God Helps His Children: Intervention 13

Application of the Christ Life

Finding God in the Daily

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart

 and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30  

 Refreshing of the soul comes in increments as God facilitates the process.

THROUGH GOD'S WORD in Matthew 11:28-30 comes an illustration on how God brings refreshing to His children through the Christ-life in them. There are many other scriptures that develop the concept of closeness with God. Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles demonstrate how meaningful spiritual relationship helps draw His followers closer to Himself.

This scripture passage validates that part of the human experience is being weary and heavy laden. God comes along side to help those in need to become fully whole. This transformation is accessible for all followers of Christ. Believers experience peace and rest as God helps them handle their problems.

God does this for His children

   -that He may meet us where we are at 

        -to show how He comes along side us and

             -offers to assist and guide, and how 

                      -God proceeds to set us free.

This one is personal. The remainder of the Intervention Series is personal commentary. I apply Matthew 11:28-30 as a means to share truth, and as a way to unfold how God ministers to personal, spiritual, and emotional needs in Christians.

I use no other reference materials. This is not a word study or an analysis of Scriptural content. The content is written as a guide and practical application for personal growth. It should help to set believers on the right path, and to show that they can become free in their inner life.

In upcoming posts, I highlight scripture phrases and then comment on their meaning and application. Please jot down any ideas that come as you read through these posts. Please share your thoughts in the Comments section as you see fit. I am the facilitator of the process.
Blessings!

Father, You will help us brave the adversity as it comes and soften our reactions in the quietness. You are a wonderful Father. Amen

To God be the Glory

A Message of Life
Inspiration 51

The 'Quick Fix' Problem: Intervention no. 6

 The Quick-Fix Doesn't Always Take

Finding God in the Daily

 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.

 Psalm 37:5  ESV

You can't do better unless you have a vision for what 'better' looks like. I discovered that we in the church are confused about our 'why.' That's what this intervention series is about.

SOME THINGS IN THE CHURCH seemed strange to me once I started paying attention without rose-colored glasses on. Sisters and brothers were falling away from faith. Why couldn’t they sustain their belief? The church thought they were rebellious. But were they? Looking back now, I realize some of these individuals, especially the ones that questioned, were not understood very well. There was more to it than was obvious at first blush.

People were seen as either in the camp or outside the camp. There was little gray area or room to debate areas of struggle. The many issues of questionable or wrong behaviors were lumped together and labeled as sinful behavior. Some were, but some were not. The common solution offered in most cases was to repent and get right with God. 

Somewhat like after the prodigal’s return, when a person did get right with God, there would be a return to the church, God, and God’s ways, as set forth by the church and based on biblical principles. It was assumed the prodigal would experience spiritual victory with a return to righteous, spiritual living. Such, was the logical conclusion. 

Though logical, it didn't always work out that way. People still struggled. Although the pattern for the faithful life was formulated with good intentions and valued for addressing truth as it relates to scripture, it had one major flaw. Better said, it had one glaring, missing component, a major lack within its parameters for living a victorious Christian life. The teaching didn't go far enough.

Some have stumbled upon the missing element, like I did. Others have found it as they drew closer and closer to the all knowing Source. Some continue on as they have have been taught, equating salvation, prayer, bible reading, bible study, and obedience as the express parts that make up the whole of Christian living. Yet, there still is that glaring defect. One only has to look around to notice a serious conundrum. The problem is, the formula doesn't work for everyone.

Too many stop short of going further still, because
     a) they aren't interested,
          b) they don't know it's possible, and
               c) they don't know how to get there.

That's the case I'm building here, day after day, post after post.

You will learn
      1. What the problem looks like in the Christian community.
          2. How to deal with it by using an evergreen solution.
               3. The joy and healing the solution produces in individuals,
                    communities, and globally.

That is what this is about. An intervention is curative. It uncovers why past practices don't work for everyone and it helps change it up. Your better spiritual life is not about doing things right or being a good person. It is about developing a personal relationship with God that is life-giving, healing, health building, gracious, intimate, and real.

More tomorrow.

Dearest Father. Thank you for giving us this message of hope. Amen

To God be the Glory

A Message of life.
Daily Inspiration 44

God Alone, Really? -- Inspiration 37

The Trouble with Idolizing

Finding God in the Daily

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:3  KJV

It creeps me out when I see Christians idolize pastors and leaders with celebratory status. They are not gods. It concerns me when parents idolize their children to the extreme. I think we must be careful lest we worship a person or thing rather than God. It's called idolatry. Let's be free of it.

A FORM OF IDOLATRY happens in some Christian homes. Idolizing someone or some thing leads to wrong-minded thinking about the person or thing. This type of idolizing occurs when the person or thing is put on a pedestal and viewed worshipfully and possessively. God says that He alone is to be worshiped. A parent may idolize their talented child and attribute over-zealous attention to the child's success. In a relationship, one friend can idolize the other friend and practically worship the ground they walk on. Almost anything is subject to this temptation i.e. politics, religion, nature, culture, pleasures.

Families can idolize their roots; 

     churches, their denominations; 

          institutions, their status; 

               sports, their heroes;

                    individuals, their achievements.

To revere and hold in high regard any of these is fine. Heroes and such are important to the conversation. People's passions are fine, as well. Spiritually speaking, the problem surfaces when people, things, and accomplishments are elevated to god-like status. They probably don't know they're doing that nor do they know that idolizing can become a form of idolatry, which is offensive to God. It is a subtle thing that as it grows gets out of hand. Attention placed where it belongs and according to God's truths keeps a right focus. Little gods have no place in the Christian life. And that's a good thing. God alone deserves our praise and worship.

Dear Father God. We're sorry for idolizing people and other things. Forgive us, we ask. Thank you. You are holy. You are mighty and just. Praise Your holy name. In Jesus name, Amen.

In Pursuit of God -- Inspiration 33

The Joy of Knowing God

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Matthew 22:37

God can be known. Astounding as that may sound, it is true. God seeks relationship with His children. They can seek relationship with Him. This involves getting closer to God.

KNOWING GOD is a pursuit of the richest kind. Apprehending knowledge about God is one thing, but actual knowing God is another. The two are not the same. To know someone implies intimacy. You don't know someone or something unless you are familiar with them. The same is true for knowing God. One has to immerse themselves totally in seeking God to know Him. God desires for His children to know Him. He delights in this endeavor. We know this through Scripture's encouragement to love God with heart, mind, and soul. To know God is to love Him. Allow God access by engaging in activities of spiritual pursuit

1. Read the Bible: Learn about God: Know about God.
2. Pray: Confess: Give thanks: Ask: Seek: Knock at the door.
3. Meditate: Contemplate: Praise Him: Open up with God.
4. Absorb God's promises: Appreciate His ways: Be thankful.
5.  Desire God in relationship: Surrender: Let God lead you.

There is no one right way to pursue God to know Him. Individuals are individual, right? They will find God as they seek His favor. Asking God to reveal Himself is good place to start. Scripture can be studied. The Holy Spirit can be accessed to make this personal and revealing. An open heart and mind turned toward God is essential to the process. The spiritual journey becomes a blessed time of love, joy, and goodness. God becomes a faithful friend. He can be counted on. Knowing God and Him knowing you is the stuff of a beautiful relationship.

Dear God, thank you for being life to us. You are everything. Amen

To God be the Glory

Your Crazy World -- Inspiration 31

When Life Gets Complicated

Finding God in the Daily

 But be ever mindful of the days gone by in which, 

after you were first spiritually enlightened, 

you endured a great and painful struggle.

Hebrews 10:32

Life gets complicated very quickly sometimes. Usually we aren't prepared for the unexpected. Rather than wallow in your despairing, one has an opportunity to repair, get their bearings, revive and rejuvenate; and they become stronger than they were before the incident.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SENSE of your world when it is seemingly spinning out of control?  Pretty hard stuff comes on a frequent basis. The situation can be looked at subjectively or objectively. Objectivity shows what is going on. It is like taking your temperature. The reading on the thermometer tells the truth, if there is a fever or not. Similarly, a person looks at the factors in their life. If they're "sick" they will have to remedy the situation, take care of it and do whatever is necessary to remediate "fix" the issue.

On the spiritual side, when life gets crazy the situation needs to be stabilized. Acknowledging the chaos is not enough. Take action. It may take prayer, fortitude, counseling, and common sense. God is the 'go to' entity in this case. His Word has answers. He has answers. His people have answers. Spiritual resources provide help. Best of all is when the individual is able to get a handle on things by going to God and asking Him to show them what they need to know. God provides the strength to manage it, the necessary provision to abide for their needs during the difficulty and the endurance it takes until they are stabilized and secure.

Many of God's answers come in waves, in piecemeal, over the course of time, and not as immediate, one time solutions. The struggle's solution may take days, months, or years. It may require great patience on the inside and major trust in God on the outside. Once on the other side of the issue, they can look back and see how they've grown and bloomed as a person. God is faithful.

Dear Jesus, we don't always know how to go on. We get confused and discouraged. Life is so complicated. Help us with our problems. Show us the way. Thank you for hearing us and giving us solutions. We love You. Amen.

To God be the Glory

Unconventional Christianity -- Inspiration 30

Go For It!  

  You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual 

house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual 

sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5

Our gifts and talents mixed with the Holy Spirit's promptings make for an interesting life. Sensitivity to the Spirit's quiet voice and active listening and then acting on the promptings means you're becoming real. The focus changes from self to others.
 
THE UNCONVENTIONAL CHRISTIAN doesn't do Christianity the traditional way. They walk the walk according to the Spirit's compelling. Once they realize it is God giving these thoughts to them, they begin to be responsive. The thought comes in. Immediately or as soon as possible they go into action, no matter what it is. Every day meets with surprises.

Go here, go there. *Talk to that man over there, he's having a hard time. *Remember the announcement in church? Send $60 to the Smith family. *You need to go visit your auntie in the hospital. Right now. Drop everything and go. *See that woman over there, help her with her groceries. *You know, Mike? Send him an encouragement card. He needs to know he's appreciated. *And Pastor So and So, he would sure be tickled to get a home-baked strawberry pie, especially because it means you care. *Fast for a week for greater sensitivity in your ministry. *Commit to volunteering at the soup kitchen every week. *See over there on the park bench, give that homeless person your lunch. He's not eaten today. *Smile at people--because you love me. *Sing because you are my light to others. *Love on everyone you meet, the cashier, people at work, the little ones, your difficult relative, boss, co-worker. *Take a meal to your new neighbors, welcome them. *Call your sister. Pray with her, she's going through a rough patch. *Invite the young mother you met at church to your house for coffee; she's struggling and frazzled. It would mean a lot to her. *Time to get involved with the city park cleanup. *Share Christ with your grandpa. He's ready to listen now. *You really should make that call. *Mop the floor, clean toilets, wash dishes for Me and with a cheerful attitude. *Give thanks for My provision. *You need to forgive her, it's robbing your joy. *Stop complaining, it's finding fault with what I have made. *Pray for one hour every day for the needs in your family, country, world. And so the unconventional Christian life goes.

Want to have an unconventional spiritual life? Start listening to the Holy Spirit and follow the prompts. You'll be blessed (and surprised).

Dearest Father in heaven, it is joy to serve You. You receive the glory in all. Praise You. May Your love flow freely in all we do. Amen

To God be the Glory