This week for my personal devotions I’ve been reading about Abraham (born Abram). Throughout his life, Abraham was constantly torn between following and trusting in God vs. following the ways of the world. It’s a struggle we can really identify with!
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
I seem to come across a lot of new learning at seminars these days. Come to think of it, I guess that’s what the seminars are for! I guess what really strikes me are the insights these seminars give me beyond my immediate career. Last time I wrote about the ‘Matthew Effect’ a term to describe a phenomenon in education taken from Jesus’ Parable of the Talents. I recently came across another idea that put me in mind of my Christian walk through my teen years.
Growing up in a Christian home, going to a Christian school and attending church every weekend I had some beliefs and behaviours that were pretty well worn in. One of these beliefs was that belief is more important than actions. Put simply I had a very narrow view of verses in the Bible such us ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,’ – Romans 3:23-24. The idea that I am a sinner and nothing can change that – but I shouldn’t worry too much because God will save me anyway. Of course, that’s a very simplistic view, but nonetheless, one I held.
I only recently became aware that there were large fires in different regions across the world including the Amazon, Siberia, Greenland, and some parts of southern Europe.
I read a few news sources and they say the Amazon is known as the Earth’s lungs and produces up to 20% of the world’s oxygen. It’s a terrible thought to lose the ability to breathe properly. The biodiversity in the Amazon forest is also lost due to these fires. The Earth isn’t looking too good going forward. There is also much heat in the political arena between powerful countries (e.g. the US vs Iran) and political ideologies (e.g. far left vs far right).
Jesus predicted that humanity’s selfish choices would destroy the Earth and create mounting conflict between the nations in Matthew 24.
In the midst of all these happenings we can be consumed by fear and uncertainty of the future.
Historically, God always surprised by doing powerful, miraculous, creative things that challenged, inspired and awed humanity. Do we still expect great things from God? Are we open to the new ways He may be working now?
I recently learned about Kechi Okwuchi, a survivor of a plane crash who became well-known after competing on America’s Got Talent (see her recent performance here).
Only 16-years-old, she suffered third-degree burns on over 65% of her body. She had to receive over 10 surgeries in 2 years and had to endure excruciating pain and trauma.
Yet not only did she survive – she thrived. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas, is completing her MBA in Economics, and is inspiring the world through her singing.
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
I recently spent about a week in the South Island of New Zealand. The epic display of natural beauty left me breathless throughout our roadtrip from Nelson to Queenstown then back to Nelson. I remember seeing Lake Pukaki for the first time and it was so unreal! It literally looked like someone had Photoshopped and enhanced the place.
There were many other “wow moments” throughout the trip but one stood out for me: the bridge jump at the Blue Pools. I had packed some swimwear for that day just in case I felt like swimming but jumping off the bridge was definitely not on the agenda. The sun was not out so it was on the chillier side of the scale. Due to these lighting conditions the “Blue Pools” appeared greenish – still super gorgeous. I had a quick feel of the water with my feet and it was freezing cold so, in my mind, swimming was highly unlikely. My good friend went ahead and jumped without much drama. Then I saw some kids jumping as well. It looked so fun and the thought that I might not be back at this beautiful place for a while helped me make the decision to give it a go.
A few weeks ago, one of Micah’s friends was having an outdoor birthday party. The forecast predicted rain for that day, which would have really put a damper on the party. So Micah and I prayed that it would not rain so that our friends would not be stressed or sad.
As we were leaving for the party, I looked outside the window and saw dark clouds rolling in. I grabbed an umbrella, just in case. Micah looked at me putting the umbrella in the boot and asked, “Mommy, did we pray for no rain?”
I paused, trying to think of an answer that didn’t include a theological exposition on prayer, God’s will, or faith and works. Finally, I just said, “Yes, we did.” But the inquisition continued. “Are you taking an umbrella, mommy?”
“Yes.”
“For the rain?”
“Well, just in case.”
“Just in case?”
“We prayed that it wouldn’t rain. But God might have other plans. So if it does rain, then we have the umbrella. Prayer is not about getting God to do everything we want, but about us talking to God like a friend. That means God as our friend does things for us, but sometimes we as His friends have to change what we want. So if He needs it to rain, we have an umbrella. But if He doesn’t need it to rain, then He will say yes to our prayer and it won’t rain.”
Micah had stopped listening by this point and was looking at diggers on the side of the road.
But I had learned my lesson. When we arrived at the park, I took out the pram, the nappy bag, the glider, the present, the two boys … but I left the umbrella in the boot.
Although it was overcast, there was not a single drop of rain until the party was over and we were home.
Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms,placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Having the faith of a child is not about being naive or simple. It’s about embracing the full possibility of what God promises – and experiencing the blessing of His presence.
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
As a kid, one of my favourite songs at church was the song Sandy land.
“Don’t build your house on the sandy land… don’t build it too near the shore. Oh, it might look kind of nice, but you’ll have to build it twice, ’cause you’ll have to build your house once more. You got to build your house upon a rock. Make a good foundation on a solid spot. Oh the storms may come and go, but the peace of God you will know.”
One of the reasons I liked singing it so much was because of all the actions. While we sang, we pointed, clapped, sketched circles in the air. We mimed building, we waved our hands from side to side to represent storms, we made peace symbols and pointed at the sky.
It was a fun song to sing because of the actions that went along with the words.
The story the song is based on is also about actions that go along with the words.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49)
Reading the story Jesus told, you can see there are a lot of similarities. Both men were builders. Both built houses. Both were hit by the same storm.
The difference is, one man took the time to lay a firm foundation. He built into something solid. Something that would last, that would anchor him.
The second builder skipped that step – we’re not told why. Maybe he was lazy. Maybe he was just so keen to start building, he didn’t see the point of digging first. After all, it’s hard to get excited about a foundation. That’s not something that people can see just by looking. After all – the house is the part you live in – so he focused on that.
When they were finished, both houses would have looked the same. Looking at them side by side, you wouldn’t be able to tell the strength of their foundation. However after the storm hits – it becomes very apparent. One house has collapsed, and one is still standing.
It didn’t matter how much time or care the second builder put into the house – once the storm hit, it all came tumbling down.
A foundation is something that comes first, that everything else rests upon.
Isaiah 26: 4 – “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
In life, there will always be storms. We can’t control how strong the wind may blow or how heavy the rain may fall around us. But we can make a choice what sort of foundation we will lay, by following what Jesus has said. The storms may come and go – but the peace of God you will know – if you build wisely, on a sure foundation.
From “Solid Ground” by Mark Finley:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
When I was a boy we sometimes played a simple game with a ball. One person stood on one side of the house, another person on the other. The first person attempted to throw the ball over the house. The second tried to catch it! The ball would go up to the top of the roof and roll back. It went up and back, up and back, up and back.
Some people’s Christian experience is like that – up and down, up and down. They attempt to pray, they study the Bible regularly, but it seems there is no life to their Christian experience.
Is it possible to attend church consistently, feasting on a spiritual banquet each week, and still die of a spiritual heart attack? Without a clear focus on service, our spiritual arteries become clogged. For this reason Jesus said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ Acts 20:35.
In giving we are blessed. As we share with others what Jesus has done for us, our own spiritual experience is strengthened. The more we give away our faith, the more our faith grows. It grows when we share it…
If you want a growing Christian experience, share your faith. Make a prayer list. Begin praying for your family members, neighbours, or work associates who don’t know Christ. Share truth-filled literature with people God leads into your life. The Lord may lead you to open your home for a small group Bible study. He may open the door for you to give Bible studies to a close friend. The Lord may even lead you to conduct your own evangelistic series.
However God leads you, be sensitive to His leading. You will be utterly amazed at how you grow spiritually by getting involved in sharing your faith. When we witness to others, the soul we save may very well be our own, for it is always ‘more blessed to give than to receive.’
How can you share your faith with others today? Is there a song that comforts you that you can link on Facebook? A video that inspires you? A testimony that you can blog? Is there someone in need that you can minister to, whether it is by being a good listener or helping out financially? Is God asking you to give more in a certain area of your life?
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
