Impatient with the progress

"It is a sure mark of grace to desire more...

For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ..." - Robert Murray M'Cheyne




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I don't think it's an accident when all my grand plans and intentions for a really super spiritual week collide with my sluggish, sinful heart.

It's not that I've been neglecting reading the Word, but I know I'm not where I long to be. I want to spend more unhurried time just being with the Lord - reading, praying, soaking deeply in Scripture. I grow impatient with my perceived slowness in spiritual growth, in becoming like my Lord.

So I roll up my sleeves in attempt to fix the situation. Get up earlier. Check. Pray more. Check. Spend more time in the Word. Check. Not done out of a legalistic, self-righteousness, but an honest desire to be nearer to Christ. (But in order to please and glorify Him, or feel better about myself? Even good motives are tainted with sin...)

The only thing is, my heart has been getting in the way these past few days.

I've been tired, easily irritated. Impatient. Often overly-introspective and despairing over lack of growth.

It feels like my extra effort hasn't moved me any closer to the goal...

But tonight I am remembering that Jesus offers grace for this - for days that don't go perfectly according to plan, for a heart that is slow to change. He reminds me to keep persevering, that I am in His hands. To look to Him, not overly much at myself.

I am resting in the promise that the One who began a good work in me will perfect in until the day of Christ Jesus when I'm finally a finished, complete work.

Seeking and enjoying Christ

I've heard it many times, but need reminding so often - there aren't any stops in this journey of sanctification. We are either moving forward - pressing into Christ, growing into His likeness - or we're drifting back.

Each day presents a choice; will I abide? Will I keep knowing Jesus the main thing, or will I politely ask Him to step back and wait for me while I take care of other things?

I am slow to learn, because I don't always seek Him first. I don't always ask for His wisdom, hunger for His nearness, think on His truth, delight in His fellowship.

.But when I do, I am surprised that I would ever choose otherwise. Knowing Christ is all. Drawing near, I feel like a desert-weary pilgrim who has found a clear, cold stream. I drink and splash and dance, refreshed.

True to His Word, in His presence is fullness of joy.
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"May we never think that we can love Christ too well, live to Him too thoroughly, confess Him too boldly, lay ourselves out for Him too heartily! Of all the things that will surprise us in the resurrection morning, this, I believe, will surprise us most: that we did not love Christ more before we died." - J.C. Ryle

Learning to Abide

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Sometimes, the Lord's presence is so evident. Worship is sweet, spending time in the Word is a delight. There is joy, a calm steadiness of trust. My soul says, all is well.

But something changes, almost unnoticeably. I know what it is when finally, desperate and empty, I stop to take notice: I'm not abiding in Christ. Rather than walking moment by moment in an intimate relationship with Him, I find myself distracted. My Christian walk becomes more about drawing from past experience or learned truth to sustain me than present contact with the Saviour.

It's humbling. Humbling, because I can be so forgetful. I've been here before, a thousand times. I should know better. I turn to face my Lord, ashamed. Needy, like a child. His admonishment goes right to my heart:

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me...Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in my love...these things I have spoken to you so that My joy man be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:4,9-11)

Help me to abide and to obey, Father, and to walk in this joy that you so beautifully offer. Nothing is more important than You.

Consumed with...?

Trish Ramos, who works with The Way of the Master, wrote an excellent post on a topic that probably hits home with most women. Seeing an older woman pouring over a copy of People magazine in an airplane, Trish was moved over the probable reality that this woman "wanted to be young again and was coveting the beauty of the world's most famous people."

I think struggling with self-image and coveting the beauty of those we consider more attractive than ourselves is a common temptation, even for Christian women.

I love how Trish reminds us of the brevity of life and what is truly important:

"The bible says that 'everyone at their best state is a vapor' (Psalm 39:5). Life is short. Beauty is quickly passing and so are the lusts of this world. When I’m 65--if the Lord allows me to see that age--I want to be studying the Word of God, listening to sermons, reaching the Lost, doing service for the local Church and spending my minutes, hours and days consumed with the Kingdom of God and service to the King. I don’t want to be consumed with myself or the eye candy of our age which doesn't last and will never satisfy (Prov 27: 20)...

People magazine is not to be the godly woman’s diet. The godly woman doesn't listen to the counsel of Vogue magazine. She takes no delight in reading worldly advice in Cosmopolitan and doesn't compare herself to the pictures in Glamour magazine.Rather, a woman who fears the Lord will meditate on the Word of God day and night. She will compare herself to the godly picture that is found throughout the Scriptures. She will hunger and thirst for righteousness and desire to know the one who redeemed her. That woman will be worthy of
praise."

This world will assist us at every turn if we want to be discontent, covetous, and self-seeking...but wouldn't we rather be a woman who is consumed with loving Christ and is useful to His Kingdom?

Read the complete post on Trish's blog.

heart talk

I'm reading through Proverbs right now, and have been thinking about the significance of the following verse in living as Christ's disciple:

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Prov 4:23

"Heart in Proberbs regularly refers to the center of one's inner life and orientation to God, from which a person does all thinking, feeling, and choosing. Taking words of wisdom into the heart is vital, and wisdom's presence in the heart is worth guarding because out of the heart flow all the thoughts and words and choices of a person's life." - from the ESV Study Bible

"The heart commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason, but also includes the emotions, the will, and thus, the whole inner being. The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech, sight, and conduct." - John Macarthur

If the state of our heart is so significant in living out the Christian life, how seriously should we take the call to watch over our hearts with diligence?

I've been contemplating the application of that command - any thoughts? What does it mean to watch over our hearts, and what are some practical ways that we can do this?

First in my heart.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-2

“A holy man will follow after spiritual mindedness. He will endeavor to set his affections entirely on the things above, and to hold things on earth with a very loose hand. He will not neglect the business of this life now; but the first place in his mind and thoughts will be given to the life to come. He will aim to live like one whose treasure is in heaven, and to pass through this world like a stranger and pilgrim traveling to his home." - J.C. Ryle

Labor to shine

I receive quotes by J.C. Ryle by email, and the following quote was such an inspiration and challenge to me that I want to share it here:

"Settle it down in your mind that you will aim at the highest degree of holiness, spiritual-mindedness, and consecration to God—that you will not be content with any low degree of sanctification. Resolve that, by the grace of God, you will make Christianity beautiful in the eyes of the world. Remember that the children of the world have but few patterns of true religion before them. Oh, that every true Christian would recollect that he is set as a lighthouse in the midst of a dark world, and would labor so to live that every part of him may reflect light, and no side be dim!"

Amen?

Glorious Thirsting

At the encouragement of a friend, I'm taking a deeper look at the role fasting plays in the life of a Christian. I've been thinking about prayer lately, so I'm especially interested in learning how fasting relates to prayer. A quick search on fasting at Desiring God led me to Piper's book, A Hunger For God. (Did you know all his books can be read for free online?) This is not really a post about fasting, since I'm still learning, but I found this quote from the introduction and couldn't resist copying it to share...

"When you take your stand on the finished work of God in Christ, and begin to drink at the River of Life and eat the Bread of Heaven, and know that you have found the end of all your longings, you only get hungrier for God. The more satisfaction you experience from God, while still in this world, the greater your desire for the next...

The more deeply you walk with Christ, the hungrier you get for Christ . . . the more homesick you get for heaven . . . the more you want "all the fullness of God" . . . the more you want to be done with sin . . . the more you want the Bridegroom to come again . . . the more you want the Church revived and purified with the beauty of Jesus . ..the more you want a great awakening to God's reality in the cities . . . the more you want to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ penetrate the darkness of all the
unreached peoples of the world . . . the more you want to see false worldviews yield to the force of Truth . . . the more you want to see pain relieved and tears wiped away and death destroyed . . . the more you long for every wrong to be made right and the justice and grace of God to fill the earth like the waters cover the sea.

If you don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of
the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great..."

Do you have this hunger and desire for the Lord in your life, or have you (perhaps unknowingly) learned to fill yourself with the things of this world, leaving little room for spiritual things?

I have been in both places, and can say (by God's grace) that there is nothing more satisfying than thirsting after God, and finding that the fountain never runs dry, and only grows sweeter with each taste!

Live for a future hope!

Do our lives make sense to the world? They shouldn't - not if we're Christians.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul is addressing believers in Corinth who were saying that there is no resurrection of the dead. He explains that if there is no resurrection, than not even Christ has been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain, we are still in our sins. He goes on in verse 20 to declare that Christ has been raised, and that in Him all (who are the elect) will be made alive. Because Christ has been raised, we shall be also. We have a future hope. But what if we did not have this hope? Look what Paul says in verse 19:

"If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied."

Did you catch that? If our hope lies only in this life, we're to be pitied. That's legitimate. Paul certainly did not subscribe to the "health, wealth, and prosperity" brand of Christianity. Picture this - you're a Christian, and the world is watching you. You have a gorgeous home, an awesome car, a perfect family, good health, lots of money to spare, and you "hope in Christ." In fact, you have all these things because you're a Christian and being a Christian means you're just blessed that way. Then you die. Would the world pity you? Of course not! Even if they thought your belief in Christ was ridiculous, they wouldn't pity you because you had all the stuff they want - the stuff that, for them, is the mark of a life well lived.

But that's not the picture Paul is giving. He's implying that as Christians, we live (or should live) in such a way that doesn't make sense apart from this future hope that we have - an eternity of joy in God that far surpasses any sacrifice we make on this fleeting earth. Some things just don't make sense to the world - denying self, laying down your rights to serve another. This is "fleshed out" in many ways, since we're individuals in unique settings...

It could mean refusing to climb the career ladder, because it would mean less time with the family, less time to serve the Lord. It could mean not pursuing something the worlds values - like an impressive college or university degree - because the Lord has called you to do something else. For a mom, it could mean staying home to faithfully raise up godly children, rather than pursue the double-income dream. It could mean staying home on a Friday night to study the Bible rather than going out with friends because you have a thirst for the Word, and you've decided to make that a priority. It could mean sending extra money to a missionary rather than buying that new pair of jeans you've been eyeing. It could mean a million things, but the important thing is to be sensitive to the areas God's calling you to be different in, and to live that out faithfully, by His grace.
We have a future hope, and it will be worth it!

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 2 Cor 15:58

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth...
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

Note: Just to avoid misunderstanding, living for eternity does not mean that we are not to enjoy the good gifts God gives on this earth - it just means that they are not to be the ultimate focus.

See Your Sin

"Do you know why most Christians are most commonly defeated by sin? I believe it is because their sin has so totally deceived them, that they never really get to the point where they honestly evaluate its reality. They are not dealing with the issue.

They spend so much of their lives justifying their sin as a personality quirk or a product of their environment. They sugar-coat their habitual sins as simply idiosyncrasies of individuality, or some prenatal predilection that their mother had, or whatever. People can become so good at denying the reality of sin that they don’t see it. As a result, they don’t deal with it because they don’t even recognize it for what it is.…"

The above quote is from a recent series by John MacArthur entitled, How To Kill Sin In Your Life. You can find the 3 part series (articles) on the Shepherd's Fellowship site - check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 for some convicting and helpful counsel.

Soul Trouble

The lesson of wisdom is, be not dismayed by soul-trouble. Count it no strange thing, but a part of ordinary… experience. Should the power of depression be more than ordinary, think not that all is over with your usefulness. Cast not away your confidence, for it hath great recompense of reward. Even if the enemy’s foot be on your neck, expect to rise amid and overthrow him. Cast the burden of the present, along with the sin of the past and the fear of the future, upon the Lord, who forsaketh not his saints.” - Charles Spurgeon

(HT: Of First Importance)

It begins with a renewed mind...

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

con-formed
1. To correspond in form or character; be similar.
2. To act or be in accord or agreement; comply
3. To act in accordance with current customs or modes.

How desperately we need spiritual sight - to see as God sees, to cultivate a biblical perspective!

It is too easy to begin to think and see as the world does. To become lazy, comfortable, at ease in daily living so that this shift from biblical thinking to worldly thinking happens so quickly and even unnoticeably.

Here in North America (and other places, perhaps) we think we have such a modern, educated, "enlightened" society. We believe we're okay. Are there problems? Don't worry, we have law enforcement, doctors, treatments, prescription drugs, psychiatrists, counselors, scientists, educators, and of course, Oprah. We are working towards a better world, a utopia.

And we think we're good people. It's not that hard, really. Do a few good deeds here and there, don't intentionally hurt others, and above all, be absolutely tolerant to differing religions, view-points, beliefs, etc. No absolute standard of truth for the truly enlightened individual.

God help us! As Christians, we need to see through all this white-washed nonsense, to have an accurate (which means biblical) picture of the true, deepest need of humanity - to be reconciled to God.

Jesus words in John 4:35 are as applicable now as ever: "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest." Harvesting is hard work, involving sweat and endurance and calloused hands. To be honest, I would often rather be picnicking under a nice shady oak tree then to be out harvesting. Are you with me there? Let's change. I don't think we'll regret it.

To Live is Christ

Video excerpt from To Live is Christ, by K.P Yohannan

Loving Christ

"Do you love the Lord, Jesus Christ, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength? It was he who said, "If you love me, you'll keep my commandments." It was he who said, "If you love me, you'll keep my word." It was he who said, "If you love me, you'll feed my sheep." That's the issue. That is the issue. That is the heart issue in the Christian life. It's about loving Christ." - Rekindling Your Love for Christ (link)

- Find some suggestions for deepening your love for Christ in John's article, "How Can I Love Christ More?"

True, true...

We cannot kindle when we will
The fire which in the heart resides,
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides;
But tasks in hours of insight willed
Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled
- Unknown

God-Esteem

"We are all starved for the glory of God, not self. No one goes to the Grand Canyon to increase self-esteem. Why do we go? Because there is greater healing for the soul in beholding splendor than there is in beholding self. Indeed, what could be more ludicrous in a vast and glorious universe like this than a human being, on the speck called earth, standing in front of a mirror trying to find significance in his own self-image? It is a great sadness that this is the gospel of the modern world." - John Piper

Emotions and Truth, Part 3

A Renewed Perspective

John Piper points out the correlation between hope and truth this way:

“Hope happens when our minds are girded up with truth, and active in truth…if we want hope to flourish in our hearts, we must gird up the loins of our minds with truth instead of ignorance.”

Having trouble cultivating a hope-filled view? No matter what you’re feeling or what you’re dealing with, if you’re a believer, there are countless reasons to rejoice with hope. The most significant reason? The gospel!

Meditating on all that has been accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus produces gratitude and joy. Some starters? Our sins are forgiven, we’re given fellowship with God, and we have the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit. As we immerse ourselves in these and other hope-giving truths in Scripture our minds will be transformed. As we take our eyes off of ourselves, a new perspective emerges.

The Ultimate Goal

In applying some of these suggestions, our ultimate goal and prayer should be that of David in Psalm 19:14:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”

To be pleasing to Him – that is our motivation. Habits may die hard, but as we seek to honour the Lord in our thoughts and attitudes, we're not without help – His strength is promised. May each of us be able to say as Paul in Colossians 1:29 – “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”

Note: This concept of bringing emotions and thoughts under Christ's Lordship is one I'm still learning about and hopefully growing in, by His grace - I definitely haven't "arrived".
I realize this is a topic that needs balance - solely focusing on "what we feel" is not healthy, and our obedience is certainly commanded even when the right feelings aren't there. If anyone has thoughts, please share. :)

Emotions and Truth, Part 2

Combat Time

Although we’re all probably familiar with the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, (see Luke 4:1-14) I think the wisdom in this account is often forgotten or rarely applied. When tempted by the devil, Jesus responded by quoting specific Scriptures that unveiled the lies behind Satan’s challenges. In the same way, have specific Scriptures stored up in our minds or on paper can be helpful when we are battling obvious or subtle lies in our thinking patterns.

For example, if I’m struggling with trusting God with my future, I may begin to doubt, thinking that God has forgotten me, or that I’m going to miss His plan for my life, or that He doesn’t have good things in store. Knowing that this kind of doubting is a common temptation for me, I could memorize or write out specific Scriptures to combat these thoughts, such as Proverbs 3:5, 6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Or Psalm 34:10b:

“But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.”

It takes time and effort to discover what God’s Word says about a situation and then apply it, but the benefits are worth it.

Two Sides to the Coin

At times the burdens of life weigh like heavy stones on our hearts. Family or relationship problems, difficulties or trials – these things may be a reality in our lives, but unless we’re looking at the whole picture, our view easily becomes distorted.

We’re not called to ignore the mess and pain that life often brings, sweeping it under a façade of Pollyanna-like cheer. Be honest with God in how you’re feeling, but don’t stay there. Move toward the promises that are as firm in times of difficulties or depression as they are in times of ease and joy. Like Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:19-23 - he begins by honestly recounting the trials:

“Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me…”

But then moves on to the good news:

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness.”

Emotions and Truth, Part 1

The truth is the truth no matter what I'm feeling.

I had to remind myself of this recently.

Maybe you can relate...I wake up one morning with a heavy heart - as a result of specific trials or problems or even for no reason in particular. The day goes on, and I find myself peering out of my doom-tinted glasses with a hopeless sigh. Negative thoughts and questions run through my mind - "This situation isn't going to change. I can't do this. I don't feel joyful. No one really cares."

This kind of thinking breeds discontentment, cultivates a twisted perception of reality, and replaces truth with lies. I'm providing the perfect ingredients for a full-fledged pity party, and it’s a dangerous mix! Unfortunately, these moods can’t simply be turned off as if they were switch operated…so what are we to do when we find ourselves viewing and interpreting life solely though our emotions?

It Starts Here

I can't remember where I first came across this advice, but its value has been proved over and over again in my life: Speak truth to yourself. Not what we feel is the truth, but what the Word of God says is true. To know what it says, I need to be in it. Often. If I am not allowing God's Word to shape my thinking and convictions, (which then effects my emotions) something else will.

Over the next couple posts I'll share some suggestions that I've found helpful for cultivating a biblical mindset, or, as the apostle Paul puts it, “Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5)

Preserving Newness

“There are children of God who need this text, ‘Behold, I make all things new,’ whose sigh is that they so soon grow dull and weary in the ways of God, and therefore they need daily renewing. After a few months a vigorous young Christian will begin to cool down; and those who have been long in the ways of God find that final perseverance must be a miracle if ever it is to be accomplished, for naturally they tire and faint.

Well, now, dear friends, why do you and I ever get stale and flat? Why, it is because we get away from him who says, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ The straight way to a perpetual newness and freshness of holy youth is to go to Christ again, just as we did at the first. A better thing still is never to leave him, but to stand for ever at the cross-foot delighting yourself in his all-sufficient sacrifice.

They that are full of the joy of the Lord never find life grow weary. Getting near to Christ, you will partake in his joy, and that joy shall be your strength, your freshness, the newness of your life. God grant us to drink of the eternal founts, that we may for ever overflow.”

—Charles Spurgeon, “Sermon for New Year’s Day”

(HT: Of First Importance)