Shine.

The world is a dark place. 

It always has been, and it continues to be so. This is why people cling to "good" moments when they see good deeds happen. We actively publicize "random acts of kindness" we encounter in our daily lives, and always seek to give credit to those who still have some semblance of decency and humanity in them. 

We cannot get enough of the small nuggets of goodness we encounter, as we try and try to blot out the glaring evil that seems to overwhelm us, that appears to sustain longer than any good deed ever could. 

Christians have been named the light of the world. It is in us now to shine light. We too were once a "people walking in darkness," (Isaiah 9:2) but now that we have encountered "the great light," who is Christ, we have been given that light to shine before the world. We have been given hope to shine before men. 

"12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”" (John 8:12)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) 

What is the light? That light is Christ - the living word of God in human form. The truth. Jesus Christ is truth. He is the promise of holiness; the promise of reconciliation, salvation and eternal life - that is, to know God and enjoy Him forever. 

We have been given truth, and truth abides in us, if we abide in Christ and establish ourselves in it continually. With truth comes responsibility. 

"God didn't make us Christians for kicks." my friend expressed to me yesterday. We have a responsibility to let our light shine, that people may see our good deeds and be witness to the goodness and character of God.

And these "good deeds" are not "good" as the world defines them. These good deeds, as I know them, I will define as acts carried out in obedience to the will of God. That is the standard of goodness, God's will. For nothing we do apart from Him can ever be truly "good", for the standard is remarkably and unattainably high. 

The truth that Christians shine is the hope that in Christ we may be reconciled to God. We are able to be clothed in His righteousness, whereas before we could not even hope to come before a perfect God. God so loves, and so He made a way. 

Suffering and pain, trials and loss are the real things of this life and this world. But Christians hold the view that this life is not the be all and end all. We hold that we do not go to dust, and life is not some purposeless, meaningless body of years in which the standard for living is "my personal happiness level". The trials and painful tribulations of this world only serve to shape us to be like Christ, and to draw us close to the one who made us, and loves us. A life with God at the end of it all truly makes it so that life's troubles and pains were not in vain. 

The purpose of living for a Christian is to be in that reconciled relationship with God. It is to live life by the Spirit of God, in holiness and righteousness, not for the sake of being better than anyone else, or for any personal gain, but simply because of a love for God and a desire for Him.

Christians have the responsibility to live out this light - to extend this truth, by living lives that exemplify Jesus Christ in them, by living in obedience. 

We are ambassadors of hope. The fact of the matter is that the truth in us is exceedingly bright in contrast to the hopeless of the world around us, so let it shine out.

Trust and Obey.

"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute,full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:1-7)

The matter of obedience is a human's constant area of struggle, especially in relation to God. Our obedience to God is vital to our relationship with Him.

First thing that came to mind with the word 'obedience..'

Being "Called" is a hugely important concept in obedience. In the Kingdom of God, in order to serve your King, you must be obedient, you must be called. 

The story of the disciples figuring which were called to "serve tables," discloses the importance of obedience. A need arose where the widows of the Hellenists were being neglected in the distribution of food, so the disciples go about the process of finding those to serve through prayer. And the criteria they use are those who are "full of faith and of the 
Holy Spirit,". 

This astounds me. Why? Because the disciples sought the Lord, and had in mind to choose those not of exceptional ability or skill, or the least skilled people to fill what could be considered a less than exciting role in ministry, but those who were filled with the Spirit. In my eyes, the task of serving tables pales in desirable-ness to going out and preaching the gospel. It seems like such a menial task. 

You will of course say, "Well, God uses all things to minister to people. A position serving tables is just as amazing and important an opportunity for ministry as actually going out to preach." This is true, no denying that. But I know in my heart, there are times when I know that, but really don't feel the pleasure, or see the grace of and in such a position. 

What kept the attitude of the disciples in check? Having a tight relationship with God, and realizing obedience to Him was all they desired, obedience is the story of their lives. Their joy was in their obedience to God. 

When we obey, we do not enter a position lightly, that is to say, we do not serve simply to fill a need. When a need arises, you're better off checking yourself first, by checking in with God, otherwise you will wreck yourself ( :P ). Christian burnouts and bitterness occur either because we aren't leaning on God completely, or because we decided to fill a need without being called. 

God doesn't need us to fill needs, He doesn't need us to volunteer just to be "good Samaritans". He wants obedience. 

Christians who are strong in faith, and full of the Holy Spirit, have growing, intimate relationships with Jesus, and as a result they trust and obey. Those who enter into ministry without being called to that ministry only end up causing trouble for themselves. 

Christians who pursue God, and not deeds, find themselves fully desiring to obey God by His grace, to do as Jesus leads them to do, and in the end find their relationship with God to be stronger. And not only that, but the gospel and the word of God increases, and it leads others to obedience. 

"Every time I obey, the absolute deity of God is on my side, so that the grace of God and my natural obedience are in agreement." -Oswald Chambers

The honor and glory to God in a position of lowliness is not from serving a position because you have to fill a need, but in joyful obedience to a calling. Close relationship to God keeps us from becoming bitter, distrustful, and seeing callings as "things we must do because we were told to". 

The hymn "Trust and Obey", (by John Sammis and Daniel Towner) was inspired by the simple words of childlike faith from a young, unseasoned Christian named Dwight L. Moody. 

When we walk with the Lord

  In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way;

  While we do His good will,

  He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey. 

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

  But to trust and obey.

Your calling to ministry is a privilege and grace. It is a huge honor when you think that God desires to work through you for this specific purpose. For all He desires of us is that we trust and obey. Obedience means that we have completely placed our trust in Christ and His atonement. 

Just do it.

I've been spending my free time getting fit again. It's still a far cry from my high school days when I could run laps and laps, for what seemed like an eternity, without tiring. Nowadays I've taken to saying to myself, "No more excuses," and just heading out for a bike ride, a jog or doing my regular workout without delay. So far it's been good.

Nike had it right, "Just do it." Simple and to the point, straightforward and commanding. Just do it. Get 'er done. There's the side of obedience we struggle with, just doing what we've been commanded to do. We always talk about that, we discuss the excuses we make in order to justify why we can't or won't do something that God has explicitly commanded us to do. Then there's the other side that says, "If you do this Lord, then I promise such and such to you.." and we make some pretty tragic vows with the Lord, when He just wants us to obey. 

"36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil."

(Matthew 5:36-37)

Jesus was talking about making oaths and how you shouldn't do it because it's not necessary, and it's not wise. You either make promises you cannot keep, or promises that are beyond what you bargained for (and not remotely close to being in your control), and in either case, making such vows isn't exactly God honouring, or God-trusting. Letting your "yes be yes," fits into obedience and submission. Don't give yourself room to make excuses, or to create ultimatums or "tragic vows". A submissive servant does what the master says without question. He is able to do this because, he trusts, knows, loves and respects the master. 

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

If you love the Lord, just do it. I find it funny to imagine Jesus saying something like, "If you love me, think on it for a few weeks, then come back and let me know if that's gonna do it for you or not. If you're not sure we can make a bargain or you promise me something and I'll promise you back such and such to make sure you get it done." Thankfully, he never said any of that. 

I've been reading through Judges and arrived at Jephthah and his own tragic vow (Judges 11:29-40). A vow that absolutely did not need to be made. God was with him, God was going to hand the Ammonites over to him, all Jephthah needed to do was obey. But his story illustrated that making vows or oaths in the stead of "just doing it," and trusting God, just leads to tragedy and heartbreak. 

There is a lot of baggage we hold onto that keeps us from just doing what we're told. Our wants and our desires often get in the way, dancing in front of us as huge distractions. It's our responsibility to deal with all that and let it go, so that we do not give ourselves excuses not to trust God, and therefore not obey. I've heard it said multiple times, "Delayed obedience is disobedience." Delays will always create more obstacles than you need. 

When the command is clear, just go for it. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes'.  

Not by might, nor by power.

Jesus and Apple Juice. The perfect combo.

""Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6)

I'm pretty sure I use this blog mostly to post important intellectual and spiritual digestions for myself, so I don't forget the important lessons learned. I may have digested things, but there's still a ways to go before these lessons and thoughts are well integrated into my life.

Anyways, today's post has its origins from Sunday's message. The message came from 1 Samuel 13:22-14:22. The speaker spoke about how God acts and does great things as we initiate and act, even with the little that we have, using the story of how Jonathan and his sword bearer single-handedly take out an army of Philistines. As Christians we ought not to be stagnant and unmoved, we ought to say "Yes!" to the will of God and pursue it no matter the cost. When we act, we see God do great things. Poignant and energetic, the message had all the qualities of a glorious spark, but would it catch? I thought that to myself as he closed. I wondered if God would set Cedarview Alliance Church ablaze spiritually. I wondered if the church community within would be so stirred as to act on the message and become ignited that we would truly see "revival". There was nothing wrong with the message, however as I was led to examine the message closer, and to discern what was said, I knew I had gotten a wrong focus somewhere down the line. The fault was not to be put anywhere, but I had to reevaluate, and reexamine what I had left with. 

My mom used this analogy, as with photography, we can get the focus ever so slightly off, and it changes the whole picture. That was exactly what had happened to me. I had left with the thought of "I must get out there and be bold and do things for God with great confidence and trust in Him no matter the circumstance, then I will see Him do great things." I came into this year with confidence in learning to trust and obey God. I had a great desire to be a submissive servant, seeking to be obedient to His will alone. But in my current weakened state of mind, that incomplete understanding worked its way into my heart easily, and it felt as if all I had once focused on was changed. 

In the message, the passage in Samuel, was used as an illustration of how when we have faith in God and use the little we have to act for His glory, He is faithful to act. Yes, this is true, but it only painted half the picture. Obedience was implied, but not highlighted enough. What was not clearly spelled out for me (trust me, most times I need things to be clearly stated and spelled out), was that in all things, Jonathan and his sword bearer were acting in obedience to God. God did not do a miracle with their single sword because He wanted to honor the fact that they were using their little faith to act. God worked a miracle because Jonathan was obedient, and this one sword which God provided was enough to accomplish His will. 

No amount of initiative or passion to do things for God will make great things occur. It is in obedience to the will of God that we see God work. 

So when we act, it is not because we want to exercise our tiny faith and thus see God work His great power. When we act, it is because we act in obedience and in alignment with the will of God, and in this God will use whatever is necessary, whether big or small, to accomplish His great will through us. Faith plays its role in trusting that God's will is good, and He will accomplish His will. All this keeps us in a humble position. God does not need us or our permission to do great things, He is capable of accomplishing what He desires of His own power. He chooses to use us, in order that we might know Him more. 

A question we must ask God as we live in obedience is this, "What is it you want me to know about you Lord?" God uses all things in order that we might know Him more and draw closer to Him. 

When you see, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," know that "by the Spirit," means not just using the Spirit's power. "By the Spirit," is acting according to the Spirit, it is life according the Spirit, life in surrender and obedience to God and His will. Out of obedience, you will inevitably see God do great things.