More Than All We Ask

Think for a moment about how much we are driven by expectation. When an event or experience exceeds our expectation, we may rave to others how great is was. The flip side is our disappointment when another event or experience fails to meet our expectation. Bad reviews and negative verbalization usually follow.

In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul prayed for them to have spiritual strength and insight (Ephesians 3:14-21). He wanted the believers there to have a complete understanding of the power and majesty of Almighty God. In describing the One True God, Paul says that ...he is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (v. 20). God's ability to help us, provide for us, protect us and meet all of our needs is beyond even what we can ask for or even think of. Talk about exceeding expectations!

God is the One who alone deserves our worship (v. 14). He strengthens and sustains us through his glory and through his Spirit (v. 16). Through faith in Jesus Christ, we claim the promise of the fullness of God which is beyond what we can even understand (v. 17-19). He alone deserves the glory.

The same God who flooded the earth, brought plagues upon Egypt, parted the seas and destroyed enemies through thunder and fire is the same God who today stands ready to provide to his people more than all that we ask. Like Paul, let us bow our knees and lift up our prayer and worship to Him and proclaim his glory throughout the generations.

A Hero and a Champion

As men, we have a desire to be known and remembered for something. Our Heavenly Father has hardwired into our fabric the need for purpose, significance and accomplishment beyond ourselves. If properly applied, as God's men, we can do great things for His Kingdom through the power and strength of Jesus Christ. If misapplied, many people suffer; especially those who are closest to us.

A good friend of mine recently shared this thought--which he admitted he took from the movie "Cinderella Man"--but is so powerful that I too must share. He calls it a mantra for men and from this day forward, I am making it my mantra. Here goes: Be a hero in my child's eyes and a champion of my wife's heart.

When my daughter Amanda looks at me, I want her to see a father who loves Jesus and loves her unconditionally. I want her to see a father who treasures time spent with her. I want her to see a father who will be patient with her and encourage her to do her best; not as a matter of performance, but rather a matter of God-honoring excellence. I want her to see a man who models for her what a husband should look like that will help her to someday choose one wisely.

When my wife Cheryl looks at me, I also want her to see a man who loves Jesus and loves her unconditionally. I also want her to see a husband who cherises time spent with her. I want her to see a husband who gives her the peace and security of knowing that she is more important than any other human relationship. I want her to see a husband who consistently puts her needs and the needs of his family above his own.

This mantra is not easy. Our sinful, selfish nature will often knock us off track and cause our lives to need realignment. But what better way to lovingly serve and lead those whom God has entrusted to us as a family? In our own ability and strength, we are woefully inadequate to be heroes and champions in our homes, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Lifting up our desire to be heroes and champions in our homes is a desire that God stands ready, willing and able to honor and bless.

Born Again

One of the greatest obstacles for many in accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior is the notion of being born again. I know. It kept me from the saving power of the Gospel for many years. I don't need to be born again is a common refrain from those who have some church experience but no personal relationship with Jesus. It's almost as if being born again means you start back at square one. All of your good deeds are now invalid.

Yet being born again does bring with it a new start. Prior to knowing Christ, we were alienated from the Father. Orphans with no home. John 3:3 is very clear--truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus himself spelled out the entry requirement for heaven. You must be born again. There is no plan B.

Romans 8:15 tells us that as believers we have received the Spirit of adoption as sons allowing us to call God "Abba Father". In Biblical times, being adopted into a family meant receiving full standing as a member of the family. Just as our children became immediate members of our families and didn't have to earn their way in; we too enter into God's family at our spiritual rebirth.

Because all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), none of us meet the entry requirements for heaven of our own merit. Being born again means recognizing our sinful state, recognizing that we are incapable of earning our way into heaven, recognizing that we are incapable of saving ourselves and that we need a Savior. Being born again is accepting Jesus Christ--the only one who lived a prefect, sinless life--as our personal Savior. He is the only one who makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).

The Crown of Life

Ask anyone what they think would be the ultimate personal achievement and you will likely get a wide range of responses. To a singer it might be a Grammy Award. To a public figure it may be the Nobel Prize. To an athlete it may be an Olympic Gold medal or the opportunity to hoist a championship trophy. Most of us can only dream about the excitement of such a moment.

As God's men, we have an award ceremony awaiting us that makes standing on an Olympic platform, hearing our national anthem being played and being adorned with a gold medal seem like a non-event. James 1:12 says: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 2 Timothy 4:8 talks about believers receiving a crown of righteousness; translated from the Greek word stephanos meaning a victory crown. And what a victory it will be; unlike anything we can imagine.

We are rewarded with this glorious crown based not on our achievements, but rather our faithfulness. Our love for God. Our perseverance. Our fighting the good fight and remaining true to our calling. Our ability to stand firm when others around us cave in to sinful weakness. The Lord, the Righteous Judge, the ultimate authority over all of the Universe will be the one who rewards us.

As believers, we can sometimes forget the glory that awaits us as sinners who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The disappointments, the grind, the trials of life can certainly dim our eternal perspective to the point where the last thing we want to do is press on. At these times, let us not forget the imperishable crown that awaits us--given by the Creator himself--to those who finish the race.

Remembering 9/11

Today will undoubtedly be a day of widespread remembrance and reflection as the 10th anniversary of the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. For many, it is the signature historical moment of their lifetime; similar to how Pearl Harbor or Kennedy's assassination was to previous generations. Moments like these are etched in our minds to the point that we remember where we were, who we were with and what our reaction was to the event. The memories people have will be moving and poignant.

When I think back on that fateful day ten years ago, a myriad of thoughts come to mind. The first thing I wanted to do was make sure my family was safe. I wanted to be in the security of my home; even though 9/11 reminded me that we are never completely safe from evil. That day reminded me that there is great evil in the world. It reminded me that there are many in this world who have no regard for human life. It reminded me that people who place a greater value on flawed ideology rather than humanity are capable of carrying out horrific acts.

9/11 also reminded me that America is a great country filled with people who are even greater. It reminded me that in spite of our differences, the people of this country rally around each other in times of adversity (as Scripture says in Proverbs 17:17). It reminded me that we as a country are uniquely blessed as the only nation in the world founded as "One Nation Under God" which makes us a natural target for evil. It underscored for me the importance of retaining that founding status by seeking first his Kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Many people on that fateful day dropped to their knees in prayer. Many will do so today. My prayer for all is that we will recall the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14--if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. May God bless America. May He forgive us and heal us. Now and until the end of time.

Play Defense

If you spend even just a few minutes with me, you'll soon discover that I absolutely love football. I tell people the four places you'll find me are at home, at church, at work or at a football game. And this time of year is especially exciting for me as college football has just started and the NFL regular season begins this weekend. Right now, football coaches are studying and preparing game plans for their next opponent. They are learning everything they can about their opponents--their strengths, their weaknesses, their tendencies--in the hopes of securing an advantage that leads them to victory.

There is an age old saying in football that defense wins championships and rightly so. If you can stop what your opponent does best, you keep them from gaining the advantage. You put your offense in a better position to secure a lead that hopefully your defense can hold. The same can be said for our spiritual battles. I've written here before that as God's men we need to go on offense against our enemy with the confidence that if God is for us, then who can be against us (Romans 8:31). And we need to keep moving toward the goal line, armed with the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, without letting the evil one deceive us with lies and fear. But defense is just as important to secure victory.

1 Peter 5:8 tells us: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. That's all the reason we need to play defense. Our enemy is powerful. He is evil. He wants to destroy you and your family. He hates everything good. He is opposed to everything God is doing to build his Kingdom. He wants you to believe that the things you've done are beyond God's grace. He wants you to live in fear. He wants you to believe you have no importance to the Father. He wants you to believe that his sinful enticements are a better option.

Now it's time to hear the cheers from heaven shouting "Defense. Defense. Defense." We need to be vigilant and prepared for his attacks. We need to stand strong in knowing we are guarded by God's power through saving faith (1 Peter 1:5). We need to call upon the name of the Lord, the One who defeated the enemy forever on Calvary, to lead us to victory.

Well Pleased

Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege of baptizing my seven-year-old daughter Amanda. A few months ago, I experienced the joy of seeing her pray and ask Jesus into her heart as her personal Lord and Savior. As she shared her testimony with the people of Ogletown before I baptized her, I was reminded how the angels in heaven rejoice every time a sinner repents and trusts Jesus (Luke 15:10). And while my wife Cheryl and I made it our top priority as parents to teach Amanda the things of God and help lead her to the saving knowledge of Christ, I looked out from the baptistery toward my church family and saw countless others who have poured into her and helped her grow spiritually.

But the vision that flooded my mind the most was how Jesus himself submitted to baptism in Matthew 3: And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (v.16-17). This was a time I can truly say I understood my Father's heart!

What really made me well pleased was that Amanda--in her own words--could clearly state her desire (I told my Daddy that I wanted to accept Jesus), she knew her spiritual condition (I am a sinner. I repent of my sins), she knew who she needed to save her (I believe that Jesus is God's Son and that he came to the earth to save everyone) and she knew what she needed to do (I confess my faith in Jesus as my Savior and my Lord and I choose to live my life for him forever). Amanda also knew why she wanted to be baptized (I want to get baptized to show people my faith in Jesus).

Baptism is a beautiful expression and identification of our personal relationship with Christ; which is pleasing to the Father. But I also believe that any time we demonstrate our faith and express our trust in Jesus, we bring a smile to the One True God. Our opportunities to do so are limitless. And while accepting Christ as Savior and submitting to believer's baptism carries with it the knowledge that our sins have been forgiven on the cross, God is also well pleased when we recognize our sinful nature and our need to repent and continually seek his healing grace.

Jealous

We don't typically think of the word jealous in a positive light. Mark Twain once said that jealousy is the trademark of a small mind. Yet there are 12 times in Scripture that God is referred to--usually in self-description--as a jealous God. How then do we reconcile such a negative connotation to a perfect, righteous, merciful and holy God?

In his self descriptions, our Heavenly Father frames it perfectly. Exodus 34:14 says, Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:23-24 says...do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 6:14-15 says You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you---for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God---lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroys you from the face of the earth. Notice a pattern here?

The One True God is a jealous God because he desires our worship and affection more than anything else. He wants nothing to take priority over our love for Him. We may not consciously make an idol for ourselves; but if we love our jobs, our possessions, our hobbies and even other people more than we love Him, we put ourselves in a position to know Him as an all-consuming fire whose anger burns against us. In human terms, we get jealous when someone we love or something we desire doesn't return to us the same love or desire. Now ratchet that up with the knowledge that God created us in his own image (Genesis 1:27) and he allowed his only Son Jesus---in whom He was well-pleased (Matthew 3:17)---to die on the cross to pay our sin debt and reconcile us to Him.

Only the unsearchable depth of the Father's love for us can explain a jealousy that burns like a consuming fire. May his jealousy for us spark a zealous desire for us to passionately seek Him, love Him and know Him more. May his consuming fire burn off the sin and snares that entangle us and refine us more into the image of Jesus.