Constrained By Love

From Henry’s Desk

 

“ … the love of Christ constraineth us … “

(2 Cor 5:14)

 

 

Have you ever been arrested?  Now, I don’t mean by the police, though some of us have probably had just cause in our lives.  I mean have you ever been arrested by the Word of God?  Stopped cold in your tracks, confronted by truth, and unable to continue?  Stopped from going in one direction, and carried in another?

One of the meanings of “constraineth” in the above verse is “to hold together with constraint”.  Being one who has played close to the line that defines sanity, and then being known to stray a bit, one of my first thoughts upon hearing this meaning is ‘straightjacket”.  Now a straight jacket will not only keep you from doing what you want to do, it enables others to take you in a direction they want you to go.  (OK smarty, I know this from the movies, not personal experience!)

I remember one time this verse played out very dramatically in my life.  I was at a church service, and the person leading worship, was a bit “gothic” in appearance and the music style was a little hard for my taste.  I, of course, started going into my “judgment” mode.  Right in the middle of it all, God broke in, and filled my heart with such love for this person that I could no longer think badly of them, judge them, or even comment about them to others, except in the context of me confessing my own sin.

Christ’s love put me in a straightjacket,  prevented me from continuing on my present course, and carried me along in an entirely different direction.

God’s love will constrain us, will stop us, will pressure us, will hold us back, will prevent us, and then will carry us along in an entirely different direction, one that is pleasing to Him.

May we all be arrested by the Holy Spirit, confronted with the Word of God, constrained by the love of Christ, and carried along by the Father into a life that brings Him honor and glory.

 

Transforming A Prejudice

From Henry’s Desk

“ … be transformed by the renewing of your mind” 

(Ro 12:1-2, NIV)

I have a problem with a few of the “theys” in this world. One of the “theys” I have a problem with are poodles.  Now I know folks who have poodles love them, and I am glad that they do. However, having had a couple of them get excited and pee either on me or folks I know, I am not real trusting of poodles. Therefore I have put the whole breed into the “they” category over the action of a few. 

Now if we want to get honest, we would have to admit that we all not only do this with breeds, we do it with species, we do it denominations, and we do it with races.  We could even carry this into some more areas, but let’s stick here for now.

Some folks would put a whole race into a “they” category, because of color, creed, culture, or religion.  Now, as Christians, we know that is wrong as God tells us in His word we are not to be prejudice:

“A renewing in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all”  (Col 3:11, NASB)

 However, if a few from an identifiable category of people inadvertently make our life a little more difficult, we do have a tendency to mark them, letting the actions of a few cause us to put the whole batch into a “they” category.  The Word of God again has some direction for us here.  It says:

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. “  (Col 3:12-13, NASB)

Now, if we do find ourselves putting folks into a “they” category, we need to repent, forgive,  and get over it.  If we find ourselves not wanting to get over it, even feeling justified in it, then we need to remember that the Word of God also says:

“We love each other as a result of his loving us first. If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen? And God himself has commanded that we must love not only him but our Christian brothers and sisters, too.”  (1 John 4:19-21 NLT)

The Manna Principle

From Henry’s Desk

“He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little

did not have too little.”

(2 Cor 8:15)

The Manna Principle

The above verse is a quote originally from Exodus 16.  The Lord was giving manna to the Israelites.  Each morning they would gather it and then divide it up with a certain amount going to each person.  The excess of the ones who had gathered too much was given to the ones who had gathered too little, so that each one had the right amount.

In 2 Corinthians the verse is used in reference to people who had an abundance sharing with those who were in need.

“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,” 

(2 Cor 8:13-14).

I also like to apply this verse to when God’s people meet. Any time the church gets together, I believe you will find that some people have an excess and others have a lack.  Some have had a rich time with the Lord and some haven’t.  Some have things to share, and others are lacking and are in need.

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.  (1 Cor 14:26 NIV)

Based on the above verse, I love meetings where those with full baskets share what is in them with those who have empty baskets.  This can be done with as little as two people or groups of people.

Unfortunately, those with empty baskets usually won’t admit it, those with full baskets usually won’t share it, and most of our meetings are usually so structured that there is no opportunity for basket sharing.

Maybe we need not to have so many usual meetings and have some active participation of the body in basket sharing.

Times of Refreshing

From Henry’s Desk

 

“ … that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19, NIV)

I have used the above text a few times in preparation for and the continuation of renewal.  Using the whole verse, Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, you can easily see four steps:

                                                                                                   

1.      Repentance

2.      Returning

3.      Restoration

4.      Refreshing

 Let’s take a look at it in another situation, our time alone with god.  Nothing is more important than our relationship with God, and it is important to build intimacy with Him.  In order for that to take place, we need to spend time alone with Him.

I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but if you are like me, sometimes your quiet time is right on, and sometimes you are in a slump.  I thought I’d write a few things for the slump times.

First of all, don’t get into a situation where you feel like you have to do certain things every time, that is just legalism, and won’t bring life.   There are many things you can do to spend time in God’s presence, i.e. prayer, scripture reading, meditating on scripture, singing, spiritual reading,  thinking, etc.  I want to focus in on sitting in His presence.

If you are having a spiritual slump, or even if you are not, I think this will help you.  Go to a place that is quiet where you will not be disturbed.  Get before the Lord repenting of substituting business in place of Him.  Tell Him you are returning to Him, that He is all you want and that you just want to sit in His presence.  Ask Him to restore your fellowship with Him and then wait.  As He brings His manifest presence, don’t say anything.  Just stay in His manifest presence, connected with Him, letting His presence wash over you, fill you, heal you, direct you, refresh you or whatever else He may want to do.

He wants to spend time with us and we are changed in his presence.  I am reminded of the song “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns.

 Who Am I
Casting Crowns

 Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You're

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Emails To Henry # 5 - Day by Day

Dear Henry,

Just how long will we try to content ourselves with the things of this world, already knowing they won't satisfy. And why would we choose friendship with the world over God anyway? Especially in light of James 4:4 which says You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

We have chosen to love the world and the things of the world irregardless that 1John 2:15-16 says Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. And yet we continually try to provide security and a future to our lives through worldly wisdom instead of taking time to hear God and put His wisdom into practice in our lives.

However Hebrews 11:6 says But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. If we believe God is who He said He is and believe He will do what he said He will do, then let's come before Him and receive His reward.

Of wisdom God says in James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Wisdom says in 8:33-35 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.

God wants to bless us, God wants to reward us, God wants to give us wisdom for living, empowerment for serving, love for sharing, and miracles for praising. He actually wants to spend time with us!

In finishing 2 Corinthians 4:16 says: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Keeping Devotion,
jim

Giving & Receiving

From Henry’s Desk

 

One day a couple friends and I were sitting at my dining room table having a light conversation about giving and receiving.  One of them reached into his pocket, pulled out a dollar bill and stretching it towards me said “Here, I’ll sow this dollar and receive back two.”  Without thinking, my immediate response was, “Sure, if that is the level you want to play at, you can.  However, if you want to play at a higher level, you can do that too.”

Now it wasn’t the amount of the money that made it a low level interaction, it was the portion of his potential ability that he was willing to invest that made it low level.  Now don’t go off on a tangent thinking God just wants my money.  God wants your heart, but if He has your heart, you will give.  Is He your treasure, or are you possessions, money, and valuables your treasure?  If He is your treasure, there is no competition.

Jesus in speaking of the widows mite said, “She out of her need has given all she had to live on, therefore she is the biggest giver.”  Giving is not based on an amount or percentage, it is based on ability, potential, motivation, attitude, and obedience.

Now I set out to write about sowing and reaping, but it appears I have ended up on giving.  When we give we think about percentages (i.e. 10%), or amounts, (I.e. $1, $5, $20, $50) while God looks at our potential to give based upon how much He has prospered us.  And by the way, if He has greatly prospered us, but we have been selfish and spent it on ourselves, or poor stewards and do not have much to give, He doesn’t think, “Oh well, they were poor stewards, I’m not going to hold that against them.”

What’s in our hearts is what we treasure.  If money and things are at the heart of our lives, then we will only give a portion out of what‘s left over.  If God is at the heart of our lives, then we will be givers.

We need to ask ourselves, “What’s in my heart, what do I treasure?”

Eat, Drink, And Be Merry

From Henry’s Desk

“ … eat, drink, and be merry …” (Lk 12:19)

Now we all know that these words did not bring good results into the rich man’s life in Luke chapter 12.  As a matter of fact, his life was taken from him that very night.  What gives here?  Does God not want us to enjoy our life, enjoy our living?

But of course He does!  The words of the rich man did not come from a grateful heart, but from a heart satisfied with its own provision, his future secure by his own hands.  It was an attitude that says, “I have arrived!  I have need of nothing!” It is also shouts, “The ‘here and now’ is all that is important, this side of the grave is all that life consists of, and I have need of nothing and that is all that matters.”

God save us from satisfaction with this life, from counting on temporal treasures for our security, from fulfilling selfish ambitions.  1 Jn 3:15-17 (MSG) says,

“Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world--wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important--has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out--but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.”

God wants us to be satisfied in and enjoy Him.  He also wants us to enjoy living, and enjoy creation but without becoming distracted by them.  They are not the main thing -  He is.  God receives glory when we are satisfied in Him.  God receives glory when we enjoy living.  God receives glory when we enjoy creation.  God receives glory when our hearts are filled with gratitude to Him for life, living, creation, provision, etc.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NLT) says:

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work--whatever they do under the sun--for however long God lets them alive. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.

So let’s thank God, live well, and enjoy living.  It is a gift from God.