Paradigm Shift

"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."

John 17:14-15

I absolutely love John 17. Jesus' passion for us is revealed through intimacy with the Father. Just think about it for one moment. The Creator came to this earth to restore a broken relationship with us. Humans....the scum of the earth. We ditched God for our own pride and desires. No matter how "good" you are, compared to God's standards we are nothing. At our best it is as though we are dressed in filthy rags. There is no way we can manufacture or create salvation for ourselves. Yet Jesus came to give us an opportunity to know our Father once again. Jesus had to appease the wrath of a Holy God. He did this by dying for you and me. Death could not hold Him down. Three days later He rose, and this is our victory. This is the beauty of the Gospel.

This brings me to the underlined scripture above. Often times I hear Christians pray and ask God (I find that I do it as well), "I wish I didn't struggle with this sin __________," or "I command this sin in my life to leave, in the name of Jesus!" You see, as Christians we have gotten to a point where we try to get a comfortable place in our lives, where there is no visible sin. Don't get me wrong, yes sin is evil and we need to strive to live a holy life (Matt. 5:48). While it is necessary to avoid sin, this does not mean to have a total disregard in serving God. The passage in John 17 has two components to it.

1) Jesus asks the Father to protect us, not that we would be taken out of the fight. This caused a total paradigm shift within me. Without fail we ask that God would free us from struggles, that if most people knew about, they would shun us. Its not wrong to desire to be free. However to even entertain the idea of wanting an easy way out is a contradiction to what true life (or better put, death) really is. After all, putting our desires to death is not a comfortable thing. Spiritual growth isn't gained by wishing away all our temptations. It is through an attitude of repentance and turning away from our sin. Silver is not purified nor is gold made beautiful without being put through the fire. Here is Paul's take on it.

"But He said to me 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

II Corinthians 12:9

Wow! How many of us can say that we delight in the season we are in right now? I know that is not always my attitude. It is through our weakness that God is glorified. In light of our failures our pride is shattered. There is nothing more delightful to God than, "...A broken and contrite heart." (Psalm 51:17)

2) Since we are still on this earth, there is a mission for us to accomplish. This mission is clearly stated in the verses that follow:

"As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world...I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

John 17:18 and 23

This is not to be confused or intertwined with the American dream (which is a man made and self-exalting dream) somehow. What is the dream that God has given you? If your not sure. Read John 17 and meditate on it. Then consider that there are still around 4.5 billion people who live without Christ, while nearly 2 billion live in unreached people groups. As George Wilson put it, "Don't wonder whether you have a call to go. Have you had a distinct call from Christ to stay at home?"

The reality of the Gospel is that Jesus calls us to give up everything to follow Him. Yet this seems so foreign to us. Somewhere along the line we have made a Jesus that looks like us and and who encourages our life styles because, "We were born like that." Sorry to say...that isn't the Jesus of the Bible. If we choose to accept His death and resurrection we are choosing to become like Him, to die to everything that we know (Luke 14:26-27.) We take on a new character (Romans 12:2). His character isn't one that is so emotionally wrapped up in football games or tele novelas. No! It is one whose heart breaks at the fact that while we are caught up in our superficial entertainment millions go to hell, separated from God forever.

The realization and furthermore, the implementation of this truth will require a paradigm shift from all that comes natural to us. The rejection of our old ways is painful and frightening. It is a tiresome road that no one can travel for us. Yet it is one filled with the joy of becoming more like Christ. We were never promised ease. Thankfully Jesus wasn't daunted by the road ahead of Him. Think of it, if He hadn't died for you...where would you be today?

Die to yourself.

Just Words

Have you ever sat back in church, during Praise and Worship and wondered about the songs being sung. I have. At times I just quiet myself and think about what I am singing. The other night I did this, and began wondering why there is a disconnect between the words that we sing and the lives that we live. Let me put it this way: What if we really meant the words that we sang? I think the answer is that our lives would be much different than what we live out on a daily basis.

Truth is, there is no meaning behind the words that we sing (because we fail to implement those words in our daily lives). Therefore they are just as useless as the songs sung at a Justin Beiber or John Mayer concert. I find (with myself) if I am not careful, I began to recite the words simply to sing. Where is the willingness to truly allow God to transform us? After all we sing about it every Sunday.

It is important to note that praise and worship have been wrongly defined and categorized as merely singing. Yes this is one form. However the continual recognition and yielding to the Holy Spirit is the worship we should strive for (John 4:23). This affects every area of our life as our focus is to glorify God in every situation that we encounter. It goes beyond the superficial, emotion tugging lyrics sung for 30 minutes on a Sunday morning and ushers us in to the presence of Christ.

For example, there are songs that talk of how we will totally abandon ourselves for the cause of Christ...yet the most radical abandonment that we have to offer is a short term missions trip every other year. We sing of His holiness....however outside of the church building we make light of God's true power and grace. We sing that we want to dwell in His glory...although if He did show up in the ways that we expect Him to, then we would be left radically changed, which is scary for most of us.

What if Christ truly became our Everything? The implications of abandoning ourselves, leaving all that is comfortable, and giving our lives for the cause of Christ hasen't even begun to resonate within our culture. Our society is one of self sufficiency, comfort, and finding ways of being served. Yet we have no problem singing the song "Be my Everything" because that is all it has become to us, just another song...just more words. Sadly, the culture around us has permeated the church. A concert style worship is now more applauded and recommended by "experts" than a lifestyle that glorifies God.

"Worship" now drowns out the Spirit of God. It is more of a gig than anything else. Churches spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on lights, sound equipment, and new instruments, as if this will move or have any impression the Spirit of the Almighty God. The only impression left is a sense of awe among men, nothing else. I can say that beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is not impressed with our lights and buildings. The only thing he cares about is the worship coming from our own lives. For many Western Churches time limits are placed and transitions between songs are made, so that the worship service will have a a beautiful effect for for the listener and will not run too long. The prophet Isaiah spoke against Israel concerning this very topic. In Isaiah 29:13 we are told,

"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught."

We sing as though we are at a recital, not as if there is any urgency to know God for who He really is. Our generation is content with mere lip service and fake spiritual highs. If we truly want to worship God, maybe less focus should put on the singing portion and we should evaluate each of our lives. True worship is obedience to Him. Obedience comes from love. If we love Him, we will keep His commands (John 14:14--If you love me, you will obey what I command.) Moreover in 1 Corinthians 8:3 we are told, "But whoever loves God is known by God." My desire is to be known and to know my God.

What are His commands you ask? To pick up our Cross and follow Him.

The implications of this are more than what we could think. At this point I want you to study for yourself the ramifications of picking up your cross to follow Christ. Perhaps a study of Matthew 10:37-39 would be an excellent starting point. What would your life look like if you start taking the words of Christ in a more serious manner? What are some areas in your life right now that hinder you from taking such steps?

May our lives be more than just words.

What is your motivation?

Please think about these questions for a few minutes.

What drives your actions? When I say actions, I'm not referring to life altering decisions per se. Think about your daily routine. It could be the shows you watch, or the games you play. What about the friends you hang out with, or the overall mundane things that occupy your time.

Now ask: "Why?"

Why do I watch those particular shows? Could it be that you don't really watch it because the plot is enticing, but because deep down inside you know this episode will have its fill of steamy sex?

Why do you hang out with your friends? Is it because you have found you can be someone else with this particular group? Or maybe, just maybe, you initiate friendships with people just because you have a little inkling they may become famous one day? After all, it could be really cool to mention that you knew so and so from way back in your "glory days. "

Why do you spend time with God? Could it be that daily devotionals have turned into just one more point on your checklist before you can rest and go to bed, instead of a pleasure filled activity of coming to know the Almighty God? Is your time with God a religious duty that you feel obligated to fulfill?

I am reminded of Romans 12:2 which states, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." In everything there is an inclination behind it. I have found often times that our actions are driven by motivations and desires within us that have been premeditated. Sadly, if we scrutinize every area of our lives, we may find that many acts are not driven by a pure and holy predisposition that upholds the standard set in Romans. Why is this? Simply, it is a failure on our parts to humble and make ourselves vulnerable to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We believe that allowing Him a vote on our life changing decisions (such as marriage, career choice, etc.) is enough. What we don't realize is that He wants TOTAL control, even of the most uneventful areas of our lives. Yet we insist on just limiting Him anyways. It's as if we say, "You can only have part of me." I personally don't think this sits very well with a jealous God.

David understood the importance of having his motivations derive from God's heart. In one of my favorite passages in Psalm he declares, "Keep you servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me, Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. " (Psalm 19:13-14) Furthermore in Psalm 139:23-24 he fervently asks God, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."

David broke himself and made himself completely vulnerable to God. He held nothing back. Despite everything bad thing he did, he was constantly allowing God to come in and transform his desires and motivations. Even though he was as sinful as the next person, he understood the importance of evaluating his life. This is why he is known as a man after God's own heart.

Become vulnerable before Him.

Letting Go...Leaning back

Just. Let. Go. Those were the words repeated over and over to me the first time I went rappelling. I had always wanted to rappel, yet while standing over the edge, I couldn't seem to stop holding onto the bar that was anchored into the side of the cliff. Finally, after a few minutes, I conquered that fear. I was free to finally descend the 200 foot cliff....or so I thought. Then the next instructions were given. Just. Lean. Back. "Are You Kidding?!" I thought. However, little did I know, one must lean back on the rope to be able to descend correctly. This minimizes the risk of slamming face first into the mountain side...which I have learned by watching George of the Jungle, is not an experience you want to have. Once I leaned back, it wasn't as bad as I had first thought. I quickly bounced backwards until reaching the bottom. If I could sum up the experience into a word...Amazing! For the record, I would do it all over again. My time on that rope ignited an excitement for anything that involves ropes and cliffs.

As I look back on those instructions given by the guide, I realize that God is often times calling us to LET GO and LEAN BACK. What is your anchor, so to speak? What is keeping you from leaning back and trusting in God? I know the feeling of fear and reservations that many may have when presented with those questions. I too, deal with those questions quite often in my own walk with Christ. Guess what? We aren't alone in this struggle of life.

Gideon...just hearing this name probably evokes thoughts of cowardice and an overall puny attitude. He was visited by The Angel of the LORD and told, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." (Judges 6:12) This was his instruction to Let Go. Yet he responded with doubts and fears. (This story is found in Judges 6-8.) Finally after reluctantly giving into God's calling, he was instructed to Lean Back. (Judges 7:2-3) This presented itself in the form of whittling down his army of around 32,000 men to a mere 300. Along the way, Gideon was fearful and hesitant at every turn. It seems that with every command he was given, he had a test for God, just to make sure he was heard correctly. Yet, somehow he learned to trust in God. The sissy we see at the beginning of chapter 6 has grown into his role and has progressed in extraordinary ways. The story of a coward was turned into one of a hero, etched into the eternal pages of God's Word.

Another example of this topic is, of course, Jesus. All through his ministry, Jesus knew that everything would end up at a crucial crossroad...His death. Without a doubt, His biggest test was the cross. Matthew 26:39 portrays a gruesome and fearful moment in Jesus' life, "...My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. " With His submission, He effectively taught us that letting go and leaning back into God's will is the scariest and possibly the most painful thing we may have to endure. Once He made the decision, He never looked back and questioned if it was the right choice or not. He plunged over the edge, so to speak. His decision to trust was one that has changed the outcome and empowered generation upon generation from that moment forward.

Again I ask, what is holding you back from making the decision to fully trust in God? Is it because you have slowly reasoned your way out of pursuing God's calling? Or maybe, you are simply scared of what others around you would say...or is it what people around you are advising you not to do? All throughout the Bible we see clear examples of people at different cliffs in their lives. Some take the plunge, others hold back. Notice though, the ones that hold back and don't fully obey God, stay in their comfort zone. Nevertheless, they are slowly destroyed. Their lives wither away into nothingness. They have a miserable existence.

It is easy to see those in the Bible that do decide to trust in God have a more difficult road ahead of them, compared to those who don't trust. However, through the difficulties they encounter, a passion is stirred within them. It is a passion that propels them on to fall more deeply in love with God. It is a passion that can only be experienced when one lets go of all reason and logic, just to lean back and trust that God will be all you need.

My generation is known for its zeal and fervor. Imagine, if we were to finally let go of all that anchors us in and throw ourselves into the unknown. Despite the pain. Despite the fear. Despite the loneliness that may accompany this decision. At least we would be living in dedication to the One who set the example for us. I guarantee it wouldn't be our last decision to lean back. In fact we would be driven by a hunger to see Him move in every area of our being.

We would be unstoppable.

Loyalty

Loyal: as defined by Webster's Dictionary, is the following:

1. Unswerving in allegiance: as

a. faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government

b. faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due

c. faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product

Loyalty...When this word is mentioned, what comes to mind? For me, I think of the thousands of loyal fans that paid thousands of dollars per ticket (tickets for Superbowl XLV ranged anywhere from around $2k to $23k and higher), to see a championship game in which a pigskin is thrown around by a bunch of oversized men running around in tights.

Of course, we should bring it a little closer to home, since I will assume that not many got a chance to be at the game and spend exorbitant amounts of money. Maybe your loyalty lies in a T.V. show. Hours every week are spent in front of a Magic Box, which for an undetermined amount of time, allows us to sit back and forget our problems and live in a world that seems so much better than our own. Maybe your loyalty is the bar. How many hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, were spent in the bar this past month? What about watching porn every night? Forget the obvious things mentioned above, are you loyal enough to wake up at 4 a.m. to get an early start on your day so you can hit the slopes or go fishing?

Faithful...that was the key word in the definitions provided above. No matter where you are in life, there is something you are loyal too, besides God (if God is even in the picture at all). You are human. Its only natural to have things to which you fill your time with, right? I hope that the previous paragraphs hit home for you in one way or another. If not, stop reading right now, and think about something you faithfully do. Maybe its getting on Facebook every single day, playing Xbox, or staying up all night to study. What, in your life, do you show faithful devotion to?

Whatever the case might be, notice how easy our loyalty to these things is bought. Now think about this. How hard is it, for you, to be loyal to God? When your in church, and the pastor is bringing up ministry opportunities, how often do you say, "I don't have time for this, therefore I am not going to get involved." Moreover, what if God gives you a vision, but you don't see how you can accomplish the goal, leading you to give up before you started.

Let me be more forthcoming. It boggles my mind that we have to BEG Christians to do anything! Its as if their time is on loan to God. Therefore the Church has to bribe "volunteers" by providing free lunches, comfortable working conditions, or special recognition in front of the whole congregation. It is absolutely absurd! Notice how you don't have to beg a drunk to go serve his god every day. Do you think you have to plead with a sports fan to stand up and show a little enthusiasm while his/her team is winning? Yet during worship time we are hardly awake, as if the fact that we have been rescued from certain death means nothing to us!

It is thrilling for hunting enthusiasts to wake up at 4 in the morning to prepare for a long day of stealth-fully stalking prey. Yet for Christians, 4 a.m. is time for essential sleep, not seeking His face for the trials that lie ahead. Then again, when in our busy lives do we ever have time for God. Once in a while, when we have a moment of boredom in our lives filled with unnecessary noise, we might spend five minutes in prayer. God-forbid we carve out a time between running children to soccer practice and work to just stand still and acknowledge His presence.

Loyalty...Its something that needs to be awakened in our lives. Loyalty like Abraham, who at the cost of all logic and hope of obtaining the promise of God, obeyed anyway and put Isaac on the altar. Loyalty like that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Even though being faced with the threat of burning to death, they answered by saying the following,

"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)

Loyalty, like Jesus, which drove Him to the cross. Loyalty like Felicitatis who suffered persecution under Marcus Aurelius in A.D. 162. She refused to deny Christ, as did her sons. For that, her sons were executed one by one (by various means of torture). Finally Felicitatis was beheaded with the same sword that killed 3 of her sons.

If you gave all for Satan, there is no option for us, we better give all for God. If only God could find people who are loyal enough to serve Him, He will use us mightily. Yes, it is a scary step. Yes, it is uncomfortable. Yes, it will cost us everything we have.

Yet it is the least we can offer.

In the Secret Place

Many books of the Bible are often misused or misunderstood. Therefore they don't get the kind of fanfare that other books do, such as Genesis, Psalm, or the Gospels. Old testament books (like Leviticus, Numbers, and Song of Solomon) seem to be thrown out of the mix more often than not. When you think of it, it is pretty sad, because there is so much daily application that we are missing from these books.

For a little while now, I have been going through Song of Solomon. However, I have put a different twist on it. Instead of reading it as a man and woman speaking, I read it as if God Himself was whispering these words directly to me. Now before I proceed any farther, I know that this is a book for lovers. It seems appropriate though, since we are the bride of Christ, to become acquainted with our Lover. Here are just a few notes that I have come away with.

One of the chapters that impacted me the most is Song of Songs 5:2-6

² I slept but my heart was awake.

Listen! My beloved is knocking:

“Open to me, my sister, my darling,

my dove, my flawless one.

My head is drenched with dew,

my hair with the dampness of the night.”

³ I have taken off my robe—

must I put it on again?

I have washed my feet—

must I soil them again?

⁴ My beloved thrust his hand through the latch-opening;

my heart began to pound for him.

⁵ I arose to open for my beloved,

and my hands dripped with myrrh,

my fingers with flowing myrrh,

on the handles of the bolt.

⁶ I opened for my beloved,

but my beloved had left; he was gone.

My heart sank at his departure.

I looked for him but did not find him.

I called him but he did not answer.

Ashamedly, I feel as though I can relate to this passage all too many times. This, however, is exactly what God does. He stands at the door of our hearts, knocking, desiring for us to open. How many times have you said, "Go away, I'm tired" or "I'm too busy to spend time with you right now." Laziness and apathy have overtaken us. Time and time again we tend to shut God out. Then when we search for Him, it seems as though sometimes we can't find Him.

It is a very sad state of affairs when Christ is shut off from our lives and used as a genie of sorts, summoned by our every command. Who are we to pretend to lock God, the creator of the Universe, in a little box safely hidden away until a more convenient time (read Job 38-41 to get an idea of the greatness of God http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+38&version=NIV)? Has it ever occurred to you that in the moments when God seems to not answer, that you have pushed Him away rather than Him just maintaining silence on an issue?

Another passage that has really spoken to me is found in Song of Songs 8:6-7

⁶ Place me like a seal over your heart,

like a seal on your arm;

for love is as strong as death,

its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire,

like a mighty flame.

⁷ Many waters cannot quench love;

rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give

all the wealth of one’s house for love,

it would be utterly scorned.

This passage automatically takes my mind back to Romans 8:37 where Paul declares that NOTHING can separate us from the love that Christ has for us. His jealousy for you is intense. He desires all of you! When we break away to sin or find our meaning in a guy, girl, technology, whatever your idol is, it breaks His heart. The love He lavishes on us is incomprehensible. Yet we still take pride in acting like the very thing that He has saved us from. To see that disobedience and hate, especially from Christians, towards God makes me appreciate the fact that He still can love us. Yet at the same time it makes me wonder just how much more terrifying Judgement Day will be. To know that despite His love, we crucified Him again, and again, and again.

I encourage you to go through the Song of Songs again, and read it all...make notes on the side of the page, and notice how the lovers interact. This should set a guideline of how our relationship with Christ is. Posted below is a song that, while it is getting older and older, it still holds a valuable truth for all of us. No matter where you are or who you are, we all need to have a secret place where we seek and become more intimate with God. I challenge you to turn off the iPod, e-Bible, and sermons. Spend true quality time with God, ALONE. This is very hard to do, however the benefits far outweigh the costs.

Become intimate.

Hell's Flames, Heaven's Gates

The other night I had a nightmare. I remember waking to a sense of fear and hopelessness. Once I woke, and the initial shock had worn off, it caused to me to start thinking about Hell, of all things. Then I realized the sense of dread that I had felt in that same moment, is one that millions are experiencing every day (except on a much greater scale), once they hear the words, " I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers." (Matthew 7:23)

In an age of political correctness and tip toeing around sensitive issues, I believe my generation has become desensitized to the real issues at hand. Fact is, Hell is a real place, and there are people spending their eternity without God, because we REFUSED to speak up. We didn't want to step on anyone's toes, because, "What if I have to defend my faith." or "I might offend someone's beliefs." My least favorite one is when my generation has taken to the asinine idea that somehow living like the world will show them how cool Christianity is, and how little effort it takes to get to Heaven.

Wrong...guess what, in the world's view, it sucks to be a Christian. I mean who would really truly want to give up life's riches and ambitions to surrender it all and take on a nature that is totally contrary to the environment in which we have been raised? Yet in our attempt to be nonchalant about the whole topic, we aren't attracting anyone to Christ. In fact we might as well be pushing them closer to Hell.

Fast forward to the day you die and stand in front of God. You no longer have your Apple computer or Xbox 360 in front of you. All the hours spent on Facebook and in the gym working out have faded away. Your multiple sex partners aren't by your side. Cars, trivial theological arguments, and our self inflated pride completely melt. It's you and God. As He gazes on you, you stand in awe of His majesty. Its a moment of complete, peaceful bliss, where you stand with your Creator. Then all of sudden, it fearfully hits you. The realization of what He is about to ask is to much for you. With all stripped away, you are bare before Him. You realize that excuses won't work here. Then He asks the inevitable, "What did you do for me? How many did you rescue from the very grasps of Hell's flames? How many did you lead to My Gates?" You break down weeping because you finally come to the realization that what we thought was important, is secondary to the real issue.

I for one am guilty. I have passed by poor people who are in desperate need of help, in an attempt to get to Wal-Mart so I can buy extra food for myself. That's probably one life that has been lost. In my selfishness I passed up a need and a chance to forever change someone's life. Their blood is on my hands because I failed to act. How many people, within your sphere of influence, have you let slip away? Be aware, you are responsible for those you come into contact with. Be driven with the passion that sent Jesus to the cross.

If we claim to be Christians, yet deny the very essentials of becoming like Christ, how are we any different from those who aren't in Him? I pray this is a wake up call for those who read this, because I fear that many will have a rude awakening, when they are actually told,

" I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers."