Contentment in 2013

We love to quote Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him (Jesus) who gives me strength.” However, to separate it from Philippians 4:12 is a mistake.  Philippians 4:12 states, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” 

The strength we receive from Christ “to do all things” in Philippians 4:13 is the ability to endure and be content and not about achieving great things that garner recognition from the world.  The longer I walk with Christ, the more I appreciate the endurance of older godly saints who have shown great poise, contentment, and joy in the face of great adversity.   

Hope for 2013

Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:6-8

What we are seeing has always been (since the fall of mankind) and will always be until Christ returns. Man is totally depraved and sinful and without the Savior Jesus, life is hopeless. However Jesus also said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be SAVED. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the FULL.” John 10:9-10. 

Trust Christ, life for Him, life selflessly and get equipped to glorify Him (Find a good Bible believing church, read the Bible, seek Christ in prayer as a start). Jesus is the only source to truly restore hope.

God commands David to build an alter in Jerusalem which ultimately becomes the site of the temple in Solomon’s reign (2 Samuel 24: 18-25). Araunah owned the site where the alter was to be built and offered to give it to David along with the oxen to sacrifice.  However, David responded, “But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver” (2 Samuel 24:24 ESV).  This is a great reminder that whatever we bring before God as an offering and act of worship (whether it is money, time, giving up fleshly deeds, etc.) must be done with the intent to sacrifice something.  We can be guilty of trying to shortchange God and make our sacrifices as painless and as cheap as possible.  If there is no real sacrifice, there is no real homage paid to God.  Jesus exemplified this most magnificently on the cross to redeem mankind which ultimately glorified His father.  The cross cost Him His life, but there was nothing that could have honored His Father more. 

Church Hoppers

Wow only 3.5 years since my last blog post.  Let’s see if we can resurrect this thing.  Here are a few thoughts on church hoppers.  The following thoughts do not take into account those who are in the military or who have to move often.  These thoughts are based on those who are one place for over 10 years.  I also recognize that every rule has an exception.  So, here goes…..

If you are on your third church in 10 years chances are there are one of two things happening. One, you are not really seeking Christ on where He wants you to plug in a make a difference in His Kingdom. There is obviously some very poor discernment taking place in the lives of church hoppers. Two, you are so thin skinned or selfish that you let the littlest thing drive you away. Remember the church isn’t there to serve you; you are there to serve the church. We often treat the church like McDonald’s and if someone gets our order wrong, we write them off and go to Burger King.  Jesus told Peter that the church is unstoppable and that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Our fickleness makes the church LOOK very stoppable.