Finding Lasting Joy

Reading through Proverbs is daunting at times. I don't recommend it unless you are a well studied Christian and even then it can have landmines that will rock you. This passage in Prov. 14:2-13, like much of the book can be like flipping a coin and getting both sides and you just keep flipping it till you get the outcome you want. You find yourself just wanting to make it make sense. Take a moment to read the passage before continuing this devotional.

In these wise observations about life's realities, where do you see yourself? Which side of the coin are you on? The wise? Or, the foolish? The upright? Or, the wicked? Maybe the image of the ox makes you recognize the laziness you've been lounging in, or perhaps you're struck by how much energy you expend trying to fit in with people, to measure up to other's expectations, how much you desire validation, even when you understand the folly of measuring yourself according to the acceptance of others. 

The kicker here is verse 13. “Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.” In our tireless efforts to avoid conflict, to keep the status quo – we have put on blinders to these realities – seemingly bringing joy. But it is not true lasting joy. It is fleeting. It only lasts as long as it takes for another problem, issue, or catastrophe to arise. This is what Satan wants. And, we are playing into his hands. True joy comes from God when we live this life according to His will and word.

Original Poem: True Independence

What is independence 

except that it's self indulgent, 

a rebellion wrought with turmoil and strife,

enmity with that which seeks to oppress,

a missing chink in one's armor, 

a false perception of what should be, 

traded for what could be, 

and left with only what is?

Independence as individuals 

has a base that is contingent,

a war must be fought and lives must be lost,

the old must die that the new might live,

tyranny has to fall forever,

truth and light must shine brightly,

guiding the hopeless to hope,

and the restless to peace.

For the individuals

who seek such independence,

there can't be any peace, nor hope, nor light,

at least, not without the One who's light

shines brighter than all, 

whom is Himself peace and hope,

who brings rest for the weary,

and offers love to the broken.

Independence can only be had

through complete submission,

abandonment of self for autonomy under God,

total surrender that begets real freedom,

freedom from self, freedom from sin, 

and freedom from eternal death, 

given at a price we couldn't pay.

Freedom isn't free

neither for the inhabitants

of the land that we pledge our allegiance to,

nor for us a people separated from God,

strangers in a land not our own,

wandering in delighted anticipation,

for Heaven's gates to open wide,

when our time on Earth is through.

So, we must wait!

We wait for that day to come,

and sing great hymns of prayer and praise,

songs that share the story of our fight,

that remind us who we are,

why we are here, and what lay ahead, 

that talk of His glory and thank Him 

for those who've gone before us.

For those who've perished,

for those who have fought,

we thank you! For those who lead us we pray,

that God would guide them all, His way,

that truth may reign supreme,

that His light cleanse our hearts,

and in Jesus we be made whole.

Independence is found in Him.

Put A Bit In It

James the half brother of Jesus pulls no punches when he writes to the dispersed Christians of his day. His words are some of the most recognizable in scripture because of how punchy and “in your face” they are. In particular is that of James chapter 3 when he talks about the tongue. Our tongue to be exact, because after all, in the New Testament – when they are writing to the Disciples they are writing it to us as well. So, James absolutely hammers us when he says, “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell... With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” But the final blow, the one that knocks us out, trashes every argument or comeback we can muster up is what James says to sum up his scolding of us in verses 17-18, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” We cannot control other people, likewise, we are not going to particularly like everyone – however, as Christians we do not have the right nor the option of being any other way to them, with them, or about them, than the way Jesus was and is to, with, and about us.

The Cost of Inaction

I just spent an incredible week at camp with three amazing middle school students. The focus of the week was on Peter, Jesus' closest companion and the leader of the pack after Jesus left this Earth. Peter had so many failures and all eyes were on him. So, when he slipped up or made a mistake – it was a big deal. It wasn't because he was supposed to be perfect at everything or that he had some greater ability than everyone else. He was ordinary like any of us. But he was a leader and as a leader, his life was under a fine microscope and he lived in a glass house. Here is the thing though, none of that stopped Peter. He didn't allow that to hold him back. There were times that he maybe should have slowed down and processed some things a bit more before acting, there were times when he should have paused a moment to think before he spoke. There were certainly times that he should have humbled himself more, offered grace a little more, been a bit more obedient and less head strong... But in the end, Jesus called him and commissioned him to do a job and he did it without hesitation. If he has listened to the nay sayers, the critics, the revilers; he would've never accomplished all that Jesus gave him to do. If he had listed to himself after he so carelessly dinied Jesus 3 times and hung his head in shame and regret – he wouldn't have spread the gospel and helped to build the church as he had been tasked to do. No matter our flaws, no matter our short comings, we must be faithful in our calling and obedient in our mission to seek and save the lost. Salvation hangs in the balance. The cost of inaction is just too high.

Obedience Over Self Indulgence

Far too much emphasis has been placed on one's spiritual experiences. Satan wants us searching for a euphoric feeling or emotional high that, though it can be had, and is wonderfully exhilarating, it doesn't bring us true or lasting joy and it isn't sustaining. Not only does that sort of manufactured experience not sustain us, it isn't capable of sustaining itself. That is why, without constant feeding, it dies. It dies because its not of the Spirit of God, rather, it is of the Spirit of self indulgence. It comes from the same place deep within us that causes us to gratify our flesh. Its where we get phrases like, “the heart wants what it wants.” Jesus said that his yoke was light. He didn't say that we wouldn't have to carry it. He commands us to put to death our person, to deny ourself, (our wants wishes and desires...) and to pick up his cross and bear it instead. So, what does that look like today? For starters, we have to stop seeking euphoric experiences, we must start doing his will instead of seeking our own interests, and we must trust God with our whole life and not just parts, abide in his presence and allow him total control even if that means that we are in the dark and don't understand what he is doing. He didn't call us to understand. He called us to obedience. Its one of the truly great paradoxes in scripture. Only through obedience to our King gain we ever have true freedom.

A Glimpse of the Godhead

There are several moments in scripture where we see the 3 persons or manifestations of God at work in unison, in concert with each other. These make up and comprise the doctrine of the trinity, the triune Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is in perhaps one of the most passionate moments in scripture, a moment written as if it were out of the pages of a best selling thriller, a moment filled with anger, contempt, fear, murder, scandal, faith, strength, courage, love, compassion, and so much more... Unfortunately, in our westernized religion we have tucked this story away because it causes us to feel guilt and shame at our own indignation and lack of fervor within the faith. We have traded courage for a lackluster faith that is contemptible toward God but palatable for other people. Its the stoning of Steven in Acts 7 where Steven testifies publicly to the place and status of all 3 persons, to the majesty and the glory of the Triune God. He is 3 in 1. For this testimony he was murdered. The gospel he spoke that day was and is not the message to take away from that text, though it'll preach... Rather, the message for us today, in this wicked and evil world that we live, is the example he gave of being faithful and upright, undeterred, unwavering, unrelenting, courageous, and FULL of the Holy Spirit – in the face of persecution and certain death. Read that story on your own and reflect on your own fortitude.

Restoration Unity

Jesus prayed for our unity as his followers. The apostles taught that unity among believers is essential to our character and practice and that it is central to our worship. In fact, it could be argued through scripture that it is impossible or at best difficult to say the least, for us to worship at all unless it is done in unity. A divided heart, a divided home, a divided people, cannot truly worship God. Why? Because in division, there is nearly always haughtiness, pride, arrogance, power grabs, anger, lack of self control, and other such character flaws, emotions, and manifestations of evil spirits at work in the hearts of men. Seldom if ever can there be a division without these and other sins involved. Therefore, God cannot be honored nor glorified by a heart that is stained by division. Jesus taught us that a house divided will fall every time. It only stands to reason that if Jesus and the entire New Testament bear witness to this matter and place so much emphasis on it then it should not only be in the forefront of our thoughts and practices but it should take precedence over many other things that are of lesser importance. No matter the “beef” we have with someone inside the church, we must not allow it to divide us, especially from Jesus. Consider the following passages this week on the matter and reflect on your own heart in light of what you read.

Ephesians 2:11-22; 4:11-16

John17:20-23

Restoration Beginnings

In John 17 we see a prayer from Jesus that is unlike any of his other prayers. It is full of tenderness. He is praying specifically for his closest companions, his disciples whom he is about to leave behind. As you read through his prayer you can hear the anguish and earnest heart felt desires of his heart as he prays to the Father over them. He shifts briefly near the end and includes all of us who have believed in Him because of the words recorded in the New Testament by his disciples. I encourage to read this prayer of Jesus in its entirety but here is his prayer specifically for you still today: 

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

This was his supreme wish and desire. Above all Jesus wanted us (all believers) to be one in Spirit. He did not want any form or sort of division and he detested divisive speech and behavior. This was the launching pad for the Restoration Movement and our mantra still today as his holy church.