Best and More

[This originally started as an article for the church's newsletter... until I read what I wrote and decided I wanted to share it with a wider audience.]

I would contend that one, you are far better than you think you are, and two, you can do far more than you think you can, just not by yourself (remember 'abide in me' John 15:4). If you have the attitude that you want to do the best you can, to the best of your ability, then you have a personal foundation to add to the Lord’s equipping, enhancing, and enabling.

You have a great deal to offer, regardless of what you think, and it’s… You! Not enough? Who sez? Remember that ‘if God brings you to it, He will equip you to do it’ (paraphrased). How do you know if God will show up? Well, to start with He told you He would never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). He goes on to tell you that you are His workmanship, created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Those are two very strong statements that allow you to know where God is in what you are doing. Perhaps the question is... are you sharing with the Lord? He knows your current situation but He enters on your invitation.

What stops you from giving your best? If you are taking your time to (fill in the blank) then why begin and engage with the attitude of 'get by' or doing only the minimum? If you aren't seeking the best in this situation... then what, why, and how are you doing and being you? It would be far better to not even begin if you have this attitude.

However, the biggest ‘filter’ is your faith. Faith in God, yes, but also faith in yourself. If you are doing what’s at hand with all the passion you possess… if you are doing it with the motivation of honoring the Lord – what more do you need to be and do? All that’s really necessary is for you to bring your best and let God do the rest.

In the Hurts and in the Highs

Hurts and Highs... we all experience both... what do we do with them, how do they define us? Will you look life squarely in the eye and say... actually, what will you say? You do realize that both highs and hurts give us opportunities to learn.? We never seem to stay in one place long... for every high, there is a low just as for every low there is a high. I believe it's what we do when we reach the pinnacle or reach the seeming bottomless depth that makes the difference. Do you believe we can enhance our highs and diminish the lows? The answer to that question will explain a great deal to you about your perceptions, mindsets, and actions.

Lows often are distinguished as our hurts in life. While these are rarely pleasant, they don't need to be compounded nor avoided. This appears to be another one of those 'is' in life. I realize that the 'antidote' to this is to accept that we can learn a great deal from our 'negatives'. True. But the learning doesn't always translate into evading these times. So what are we learning... just how to escape? That appears to be the least effective way of dealing with these times.

From the other perspective, when we consider our 'highs', do we learn from them? Or do we simply savor these times. Again... if the answer is the latter, then we are diminishing the influence these times can have. There is much we can learn from our successes and not just how to replicate them. These times can allow us to learn a great deal about ourselves as well as our interactions. It can aid in understanding what behaviors enhance and detract from what we do.

All of this can be responded to with a ... and your point? I am a great believer in that we CAN live the abundant life. That we can experience those 'things' that enhance and those that diminish our experiences. Abundant is a mindset as much as it is a status. When we consider 'abundant' we typically go to John 10:10 when Jesus is explaining why He came and what He brings. But we rarely take the time to study what this word means and how it relates to who we are.

Matthew 6:33, AMP gives us our focus for abundance:

   "But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom 
    and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude 
    and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also."

That should be our focus - seeking His kingdom. If we do, it's not that we won't experience the 'hurts' but they won't control us. We will be able to view our hurts so that we learn and don't repeat. Now look at verse 34:

   "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about 
    itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Worry can rob us not only of what happened... but our now... and our immediate future. The Lord never said that hurts, problems, obstacles, troubles, temptations wouldn't come. But He did say He would be with us and help us through these times (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Just as a quick check... do you also invite Him into your highs, your accomplishments? If you don't then it will be more difficult to experience and learn from them. Hurts and Highs are a way of life... it's how WE deal with them that leads us to abundance or grief.

Obedience

Scary word? Sound like you are giving up ALL control? Does the word leave a bad taste in your mouth? No personal choice? Just how DO you define the word and how is it seen in behavior? Just HOW can we look at obedience, positively?

Beginning with a definition to discover if we do understand the word, seems the most promising beginning.  

   "In simple terms, obedience is compliance with an order, request, law 
    or submission to another's authority. ... In simple terms, obedience is 
    compliance with an order, request, law or submission to another's 
    authority. The bible also talks a lot about obedience as it is seen in 
    many scriptures."

This was Google's contribution to our understanding. And what pops out at us? 'Compliance', 'Submission' and thought the first word isn't grievous, the second is! 

   "In its simpler Old Testament meaning the word signifies "to hear," 
    'to listen.' It carries with it, however, the ethical significance of 
    hearing with reverence and obedient assent. In the New Testament 
    a different origin is suggestive of "hearing under" or of subordinating 
    one's self to the person or thing heard, hence, "to obey." There is 
    another New Testament usage, however, indicating persuasion from, 
    peithomai (Greek for persuade.) [BibleStudyTools.com]

I don't know about you, but I've never defied 'obedience' as "to hear, to listen". And how often to we 'listen' with reverence and assent? I also believe that the word implies an action on the hearer's part... to follow (?), accept (?). How does this mesh with our understanding?

In Scripture there are over 72 verses that discuss obedience...

   "Jesus answered, “If anyone [really] loves Me, he will keep My word 
    (teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him   
    and make Our dwelling place with him." (John 14:23, AMP)

   "You shall walk [that is, live each and every day] in all the ways which 
    the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and so 
    that it may be well with you, and that you may live long in the land 
    which you will possess." (Deuteronomy 5:23. AMP)

Only looking at these 2 verses - what do we discover and understand? Our love is the foundation for acting in obedience. Our 'reward' is the love and companionship of the Father and Jesus. The context of the obedience is what God has commanded us: 

   "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord 
    require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently 
    practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your 
    God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or 
    self-righteousness] (Micah 6:8, AMP)

This defines obedience entirely differently for me. It gives a standard, a way of living and interacting. Obedience can be viewed as one of our pillars. We can act with understanding when we change our perception of obedience from negative to a way of life in God. We submit, not to the world nor even to man, but to the creator of the world.  

Relying only on ourselves is limiting. And we don't need to. Obedience is not a negative word, but one of foundation - it depends on our definition, perception and acceptance. 

Taking 'it' back

Now why would you do that?! You didn't turn it over until you were at the end of your tether and could do no more, soooo, why take it back? Makes no sense. Yet we do this all the time. What's our problem! Quite honestly, I'm not too sure we can always point to a lack of trust in God... thought it certainly looks that way. I believe that there could be a variety of reason. And yes, you can argue that at the very core is a lack of trust.

However, if we momentarily put aside trust as the issue... what compels us to 'take back'? A desire to be responsible for the consequences of our actions (or inaction)? That, quite honestly, is a misplaced reason. If we've done everything that we know to do and there are still no positive results, the likelihood of our resolving (fill in the blank) diminishes so we need to refocus. When we do give these issues and times to the Lord, what we do is to be sensitive to what we CAN do in this 'new' context. Remember the Lord works through us and delivers us but we have to be available to be delivered. Our attitude is critical because it underscores our behavior. What is this telling us?

Another 'reason' we take back could be our own... I want to do it myself. This is truly counterproductive. If we could do it ourselves then we would have. Why is it so difficult for us to admit we aren't able, that we need help? Remember Jesus' words:

   "I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me 
    and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, 
    cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." (John 15:5, AMP)

Are we trying to challenge scripture? And why? This clearly states that we can't 'do it all, all by ourselves'. Then again... why would we? The Lord almost pleads with us to let Him in to help us. Read how the Message translation states this:

   "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and 
    I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be 
    abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates 
    from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if 
    you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in 
    you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and 
    acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce 
    grapes, when you mature as my disciples." (John 15:5-6, MSG)

Taking it back gains us nothing. We are back in the position we were... why? We have one who tells us what we DO have with Him. Our future is bright with hope and joy. This is not an empty promise nor pie in the sky. We ARE able, we will grow... we can become all that we choose to become. 

Creating a... new

Current events: we will come out of this world-wide culture change and into... what? I'm not certain that we can expect the SOSO. Nor am I certain we want that. If not what was, then what will we create? Your return circumstances may not seem different from what was or... is it? Do you have a new opportunity? What's your view? What will you do?

It's not that we have a clean slate, but we do have the closest to that opportunity. And we need to be aware to not throw the baby out with the bathwater. So, in this pre-emergence time we really have an unparalleled opportunity... we can decide what we want to change, what we need to change, and what we want to keep. And all that starts with us... what in our lives and who we are and what we do should change and what do we retain?

Granted our decisions and actions to create a 'new' may not affect The World, but it will affect our world. Even if no one else takes advantage of this time, you can and in the process change your thoughts and attitudes to create a better and kinder world. Up for it? Will you do an honest appraisal of your life and see those areas of your thoughts and attitudes that can become 'new'? Will you only continue and not improve your world, your life - your status quo is fine?

Change, 'new' always begins with you. And no, I'm not suggesting that you 'rose color' reality or ignore it - that is never a strong basis for change. You can, however, change your perspective and look at your world in terms of what you can be and do that is proactive. How? Unless you are living in a utopian world, anything and everything is open to 'new', to what can be as well as what is. Not an answer? Honestly, it depends on your world and mostly - you. What defines 'new' for you? And how can you create a 'new'?

I would strongly suggest that this cannot happen apart from the Lord. If you haven't made Jesus your Lord, then you are frightfully alone. He can and will help us to a more fruitful and fulfilling life when we let Him. Abide in Him (John 15:4), realize you are a conqueror (Romans 8:37), know all things work to the good (Romans 8:28), accept that you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), act on your inheritance (Romans 8:17), be free from fear (Hebrews 2:15) - and those only scratch the surface of who we are and what we can do. If this isn't your 'new', you can make it be your new. If this is your 'new' then stand (Ephesians 6:13) in your assurance.

What will YOU create? What do you want to create? New is always possible... it is available for all. Each of us can choose and begin... now.

Strength's source

Have you ever considered the source of your strength? Do you know what threatens or challenges (these are not the same) your strength? Do you continue to build up your strength? Do you think you are strong enough??? Do you know who/what your 'enemy' is?

Sometimes we forget how scripture describes, defines us. Conquerors (Romans 8:37), Joint heirs (Romans 8:17), New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and able to do all things (Philippians 4:13). Those are only 4 of the definitions that tell us who we are. Why do we forget who we are or buy into a lie? Do you believe ... you can (fill in the blank)? Do you act as if you are a conqueror, joint heir, new creation, and able to do all things?

   "And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and 
    your stronghold.”  (Nehemiah 8:10, AMP)

Joy is strength! According to one bible dictionary, Joy is: 

   "Joy isn’t like happiness which is based upon happenings or whether 
    things are going well or not. ... 
    Paul mentions some of the fruits of the Spirit ... so joy is one of the 
    fruits or the results of having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 
    You cannot fake joy…you either have it or you don’t. Paul writes 
    to the church at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonian 1:6) indicating that 
    joy is associated with God the Holy Spirit and that the “righteousness 
    and peace and joy [is] in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17) and finds it 
    source in God as even “the disciples were filled with joy and with 
    the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52).

That's powerful! Joy is not insignificant. It is an incredibly strong foundation to build one's strength upon. What about you? 

Obviously, we all need to have our strength have a source to stand on. Yours? Hadn't really thought about this? You're not alone but when your strength is tested, you do need to know your source. 

My suggestion is that you first look at yourself. Who are you, at least at this point in your journey? Whose are you? How do you go about demonstrating this? What does the Word tell you who you are... regardless of your feelings? Next, look at the foundation of your strength. You've been given the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) to wear for your protection - do you have this on? And third, how is the Holy Spirit manifested in this? When you consider the fruit of the Spirit you see that 'joy' is one of the fruits. Is joy evident in your life?

A Personal Note

Occasionally I include a note of 'explanation' (further understanding) for the reader. This is such a time. I undoubtedly have said something similar in the past...

If you've read any of my posts you'll see I include a great deal of scripture. Reason and Purpose merge as to my why. Too often we see only opinion presented without any substantiation for the comments and sometimes no indication of the source and their 'expertise'. There has to be some basis that reinforces or provides the foundation for the what and why it is said. Our opinions are ALWAYS based on something: our experiences, what we've read, what our friends think, etc. I want to present a strong foundation for what I say and why. Therefore, I try and provide scripture that reinforces what I am sharing and hopefully... not out of context. 

Starting with my 'what'. My What (writing and teaching) inspiration comes from many sources and people. As is readily apparent - the writing is NOT rocket science. Then again... it never was never intended to be. I want to be able to touch people right where they are and what they are experiencing, what I have referred to as 'in the trenches'. I believe there is a vast potential audience and I want to have the opportunity to speak into their lives whether they are a brand new Christian, one who has backslid, or someone who just needs a bit of encouragement. So what I write about are those everyday 'things' that populate our lives. Using scripture provides the reality that the Word is relevant to us today in our lives and how we respond and resolve those issues.

If you also noticed, there are certain subjects (forgiveness, faith, mission, growing in the Lord, etc.) I write about... often. However, it rarely is from the same perspective... it may be a new consideration, or a new layer/depth, or a challenge, or an opportunity, etc. We never totally exhaust all we can learn... or understand in any of the various areas and aspects in our living. 'Fresh' understandings mingle with tried and true answers.

I do hope you are challenged and encouraged by the writing. Do feel free to contact me to begin a dialogue. Iron does sharpen iron (Proverbs 27:17) and I am always discovering and sharing, because... we all are a work in progress.

Change #2

I'm not sure change is ever instantaneous. I believe it takes work: commitment, diligence, patience, intentionally, understanding... and a great deal more. Repeating: it takes WORK, especially when you are trying to 'improve' you. And I'm convinced, at least for me, that it is never a 'walk in the park' and can be painful. BUT the rewards are spectacular and on the other side of the change - well worth whatever the perceived cost.

Yes, I do talk about change a great deal... partially because it impacts our lives - DAILY - in so many ways. Sometimes the change is quite subtle, sometimes it's more like an 'in your face'. Regardless, we deal with change every day, in some area, with varying intensity, and with lesser or greater degrees of success. When we try to stand against the change, it's more like running water through one's hand - and you can capture just so much of the water. 

Actually... if you know what you typically do when confronted with a challenge, problem, opportunity, wonderings, etc. then this is your default - how you respond. And if your 'default' is prayer and/or scripture then that's a marvelous way of understanding and responding. 

   "You may make your plans, but God directs your actions." (Proverbs 16:9)

   "But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it 
    to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all." (James 1:5)

   "But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, 
    and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; 
    it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy." (James 3:17)

   "If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear His voice 
    behind you saying, “Here is the road. Follow it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

   "I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives 
    me." (Philippians 4:13)

   "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God 
    transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you 
    will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to 
    Him and is perfect." (Romans 12:2

So, you can see that scripture does have a response to our need when we turn to discover the best response - and these are only representative, there are many more. You can easily understand that since we are always faced by change. It is always our decision how we respond... but if we have a methodology in place then these changes won't overpower us.  

Or... is how you respond to change based on who's in control of the change???

The new normal....

Such a strange phrase... and yet it is universally used and rarely defined. Often the phrase is used to distinguish a major event that changes the course of (fill in the blank). It is so expansive as to not provide any understanding, except that what was probably will never be again. So, what does that mean?

Undoubtedly, the first reaction to this 'condition' is to focus on how this will affect ME! Is the 'new normal' something that is wanted, needed, expected, hoped for, feared? Regardless, what will this mean for me? Personal 'new' expectations on oneself, challenges, or threats is not unusual unless the reaction is unknown or negative and/or fearful. Anxiety and new rarely are good mates. Often much time is wasted on denying or fighting against this 'new' rather than understanding and proactively responding. Obviously, 'the new normal' means CHANGE. And typically... this is not a change we have any influence over... it is an 'is'.

So, what are our assets in these times? What can and should we be and do? My suggestion - turn to scripture to bring peace and hope to face these times.

   Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the 
    Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you 
    hope and a future.’”

   Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 
    Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will 
    be with you wherever you go.”

   Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not 
    on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and 
    He will make your paths straight.”

   Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do 
    you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and 
    streams in the wasteland.”

   Philippians 4:6-8 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every 
    situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your 
    requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all 
    understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ 
    Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is 
    noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 
    whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
    think about such things."

I could go on, but these verses should provide you with a 'defense' against any and all fears. You don't really think that God was surprised... do you? He not only knew what was happening before it happened, but how you would respond. But He also made Himself available for you to lean on, learn from, and act with confidence.

In some respects I think that the 'new normal' always is occurring - sometimes faster, sometimes slower. We sometimes see it coming and prepare and we often don't 'read the signs of the times'. My point is that however the new normal arrived, however devastating the change is... because of the Lord, we can not only cope with it but learn from it. Even when these times are beyond our comprehension and ability to defeat. He is always with us and willing and able.

Church

You do appreciate that the church is composed of... people, humans (including you), who don't always act on their status as Christians. We all do and say things we probably shouldn't, even when we think we have the answer or 'know'. Forgiveness and understanding should always be the foundation of our interactions and reactions, especially with brothers and sisters in the faith.

Have you truly thought about the opposite reaction, mindset? If we don't forgive and attempt to understand, do we expect a double standard? Should we think that we always deserve understanding? Not gonna happen. Remember the 'golden rule'? If we don't act toward others based on the forgiveness mindset, we rarely receive what we want. And yes, sometimes we don't receive forgiveness and understanding even when we act on them toward others. Not the point.

Just as you are not their servants, your brothers and sisters in the Lord aren't yours. We all serve the living Lord. When we act as if we know and they don't (and yes, even when this may be accurate) what do we accomplish? Misunderstandings, hurts, alienations, etc. - worth it to be 'right' in your eyes? The church has an incredible challenge, opportunity in our world and if we do not act in one accord then what do we sow?

Sin will separate us and if that's the cause between brother's and sister's and all the requisite (scriptural) steps have been acted on then until the sinning person repents there is nothing further that can be done. However, remember Paul's admonition to the Corinthians about a sinning brother and then his follow up letter urging them to reinstate the brother because he had repented? Do not EVER give up on a fellow Christian when they do sin. Do what you can to help them return - minimally, pray.

At one time we were all the Prodigal son. That didn't stop the Father from making provision for us:

   "And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and 
    separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, in 
    which you once walked. ...  
    Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our 
    flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], ... [without the 
    Holy Spirit] ...
    We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, ...
    But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and 
    wonderful love with which He loved us, even when we were 
    [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He 
    made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—
    His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s 
    judgment). ... 
    For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing 
    you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from 
    judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] 
    is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the 
    [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; ... 
    For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], 
    created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, 
    renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] ..." 
    (Ephesians 2:1-10, AMP)

This states who we were, who we have become, and how we got here. "Church" is always more than a building or a group of people... it is "... when two or three are gathered in His name..." (Matthew 18:20, 1Corinthians 14:26)