Live to Honor God

No Other Gospel

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!  As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”  Galatians 1:6-10

Like Paul, I see many people in our society that are deserting sound doctrine (what is found in the Bible) and are including many ideas that are not consistent with Christianity. I see people all the time in TV and movies who present themselves as Christian and then do things that are not consistent with Christian teaching.  This is a problem since it seems we are getting farther and farther away from what the Bible teaches. 

It is easy to say we are all sinners and look the other way and count it as just a mistake.  You can always repent later and receive forgiveness. But, the problem is when these mistakes become a regular part of our daily behavior—with no remorse and no desire to repent.  Before you know it we begin to tell ourselves God understands why we do these things and live the way we live.  When we begin seeing these non-Christ-like behaviors as part of who we are and how we act we begin to pervert the gospel.  That may sound a little harsh but I believe it is very true. 

God clearly describes acceptable behavior in the Bible.  Some Christ-like behavior is spelled our in the commandments, the Gospels, and the letters of the New Testament.  But, there are also many examples of what is acceptable and not acceptable in the lives of the many people and stories found in the Old and New Testaments. 

When you watch the news or talk shows you frequently see or hear conservative Christian beliefs being ridiculed as old fashioned and even humorous or ridiculous.  But the truth is Christ-like behavior is never old fashioned.  Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” What was acceptable Christian behavior 2000 years ago is still acceptable Christian behavior.  And, what is not is still not acceptable, even though our society wants you to believe it is. 

In this passage, Paul is talking about some specific doctrines that were being taught in some of the churches of his day.  He says, “they are really no gospel at all.”  Today, there are many specific beliefs and doctrines that are not Christ-like and yet they are presented as part of the package of “what a Christian in 2011 should do.”  Some of these are big things like the idea that there are many ways to be saved—that Jesus is not the only way.  To clear this up, the Bible says Jesus is the only way—I choose to believe what the Bible teaches since I believe it is the Holy Spirit, inspired Word of God.

On the other hand, it could be something small and seemingly insignificant but it is significant.  Small things add up and become big and overwhelming.  This is how Satan has deceived many people in our day—he sneaks in with something small and bides his time till more small things are added to the whole.  Eventually, even big things seem small and before you know it you are completely deceived and living a life that is not at all Christ-like.  As Christians we are called to live Christ-like lives. 

The key to living a Christ-like life is being close in your relationship with Jesus, spending time in the Bible and prayer everyday and allowing the Holy Spirit to work and grow in your life.  Here are some other posts that might help with this:

Got Jesus?

How to Pray

Honoring God in Our Work – Part 1

Honoring God in Our Work – Part 2

Grow Where You are Planted

How Tolerant Should a Christian Be?

3 Words that Honor God

5 Ways We Fail to Honor God in Our Daily Life

8 Things I Have Learned About Doing God’s Will

Spiritually FIT

5 Ways to Honor God Today

The Fruit of the Spirit

Honoring God When You Don’t “Feel” Like It

I want to encourage all who read this to take a good look at their life and evaluate the way you live to see if it agrees with the Bible.   Maybe there are some life changes you need to make.

Blessings

Tim

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Honoring God When You Don’t “Feel” Like It

Have you ever been in a bad mood or just feeling down or depressed?  Of course, we all have emotional ups and downs.  Sometimes we just don’t “feel” happy or motivated.  Sometimes we allow our human nature to get the best of us and we don’t live up to our God-given potential.  Sometimes, we are just in a bad mood.

So, the question is “how do you honor God in these times?”  I believe the answer is to return to the basic fundamentals of being a follower of Jesus.  Here are a couple of good quotes I found about the importance of returning to the fundamentals.

"Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. You’ve got to get the fundamentals down because otherwise the fancy stuff isn’t going to work." — Randy Pausch

“Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise.”   — Michael Jordan

There are many things we can do to grow and thrive in our relationship with God but there are a few basic things that are necessary—these are the fundamentals we should focus on before we we move on to other practices.

Read and study the Bible.  The Bible is the basic manual that we must read to learn about God and to understand God’s message for us.  The Bible contains the information we need to live a life that honors God.  The Bible is not a set of rules but rather, the history and plan of a loving God determined to save and care for His people.

Even when you don’t “feel” like it you should be reading in your Bible everyday.  I use a Bible that is divided into 365 daily readings to make sure that I read through the whole Bible.  I have been reading through the Bible every year for quite a few years.  This is a commitment I made to God because I believe the Bible is God’s inspired word to all of His people.  After reading through the whole Bible my understanding of God and living a Christian life changed since I had a greater understanding of God’s love and I began to gain a better perspective of how to live a Christian life. 

Looking at this from a different perspective I believe it is hard to honor God if you are not reading and/or studying the Bible every day.  Attending church and Sunday School one or two times a week is great but it is not enough in my humble opinion.

We honor God when read the Bible even when we don’t “feel” like it.

Pray continually. This is Paul’s exhortations to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is communicating with God.  Prayer should be a dialogue, a discussion, between God and ourselves—not just monologue with us doing all the talking. A good discussion requires that we listen at least as much as we talk.  It is impossible to pray every minute of every day so I believe praying continually is more about an attitude of prayer.  This is done by keeping God in the front of our thoughts—when things happen share them with God.  Share all your thoughts, ideas, plans, and dreams with God and see what God thinks about them.  Before you talk with anyone else talk with God.  This not only includes things we need and want but words of praise and thanksgiving for the many ways God showers His love on us.

We honor God when we pray continually even when we don’t “feel” like it.

Trusting God completely in all situations.  Even though the first two I mentioned are absolutely important, trusting God completely might be the most important of the three. Our complete trust in God will greatly effect our Bible reading and studying and our prayer.  We must trust God is who He says He is, that He loves us, He is able to communicate with us.  We must trust He will give us the strength and ability to do what He calls us to do.  We must trust in His salvation and His promises.

We honor God when we trust God completely even when we don’t “feel” like it.

There are many other important things we should do in our relationship with God but these three fundamentals are important to continue regardless of the circumstances in our life if we intend to honor God.  These three things also help us in our warfare against evil forces.

Blessings

Tim

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The LORD’s Anger Burned

“Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”  The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you.”  Exodus 4:10-14

In this passage Moses is trying to talk God out of sending him to deliver God’s message to Pharaoh since he claims he is not qualified.  Actually, if you read this chapter from the beginning you will see this is not the first time he disagreed with God.

In the verses before this God showed great patience in trying to convince Moses that he will be successful since God is with him.  God’s patience has a limit though as seen in this passage—“then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses.”  He told Moses what he should do, he assured Moses with details about how he would be successful and still Moses refused to trust God so God said, “what about your brother, Aaron…?'” 

I wonder how many times I have doubted God’s plan for me believing myself inadequate to do what God wants?  How many times has the LORD’s anger burned against me?  How many times has God moved on to get someone who will trust enough to do what He wants the first time, without argument?  In my 30 years as a Christian it must be hundreds of times.  I have been very slow to believe in myself, the skills and talents God has given me.  I have been like Gideon hiding from my enemies and slow to believe the angel of the LORD when he speaks of my potential. 

You see, that’s the key, God sees the potential we have—He gave us that potential in the first place.  He knows what we can do and what we can’t do.  I have decided to try to live up to my potential—my God-given potential.  To do that, I must listen when God tells me what to do and trust God when He says I can do it.

What about you?  Have you tried to argue with God about His call?  Have you forced God to choose someone else to do the job He meant for you?  Leave a comment and tell us about it?

Blessings

TIm

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A Living Sacrifice to God

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual* act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:1-2

Paul is encouraging the Roman church to set their lives apart for God.  Just as a burnt offering is set apart and given completely to God, Paul is asking us to do the same—to set our lives apart for God.  He says, “in view of God’s mercy.”  Since God, in His mercy, has paid the necessary price of my ransom, saving me from the sure death of sin I should willingly give my life to God.  Everything that makes me who I am is to be offered to God for Him to use in whatever way He chooses.  I let go of my thoughts and ideas of who I am and what I should do and allow God’s will to be the only will that matters.  I don’t do this grudgingly or because I have to but willingly in gratitude as an act of worship.  I choose to take on God’s will and let go of my own will.  My prayer becomes what John the Baptist said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).  Everything I do becomes an act of worship, an offering, given to God for His glory and honor. 

Paul continues to encourage us by reminding us to leave behind the ways of the world and to keep our thoughts holy and set apart for God by renewing our mind.  We do this through studying God’s word so that it becomes the foundation of our every thought.  This is not our natural way—conforming to the sinful ways of the world is our nature.  I have the right to continue to live according to my nature and, in fact, if I don’t do anything different that is how I will live.  But, I have another choice, by the mercy of God, I can choose to surrender my self to God and take on His nature.  This requires daily surrender, daily reminding myself who I am in God—I am set apart for God’s will, I am forgiven and free, paid for by the blood of Jesus.  Not only that I am becoming the person God wants me to be through the renewing of my thoughts and beliefs about God and who I am in God. 

It’s one of the many paradoxes of living the Christian life—through surrender I become greater than I could possibly be in my own nature. 

Are you surrendering yourself to God as a living sacrifice?  Are you conforming to the world or being transformed into the person God wants you to be? 

May our Lord bless you and help you surrender to His will daily and reach your full potential according to God’s plan for your life.

Tim

 

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Honoring God in Our Work – Part 2

This post continues to answer a question about how we honor God in our work.  You can see the first of these two posts here: Honoring God in Our Work – Part 1.

  We honor God when we grow where we are planted. Moses is a good example of growing where you are planted.  He spent 40 years learning to be a prince of Egypt then when he fled to Midian, he spent 40 years learning to shepherd sheep which was preparation for shepherding the people of Israel for the last 40 years of his life.  Moses needed the knowledge and experience of both the time as a prince and the time as a shepherd to be the man God needed to lead them to the promised land.

We honor God when we follow His example and rest when it is time to rest so we can spend time with Him and be ready to work hard when the time comes.  Exodus 31:14-17 "‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. [15] For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy (set apart) to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. [16] The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. [17] It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.’”

We honor God in our work when we acknowledge Him rather than taking all the glory for ourselves. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.* God is the source of all blessings that come our way—we should go out of our way to let people know how God has helped us.

Below is an example of Abraham giving God the glory for what he does in his life.

Romans 4:18-25 "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”* [19] Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. [20] Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [21] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. [22] This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” [23] The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, [24] but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. [25] He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."

We honor God in our work when we tithe.   Leviticus 27:32 "The entire tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod—will be holy to the LORD."

We honor God in our work when we complete the work he called us to do:  Exodus 39:32 "[32] So all the work on the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD commanded Moses."  and Exodus 39:42-43 "[42] The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses. [43] Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.

We honor God when we are generous and charitable and concerned about others in our work.  Deuteronomy 24:19-22  "[19] When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. [20] When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. [21] When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. [22] Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

We honor God in our work when we submit to authority--Romans 13:1-5 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. [3] For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. [4] For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."

Hebrews 13:17 "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Can you think of other ways we honor God in our work?  Be sure to leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Blessings

Tim

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Honoring God in Our Work – Part 1

I recently received this email and felt it was a good topic to share in some posts.

I was asked from the church that my family and I attend, to do a study and share at our winter bible school on how to honor God at work. I came across your site and what a blessing. I have never stood in front of 400 people before to share Gods word, and I really battle as to what chapter and verses to use ( referring to our jobs ). I spent a lot of time in prayer and asking God to bring something in front of me. One chapter God has laid in front of me is Colossians 3:17 – 4:5, is there anything that comes to your mind what I could use or do you have any good pointers for me how to lay this out and represent it to church. I look forward to hear from you.

Thanks and God Bless you with your ministry 

Sam

Thanks, Sam, for the question and feedback.

My first thought was the passage Sam already mentioned...Colossians 3:17 says,  "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. " 

God wants us to do whatever we do in His name.  Everything we do should be done in a way that honors God.

Also, I thought of the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness after God, through Moses, delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. 

Exodus 35:30-35  “Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, [31] and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— [32] to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, [33] to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. [34] And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. [35] He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.”

What I always think about here is that God gave them the skill and ability to do the work.  This passage says in verse 31, "and he has filled him with the Spiritu of God, with skill, ability and knowledge..."  God wants us to do the work he has prepared us to do with excellence.

Another passage that has a lot to offer on this topic is the book on Nehemiah.  Nehemiah and many other Israelites were in captivity.  God impressed upon Nehemiah the need for the to build the wall defenses of Jerusalem.  They did this in a miraculous amount of time—just over 50 days.

We honor God when we allow Him to do the miraculous through us.   Nehemiah 6:16 "When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."

Another passage that relates to letting God do the miraculous through us is when Jesus sent out the 70 disciples they came back talking about the miraculous things God had done through them. Luke 10:17 "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

We honor God in our work when we persevere through difficult times.  Nehemiah 6:9 "They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”  [But I prayed,] “Now strengthen my hands.”

We honor God when we do whatever we do with excellence.  Paul says, "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" verse 23 of the passage you mentioned earlier.   

We honor God when we work hard,  Proverbs 14:23 "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

We honor God in our work when we live as ambassadors -- living a life that honors God before the people around us and sharing the message of reconciliation with the people in our circle of influence.  Sharing the message involves living it so people see it (a picture is worth a thousand words) and sharing it in whatever way God enables us (some are gifted with speaking the message, some share the message through their gifting as servants, some teach, some preach, some are gifted as listeners, etc.)

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 says, "[18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin* for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We honor God in our work when we intercede for those we work with in prayer.  Jesus is our example for this--he prays for his disciples in John 17:6-19.  Also in Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prays for fellow believers.

Next time I’ll share more ways we honor God in our work.

Please leave a comment and tell us your thoughts on honoring God in work.

Blessings

Tim

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Grow Where You are Planted

Have you heard the saying, “grow where you are planted?”  I heard this about 22 years ago when I was speaking with a pastor of I church I attended in college a few years earlier.  I had accepted the call into ministry several years before this and had served in several churches as music director and also as pastor.  I went to speak with this pastor because I felt God had more for me to do and I needed counsel from a Christian man I respected. 

After sharing some of my situation with him he said: “Tim, grow where you are planted and then see what God does.”  To my shame, I left his office frustrated and discontent.  I felt God had more for me, more to do, “bigger and better things” so to speak.  The simple truth is I didn’t want to grow where I was planted, I wanted to be re-planted somewhere better.  I didn’t exactly know where that was but I knew I wanted it.  Earlier I mentioned this was “to my shame," you see the truth is there was nothing wrong with where I was.  God was using me and I was right where God wanted me. 

I discovered a few years later that I had a deep seated flaw in my Christian character—I had some doubts about God.  I didn’t doubt the existence of God or that I was saved.  My doubts were about God intentions for my life.  I was trying direct my life, to be a Timocracy.  Do you see the flaw?  A Christian life is a life that is completely submitted to God.  A Christian life is a Theocracy.  God has to be at the head.  My flaw was that I had my plans and goals and I expected to have what I wanted.  When I accepted the call to ministry I gave to God my life, my plans, and my choices.  I said, “I’ll go where you want me to go.”  But the truth is down inside I resented that I wasn’t getting what I thought I deserved. 

Many years later I understand the wisdom of the phrase “grow where you are planted” because I have learned, like Paul, to be content in all situations because my life is not my own.  I have given my life and my all to Jesus.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:12-13

Growing where I am planted means giving my best in the here and now, wherever God has planted me since I trust God to do what is best for me and to use me for His purpose and for His glory.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

My life is not my own—I have given it to God. 

One last thing to think about.  One of the ways Satan tries to defeat us is to plant seeds of distrust and discontent in Christians.  We have to stay focused on God through prayer and Bible study.  We have to trust God since He is trustworthy. 

Leave a comment and tell us your experience with “growing where you are planted.”

Blessings

Tim

 

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