{Day 24} Saved and Called: A Psalm of Thanksgiving

If you're just popping in on this November series, you can catch up here.

There's also a give-away in progress, get your name in the drawing here.

Psalm 65

1 Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
    to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 You who answer prayer,
    to you all people will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
    you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
    and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
    of your holy temple.

5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
    God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
    having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    and the turmoil of the nations.
8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy.

9 You care for the land and water it;
    you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
    to provide the people with grain,
    for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
    you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
    the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
    and the valleys are mantled with grain;
    they shout for joy and sing.

{Day 23} Saved and Called: What are the Spiritual Disciplines?

Hey!  One week till the give-away.  Drop your name in the invisible internet hat by leaving a comment here for a chance to win!  What's being given away?  This book, to enrich your Advent season,

and a sweet treat of some kind!

Now I must confess to you that we have guests this weekend and we stayed up till the clock struck twelve last night, so this post will likely be loaded with (more) typos (than usual) and more brief.  It's a good place for that, fortunately, because yesterday I said I'd share with you what the Spiritual Disciplines are.  We'll keep it to that for today.

When I think of the Disciplines, my mind goes to prayer, fasting, and giving, several practices Jesus addresses in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  Personal Bible study and repentance also come to mind.  Did you come up with others?  Let's see what Richard Foster includes in his book Celebration of Discipline.

He has the text divided into three parts: inward, outward, and corporate disciplines.

The Inward Disciplines

• Meditation
• Prayer
• Fasting
• Study

The Outward Disciplines

• Simplicity
• Solitude
• Submission
• Service

The Corporate Disciplines

• Confession
• Worship
• Guidance
• Celebration

We only have a week left in the series, so we will not be delving too much into any of these things, but perhaps we can spend a day on each category.  I am intrigued by the idea of corporate disciplines.  The Church can engage in practices together that draw them closer to the Lord.  I think that is very cool.  (Cool, such a profound vocabulary word, isn't it?!) I also wonder, in this stage of life with noise all around (all. the. time. - almost) about solitude.  Perhaps your interest is piqued enough that you'll grab this book and give it a read; I think I need to, too!

That's all for today, folks. [yawn & stretch] Can you think of passages that Foster might use to support and/or explain choosing the disciplines he chose for his chapters?  You can engage in the 'study' discipline this weekend to answer that question!

Tomorrow I'll have a Psalm of thanksgiving post for your reading pleasure.  More on the Disciplines on Monday.  Enjoy your weekend!!

{Day 22} Saved and Called: "I am the Vine"

If you're just popping in on this November series, you can catch up here.

There's also a give-away in progress, get your name in the drawing here.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you.No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:1-5

We are about to enter our last week in this exploration of what it means that God has saved us and called us to a holy life.  I have really enjoyed this examination of Scripture and the exercise of daily writing again this November.  (I am also looking forward to slowing down with the writing a bit in December.  Please, don't tell anyone.)  Thanks for coming along for the adventure!

To conclude the series, I want to take a peek into what Christians call the Spiritual Disciplines.  Wow, that phrase sounds like lots of fun, doesn't it?  Well, take a look at the verses I posted for you at the beginning.  The quick take-away from this and the rest of the passage in John 15 is that we cannot do life with Christ without a constant, abiding, dependent, and consistent connection with Him.  He is a constant, abiding, dependent, and consistent vine, a source of life and strength.  A disconnected branch benefits from none of that, but a connected one?  Well and, oh my and, indeed!  A connected branch is regularly nourished by the life and strength flowing from the Savior.

Jesus is not speaking here only monks and clerics.  He's teaching his disciples!

You too are a disciple of Christ if you belong to Him.  He's talking to you.  Dear ones, he says to us, I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

That last phrase is telling, isn't it?  We can strive, and struggle, and gather up our will power in the pulling up of our boot straps, but it's all for nothing apart from our Vine.  Bless His holy name!

But, how in heaven's name do we do the Spiritual Disciplines thing?  First, we start with our understanding of the purpose of the Spiritual Disciplines.  There is a lovely book that I have not read in years, but thought would fit well into this series, called Celebration of Discipline, by Richard J. Foster.  Today I'm going to leave you with some passages for contemplation from the first chapter titled, The Spiritual Disciplines: Door to Liberation.  (The title alone piques the interest, right?)

We must not be led to believe that the Disciplines are only for spiritual giants and hence beyond our reach, or only for contemplatives who devote all their time to prayer and meditation.  Far from it.  God intends the Disciplines of the spiritual life to be for ordinary human beings: people who have jobs, who care for children, who wash dishes and mow lawns.  p 1 

Joy is the keynote of all the Disciplines.  The purpose of the Disciplines is liberation from the stifling slavery to self-interest and fear.  When the inner spirit is liberated from all that weighs it down, it can hardly be described as dull drudgery.  Singing, dancing, even shouting characterize the Disciplines of the spiritual life. p 2 

We need not be well advanced in matters of theology to practice the Disciplines. ... The primary requirement a longing after God.  p 2 

God has given us the Disciplines of the spiritual life as a means of receiving his grace.  The Disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us.  ...  This is the way it is with the Spiritual Disciplines -- they are God's way of getting us into the ground; they put us where he can work within us and transform us.  p 7 

We must always remember that the path does not produce the change; it only places us where the change can occur.  This is the path of disciplined grace.  p 8 

As we enter the world of the Spiritual Disciplines, there will always be the danger of turning them into laws.  But we are not left to our own human devices.  Jesus Christ has promised to be our ever-present Teacher and Guide.  His voice is not hard to hear.  His direction is not hard to understand.  If we are beginning to calcify what should always remain alive and growing, he will tell us.  We can trust his teaching.  If we are wandering off toward some wrong idea or unprofitable practice, he will guide us back.  If we are willing to listen to the Heavenly Monitor, we will receive the instruction we need.  p 10-11

Ah yes, the Christian life all comes back to and centers around Christ.  He is the vine; we are the branches.

Aren't you now wondering what the Spiritual Disciplines are?  Try making a list and we can compare it to Jesus' teaching and Foster's Table of Contents.  We'll move in that direction tomorrow!

{Day 21} Saved and Called: Created in Christ Jesus to do Good Works

If you're just popping in on this November series, you can catch up here.

There's also a give-away in progress, get your name in the drawing here.

Yesterday the letter to the Galatians provided us with the idea of nailing our sinful nature to the cross and keeping it there, because we have a new way of life in the Spirit!  Today we'll spend some time in another passage that contrasts the life of the Christian before conversion and after.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:1-10

Similar to the verse that was the impetus for this series, Paul talks here about how God, who has saved us and called us to the holy life - not because of anything we had done, but because of His own purpose and grace.

Isn't it beautiful?!

You were dead, ruled by Satan, controlled by your cravings, and deserving of wrath, dear Christian.  BUT GOD.  Yes!  BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ, placed us under His rule, rescued us from our cravings, and delivered us from His wrath.

Paul is then quick to remind the Ephesians that it's not by works they have been saved, but by the will and grace of Almighty God, who does what pleases Him.  But then he also includes that last verse, that I bolded.  The impression I get from that is this:

God made you; God saved you; God's got work for you!

We know that it is not work that saves us.  That's been done!  Our identity and place in God's family are secure in Christ.  But it seems that not only did God save us on purpose, He saved us with a purpose for us in mind.  Obviously, it is to live our lives to His glory, and we can do that by doing good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Oh, I think that's so cool.  God sees through and lives outside of time.  Even when we're still dead in our transgressions, He knows when He will save us and has plans for us!  We don't need to go searching for purpose, we need to seek Him!  Getting to know our Savior God, asking Him to soften our hearts to His Spirit, leaning daily on the blood and righteousness of Christ, all these things set us up to be walking right smack dab in the middle of the works He has for us - that He prepared in advance for us to do.

How about a take-away assignment for today?

If you feel a little nudge inside you today, even if it seems like something strange for you to do, but is good and lines us with the way of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), ROLL WITH IT and see what happens.  God uses His people as His hands and feet in the world!  For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Have fun loving and serving the Lord with joy today!

{Day 20} Saved and Called: The Fruit of the Spirit

If you're just popping in on this November series, you can catch up here.

There's also a give-away in progress, get your name in the drawing here.

Today, considering Paul's words in Galatians 5:16-26, we will consider another aspect of living the holy life to which God calls us: repentance.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Boy, oh boy!  There is so much to unpack here.  I will do my best to be concise.

There is war raging inside you, Christian.  If you are in Christ and belong to God, you can now live by the Spirit.  The challenge we face this side of heaven, however, is that our sinful nature will daily try to take over.  So if you feel conflicted at moments, like you have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, you are experiencing normal Christian life.  As Paul says, the Spirit and the flesh want very different things.  The former, to honor and please God, the latter to please the evil one and itself.  Oh yes, there is a war raging inside of you for ownership of your soul!

The acts of the flesh vs. the fruit of the Spirit.  Because the sinful nature and the Spirit desire different things, their fruit looks different.  I love that Paul says the acts of the flesh are obvious.  They are, aren't they?  You may not be into witchcraft or participating regularly in orgies, but have you hated,  been jealous, or had a fit of rage this week?  None of us can escape the truth: we are sinners and sin wants to occupy the throne of our hearts.  (As an aside, when Paul says those who live like this, it's an habitual living, unwilling to let go of the lifestyle.)  Paul contrasts the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, which are not acts, but rather, character traits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  We all want those, don't we?  How does the Spirit grow such fruit in our heart?

Crucify the flesh by repenting and believing the Good News.  Christ rescuing sinners from their sin and the condemnation of the law, reconciling them to God, is Good News!  Paul has spent time in Galatians reminding them (and us) that they are free in Christ, but not free to do whatever they want.  No, free to live unto God with joy, to pursue holiness without the burden being on getting everything right all the time!  Verse twenty-four tells us how we can do that: mercilessly nailing our sin to the cross.  John Stott draws this point out in his commentary on Galatians:

So Paul says, if we have crucified the flesh, we must leave it there to die.  We must renew every day this attitude towards sin of ruthless and uncompromising rejection. ... The first great secret of holiness lies in the degree and the decisiveness of our repentance.  If besetting sins persistently plague us it is either because we have never truly repented, or because, having repented, we have not maintained our repentance. ... We have crucified the flesh; we are never going to draw out the nails.  (p 151-152)

Why do we daily renew our commitment to keeping sin OUT?  Because our Savior bled and died to rescue us from the same fate.  Praise the Lord!  How do we do so?  Glad you asked!

Walk in the Spirit's way!  Christians let go of their sin and have a new way to walk in, the Spirit's!  The sinful nature is dethroned and a new King sits there.  We look to the Spirit!  Stott says:

If it is vital to be ruthless in turning away from the things of the flesh, it is equally vital to be disciplined in turning toward the things of the Spirit.  (p 153)

God calls us to shut the door on the old way and walk in a new one, the path He has laid out for us.  The path He has equipped to walk in, by coming to dwell in our hearts by His Spirit.  As we repudiate sin and keep the Spirit on the throne, His fruit is cultivated in our lives and begins to flourish.  You know those Christians for whom godliness seems to come naturally and (gasp!) joyfully?  Yeah, I think they got these ideas a long time ago!

*     *     *

Well, [clears throat] I don't know about you, but I have some nailing of sin to the cross I need to recommit to this morning: - lack of self-control, fits of rage, worry, earthy pleasures - and a heart-throne I need to make open and comfortable for my Lord.  You, too?

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:16-21

{Day 19} Saved and Called: Living Sacrifices

If you're just popping in on this November series, you can catch up here.

There's also a give-away in progress, get your name in the drawing here.

Over the rest of this week, we'll look at other New Testament passages that instruct us, God's people, on how to live the holy or set-apart life.  I pray that you're getting the same impression as I am, that we are utterly dependent on God the Father, Son, and Spirit to life lives worthy of the call He has placed on our lives and that He will always be drawing us closer to Himself, changing us as we walk the path of obedience.  It has been curious to me at times during this series to find myself in a situation thinking, Oh, this is not the holy way God wants me to act, or Lord, I can see how you've prepared me for this moment with what I've been learning in Your Word.  How exciting when the Spirit stirs in our hearts, in conviction or encouragement; we know God is at work in us!

Have you had any moments like that this month?  Perhaps you've simply been "interrupted by grace" or perhaps God's Word has come to you in a specific way.  Whatever the case, I'd love to hear about it!

Now, onward and upward with today's passage!  Romans 11:33-12:2

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen. 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I include the end of chapter 11 because chapter 12 begins with the word Therefore.  When I was learning inductive Bible study skills in InterVaristy during college, one teacher said, We have to ask, What's the therefore, there for?

What is it there for in Romans 12?  To point back to Paul's doxology at the end of chapter 11, which follows eleven chapters(!) of Paul laying out the gospel for the Romans.  He's transitioning into the "Christian Living" section of the letter, and he wants to be very clear about why God's people should pursue the holy life:

BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE, and further, BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS, I urge you brothers and sisters, IN VIEW OF HIS MERCY to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

So, what does that mean?

From when we wake up in the morning, till our heads hit the pillow at night, we offer ourselves to the Living God in worship.  That includes time spent doing "God things" and the most mundane activities of our day: washing dishes, driving to and from work, getting ready for the day, and ready for bed.

Okay, that sounds pretty cool, but how do we make even our teeth brushing an act of worship?

I agree, maybe that sounds a little overly-spiritual.  But then we read' be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  All day long we are thinking.  Thinking, thinking, thinking.  Are we conforming to the pattern of the word (worry, fear, doubt, anxiety, complaining, thanklessness, comparing ourselves to others, believing half truths or untruths) or are we making a way for the Lord to transform us by the renewing of our minds, taking every thought captive for Christ?

Friends, it is so easy to conform to the pattern of the world, because it is always before us and because sin dwells in our hearts.  Scripture tells the wonderful story of restoration to a right and Godly way of thinking that can transform us into living sacrifices, constantly worshiping our God.

I love the final thought in these verses: we will be able to test and approve God's will.  Offering up our bodies to God's service and our minds to His transforming Truth will increasingly help us to discern and follow God's will.

I know a lot of Christians who would LOVE to know "God's will for their lives!"  Maybe you are one of them.  Remember how I mentioned the means of grace a few days back?  Start there.  Every step we take in God's direction makes it easier to move in that direction with the next step.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

PS  Tomorrow: The fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5!

{Day 18} Saved and Called: The Second Greatest Commandment

If you're just popping in on this November series, you can catch up here.

There's also a give-away in progress, get your name in the drawing here.

On Saturday, I included two passages in which Jesus tells people the two greatest commandments.  Today, I'd like to take a look at the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.  Let's begin by reading this parable again:

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”  Luke 10:25-37

Oh interesting, I hadn't noticed on Saturday that it is the expert in the law and not Jesus who says the to greatest commandments.  So he knew.  But, as the passage says, he wanted to "justify" himself, so asked Jesus to explain what "neighbor" means.

Does that little question lurk in the back of our brains too?  Lord, give me the parameters?  I want to get it right, but don't want to have to get too dirty or be changed.  Give me the bare minimum.  I'm your man!

Jesus is happy to answer the man's question and does so with a little story we call a parable.  I have heard this one so many times, I'm surprised at how simple it is.  I think the only extra thing I want to add to it, for explanation's sake is: Jews hated Samaritans, making Jesus' choice of "good-guy" a strategic one.


With that, I give you a bullet list of the implications of this story:

• Loving our neighbor honors God more than ceremonial religious behavior.  The priest and Levite had religious reasons for not getting mixed up with blood and a potentially dead body; God doesn't want them to be unclean.  Cleanliness and purity are important to God, but clearly do not give us permission to harden our heart toward someone in need.

Will I let my quiet time be interrupted by a child who needs attention?  On my way to church, especially if I'm late, will I stop to help a stranger who clearly is in need?  Will I let my religion be ruffled?

• Loving our neighbor means viewing others through a lens of mercy.  We all have plenty of opinionated judgment ready to spew all over others, don't we?  They got themselves into this mess, why should I help get them out?  But, in this story, we see that we're not supposed to ask questions.  We must be merciful, take pity, be kind ... love the Lord and love our neighbor!  The beaten man needed help.  The Samarity responded because he took pity on him.  What if I were in his shoes, what would I want someone to do for me? 

Will I remember how much mercy I have been shown and let it permeate the way I interact with others?  Will I zip my lips, withhold judgment, and be compassionate because I have known great compassion?

• Loving our neighbor means doing what is right.  In the parable, the Samaritan did the right thing.  The right thing was to respond to the need in front of him.  Surely he, too, had things to do and was on a journey somewhere.  But he saw a need and responded.  That is the right thing to do.  It can be easy to ignore needs in front of us in favor of other important things we need to do.

Will I ask the Spirit to speak to me, to nudge me to action in love thy neighbor situations?  When He does, will I respond?

• Loving our neighbor means going the extra mile.  The Samaritan is such an amazing example for us.  He doesn't just call 911, wait for help to arrive, then hit the road.  He takes the man to a place for good care, leaves money to cover the expenses, and comes back to check on the man later.  Above and beyond!

Will I do more than is immediately asked of me because Christ has done the same for me?

*     *     *

I think we like to make things more complicated than they need to be.  In this story, Jesus doesn't give the impression that we are to run out and look for opportunities to show mercy, to love our neighbor.  He simply asks the expert, "Which one was the neighbor?"  The answer?  The one who had mercy on him.

"Go and do likewise," Jesus says.

Do what likewise?

Have mercy on people.  Not only people who are bloody, beaten, and left for dead, but anyone with whom you cross paths with TODAY to whom you can lend a hand, say a word of encouragement, give generously, listen with interest and concern, or interact kindly.  (Especially when you'd rather carry on with your own thing, tell them to suck it up and deal, and keep your time, energy, and money for yourself.)

Love the Lord your God today with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength as you love your neighbor as yourself.  Whoever that may be: your spouse, a coworker, one of your kids, a cashier, a stranger on the corner, or your neighbor next door.

Boy, I sure needed this reminder today:

Go and do likewise!