unsurrendered moments to my attention lately, that I almost look forward to it. I want it all gone. I want to know where those characteristics of my old identity lie so I can repent of them, pray about them, and seek Scriptures wisdom to root them out!

So, just who is it God wants you and I to be? We'll look at some aspects of our identity in Scripture tomorrow.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Through the Fire

"Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed..." -- Daniel 3:19
This morning I was studying Daniel 3 -- "The Fiery Furnace". The verse above popped out at me -- that phrase: "and the expression on his face changed". Oh my. I know that expression. I know that kind of fury. I have been on the receiving end of it many times. But the times that disturb me most is when I have been the face behind the fury.

Briefly, the history behind "The Fiery Furnace" is this: King Nebuchadnezzar builds a 90' gold idol to himself and orders all the land to bow to it in worship. Three Jewish men -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego -- refuse on the grounds they worship God and God alone. The king likes these men, has given these men positions of prominence in his kingdom. When he finds out they refuse his order, he sends for them. He gives them ample opportunity to deny the charges. He reviews the edict with them -- just in case they misunderstood. But -- no misunderstanding -- they still refuse, saying, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." 

The next verse says, "Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated." That's some serious rage, there. If the consequence of defying the king's order was a fiery furnace, why not just throw them in and be done with it? Why get so bent out of shape? 

The flash point seems to be their words, "we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." In Nebuchadnezzar's day, that's what people did -- they made idols, "graven images" of their gods. Nebuchadnezzar made an idol to his god: himself. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego's refusal to serve and worship the king's gods was a refusal to serve and worship him! Nebuchadnezzar had invested in them; maybe he'd even felt some sort of affection toward them. He had summoned them, after all, giving them a chance to deny or explain. He had reviewed his order with them, making sure they hadn't missed the memo. He had been so good to them. He had taken time out of his busy schedule to speak to them personally. And he, therefore, took their refusal very personally! After all he had done...

Before Mom came to live with us, another family member was staying at Chez Murphe'. This guest's stay ended rather abruptly when the enforcement of a rule became inevitable. We had long attempted patience, negotiation, persuasion, caution -- to no avail. It was time for our guest to find other accommodations. That is, until our guest threatened us with "squatter's rights" and made a few other threats to our home, possessions, personal safety and peace of mind. Then it was time for our guest to leave immediately -- alternative accommodations or no. The eviction did not go well, and I blame myself. I should have rested in the Lord. I should have been more loving, or at least, calm. I should have recalled my "peace of mind" being found squarely in Jesus, and acted accordingly. But "this ingrate, this Judas had not only kicked my goodness and my grace back to me -- spit on it! -- but then had the audacity to threaten what belonged to me!" Oh, yes. The old me had been released, and everyone suffered for it. Ego, ego, ego.

Some of the situations I have gotten myself into over the years have cost me a great deal. When I saw the things I had regained being threatened, I freaked. "I did this; I worked hard to climb out of that, and you are not going to take my accomplishments away. And coming from some germ I have helped?! You would be nowhere without me, without my help!" I didn't say those things, but the things I did say... My tongue still stings. I sounded just like that furious king. That king who had built an idol to himself 90' tall. That king who commanded all the land to worship that god just as he did. I was that way before; I know I was that way before. But, I gotta tell you, seeing myself that way in spite of my relationship with Jesus? Well, that shocked me. Sadly, I don't think it shocked our guest. I think our guest walked away "knowing" Jesus had made no difference whatsoever in me. That makes more than my tongue sting.

But the Christian life is not an "arrived" kind of thing. My old nature still works to draw me back. I discovered that day, the statue I had built to me stood tall, and not just tall -- no, much worse -- at least 90' deep. That monument was entrenched -- despite my equally deep love for the Lord! Praise God, though, He is still working on tearing it down, bit by bit, accomplishment by accomplishment. I know this, because He brought me to the "Fiery Furnace" today, and I know He will bring me through it.