Sent?

Not you? If you are a born again Christian then, yes you are sent. Read again the Great Commission [Matthew 28]. We have work to do. Equally important is: 

   “ But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)? And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? [Romans 10:14-15a]

Do NOT use the excuse that you aren't a preacher! Look at the definition of preacher - a messenger. Regardless of our gifting, we are the Lord's Ambassadors [2 Corinthians 5:20-21]. His emissaries, His messengers, His hands/feet/mouth. And the reason is He, the God of the Universe, chose to work through His creation to touch His creation. He didn't need to, it was His way of inviting us into a meaningful life and the works He has prepared for us to walk in [Ephesians 2:10]. 

I sometimes wonder if part of the problem about 'sent' stems from the fact that we are concerned we will be sent far away from our familiar. The following is MY understanding so read it in that light: 

1- we are NEVER asked to do something we can't do. On some level we can do some of (fill in the blank) on our own BUT the wonderful reality is that we aren't asked to do it by ourselves - we have a partner in all this. Remember the role of the Holy Spirit? 

   "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you." [John 14:16-19, AMP] 

He is ready and able to do all this in and for us. Through Grace, Mercy, Love we bring that Good News to others.

2- We are never asked to do something we cannot do. Our Triune God does NOT tempt nor tease us. He knows us far better than we do ourselves. PLUS He provides His armor for protection [Ephesians 6] and He is always there to help us grow through His equipping, enabling, empowering. Remember the encouraging words:

   "I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]  (Philippians 4:12b-13)

3- The verse that speaks about being sent in the New Testament says:

   "But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” [Acts 1:8]

First. comes the Holy Spirit to bring you power and ability. Second, you are His witnesses. And then the 'sent'. And when you consider the places indicated I believe they are examples of the various places we are sent. Not everyone is sent as a Missionary to the unreached. Sometimes the unreached are our neighbors and sometimes our family. 

The question that always surfaces in my thinking is - why would we NOT want to share the wonderful news that we have a terrific future and can live abundantly now... in this world. I should probably also add - don't define 'abundant' in material or financial terms. Look at the abundance in our lives that are gifts the Father pours onto us. There are many points about being sent and how to respond to the call... not the least of which is to pray to have ears that hear and a heart that understands. Always remember that we 'speak' as much through our actions as through our words. 

'I wonder...' # 2

  I wonder #2 is a series of ponderables or wonderings. Mostly it's asking and  not answering questions. Each a study in contemplation? Perhaps.

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Teachable

  Do we realize that we react based on our experiences, definitions, and understandings? One of the most apt questions and wonderings from this is: am I teachable? And, what do I 'do' with my learning?

Back to Basics

  Believers need to do a reminder by returning to the basics occasionally. The goal of this activity is to remember, to rejoice over where they are now in relation to where they once were - at the beginning of a wonderful journey. However, being on the way is sooo much better than staying at the beginning.

  Do we judge by our circumstances? Or do we 'judge' by His Word? Don't get misled by the fact that 'circumstances' appear far more 'visible'. And then remember that His Word has lasted since the beginning of time and continues to last. His Word is a surer foundation. Circumstances change.

Rabbit Trails

  Do NOT despise rabbit trails! They can be incredibly creative. However, do keep at least one eye on how far off the rabbit trail is from your path - never get that far away!

The Lost

  Have you ever considered what the Triune God must be thinking… and feeling about those who are lost? He keeps reminding us that He is not slow to act but He is waiting upon those who haven't accepted Jesus. 

Now... have you asked yourself, 'What is (my) our responsibility?'

"... feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel"

  Do you have any idea what this means? And if not, are your feet properly shod?

Are you also aware that this is something WE do?  

It really is ALL

  … or nothing at all. You can’t compromise or selectively accept, you can’t barter - you accept or you don’t. At least when it comes to accepting Jesus as your Lord, the Word, the command to Love. And yes, there are other aspects too. So, for you, what's your answer?

Investing

   Do you invest... in you? Or is it a question How you invest? Do you pray? That's an investment. No matter how often, do you read the Bible and discover something you may have missed before? That's an investment. The time (and activity) you engage in that is spiritual is always an investment.

Lifestyle
   Whether you call it your reputation, or your character, or your lifestyle - it is never by accident - You choose and develop it. And it isn’t by accident - you are the principal determiner. I would argue that it never is by chance - it is always ours.

   Your lifestyle is your demonstration and confirmation of who you are and Whose you are. You always choose your lifestyle, it never is thrust upon you. Which means that You make the determination and You can always change it.
   The Creator of the Universe chose to give His creation free will.  From the beginning we always have had options...

Forgive
  means release, but it you who are releasing yourself not the other person. it allows you the access to the Father to receive your forgiveness ...hold 'aught' against a brother, forgive first.

'Just'

   according to whom? Isn't that at the core of every thought, feeling, statement when the 'just' isn't according to your definition? Of course. Is it true? Probably sometimes. Rarely every time. I think the bottom line is really how we react to these times, what we do with our thoughts and feelings. Remember, it is always up to you to express your character by your attitudes. These always will define us.

Happiness

  Do you know how YOU define this word? Is it important to you? Do you reside in happiness or only occasionally come to it? For me it was more of an awareness of what I was feeling. Yes, feeling. It was contentment - that peace that passes everything wrapped in the warmth of happiness.

Trials... Joy?!

We are told to 'consider', tests and challenges and trials!!! Who would 'consider' that? Doesn't mean it isn't a good thing though. But... what do we get from doing this? How do we view tests, challenges, and trials? Unfair? How are we to 'consider'?

   "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." [James 1:2-8. MSG]

The Message Bible is a kinda 'in your face' translation! And let's face it... sometimes we need 'in our faces' to catch our attention. 'Consider it a sheer gift' and 'Consider it all joy' don't really give us the same interpretation. Can/Will we consider it a gift or all joy when we face those trials and tests and challenges? Probably not.

Do you remember the scripture: 

   "I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own." [Philippians 3:8-12 AMP]

Those 5 verses set forth part of our trials, challenges, and tests. The latter 2 do come from the Lord. The trials (I believe) are either of our own making or 'thorns in the flesh, or attacks from the devil. All 3?) I believe the point is that as Christians, when we accept the free gift of salvation from the Lord, we aren't going to be free of all of the constrains of a fallen world. Actually, we now have a target on our backs. But with our visibility we can become the conquerors that the Word talks about. [Romans 8:37]

The word we all seem to stumble over is found in verse 10 (Philippians): that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings. But 'sufferings' is rarely defined so our active imaginations go to work. Why would anyone want to join in the Lord's sufferings... didn't He say He came to bring life more abundantly!??? However, stop long enough to define words. What, for you (because yours may differ from mine), defines 'sufferings' - do you know or is it you know if you are experiencing this? For example: is betrayal suffering? How about denial? Do we use the word 'unfair' when applied to our own suffering? We should be aware of when we cause suffering for others - our sharp words, our ignoring are only 2 examples of the types of suffering we inflict. 

I suspect we rarely use our 'simple' hurts as examples of the Lord's sufferings. I also suspect that we look to the cross as the ultimate suffering - and yes, physically it was. But never look at only the physical. I believe the greatest suffering was the separation between Father and Son that had to take place in order to save us. 

I believe that none of us really understands those verses by Paul in Philippians. To me it represent the total and complete 'sell out' Paul was willing to endure because of the magnitude of the prize, what he would gain. Will we?

Trustable

Trustable. Are you trustable? It probably would help if I provided my definition for this word so you'd know how I was defining and expressing this word. I do realize that most people would use 'trustworthy' which is a great word and more well known and understood, but I like 'trustable'. In my world of words, trustable means someone with a proven tract record of doing what they say. It's not necessary to have the same definition, but the one who is trustable always adheres to their definition. Their 'rep' is that you know, can rely on them, that what they say they will do (fill in the blank), or let you know in advance why they can't. Is this you?

The Message Bible can really hit you square between the eyes at times, stating familiar verses in the language of today. An example of what is NOT trustable can be found in Colossians 3:25 MSG

   "The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work."

   "Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?" [James 2:14-17 MSG] 

These are two examples of what is not 'trustable'. If you simply pay lip service to what you do, then what is the result of this behavior. Confusion - Frustration - Unknown - Mixed Messages! What we need to always remember is that we take our attitude with us in everything we do. If our attitude is one that says I'm going to do (fill in the blank) because I said I was going to help, but I'm only going to do the minimum necessary. What kind of workman is this person? My definition is that if we say we are Christians then we always bring our 'A' game. And do remember that each person's 'A' varies with each person. Never apply someone else's standard to yourself nor impose yours on others. Other people are NOT your servant nor are you theirs in this sense. 

Part of the problem is that when trust is broken it is extremely difficult to restore it. Do you automatically trust again the person who has 'betrayed' you in some way? You may still remain acquaintances... bur friendship may never be fully restored. The other person will need to prove themselves again... over time. Do you really believe others don't respond this way toward you when you've discarded their trust? Even when it is a legitimate reason, not mere excuse after the fact, the point is... you never followed through, you never told them of your conflict prior to fulfilling (fill in the blank). the irony is that they would probably have understood had you said something.

I believe that being 'trustable' is foundational in our qualities, traits. Our actions have proved our words and this fact has occurred multiple time. It is then that we attain the status of having the attribute of being trustable. It isn't so much that we consciously focus and are consumed with proving, it is a natural extension, expression of who we are. Simply look at those you have attributed trustable to... how does this make you feel? Secure, confident that when that person says something you can rely on them. This is true for others as well in their relying on us. It's how we all need to express ourselves to others. I can't conceive of what we might gain by the opposite behavior. 

Performance

My goodness... I didn't realize that I was sooo performance based! No, not in relation to others, as a basis of comparison - just in terms of me. And while some of you who are more familiar with me, I suspect this comes as no great shock. Was it my family? my friends? my standard? my frame of reference/mindset? social mores when I was growing up? All? All and More? Probably yes.

Perhaps it isn't wise sharing this intimate understanding with 'the public' but... it is an interesting ponder. Pick a subject, any subject that is a definition of who we are, our selves and what makes us this way. Nurture? Nature? Learning? 

Familiarity? Experiences? And again yes to all that... but there's still more. What keeps us applying/utilizing this (as our) standard? It can't be only success, reinforcement. So...... why? 

Success, confidence and a sense of achievement obviously have to be part of our continuity. But it goes deeper. When I don't act in accord with my principles, my standards, my identity - then I present not only a mixed message but a denial of me. And sooner or later I'm going to have to resolve the discrepancy. Have I changed? Am I replacing a principle? Is my 'new' something that is integrate-able with the other parts of me? I think this last question is the important question.

Am I an extrovert? An introvert? Straddling between the two? Honestly, what difference does 'titles' really make, do they convey who we are? Are they walls we hide behind or use as excuses are the really important questions. 

   "So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective]. But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].” (James 2:17-18)

I've always appreciated these verses... and before you jump to the conclusion that faith isn't all it's cracked up to be or that works are far more important - I recommend you read these verses from a variety of versions. Bottom line: both are important! One is the foundation, the purpose for the actions [faith] and the other is the expression (performance) of that foundation. How can you possibly know the extent of your faith without seeing the visible affect? And how do you know and understand that affect without a foundation?

Another bottom line... performance IS the 'proof is in the eating' saying. If there are no works, then how is your faith expressed? Only in words? And... if your works have no foundation, then what is the reason/purpose of the actions? PLUS, why try and separate them in the first place? 

Mary and Martha

I know I've written on Mary and Martha before, but not in this context. If I had a choice, I would want to be Mary. But I think there could be too much of Martha in me. Not to disparage Martha - she had many admirable qualities and if Martha was like Mary... Still, I'd like to be seen by the Lord as He saw Mary:

   " But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.” [Luke 10: 40-42]

The Lord's point was not to criticize Martha but to show her a better way:

   "Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching."

[v. 38b-39]

Is this true for us as well? Do we focus on the 'things' that need to be accomplished in the day and miss the most important part - listening to and spending time with the Lord!? Do we use the tasks in the day as an excuse for why we don't spend more time with the Lord? (Shake your head yes.) Do we allow those tasks to distract us from what is truly important?

I remember a phrase that use to be stated... often. "He/She's too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good." That was stated in a tone of voice that was critical or sneering or other such negative. Is that phrase even possible? Do you know anyone who is that way? But rather than criticizing, is there just a spot of envy too? Personally, I think we all need to take stock of how we spend our time. The Lord never said Not to do those things, but I think we shouldn't emphasize the tasks over time spent with the Lord. 

Criticism can be positive, can be correcting as long as the person isn't diminished in the process. Criticism too often is harsh, hurting, and possibly incorrect - which is why it has such a bad rep. And sometimes correction is viewed through the eyes of criticism (or spoken that way) which is counterproductive too. If we are going to provide correction we need to keep in mind:

   "“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor." [Matthew 7:1-5, MSG]

And this is NOT saying that when you see error you don't/shouldn't confront the error. What we need to remember is that our actions and words is based in our motives. Also we need to also remember that silence typically is interpreted as approval. 'Speak the truth in love.' (Ephesians 4:15) Matthew and Paul are telling us to confront our own motives before we act.

Bottom line is that we all exhibit traits of both Martha and Mary. Both are needed but the qualities of Martha can interfere with the qualities of Mary. Never neglect the Mary qualities because they are foundational. But as James points out [James 2:17-26] - works are important too. Works demonstrate and provide the evidence of the affect of Mary qualities.

Grace

Can you even get your head around how the God of the universe acts toward His creation? How do you explain, understand - grace.

   "God's grace is usually defined as undeserved favor. Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given. We count on God's grace and the bridge He built in our relationship with Him. Bible verses about grace abound. From the foundation of the Old Testament, we know that grace is a part of God's character."  [Google]

John Piper in https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-grace says:

   "There are 131 uses of grace in the ESV — 124 in the New Testament, 86 of which are from the apostle Paul, which means two-thirds of all the uses of the word grace in the Bible are in one author: Paul. No wonder he’s called “the apostle of grace.”

Piper says: undeserved favor.

Romans 3:24: “[We] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Grace is what inclines God to give gifts that are free and undeserved by sinners.

Romans 5:15: “If many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.” So, grace is that quality in God that produces free gifts for guilty sinners in salvation.

Romans 11:5–6: “At the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” So, you can’t work to earn grace. It is free and undeserved.

Now, that’s what most of us have in our minds when we say God is a God of grace. And that’s true. It’s wonderful. Our eternal lives depend on it. None of us would be saved if grace were not undeserved favor, and were not a quality in the mind of God, in the heart of God, in the nature of God.

Grace as Power for Living

But then Heather rightly notices another group of passages, also in Paul, where he comes at grace a little differently.

2 Corinthians 9:8: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Now, that seems to picture grace as a power or an influence for obedience.

2 Corinthians 12:9: Jesus says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

1 Corinthians 15:10: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder [that was the effect of grace] than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

In all three of those texts — and they’re not the only ones — grace is not only a disposition or a quality or an inclination in the nature of God, but is an influence or a force or a power or an acting of God that works in us to change our capacities for work and suffering and obedience.

At this point, we've only scratch the surface of Grace - what it is and its source. But it should stop us from assuming we automatically deserve to have God's Grace working in our lives. Grace is a privilege and we can't buy or earn it. It, like so many spiritual matters, are gifts from a loving Creator God who chooses to be our Father.