Brave to Live Counter-Culturally

Christians are called to be different...to live counter-culturally. We are to cease being conformed to the way of the world (worldliness) and surrender ourselves completely to Jesus to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. The Greek word for "transform" is metamorphoó (meaning "to change form") from which the word "metamorphosis" derives. For example, a fuzzy, crawling caterpillar is transformed into a graceful, flying butterfly. Metamorphosis provides a wonderful illustration of the amazing spiritual transformation in a believer's life. A good example is Paul who wrote more than half the books in the New Testament. He used to be Saul who persecuted Christians. After encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was completely changed and became an effective & enthusiastic evangelist.

Spiritual transformation begins in the mind & heart and continues throughout our lives. We are gradually changed into the likeness of Christ as we spend time in intimate fellowship with Him. Our mind (thoughts and will) must be renewed by God's Word and guided by the Holy Spirit to be able to discover/understand that God's will is indeed good (for our spiritual growth), pleasing, and perfect. To know God more & more and to understand His heart/will, we must spend much time with Him in prayer and in His Word. There are no shortcuts! "This kind of transformation can occur only as the Holy Spirit changes our thinking through consistent study and meditation of Scripture. The renewed mind is one saturated with and controlled by the Word of God." (John MacArthur) It is only through God's Word that we can discern what God's will is and resist the pull of our own flesh, the Enemy, and the world. Seeing our circumstances, trials, tasks, identity as our Heavenly Father sees them changes our attitudes and actions. Think right thoughts. Think God's thoughts.

"Without the renewed mind, we will distort the Scriptures to avoid their radical commands for self-denial, and love, and purity, and supreme satisfaction in Christ alone." (John Piper) Sad but true, we have seen people, including those who appear to be "active" Christians distort the Scriptures to justify their sins, to serve their own agendas, and even to commit crimes. Satan knows the Scriptures. Most atheists know the Scriptures. Pharisees and false teachers know the Scriptures. What do they all have in common? The lack of the renewed mind (and transformed heart)! "The difference between worldliness and godliness is a renewed mind." (Erwin W. Lutzer) 

Christians are called to quit acting like the world and stop embracing the world's values which are self-centered and corrupting. We will never influence the world for Christ by trying to be like it. We're a new creation in Christ. We no longer think the way our old self thinks or the way the world thinks; we are to embrace the mind and the attitudes of Christ. Our old way of thinking and living has gone, being replaced with the new way of thinking and living according to God's Word. "When they see a follower of Jesus who is sold out for Christ, living free of legalism and bondage to the world, they are drawn to Jesus. When they see a follower of Jesus living for 'self' and the world, they have no problem rejecting Jesus because it allows them to play the hypocrite card. The world needs us to be an example of living the Bible so that they too are drawn to Christ. They need answers, and for us to say we are "Christians" and live our life in pursuit of personal gain would only be a contradiction to who we say we follow. " (David McGee)

"Conformity to the world, in all ages, has proved the ruin of the church!" (Rowland Hill) We live in a culture that bombards us with non-Biblical messages. Worldly pleasures are enticing and deceiving. We must prayerfully guard ourselves and our children. We must teach our children that God's Word is the final authority for our faith and practice and teach them to be like the Bereans (look up what God says about any given thing). 

“Farewell, vain world; my soul bids you adieu.
My Savior taught me to abandon you.
Your charms may gratify a sensual mind,
but cannot please a soul for God designed.”

(David Brainerd)

Prayer: Abba Father, please mold me and make me be more like Christ every day. Please renew my mind to reflect Your mind/Your thoughts/Your will. Please give me the strength to remain steadfast in faith and in pursuit of holiness. Please protect my children, my husband, and me from the enemy's lies, the world's lures, and the fleshly desires. Please empower my children to resist the negative peer pressure and immorality of the society in which we live and to hold true to the values they learn from Your Word. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen!

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

Paul says "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." He points out an important cause and effect which he also says in Galatians 6:7b, "A man reaps what he sows."

Paul gives three guidelines for giving:-
1. Giving is an individual, private decision in one's own heart. You should not compare with others. You should not give in order to be recognized, applauded, praised, or honored publicly. Motives matter! Give out of genuine love and caring concern. Give out of faith and gratitude to God. Give without expecting anything in return (not even gratitude). Give anonymously when possible. Give to the glory of God, not of self. Remember that everything (not just 10%) belongs to the Lord. On earth, we're simply His stewards. He entrusts us to manage all He owns in the ways that will glorify and honor Him.
2. Giving should not be done under compulsion (coercion, pressure to comply) or with reluctance (unwillingness).
3. Giving should be done cheerfully, willingly, and generously. The attitude behind giving matters. It's generosity of the heart, not of the checkbook, that counts (remember the poor widow's giving in Luke 21:1-4). "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:18-19) Generosity that reflects God's love, grace, and kindness is an antidote to covetousness and self-centeredness. Do you give cheerfully or grudgingly? Do you love to give or feel obligated to give? Jesus says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35b) "Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice." (Psalm 112:5) "God calls us to be generous, because in giving others, we are blessed. Our generosity blesses others, certainly, but it also rescues us from the idolatry of greed in our own lives." (Eugene Cho)

Paul then gives an encouragement to help us realize how abundantly and generously God blesses us and provides for all our needs so that we will be well equipped and well supplied for every good work. God is generous towards generous givers. He replenishes our resources so that we can continue to be generous. We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others. Often God meets His children's needs by using us to meet one another's needs. We are to be cheerful, generous givers and not worry about our own needs because God's got our back. God is omnipotent. He has unlimited power and resources. Our needs can never exhaust His supply. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20) 

"God's riches fill up our supply,
Whatever we may need,
So we can then be generous
And not controlled by greed." (Sper)

Prayer: Father, thank You for always meeting my needs! Thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life! Please help me be a blessing to others, a cheerful, generous giver, and a humble, faithful servant. Please show me the needs of those around me and the needs around the world and direct me how to meet those needs. Please help me use resources You've given me wisely according to Your will for Your glory and Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen. 

Christ's Love Makes Us Brave

What an awesome assurance, encouragement , and comfort it is to know that nothing whatsoever will be able to separate us from the love of Christ (eternally guaranteed)! In all these things (trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death...), we are winning through Christ Who loves us. We're on the winning team. The battle is already won when Christ laid His life down for us. God never leaves us and never stops loving us. It is impossible for us to be separated from God's love! Christ's death for us on the cross is the ultimate proof of His unlimited & unending love for us.

Christ's followers should not be surprised or shocked about persecution, trials, and sufferings. Being a Christian does not make us immune to suffering. Persecution for the sake of Christ and His Gospel is not a strange thing. We should expect it and be prepared for it. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12) Jesus says in John 15:18, 20, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first...Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also." If we stand up for God's truths, we cannot expect to escape the mockery and even hatred of the ungodly/unbelievers. Forgive them and love them still. Do good to them and pray for them. Stay faithful and true to God  & His Word in the face of contempt and persecution. Never compromise God's truths! God wants us to know how exceedingly great His love is so that we will feel totally secure in Him and will not be afraid...come what may.

"To be loved by Jesus--is to be preferred before the possession of a world!" (James Smith) To be loved by the Creator of the Universe (He knew what loving us would cost Him and how He would be treated by us and others) is beyond comprehension. It should cause us to rejoice and do a happy dance all day long :). His love for us never changes and never fails. Being sure of and understanding God's love can bring us joy, confidence, contentment, and courage even in the midst of pain, suffering, and uncertainties. The quality of our life is not determined by our circumstances but by our relationship with God. When you go through trials and difficulties, it doesn't mean God loves you any less. Focus on His immeasurable, unconditional, & unchanging love for you and rest in it!

We, Christ's followers, are to live fearless & victorious lives because we are more than conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus says in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:4-5) 

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving me and for assuring me of Your relentless love! Knowing You and Your love that is better than life, I don't have to fear the difficulties of this world because I have everything I need to face the challenges of life. Please help me to always rely on You & rest in Your love. Please embolden me to live my life fearlessly for Your glory and for Your kingdom. I am Yours and You are mine. 

Hospitality

We, Christ's followers, are to provide for/share with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need. "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10) "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." (1 Timothy 6:18) "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Hebrews 13:16) 

Practice hospitality. We should always seek the opportunities to be actively hospitable and show the love of Christ to others. Be ready to welcome to our homes those whom God sends our way. This may be to listen and chat over a cup of coffee or tea, or to share a meal or to provide someone a place to stay for a night or a week or a month (or as long as God directs). Make your home a place where people can gather and where you serve them and help them feel loved, accepted, and welcome. We Christians should have a disposition to happily open our hearts, hands, and homes. Our lifestyle of hospitality is an extension of our sincere, devoted love. "Love must be sincere...Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." (Romans 12:9a, 10) "Hospitality is what generosity looks like in a relationship." (Benjamin L. Corey) 

• Hospitality should not be forgotten or neglected, but rather be enthusiastically pursued, frequently performed, and cheerfully practiced. "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:9) One way to show and share God's love to others is hospitality without grumbling/murmuring/grudging. It's a giving of self and substance gladly. It's opening up your heart and home to welcome and uplift others. Do you complain about how much food you have to prepare or how much cleaning you have to do or how worn out you feel from having people over? Do you grumble that your guests stay too long? We need to ask God to empower us to offer hospitality with a Christlike attitude and a servant's heart.
• Hospitality is not the same as social entertaining. It focuses on the guests and their needs, not on the host and her home's condition or her foods or her ability to entertain. My home is not really mine; it belongs to God (everything does) and I want it to be used by Him for His purpose, glory, and kingdom. My home doesn't have to be spotless or beautifully furnished for me to offer hospitality. As long as those who enter in feel loved and welcome and experience peace and joy, that's all it matters :). 
• Being hospitable means freely giving our time, our resources, and our words of encouragement to meet the needs of others. In Luke 14:12-14, Jesus warns against showing hospitality only to those who would return us the favor. He wants us to be hospitable to those who cannot repay/reciprocate. The point is: our motive in showing hospitality to others should not be that they will invite us and show hospitality to us in return. Our motive should always be agape.
• Hospitality means caring about others (strangers included) and making them feel welcomed, loved, and cared for. There's a saying we quote often when we talk about friendship evangelism, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care". It's true in most cases. Let us be kind and friendly to everyone. Be thoughtful and considerate. In a world that's all about self (I, me, my, mine) and entitlement, how refreshing it is to find someone who specializes in genuine love, kindness, and thoughtfulness toward others. Be that someone :). Be counter-cultural for Christ.
  

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2) In Genesis, Abraham and Lot showed hospitality to strangers without knowing that they were angels. Angels are God's messengers. We never know what messages God may want us to hear through those we show hospitality to. We should treat our guests as we would treat Christ.

Prayer: "Give me a heart sympathetic and tender;
Jesus, like Thine, Jesus, like Thine;
Touched by the needs that are surging around me,
And filled with compassion divine." (Stephen Olford)

"My heart is filled, dear Lord, with love,
So let it show in words and deeds;
And help me share, in all my ways,
The overflow for others' needs." (Hess)

Find Rest in Christ

First of all, we must come to Jesus for our salvation (trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior and follow Him). Sin-sick soul is definitely weary and burdened. Salvation rest is found in Christ alone. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) These verses (Matthew 11:28-30) are such a beautiful personal invitation from the Lord of lords, the King of kings. He wants us to have a personal relationship with Him. Sadly, those who don't see the need for a Savior will not come to Jesus. Jesus also gives us eternal rest in Heaven and soul rest for our daily lives.

This invitation also applies to us children of God who are weary and burdened in our daily lives and/or in our struggle to rely on our own strength. Notice that Jesus invites the weary and burdened, not the strong and self-sufficient. The latter don't acknowledge their need for Him. Do you feel beaten down, discouraged, physically tired, emotionally fatigued, mentally drained, and/or spiritually exhausted? Do you feel heavy-laden (with sin, guilt, fear, worry, shame, sorrow, envy, doubt, temptation, etc.)? If so, come to Jesus and lay all your burdens down at His feet. He is our Burden-Bearer and our Rest-Giver! "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." (Psalm 68:19) Come and find rest in Christ. Abide in Him. He offers Himself as the solution to soul's weariness. He will give you the supernatural rest that the world can neither give to you nor take away from you.

We need Christ's blood to cleanse us, His righteousness to clothe us, and His Spirit to convict us. We need Christ every day...for me, every moment. "As we need Christ--so we come to Christ. Not once for all, but we continue to come. We must come to Him...in every trial, in every trouble, in every conflict, to unburden our minds, to find rest for our souls. We come to Him...for wisdom, for strength, for holiness." (James Smith) Come to Him = Trust in Him and rely upon Him.

"Don't let yourself become a victim of fruitless fretting. If you do, you'll lose the peace and joy that is your rightful heritage. Instead, set aside part of each day to talk with God, thanking Him for who He is and what He has done for you. Then, by reading His word and believing His comforting promises, your faith will grow stronger and a supernatural peace will flood your soul. Jesus said, "Come to Me,...and I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28). Have you learned to rest in Him?" (Henry G. Bosch)

"We mutter and sputter, we fume and we spurt;
We mumble and grumble, our feelings get hurt;
We can't understand things, our vision grows dim,
When all that we need is communion with Him!"
(Unknown)

It's paradoxical that Jesus tells the weary and burdened to take His yoke upon them in order to receive rest. In essence, He tells us to yield to His Lordship and to submit our will to His perfect will which comes from His gentle and humble heart. His yoke (His teaching) is easy and His burden (His command, His will) is light because He is not harsh or oppressive like the Pharisees. His yoke is yoke of grace that brings freedom, peace, and joy, not yoke of Law or legalism that brings bondage. As we surrender all to Him and learn from Him, He will lead us beside quiet waters, refresh our soul, and guide us along the right paths for His Name's sake (Psalm 23:2-3). As a result, we will find true rest.

What a blessed life it is to rest and rejoice in the Lord in all circumstances, no matter what's going on in our lives!

"How blest Thy saints! How safely led!
How surely kept! How richly fed!
Savior of all in earth and sea,
How happy they who rest in Thee!"
(Henry Francis Lyte)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your warm, loving invitation and promise! Please help me to fix my heart and mind on You and rest in You always. Please refresh my soul and give me strength to do Your will and to walk in Your ways each and every day.

"The believer who is confident of God's providence, who rests in His grace, and who relies on His Holy Spirit will experience the miracle of His quieting peace." (H.G. Bosch) 

Love and Obedience

To obey God is to love God.  Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commands." "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?" (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) God's commands are for our own good. God is love and all His commands are motivated by His love for us. Our love for God is shown by our obedience to God. We must die to self daily, surrender all to God, and choose to obey God, come what may. "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40) Love God and love people. May we commit ourselves to be wholeheartedly loyal to God and to always obey Him in everything...in every situation!

"The true measure of loving God is to love Him without measure." (Bernard)

By the way, none of us can ever love and obey God perfectly; that's why we need Jesus and the gospel of God's grace!

God's Rest

A life of faith (in Jesus Christ) and obedience (to God and His Word) brings rest. On the contrary, a life of unbelief and disobedience prevents one from entering God's rest. Hebrews 4 warns Christians to learn from the Israelite's mistake. Many of them did not get to enter God's rest (the Promised Land) because of their unbelief and disobedience. Those who do not believe in the Gospel, harden their hearts, and refuse to trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior shall not enter God's rest. "The use of the term sabbatismos (“Sabbath-rest”) suggests that the weekly sabbath given to Israel is only a shadow of the true rest of God." (Ray Stedman) This rest is available only for God's people (both Jew and Gentile believers). God offers it. Take it. We who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ shall enter God's rest since we do not rely on our own works to earn God's favor, but we rest securely and solely on Christ's finished work of redemption on the cross. We also rest from striving on our own strength (walking in the flesh) to live up to God's standards. Instead, we now walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, being equipped to live a godly life. And some day, we, Christ's followers, will enjoy the eternal rest in Heaven. True rest is not a day; it's a Person, Jesus Christ. "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29) Jesus invites us to simply rest in Him, the Lord of the Sabbath, the Prince of Peace. Rest in God's faithful promises. Rest in God's amazing, inexhaustible grace and mercy. Rest in God's sovereignty (He's always in control). Rest in God's mighty power (nothing is impossible with God). My M.O. in life is I pray; I trust; I rest.

I believe that this passage also serves as a warning for Hebrew Christians (and us) not to fall into Judaism or any legalistic version of Christianity. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1) We are now under grace, no longer under the Law. Rest in the freedom we have in Christ. It doesn't mean we can do whatever we want; rather, it means we are free from flesh/sin to do what God wants. Through our faith accompanied by obedience (fruit of our faith), our soul is at rest in Christ Whom we abide.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being my Refuge and Shelter! How sweet it is to be able to rest in Your loving, everlasting arms. Thank You for Your inexhaustible grace that carries me through any storms of life. Please empower me to daily walk by faith and walk in obedience.

A Rest Remaineth for the Weary
by Johann S Kunth

A rest remaineth for the weary;
Arise, sad heart, and grieve no more;
Though long the way, and dark and dreary,
It endeth on the golden shore.
Before His throne the Lamb will lead thee,
On heav’nly pastures He will feed thee,
Cast off thy burden, come with haste;
Soon will the toil and strife be ended,
The weary way which thou hast wended.
Sweet is the rest which thou shalt taste.

The Father’s house has many a dwelling,
And there will be a place for thee.
With perfect love His heart is welling
Who loved thee from eternity.
His precious blood the Lamb hath given
That thou might’st share the joys of Heaven,
And now He calleth far and near:
“Ye weary souls, cease your repining,
Come while for you My light is shining;
Come, sweetest rest awaits you here!”

O come, come all, ye weak and weary,
Ye souls bowed down with many a care;
Arise and leave your dungeons dreary
And listen to His promise fair:
“Ye bore your burdens meek and lowly,
I will fulfill My pledge most holy,
I’ll be your solace and your rest.
Ye are Mine own, I will requite you;
Though sin and Satan seek to smite you,
Rejoice! Your home is with the blest.”

There rest and peace in endless measure
Shall be ours through eternity;
No grief, no care, shall mar our pleasure,
And untold bliss our lot shall be.
Oh, had we wings to hasten yonder—
No more o’er earthly ills to ponder—
To join the glad, triumphant band!
Make haste, my soul, forget all sadness;
For peace awaits thee, joy and gladness—
The perfect rest is nigh at hand.