The Blame Game

“Praying for revival equates to blaming God for the condition of your local church. – Andy Stanley.

People get mad at God. We are not the first Christians to have felt angry at God. And we will not be the last to feel the urge to blame Him. If we believe in God at all, we should believe He is bigger and stronger than we can even imagine. verses about how big and powerful our God is. We’re told God does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3), that nothing happens outside His control (Proverbs 16:33),  He will accomplish all His plans (Daniel 4:35), and not even a rebellious human will thwart Him (Proverbs 21:1). 

As we reflect back on our life, we often ask the question with all that power, why didn’t God use some of that power in my life to avert tragedy. Our natural tendency is to find a culprit. So we turn to God saying: “Lord why is this happening to me? Why have you abandoned me? Why is my life such a mess? Where are you?” After all, it would not take much effort from the Creator who knows all, sees all, and is the master of all, to solve our problems. But if we stop and reflect for a few moments, we would have to come to the conclusion that some, if not all of our lows were because of or caused by us. We are looking to God to fix the things we’ve done wrong.

We want to fight against our enemies when sometimes the worst of those enemies is ourselves. We are our own enemies when it comes to spiritual growth. We create some of our problems and pride serves as a buffer against admitting that we are the real source of our problems. Many of us can’t escape this scenario because we are so cozy in our comfort zones. We don’t want anything to disturb our regular schedules. We don’t want anyone to dictate what we should do. We just wanna be our own masters, live like we please but when things go sideways, we question why God does not intervene. That mentality suggests that we want a full-time committed God when we are not willing to make the same commitment. If we aren’t doing our part, why do we keep begging God to do His?

The first step is to realize God is the only one who can guide and direct us into our paths and purposes in life. And acknowledge that many of the mistakes we make we bring upon ourselves due to our bad choices. Check yourself again and stop blaming God. Pray and ask God to reveal to you whatever it is within you that is hindering you from growing. Then ask God to help you make the right choices going forward.

  

Discussion Questions:

  1. Someone once said that ”no man was ever endowed with a right without being at the same time saddled with a responsibility.” Agree or disagree and why?
  2. What can we do this week to make better choices? 

 

What…Almost Summer Again?

 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night” – Genesis 8:22.

Do you have a favorite season? Some people love spring, flowering trees, sunny days, and mild temperatures. Others prefer the long hot summer days and then there are those who fall in love with fall or with the cold but comforting winter nights. If we asked people the question, many people would pick summer as their favorite season. It is a time of warmth, extended light, slowing down, taking a break from our usual schedules, and refreshment in our everyday lives. We can enjoy the outdoors more comfortably without bundling up or hibernating.

How can we go about making this the summer of faith? For one thing, get reacquainted with your Bible. Remember the days when you were a student when you were thoroughly consumed by textbooks throughout the school year. Now you finally have some time to get into God’s Word.  Writing out Scripture is something that is simple yet has the ability to radically transform your faith. Writing takes the impassive act of reading and turns into an active disciple of writing. But even if you aren’t ready to write through a whole book, just taking 10 minutes and writing down a few passages of your daily Bible reading is transformative.  

 Recording your thoughts and reactions may help you to better conceptualize the concepts you come across. Explore the applications of these passages. This is a great way to grow stronger in faith and to understand how this beautiful, God-breathed book is still so important 2,000 years after it was written. You’ll be amazed by the many ways in which Biblical concepts are at play in your home and community.

Then work on expanding you’re reading list. The Bible can form the basis of an excellent summer of reading. Beyond this essential, however, you’ll find plenty of other options virtually.  Set aside some time to read a book on a subject you want to delve into more. Your campus pastor can help you pick a book if you are unsure.   

Then recommit to prayer.  If you’ve fallen into a habit of only praying on Sundays or when you’re worried about something that has popped up in your life, it’s time to break out of the trap and establish a more routine prayer life. Summer provides you with more time to relearn how to pray, and the impact prayer has on our lives as believers. If you struggle to get started, begin by thanking God for the many blessings you’ve received this year so far. 

The good news is, no matter how busy your life is right now, no matter what’s making it so busy, and what season of life you are in, there’s no reason God has to take a backseat.

Even if you only have five minutes a day you have time for God. While making sure God gets the best spot in your day is a fantastic place to start, I’d really encourage you: don’t stop there. God doesn’t want part of you part of the time. He wants all of you all of the time and what better place to start than this summer. 

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the barriers to doing something every day that requires faith?
  2. What can we do this week to overcome those barriers?

Thanking God

As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”  Luke 17:11-19

When you look at people and events in life, you see either grumbling or gratitude. One day, ten lepers came to Jesus asking to be healed. You can’t blame them. I expect they spent much time and effort grumbling because leprosy was the most dreaded disease in that day. Lepers were total outcasts from society.

Jesus heard their request and healed all ten of them. When only one leper came back and thanked Jesus, He asked if there were not more who had been healed. Only one of these ten suffering men returned to thank Jesus. He did so with shouting and praising. He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him boldly. This man was a Samaritan, a member of the class the Jews despised. The other nine didn’t understand gratitude. The one leper was healed of far more than leprosy – he received the gift of gratitude. (Luke 17:11-19) Pause for a second and let that soak in: the thing about which you are grumbling is probably the very thing that someone else is praying to receive.  

When you get up in the morning, you have one of two choices – you can say, “Good morning, Lord.” Or you can say, “Good lord, it’s morning.” How you start the morning often determines how the day will go. Start out without gratitude, and you’ll most likely end up without gratitude during the day. We are all busy. This fast-paced 21st-century living doesn’t make life easy. One of the most profound ways to express your gratitude to God is by serving others in His name. In 1 Peter 4:10, you are directed; “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” Thus, by serving others you are serving God and showing your gratitude for His work in your life.

 One of the truest ways to demonstrate your appreciation to God is to simply pray and tell Him. God loves to hear from you. He often wonders why you never call or write. Prayer is the simplest and surest way to convey appreciation to God. A sincere simple prayer, given from the heart and expressing your thanks for the wonderful life you’ve been given, will touch God deeply. There are no hard and fast rules about praying. Come to God just as you are. Even if you’ve never prayed before, it’s never too late to start.

Every day is a testimony to God’s work in your life. Take time every day to express your gratitude for that life and it will promote a sense of joy in everything you do.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is showing gratitude to God an obligation and a discipline?  
  2. What can we do this week to be more grateful servants of Jesus Christ?  

Pray About Everything

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” –  Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

It would seem counterintuitive to the Bible but you hear people disagree on what we are praying for. They might say, “You shouldn’t be praying for your pets.” Or, “You ought not to be praying about your stock portfolio getting bigger and or hoping the IRS doesn’t find any errors in your income tax. The problem with thinking that way is that it contradicts the Bible. Scripture speaks repeatedly of the importance of prayer. Paul says to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). Believers should make all requests known to God. In addition, believers are admonished to pray regularly and frequently. David promised the Lord, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud— Psalm 55:17

While many believers sincerely desire to spend time with God in prayer, few actually do. Spiritual discipline is necessary to make prayer a priority in our lives. God, however, has made prayer a priority—directing His children to pray first, often, and always. Therefore, prayer should become a priority for us!

Scripture speaks repeatedly of the importance of prayer. Paul says to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). Believers should make all requests known to God. In addition, believers are admonished to pray regularly and frequently. David promised the Lord, “Evening, morning and noon I cry out” (Psalm 55:17). Jesus prayed for extended periods of time, especially when making important decisions (Luke 6:12). Certainly, when facing challenges or trials, a believer should pray (James 5:13). Paul exhorted the Christians in Thessalonica to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Prayer becomes not only an attitude of the heart but also a continual dialogue with the Lord.“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”

There is nothing you can bring to God in prayer that is off-limits.  I believe He wants to hear about all the details of your life, and He wants to help you with all the details of your life: “I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!.” Psalm 121:1-2

God doesn’t want us to live in anxiety. God wants us to cast all of that on Him because He so deeply cares for us.

So bring Him anything and everything. Nothing is too small. Nothing is too big. Nothing is too heavy. Nothing is too insignificant. Pray about anything knowing that while you are praying that you are cultivating your relationship with God.  

Discussion Questions:

  1. What “everythings” are you bringing to God lately?
  2. How might your life be different if you cast all these things on Him?

Faith And Anxiety

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” –  Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV).

People of this age suffer from anxiety more than any other generation before us. We make plans for the future, seeing bright possibilities in front of us, only to be disappointed or frustrated when they don’t work out. We’re trying to make ends meet in a difficult economy while still longing to pursue the dreams we’re passionate about. We live in a world that’s in a constant state of distress, there is an opportunity to worry around every corner, and the future seems more cloudy than ever before. The bigger question is what as Christians do we do about it. 

The Philippians 4:6-7 scripture passage is an invitation to check our hearts. We are not criticized or berated for our anxiety or fear, we’re redirected and refocused. Paul is telling us that instead of being anxious or fearful about your present circumstances, lift your eyes and your perspective to the One who is ultimately in control. When anxiety and fear set in we are offered an opportunity to examine where our trust is placed. Do you have faith that God is as good as He says he is? Do you trust that God is a good Father who loves His children? Or are you busy trying to control outcomes?

Unbelief is the perfect breeding ground for anxiety. When we lack faith, we’re inviting fear into our hearts and asking it to move right in. We cannot fix this on our own. Navigating the change from anxiety to belief, from fear to faith, only comes through the Holy Spirit, who transforms our hearts and minds.

Paul didn’t write in Philippians 4 that when we pray God will magically fix things. Instead, he wrote that God’s peace would flood our hearts and minds, and an impossible level of calm will surround our emotions and our thoughts. When our minds and hearts are in a state of chaotic, anxious fear, God’s peace is there first. God’s peace blocks out the anxiety and uncertainty of life. 

When anxiety and chaos surround us, we need to “think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth”(Colossians 3:2) and come to God with “…all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7). There are things we can’t control and be out of control often results in fear. But what we can control, is our attitude and our response when circumstances zap our hope and have faith in God that He is in control and things will work according to His plans. The truth is you cannot handle everything that happens to you in your life, but God can, Lamentations 5:17 says “Our hearts are sick and weary, and our eyes grow dim with tears.” But verse 19 adds, “But Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.”

Discussion Questions: 

  1. Knowing God and His Word allows us to face our fears with faith. Why? How can you do this in practical ways?
  2. It’s not uncommon to be anxious when life gets hard. What does this imply about what we believe about God?

Doing A New Thing through Faith.

“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:18-19.

If you find yourself doing the same thing month after month, year after year, yet nothing happens and you never come any closer to getting done what you want to be done, you may need to change what you are doing.  Albert Einstein is widely credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” While I would not use the word insanity, it is a common trap that most of us fall into during our lives. Human beings are creatures of routine. It is difficult to break out of our routines and habits and try different approaches to the problems in our life.

But here is the bottom line: If you want something different, you have to do something different today to create a different life tomorrow. There’s no other way to get there. And that is true of our spiritual life as well.

In Isaiah 43, God spoke about doing something new. The ESV says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing.” God was calling His people out from the old and into the new. A  powerful example of God doing a new thing was seen in the ministry of Jesus Christ. The Pharisees were dedicated to keeping the Law and had developed a complex system of rules they thought helped them do this. But Jesus consistently violated their rules. The Pharisees were convinced that Jesus was breaking the law, but He repeatedly told them, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” (Matthew 5:17).

Are you expecting God to do a new thing in your life? That may seem overwhelming when you consider your present circumstances. So much is on the horizon, so much lies ahead. Don’t be discouraged by bumps in the road or detours on the path. Continue to trust, put your faith in God and work on putting new things into every season of life.

God can use change to perfect you. Change, when responded to correctly, can build your character and your faith.  Romans 5:3-4 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it difficult for you to try new things? Why?
  2. How could God start something new in you this week if you let go?

Where Are You Going?

“Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” – John 13:36

 The Lord was with the twelve in an upper room.  After Jesus humbly stooped to wash His disciples’ feet, they celebrated the Passover meal one last time together. Afterward, Jesus was giving final instructions and words of comfort to His disciples. He  told them that “where I am going, you cannot come.”

When Jesus says He is going away, Peter naturally wants to know where He is going. Peter and the others have been with Jesus virtually 24 hours a day since Jesus called them to follow Him. There have been times Jesus has sent them off on a mission or an errand of some sort, there were times Jesus snuck away from the group to pray and be alone with his Father. But the reality is, they were always together, so naturally Peter is curious about where Jesus is going that they cannot go. 

This response is classic Peter. Quick to react and quick to speak while not always taking the time to think before reacting. If Peter were a rollercoaster, every rider would be in serious need of Dramamine from the constant ups and downs. It is pretty easy to understand the confusion because most of us know Peter.  We understand Peter.  Of all the people in scripture, Peter jumps out as one person we can identify with.   

Peter typifies whom Jesus came to save.  Jesus came to seek the lost.  That includes Peter, you, and me.  Jesus saved the lost.  Jesus saved Peter.  Jesus saved us.

So now we are carriers of the gospel. Sometimes it doesn’t go all that well. Most of us have done it. We’ve overstated (or at least, overestimated) our commitment, abilities, or strength. Our intentions, at the time, were probably good. We just didn’t realize Satan’s power to combine circumstance, fear, doubt, disillusionment … in a concoction brewed just right to bring us to our knees. Peter had a tendency to overstate everything in his early years as a disciple. Eventually, however, Jesus had a disciple fully prepared to lead powerfully while also walking humbly. Let’s not let our fears and failures keep us from following Christ and being used for His glory. In addition, let’s not overstate our ability to handle temptations, trials, difficulties, challenges, or problems and be bold carriers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Discussion Questions

  1. In what ways do you identify with Peter? 
  2. What can we do this week to be a better carrier of the gospel of Jesus Christ?   

Failure Is The Opportunity To Succeed

“My mother always taught me never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing. The amount of time people waste dwelling on failures rather than putting that energy into another project always amazes me. I have fun running all the Virgin businesses–so a setback is never a bad experience, just a learning curve.” – Richard Branson

One of the most well-known stories in the Bible is the first encounter between Jesus and Peter. Peter and his friends had fished all night, but they have caught nothing. The next day, Peter was washing his nets, probably tired and discouraged. Jesus comes along and tells him that He would like to use his boat as a platform from which to speak. So Peter allows Jesus to use his boat. After Jesus finishes he tells Peter, “Let us go fishing.” Peter reacted and said, “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” Peter went fishing and caught such a haul of fish that he was astonished.

This story teaches us about failure and success. On their first fishing trip, their work netted them nothing. On the second trip, they caught so many fish their nets began to tear. It was the same lake, the same boat, the same nets, and the same people fishing.

So what made the difference? Jesus was in the boat the second time. The second time, Peter was not going it alone. Jesus makes all the difference.  When the fishermen saw what Jesus had done, they were amazed.  Luke 5:8 tells us: “When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 

“For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” (Luke 5:9-10)

If you’re reading this today and feel as Peter did, then we need to remember that It doesn’t matter what we’ve done, or how far we’ve wandered or how many failures you have experienced along the way. God is always actively pursuing us to bring us back to Himself. I want you to know that He will break every possible barrier to reach you. Today, you can meet with Jesus, bring Him your failures and mistakes, and allow Him to work in your life. With Jesus in your boat, the fear of failure and worry about the results fade away.

Peter and the other disciples had a lot to learn, and there would be failures, but from this point on they followed Him.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What emotions might Peter have felt at that moment when he pulled up the nets with so many fish? Have you had such moments in your life? 
  2. A failure is an opportunity to grow. Agree or disagree and why? 
  3. What can we do this week to move past our failures? 

Hope For The Best

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” — 1 Peter 1:3.

In this life, there are many reasons to feel discouraged. The news alone can provide the reasons to make one feel hopeless. But on the other hand. there are reasons for hope as well. 

The basic definition of hope is to look forward with confidence or expectation. The Word of God is replete with hope. Paul knew that all of us need hope in the midst of hopeless situations. As he and Silas sat in a Philippian jail, they could have been in despair. But, instead, they had hope and sang praises to God. And God brought them deliverance and victory (Acts 16).

We may go through situations that are threatening, that can cause uncertainty, anxiety, doubt, or fear. But if we depend on God, we can know that He is the source of hope, and we can rejoice in Him and the hope He promises us. If we have hope we can be filled with joy and peace, no matter what is going on in the world.

Hope will paint a picture for faith to believe to receive. Hope will connect faith with God’s love to supply the answer. Hope looks forward to a promise of God. Faith reaches out to receive it. Today, remind yourself not to place your hope in the world, the world system, or any human being in the world. Rejoice in the hope that God has given you. Place your hope in the living God and His eternal power to save and make everything right in His time, in His way. And then spread the hope you have. 

Putting hope or faith into action can take many different shapes, but I believe it should always follow Jesus’ example of solidarity with those less fortunate, inclusion of those on the margins, and putting others before ourselves. There are so many needs out there. We can’t fix all of them, none of us have the time, resources, or money to fix every wrong.  

Giving hope to others won’t be quick or easy, but it is possible.  We see examples of changing people’s lives all the time. You have to choose to get involved. It requires a resolve to get involved, to make a difference in somebody’s life this season. We only need to get involved in our journey of hope today. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does a hope-filled life look like?
  2. Through Christ, we have hope. How can that be evident in your life this week?

A Shining Faith

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:14-16. 

In the Bible, God instructs His people to live in such a way that we profoundly impact the lives of others. And it doesn’t have a lot to do with age, experience, or qualifications.  A case in point: The apostle Paul told his young protégé Timothy, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy was quite capable of setting an example for others, even though he was young. Likewise, you are capable of setting a life-changing example for someone else, regardless of your past or personal struggles. Regardless of your family background or your level of formal Christian education.  

A quote often mistakenly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi gets to the heart of the matter: “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” Words certainly have their place in a believer’s life. The right words, spoken at the right time, can change lives. But those words must be accompanied by loving actions and concern. Jesus set the example. He was a man of actions and words. He involved himself in the lives of others. He demonstrated His love through compassionate interaction.

Light brings sight. Light reveals the unseen. Not only that, it chases away the darkness. It brings security and comfort. Think about it. Each time you turn on a lamp, darkness can no longer remain. What seems so dark and heavy, and sometimes oppressing, immediately leaves with just a flick of a switch. Light is powerful. And we have light in us. That light is Jesus Christ. We can’t do that if we’re demonstrating our faith and love to those around us. Light is never meant to be hidden. It has a purpose. We may be the only example of God for someone in our lives. How will they ever get to know Him, if we are not a carrier for faith, hope, and love?  In other words, we project the light, life, and love of Jesus for the world to see.

Jesus told His followers to “let your light shine before others,” calling them to live an active faith, not a passive one. Put your light on its stand. Your circumstances are an opportunity to shine brightly for the Lord and to share God’s overcoming truth with those around you. Your family and community can tell what you believe by how you live.

Discussion Questions: 

  1. What situation are you in right now in which you have to exercise faith in God?
  2. How can you share your faith with others in the midst of your circumstances?