What Are Your Questions?

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)

Every time I read this story, I am sad. Here was Stephen, following God’s plan, trying to share Jesus with everyone and he was stoned. The people were so angry at his words, they took his life. Not to mention the hypocrisy of murdering someone, which was against God’s law.

But then, I have to realize that this event began the persecution of the early church. Because of that persecution, the Christians scattered. Prior to, they were gathered together at the same place. When they dispersed, they took with them their love of Jesus and that was shared with new people. The movement began.

Sometimes we look at the things that happen in our lives and we ask questions. Why is this happening? What is God doing? Why would he allow that?

Is it possible we are asking the wrong questions.

Maybe there are better questions to ask. What is God going to do with this? Where is he leading? Am I following or resisting? How can I glorify his name even in the midst of this? Am I excited to see what he will do?

We choose what questions we ask. We choose our response to different situations. Really, either we put ourselves at the center of it or we put God there. Who sits in the center of your questions today?

Who Is In Control? Not I!

But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth. Exodus 9:16 (NLT)

All throughout the Exodus story, Moses told Pharaoh to let the people, God’s people, go so they could worship him. Pharaoh waffled back and forth between “Yes, Go!” and “No. You can’t go!” It is frustrating to read and I am sure to the people of Israel it was frustrating to live through.

You see, Pharaoh thought he was in control. He actually thought the decision was his. He would decide if and when he was going to let the people go. Don’t we often do this?

We think, especially in our western world mentality, that it’s all about us. Everything that is happening is because of me. Every situation has something to do with what I want or what I need. We forget, like Pharaoh did, that it’s about God.

It’s about what God wants, what God has planned and always, always for his glory.

God says to Pharaoh “I have spared you for a purpose.” Pharaoh toyed with Moses, the people of Israel and God. (I’m not so sure it’s a good thing to toy with God.) God was pretty up front. I could have done away with you but I spared you. I didn’t spare you because you were the best ruler ever to live. I didn’t spare you because you run the largest, most powerful nation. I spared you for my purpose, for my glory.

This text makes me pause. How often do I look at the circumstances around me and focus too narrowly on the outcome? Shouldn’t everything I do be for God’s glory? Do I ask myself enough how what is happening will impact those around me for Jesus? Probably not.

What about you? What circumstance in your life can you handle differently so it points people to Jesus? Are you lining up your life so it is for God’s purpose and God’s glory?

Looking Forward

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT)

Each year I choose a character of God to try to understand him better. One year it was Joy. One year it was Power. In 2018 it was Glory. Usually, I go through the year and I look for God in these words and somewhere in the middle, I see him more clearly. Not this year. Glory was harder. One of the things that kept stumping me was when the Bible said we would share God’s glory. When I thought of God’s glory, I thought of how he showed up in the pillar of fire before the Israelites in the wilderness. And when the angels showed up and people dropped in terror. How can we share that?

At the very end of this year, it all came together. In Hebrews 1:3 it says that Jesus radiated God’s glory by being the very character of God (NLT), the perfect imprint (AMPC). Jesus was the essence of God.

In our text today, it talks about how when we choose God, we become more and more like Jesus. We are changed into his image. And as we do that, we share God’s essence, his character with those around us. We share in his glory. Sharing God’s glory isn’t about some bright power that appears with shock and awe. It is more about becoming his character and sharing who he is.

It is our responsibility to share that with others. And the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:15 that as more and more people experience him, there will be thanksgiving and praise and glory to his name.

I look back on 2018 and know that sometimes I shared God’s character and sometimes I didn’t. I know there were times when I really reflected him badly. I hate it when I do that. But, I am not discouraged by that. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says as we are changed into his glorious image. It’s a process. We will not be fully changed until we see Jesus when he comes again. The Bible also promises in Philippians 1:6 that God is faithful and will continue the work he started in us until completion.

So here’s to 2019 and beyond! As we continue to seek His face, as we continue to know Jesus more fully, may God change us to be more and more like him. May his glory be seen all throughout the earth!

Happy New Year!

Show Us The Father

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father.” John 14:8 (NLT)

Jesus came to “show us the Father.” That was his goal as he walked here on earth. He embodied the Father in human form. And we are supposed to imitate him in all we do living our lives so people can see God in us through our words, actions and responses to what life throws at us.

Do we? When I first thought about this I thought about how hard that would be. I mean, I am not Jesus. He can reflect the Father perfectly because he is after all, God. But before I dismissed this as something I couldn’t do, verse twelve caught my eye.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works.” Uh oh.

Does that mean that since I believe in Jesus and look to him for my example (as the disciples did), that I can reflect the Father? Can people see me, watch my life and say “She reflected God”?

Apparently, Jesus thought so.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16

And elsewhere in the Bible we are given the same mandate.

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11

Please note, the Bible never said living all out for Jesus would be easy. It’s not. But it does tell us that when we stay focused on him and live our life the way he lived his, we will glorify God. We will make a difference. The highest compliment you can ever get is if someone says “I can see Jesus in you.” And that should always be our goal.

Don't Say A Word

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world. Psalm 19:1-4 (NLT)

Our world is filled with noise. From the hustle and bustle of daily life, signs posted everywhere, internet grabbing our attention, TV shows and commercials, everything is clamoring to get us to look here or look there.

What do we do to deal with this? We block things out. We tend to ignore the overwhelming clatter and banter. So what is a Christian to do? How can we represent God yet not contribute to the noise? How can we reflect his glory in silence?

There is a saying I love. “Preach the gospel to all the world and if necessary use words.” Nature understands this. God’s glory is revealed with splendor yet in silence. A beautiful flower, a spectacular sunrise or a majestic animal. Why? Because they are doing what they were created to do, glorify God.

Is it possible that if we live our lives as Jesus would have us to do we would reflect God more purely and simply than we would with any words or gimmicks? We would glorify his name because he was radiating from the inside out. My guess is, if we lived as if we loved God, we could share who he is without saying a word.

What Do They See When They See You

Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”  Daniel 6:19-22 (NLT)

The King decreed that anyone who bowed down before another would be killed. Daniel continued to bow before God and pray. Back in those days, there were no pardons. As much as King Darius did not want to do it, Daniel had to be thrown into the Lion's Den. King Darius paced all night long unable to sleep because he was worried about this friend, Daniel. The next morning, as soon as he was able, he ran to the Lion's Den and said "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?" 

Did you notice that? Darius was distraught about what was happening to Daniel. It was personal for him and the first question he asked was "Was your God able to save you?" Yeah, we notice that right away but we gloss over the statement "Whom you serve so faithfully." In all of the commotion, the stress of the situation and the drama, Darius noticed that Daniel was faithful to God. Daniel did not deviate from his relationship with God for any reason. He didn't compromise on what God called him to do and Darius took notice.

In verses 26-27 Darius puts out a decree that says:

I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For he is the living God,
    and he will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
    and his rule will never end.
He rescues and saves his people;
    he performs miraculous signs and wonders
    in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”

Daniel's relationship with God and God's power convicted Darius about who God was.

So often in our lives, stuff happens. Things don't go the way they should. We, as Christians, face trauma and problems just like everyone else.  What sets us apart? Our trust in God and the way we handle our messy lives. Just like in Daniel's life, the people we know and love watch what we do and they take note. Who is in charge of our lives? What motivates our decisions and our reactions? If you looked back over the last week or so, how do you think people would answer that question?

He Never Does It My Way

Remember the things I have done in the past.
    For I alone am God!
    I am God, and there is none like me.
Only I can tell you the future
    before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
    for I do whatever I wish.
I will call a swift bird of prey from the east—
    a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding.
I have said what I would do,
    and I will do it. Isaiah 46:9-11 (NLT)

As they were into the fifth plague, do you think the Israelites wondered what God was doing? Do you think they, or even Moses, thought "WOW. Plague number five. God should just give up because Pharaoh is too stubborn." Or "This really isn't working. These plagues are horrible."

The plagues never touched Israel. The Bible says over and over again that they hit the Egyptians but not the Israelites. But, can you imagine the tension across the land during that time? Here were the people that held your life in their hands and your God was making them suffer....and he was making the ruler mad. And, the ruler was evil which was evident when he ordered that all baby boys be drowned. Talk about stressful.

Do you think the Israelites wondered if God was in it? Do you think they questioned if he would do what he said he would do? And what about "When?" 

What about you? Do you wonder what he's doing? Do you wonder if he's ever going to come through? I can say, I do. Recently, I felt that God was telling me to do something which was not logical (of course, God's directions often don't sound logical.) But, I did it because well, he's God. I am still waiting for him to come through on the part I thought he needed to fulfill.

Should I give up and say "Well, I guess that wasn't God and now I'm in a pickle." Or worse, do I assume he isn't going to follow through? I could but shouldn't. It's usually right about then that he shows up. Just because what is happening doesn't look like what I think it should, doesn't mean God isn't in it.  His ways are not mine - not even close.  Praising him for that!

I Can't But God Can

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it.But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:15-16 (NIV)

Here was Joseph, standing before Pharaoh, the ruler of the world. Can you imagine? You are brought from prison, bathed and suited up and taken before a king. I imagine that must have been a little nerve racking.  After all, Joseph knew that if Pharaoh wasn't pleased, he executed you.

And then Pharaoh said "I hear you interpret dreams." Do you think Joseph pondered if he should or shouldn't say yes? What if he interpreted them wrong? What if the interpretation didn't come true? Pharaoh would impale him on a pole like he did the Chief Baker.

Those are all the thoughts that would have gone through my head. But, not Joseph. 

Joseph was sure of who he was and who gave him the interpretations. He knew on his own he could not accomplish such a great task. He knew who God was and what God had done in his life. Joseph gave God the glory. 

In our lifetime, we probably will never be called before a King to interpret their dreams. But how often do people tell us what a great thing we did and we are tempted to take the credit for it? I know in my life, anything good that is done is because God did it. His hand is in everything and he deserves the glory. 

Over and over in the Bible we see the downfall of God's people happen when they stop looking at what God is doing and start believing that it's about them. It is never about us. It is always about God. I pray that, like Joseph, we will humbly remember to give God the glory as we say "I cannot do it but, God can."