Let’s Not Just Think about Ourselves 

Last weekend we attended a high school basketball game due to our granddaughter’s participation as a cheerleader. Near the end of the contest, as her school’s team cruised to an easy victory, I noticed a curious change in what was taking place on the court. I saw players passing up scoring opportunities. After several such incidents, it suddenly dawned on me what was happening. At least one individual who normally doesn’t get much playing time was now on the court. Instead of seeking to score themselves, his teammates kept unselfishly passing the ball to him in hopes that he might be able to make a rare basket. After several failed attempts, this player finally scored as his teammates on the bench and fans in the stands erupted in applause.

It seems to be increasingly uncommon to see such acts of consideration for others these days, especially if it means a person having to sacrifice something. Whether in sporting contests or other areas of life, many are focused solely on themselves – being the star of the game, what is good for their interests, and what will enhance their own personal statistics or reputation. They seem to give little consideration to what might be better for another person or even for the team itself.

Regarding the way we live our lives and how we relate to our teammates, whether family, friends, fellow believers, or countrymen, the Bible directs us to have more of the kind of spirit that high school team evidenced at the end of their ballgame. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). As this scripture indicates, there is nothing wrong about looking out for our own interests. We would be foolish not to do so. However, it is easy to get so wrapped up in ourselves and what seems beneficial for us that we aren’t willing to deny ourselves some of those opportunities or benefits in order to help someone else or to do what may be better for our family, church, or nation as a whole. We aren’t willing to give up our chance to score some fame, finances, or fulfillment in order to “look out…for the interests of others.”

Some of you will recall the account in the Bible when the people of Israel made a golden calf to worship as a god while Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. As a result, God made quite an offer to Moses. He suggested that He could destroy the whole group of Israelites for their sin and start over with Moses and his descendants. Such a deal wouldn’t have been bad for Moses. He and his family would be taken care of, and he would no longer have to put up with those ungrateful, complaining Israelites.  However, Moses didn’t just think about what was good for him. He considered what was good for the people, as well as what was better for God’s reputation in the eyes of the surrounding nations. Therefore he interceded on behalf of the people, asking God not to destroy them.

Let’s not be guilty of thinking only about ourselves as we face the challenges in our families, churches, and nation. Be willing to give up some opportunities for yourself in order to provide opportunities for others. Be willing to forsake recognition in order for someone else to receive the credit. Encourage and support others to do well, rather than just seeking to excel yourself. Intercede for others rather than just praying about your own concerns. Seek what is best for others and for God’s kingdom.  

 

Challenge Others to a Deeper Walk with Jesus 

Recently many of us in our area got to experience the unusual event of a significant snowfall. I watched a number of interesting posts on social media that day, some of which included members of my own family. In addition to the usual pictures and videos of people playing, having snowball fights, and creating snowmen, some of them participated in what was being called a “snow-day challenge.” Most of the cases involved individuals running out in the snow in shorts or other summer-like outfits in order to roll on the ground and then make a snow angel by moving their arms and legs back and forth along the snow-covered surface. However, some of those challenges escalated into such crazy stunts as jumping into icy swimming pools or rivers. Needless to say, I had no part in those activities. I am getting to the age that my challenge in those situations is just to walk around without slipping, falling, and hurting myself.

It is interesting what people will do when challenged by others. Kids, and even some adults, have often been emboldened to overcome a fear or in some cases to do something foolish as a result of a peer simply saying, “I dare you.” Challenging others to do something good when they are being held back by unfounded fears or by their timidity can be a good thing. However, too often we give in to the challenges issued to us to do something wrong or unwise, resulting in shameful consequences.

Maybe we need to make more of an effort to challenge the people around us concerning knowing Jesus and fully following Him. It could be that some of us need to accept that challenge ourselves. Instead of making images in the snow of holy angels, let’s challenge ourselves and others to be the holy people God calls us to be. Instead of plunging into a freezing body of water, let’s challenge ourselves to dive more deeply into our relationship with Jesus. Let’s go beyond just dipping our toes into the waters of salvation, and totally immerse ourselves in all that the Lord wants to do to change our hearts and lives. Let’s be challenged to go deeper in the practice of prayer, in the understanding of God’s Word, in the expressing of God’s love to others, and in letting the Lord use us in His service to minister to the people around us.

In those snow-day challenges, often specific individuals were “tagged” and singled out as recipients of the challenge. Who are some people we can challenge to go deeper with the Lord? It doesn’t just have to be through some verbal declaration that we issue such a challenge. We can challenge others by being an example for them to follow. We can challenge them by encouraging them and praying for them. We can challenge them by being there to help them in their spiritual journey.

The Bible says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). What friends, family members, and other acquaintances can we be influencing in positive ways for Christ? Who should we be sharpening – helping them to know the Lord better and to become a more effective tool for Him to use? The Bible pictures believers as building each other up in the faith. Are we doing that? Are we not only growing in our own relationship with the Lord, but assisting others to do the same?

Let’s reach out and challenge others to a closer walk with Jesus. Don’t just do it with your words, but by your example, by your love, by your prayers, and by your presence.

 

God Is Not Hiding His Will from Us 

One day while we were watching some of our grandchildren at our house, at one point they commissioned me to hide a stuffed animal somewhere in our living room. When they commenced their search, it didn’t take them long to discover its hiding place. Therefore I was asked to find a more difficult location on their next attempt. Apparently I succeeded. Even the older of the three who were involved couldn’t solve the mystery without being given a few hints as to the object’s location. We were laughing and enjoying the futility of their efforts as they would look past the hiding place, walk right by it, and otherwise fail in their search.

Let’s be careful that we don’t look at God and His will in a similar manner. Sometimes we can view His will for us as being some great mystery which He intentionally hides from us or tries to make difficult for us to unearth. God is not playing games with us while taking pleasure over our futile attempts to find out His plans and purposes for us. On the contrary, He wants us to know Him, to understand His will, and to live accordingly.

Moses debunked such a notion among the people of Israel, a statement which Paul later referred to in the New Testament. “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off…But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it” (Deuteronomy 30: 11-14). The will of God shouldn’t be an enigma to us. And God doesn’t intend for it to be one. He has given us His Word and has made it plain to us. Through the written words of Scripture, through the living Word of Jesus, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we have opportunities to discern the will of God. He has graciously given us the means to obtain the knowledge we need about Him and how He desires for us to live our lives.

 One of the problems is that many people have chosen to reject God’s revelation. It isn’t that they don’t know or can’t discover His will. Their reason for struggling over these matters is due to the fact that they refuse to accept what He says. Too many, even within the Christian church, have forsaken the authority of Scripture as actually being the Word of God. They have reduced it to being a faulty compilation of human ideas, maybe somewhat inspired by God, yet full of errors, prejudices, outdated ideas, and open to being criticized and revised by those of us who are more enlightened today. In many cases, the problem is that we think we know better than God. Or if what the Bible or Jesus says about some subject doesn’t line up with our ideas, then we conclude that what God purportedly said must be wrong.

Granted, the Bible doesn’t speak specifically to every subject about which we may be seeking God’s will. However, between what it does address, the principles and values it teaches, and the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can have a good idea about God’s will for us. And if we will daily seek the Lord’s guidance with a heart ready to accept, receive, and obey, I believe He will show it to us in His time. According to Romans 12:1-2, if we will surrender ourselves to God and let Him transform us through the renewing of our minds, we can prove the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Seek God’s will. He isn’t trying to hide it from you. Let’s just be sure we are willing to receive whatever He reveals to us.  

 

Let’s Not Excuse Our Lack of Christlikeness 

Recently one of my daughters and her family were in the candy-making town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. As part of their experience at that place, they had the opportunity to make their own special candy bars. If I understand it correctly, within certain guidelines they were able to choose their own ingredients and the proportion of those elements in each of their creations. When the treat was completed, it was a unique Hershey’s candy bar with that particular person’s name emblazoned on the wrapper.

It reminds me of our condition as followers of Jesus. All of us who are putting our trust in the Lord have a connection with Him. However, at the same time we each have our unique qualities. We aren’t all cut out of the same mold or possess the exact same characteristics, talents, or personalities. We all carry the name of Christ but with our own names identifying us as unique creations of His. We should all be like Jesus, but that image will look a little differently in each one of us. If I may use the candy bar analogy, we should all have a measure of the sweetness and love of Christ in us, but we will all have our own original taste. And no doubt about it, some of us are nuttier than others.

Therefore, on the one hand we need to be accepting of the kind of person we are. We shouldn’t think we have to force ourselves into somebody else’s mold of what a good Christian looks like. We shouldn’t think we are second-class citizens of heaven because we don’t have the same talents or personalities as others whom we admire. We each have our unique place in God’s world.

On the other hand, let’s be careful not to use that as an excuse for not allowing the Lord to change us or to make improvements in our character and conduct. Today’s society puts much emphasis on encouraging people to accept themselves as they are. And there is certainly a truth in that idea that many people could benefit from. However, let’s not resign ourselves to having to live with our faults, shortcomings, and definitely not our sins. There are aspects of ourselves we need to accept, but other areas of our lives that need to be transformed and improved.

Too many people excuse themselves and their bad behavior by declaring, “That’s just the way I am.” In some cases, they are rationalizing their lack of Christlikeness and their unwillingness to submit to God’s will. They settle for the way they are instead of allowing the Spirit of God to change them more into what He knows they can become. 

While there is room for diversity within the body of Christ’s followers, we all should be becoming more like our Savior. There are certain qualities and actions that simply do not harmonize with being a Christian. We shouldn’t be excusing our selfish actions, our arrogance, our loss of temper, our lack of self-control, our gossiping, our hatred, or our hurtful words by suggesting, “That’s just the way I am.”

As we move ahead into this new year, let’s lay aside that excuse and ask the Lord to do a work of transformation in our lives. Don’t accept sin and immorality in your life. Don’t resign yourself to being self-centered and unloving. Don’t accept our world’s idea that certain aspects of your life can’t be changed. Accept and celebrate your uniqueness, but not any ungodliness in your life. Let’s seek to be more like Jesus this year and submit ourselves to whatever changes the Lord wants to make in us. Be yourself, but be more like Jesus at the same time.

 

We Are Being Watched 

In recent weeks some people have been focused on the night sky, not looking for flying reindeer or angels celebrating the birth of Jesus, but rather wondering about the many drones that have been spotted in certain areas. There have been all sorts of theories posed as to the reason for those mysterious robotic objects hovering in the darkness. Many people imagine that those drones may be carrying out some nefarious purpose. It tends to make people feel uneasy to think that someone could be spying on them, whether an individual, a foreign entity, or our own government. However, it does seem a little odd that individuals who seem to have no qualms about being tracked by security cameras, satellites, or smart phones get upset over the idea of those drones flying overhead.

  Whether we like it or not, we are being watched. I am not referring to any of the aforementioned technology, neither am I suggesting that alien beings from outer space are keeping their eye, or multitudinous eyes, on us. I am referring to the fact that there is a God who is aware, watching, and present in our lives. He not only knows what is happening in the world around us, but He fully sees everything going on in our own personal lives. He not only looks in on what the public sees, but He is knowledgeable about all of our private moments, those actions and events that no other human being witnesses or is aware of. God’s spying capability even extends into the unseen area of our thoughts, attitudes, and motives. He knows it all. He knows more about us than we know about ourselves.

  There are those who dismiss such an idea as a fairy tale, in the same way they might disregard certain “conspiracy theories” about those drones. Others may not deny this truth about an all-seeing God, but they don’t let it affect the way they live their lives. They continue to do whatever they want without any concern as to what God might think about it. However, we would do well to consider this truth that God is watching us. We just came through a season in which many parents encourage their children to be good because some jolly old elf is watching them. Shouldn’t the reality that a holy God is watching us cause us to be careful about what we do, say, and think?

On the one hand, the fact that God is watching should make some people feel apprehensive and guilty. We deserve His condemnation. We are all going to stand before Him for judgment one day. Thankfully, although we are all guilty of sin and deserve His wrath, we can find forgiveness through Jesus. Through repentance and faith in Him we no longer have to be afraid of God’s judgment. Nevertheless, out of love for God, we now want to please Him by obeying His commands. So we do try to live the way He wants us to live. We are concerned that our thoughts and motives be pure. The fact that our gracious Father is always looking on should spur us on to be the holy people He calls us to be.

On the other hand, the fact that God is ever present and watching us should be a comfort to us. We are not alone. He is our Emmanuel - “God with us”. He is right here with us no matter what we are facing in our lives. He is close by to protect us and help us. His presence shouldn’t make us uncomfortable. It should give us peace.

God is watching. If that makes you feel uneasy, maybe it should, but it doesn’t have to. Through faith in Jesus, it can become one of the most comforting truths there is.

 

Celebrate Christmas in Busyness or Stillness 

One recent evening we celebrated an early Christmas with some of our family packed into our living room. It was an active couple of hours with presents being opened, decorations being enjoyed, younger grandchildren playing with new toys, older grandsons wrestling with each other, several of us engaged in a game of Uno, and numerous noisy conversations. It was great.

The following evening was quite a different scene in the same room. While my wife was busy on her computer in another part of the house, I was all alone. I turned off the lamp that is almost always on during our waking hours, leaving only the lights from the Christmas tree as the room’s source of illumination. In that dim-lit atmosphere, I had a nice, quiet time sitting there in my recliner relaxing and contemplating the meaning of the season. It was great.

 I don’t know what your Christmas will look like over the course of the next few days. Maybe you are traveling or planning action-packed days with family. Or possibly you foresee a relatively quiet Christmas due to many of the gatherings and other activities already being behind you or simply due to not having many people around with which to celebrate. Those who are so busy might wish for a time-out. Those who may feel alone might wish for a more socially-active celebration. However your Christmas may look this year, it can be meaningful.

In the midst of a busy, crowded Christmas, be thankful for family, friends, neighbors, church family, and other people with whom you can connect. Those interactions, while sometimes challenging, can be such a blessing. Be grateful for the love of others and for the ability to be involved in their lives. And look for opportunities in those gatherings to be a light of love and truth to those who may need such an influence to touch their lives.

On the other hand, if you find yourself with a more tranquil Christmas, even one in which you feel lonely, take it as an opportunity to enjoy a time of quiet contemplation. Take pleasure in the little things of the season that are meaningful to you. As the Bible describes Mary pondering the strange events of that first Christmas in her heart, take time to think about the birth of Jesus and its implications. Be grateful for the God who loved you so much that He sent His Son into the world to be your Savior. Move past all the secondary aspects of this holiday – the shopping, the gift-giving, Santa, and even those family gatherings – and remind yourself what it is really all about – the birth of the One who came to save us from our sins. Don’t despise having a quiet Christmas. Take advantage of it to refocus, to worship, and to draw closer to the Lord.

Even if you have a busy Christmas schedule, it would be beneficial to try to find a few minutes away from the family frenzy to experience such a quiet time with the Lord. Squeeze it in during the early morning hours before others get out of bed or in the late evening hours after others have retired for the night. Take a break to quieten your heart and meditate on Jesus’ birth.

Likewise, if you are having a quiet Christmas, don’t totally isolate yourself. Still look for opportunities to connect with people. It might not be in a party atmosphere, but through a simple card, phone call, quick visit, or sharing a plate of Christmas cookies. Still seek to be a light to others.

Whatever your circumstances look like this Christmas, whether busy or quiet, it can still be a blessed time for you, as well as a time when you can bless others. 

 

How Do You View Jesus? 

When my youngest grandson had his first encounter with Santa Claus recently, he seemed totally unfazed by the event. He had a rather calm and unimpressed look on his face as Santa held him for a photo op with his brothers. Of course, that isn’t always the case when it comes to children’s reactions to meeting St. Nick. Some kids express uncertainty and curiosity about this strange-looking bearded gentlemen in the red suit. I have seen others with a wide-eyed look of awe and wonder on their faces as they encounter the jolly old elf. Some are thrilled to be in his presence with their countenances beaming with the joy of adoration. However, many of us have also witnessed children who were terrified of Santa, bursting out in tears and wanting to get away from this scary guy. It is hard to predict how any particular youngster will react to this experience.

    It reminds me of how different people react to Jesus, the real VIP of Christmas. They don’t get to meet Him in flesh-and-blood, as those we read about in the Gospel accounts were privileged to do. However, people today often encounter Jesus or the truths about Him during this season of the year. They may see a portrayal of His birth on a Christmas card, postage stamp, or in a Nativity scene in a Christmas light display. They may hear Him mentioned in certain seasonal songs that are sung, played on the radio, or heard over the speakers in stores. In one way or another, many are confronted with this unusual character called Jesus.

Some people can be very nonchalant or even apathetic about Him. They pay little attention to Him as they go about their busy holiday activities. In others, this emphasis on Jesus will sometimes spur their curiosity, but it may not motivate them to do anything more than to look at Him from a distance with a slight interest. Other people view Jesus with a certain degree of respect, seeing Him as some mysterious person whom you need to be careful around but you don’t dare get very close to. And then there are the fearful or the downright hostile. They may not want to have anything to do with this so-called Savior. They don’t like some of His values. They don’t like how guilty He makes them feel. And they may not care for some of the people who claim to be His followers. So either out of fear or disdain, they distance themselves as much as possible from Him and His connection to the Christmas season.

 Then there are those who have come to love Jesus, to worship Him, and to adore Him. They have come to realize how much Jesus loves them. They know that He is the heart of this season. They have moved from curiosity to faith in Him as the Son of God who came to save them from their sins. They know that while He is to be feared as the Judge of those who reject Him, He can be like a loving Daddy to those who will accept Him. While His holy presence may have made them feel guilty, He made a way for them to be pardoned and to have peace in their hearts instead. Rather than running from Him, they know they can confidently run to Him.

Wherever we may be in how we view Jesus and whatever attitude we may have toward Him, I hope we will open ourselves up to drawing closer to this person at the center of the celebration. He is more than a curiosity. He is not just a mysterious divine stranger. He is not an enemy. He is the Son of God who loves us and came into this world to bless us.