God's Favorite Instrument

Have you ever heard a guitar that is super out of tune? Nobody likes that sound. It clashes with itself. I think one reason that it bugs us is because we expect the guitar to sound good. We expect it to produce a melody that is sweet to our ears.

In a way, our hearts are just like guitars, or any other stringed instrument. Our hearts have been created with the intention of producing a sweet and pleasing melody. We see all over the Bible that God created us with intention, that He knit us together, and that He has made us to give praise to Him. When our hearts are right before God, it is like an instrument giving glory to the King. When we join together, our hearts can become like an orchestra of praise. We see in Scripture that God desires our obedience from the heart, not just outward action. With this knowledge, I think we can safely say that properly tuned hearts are God’s favorite instrument.

However, just like other instruments, our hearts can get out of tune. Our hearts can become flat or sharp through various means. Whether it is from sin in our lives, or just constant use, our hearts need to be tuned regularly. This tuning is something that only God can do. We have not been given the ability to tune our own hearts. We have however been given the ability to go to the Father and be tuned. We get tuned by God whenever we spend time with Him in worship, in the Word, or in prayer. Fellowship with our Creator is the means by which our hearts are tuned.

This should cause us to act. We should find desire to seek God more and more, as we will be used by Him and require more frequent tuning. Empty glasses don’t quench anyone’s thirst, and out of tune instruments don’t make pleasing sounds. Our hearts don’t bring joy to God when they aren’t right before Him, when they aren’t in tune. Also, this should change our outlook on the people around us. Rather than judging people, seeing that they have things wrong, we can notice that they are out of tune. When we make these observations, we can’t do anything to fix them. We can’t tune ourselves, and even more importantly, we cannot tune others. We can pray for them, and lift them up to God asking Him to tune them, but God is the only one with the power to do that, through intimate, individual fellowship.

Let our prayer become as the line from Come Thou Fount…

“tune my heart to sing Thy grace.”

Today.

During the course of this week a friend of mine lost her grandmother. She and I talked after she found out and she told me about her grandmother. This woman had been a Christian, and I was so blessed to hear about her life. My friend had such positive things to say, and remembered her grandmother as someone who really loved the Lord.

This got me thinking about how we will be remembered. We all have a set number of days, we won’t exist forever.

Psalms 39:4, “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!”

In comparison to God, in the grand scheme of things, we have almost no time whatsoever. Our lives are very brief. I think that when we realize this, we begin to feel a sense of urgency to complete the things that are important to us.

The question of how we will be remembered is one that we all ask at times. Years from today, what will people think of us when they look back on our lives? Will people even take the time to look back on our lives? The answer to that question lies in what we do with today.

James 4:13-14, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make profit” – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

We have today, and while it is scary to think about it, we aren’t even promised to make it through today. In the moment, the choices that we make can seem irrelevant. However, those choices when put together make up who we are.

We aren’t promised the chance to be the people that we want to be one day, or the people we want to be remembered as. The only chance to be those people that we are guaranteed to have is the chance right before us, today.

When someone looks back at your life, what will they see?
I doubt they will remember the kind of car that you drove, or how much money you made. People will remember the impact that you had on their lives. So therein lays our question.

What impact are you making on the people around you today?

You might not get tomorrow, so don’t waste today.

Unexpected Entrance

The time of year has come around again, and to be honest, it's come up much more suddenly than other years. We are all busy in the hustle and bustle of day to day life, and all of a sudden Christmas is less than three weeks away.

Being busy isn't bad, but I think it is important that we stop and reflect for a moment. Some two thousand years ago, there was a young pregnant woman, with her fiance, and they were looking for somewhere to stay for the night. She was about to have her baby. As we all know from the account given in the gospel of Luke, there was no room in the inn, so Mary and Joseph ended up in the stable, with the animals. What a stage had been set for the entry of such a King.

Had we planned this, it would have gone very differently. The King of kings is entering the scene of mankind to bring life and salvation. We would have cleared out the inn entirely. The whole staff of this bed and breakfast would have been catering to Mary's every need, Jesus would have been born and instantly wrapped in the finest cloth, and in the softest bed. Announcements would have gone out. Little blue "its a boy" cards, with His weight, length, and possibly a footprint.

However, this wasn't what happened. Jesus was born in that stable that night. The Bible tells us that He was placed in a manger, which sounds almost cute. This wasn't some nice soft manger with fresh hay and a glowing light above it. This wasn't the "manger special crib" from Ikea. This was the feeding trough for the animals in the stable. This was where they ate. Jesus was placed in a food trough. It would have smelled. It would have been pretty gross, but it was good enough for God.

You see, God came to dwell with men with a purpose in mind. Jesus' purpose was to reach out to men, to give them opportunity to respond to God through something other than the law. To give mankind something more personal than the ten commandments. God gave them a person, someone they could talk to, and see, and touch. Something tangible to them. Jesus lived among the people. He was not set apart from them as something greater than they could attain. Jesus made efforts to relate to people. He spent a good amount of time sitting at the dinner table, talking with tax collectors, and prostitutes. On more than one occasion, Jesus reached out and physically touched people that the world wouldn't have gone near. Then, some thirty years after this common birth, Jesus was nailed to a cross where He died for the sins of the world. This is the greatest picture of love we have ever seen, that God would come down and die for sinful, undeserving men.

He returned three days later, having conquered death, and He will return again in all of His glory and splendor, but consider the first picture we see of Jesus.

He was a baby, He couldn't take care of Himself.
He was poor, Mary and Joseph didn't "have it made" Joseph was just a carpenter.
Jesus was born without even the extended family coming in and celebrating. There wasn't too much of a big deal made out of it that day, but it was the greatest day in history to that point.

"But He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." - Philippians 2:7-8

Encourage (Today)

Hebrews 10:24 - "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"

The author of Hebrews is writing, telling believers to think about ways to live out what we're called to do!

What can we be doing practically to encourage others, to build up others, to help them grow in their faith? This is something that I find really neat, because regardless of what point you're at in your walk, you're capable of encouraging someone.

Did you know that?

You have the ability to encourage someone.

Today.

It can be something as simple as sending a text message or phone call, telling someone that they are important, that God loves them, or even just a Bible verse. You could take someone out for coffee or lunch, spend time with them, listening to them and sharing life with them. Pray for someone. You could pour into someone through a Bible study, you could be mentoring someone. There are hundreds of ways!

Don't take me the wrong way, I'm not at all trying to condemn you if you aren't encouraging someone.

However, God's Word is clear that we're to lift each other up, to edify the body of Christ, so I challenge you today, how are you encouraging those around you? What are you doing to build up the body of Christ?

It doesn't have to be huge, it doesn't have to be expensive, it doesn't even have to be time consuming, but encourage someone today.

Choose This Day.

In Joshua chapter 24, Joshua is giving what will be his final address to the people. Part of his speech includes what we have all seen on someone's desk, or wall. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." but before Joshua gets to that part of it, he tells Israel of all that God has done on their behalf. He recounts to them how God has delivered them from Egypt, and fulfilled His promises to them. Then Joshua asks Israel, choose this day who you are going to serve. Choose if you want to serve the Lord, who has done all of these things for you, or if you want to give yourself to the foreign idols, who do nothing but bring death, and separation from God.


We have this same question before us today. We might not have a house to determine for, we might only be deciding for ourselves. However, the question arises, what are you going to serve?
It can also be argued that we would never serve idols like Baal or Dagon, we're smarter than that. But how often do we serve money, or our jobs, or even more common, ourselves?

Today, God is calling on you heart to serve Him, to obey His commands. Jesus said in John 14:15, that if we love God, we will exemplify that love through obedience. In James, we're told that when we seek God, He seeks us. We have been promised the power of the Holy Spirit to walk out this life we have all been called to, one question remains for us all.

Who will you serve today?

The Pursuit of...

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth on the proper use of gifts in the church. He spells it out in verses 26, 33, and 40. He tells the church first, that the gifts are for building up, that God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace, and also that the gifts should be used in a decent and orderly fashion. These verses are absolutely vital for bringing clarity to the way that these gifts are to be used, especially among the congregation. However, it is not all of the explanations of the gifts, and prophecy and tongues that sticks out to me.

What sticks out to me in 1 Corinthians 14 are the three things which Paul tells us to pursue, desire, and seek.
The word "pursue" literally means to follow, in order to overtake or capture. Pursue is a verb. To pursue requires action. Now that this is established, what has Paul commanded us to pursue? The answer to that is found in verses 1 and 12. Paul tells us, pursue love, earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and strive to excel in building up the church. I'm sure that most of us read this list and are automatically drawn to the first part. "Pursue love." That sounds so nice. Maybe someone will make a sign of that and put it over their door with "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" right? WRONG. When Paul says to pursue love, he is telling us that we are to actively hunt down ways to better put ourselves last. Now you're all thinking that the second two items sound better, but wait. Lets continue to look at pursuing love. Paul has just finished penning 1 Corinthians 13, which is widely known in churches today as "the love chapter" where new definition has been brought to love. To sum up Paul's new definition, love is putting the needs and desires above our own. Love manifests itself through humble service. This is something seen throughout the Gospels. Romans 5:8 tells us, in this we know that God loves us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Christ's death showed His love. What we do shows our love. This death to self is something that Paul even uses as an example specifically for husbands in the way that they treat their wives. Love, as Christ loved the church, giving Himself for her. The love that Jesus Christ brought embraces selflessness. "Pursue love" might as well be read "pursue selfless living"

Secondly, Paul tells the church in Corinth that they should earnestly desire spiritual gifts. These gifts encompass every way in which the Spirit of God moves among His people. As followers of Christ, our desire should always be to see God move in our midst. Jesus calls us to love God with everything that we are (Luke 10:27). That involves seeking His face above everything, regardless of how we feel, putting His will above ours. If we have Jesus on the thrown of our hearts and lives, nothing should excite us more than God Himself coming down to our level and moving in our midst. Spiritual gifts are not only when God's Spirit moves among us, but through us. The Holy Spirit Himself moves and works in and through us. How could we, as disciples of Jesus, desire anything more?

Finally, in verse 12, we are called to strive to excel at building up the body of Christ. Paul doesn't just tell us to try to build up the body of Christ, but to excel at it. We are supposed to be professional edifiers. The church of Christ should be the most encouraging, most uplifting people on this planet. That is how God calls us to be set apart. If we aren't edifying the body, glorifying Christ, then we are not reflecting a faithful image of Jesus to the rest of the body and the world outside. When someone excels at something, not only are they the best at it, but it comes naturally to them. We as the church must be so wrapped up in who Jesus is and what He has done for us that edification should come naturally. This last item will truly be a product of the items which Paul places before it. When we are living selfless lives, fully dependent on the constant moving of the Holy Spirit, edification is the result. When we move away from this, we go from operating as a member of the body of Christ to operating in our own flesh, and it is certain that edification will not be brought to the body of Christ through one of its members walking in the flesh.

Pursue love, earnestly desire spiritual gifts, strive to excel at building up the church.

On Christ the Solid Rock.

Steadfast [sted-fast] -Adjective.
1. Fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.
2. Firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.
3. Unwavering, as resolution, faith adherence, etc.
4. Firmly fixed in place or position.

Immovable [ih-moo-vuh-buhl] -Adjective.
1. Incapable of being moved; fixed; stationary.
2. Incapable of being influenced by feeling; emotionless: An immovable heart; an immovable tyrant.
3. Incapable of being moved from one's purpose; steadfast; unyielding.

You might be wondering what these two words have to do with the old hymn, "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand."

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:58, uses both of these words together, as he encourages the Corinthian believers to comtinue because of the work of Christ in defeating death.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

In Matthew 10:22, Jesus says that it is those who stand firm in their faith who will be saved.

This whole idea of standing firm in our faith, not being shaken, is obviously very important.
Paul brings it up in almost all of his letters, and Jesus referenced on more than one occasion for us to continue in strength, to not be shaken, to not waver. James says that the one who wavers is like a wave driven by the sea, and that they are unstable in all of their ways.

What is so important about standing firm?
Two things I see that are the product of immovable faith.

First, immovable faith, standing firm in Christ, results in our growth. When Satan attacks us, tempts us, when God allows our faith to be tested, there is temptation to give in, to allow the difficulties that arise to overcome us, but Paul and James both speak of the reward in being overcome by Christ, and overcoming our difficulties and struggles through the strength that He gives. Endurance, hope, patience, and character. These are all qualites that are worth the pursuit.
Our faith does not grow unless it is tested.
Take the example of a body builder. If a person wishes to get stronger physically, they will never accomplish their goal if they go to the gym every day, pick up the 5lb weight once, and then leave.
Strength is built through added resistance.
Our faith is the same way! When the problems grow, and the difficulties increase, it is to grow and stretch our faith. It will more than likely be painful, but we will not grow otherwise!
Difficulties, problems, struggles, and trials all serve to grow our faith, and our reliance on strength from God.

Secondly, when we stand firm in our faith, when we refuse to be shaken, it stands as a testimony to the faithfulness of God.
Things go wrong for everyone, all the time. Nobody on this world has a perfect life, free from any issue that may arise. The way that these predicaments are dealt with however, varies greatly. Some people complain and whine through them, some people fight through them, some people blame God for them and grow bitter, and some people fall on God in them, allowing the things which come against them to push them closer to the Lord.
We should strive to be like the last person. When things arise against us, let them push you to Jesus, cling to Him, and rely on His grace and power to see you through.
When we stand firm in trials, is leaves an example for other believers. Paul told the Corinthians to follow him in the way that He followed Jesus. We can set an example for other believers. When we refuse to be moved by troubles of this world, it can encourage other believers to do the same.
Also, when we are resistant to the common responses to these trials, when we refuse to complain, or accept defeat, it leaves a testimony which those who don't have relationship with Christ can see.
When you stand firm, non-Christians will notice. This exemplifies the power of Jesus Christ in ways that cannot be shown apart from struggles. It is easy to be a Christian when things are easy, but its more of a witness to remain a Christian in your actions and words when things are difficult. When people expect you to cave in, to be overwhelmed, refusing to be overcome by your difficulties is a powerful witness for Christ.

What kind of witness are you being?
Are you facing difficulties? If so, are you overcoming them through the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, or are you allowing them to overcome you?

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." -1 Corinthians 10:12-13