Tag Archives: faith

Christian Unity

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:15-16*

The Apostle Paul has just urged us to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:1b-3, NIV*)

I don’t have to look farther than myself to see how hard this is. And my local congregation, nice people and sincere in their faith, struggle with it too. After all, as one member who’s now with the Lord was fond of saying, “We’re so human.”

Maybe I’m thinking about this because our annual meeting is coming up and it always seems to bring out the worst in us. (There must be a better way!)

Whatever the reason, the “Body” references in the New Testament have been on my mind lately. Christians are to function as one body: different roles and strengths, but a common goal of living for God. Jesus is the Head, and He only says and does what He hears from the Father. (John 14:10)

I’ve been thinking about how attitudes, misunderstandings, personality traits and critical or defensive spirits hamper the body’s ability, and it reminds me of NJ Lindquist’s article, called “Is the Body of Christ Handicapped?”

Father, You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, because Your power is working in us. I believe that. Help us trust and cooperate with You as You build Your people into a pleasing body, fully functional in You. We can’t do this on our own, but You are more than able.

This week’s song is another one from Casting Crowns: “If We Are the Body”

God’s Power in Us

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV*

I’ve heard these verses quoted at the close of worship services so often that even to read them silently, my mind takes on a sober, official-blessing tone. They’re a commissioning, a reminder of God’s power and our goal of living to His glory.

Something new struck me this time I read them. Don’t you love it when God does that?

Paul isn’t writing about God’s power working on its own, restraining or unleashing forces of nature or holding the universe together. He’s talking about God’s power at work in us.

Earlier Paul prays that God will “strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16, NIV*)

How often do we stop to consider that God’s power is at work in us? That when He wants to work through us it’s by His power, not our own?

Do we really believe it? Too often, I don’t. My mind knows the words, but the rest of me knows how little energy or ability I have and gets frustrated by the demands on my time.

Paul also says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV** ) and I need to understand that not just to mean Christ giving me a boost as I climb, but Him being the power source that supplies energy, ability and vision.

Father, when I limit myself to my own ability with Your “help” I miss chances to show how glorious and powerful You are. I place more trust in my own understanding than in Your strength. Please forgive me, and help me truly believe and trust Your power working in me to accomplish what You direct me to do. Help me not to view my tasks as drains or burdens, but as areas where You want to work through me. You are the Potter; help me be a vessel You can fill and pour out of.

A good reminder song is “In Me” from Casting Crowns:

Approaching God

In him [Christ Jesus our Lord] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 3:12, NIV*

I can’t wrap my mind around how God can dwell in each of His followers, while sustaining the universe, while seated on the Throne in heaven. It’s all part of His infinitude, and I suppose if we could reduce Him to what we could fully describe and figure out, He wouldn’t be much of a God. He’d be on our level.

Somehow, He’s one God but three Persons, and He’s everywhere. And I worship Him because of who He is and how He loves us.

God on His Throne is a frequent image in the Bible, and that’s what I think of in this passage from Ephesians. It reminds me of the story of Esther and King Xerxes, where to approach the king in his throne room was to risk death – if your uninvited presence didn’t please him, if he didn’t hold out his sceptre in welcome, that was your fate by law. (Esther 4:11)

I picture myself – any of us – without Jesus, standing in the doorway to the Father’s throne room: filthy and matted with sin and failure, broken and bruised by self and by others… not an attractive sight for a God who is perfectly holy and is offended by the mess that clings to me. Would He hold out a welcoming sceptre? Because of His holy and just nature, He couldn’t.

But I come to Him in faith, because Jesus made a way. Jesus washed and healed me, and put clean clothes on me. When I stand in the throne room doorway, God the Father sees me in His Son, and He welcomes me with delight.

Holy, majestic and righteous God, there aren’t words to thank You for Your grace and mercy given through Your Son Jesus Christ. Please fill our spirits with awe and wonder, and help us to love and worship You. Help us to radiate the joy of Your presence.

Let the words of “God With Us” from MercyMe be our prayer:

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther%204:11&version=NIV

Good Works

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10, NIV*

Good works aren’t the cause of salvation, they’re the effect of it. Christians know that, although sometimes we catch ourselves trying to “earn” our way.

What strikes me about this passage today is the notion that God has prepared the good works for us. They’ll flow out of our obedience to Him; we don’t have to go hunting them. After all, if we initiated our own good works, that might be grounds for boasting.

The good works, like everything else, are not about us. They’re about God, “to show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7b, NIV)

They’re not all big things, or dramatic. Remember what Jesus said about giving a cup of cold water in His name. A lot of them will be opportunities in our daily routines.

For me, those good works include preparing nutritious meals for my family and keeping the laundry up to date. They include my daily interactions with those around me. As I learn to ask God, “What did you give me to give today?” I’ll fit better into His plans.

For my friends who were on a short-term mission trip to Haiti when the earthquake struck, the good works weren’t what they expected when they signed up! But God has used them in many ways to provide support and comfort and to show His love.

Precious Father, it amazes me that You would love us like this—and save us when we were helpless and very unlovely. Thank You it’s all a gift from You, and not something we have to earn. Thank You for giving us a part to play in Your work, and Father today please help each of us to recognize what You’ve given us to give—and to whom. Help us serve in Your strength, because it’s about You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I think an appropriate song this week is “Oh, Master, Let Me Walk with Thee.” If you have time (it’s over 8 minutes long), there’s a beautiful, orchestral version here. Otherwise, here’s the 2-minute version nicely rendered by a choir:

Included in Christ

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14, NIV*

Too many times we live life on edge, with a low-level anxiety that we’ll be disqualified or rejected. We’re trying so hard, but what if something we say or do – or don’t do – puts up a barrier with our loved ones or with those we respect?

Sometimes we don’t even know this theme is playing in our mental soundtracks until we wonder why we’re tense. It’s something I’m working to recognize and to let God change in my own life, and this is the sort of Scripture passage that can help.

Look at what the Apostle Paul says in these verses: we are included in Christ – we belong – it’s guaranteed by God’s own Holy Spirit. Jesus knew both our best and our worst when He rescued us, and His promise is forever. Nothing can separate us from His love.

Father, forgive us when we get hung up on pleasing people and we give their opinions too much power over our lives. Thank You for saving us… for choosing us and loving us. Thank You for including us in Christ. Please help us remember this truth, to the praise of Your glory.

One of my favourite songs by the group MercyMe is “Spoken For.” Let these words minister to you today.

Why We Do What We Do

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
…so that no one will malign the word of God.
…so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
…so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.
Titus 2:1, 5b,8b,10b, NIV*

In the book of Titus, the Apostle Paul places a lot of emphasis on teaching Christians to live in a godly manner and to do good. He’s writing to a new church, its people recent converts from paganism and immoral lifestyles, and that may explain why they need so much teaching on how to behave as children of God.

Today we still need this teaching—not only on how to behave, but why.

Paul never forgets that the outward behaviour has a purpose: “so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.”

Who wants to follow a Way that turns its people rigid, repressed or ranting? Hopeful people, on the other hand, those who can stay strong even in hard times and who radiate an inner joy… now they have something others might want.

Jesus came to show us what God is really like, and to reconcile us to Him. He charged His disciples (and us down through the centuries) to carry on His work. He kept close to the Father and served in love. We need to do the same.

Father, thank You for saving us, and for changing and equipping us to live in ways that please You. We could never do that on our own. Help us remember why we’re to do good and to live right, that our behaviour isn’t the ultimate end. Help us be living demonstrations of Your love, because we love You.

A good song to keep us in focus is Matt Redman’s “The Heart of Worship.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH-snsXw1as&feature=related

Waiting for God

This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Saviour that I have been entrusted with this work for him.
Titus 1:1-3, NLT*

God made a promise in the beginning, and waited for the time to be right to fulfill it. We’ve just celebrated the birth of the Saviour, and in a few months we’ll celebrate His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection. Someday we’ll celebrate His return.

God’s timing is perfect, although we can’t usually see that until after the fact. He has demonstrated it with His biggest promise, and so we can trust Him with His smaller ones.

Is there something you’re waiting for? Something He’s promised, be it a specific event or a word from Scripture like the assurance that He works all things to good for those who love Him? (Romans 8:28)

Father God, we thank You for your faithfulness, Your integrity. What You promise will be fulfilled. Please forgive and sustain us when we falter in the waiting. Help us keep our eyes on You and our confidence in You. Help us wait in patient trust, and help us worship You in the waiting.

John Waller’s song, “While I’m Waiting,” sums it up well. Let it be our prayer this week.

It Shouldn’t Happen at Christmas

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23, NIV*

In the past few weeks, three people have lost parents or spouses, two have received bad medical news, and another is suddenly out of work. And these are just the ones I know! News coverage expands that list dramatically.

What’s the first thing we say? “It shouldn’t happen at Christmas.”

We have this instinctive sense that Christmas is about good news, not about pain. Some of that’s spiritual—the angels came proclaiming the wonder of God with us. Some of it’s human—remembering childhood’s warm anticipation of presents and surprises.

In the midst of the celebrations, pain happens.

Maybe that’s not so bad. The pain reminds us why Jesus came.

Let’s be sensitive to those who are suffering while the culture wants them to be smiling. Last week’s devotional thought was about “faithfully administering God’s grace” and one way we can do that is to bring God with us into every encounter. May His grace in us bring comfort and a sense of peace.

Father, I praise and thank You for the gift of Your presence. Jesus—Emanuel—God with us. Because You are with us, we are not consumed. Because You have rescued us, we have hope. Let us live in You and share Your presence with those around us.

Our song this week captures the tension between pain and joy: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” sung here by Casting Crowns.

Administering God’s Grace

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10, NIV*

The specific examples Peter uses in this chapter are hospitality, words and service. We’re given gifts for the good of others, not to keep to ourselves.

You and I may or may not know what our spiritual gifts are, but I think this verse applies to more than those. The Message renders this verse “Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it.”

We’ve received so much of God’s grace… let’s think about how we can administer, or share, it:

when we smile at the checkout clerk
when we make our kids’ lunches
when we’re patient with the customer service rep after waiting on hold “forever”
when we stop to listen to an elderly person’s question
when we hold the door for a shopper with parcels

We’ve received His love, forgiveness, acceptance… His joy and Himself. Let’s share it by the way we treat others.

Father, thank You for the privilege of administering some of Your grace. Help me remember to see my service in this special way and to serve willingly, in love and gratitude and in Your strength, for Your glory.

What more fitting song than the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”?

Love Each Other Deeply

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8, NIV*

The Apostle Peter places a lot of emphasis in this letter on how Christians should conduct ourselves in relationships and in hardships. He’s already told us to “love one another deeply, from the heart [or from a pure heart]” (1 Peter 1:22b, NIV)

Now he reminds us again to love deeply, and says it covers a multitude of sins. He’s been urging us to live well in relationship, and I think this is the “how”.

Most translations that I checked speak of love covering sins. (I love Bible Gateway). The Message expresses it as “love makes up for practically anything.” The Amplified Bible says love “forgives and disregards the offenses of others.”

Peter’s not saying love will turn a blind eye, excuse or enable wicked or destructive behaviour. It seems to me the “sins” love covers are twofold:

People are irritating (rumour has it, this includes me!). If I choose to ignore the thing(s) that grate me in another person, choose to focus on that person’s value and to love him or her, that helps me obey Peter’s teaching and live like Jesus.

And by choosing to love rather than to be critical, I’m dealing with or negating sin in my own life. Jesus had lots to say about being critical and judgmental.

Father, You know true, Christ-like love doesn’t come naturally… or easily. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who longs to produce it in me. Please help me learn to rest more in Him and not hinder His fruit in me. Help me to love others, because You love them. Thank You for loving me too.

For this week’s song, I chose Don Francisco’s “I Could Never Promise You,” which is often thought of as a wedding song but which I think applies just as well to all of a Christian’s relationships. How can we promise to love others without Jesus’ enabling? At the end of the video there’s some conversation about that.

Janet Sketchley

Writing Christian Mysteries & Suspense