Being and doing

 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. John 10:9

 

The life of the believer is a prayerful mixture of being and doing. Some days or seasons seem like  relentless service, unsustainable without breaks for just being. Yet, daily our Lord calls us to come into His presence for comfort, peace, strength, counsel, guidance and the like, and go out in His power to engage the world. We first entered the gate of God for salvation, and once saved we enter for sustenance for the power for service. We go in to be with Jesus, and we go out to give Jesus by being the expression of Christ in every endeavor of life. Contemplation on Christ leads us to care for the things of Christ.

Our Lord Jesus is our great shepherd who protects us from the enemy. He leads us beside still waters, He feeds us His green pastures in prayer and He lays down His life for His sheep. Christ provides a circle of safety we can rely on for peace and security. Since our Savior is 100% trustworthy, we need not wonder or worry. Some misfit ministers pseudo shepherd God’s flock. Don’t be led astray by their doctrinal or moral mayhem. Keep your eyes on Christ’s secure staff.

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 23:1).

How can you best be and do for God?  Be who you are and do what you do best. God shows you your real self when you rest and relax in His presence. For example, His Spirit may say to your heart: I have made you to love. More specifically, He may say: Love leaders, love children or love the poor. Contemplation with Christ  clarifies your purpose for Christ. Being breaks down your biases, purifies your motives, and gives you confidence to be you. God educates you.
 
Doing applies what we learn from the Lord. For instance, the Holy Spirit could enlighten us to support our spouse or friend by being patient, not frustrated with their disorganization or over commitment. We gain influence with individuals when they feel we really know, understand,  and care for them. Being prepares our hearts to be magnanimous with those who misunderstand or mistreat us. When we go in to be with Christ prior to going out into the world, we are able to do for others what He has done for us. Being gets us to God, before we go out to serve with God.

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5).

Master the menial

 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.  John 13:5

Jesus was the master of menial tasks. He was not afraid to get His hands dirty, literally. There was nothing and no one beneath Him, for He valued everyone. Jesus put Himself into the shoes of others so that He could relate to their world and serve them well. Success did not shield Him from the ordinary. His heart was all about service; He knew that service around menial tasks unlocked opportunities to influence. Jesus expects us, as a follower of His, to follow His example. “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15).

No level of authority exempts us from serving others. Pride or dignity may cause us to resist things such as working in a soup kitchen, tutoring an underprivileged illiterate, vacuuming the house, unloading the dishwasher, taking out the garbage, washing clothes, running errands, maintaining the house, making photo copies, or returning phone calls. Yet, when we execute these menial tasks, we reflect Christ.
   
Through our service to others, we truly lead. Otherwise, people are just intimidated into producing results for fear of our hostile reprisals. How much healthier it is for family, friends, and work associates to be motivated by our service than by our threats. It may start out awkwardly; it may take time for people to get used to the sight of you helping out. But when you start managing by walking around your computer instead of hiding behind it, people will be amazed. Encourage by engaging personally with people, not just sending impersonal e-mails and texts. At first, they may resist, wondering what’s come over you. But your willingness to roll up your sleeves will win them over. Start with a handwritten thank you note to your direct reports. Value them as your most important “customer.” Wash their feet by constantly caring for them first.
   
Menial tasks can become mundane over time. They can become boring and predictable, so stay fresh and challenged. Do not be satisfied with the status quo. Challenge the system and execute in a more excellent way. If you take for granted your position or technical skills, you may become sloppy in your service and lazy in your work. Always become better at what you do. Anybody can do anything for a short period of time. But it takes stamina and character to continue mastering the menial over the long run. Take continuing education classes. Improve your speaking and writing skills by engaging a speech or writing coach.

Use technology to enhance and accelerate the menial. Nothing, however, will ever replace your need to give personal attention to important details. The devil is in the details, so give attention to them. This keeps him from taking you hostage. Yes, delegate, but do not make the mistake and abdicate. People appreciate your thinking of the details that affect them. Your accountability to carry out the menial makes others want to do the same, so plan ahead. Serve others where they least expect you to get involved. Then it becomes infectious. So be a contagious carrier who reflects Christ. There is no task too menial for your Master. Join Him where He serves.

Take some rest

 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest". So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.  Mark 6:30-32

Wise leaders lead others into rest, they find a quiet place and rest together. After extreme busyness, rest is required, as your spirit begins to rebel against the hustle and bustle of life. The joy of service for God starts to fade. People become a drain rather than a blessing. It is time to break away to a solitary place. Jesus took a break after a big event.

If you continually push yourself, you will eventually lose all energy and perspective. A driven heart becomes a judgmental heart. You begin to look down on others because they are not pulling their weight. Your joy is replaced with jaded criticism. You feel you are the only one who is really committed. Your peers have become slackers in your mind.

Furthermore, be careful as you may be serving out of your own strength and not the Spirit’s. It is the Holy Spirit that sustains you over the long haul. Wise leaders understand the danger of an unsustainable schedule. You begin to sacrifice relationships in reach of unrealistic goals. Indeed, God gives us goals as a guide and motivation, but do not be driven by the goal—rather be lead by the Holy Spirit.

Otherwise, the goal can become your god. Unchecked goal setting can lead you down the path of disappointment and disillusionment. You may need to better pace yourself. Be patient. Develop the team around you and watch God work through them, way beyond your capacity. Indeed, some of your team development comes in the quiet places.

Find a quiet spot and calendar a time today for yourself and your team. They desperately need this enrichment, both personally and professionally. Without a retreat, they may not be able to advance. Some may be on the verge of burnout or quitting, because of discouragement. Solitary places allow you and your team to recalibrate with the vision and mission of the organization. Quiet times together build camaraderie and trust.

A retreat is an investment. By taking time to pause you are able to continue—and you continue with more effectiveness and efficiency. A quiet place is an opportunity to get on the same page with God. Your soul is refreshed and replenished. The words of the Bible leap from its pages,  lodging in the crevices of your heart and mind. A retreat is an exercise of trust that routine matters will be taken care of in your absence.

Take a retreat for your sake and sanity—and for the morale of the team. We hear more clearly when it is quiet. Our comprehension expands. Our bodies rest. Our soul is renewed. A solitary place provides strength and stamina to finish well. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest in a quiet place!

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15

Management by Objectives

 Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry.  Numbers 4:19

God believes in delegation and follow through. He expects leaders to manage. This is the right and responsible thing to do. If a job is to be done well, you as the leader, have to be a part of the process. Effective managers make expectations crystal clear. Clarity comes through repetition, hands on explanation, written instructions, and follow-up. It is important for team members to understand from different perspectives, how their role is critical in accomplishing the overall vision. Inspect the results you expect from them.

On-the-job training is also important so team members have the opportunity to watch you or someone else, complete the work with excellence. This gives the trainee an opportunity to ask questions and interact with the trainer. Avoid the temptation to hurry and not be thorough in hands-on training. Ineffective training costs you in the long run. It costs you time, money, frustration, and personnel turnover. So how can you, as a manager, grow and improve your management skills? How can you be a good example for the team?

First of all, make sure you are managed well. Invite your supervisor or board of directors to hold you accountable. You have a much better chance to manage well if you are managed well. Then have regular performance reviews. We perform better when others are watching. The review needs to be relational, specific, and results focused. Next, walk around among your team. Seek to understand each person’s role and what is expected, taking the time to follow up with tasks you have delegated. Follow through with your commitments, and you will maintain your moral authority to manage. Effective leaders manage in person, not in isolation. A recluse is a poor manager.

Lastly, challenge the management process. Do the systems of your enterprise facilitate or stifle management? In other words, do you get the proper data needed to evaluate a person or situation, or are you guessing and making assumptions not based on facts? Excellent managers produce processes that move toward the best results.

“Paul instructed Timothy in this way, ‘Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others’” (2 Timothy 2:1–2) 

Unsolicited blessings

After saying this, he [Jesus] spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:6-7

Sometimes (really everyday) God blesses us out of the blue. We don’t see it coming, but when we encounter His goodness, we are overwhelmed with gratitude. Such was the experience of the blind man, who minding his own business, became the recipient of Christ’s mercy. This feeble man of sorrows was touched by the Man of Sorrows. Our Lord does not look at a misfortunate man with contempt, but with compassion and empathy. Jesus came to save not judge, though His coming is judgment for those who stay stuck in their unbelief. God’s unsolicited blessings manifest from His mercy.

Moreover, there will always be contemporary critics who can’t handle Christ’s miraculous intervention, love, grace, mercy, and ability to forgive what to the world is deemed unforgivable. Strangely, instead of celebrating the wholeness of this man’s body, the spiritually blind leaders shifted the discussion to a theological debate. Because they were not the instigators of this healing or the recipient of God’s grace, they were opposed to Christ’s act of mercy. We can expect the unenlightened and ignorant to explain away our experience of the Lord’s favor. Jealous distractors will try to demean Jesus by dismissing His divinity, but His blessings still remain.

“Her (Elizabeth’s) neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy” (Luke 1:58).

Furthermore, when Christ calls us to obey, we obey. Though it may not seem as strange as allowing Him to smear the saliva stained mud of His mercy on our eyes with us washing it away, we will still trust and obey. Faith without obedience is without effect, but faith with obedience sees the Spirit’s effect. Thus, we don’t sit around and pridefully debate the origin of a man or woman’s misfortune, instead we get our hands dirty in the mud of God’s mercy and we lovingly serve.

How do you regularly rejoice in God’s unsolicited blessings? Perhaps over a meal with your family, each one shares how they’ve been surprised by joy. Or, as you engage people in every day life, make note of the Lord’s favor in their lives. Pass on these nuggets of encouragement to friends and loved ones. Jesus miraculously intervenes all around you, so be aware and share. Be a steward of God’s stories of faithfulness. His unsolicited blessings deserve your recognition and rejoicing!

“Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence” (Psalm 21:6).

Patiently wait

 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

Patient people wait on God’s best. God things happen to those who are patient, those who wait. Patience is a virtue, but it is also a vehicle in which the Lord delivers His blessings. Like a loyal wife waiting for the gift of her husband’s return from war, so those who love Jesus wait on Him to return soon. Patience waits on God to rain down His favor.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain” (James 5:7).

However, as we wait we pray and we prepare. We pray for patience, knowing that Jesus Christ is completely trustworthy. We pray for boldness to declare God’s truth to those who have yet to fall in love with Jesus. Waiting is also the Lord’s time to prepare our character. Our character has to keep up with our success for us to remain successful.

“Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character” (Romans 5:3b-4a).

Yes, it is hard to be patient when you really want something. But, why do you want what you want? Is your motive aligned with what the Lord wants for you? Our Heavenly Father knows what we need and when we are able to handle His blessing. Pride demands to have things now, but humility sees the worth in wisely waiting.

Our tension may be the normal desire for a husband or for a wife. Or, maybe we feel trapped financially or our job is a dead end road. We seem to be doing the right things, but we are not happy with our progress. Thus, while we wait focus on intimacy with Jesus, let Him do a work of greater grace in our heart. Enjoy what you already have and you will appreciate what you get. Like Job, wait on God to give back more than before.

“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11).

Patience is the fruit of the Spirit, it resides with God, available for His children. So, seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit each day. Wait for and anticipate good gifts from our heavenly Father. Christ manages the clock of life, so rest and regroup during His timeouts. In this parenthesis of time you can enjoy living for the Lord and others. Patience waits.

“And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised” (Hebrews 6:15).

Perfect peace

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.  

Isaiah 26:3-4

 

The world offers imperfect peace. It is temporary at best, as it comes in the form of materialism, a person, a pill, or a bottle. This caricature of peace prolongs pain and leads to long-term disappointment and disillusionment. Artificial peace restricts or rejects the peace of God, only to eventually come back and seek out what’s real.

Are you able to sleep peacefully at night? Do you have an assurance deep down in your soul that Christ is in control and can be trusted? If not, let loose of the idols of worry and pride, redirect your energies to eternal solutions. Answers from above bring peace that’s within. Where there is trust in the Lord there is rest from fighting the enemy.

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7, NKJV).

Accessing the Lord’s peace begins by first making peace with Him. In humble surrender and submission we unlock the control of our hearts to Christ and trust Him to give us what we need to follow Him and serve others. When we exchange our agenda for His agenda, in total trust, we in turn receive the peace of God. Peace follows trust. Peace with God results in the peace of God. Why wait until death to make peace with God?

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

God’s peace gives us confidence to follow Christ in ministry, domestically and globally. His peace of mind is assurance that we can move forward in a relationship or a new responsibility at work. A home that is peaceful is a haven for family and for those who need a safe environment to feel secure and loved. Peace produces relational fruit that lasts.

Can the Prince of Peace be trusted to get you through this challenge with your child or this season of suffering? Yes, of course He can and He wants you to experience His peace so you can be an ambassador of peace for God. People in turmoil who engage with your peaceful demeanor, want to know more about what you know and have.

So, use the gift of peace that Jesus has given you as a platform to proclaim His truth. Give away this gift to all who will receive it, and oh what a difference it will make if only one life receives its benefits. You don’t have to look far for candidates: a single parent, the jobless, a confused child, a fearful parent, an addict, the sick or a lost soul. The perfect peace of God cuts through confusion and keeps your mind and heart on Jesus.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).

Temptation and accountability

 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. 1 Corinthians 10:13  The Message

Temptation loses its teeth in the face of accountability. Just as a home security system alerts us when an intruder invades the premises, so loving accountability warns us of pending danger. Yes, temptation has its greatest influence when operating in isolation, but when exposed to a caring community, its illusions are dismissed. People who love us want what’s best for us. They are more objective and expose our unwise inclinations. Accountability keeps us honest.

Everyone’s battle is everyone’s battle. Thus, we are wise not to fight alone. There is a very practical reason foxholes are not manned by one individual. We cover each other’s backs when in close proximity to one another; we engage the enemy. Victory comes to a band of brothers or sisters who seeks the best interest of the group. Prayers for purity push back the taunts of lustful thoughts from the tempter. We do better when we know our friends closely observe our lifestyle.

“So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).

Pornography is a rampant problem that grips our culture. It destroys relationships, corrupts the moral infrastructure of society, and steals the respect of its victims. We’re all one mouse click away from unseemly images on the worldwide web. How can we guard our hearts and minds from pornographic pain? An effective plan is to give 24/7 access to our computers and mobile devices to our spouse and accountability partners. Invite them to inspect what’s expected of us.

Until we get real about our real issues of temptation, we will not experience lasting change. In our independent pride we will fall, but out of our interdependent humility we will stand. We all struggle with similar sins, why not name them and confess to friends our need to come clean. Our heavenly Father shows us favor when we are not ashamed of sharing our struggles. It’s much better to be humbled before a small group that loves us than humiliated before a large group who doesn’t know us. Temptation suffered alone succumbs, but together we overcome!

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

Tricks of the tempter

The tempter [the devil] came to him [Jesus] and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:3

The devil tempted Adam and Eve to doubt God. He tempted Job to give up on God and he tempted Jesus to disobey God. Satan’s tactics have not changed. He still subtly and not so subtly seeks to steal, kill and destroy our faith. He sows seeds of doubt into our  taking seriously Christ’s commands and walking out plus exercising our faith. He plays mind games to get us to go against what we know is clearly right or wrong and stepping out of the will and purpose of God. The evil one masks a sinful choice by causing us to doubt God’s clear expectations. What God says does not require a second opinion, so we are wise to first do what He says to do.

The devil also tempts us to give up on God when our world is shaken. Like Job we may lose our children and see our finances slip away. Our health may fail and we may be tempted to think the Lord has failed us. However, it’s our faith in Jesus that offers stability during unstable situations. Our God is unmovable. He is a rock, refuge, and strong fortress against the deceptive tricks of the tempter. Yes, we lean into the Holy Spirit when unholy forces seek to force unfaithfulness.

“In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22).

Moreover, Satan appeals to our pride by tempting us to use power powered by the flesh. Our pride can easily run ahead of the Lord. Though a good outcome may come about, God does not get the glory when we are out in front of Him. Humility waits to be led and empowered by the Spirit. The devil also misapplies Scripture in an attempt to spiritualize his suggestions. He will twist the truth to sound inviting: “everything if done in moderation is ok.” Really? One click to a pornographic site is not ok, one car ride with a drunken driver is not ok, and one lie is not ok.

Therefore, we come against the enemy’s tricks, lies, and deceit with the Word of God. We are naive and defenseless if we try to defeat the devil with our own clever devices. We will win however, if we keep our prayer guard up and if we spend time meditating on and applying  biblical principles to our behavior. This is why we are engaged, not nonchalant in our spiritual disciplines. We stay aware of devilish schemes that try to convince us we are the exception to the Lord’s expectations. By God’s grace we win the battle of the mind by renewing our mind with truth.

“‘Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them. ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation’” (Luke 22:46).

 

Trials and Tribulation

 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

What is temptation? It is a desire enticing you to make an unwise decision. To be tempted is not to sin, but it does mean a sinful desire is close to conception, awaiting birth. So, we are wise to see temptation coming and prepare not to fall for its power of deceit. Trials are an outward test that can lead to an inward temptation. When weakened by adversity we become a prime target of our adversary--the devil. So how can we be prepared to overcome trials and temptations?

For example, a job promotion can be a good thing, but what if it requires the test of travel? Time away from home cannot be properly replaced by any amount of money. And what are the agreed upon guidelines (with ourselves and if married, with our spouse) to keep us from falling for temptation? The moral temptation is to not remain faithful. The ethical temptation is to compromise our honesty. Peer temptation is to give into juvenile behavior. Intentional preplanning deals best with temptation. Avoid compromising situations: alone with the opposite sex, nightclubs or inaccurate expense reports.

“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15).

Moreover, there are those who desire to get rich. It is tempting because of the allure of affluence: freedom, nice homes, new cars, power and prestige. This test of prosperity requires a generous spirit to truly prosper, otherwise money creates idols of its own making. Those blessed materially learn how to leverage their possessions for God’s kingdom and not their own. They recognize the Lord as the owner and themselves as stewards. Generosity trumps the temptation of greediness.

Lastly, use trials to draw closer to Christ and not be tempted to pull away from Him. Don’t allow hard times to harden your heart, instead invite the Spirit to soften your heart. In His desert aloneness Jesus was tempted by the devil, but He answered his lies with the truth of Scripture. So, seek the Lord when He seems distant and He will draw you unto Himself. Furthermore, be transparent with mentors and friends who can support you in remaining faithful. Confessing your vulnerabilities weakens temptations grip. Christ provides a way of escape for patient endurance.
 
“Because he himself [Jesus] suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18)

Forgiven to forgive

 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Forgiven people forgive, because they are eternally grateful for the grace of God’s forgiveness in their heart. They are keenly aware that outside of Christ, they are cursed to a cycle of unforgiveness, lost in their sins. Thus, the Lord raised them up forgiven, so they in turn can forgive. Forgiveness on earth flows from forgiveness in heaven. It is something to be passed on today, not to be stored away for some unique future occasion.

Unforgiveness encroaches on the health of our relationships. Its cancerous affect eats away at our enjoyment of God, family and friends. Suddenly, without advance notice, we lash out at those we love—because of someone we don’t love. Unforgiveness, like an inactive but rumbling volcano, waits to explode at any moment of disappointment. The embroiled embers smolder like sin and will erupt when pressure shakes its foundation.

Do you hold a grudge that has a hold of you? Does resentment hang over you like a bad dream, only you never wake up? This level of emotional upheaval is no way to live for the Lord. His will is not for you to be preoccupied with people who have stolen your joy and hindered your fellowship with Jesus. Forgiveness frees you from the bitter taste of bitterness and replaces it with the sweet taste of grace. Thus, forgive like you’re forgiven.

True forgiveness is sincere and all-inclusive. We are not in the position to judge who deserves forgiveness and who does not.. One test is to ask if you are tender hearted or hard hearted toward another. A hard heart has yet to be broken by heaven’s caring crush, it may take extended adversity to soften your heart to forgive.

Why wait in anxious resentment when you can be freed today from hatred and relational apathy? Moreover, make your forgiveness specific. Communicate clearly you are forgiving an exact amount of money—they are no longer in debt to you. Did a relative abuse you as a child? Were you fired over office politics? Talk with them—if they have abandoned you or are dead, write a letter expressing Christ’s love and your forgiveness.

What if you forgive someone and they are unresponsive and unrepentant? You cannot control another’s response, only your own. Trust that the Lord is working and that your humble and sincere example will begin a work of grace in their heart. Love and kindness tear down walls of anger—grace and forgiveness build bridges of hope. Satan’s destructive deception is exposed and destroyed in the face of your forgiveness.

“And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:10b-11).

Right before I die

 Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Psalm 39:4-5

 

It's easy to live life like we have unlimited days before we die. Men especially can think they are bullet proof, indestructible to life’s constant flow of burdens and blessings. I acted like that until I encountered a life threatening health issue in my 20's.  Suddenly, my mortality caught up with my body because I was burning the candlestick from every side. Reality and fear of  possibly dying reminded me I might not see a  child be born, grow develop and mature into adulthood. As a result of this my perspective changed mightily I began to value each day as God’s unique gift.

Following death immortality in heaven is instant for the believer, thus we pass through this life on a mission for our Lord. If that so, why do we sometimes live like our purpose is for this life alone? Denial, we think, if we don’t think about death, it will stay at bay, or at least not depress us. But death is one of the Lord’s reminders of why we need Him. Our inevitable death is cause for utter dependence on our heavenly Father. Death’s unpredictability calls us to Christ’s predictability.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

So by God’s grace, how can we live like we are dying? One way is to embrace and celebrate each day as a gift from God. A gift not to be squandered in self focus or taken for granted with thankless prayers. Gratitude adds energy to life and attractiveness to our attitude. Another idea is to enjoy what we have, not obsess over what we don’t have. Contentment contributes to peace of mind, physical health and emotional wholeness. We have all we need in Christ Jesus.

Lastly, we gain a heart of wisdom when we treat each day as an opportunity to be an ambassador for God. A heart focused on the Lord wants others to come to know God through His son Jesus. So, we humbly share the wisdom of God for the purpose of people knowing God. Wisdom has a sense of urgency based on the fact that Christ is in control, but aware that today may be the last day to invite another soul to Jesus. We live like we are dying when we share the everlasting gospel of Christ. Because we trust Him with our soul, we die daily and trust Him with our life.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Get wisdom

 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. Proverbs 4:5-6

Anyone who knows me knows that I talk, teach, and preach about the availability of wisdom to all who seek it and ask for it.  

According to the Oxford Dictionary, wisdom has to do with the soundness of an action or decision. Makes sense, right? Wisdom is when you make good choices, and I imagine that most of us could do a little more of that.  

But where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God because He is the author of all that is. He made it all, so He knows how everything that concerns us is supposed to work. Okay, but how do we get wisdom?

Here are three practical ways to get the wisdom that God says will preserve our life.

First, listen to God. God is the source of all wisdom. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. . .” Listening for the Lord’s wisdom happens when we spend time in His Word and quiet ourselves so we can hear the Holy Spirit. Leaning on our own wisdom will lead us astray but listening to God brings life. Can you imagine what jewels of wisdom we could receive this week by quieting ourself in His presence? 

Next, listen to wise people. When I think about the people I know in my life, there are several I consider to be wise. These people are gracious in their speech, thoughtful in their interactions with others, shrewd in how they handle difficult personal situations, calm in crisis, mature in their financial choices, loving, trustworthy, and they have a genuine relationship with Jesus. 

One wise man mentored me when I was in my twenties, and I learned from him just by spending time with him. Do you know someone who is wise? Reach out to them and ask them to spend time with you so you can learn from them, too. 

Listen to your circumstances. When I think about the past, I am grateful for what I have learned, not in spite of my failures, but because of them. My failure has been a good teacher to create greater wisdom in me. Without many painful experiences, I wouldn’t have grown, although I still have a lot to learn. 

That said, it’s not guaranteed that difficult circumstances will create wisdom in us. Instead, it’s listening to our difficult circumstances that create wisdom. Without looking back, our failures can produce little fruit. But when we reflect on what happened, they can prevent us from making the same mistakes again.  The person who does not learn is the person who is bound to repeat the same errors. But when we learn from the past, we can become more like Christ. 

Finally, do what you heard. Once you have listened to God, listened to wise people, and listened to your circumstances, it’s time to put into practice what you learned. When knowledge becomes action, that’s true wisdom. 

Maybe as you look back at your life, you see where you could have made some better, wiser choices. In closing, let me encourage you, wisdom is something we receive and grow into. It’s not something we have when we are born. 

Even Christ grew in wisdom. Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” If you’re beating yourself up for “not getting it right the first time,” give yourself grace. Wisdom is something God wants to give His children and it’s something they grow in, just like Christ. 

Since God became man and felt the limitations of being human, He knows what it’s like to grow in wisdom too. 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

Let Him flow

He that believeth on Me as the scriptures hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters.

John 7:38

The height and depth of walking with Christ and living as a believer is when God’s Holy Spirit

flows through you. The greatest challenge we face in ministry and in life is to get the flesh out of the

way of God’s movement. Our meditation for today points to how it can be done on a continual basis.

Jesus very clearly states on the last day of the feast that his invitation involves believing on Him as the

scriptures hath said. Let us keep in mind that those he said it to did not believe on him as the scriptures

had said; they had their own interpretation. 

I have a simple equation to offer to you today. It is: False

Doctrine= False God. Even today, there are so many churches and denominations that believe what

they want to believe about Jesus and have formed doctrines that have absolutely nothing to do with

him. When Jesus said, “He that believeth on Me as the scriptures has said,” there was no New

Testament written. The scriptures Jesus was referring to were what we now know as the Old

Testament. This tells us right away that anyone who forms a doctrine that eradicates the Old Testament

has already formed a false doctrine and created a false god. The challenge for us now is to go back to

the Old Testament and see how it points to Christ. Out of that belief and structure will unlock the door

to the invitation Jesus gave here in John 7:38.

I don’t know about you, but I want and desperately need God’s power to flow through me.

Notice here the way of God. He wants to pour Himself out through us. God’s power is never meant to

be contained. In other words, I can’t keep it to myself. This is the way Oswald Chambers puts it:

“If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain, but what He pours through us that counts.

It is not that God makes us beautifully rounded grapes, but that He squeezes the

sweetness out of us. Spiritually, we cannot measure our life by success, but only by

what God pours through us, and we cannot measure that at all.”

Beloved, we must examine the scriptures afresh today. We must believe on Jesus as the Old Testament

has said. The promise of Christ Jesus is that out of our belly shall flow rivers of living water. The Holy

Spirit will perpetually flow through us to accomplish His work. This is the height and depth of walking

with Christ. Our challenge is to simply Let Him Flow.

Double-minded

 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:6-8

Double mindedness comes from doubt. Doubt about being in the right career. Doubt related to investing in the right relationships. Doubt in the Lord’s ability to handle the circumstances or the people. Chronic doubt is a detriment to faith and hope, because it causes instability and insecurity. Has doubt and double mindedness frozen your faith?

Do you feel torn between two people? Have your divided loyalties at work created conflict and confusion? Does your lack of conviction cause you to react like a whipsaw to the latest advice? Like a ship without a rudder or sail, you are tossed back and forth by the winds of change and conflict. Without confidence from Christ there is confusion.

“I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty” (Galatians 5:10).

Wavering faith is made stable by reassurance from the Lord’s faithfulness. There is nothing distrustful about wisdom from above. You can count on Christ to lead you through the valley of uncertainty, along the upward path of prayer to the mountaintop of trust. Challenges allow you to grow in grace—and live out the advice you give to others.

So, determine by God’s grace to be single-minded, not double-minded. Your single-minded devotion to Jesus is simple, but powerful. Like the tip of a razor sharp spear, it cuts through the noise of competing voices and allows you to hear from heaven. This humble posture of believing prayer unlocks the Lord’s wisdom and discernment.

Whatever Jesus says to be—be, and whatever Jesus says to do—do. Do not complicate your conversation with Christ with contingency plans. Rather, simply trust and obey the truth. Do what He says to do today and trust Him with tomorrow. The Lord will handle the little details and the big outcomes—your part is to remain faithful. Wisdom is what He wants you to follow by faith. Single-mindedness is stable and secure in all its ways.

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9).