Correction

I like the sentiment behind the phrase, “we learn from our mistakes”. Because when we make a mistake and are corrected, or even disciplined, our minds are able to catalogue the experience in a way that almost shoots up a “danger” sign when we are about to make the same mistake again. And since we have been disciplined, or corrected, the reminder of our punishment helps us to know what might happen if we choose to take the incorrect path. But, if we are always able to do right, we miss out on the training, or knowledge, we gain from failing. We don’t quite understand, the same way we might if we made the mistake, what consequences arise when we fail. So we are left unaware of the danger. It is kind of like when we were children and we didn’t know the dangers of fire. If we were able to experience the pain of touching fire, we would know why it is dangerous. But if we never experienced the pain of the fire, we may remain unaware of its power. That is why it says in Proverbs chapter 12, verse 1: 

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” 

It would be to our benefit if, as a species, we’d always learn from our mistakes. But there are some who reject correction. This proverb labels those individuals “stupid”, because they either resist the truth, or invite the consequences. Believers should take this proverb to heart. We should love, or at least value, discipline because if we do, we will learn from our mistakes. We should not be resistant, or hate, correction because if we do, we haven’t learned a thing.

—-

Discipline is not only meant to correct, or punish us, it is meant to teach us. And if we value discipline, we will be wise. I can attest that when I was a child and was punished by my parents, I thought they enjoyed giving me what I deserved, as if it were a mechanism for them to take their anger out on me. But now that I’m older, I understand that the main goal of their punishment was that I would learn and not make the same mistake again. So I would encourage you, as this proverb does, to love discipline. That is one way we can grow. That is one way we are able to allow the Holy Spirit to mold us into the people we are meant to be. Because if we are resistant, we are only being stupid.

Sending You

We are all unique beings, created by God for his pleasure. He gave us varying talents, passions and abilities that we can use to serve him. And we all have different personalities, different experiences, and different demographics that make us who we are. But, no matter where you live, no matter what language you speak, and no matter how rich or poor you are, we are all called to evangelize. We all have a mission to shine a light on Jesus and to invite others into the kingdom of which we are so blessed to be a part. It may sound like a “big ask”, but he is asking all the same. In John, chapter 20, verse 21, after Jesus rose from the dead and met with his disciples, he said this before he would ascend to the Father: 

“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’” 

Jesus said this directly to his disciples, and all of them obeyed and went wherever they were sent. They made it their mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Today, we have that same mission. Much of what is written in the Bible as commands and mandates for those it addressed, is also meant for us as well. Jesus said to his disciples, “as the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And as an extension, he is also saying that to us. So I would encourage you to obey. Be creative. Examine the personality, talents, passions and opportunities that God has given you, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can use them to carry out this mandate. Give it thoughtful consideration, because as you can see in John 20, Jesus is sending each and every one of us.

—-

You do not have to wait to hear the audible voice of God, or spiritually discern through fasting and prayer whether you should make it your mission to share Christ with others, because John reminds us that we are all being sent; each and every one of us. The question is, will you go? It is easy for us to pray to God in haste and say that we will do whatever he asks of us. But will we answer the call? If you are ready, he is asking. I believe that there are two modes of evangelism; opportunities that God brings to us, and opportunities that we carefully plan an execute on our own, or in partnership with others. In either case, we should purpose to be in step with the Spirit so that he guides us in our task. So I encourage you to pray today, and ask God where is he sending you. The answer may set you on a path that will change the course of your entire future.

Corporate Prayer

How often do you engage in corporate prayer? By “corporate prayer”, I’m referring to the practice of several believers coming together to pray to God. It could be a scheduled, ongoing, practice or it could be a special gathering appealing to God concerning an urgent matter. These prayers are usually prayed allowed so that others can hear them and agree with them during the prayer. As one person ends their prayer, others can offer theirs allowed as well. If you are not participating in some form of corporate prayer, I would encourage you to give it a try. Because I believe that corporate prayer is one of the more effective ways to get God’s attention, and I’m sure the early church would agree. In Acts, chapter 12, King Herod set forth a campaign to kill and persecute Christians. In the opening verses of the chapter, we learn that he killed James and imprisoned Peter. Then in verse 5 it says:  

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” 

It goes on to say that the night before Herod was going to bring Peter to trial, God sent an angel to rescue him in a miraculously way. In a recent sermon, my pastor said that God chooses to handcuff himself to the church. In other words, there are some things that God may want to happen on earth, but he may not move unless we, his vessels, work in concert with his plans through prayer and action. God miraculously rescued Peter from prison. But would he have done so without the earnest prayers of the church? I’m inclined to believe that he wouldn’t have. I believe that Peter would’ve been put on trial and may have been executed much the same as James was. But it was the prayers of the church that motivated God to set his angel to flight and answer the prayers of his people. How many negative events, calamities and situations might have been avoided in your church, community or country if the body of Christ would’ve come together in corporate prayer? I believe that we’ve forgotten the power of prayer. I attend a large church, but our weekly prayer group only draws about three to five people. I believe that the worldwide body of Christ needs to take corporate prayer seriously, and loosen the hands of God so that he will move miraculously on behalf of his people. You and I can be a part of that effort. So I encourage you to consider participating in the corporate prayers of your church, small group, or prayer teams and see if God will not move in a mighty way.

—-

When it comes to affecting change in our world, there is power in numbers. This is true for protests, fundraising, voting, wars, and the list goes on. I would suggest the same is true when we want to affect change in the spiritual realm. The Bible reminds us that where two or three are gathered together in his name, he is right there in their midst. Why do you think it says that? I believe it serves as a reminder of this truth. We need to come together and pray, much like the early church in Acts, and we need to do it often. I believe that on a whole, our individual and corporate prayer practices are anemic. We need to model the early church, and corporate prayer is one such way.

Your Faith

I’ve often quoted Hebrews 11:6 where it says in part, “without faith it is impossible to please God”. So faith must be present in every believers life. In fact, having faith in God is the very definition of a believer. But did you know that our level of faith, or lack thereof, can have a direct effect on whether our prayers are answered? My guess is that you do. But in case I’m mistaken, the story of Jesus healing the blind beggar may help you understand the importance of our engaging our faith when we expect God to move on our behalf. In Luke, chapter 18, verse 42 it says: 

“Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” 

It was the blind beggars faith that brought about healing. Jesus was the vessel used to perform the healing, but he said that it was the beggar’s faith that healed him. There are several other accounts where healing was reliant on the recipient’s faith. There is an account in Matthew where two blind men came to be healed. Jesus said to them, “according to your faith will it be done to you.” What if the men in Matthew and the blind man in Luke didn’t have faith? I believe that they would not have been healed. I say all of this to encourage you to build your faith. If you want the Holy Spirit to intervene on your behalf; if you want your prayers answered; or if you are crying out to God for deliverance, you must have faith. Otherwise, you shouldn’t expect anything from him because more often than not, there will be a direct connect between your faith and the move of God.

—-

Much like everything else when it comes to our Christian walk, our level of faith makes a huge difference. In Matthew, Jesus said that if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can say to a mountain move from here to there and it will. How is your faith? If you are in need of a move from God, often times it is your faith that will get his attention. I believe in prayer chains, the laying on of hands by fellow believers and the fervent prayers of the saints, but we should all be secure enough in our own faith that should we hear the words, “according to your faith will it be done to you,” we won’t be left disappointed. So I would encourage you to believe. Rely first on your faith. Walk close enough to God that like the blind man, it will be as if he says to you, “your faith has healed you”.

What Counts

Grace can be a difficult concept for humans to grasp. How can the God of all creation offer us something that we didn’t earn? How can faith alone qualify us for God’s amazing grace, favor and forgiveness? Surely we must prove ourselves through our deeds, right? The better we are, the more deserving we become, right? Wrong. It is by grace, through faith that we have been saved. But even if we know this to be true in our minds, do we really know it in our hearts? There were some in Paul’s day who, I believe, struggled with this concept as well. Some wanted to prove their worth by their deeds - or by their obedience to the law. They wanted to show their faithfulness through the physical act of circumcision. But in Galatians, chapter 5, verse 6, Paul says this: 

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” 

“Faith expressing itself through love”. That is what counts. What makes a difference in the kingdom of God isn’t legalism, but faith expressing itself through love. We can read as many chapters in the Bible as we want and commit all of it to memory; we can go to every church service and sing every Christian hymn; we can believe that deeds without faith has value; but Paul tells us differently. James reminds us that faith without deeds is dead. But I would also submit to you that deeds without faith is dead.  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” That is a verse worth committing to memory.

—-

When it comes to our deeds, as believers in Christ, Paul reminds us that “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” For some of us, this might require a shift in attitude. We shouldn’t waste our time on things that don’t matter, even if they are veiled in a shroud of Christianity. Sure, many of our Christian practices have benefits, but what really counts is faith expressing itself through love. When we get to heaven, and all of our deeds are examined and filtered through the lens of God’s character, it is this that will float to the surface. Remember, in first Corinthians Chapter 13, Paul points out three vital attributes that God values; faith, hope and love. And in this verse in Galatians, two of those attributes are highlighted. I don’t know about you, but that tells me something.