3 Reasons Why Following God is Difficult

From Sunday’s message entitled “The Call of Abraham,” consider the below points that we all, from time to time, experience in our lives.

1. It’s not easy to follow God’s commands sometimes, because we’re afraid of the unknown. Abraham didn’t have all the details, but he did follow God’s command to go to a new land.
2. It’s not easy to follow God’s commands sometimes, because we’re “comfortable” where we are. Abraham had to leave the comforts of home in order to obey God.
3. It’s not easy to follow God’s commands sometimes, because we aren’t use to walking by faith. Hebrews 11:8 makes an excellent point here, putting up Abraham as an example of faith.

Needless to say, although these points are relevant, neither of the 3 makes disobedience permissible. In fact, they all show our lack of trust in God’s goodness and ability to supply all of our needs. Let’s acknowledge our tendency, and combat them with trust and obedience!

Blessings,

Joe

Help!

Never underestimate the strength that there is in a helper. For some reason, we feel as if we’re unsuccessful unless we’re doing everything all the time, a sort of Superman complex that has robbed us of our ability to ask, “Hey, you’re really gifted at this, would you mind helping me?”

I was recently reminded of this in 2 ways. The first way is a positive example. I delegated an important, repeating task to a church member who has done a fantastic job. It has reflected well on both her as a member and me as a leader.

The second example is negative. When someone has a responsibility and fails to accomplish it, suddenly the importance of having faithful, reliable volunteers who actively use their gifts is apparent.

Don’t neglect the gifted people that God has placed around you. They may be there to multiply your productivity, help you grow in humility, or simply to be a friend.

Remembering John R. W. Stott

On Wednesday, July 27, 2011 John R. W. Stott died due to complications with old age (he was 90). According to reports, his last few weeks were spent in relative discomfort.

If you don’t know, Stott was essentially the Protestant Pope. He was a colossal figure in Evangelical Christianity. His writings were widely circulated (just one of his books, Basic Christianity, was translated into 60 languages). His sermons were listened to around the world by hundreds of nations and people groups, Christians and non-Christians alike. His social involvement, helping the poor for example, was also applauded.

Personally, Stott made a huge impression. I remember “finding” him in college and falling in love with his intellectual but simple style. In fact, to this day I require his books for the classes that I teach. So, here are some great recommendations for you to consider. I want to share the wealth, and I hope that God will bless you through Stott as He has blessed me.

Basic Christianity (short, simple, and straightforward)

The Cross of Christ (lengthy, thorough, and theological–and great)

Your Mind Matters (a short, thoughtful book on the Christian thought life)

Issues Facing Christians Today (some 500 pages of issues like war and human rights)

Blessings,

Joe

Rain, Rain, and More Rain

In view of this morning’s deluge, here are some lessons from the Bible on rain!

• Rain is a reminder of God’s judgment in Noah’s time (Genesis 6-9).
• Rain is God’s means of growing produce (Psalm 145:8).
• Rain is a picture of God’s blessing (Joel 2:23). 
• Rain is a gift from God, on both the good and bad (Matthew 5:45).

PS–Drive safely!

Blessings,

Joe

A Three-Dimensional Life

It’s easy to live a life that’s one-dimensional so that people don’t see the natural contours of our personality and character. The truth, however, is that people will only be deceived for so long–yourself included! Reaching people for Jesus requires us to be three-dimensional Christians who are sincere and courageous, working on our faults while simultaneously acknowledging that we’re not perfect. Paul once told a church that he not only shared the Gospel with them but even himself–his personality, his mind, his heart. That’s a great example. I believe we’ll make a greater impact on the world for Jesus if we honestly and courageously live three-dimensional lives.  

Blessings,

Joe

Patience and Success

Patience is an important ingredient to success, because God has chosen time to be the matrix of his sanctifying work. To put it simply, God seldom does anything in an instant. For His reasons–and He has His reasons!–He has chosen to work with you and me on a day-by-day, week-to-week basis that unapologetically challenges our I-want-it-now mentality. Why? Because our messes didn’t pile up overnight? Sure. But here’s the real reason: there are no shortcuts on the path to personal godliness. Blood, sweet, tears? Yes! Shortcuts? No! The encouragement for the present is the future. Keep your eyes on the goal, the end result, the final product. Job said, “When he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23:10), and this promise is yours and mine. Be patient. Endure.

Blessings,

Joe

James: A Study in Practical Christianity

 

Beginning January 23, 2011 at New City Church . . .

Lessons from My Abuela’s Life

I had the privilege and honor of speaking at my abuela’s funeral this week.  As might be expected, it was tough, but it forced me to reflect on the lessons that I’ve learned (directly and indirectly) from her life. I wanted to share!

1. Take care of what belongs to you. My abuela grew up and raised a family on the heels of the Great Depression. So, she took pride in what belonged to her (and especially the people who belonged to her). Her home was simple, but organized, clean, and inviting.

2. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Anyone who knew abuela knew that she never minced words. Everyone knew how she felt on any given subject or issue in a few short sentences. And her point of view was always pushed by her character . . . she simply was a great woman.

3. Make and enjoy good food. Abuela could cook and make a delicious plate of food faster than anyone I’ve ever known . . . and even if there were 100 people–all unexpected!–she could make the food last.

4. Love your family, with the good, the bad, and all of the in between. Every family has its “stuff,” its “baggage.” Abuela knew this, but she loved everyone in our family anyway. She was the matriarch, and she led by example. She loved all of us, and did so unconditionally.

We miss you abuela . . .

The Apostle Paul, John Wooden, and Investing with Patience

I was recently watching a documentary on the UCLA basketball team of the 60′s and 70′s. (For those of you who are ignorant of basketball history, UCLA dominated college basketball at that time.) The famed coach, John Wooden, was being highlighted as a leader who was able to hold his team together during the turbulent times surrounding Vietnam, racial tension, and that whole love, hippie thing, movement, thing . . . Anyway, his books and teachings are still celebrated today. Check them out here.

Numerous players–like Bill Walton and Beau Bridges–were interviewed and openly discussed what it was like to be a basketball player during the Wooden reign. Toward the end, Walton explained: “I didn’t realize that coach was teaching us more than basketball; years later I realized that he was teaching us about life. Now I find myself telling my kids what coach used to tell us on the court.”

So, I was thinking . . . How often do we see an immediate return on our investments? Not too often. And when you invest your own time, effort, and energy into people, it may be a while before you see or experience the benefits, but don’t despair. In his day, the Apostle Paul was aware of the same predicament, and he wrote this encouragement: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).  So don’t grow discouraged in your godly work. Investments take time grow. Lessons take time to appreciate. But your faithfulness may be what brings it together in the end. To quote Wooden, “We shouldn’t expect good things to happen overnight. Actually, getting something too easily or too soon can cheapen the outcome.”

Blessings,

Joe

Christmas Perspective

If you’re one of the few people in this country who haven’t been severely affected by the recession, and still has a few bucks to buy gifts for loved ones this Christmas, count your blessings. No one’s doing as well as they were before: modern-day financial difficulties are an unavoidable reality.

But, oddly enough, today’s difficulties may be providing us with a little perspective. I mean, seriously . . . we’re still getting things that we want, right? My wife got Coach glasses (on sale, duh!) and I got cologne (and it’s not from a gas station). Even a friend recently told me that she’s climbed out of debt. It’s possible, rare but possible.

In God’s eyes, though, would we ever be able to get out of spiritual, ethical debt? Could we ever be “rich” in His sight?  The Bible is clear on this point: the answer is no (Proverbs 20:9; Romans 3:10). So God gave us bankrupt, depraved people a gift . . . His Son. Paul calls Jesus an “inexpressible gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15), and this gives us a couple of principles to consider this Christmas, 2010.

First, don’t become selfish with the Gospel, because God’s not. You should share Jesus with others just the way God shared Him with you.

Second, give and give freely. Learn the principle that Paul borrowed from Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Third (borrowing from Emerson), give gifts that reflect you. Too often we give gifts that we pull off of a shelf. What ever happened to meaningful gifts? Poems? Letters? Handmade items? Or a homemade dinner for a friend? There are too many possibilities for us to spend our hard-earned money on useless items . . .

In the end, if we did get it all, and failed to connect with the Gospel, then we really lost everything (Matthew 16:26).

Merry Christmas, and thank God for His gift–Jesus!