Jealous for me

“He is jealous for me…”
(“How He Loves,” David Crowder Band)

Last week, I got an incredible glimpse of what it means to have a God who is jealous. In fact, Scripture tells us that His very name is Jealous. In a world where jealousy and covetousness destroys relationships, what could it possibly mean for God to be so?

God is jealous for me. His jealousy is a zeal that arises when sin threatens to destroy our relationship. Bottom line? He loves me so much that He can’t stand for anything to get in the way of my relationship with Him.

And the question weighing on my heart for the past week has been, Why aren’t I the same way?

Why do I constantly run to other pleasures, knowing that He is the only One who can ultimately satisfy? Why do I pursue success and status, when He already loves me with a passion I can’t fathom? Why do I stubbornly turn my back to Him, when He so gently invites me into His embrace? Why do I chase selfish dreams that were never meant to be “caught,” when I can hold on to a God who wants so desperately for me to know Him?

I don’t know, my friends. I simply don’t know…

Reap What You Sow (pt 6)

The day after Jethro arrives, he visits Moses at work as he judges the people and helps them resolve their conflicts. While there, Jethro notices a problem – both Moses and the people are wearing themselves out because of the way things are organized. Everyone waits around for Moses, since he is the only judge. At some point during the day, Jethro pulls Moses aside. “What you are doing is not good,” he says. “The thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone” (Exodus 18:17-18). Jethro’s advice to Moses is three-fold: (1) teach the Israelites God’s laws so that they know the “way they should walk” before they encounter conflict, (2) look for other men who can help judge the smaller cases, and (3) have the more difficult cases brought to him.

Though it is interesting to see how Jethro comes alongside his son-in-law, it is humbling to watch how Moses — the great leader of the Israelites — responds. He doesn’t complain, nor does he take offense at this unsolicited bit of counsel. Instead, he takes Jethro’s advice to heart and does everything he encouraged him to do. What is your typical response to godly counsel from others? Are you willing to invite others to speak into your life when they see you heading down a dangerous or destructive path? 

• Read Numbers 11:14. Moses later finds himself frustrated with the Israelites’ behavior. What is his cry to God? What does this show us about his response to Jethro’s advice?
• Sometimes it is important for us to seek out counsel instead of letting it come to us. Is there an issue in your life where you need the wisdom of others?
• Read Psalm 32:8-9. Though God has given us relationships to help carry us through life, people are not perfect. There will be times when they are not there for us. Know that God is always there — guiding you, instructing you, and leading you in the way you should go.

Reap What You Sow (pt 5)

It was like a good cup of coffee with a longtime friend. The last time Jethro had seen him, his son-in-law Moses was leaving for Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery. I’m sure they had talked about Moses’ experience with the burning bush and encountering God on the mountain. Late night discussions revolved around when Moses would leave, how the Israelites would receive him (he had run away 40 years earlier), and just what God might have in store for His people. So when Jethro traveled out to the wilderness to meet with Moses, he was looking forward to hearing how it had all turned out. They went into Moses’ tent, where he proceeds to tell Jethro of “all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the Lord had delivered them” (Exodus 18:8). Jethro rejoices as he hears this good news, and they go before God and worship Him together.

I remember times like that — gathering with close friends, sharing what God is doing in our lives, worshiping Him through song, praying together. It is a precious part of being in His family. As we continue to look at the principle, “you reap what you sow,” consider the friendships you have developed over the past few years. Are they pleasing to God? Or are they steering you down the wrong path?

• Read Exodus 2:11-22. How did Jethro (Reuel) and Moses first meet? What was it that drew them together? How did God use this friendship to prepare Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery?
• Think about your own friendships. What drew you together? Do you share “all that the Lord has done” with each other?
• Read Proverbs 13:20. What does this verse teach us about the way relationships influence us?
• What are you learning from your friends? How might God be using your friendships to prepare you for a future task?

I Hear Them All

“The moaning and crying would crush us if we heard only a fraction of it.”
(Dr. Tackett)

His blood cries out
From the ground,
His body broken,
His life now gone.
Cain, My son,
What have you done?

Her voice and his
Shout their despair.
Under a bush hid,
Their future unclear.
Hagar and son –
Hold fast and live.

Their tears and groans
Came up to heaven
To be let go,
Be given freedom.
Israel, My child,
I see. I know.

They weep again,
Afflicted still.
Amidst oppression,
Though not alone.
Israel, My love,
Be not unfaithful.

Her heart was heavy,
She would not eat.
She wants a son,
Her longing deep.
Hannah, I hear
Your silent weeping.

Broken-hearted,
Crushed in spirit,
You cry for help,
Look for peace.
Don’t fear, My child,
Know I am near.

Aborted babies,
Trafficked girls,
Child soldiers
Around the world.

The poor and hungry
In war-torn nations.
Disaster strikes,
Leaves devastation.

I hear them all,
Each cry, each moan.
It breaks My heart
To depths unknown.

Where are My children?
Do I hear alone?

Scripture: Genesis 4:10, Genesis 21:16-18, Exodus 2:23-25, Judges 2:16-19, 1 Samuel 1:9-20, Psalm 34

Reap What You Sow (pt 4)

If I continue to feed my selfish desires and rationalize my sin, the result is a life far from God and far from others. I become that “prickly cactus,” out in the desert on my own, hurting anyone who dares to draw too close. There are moments when I stop and ask myself, “Did I really just do that? Why did I say that to her? Why did I react that way with him?” My actions and my words betray that the kind of seeds I’m sowing are not very pleasant ones.

However, if I choose to plant seeds of righteousness and godliness, if I bury them deep in His Word, if I water that seed with prayer and obedience, if I uproot any weeds of pride or conceit… then I can bear fruit that is pleasing to my Savior, knowing that it really isn’t me, but God who is bringing His fruit to bear in my life. Peace, patience, kindness — the fruit I bear is part of His nature. The Holy Spirit works in my heart to make me more like Him! Others see this fruit and know that I am truly a disciple of Christ, bringing much glory to my Father. What do others see when they look at you? 

• Read Matthew 12:33-35. How do we know what kind of seed we’re planting?
• Be honest — What seeds are you currently sowing? How are you spending your time, energy, and money?
• Read Galatians 5:16-25. If we aren’t bearing His fruit, we need to change the seed we’re sowing. What changes can you make this week to uproot any bad seed and plant His seed instead?
• In John 15:5, Jesus invites us to abide in Him, the true Vine. As you spend time in prayer, ask God to show you what it means to abide in Him, and how this impacts not only your relationship with Him, but also your relationships with others.

Reap What You Sow (pt 3)

The instructions were clear: destroy everything. Everything! Yet Saul wanders from this command and decides to do his own thing. He decides to keep the good animals and destroy only the worthless ones. When the prophet Samuel approaches him, Saul proudly proclaims, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord!” Samuel’s reply is quick and to the point. “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?… Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” Saul is pretty good at justifying his actions, first saying they intentionally saved the animals to be offered as sacrifices to God, and then blaming the people for keeping them instead of destroying them as commanded.

Are we like Saul, rationalizing behavior that we know is wrong? Do we claim to follow Christ when we’re really just following our own selfish desires and preferences? Even when we do good things, our motivation can so easily get twisted. No, my friends, we cannot trust our own heart. But we can trust His! We need to rely on His judgment and direction, even if we don’t understand. Especially when we don’t understand. In what ways have you been following your own desires instead of His?

• Read 1 Samuel 15. God’s command to Saul is pretty clear. Are there any “shady” commandments for us, or is God clear in how He wants us to behave?
• Where are you justifying your behavior? Are there any areas in your life where you need to “prune” or “dig up” bad seed that you have sown?
• Do you have anyone like Samuel in your life who is willing to call you on your disobedience and sin? Is there anyone who can warn you when they see you heading down a dangerous or destructive path?

Reap What You Sow (pt 2)

After we acknowledge that it is only by God’s grace and power that we can sow seeds of righteousness and godliness, we can commit to a set of practices called spiritual disciplines – reading the Bible, praying, serving, giving, investing in others and allowing them to invest in us. By engaging in these practices, we open ourselves for the Spirit to work in us and make us more like Christ. We find ourselves caring more deeply for those we used to overlook, or responding in gentleness instead of anger when frustrating situations arise.

As we have already learned, change is often a slow process. It can be hard to continue with these practices when we do not see immediate transformation in our lives. But do not give up! God promises that we will reap in due time (Galatians 6:9). Keep reading the Bible, even when you don’t feel like it. Persevere in your prayer time, even when you don’t know what to say. Continue giving of your time and energy, even when you feel like you have nothing left to offer. Keep sowing, watering, pruning, and weeding and watch God grow you into the image of His Son.

• Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What does it mean that all Scripture is “breathed out by God”? What is Scripture good for? How can the Bible train us in righteousness?
• Read Proverbs 22:6. We can “sow seeds” for others and help them cultivate godliness in their lives. Who has God placed in your circle of influence that you could help grow (i.e., children, nieces or nephews, coworkers, students)? How can you encourage them in their faith?
• For the past year, we’ve focused our First Wednesday services on the spiritual disciplines. Take time to (re)listen to the messages from those services and ask God how you can go deeper into these practices. You can find the messages online at wccconnect.com.

Reap What You Sow (pt 1)

Sometimes we just don’t see it. The change in us happens so slowly that it is imperceptible… the weight gain, the friends who drift away (or were we the ones who drifted?), the turning to TV instead of family at night. We don’t see the effects of those changes until the damage has already been done. That’s why the saying “you reap what you sow” can be so difficult to believe. We’ve fooled ourselves into thinking we don’t have to face the consequences of our actions.

Yet the Bible is clear: we will reap what we sow. And God calls us to sow seeds of righteousness and godliness. But how do we do that? Before we “do” anything, we must acknowledge that it is only by God’s grace that we are trained “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” (Titus 2:12). God not only calls us to live godly lives, but empowers us to do so by changing our attitudes, transforming our minds, and conforming our hearts to His. How has He already done that in your life?  

• Look at your habits and routines. What will you reap if you continue sowing those kinds of seeds?
• Read James 4:1-7. How do our worldly passions or pleasures hinder our relationship with God? What does this passage call us to do in response?
• Read Galatians 5:16-25 and Romans 6:15-23. Compare living by the flesh (slaves to sin) and living by the Spirit (slaves to righteousness/God). What fruit does each type of living bear? Which one best describes your life?
• Spend some time in silence before God. Thank Him for His grace and the changes He has already made in your life. Then ask Him what worldly passions and pleasures you need to renounce so you can pursue Him instead.

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. International Justice Mission is just one organization fighting to stop slavery in its many forms. Please take three minutes and watch the video below.

(Seriously, it’s three minutes. You can afford to take three minutes to watch it. Trust me.)

As Gary said, trafficking CAN be stopped! To learn more about how you can make a difference, visit IJM’s website.

How Big is Your Plate?

Time and energy management is an issue I focused on a lot in my coaching… and it’s a topic that has re-surfaced this week in conversations with friends. It seems too many of us don’t know what activities to say “yes” to, and which ones to pass up. And so we grow tired, frustrated, and joyless.

There are several frameworks we can use to look at time and energy management, but one of the most helpful I grabbed from Mark Driscoll. He encourages us to imagine our time/energy as a plate. Everyone has a plate — some have dinner plates, some have little plates, some have platters. The bigger the plate, the more you can handle.

“The key is to know how big your plate is, accept the size of your plate, keep it full,” he says. If you’re going to put something on there, you need to take something else off. That often means that we need to make some tough choices — which organization do we volunteer with, what church activities do we participate in, what people do we continue to meet with?

“The problem with planning is that most people will fill up their plate and then they’ll start throwing other things on their plate to where it’s all falling off the plate, and that’s when you’re late, you’re broke, you’re burned out, you don’t have any margin because the plate is totally full and you just keep stacking stuff on.”

What about you? How big is your plate? Is it full? overflowing? not full enough? filled with the right things?

Mark asks,

• What top three time, emotion, and energy wasters do you need to drop right now?
• What three changes in your life would make the biggest difference?
• What is an obstacle that is keeping you from living by your convictions?

If you want to hear Mark’s complete message, go HERE and listen to “Proverbs: Planning.” He offers a lot of practical advice that will be helpful for everyone. There’s also a great article from Dave Kraft about “passion leaks” HERE.