Crosswalk.com--The Devotional

[Judy Harder]

June 20, 2011

What a Spiritual Investment Can Yield
Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:5-7, NIV

Today is my mother's birthday.

Most of you who will read or listen to this devotional don't know her, but what we can learn from the legacy of her life is something that I believe we should all consider.

When I think of my mother, I think of someone who has invested in me—most importantly in a spiritual way.

In the first chapter of 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul recognized this kind of investment as well as he noted what Timothy's mother (and grandmother) had done in his life in his formative years. Verses 14 and 15 allude to this priceless gift:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

When I read those verses, I cannot help but think of the many years that my mother spent with me in reading God's Word and in helping me memorize Bible verses each week. While I loved being read to from Dr. Kenneth Taylor's wonderful Bible storybook called The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes, I had a harder time with Scripture memory. 

Perhaps it reminded me of tedious math problems to be solved in school. Or maybe I just wasn't as patient as my mother, who painstakingly worked with me to memorize each verse by rote. I can't imagine how much patience that must have required of her to repeat the phrases of each verse over and over and over again to me until I finally had each one memorized.

That time spent reading Scripture and training me in God's Word through memorization marked time that she sacrificed for her own pursuits and interests. It marked time she didn't take to spend with her friends at lunch or to go to the mall to do some shopping or to let "Calgon take her away" from a frustrated and antsy child.

To invest in my spiritual growth and development and future, it meant that she had to set aside her own plans and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit in her life in order to follow the command found in Proverbs 22:6.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

As an adult, I am realizing more and more what a great spiritual inheritance that I have because of my mother's willingness to invest her life by making herself available in mine. I am growing in my Christian faith and continue to learn new truths from passages of Scripture that are familiar yet fresh with meaning after all of these years.

But an investment strategy such as my mom's was with me is not just reserved for biological parents and children, but to spiritual sons and daughters as well. In fact, Paul himself addresses his first letter to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2: "To Timothy, my true son in the faith." This represents a spiritual investment that Paul, a seasoned believer at this point, was making in the life of a young pastor, Timothy, who was newer to ministry. Timothy went on to help with the church in Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:2), as well as in the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10) and was called a "faithful and beloved child in the Lord." 

In pondering the investment my mother has made in my life, I must look around for what that has yielded or what it is yielding in my life today. Are there rich blessings that I am using wisely? Or have I squandered away my spiritual inheritance or buried it so deeply that it is not being put to any good use at all? Am I reaching out and using what I have received and reinvesting in the lives of those around me?

As I wish my mother a happy birthday today, I offer a prayer of thanksgiving for her life and what her spiritual investment has yielded in mine. And I pray that we all would be encouraged to reinvest what we have been given spiritually as we give of ourselves to those around us.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Are you ready to invest? Or if you're already investing in someone is it time to up your contribution? Take time to ponder your spiritual investment strategy this week, as you spend some one-on-one time with your heavenly "Advisor."

Further Reading:

Isa. 55:11

Matt. 28:16-20

Luke 8:8

[Judy Harder]

June 21, 2011

The Command to Rest
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com Editor

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. – Psalm 116:7

We humans aren't as unstoppable as we'd like to think. Every night, we have to stop what we're doing and close our eyes for a few hours. We aren't capable of finishing our creations in a day, a week, or even a year sometimes. We must break off and sleep before then. Individually, we have to acknowledge our limitations and rest, even if inadequately, before springing up again for our work. Our progress comes in halting steps, our work never quite finished, so unlike the God who created the world in six days and then rested. Sleep is a physical humility, an acknowledgment of God's greater power and our trust that he works and watches even when we're unconscious.  It means believing that he "gives to his beloved even in his sleep" (Psalm 127:2).

So what happens when we get so busy that we don't rest?

I'm talking about physical rest as well as mental rest. We read lots of health articles about the importance of reducing stress, and plenty of spiritual growth advice focuses on not worrying. And of course the doctor is always telling us that we need a good eight hours of a sleep a night. But – and maybe it's just me – sometimes it's tempting to wear my lack of sleep, my busy schedule, and my looming responsibilities like a badge of honor.

We secretly glorify the people who do it all, no matter the costs. Sure, we all have busy seasons with a new baby or the project due at work. But often, I think my refusal to rest is a symptom of self-sufficiency hardening into pride. The longer I'm awake, the longer I can control my environment and my results. It means less trusting that God will give me what I need and more time scraping together what I need and desire. Often, it means getting so busy doing things for God that we neglect our primary relationship with him.

The command to "be at rest" isn't just for our benefit.  Rest is not a guilty pleasure we have to sneak. Instead, we need to think of rest as a grace-filled reminder that we are creatures of clay dependent on a much stronger God. Our energy levels wind down until we are forced to acknowledge that – surprise! – we can't engineer our lives as much as we'd like to think. But that weakness allows God to make us a promise in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me... and I will give you rest."

Intersecting Faith & Life: God can bless even our rest when we're following him. And he wants us to rest as an acknowledgment of our human limitations. When we rest, we're expressing our faith in God's ability to bring to all things to completion.

[Judy Harder]

June 22, 2011

The Attractiveness of a Surrendered Life
by Sarah Jennings, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:22 NIV

"I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone." St. Francis of Assisi

Have you ever wished you could share your faith with friends or loved ones who do not know Christ? Or have you ever worried that our culture is slipping farther and farther away from God's truth, but don't know how to turn it around? In past devotionals, several of us have quoted St. Francis of Assisi's approach to evangelism: "Preach the Gospel all times and when necessary, use words."

St. Francis' entire life was one of radical conversion that led to many giving their lives to Christ. Let's see what we can apply from his medieval story to modern times.

Francis' story takes place in the early 1200's - an era when Christianity enjoyed prominence in Europe. But sadly, even with widespread power and acceptance of the Church, many Christians did not lead lives in keeping with their faith. Francis was no exception. He came from a wealthy Italian family; his father earned a comfortable life as a successful cloth merchant, and his mother was of noble birth. The handsome, witty Francis was spoiled rotten by his parents, showing more interest in playing than in his academics or his father's career.

Francis' life of ease and play received a rude but life-changing interruption in 1201. After being captured in a small battle between rival cities, Francis spent a year sick and alone. His time of weakness and contemplation made him realize how useless his life had been up to that point.

But transformation for Francis was slow. After he regained his health, Francis desired personal glory. He signed up for the military, even fancying one day he'd be a great prince. But illness and a sense that God was calling him back to Assisi brought him home again.

It was around this time friends began to notice a lasting change in this attractive, party guy. Friends asked if he had a woman on his mind. He responded, "I am about to take a wife of surpassing fairness." But this wife was not a mortal woman. Instead, Francis renounced his inheritance, gave what he had to the poor, and wedded himself to "Lady Poverty" (much to his father's fury).

Not long after taking his vow of poverty, Francis heard Christ speak to him while he was praying in a small, shabby chapel. The voice said, "Francis, go out and build up my house, for it is nearly falling down." At first, Francis thought he needed to repair the actual building he was praying in. But soon it became clear Francis' mission was really to restore genuine faith among the church - God's people.

So Francis began spending most of his time praying, serving the sick and preaching repentance throughout the region. He had no intentions of starting a community of religious, but single men of diverse backgrounds became intrigued by Francis' humility and wholehearted devotion to the Gospel. And not long after men began joining his mission, a privileged young woman named Clare left her riches behind, bringing women alongside Francis to restore genuine faith among the people.

With so many joining in, Francis realized he was becoming the leader of a monastic movement. So, he sought to keep their focus on Christ by establishing a rule of life on Scripture. In short, the mission of the Franciscan monks and Poor Clare nuns would be to "Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff" (Luke 9:1-3). They imitated the early disciples by traveling in twos, owning few personal possessions, and serving those in need while sharing the Gospel to all. Their spiritual legacy continues with Franciscan and Poor Clare communities in regions all over the world today.

Some other little-known facts of how God worked through this influential Christian:

Did you know Francis once challenged a Muslim sultan to consider the truth of Christianity - and the sultan actually considered it?

Did you know Francis is credited with creating the first living Nativity scene at Christmas?

Did you know that, centuries before the Reformation, Francis taught and wrote about the faith in local dialects so commoners could understand?

Francis' story gives us encouragement today. After all, we too live in a culture where Christianity was the dominant religion for a long time but sadly, it's now common for good people to lose sight of the faith. But God worked through a spoiled, wealthy young man to show the surrounding community that even worldly comforts could not satisfy the deepest yearnings of their souls - and He can do the same today.

While most of us are not called to take vows of poverty, it was Francis' unwavering, single-minded devotion to the Gospel that most attracted others to him. And this is something we can - and should - aspire to imitate. As we seek to surrender our lives to Christ more completely, God will work through each one of us in unique ways to inspire others to join us on the faith journey.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Sometimes, the idea of giving everything to God is scary. I personally used to dislike reading stories like Francis of Assisi's because I was afraid I'd have to leave my life behind and become a nun in a foreign country. But the truth is, God will never disappoint those who surrender all to Him. Are you holding anything back from God? Ask God to give you the faith to surrender whatever fears, sins, or idols to Him.

Further Reading

Mark 8: 34

"Pulling an Assisi" - Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Devotional, Sept. 12th

References: "St. Francis of Assisi" at Wikipedia.org , "St. Francis of Assisi at AmericanCatholic.org, Catholic Encyclopedia.

[Judy Harder]

June 23, 2011

Ambition
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Managing Editor

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands. 1 Thessalonians 4:11, NAS

Quaint, right?

Be honest; read today's verse and then try telling your children that such is all they should aspire to; that, essentially, unheralded, nose-down, mouth-shut, blue collar work should be their ambition. Aim high? Sounds more like settling for anonymity.

What could Paul be getting at? Sure there are times we all grow tired of the rat race and perhaps dream about a scenario where we forsake the city and a high-pressure job for a more pastoral setting, crafting furniture and knick-knacks, living in harmony with nature and all that. Is that what this verse is suggesting?

Let's look deeper.

The Greek word philotim means to labor, endeavor, strive, study to become. It is used in three places in the New Testament. The first is quoted above, regarding ambition, which we've already noted sounds not much like what we typically imagine when we think of things about which to aspire.

Another place the word appears is Romans 15:20, where Paul writes, "And thus I aspired to preach the gospel..."

And in 2 Corinthians 5:9 we read, "We have as our ambition... to be pleasing to Him."

Now let's contrast these goals with the first definition under "ambition" on Dictionary.com:

1. an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment.

I thought so. The more I study, the more I philotim to know God, the more I understand how different the Word and the world really are. Perhaps folks who live in other parts of the globe are less shocked to learn such lessons. For me, born, raised, working, and raising children in these United States, the lesson is always one of dichotomy, paradox, and sadly wondering if I'm handicapped beyond repair from truly following.

One of my bosses is fond of saying that in business, it's crucial to determine early on whether a person you are dealing with is a "make me rich" or a "make me famous" person. Everyone, the story goes, is either one or the other at heart. And truly, according to the world's definition of ambition, that makes sense. We all have something we want that drives us.

Lately I've been wondering a lot at where this has gotten me. Everything I have done, accomplished, purposed, learned, studied (i.e. "philotim-ed") in life has led to... what, exactly? What goal? When I pray that the Lord would make my life useful and provide for me and let me know His will and keep me safe it's all so... what? So I can watch my TV programs every night without acid in my stomach and with an easy feeling in my chest? As opposed to having to really live by faith?

Today I read this quote by the English poet Samuel Johnson: "To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition." Instantly my face fell. I knew that feeling all too well. All my aspirations only lead to the place of comfort, happiness, the path of least resistance. What's wrong with that? It quickly becomes a place that feels too far from God, too self-centered, too out of the loop, too air conditioned... too far removed to be making a real difference.

So then, what is the ambition of the Christ-follower? Let's recap from the verses we've looked at today:

Lead a quiet life
Attend to your own business
Work with your hands
Preach the gospel
Be pleasing to Him
In other words, don't stress yourself with fame, or getting and spending, always climbing, making more more more. Don't bother with being a busy-body or a gossip. Be creative; let God work through you. Tell others about Him. And live by faith.

It's so simple, almost too simple. Ambition isn't something far out there, some unabashed worldly success beyond our dreams, though that's where God may take us. It all goes back to the very reason God made man in the first place - to have someone to know Him.

And there's just not anything quaint about that.

Intersecting Faith & Life: The bulleted points above might sound too easy, too simple. And they can be. But when was the last time you made any or all of these your ambition? Pick one and practice it today, perhaps preaching the gospel to someone, perhaps seeking God's pleasure more than your own in any decisions you make.

Further Reading

Romans 15:20

2 Corinthians 5:9

What Motivates You?

[Judy Harder]

Bible Pathways
     
Read Job 38 -- 40

Highlights:

God asks questions no man can answer (Job. chap. 38 — 40), reminding Job of man's limited knowledge and the Lord's infinite wisdom. Job remains silent before God (40:3-5)!
Elihu was interrupted by the storm which had been gathering during his speech. Suddenly the voice of God was heard out of the whirlwind and the accusations from the ultimate know-it-all came to an end. The faithfulness of God to His people often comes disguised as a storm. But the Lord is in the storm, and He speaks from it just as He answered Job's grief from His whirlwind. Day after day, Job was left to wonder why he was experiencing so many disasters, but there was not even the slightest word to explain his suffering.

Then the Lord answered Job (Job 38:1). The Voice from the whirlwind neither offered explanation of the mystery of his past sufferings nor promised future restoration. God did not explain that Satan was the source of all Job's suffering and that it was all within His permissive will for Job's ultimate good.

Job had said: Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him (13:15). God will reveal His very best to all who will trust Him. This is illustrated in chapters 38 — 41, where He revealed to Job His greatness, power, and majesty through His creation. These chapters also show how confident we can be to trust God regardless of circumstances. Satan's slanderous accusations were proven false, and the devil was defeated. Under fierce temptation, Job proved the genuineness of his devotion to God..

Faith is trusting God even when we don't understand. When we consider the greatness of the wisdom of God, we too will recognize our insufficiency to know what is best and will trust God to direct our lives. To impress this upon Job's heart, God said: Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades (the 7 stars that stood for the 7 influences of spring), or loose the bands of Orion (that stood for the storms)? . . . Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, here we are? . . . Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? . . . Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it (38:31,34-35;39:27; 40:2).

When we consider the greatness of the wisdom of God, we realize how incapable we are of understanding His ways. Those who see the hand of God controlling everything are able to leave everything in His hands. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen (Rev. 7:12).

Thought for Today:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork. . . . There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard (Ps. 19:1-3).
Christ Revealed:

As the One who laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4). By Christ, God created our universe (Heb. 1:1-2). All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3).
Word Studies:

38:1 Pleiades the seven stars that stood for the 7 influences of spring; bands of Orion storms; 38:9 swaddlingband wrapping; 38:12 dayspring dawn; 39:9 unicorn wild ox; 40:4 vile insignificant; 40:21 fens marshes.
Prayer Needs:

Pray for Staff: Mike Moore • Country: Malaysia (22.7 million) in Southeast Asia • Major languages: Malay and English • All Christian witness to Muslims is illegal • 58% Muslim; 23% Buddhist/Taoist/Chinese; 8% Christian; 6% Hindu; 5% Sikh/Animist/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray, remembering that there is no one like God (II Kings 19:14-15,19).
Optional Reading:

Philippians 1

Memory Verse for the Week:

Acts 2:36

[Judy Harder]

June 27, 2011
The Jungle Book
By Ryan Duncan, TheFish.com Editor

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. - John 15:19

One of my favorite books is Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. The story begins with Mowgli, a "Man Cub" as the animals call him, being found in the jungle by a family of wolves. The wolves decide to raise the baby boy as their own, and Mowgli grows up in the jungle alongside all the animals. It's a great story, full of danger and adventure, but beneath all the excitement the story carries a rather interesting message.

You see, from the very beginning of The Jungle Book, Mowgli is aware that something is wrong. The jungle has been his home all his life, but more and more he feels that he does not belong there. He tries to bury his feelings by traveling deep into the jungle and living like one of the animals, but in the end, Mowgli finally comes to terms with the truth of his situation. He does not belong in the jungle. I don't know where Kipling stood spiritually, but I think most Christians understand what Mowgli was going through.   

You see, I've always thought of The Jungle Book as another way of looking at the Christian life. In one of his more confusing verses, the apostle Paul writes, "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."(Romans 7:14-15). God created us to be in a relationship with him, but because of sin we find ourselves living in a world that exists apart from him. We know something is wrong, we can sense it, so we try to bury those feelings buy indulging in the world around us. Some people try to find fulfillment in their jobs, in fame and fortune, or maybe their spouses, while too many turn to darker lifestyles to fill the void.

However, it is only when we accept Christ that we finally understand the root of our emptiness. As Christians, we realize that Christ plan for our lives is so much bigger than what this world can offer us. Like Mowgli, we should live our lives in the jungle, but never forget where our true home lies. Like C.S. Lewis says in Mere Christianity,

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."

Intersecting Faith and Life

In what ways are you conforming to the world? Take some time to reflect on this.

Further Reading

Romans 12:2

[Judy Harder]

June 28, 2011

That Skip-Over Verse

Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

Today's verse is one that I like to skip over in my Bible, even though it's highlighted. And underlined. And on a page that's dog-earred.

You see, whenever I read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, I can't help but think this: Really? Be joyful ALWAYS? And how am I supposed to pray CONTINUALLY? And give thanks in ALL circumstances? Who can do all of THAT?

I'm sure you probably have a verse or two that you really don't like to read or mull over either. But conveniently, God has ordained it so that I've had many opportunities to put my skip-over verse into action just this past week ...

When I said "hello ... how are you doing?" in passing to an acquaintance and was greeted with a cold "hello" and a sharp "I'm fine" in response. Ouch. Where's the joy here? What did I do to deserve that kind of treatment? Why doesn't this person like me?
When funny, but certainly unkind, words flew out of my mouth at the expense of someone else and his feelings. Why, oh WHY, did I do that just so I could make fun of them? And feel better about myself? Obviously, I was not praying while saying.
When a friend's van, in which she had just pumped a couple thousand dollars for repairs a few weeks earlier was pronounced "dead" by mechanics. How could anyone be joyful in this type of circumstance? I want to greet these mechanics with a "holy punch" on her behalf.
When people are difficult just to be difficult and disagree with every factoid or opinion you might share. You say black. They say white. You say gray. They say plaid. Am I supposed to be thankful for this? Isn't there some other way I can learn humility? 'Cause I'd be ever so grateful if it was a different circumstance, Lord.
What also stands out to me about these verses in 1 Thessalonians is that each thought gets its own verse. I think that this week is the first time that has registered with me. I think Paul wanted to give specific emphasis to each facet of how we should be living:

Be joyful always
Pray continually
Give thanks in all circumstances
These three directives were part of the "Final Instructions" section in Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. He was reminding the church in Thessalonica of how God's people are to live and how our attitudes should not be affected by (or a result of) our circumstances.

This is a hard pill to swallow. Sure, it's easy to be joyful, praying continually and giving thanks in all things when life is going great, when everyone is your best friend and when the blessings (usually material) are just raining on down.

But what about when you've had a week from below the earth's crust? Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

That's the key. God, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is the one who powers me and helps me to live in this way. And this is the kind of living that God wants for his children. It is his will for us, not our own. And it is that which is pleasing to him.   

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Please don't skip over 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Let it cause you to pause. What is it—or who is it—that's got you not joyful, not praying and not giving thanks? Ask the Lord to soften your heart and change your attitude. He doesn't want to skip over you. And if you are willing, through YOU he can work wonders!

Further Reading:

Romans 8:28, NIV

Ephesians 5:20, NIV

[Judy Harder]

The Faith for Big Prayers
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor

"Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven" -- Daniel 10:12

One Sunday morning shortly after my husband proposed, I remember singing at church on a fairly unremarkable Sunday. I don't recall the sermon or anything else that day, but I do remember one of the praise songs - "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord." The song personalizes Israel's trials in the wilderness and the abundant streams of the promise land for the believer's life today, directing her to sing praise no matter the circumstances:

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
'Lord, blessed be Your name!'

Sitting in church that day, I momentarily stopped singing. After dating this guy for almost four years, I finally had a ring on my finger. I finally had a token that what I longed for so hopefully was coming. The slightest hint that the world could be otherwise - and I could still praise God - baffled me at that moment. My selfish heart did not have the faith to pray that prayer, not at that moment.

Recently, I encountered another prayer that I couldn't quite pray:

"God, I'm asking for two things before I die; don't refuse me - Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. If I'm too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs him?' If I'm poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 7b-9, The Message)

Few of us have trouble asking God to keep us out of poverty. But asking God to keep us from being too comfortable? I'm too American to pray that without hesitation. By contrast, consider the boldness of these people:

Hannah, the formerly barren woman who gave birth to the prophet Samuel - "And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."  (1 Samuel 1:11)

The psalmist who wanted nothing hidden from God - "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." (Psalm 139:23)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego before being thrown into the fiery furnace - "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18)

Jesus Christ, who would later use this verse in the Garden of Gethsemane - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)

Do we have the kind of faith that can pray hard verses like these and mean them? It's easy to pray for blessings, wisdom, health, and the "joy of the Lord." Those prayers make our lives better, we think, and don't require a sacrifice or change of plans. When we come across difficult verses, however, we so easily shy away. Why?

Sometimes my response is too much like Ahaz's, who was offered a sign from the Lord as evidence of Isaiah's prophecy. Instead, Ahaz proudly said, "I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test." He deluded himself. He passed off his lack of faith for his unwillingness to "test" God. Instead of praising his decision, Isaiah announced that he - and God - were about out of patience.

Contrast this to the apostle James, who urged the church to ask with abandon so that they could see God at work. But he gave them this warning: "But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as  unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind"  (James 1:6).

Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you avoiding a difficult prayer? What's your reason? Disbelief that God will really answer? Refusal to acknowledge God's imminence? Fear that God will upset your apple cart? Ask yourself what's holding you back. Let's pray for humility and understanding, and the rest will follow.   

[Judy Harder]

June 30, 2011

Truth or Love?
Sarah Jennings, Crosswalk.com's Family Editor

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 NIV

"Love takes up where knowledge leaves off." ~ St. Thomas Aquinas

It's a common quote among Christians: "Speak the truth in love." It's also one of the greatest challenges of being Christian. Even those unfamiliar with the Christian faith and this scripture verse battle with balancing truth and love. It is why the "white lie" - a common tactic to avoid sharing unflattering truths to loved ones - is so popular.

I recently had a conversation with a Christian struggling with this tension between truth and love. A zealous soul, this Christian is convicted in the truth and concerned that many will die without the truth. His concern, no doubt, is born out of love. But his delivery of the truth often does not reveal love for the recipient.  Unsure of how to proceed, and fearful of watering down the truth, he has come to the conclusion that some are called to focus more on love while others are called to focus more on truth.

I think this struggling Christian's conclusion hits at the heart of the dilemma. In our broken, splintered natures, we tend to see truth and love as opposing forces - at best, difficult to reconcile. Yet this perception that there is tension between truth and love can prove fatal. Putting truth on one end of the spectrum and love on the other, we are forced into measuring each situation on a linear plane. "Hmmm, should I err more towards the truth end or the love end today?"

It only takes a little imagination to see how this approach fails. How many times have we encountered a person that "chose love" and glossed over the truth? We see souls confused and dying in the wake of this person. While "love" may have been the intent, their victims have not been loved.

And how many times have we encountered a person who spat cruel words in the name of truth? While illumination (or perhaps justice) was the goal of this person, we clearly see that those left in their wake have bitter souls, scarred and blinded to the truth.

Ultimately, Scripture reveals that God is both Truth and Love. If this is the case, the two cannot be contradictory or incompatible.

So where does that leave us?

Scripture tells us we cannot do anything "against the truth" (2 Cor 13: while also emphasizing that "whoever does not love does not know God." (1 John 4:

This message doesn't offer us the luxury of a simple, clear-cut gameplan to every situation we will ever encounter. But it does leave us with confidence that as we grow in our relationship with God, we will also grow in our ability to approach the challenges of life with genuine truth and love.

I've also found it helpful to continually revisit my definitions of "truth" and "love" by examining the ways Christ lived out these two traits. Christ's love is both soft and tough. His expressions of truth are both merciful and just. He comprimises neither yet expresses them differently depending on the need.

The next time you find yourself battling with how to express something truthfully and lovingly, don't settle for choosing one over the other. Pause before you act and dig deeper. Allow God to lead you down his path of truth and love.

Intersecting Faith & Life:  Which do you struggle with more? Speaking the truth or effectively expressing love? Pray about the reasons you get tripped up, and ask God to help you grow in your area of weakness.

Further Reading

1 Corinthians 13

[Judy Harder]

July 1, 2011

"It's Not About Who's Right Or Who's Wrong"
By Stephen Sanders, Audio/Video Editor for Salem Web Network

It's not about who's right or who's wrong. It is about glorifying God no matter who's doing what.

In my role here at Salem Web Network, I have the privilege of being able to see the best (and worse) the Body of Christ has to offer. Unfortunately, it is probably more bad than good in a lot of cases. But I guess it makes sense when you think about what Jesus said: "the road to life is a narrow road and few will follow."


This variety in the Body of Christ has been an ongoing struggle for me since the work environment I'd been in for the 5 years prior was very sheltered. I was working at a church, so I only saw that perspective on the Christian walk. But now I'm exposed to what seems to be millions of different outlooks on what it means to be a Christian.

A recent google search revealed to me that there are approximately 38,000 denominations of the Christian faith. I suppose you could probably lump a lot of those together into a few hundred general categories if you wanted to, or even protestant/catholic if you really, really wanted to. But the point is...even if it was 380 instead of 38,000...that is A LOT. But back to the perspectives...

With these 10's of thousands of denominations come even more views on what is right and what is wrong. What is "Christian" behavior and what isn't and so forth and so on. It is (and has been for me) a very easy thing to get caught up in if one isn't careful. In a recent devotional I wrote titled, "Don't Let Foolishness Get the Best of You"I shared how easy it has become for Christians to share their voice more boldly online. It's been over 2 months since I published that article and I'm still processing this whole ordeal; trying to find my place in all of this chaos.

Yesterday I think I finally came to a conclusion: No one is totally right. (Brilliant, I know) No matter how confident we may sound when we claim that, "__________ is what the Bible says about _________," none of us are right. How could we be? We still live in a sin-cursed world, we all still make mistakes, all still fall short of perfection that only God possesses.

Some of us sound really smart with our proclamations and it can be very easy for someone like myself to become mesmerized with a specific stance on certain matters. But what happens is that these perspectives, once taken to a certain level, become idols of our worship. And that goes for disagreeing with the perspectives just as much as showing allegiance. Let me give you an example.

Pastor _______ writes a book on ______ perspective on ________. Some agree with his refreshing insight while others accuse him of blasphemy. 1000's of people chime in and before you know it, it has become a bigger topic amongst Christian circles than the Gospel itself. Isn't that more evil than good? Isn't that behavior exalting the flesh and not the Spirit?

It becomes even more disturbing when it becomes more personal.

A first time visitor walks into a church sanctuary or youth group that is more about the issues than it is the Gospel message. They develop a perspective of what Jesus is like from these encounters. After all, that's why people come to church. To hear about Jesus, right? Will they leave confused not knowing what they've just witnessed? Perhaps worse, will they become fascinated and faithfully follow a "man of god" who isn't Gospel-centered in his preaching.

Galatians 5:16-26

Walk by the Spirit

...walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Now the works of the flesh are evident: ...enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger,rivalries, dissensions, divisions...and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love...peace, patience, kindness...gentleness, self-control. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

So, realizing the harm I've witnessed first hand on such matters, I've come to the conclusion that humility is key. As a Christian, I must never make certain things "sins" that the Bible doesn't claim to be sin. I must never make certain spiritual gifts bigger than they actually are. I must never become so involved in perspectives that I lose sight of how the Bible tells me to conduct myself. I must never make definitive statements about anything other than Jesus being God and the only way to eternal life. Because when I do that, it becomes more about me and less about Him.

Intersecting Faith and Life

I've been forcing myself to not become a part of such matters, not because I'm so fantastic, but because I think about how this causes others to perceive our faith. What must it look like to people who don't believe in Jesus when we act like this? Is this something you'd want to be a part of? Analyze your walk with me today and ask God if there are stances you are taking that overshadow Him.