Purpose, Passion, Process, Provision

I ran across this tonight while browsing through some things I've written over the years. This is from 2009. I didn't spend much time reviewing it for syntax and grammar. I hope it's ok. Let me know your thoughts.

Purpose

If there is no reason for the actions you take, the results you get will not make much sense; even if the results are favorable.  The old adage states, “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.”  The only way to measure the effectiveness of any action is for it to begin with purpose.  There is no need to over-dramatize that word.  If you sit down to watch a football game or your favorite decorating show, you have purpose in doing so: entertainment, knowledge, support a friend or family member, etc.  The same is true for the noble actions you could attempt.  Starting a company, running for elected office, or starting a family also have purpose.

If you begin each task with a stated purpose then you know when the task has been completed.  Either the task will be completed successfully or you miss the objective.  The consequences may be major, minor, or none at all; but realize there can be consequences.  Making a plan will be covered later, but purpose must be at the genesis of any effort; otherwise it is just meaningless activity.

The Shorter Catechism says, “The chief end of man is love God and worship Him forever.”  There can be no denying that is certainly a worthy aspiration.  However, living that out can be a challenge because of the difficulty in defining “loving God” and “worshiping Him.”  I like what Paul shares in Ephesians when he instructs us that “we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.”  You and I were created to become like Christ.  As it has been said, “Read the red.”  Find out what Jesus said and did.  Then with the help of the Holy Spirit, determine that conforming to the image of Jesus will be your purpose, your destiny, for the rest of your life.

Passion

When pursuing a purpose, the amount of drive to reach a successful outcome is determined by your level of passion.  Again a time-tested axiom says, “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right.”  Passion will determine your commitment to the quality and completeness with which you approach any task.  Using the previous example, if you sit down to watch a football game, you passion will determine whether you watch the whole game.  If your favorite team is on, then your level of passion will be higher than for two teams outside of your conference.  If you are watching a decorating show, you must see the entire project described in order to replicate it.  Your level of passion will determine whether you take notes or TIVO the program.

Jesus demonstrated the essence of passion with His life.  Everything He encountered was filtered through a view of the cross.  The passion Jesus had for the purpose God had given Him directed every action toward its completion.  From the earliest recorded exchange Jesus had with the priests in the temple when He was only ten years old, to His submitting to being crucified at thirty-three years old, His motivation was to complete the mission of reconciling us to Father.  That is passion!

Process

Once you decide on a task that you are motivated to pursue, you will need a detailed process in order to be certain you complete it effectively.  Another statement of wisdom is “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  Proverbs tells us, “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.”  Steps, not “arrival to arrival”.  All of us like the results of hard work, we just do not care for the hard work.

Events are wonderful.  You just show up and enjoy the happening.  Did you ever consider the amount of effort, the process, if you will, that someone had to walk out in order for you to enjoy the “event”?  Consider a musical show.  Each musician or singer possibly spent years developing their craft.  Promoters gathered the financial backing to secure the venue, paying deposits to the performers, arranging for sound and lighting, security, and the list goes on.  Then advertising went out to inform you that for a small sum of money, you can enjoy an evening of wonderful entertainment.

There is always a process involved whether you participate in it or not.  The Kingdom of God is an example of the ultimate process.  Before time began, God made a way for you to know Him and have fellowship with Him forever.  It would only make sense that He would desire us to live our lives intentionally, not just letting it happen.

Provision

If … then.  We learned that from the time we could comprehend language, verbal or otherwise.  Touch the trinket on the shelf and our hand gets slapped.  Do your homework and you get good grades.  Exceed the posted speed-limit and pay the fine.  There are always consequences to actions.  Even physics tells us that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.  The result of a process is the provision.  Provision is two-fold: what is needed for the journey, and the prize that awaits the completion of the purpose.

Pastor E. M. “Doc” Shell once said, “Everything we have need of is found in seeking the Lord.”  That is provision for the journey.  We can experience God’s provision – not only “in the sweet by and by”, but right now!  Lepers/David (battle)/Gideon/etc.

Scripture is filled with references to the provision God has in store for us if we will pursue the purpose He has planned for us, with the passion He inspires us to, through the process that He has established.  Paul described it as “running the race”, “reaching for the prize”, “fighting the good fight”, “finishing the course.”  That provision is, of course, heaven.  Receive the salvation available through the sacrifice of Jesus and you will have eternal life with Father in His heaven.

Communion - March 9, 2014

Familiarity breeds contempt. This quote is attributed to Publilius Syrus, a Roman author during the 1^st Century B.C. As you just saw on the video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx4UFB0XBGw ), the most simple of journeys can become very frustrating if you lose sight of where you are, and where you are going. Our Western minds have become so accustomed to everything being taken care of by “them” that we forget how to deal with problems ourselves.

The Liturgical observance of Lent began this week. For the most pious observers, this involves giving up meat and most “pleasant food” for the period of time leading up to the celebration of Easter, the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

These churches remove the fine brass or gold fixtures in their worship centers, like candlesticks and urns, and replacement with iron or wooden fixtures. The beautiful flowers normally adorning the pulpit are replaced by leaf-less branches cut from a tree. It is a time of mourning and self-deprivation to identify with the suffering of Jesus as He was crucified in our place on the cross. Lent is preceded by Fat Tuesday. The custom is to eat pancakes on this day in order to consume all of the yeast in the house. It was part of the cleansing preparation of the home for the period of Lent that would follow. This time of self-deprivation would culminate with an all night prayer vigil on the Saturday before Easter Sunday.

Then on Easter Sunday morning the worship center transforms by returning all of the fine fixtures to their rightful places. Fresh flowers are placed in the room to signify life has returned. Our Lord and Savior is risen from the dead. He lives so that we can live. I understand why most Charismatics, and other non-liturgical denominations have moved away from these types of celebrations. They are viewed as “dead works” of the flesh. The responsive readings, antiphonal singing, and written prayers can give place to vain repetition. I understand that.

However, like most things, if you are able to keep the original intent of the liturgy in mind, and let it continue to be relevant to the worshipper, they can create an object lesson that can have great impact on one’s faith. Just as with all fasting, Lent is intended to bring the body under subjection to the Spirit. I’m not suggesting we take up the practice of liturgy in our worship. I would like to suggest, however, that we keep the truth represented by the liturgy at the forefront of our thinking.

What if we really had a heart-knowledge of, and an active mental understanding of things like the Apostles’ Creed:

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:

9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

1l. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

I’m glad that we celebrate communion each week. This places us in a very small minority of non-orthodox churches that do so. Without a regular reminder of what Christ did for us, we can easily get sidetracked and lulled to sleep spiritually. We can become “stuck on an escalator”, unable to see that we can very easily walk to our freedom. Each time you take the cup and wafer, remember that Jesus was born of a real virgin, Mary. Jesus lived a real life, tempted to lie about His playmates as a child, tempted to steal from His neighbor, tempted to be disrespectful to parents or others in authority. Remember that Jesus died on a real cross, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. He shed real blood. He was buried in a real tomb. Remember that He actually was raised from dead. Remember that He actually ascended to a real heaven. Remember that He sits at the right hand of a real God, that occupies a real throne; that is King over a real Kingdom.

Remember that, according to Ephesians 1 & 2, you also have been really crucified with Christ; you have really been buried with Him, resurrected with Him. Remember that, as a believer, you have actually ascended to Heaven with Him, and are now seated with Him in heavenly places, far above all rule and power and dominion and every name that is named.

Mary Miracle

Mary Miracle

Shared in Communion – 2013 12 08

Luke 1:26-38 – “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

Jewish tradition tells us that young women who were consecrated to the Lord had dreams of being the one chosen by God to bring Messiah to the earth. I know you’ve heard this story many times. But today allow your mind to see it a little differently.

On this particular March 20, year 0 B.C., a young lady, probably still a teenager, has an encounter that changed her forever. It was Tuesday, so most likely there were chores to be done. Perhaps it was while beating clothes down on the river bank, or walking to or from the town square, or even sweating over the pot of stew that would be the meal for the day, Mary encountered the Lord. I cannot help but think that she was startled.

However, from the passage we see that the concern she had was not with the man, but with the words he spoke; she was “troubled with his saying”. Then something came to mind, perhaps a teaching she had heard at the synagogue, or something her priest-uncle Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband, had said during one of her visits to their home. Isaiah 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Could this be? What about Joseph? What will mom and dad say? REALLY? Has salvation come to our people? Am I going to be the mother of the Messiah?

The Lord, through Gabriel, assured Mary, “Do not fear. You have favor with God. You will conceive and bare a son, the Son of the Highest. He shall be great.”

Mary’s response here is so vital, and this is where we miss it when an encounter with the Lord comes to us. She did not ask WHY, or IF, but HOW!!!

You know the rest of this story. What about your story? Are you in a posture to have an encounter with God? He is still looking for willing vessels to accomplish His plans and purpose in the earth. Too old? What about Moses, Abraham, Elizabeth? Too poor? What about Gideon, Esther? Too young? What about David, Mary, Samuel?

If you will look, I think you will find a common thread in all of these “champions” of God. They were not surprised by an opportunity. All they needed was the “how”.

Colossians 3:1-2 – “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

So, what is the Lord saying to you? When He does, and He will, are you willing to say, “Be it unto me according to Thy word?”

Laodicea

I hate to be wrong. I am very quick to challenge any implication that I am wrong. I will research diligently to prove my point. I learned that this behavior is one aspect of my Control Temperament: Choleric. Choleric people tend to be right. That’s one reason some people do not like them. People grow weary a know-it-all.

This is relatively new information for me. For years I have tried to understand that, just because I know the answer, not everyone wants to hear it. I am just the opposite. If someone knows the answer to my question I want to hear it. I love to learn. I love discovery, but I also love shared knowledge.

I mentioned a little about me to give you some background for this post. I have recently had an epiphany. It has not come easily, but I’m glad that I learned it now, at 54, rather than finding out at 75. I have come to realize that I don’t know everything. Specifically, I don’t even know as much as I thought I knew about my God, and His Kingdom.

I’ve been on a journey for at least 3 years of looking at everything I believe with new eyes. My friend, Ed Chinn, has just published a book called “New Eyes for a New World.” I recommend it. It will help you think in new ways. Another book that I read recently is by Matthew B. Redmond, called “The God of the Mundane”, another that I highly recommend. These, along with several others, have challenged me to look at everything a second time. Go back and find out WHY you believe what you do, not just debunk everything that is not in agreement with WHAT you believe.

The latest milestone on this journey came yesterday. After reading a recommended blog entry by Rachel Held Evans (rachelheldevans.com/blog) I replied with this:

“Interesting times in the Body right now. I'm beginning to feel like a man without a ‘country’. I'm beginning to get a glimpse of what the Lord was saying to the angel at Laodicea. I have numbered myself with them, but I'm trying to break free.”

After writing that in a rather off-the-cuff manner, mainly because I liked the self-righteous sound of it, I started looking deeper into Laodicea. I found something interesting, and convicting.

When you look at the Greek, in which I am not a scholar, I found that 2 words were used to form Laodicea. The first is laos which simply means “people.” The second word is dike (pronounced dee’-kay) which means “right, or just.”

One could draw from this definition that the people there were self-righteous. They justified their position, behavior, or beliefs concerning spiritual matters. The Lord spoke to them and said, "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” (Revelation 4:17-18 NKJV)

One of the greatest problems with deception is the fact that you are deceived. You cannot see the deception because you believe you are right. It has taken 3 years, and counting, but I believe the walls of my stubbornness are beginning to crack, allowing the amazing light of God’s glory and truth to invade my world in ways I have not experienced in a long time.

Just so you know, I’m not talking about “sin”, necessarily. I never have walked away from the Lord, or pursued other gods. I have simply allowed the light (little “l”) of my wisdom and knowledge to be enough for me, instead of letting the Light (big “l”) show me how to live my life.

I’m not speaking as one that has arrived, simply as one who is in pursuit of the One whom I love, and that loves me.

One final thought about Laodicea. According to scripture there was an epistle written by Paul to the Laodiceans. He mentions it in Colossians 4:16: “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”

Wouldn’t you love to have read what Paul wrote to these folks? I know I sure would.