Discipleship

Just because it’s God’s will, doesn’t mean it will be easy–about book of Joshua

April 2, 2016 by untilfulllight

After forty years of wandering in the desert, when it came time to go into the Promised Land, I can’t help but wonder if there were times when Joshua might have wished that God could have brought a terrible plague on the inhabitants of the land and in an act of divine wrath, blotted them out.

God could have done that, but he didn’t.

God gave the Israelites the land, but they had to fight ugly, bloody battles for every inch of it.

A pattern here for us to remember

We have a plaque in our home that says, “Faith makes all things possible, but not easy.” That is a sentiment Joshua would have understood.

On our own, we cannot conquer anything. For the children of Israel there were giants in the land; the cities were strong and fortified; there were armies that would not give up without a fight. In our lives we may have destructive habits, challenging relationships, and difficult life circumstances—situations that seem impossible to conquer.

We desperately need God’s help. At the same time, he expects us to participate in the fight.Continue Reading

What does God expect of us?

March 26, 2016 by untilfulllight

When reading the Old Testament, one of the most frequent questions people ask is “Why?”

Why does God judge so harshly?

Why does he command entire groups of people to be killed?

Why does he allow his own people to suffer and go into captivity?

These are all valid questions and similar to many we might ask today. To help answer these questions and before we completely leave Deuteronomy (though I realize you’ve probably already finished it in the yearly reading plan), it’s important to remember as you read the rest of the Old Testament a key teaching in the book and that is: the importance of God’s covenant with his people.

A covenant has two sides

It’s easy to forget that God’s covenants, his agreements with his people to care for and save them are not one-sided. God’s love, grace, and saving power are unconditional in that once you are one of his people, either his chosen nation or as a believer in Jesus today, you will always be his. However, as a child of God, he has certain expectations of what your behavior should be.

There are also consequences if your behavior does not follow this commands. This is the reality that answers many of the questions we have.Continue Reading

Our communications should reflect the redeeming nature of our Lord, not condemnation

March 14, 2016 by untilfulllight

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

What is the overall tone of our ministry—is it to condemn or to save?

Look at the ministry of Jesus. This verse is part of his talk with Nicodemus, the teacher of the Law who came to Jesus at night asking questions. I wonder if Nicodemus might not have left more confused than when he came. Here was a man people were calling a prophet, but he wasn’t like any prophet who went before him.

He didn’t call down fire from heaven; he turned water into wine at a wedding—good wine and quite a lot of it. He didn’t part the sea or send plagues; he played with children and set out picnics on the beach for his disciples.

When Nicodemus asked Jesus about his message, he didn’t retell all the shortcomings of the world he had come to straighten out. Instead he told him that God loved the world, and that he did not come to condemn but to save. He didn’t demand Nicodemus do penance for his sins; he invited him to be born again. He didn’t even chide Nicodemus for his cowardice in coming to Jesus at night. He graciously answered questions at a time and in a way this fearful leader needed.

Do our communications, in what we say, preach, and write reflect this redeeming nature of our Lord? How easy it is to take pen in hand (or today, mouse and keyboard) and to pile on guilt. Not that there is never a time to point out error, but for the most part we do well to remember it is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict of sin (John 16:7-9). It is our job to share the good news of salvation and the joy and fulfillment of living for Jesus.

Most people today know they fall short. They aren’t sure quite what of, but a pervasive sense of guilt fills many lives. Alcohol, drugs, food in excess, unhealthy relationships, and overwork are some common attempts to medicate the pain.

People don’t need more bad news from the followers of Jesus. They need examples of hope and love. They need clear directions to events that can change their lives and clear communications on what they need to do. We need to pray for clarity in all we create. We need to pray that our tone (in ways we may not even be aware of) always reflects the welcoming, saving love of Jesus.

May your communications be filled with messages of salvation, of the grace and love of your Lord.

Why it’s so wrong to complain

February 26, 2016 by untilfulllight

Throughout the story of the Exodus, there has been one consistent response of the children of Israel and that is to complain. From accusing Moses when their work got harder under Pharaoh, to their fear at the Red Sea, to constant complaints about food and water, the complaining never ceases. As we read in Numbers 11, it continues:

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down. 3 So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the LORD had burned among them.

Even after that judgement they continued…..

4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

Free food, every day provided by a miracle from God and they complained.

Thoughts on Lent, a practical time to apply self-discipline to the Christian life

January 30, 2016 by untilfulllight

In 2016, Lent is a little over a week away. Lent prepares us for Easter and the following material may be useful to prepare us for Lent.

I especially like the first quote as it says Lent is a great time to trim the sludge from our life and souls. No one can determine the sludge of a soul for another person, the inner junk that makes our spiritual life sputter, we have to do this diagnosis ourselves. Once we do, we can set a plan at Lent to remedy it. No matter what we decide to do, Lent proves a time a time to focus on our growth in discipleship that benefits us all and demonstrates our obedience to the Lord.

“Lent is the time for trimming the soul and scrapping the sludge off a life turned slipshod. Lent is about taking stock of time, even religious time. Lent is about exercising the control that enables us to say no to ourselves so that when life turns hard of its own accord we have the stamina to yes to its twists and turns with faith and hope…. Lent is the time to make new efforts to be what we say we want to be.”

Sister Joan Chittister, The Rule of Benedict: Insight for the Ages

The Great Commission—forget the world, how’s it going in your life?

December 27, 2015 by untilfulllight

Don’t forget the world for very long, but for a few minutes, think about the Great Commission and how it applies to YOU.

Just you.

Let’s review the Great Commission:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Because you are reading this site, there is a good chance you have made a decision to follow Jesus. Most likely you’ve also already been baptized.

The question is, how is your obedience to the rest of it going for you? Are you a disciple of Jesus who obeys everything he taught?

If the answer is yes, you can stop reading and keep doing whatever you are doing, but if like most of us a you feel you are far away from obeying everything Jesus taught, read on.Continue Reading