Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Hi, my name is: Doubting Thomas


I've done a lot of doubting lately. I've doubted if I'm in the right career. Doubted if God is really using me. Doubted if He actually called me to where I am right now. Doubted my gifts and capabilities.

DOUBT: that bitter enemy that creeps into the back of your mind and subtly whispers, "you're not good enough," until you actually believe it.

James 1:6 says, "Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind."

When you doubt, you allow fear to control you.

Doubt destroys confidence, and not in a good way like that in which humility destroys arrogance.  It limits our potential. It produces fear rather than contentment. It will cause you to miss the opportunities that God puts in your path.

God told Joshua, "Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9) and this command still rings true for us today.

God is not expecting perfection of us, for that has already been attained in the work of the cross! What He is expecting, is for us to follow in faith. To trust that He has not given us more than we can handle. To believe that He will indeed use us to glorify Him and further His kingdom, no matter how large or small the task may seem.

We can have confidence, because our confidence is in Christ.

photo via Pinterest

Friday, April 1, 2016

Make America Great Again

 
Yes, this post is about to get political, but probably not in the direction you're expecting. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to rally in prayer with Franklin Graham and thousands of my neighbors on the steps of the State Capitol. It did my heart so much good, because the way we as God's people organize ourselves, matters to our Creator. Already back in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, God lays down some guidelines to ensure that those in authority do not elevate themselves above those whom they exercise power over. It is made clear that leaders are to be humble and not only familiar with, but guided by, God's laws. When the Israelites asked for a massive shift in their God-ordained system, it also shifted the fate of their nation. Like so many Biblical accounts, their demand for a king identical to that of their pagan neighbors contains relevant nuggets of wisdom.

For God knew their selfish hearts. He knew where a king would lead. He also knew they would reject Samuel's warning, but commands him to warn them nonetheless. And Samuel does exactly that, because he lived a life of obedience, and trusted everything to God's hands.

"So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him. He said, 'These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take... he will take... he will take... and in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer in that day'... But the people refused to obey... And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Obey their voice and make them a king.'" -1 Samuel 8:10-22

God allows for them to appoint their own king. The people attempt to reject God's rule, yet they cannot escape it. Our Lord is omnipotent: all powerful. He will never abdicate His throne, even if man asks Him to. This underlying issue of fleeing God's sovereignty is not new to us today in America and it was not new to Israel. In fact, this issue begins all the way back in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve rejected God's rule over them. As sinful mankind, we seek power and autonomy. Yet the "naked truth" is we cannot retain both sovereignty to ourselves and citizenship to the Kingdom of God.

We know how this story ends for Israel. Saul becomes king. It's a mess. We're a mess. But we can rejoice because the King of all Kings comes, dies for us, rises from the grave, and ascends into heaven on the promise that He will come again to establish the only Kingdom that could literally be heaven on earth.

But that is to come, and for now it is important that we learn from the mistakes God's people have made in the past. It's clear that a nation gets the leaders it deserves. This should definitely concern us. What kind of a leader do you think we as a nation deserve in our current circumstance?

We are so blessed to live in a land where "We the People" are the government. We have the ability to unite for truth, love, equality, and justice. There is no substitute for personal responsibility in the home, in the church, and in our community. We have been called to be Samuel's to a country of Israelites. The people might not listen, but we still need to proclaim God's message and live a life of obedience to our One True King. So Samuel, are you ready?

Monday, March 28, 2016

Not Exactly a Fairytale

I've always loved the story of Esther: a small-town orphan girl wins a beauty pageant and the crown she receives is to a real kingdom. At first glance it seems like textbook Disney material, but the "happily ever after" is still "far, far away". Esther has just been plucked from her home and placed in a pagan land. She finds herself married to a controlling ruler who struggles with drinking and rash decision-making. And then, when a plot to destroy the Jews is revealed, she risks it all. Esther could have said, "I don't want to jeopardize my position. No one will ever find out I am a Jew. I am going to be careful and play it safe." Little did she know it was God's plan for her to be there at that specific time in order to rescue her people. A bold girl in the right place at the right time saved an entire nation from annihilation.

The story of Esther is saturated with this theme of God's providence, even though He is never specifically mentioned. God’s supposed "absence" is used by the author to remind us how the Lord works through seemingly ordinary events to achieve His purposes. Esther teaches us that although we often cannot see God in the face of adversity, He is still present and orchestrating all things for our good.

Right now, I feel a little bit like Esther. No, I'm not living in a palace. No, I definitely won't be winning any beauty pageants. But I've left my family and moved to a foreign land alone; a place where I, as a Christian, am definitely in the minority. Esther's story reminds me that God has a specific purpose in bringing me to Salt Lake City. What comfort to know that He created me with this very plan in mind! Whatever overwhelming trial you are currently facing, God has a purpose for placing you in the midst of it. Will you take a stand?
 
Your reply may be, "But how?" Esther wasn't sure of God's plan either. Our next step won't always be clear. There will be times in your life when you've searched Scripture, prayed, sought wise advice, and yet a big unknown still remains. You can definitely take the time to sleep on it. Esther certainly did as she fasted and prayed for three days. But then there comes a point when you can wait no longer. You have to pull up your big girl (or boy) panties and step out in faith.

Today, let’s boldly step out and make ourselves available to God just as Esther did. God has created you, my friend, with a beautiful plan in mind. Perhaps it was for this particular trial, or to simply share the hope of eternal life! Be bold. Be courageous. And take faith. We may not have all the answers, but we certainly serve a God who does!
 

 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Not All Who Wander, Lust.

wanderlust (v.): a strong urge or desire to explore and enjoy the world

This earth is filled with wonder, and my heart with wanderlust.
God has given me such a desire to adventure and explore His dazzling creation.
It used to stress me out as I tried to compile a lengthy bucket-list of all the destinations I've dreamt of visiting, until Sunday when I heard a simple sentence that left a big impact and a content heart:

"the idea of our glorified bodies, gives us perspective to live with moderation"- Michael Spotts

Our bodies and life on earth are temporary, distorted by sin. But as Christians we have hope, because God has promised us the resurrection of both body and soul in Paradise.

"He will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body"
- Philippians 3:21

The hope of having a physical body in the future, helps us to live moderately in the means by which we enjoy the earth God has given us in the now. Before, I was tempted to cram an entire eternity of bodily pleasures in my one mortal experience. How comforting that we don't have to be gluttonous, because there will be enough! How comforting to know that we don't have to be adulterous, because it will be far better to communion with Jesus! How comforting that the New Earth will be a marvelous gallery of God's craftsmanship, and we won't depend on money or other needs to explore it! When you embrace this truth in your heart, it will change the way you live your life. Knowing our time here is limited, we shift our focus to glorifying God, rather than ourselves.

Don't get me wrong. I still possess the desire to experience God's remarkable creation, but no longer the lust. It's not a frantic need, that if unfulfilled before I die, renders me hopeless. Because I know what's awaiting me in eternity is infinitely better. Not only do these assurances provide us with comfort, but we can also have JOY. Why distinguish the difference? Comfort takes the edge off of sorrow, but joy entails pleasure. We find joy by meditating on, and anticipating the next life.

Q: How does "life everlasting" comfort you?
A: Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no man has ever imagined: a blessedness in which to praise God eternally.- Heidelberg Catechism

I am learning to sync my present condition, with the hope of the future. Instead of wandering, I wonder. Instead of lusting, I am content.

*adapted from Michael Spotts' sermon, "Trading in the Old Tent"