This morning I went for a walk. The weather was beautiful – sunny, blue skies, about 78 degrees. As I walked around the block, I saw many of our neighbors working in their yards or on other projects around their home. Soon I started thinking, “I wish we owned our own home."
Then, as quickly as that thought entered my mind, so did the Scripture I had read in my devotions just hours earlier:
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet , and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement) … sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
-- Acts 4:32-37
Here I was, wishing I owned my own home, and the believers of the early church who already owned their own houses and lands sold them and gave the proceeds to the church! They were more concerned about building God's kingdom than they were their own equity. One of them was even called Barnabas, "son of encouragement." Imagine the blessing these people were to one another, and how blessed they felt by each other!
Instantly I stopped wishing for my own home and started wishing for that spirit to dominate my life and my church today!
Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that it is God’s will for everyone to sell their homes and give the proceeds to the church! Indeed, the following chapter makes it clear that this was a voluntary act on the part of these people and that their property or the proceeds they received from their property was theirs to do with as they wished. But the thing that struck me was how readily everyone gave up what belonged to him or her for the sake of the church. Their love for God’s kingdom and His people was so strong, that they saw their possessions as resources to be used in the life and mission of the church!
Notice that during this time there was “great power” in the proclamation of the gospel, and “great grace was upon them all.” What I wouldn’t give to experience such a work of God here and now!
I guess that’s the crux of the matter, isn’t it? Perhaps that statement should be phrased in the form of a question: What wouldn’t I give to experience such a work of God here and now?
How much do you long to experience God’s empowering presence in your life … in your home … in your church? What would you be willing to give up to see such a work of God?
This morning was a great reminder to me to hold material possessions loosely … if at all. What I want more than possessions is God’s manifest presence and power in my life, and in the lives of my wife and children – and in the life of the church that I pastor. May each of us treasure the Lord Jesus Christ, His kingdom, His people, and our home in heaven more than anything else on earth.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Don’t Cheat Yourself
The Patriots’ great start to the 2007-08 NFL season was besmirched by Coach Belichick’s cheating tactics. Yesterday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell fined the Patriots’ head coach $500,000 (the biggest fine ever for a coach) and the team itself another $250,000 for using a video camera to spy on the opposing team’s coaches. In addition to being fined, the Patriots had to forfeit next season’s first-round draft pick (if they make it to the play-offs) or the second- and third-round draft picks (if they don’t make it to the play-offs).
Webster defines cheating as “the obtaining of property from another by an intentional active distortion of the truth.” It involves sneaky tactics for the purpose of escaping observation. In this case, Belichick’s attempt to do so failed. And now he is paying the price.
God in His Word calls His people to “provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17). The word “honest” translates the Greek term kalos, which means “noble, admirable, or praiseworthy; beautiful by reason of purity.” There’s something “ugly” about cheating (i.e., “you dirty cheat!”), yet there’s something beautiful about honesty and integrity. “Winners” who cheat suffer loss, whereas honest “losers” have a way of turning out winners in the long run (as their honesty is harnessed with hard work).
When you are faced with an opportunity to cheat – to gain an advantage via deception – remember what is at stake and pray for the courage to do what is right. Whether you’re taking an exam at school, applying for a job, or paying your taxes, make it your aim to “provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Rom. 12:17). Follow the example of our Lord, “who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). God’s way is always the best way, and those who walk in His ways are the real winners.
Webster defines cheating as “the obtaining of property from another by an intentional active distortion of the truth.” It involves sneaky tactics for the purpose of escaping observation. In this case, Belichick’s attempt to do so failed. And now he is paying the price.
God in His Word calls His people to “provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17). The word “honest” translates the Greek term kalos, which means “noble, admirable, or praiseworthy; beautiful by reason of purity.” There’s something “ugly” about cheating (i.e., “you dirty cheat!”), yet there’s something beautiful about honesty and integrity. “Winners” who cheat suffer loss, whereas honest “losers” have a way of turning out winners in the long run (as their honesty is harnessed with hard work).
When you are faced with an opportunity to cheat – to gain an advantage via deception – remember what is at stake and pray for the courage to do what is right. Whether you’re taking an exam at school, applying for a job, or paying your taxes, make it your aim to “provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Rom. 12:17). Follow the example of our Lord, “who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). God’s way is always the best way, and those who walk in His ways are the real winners.
Friday, September 7, 2007
“Bring … the books.”
These were among the final words of Paul as he awaited his fate in a Roman prison. Longing to see his young protégé Timothy, he wrote him a letter, urging him to come and visit. Then he made this additional appeal: “When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13).
Here Paul was, about to die, and what does he ask for? His cloak to warm his body, and his books to refresh his mind. Regarding Paul’s request, Spurgeon wrote: “He is inspired, yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, yet he wants books. He has had a wider experience than most men, yet he wants books! He has been caught up into the third heaven, and has heard things which it is unlawful to utter, yet he wants books! He has written the major part of the New Testament, yet he wants books!”
Books are stones upon which we can sharpen our minds and tools with which we can shape our spirits. No other book can educate your mind and train your heart like the Bible. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Challenge yourself to read the Bible daily, as well as other helpful, biblically-based books such as meaty devotionals, commentaries, Christian periodicals, and the like. Cultivate a love for other books, too, such as biographies of great men and women throughout history (both inside and outside the church), classic novels, short stories, and other great works of literature. Feed your mind with the wonders of science and the world of mathematics.
God has blessed each of us with the ability to reason, meditate and learn. Use that ability to be all that you can be for God’s glory. After all, you are to love the Lord your God with all your mind (Matt. 22:37). But also remember that a great mind is of no worth if it is not accompanied by a loving heart. All knowledge plus no love equals nothing in God’s eyes. So use the knowledge you glean from God’s Word and other books to be a blessing to others and to build them up. As you do, you will find that God will return those blessings to you (Prov. 11:25b).
Here Paul was, about to die, and what does he ask for? His cloak to warm his body, and his books to refresh his mind. Regarding Paul’s request, Spurgeon wrote: “He is inspired, yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, yet he wants books. He has had a wider experience than most men, yet he wants books! He has been caught up into the third heaven, and has heard things which it is unlawful to utter, yet he wants books! He has written the major part of the New Testament, yet he wants books!”
Books are stones upon which we can sharpen our minds and tools with which we can shape our spirits. No other book can educate your mind and train your heart like the Bible. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Challenge yourself to read the Bible daily, as well as other helpful, biblically-based books such as meaty devotionals, commentaries, Christian periodicals, and the like. Cultivate a love for other books, too, such as biographies of great men and women throughout history (both inside and outside the church), classic novels, short stories, and other great works of literature. Feed your mind with the wonders of science and the world of mathematics.
God has blessed each of us with the ability to reason, meditate and learn. Use that ability to be all that you can be for God’s glory. After all, you are to love the Lord your God with all your mind (Matt. 22:37). But also remember that a great mind is of no worth if it is not accompanied by a loving heart. All knowledge plus no love equals nothing in God’s eyes. So use the knowledge you glean from God’s Word and other books to be a blessing to others and to build them up. As you do, you will find that God will return those blessings to you (Prov. 11:25b).
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