Forsaken and Forgiven

We've all experienced the feeling of being forsaken. Someone has left us.

Maybe it was after a parent died.

Maybe it was when the last child left the nest.

Maybe it was after a spouse walked out the door for good.

Maybe it was when a close friend stopped calling.

Those events happen in real life. The pain, the discouragement, the loneliness and even the fear that are experienced are real feelings as we grieve the loss.

But when we think of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son, even our closest relationships don't measure up to that intensity.  All of eternity. Always united. Never an argument. Never a time of separation. Working together perfectly. Communication and fellowship without any hindrances for all of eternity. We've never had a relationship like that.

And that relationship was broken.

Jesus said on the cross, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34).

The holy God who cannot look on sin, turned His back on His own Son as He bore the sins of the world. He forsook His own Son as He hung on the cross with your sins and mine (Col 2:13-14; 2 Cor 5:21).

And yet that abandonment did not last. There's no record of how long it was that God turned His back on Jesus. But we know that it didn't last forever. It was limited to a certain length of time.

The end of Eph 4:32 says, "...forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."

We read that and think of the great forgiveness that we have received through the death of Christ on the cross. But I think that is just a part of the story.

God, in His eternal, holy love for His Son, could not turn away from His Son forever. As Jesus hung on the cross, with the weight of the sins of the world, God's love moved Him to forgive us, so that the relationship between Himself and His Son could be restored.

Jesus was bearing the guilt of all of our sins. In order for God to be able to return to a loving relationship with His Son, He had to forgive us.

Rather than making us the center of the redemption story, that perspective puts us as recipients of a side benefit. Redemption did bring about the possibility of a relationship between sinful mankind and a holy God.

But even greater than that: Redemption restored the relationship that was broken between God the Father and God the Son.

Wow.

Waiting on the LORD

"I waited patiently for the LORD;
He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
Out of the miry bog,
And set my feet upon a rock,
Making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
A song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
And put their trust in the LORD."

(Psalm 40:1-3)

Sometimes we want a quick fix to our problems. Not to wait patiently for the LORD.

But waiting patiently brings about the right answer at the right time. We would rather that our lives be easy. That our problems be few - and brief.

But I think that waiting patiently for the LORD to act, helps us to learn that we really didn't solve that problem on our own. No easy ten steps to recovery. No simple three Hail Mary's and the Lord's Prayer.

When we wait patiently for the LORD, we realize that He is the one who listened.

He is the one who pulls us up out of the pit of destruction. Not our own self-determination. Not pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps.

He is the one who pulls us out of the slime and sets us upon a rock.

He is the one who makes our steps secure.

He is the one who changes the song in our mouths from a song of despair and bitterness to a song of praise to God.

We can't learn that if we're in a hurry.

It may take months or years. Not days or weeks.

But God will bend His ear to listen.

And then many will see. They will notice the change. They will notice the stability. They will notice the new song.

And then many will fear. The difference will be so obvious that they will see that God really means what He says. Sin will be punished. Sin has consequences. Sin can be resolved.

And then many will put their trust in the LORD. Not in you. Not in your recovery plan. Not in the marvelous counseling that you received.

They will realize that God has been at work in your life. They will want God to work in their lives, too.

But it all begins when we wait patiently for the LORD.

Cut it Off!

In our struggle with sin, the easy way is usually the wrong way.

We enjoy our sin so much, that we don't really make the effort to stop sinning.

We don't go out of our way to make it difficult to sin.

Jesus uses hyperbole in Mark 9:43-48 to tell us that we have to go the hard way - the really hard way.

If your hand cause you to sin, cut it off.

If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.

If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.

Hyperbole is an over-exaggeration to prove a point. It's a figure of speech that Jesus uses to point out the gravity of temptation.

He is not commanding us to cut off our hands and feet when we fall into sin.

What Jesus wants us to do is to remove the triggers that cause us to sin - even if it hurts as much as plucking out our eyes.

If the internet is giving us opportunity to lust or to waste time, get rid of it.

If TV causes us to stumble into greed, or laziness, put it in the closet.

If having chocolate in the house causes us to be gluttons, get rid of it.

If certain people lead us into sinful actions, stop spending time with them.

If alcohol tempts, don't keep it at home and avoid places where it can be had.

Make the tough choices to get rid of temptations.

It's better to go without them, than to pay the consequences.

Watch Your Output!

Many of us are very careful about what we eat.  Plenty of fruits and veggies. High Fiber. Low Carb. Low Fat.

It seems to come up in conversations a lot, even as a joke. But that would indicate that we are at least aware of what's good and what's not good for us. We've been educated about what goes into our bodies and the effect that it can have on our health.

That's not bad.

But are we paying attention to what's really important?

"And He said, 'What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person'" (Mark 7:20-23).

Rather than concentrating solely on what we eat, we need to look at what's coming out of us.

What are our words revealing about our hearts?

Complaining? Bitter? Grumpy? Gossiping? Lying? Angry?

What are our actions revealing about our hearts?

Stealing? Immorality? Lusting? Coveting? Violence? Outbursts?

It is important to watch what you eat, but more importantly we need to watch what's coming out in our words and actions.

Our words and actions reveal what's in our hearts.

They reveal a dissatisfaction. An emptiness is there that we are trying to fill with someone or something else. We're seeking to be satisfied with something other than Jesus.

And just like we can change our diets, we can also let God change our hearts.

Take an evaluation of what's coming out. Or ask someone else to evaluate you.

Confess and repent and let God do the work!

My Identity and You

I thought this was exceptionally appropriate for Valentine's Day, when we attempt to make others happy by giving them gifts. So much pressure is placed on us to make others happy, or to find that perfect person who will make us happy. And you can't be happy if you don't have that special someone.

Reality check: no one is going to make you happy, and you are not going to make anyone else happy. If your identity is found in the love of your life, your children or your job, you'll be disappointed.

Only God can give joy, contentment and satisfaction.

Copied this from Seth Grotzke's blog, SCQuest:Intentional Living.

Here is a convicting excerpt from the excellent devotional, "Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives" by New Growth Press

"No human being was ever meant to be the source of personal joy and contentment for someone else. Your spouse, your friends, and your children cannot be the sources of your identity. When you seek to define who you are through those relationships, you are asking another sinner to be your personal messiah, to give you the inward rest of soul that only God can give. 

Only when I have sought my identity in the proper place (in my relationship with God) am I able to put you in the proper place as well. When I relate to you knowing that I am God’s child and the recipient of his grace, I am able to serve and love you. 

However, if I am seeking to get identity from you, I will watch you too closely. I will become acutely aware of your weaknesses and failures. I will become overly critical, frustrated, and angry. I will be angry not because you are a sinner, but because you have failed to deliver the one thing I seek from you: identity. 

When I remember that Christ has given me everything I need to be the person he has designed me to be, I am free to serve and love you. When I know who I am, I am free to be humble, gentle, patient, forbearing, and loving as we navigate the inevitable messiness of relationships. 

Authored by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp

1 John 2:28-3:3 "28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

"Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts the LORD" (Psalm 32:10).

An interesting contrast here between the wicked and the one who trusts the LORD: the wicked is surrounded by sorrows, the one who trusts the LORD is surrounded by love.

But when you think it through it make sense.

Think of a list of sins: hate, murder, adultery, lying, envy, greed, selfishness, bitterness, contempt, stealing, rebellion, etc.

When you look through this list, the common factor is selfishness.

"I'm not getting what I want, so I'll just take it."

The wicked person is not content. He is not satisfied.

But the one who is trusting the LORD is content with what God has given him.

He's content with his resources, so he doesn't steal, lie or cheat to get more money.

He's content with his position in life, so he's not trying to manipulate others to like him.

He's content with his wife, or his singleness, so he's not seeking sexual gratification through other means.

He's trusting the LORD.

He's content with what God has given him.

And he's surrounded by God's steadfast love.

What more does he need?

The wicked is filled with sorrow, because he is never satisfied. He wants more.

And his sinful choices have brought consequences that he doesn't like.

His desires are not being satisfied and things are getting worse, not better.

Trust in the LORD. Be satisfied with Him. And you'll be surrounded by His steadfast love.

Do Others Notice?

When Moses spoke with the LORD, he talked to God as a man talks with his friend. Face-to-face communication. When he left the presence of God, his face glowed (Exodus 34:29-35).

The glare was so intense that he had to cover his face with a veil.

People noticed.

They knew he had been in God's presence.

What about you and me? Do people notice that we've been with God?

We don't have Mt Sinai experiences, but we do spend time reading God's Word and praying.

Listening to God and talking with Him. Like friends.

Do people notice? Not by a blinding glow, but by a changed character.

Do they see the fruit of the Spirit? (Gal 5:22-23).

Do they see obedience? (Jn 14:15).

Do they see faithfulness to church? (Hebr 10:24-25)

Faithfulness to our family?

Faithfulness to witness?

Do they see that we are honoring and glorifying God?

Do we talk about Him or about ourselves?

Your face may not glow, but you do have an opportunity to shine in the world, because you have spent time with God.

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Phil 2:14-15).

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Mt 5:14).

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Mt 5:16).

Thinking about a Tattoo?

Yesterday, I saw a mother with her son's name tattooed on her neck. She had two sons, but only one tattoo. Maybe she hadn't gotten around to adding the second one. I wonder what she'll look like if they have four or ...ten kids...

Tattoos are pretty trendy right now. I suppose in 20 years they won't be and all those people who have spent a lot of money scarring their bodies will be out of style.

Today I read about the garments of the high priest. Very ornate and detailed. Elaborate and expensive.

A unique piece of adornment is not a tattoo, but it was very visible and permanent.

"You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet. 'Holy to the LORD.' And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban (Exodus 28:36-37).

A gold plate fastened to the front of the turban with a blue cord. The sign said, "Holy to the LORD."

Set apart for Jehovah.

Dedicated to God.

What would your life look like if you had that on your forehead all the time?

If everyone you met could read on your forehead "Holy to the LORD," what would you do differently?

If everything you said or did was a direct reflection on the character of God, would you act differently?

We may not have it on our foreheads, but it is a reality. We have been set apart for God.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Maybe if we had it tattooed to our foreheads, we might actually live like we are holy to the LORD.

We are.

We are priests and our actions reflect the One who has redeemed us.

What are we reflecting?

Say Goodbye to the Worst Friend You've Ever Had

Say Goodbye to the Worst Friend You've Ever Had

God Chooses Not to Remember

We often complain about forgetting things. We forget names. We forget birthdays. We forget last week's sermon.

And then we throw in the "old-age-excuse." We used to remember things better, but not anymore.

But there are many things that we choose not to forget.

We choose not to forget when someone has offended us.

We choose not to forget that someone lied to us.

We choose not to forget someone's moral failure.

We choose to hold on to those events and become skeptical, critical, bitter and unforgiving.

But God is not that way.

"Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD" (Psalm 25:7).

God chooses not to dwell on my sins. He chooses not to think about them. 

And it's not because I've done so many good things that the good has crowded out the bad.

It's because of His steadfast love, His mercy.

It's because of His goodness.

Comparing the goodness and mercy of God with the bitterness and unforgiving attitudes of people magnifies God's attributes. 

Knowing that God, who knows my sins much more accurately and who has been offended much more intensely than any person, has chosen to love me and not dwell on my sinful past is amazing!

And it also motivates me to flee temptation.

Why would I want to offend the One who lovingly has forgiven me? Why would I choose to hurt the One who chooses not to remember my sins?

Lord, remind me of your love and goodness throughout the day. They are a cause for rejoicing and a cause for fleeing.

Christians vs the World: Is there really a difference?

Sometimes lines are blurry.

And sometimes it doesn't really matter.

But one distinction should be clear: the distinction between a follower of God and someone who is not.

The distinction is not necessarily based on what they wear. Black suits don't make someone more godly than someone who wears blue jeans.

The distinction is also not primarily based on where they go, how they spend their money, or what church they belong to. But all those will reflect whether a person is a follower of God, or not.

Two paragraphs that I read this morning:

"Paul provides a powerful contrast between the world and Christians in Philippians 3. Describing people in the world he says, 'Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things' (Philippians 3:19). The world is focused on temporal, physical pleasures. They are enslaved by their appetites. Their identity is wrapped up in the very things they should be ashamed of, such as their sexual conquests. But Christians are those 'who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh' (Philippians 3:3).

"What an amazing definition of what it means to be a Christian! Rather than focusing on our flesh, and being ruled by our appetites, we are called to turn away, placing no hope and confidence in it. Instead of a desperate attempt to prove we're okay and in control, we admit that we're broken individuals. We don't look for joy in our flesh or seek glory through sex because our eyes are opened wide to the glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ (see 2 Corinthians 4:6). His Spirit is at work in our hearts, bringing contentment and leading us to right worship, in spirit and truth. This is the fountain from which genuine, God-honoring obedience flows."

(Taken from Sexual Sanity for Men by David White, pg 120).

Well, at least I'm not a sexual pervert!

Be thankful for that. But are you still putting your "confidence in the flesh?"

It does have to do with your clothes. Mini-skirts, tight jeans, low cut tops - drawing attention to your body, gaining sexual attention from others.

It does have to do with how you spend your money. You don't have to be spending it on porn to set your mind on earthly things. Do you really need that extra pair of shoes? Do you really need to have that big screen TV?

And it might even have to do with which church you attend. Are you attending a church where you are led in biblical, Spirit-filled worship? Are you being taught the truths of God's Word? Are you finding opportunities to serve to meet the spiritual needs of others? Or is it just a social club with your friends and family? Are you there to be seen, or to worship?

Read those two passages in Philippians 3 again.

Measure yourself against God's standards for Christians.

Your standard is probably wrong.