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What a Power Filled Life Looks Like

March 4, 2016 by

Do you ever have days you wish this thing called life was a whole lot clearer? I mean it can get pretty confusing at times can’t it?

That’s what I find comforting in a parable Jesus told, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”*

As we looked at in the previous post, Jesus points us towards simply believing he has an amazing life planned for us and searching to discover it.

Then he promises the secrets will be revealed.

In reality, we don’t discover them through our own logic. Instead God, the owner, reveals them. They’re locked up and no amount trying figure it out on our own works.

Yet, he freely brings them out one at a time as we need them.

Slowly we add new insights to the ones we already have as long as we’re open to the new.

Yet, they’re all priceless. Understanding how to live in God’s power is beyond any other treasure we could hope for.

And it opens to us the life he promises to his children.

 

*Matthew 13:52 (NIV)

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How to Discover the Secrets of Living with Amazing Power

March 2, 2016 by

So what do we do when everything is sailing along smoothly and we get blindsided by a challenge? Suddenly our orderly world gets turned upside down. What should we do then?

Jesus hints at the answer in a parable, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”*

Literally the word instructed means to search out and find the secrets of living in God’s kingdom.

See, someone can go to church or frankly graduate from seminary yet still miss understanding the mysteries of living in God’s amazing power.

It’s reserved only for those who keep seeking to understand it.

I look back over my own life and see some discoveries as well as wrong turns. Yet, I would say, if I did anything correctly it was simply to keep seeking.

I believe God intended for us to live an amazing power filled life. And because of that I’ve never been content with anything less.

Jesus then promises the secrets locked away will be brought out in the open.

Now, that’s the kind of life I want.

 

*Matthew 13: 52 (NIV)

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Why Is It So Hard to Understand the Secrets of Living Effectively?

February 29, 2016 by

Do you ever have those times when you feel like you’re finally getting this thing called life figured out? Then wham you get blindsided and you’re left flailing?

I’ve gone through that I don’t even know how many times. In fact, occasionally I get just a little edgy when I feel like everything is wired up. I start wondering, “Do I really have it figured out or am I in the eye of the hurricane?”

I know I’m not supposed to think that way but just sometimes.

I’ve seen many different reactions when people are hit with challenges that defy understanding. Heck, I’ve had many different reactions.

Sometimes we double down. Head down. Try harder doing the same things. Step up the pace.

The problem is sometimes we’re racing in the wrong direction.

Or we want to give up. Quit. Nada. No more. “I’ve had enough.”

But the problem doesn’t leave does it?

So why are we faced with these seemingly unknowable challenges? Why is life so confusing at times?

Perhaps we weren’t meant to walk all in our own knowledge.

Perhaps when we slow down enough to focus on the one who has all the answers we’ll find them.

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When Death is Finally Defeated

February 26, 2016 by

When I stand by the graveside of a loved one I’m struck by the finality of it all. And honestly often I’m plagued by doubts. Maybe you are too.

Jesus told a parable about the kingdom of heaven being like a net thrown from a boat gathering up fish. Then he concludes, “They sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age.”*

Unfortunately, that’s been used to scare people into a relationship with God. Yet, I don’t believe Jesus intended it that way.

Personally I see comfort in it.

When this life ends it really isn’t the end. We’re promised Heaven. There we’ll be with God and our loved ones.

He offers this to everyone. I think when we get to Heaven we’ll be surprised by some who are there. Heck, maybe some will be surprised by us.

In the end, though, there are some who completely reject God and choose to live apart from him so God finally gives them what they wanted.

Yet, also realize this doesn’t depend on us swimming into the net. But simply accepting the love God offers.

 

*Matthew 13:48-49 (NIV)

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Finding Hope When Face to Face with Death

February 24, 2016 by

I would guess most of us, when faced with the death of a loved one, have doubts assail us. I’m sure there are some with immovable faith. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those.

And grappling with death brings out the worst of my questions.

So in those times it helps me to re-read promises and stories from scripture.

Jesus told a parable that I find comforting. “The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore.”*

I find this comforting because God takes the initiative to gather up his followers. It’s not because they navigated perfectly into the net but because God in his love draws them in.

Also, he offers his kingdom to everyone. No predetermination. No entrance exam. Everyone is welcome.

In a sense, all I can do is relax and choose to be a part of it. I can’t gain more of it or lose any it.

I enter in simply by accepting it. Really, how could it be any other way?

And when I remember those things it helps calm the storm clouds of doubt.

 

*Matthew 13:47-48 (NIV)

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Death Sucks!

February 22, 2016 by

I hate death!

A few days ago I conducted my mother-in-law’s funeral. A year ago my father-in-law’s. Twelve years ago my dad’s and 10 months later my mom’s.

I hate the finality. That loved one I’ll no longer enjoy.

Oh, I’m often thankful when their suffering ends. But I hate saying goodbye.

I also hate that it always causes me twinges of doubt about this place we call Heaven.

On a good day I believe. But I’ll tell you when I’m standing beside a grave, looking at a casket, doubt creeps in again.

I hate that.

How dare it intrude in this solemn occasion? How dare it sneak in uninvited and crash this gathering? And how dare it do this when I’m conducting a funeral?

Sometimes I wonder, “God why is it so hard sometimes for me to believe?”

Then I think, “Perhaps it’s hard for a lot of people at times and I need to let others know it’s ok.”

And because when I’m standing by a grave it reminds me this life is incredibly short so don’t waste a minute.

Then I choose to rest again in believing Heaven is for real and I will be with my loved ones there someday.

And that is enough.

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What an Amazing Miracle Life Looks Like

February 19, 2016 by

So what difference does going to church make anyway? Frankly, the statistics aren’t encouraging for differentiating from those who don’t.

I’ve had people say to me, “Well, a little religion is a good thing. Just don’t overdo it.”

And I’ve responded, “I agree.” That usually causes a confused look.

But when you grasp the promises of the amazing life that God offers, in a relationship with him apart from religion, you can’t overdo it.

Proverbs gives a picture of gaining God’s wisdom.

“For she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”*

Think about why we desire riches.

We use it to buy things to bring happiness.

We use it to encourage others to like us and honor us.

We use it to keep score of success.

We hoard it for security.

Yet, God promises all of that and more in a relationship with him. He promises his wisdom will be worth far more in bringing us an unimaginable life.

And I’ve found that wisdom comes as I continually seek God’s answers on how to live in that relationship with him most effectively.

 

*Proverbs 3:14-15 (NIV)

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How to Discover the Incredible Life God Offers

February 17, 2016 by

So why is there such a wide divergence between the incredible power-filled life God promises and the struggling lives we see in so many regular church-goers?

Frankly, I don’t have a clear answer and I’m not judging. Truthfully, I’ve had more than my share of personal struggles.

But I also look back at my life journey and see over time growing closer to God and more into understanding how to live in his power.

For me it began from non-belief to believing God existed to anticipating the remarkable power-filled life he offers. And I’ve continued to seek out the answers for how to live it in that power.

Yes, I’ve chased down my share of blind alleys but never given up the dream.

From this vantage point though, I look back and see God with me through it all, the victories and the struggles.

If I could summarize it, for me it comes down to desire. Believing God’s promise is real and desiring it more than anything else.

It’s a clue I see in a parable Jesus told, “God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.”*

 

*Matthew 13:45-46 (MSG)

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What Difference Does Going to Church Really Make?

February 15, 2016 by

Study after study from Christian research organizations show an alarming trend.

Those who attend church regularly have nearly the same divorce rate as those who don’t. The percentage of people struggling with devastating emotional issues is identical. The level of addiction to prescription pain medication is about the same in the church as outside.

Something’s gone off the rails. It feels somehow like God’s power has left the building.

So what’s the response?

More sermons on, “Six steps to live effectively.” Or, “How to have the right kind of faith.” Or some deep theological thesis.

The ones struggling go to church hoping for answers. Yet, they look around and everyone else seems so happy. They think, “They’ve all got it together. What’s wrong with me?”

And the others are looking back at them thinking the same thing.

They leave feeling like a failure. Ignored by a church that has no idea what they’re going through. And perhaps feeling rejected by God because they just can’t measure up.

I know. I’ve been there at times.

But life wasn’t intended this way. We were meant to live victoriously and filled with power.

What would happen if we heard that and truly expected it?

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You Truly Can Live a Miracle Filled Life

February 12, 2016 by

I’m not sure sometimes when I look back, why this amazing life God offers actually took in me. I mean, I was a most unlikely candidate.

Heading in wrong directions with full after-burners blazing. No interest at all in going to church unless to meet cute girls.

Yet, somehow when I committed my life to God I really meant it. I had enough of a glimpse of the amazing life he promised and somehow a flicker of anticipation that I jumped full in.

I look back now, several decades later, and think, “Wow, what a ride.”

I was literally changed from the inside. The old issues slowly subsided. No not all at once. Heck, there are days it’s still a work in progress.

I found new and healthy relationships, one of which led to my marriage and family.

I headed in new directions and discovered a challenging yet so rewarding life.

And I’ve been a bystander watching God work occasionally some full up unexplainable miracles.

It’s what the apostle Paul wrote, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”*

Frankly, I feel the same way.

 

*Philippians 3:8 (NIV)

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