HE IS FIRST: CONFIDENT BECAUSE I KNOW WHO I AM

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,  Phil.1:1-3


While in a prison Paul began to remember when he was with a group of people in Macedonia and although he had a rough time there, he didn't choose to focus on that.   He didn't focus on how he had been wrongly imprisoned, of lied on....nope.   He remembered, chose to focus on what good came of that visit.   He thanked God for them.  (When was the last time you thanked God for your _____________________?)

He was only able to do this because he knew WHO HE WAS, and WHOSE HE WAS.  How do I know this....because Paul didn't start of his letter saying I, Paul the great orator, church planter, reverend, doctor, elder, bishop of all the churches I STARTED.....  He introduced himself as BOND-SERVANTS meaning they chose to serve JESUS.   They weren't enslaved, but rather they new they would be a slave to something as they had previously been slaves to themselves, or the pop-culture of their time.....they chose to BOND themselves to Jesus Christ.  Which means He's their LORD.  They choose to do their Master's will    They choose to live to please Him, not people.   

In assuming this position this means that if JESUS is their LORD, that He, JESUS has a responsibility to His servants.   This is why he could sit in a cell, and reflect off of the opportunities His gracious and good Master had afforded him.   Notice I said opportunities and not challenges.  If you truly realize that He's GOD and you're not and have surrendered to His will for your life, while you sit in/at _____________________________________ you should be able to reflect off of the opportunities while you are/were there that you got to meet, cross paths with, share/show love towards....etc.

Last night instead of going home retreating after the day's joys/concerns I went to a new member program we have called ENGAGE.  It's an event where people gather to learn about what it means to be a member of Calvary, as well as hear stories of other people that have been attending there, and reflect on do I, should step up my game to commit to being an ambassador of what Calvary represents (changing lives, and transforming communities).  I must admit this is like my 4-5th engage that I've attended; 1) to show support of anyone I personally know that is taking that step, and 2) because it's always good to meet new people, hear their stories and encourage them in Christ! 

 I've been called a Barnabas; an encourager, a giver, and maybe that's true.  But I do it because CHRIST did it for me.  As His BOND SERVANT, I desire to please Him, because on my own my life is out of control, my marriage is out of control, the ministries I've been entrusted with are out of control, just everything is out of control.   So I desire to surrender my life and the very things I care most about into the capable nail-pierced, all powerful, healing, creator of the universe hands of  JESUS CHRIST so I can trust the outcomes to my good, and His Glory as Paul did.   I pray you do the same.....LGLP

LOVE DOES......ALWAYS TRUST

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
⁸ Love never fails.  1Cor. 13:4-8a

If you google the word "Trust" this is one of the many images that comes up.  We've all played this game before where we close our eyes, cross our arms, and (hopefully) someone that loves you is going to trust you as you fall backwards.   In many cases the person is there and there's this sight of relief and all is well in the world.   But there are times when you best friend is so preoccupied with their life that they aren't there to catch you when you're falling.   There are times when you've left the home only to return and your children have breached your trust.   There are times when you've loaned someone money, the car, etc. only to discover they have disrespected what it is you've trusted them with.  There are times when you've given someone your heart in a relationship, only to discover they actually hold pieces of many other people's hearts.

When these things happen we want to withdraw away.  We struggle to love again, trust again, and for some even live again, but Christ shows us how to respond when family betrays us, when friends aren't there to support us, and when life is just down right unforgiving.  We are never in scripture encouraged to put all of our trust in anything BUT the LORD (Proverbs 3:5-6).

So then what are we to do?  God has trusted us with friends, children, family, communities, money, resources, etc....and trust we've blown one, a combination of the above listed, or all of them.....and He hasn't withdrawn all of His blessings to us.  NOPE!  He gives us the Benefit of Doubt, the Benefit of Grace, and the Benefit of Love/Another Chance.

THE BENEFIT OF DOUBT
This GOD-LIKE benefit sees the best in people no matter what.   It's looking past their present and seeing that they are better than that and choosing to believe in that.   I know this all too well.  It's knowing your child has God-given talents, but until they recognize it....you have to understand they are a child.   Which means they will make decisions and involve themselves ignorantly in things that will hurt them.   So what do you do?  Give them (I'm talking about adult & young adult children of course) the space of place and time to make their boo-boos where you still protect the family.

THE BENEFIT OF GRACE
This is where you choose to do something positive with the hurt of another.  Jesus didn't get offended when Thomas said " I won't believe unless........."  He offered Thomas the opportunity of a lifetime.   He had given Thomas the benefit of doubt, in knowing the limitations of his faith & understanding, and meted out grace.   When we do this....we act in kind with the Spirit of God, who has given us grace to come to the understanding of who God is as well.   We all have struggled in believing without fully seeing, but GOD's grace provided opportunities to experience the TRUTH of His Character.

THE BENEFIT OF LOVE/ANOTHER CHANCE
Thank GOD, HE is a GOD of many chances, not just A SECOND CHANCE.  Peter shot off at the mouth many times, and the one time he could've made his mark he refused even knowing JESUS.  But when Jesus came back on the scene did he remove Peter.  Did He DIS(owning) Peter?  Nope....He challenged him to live out His faith.   Maybe you need to challenge someone to be who they say they are, and live in light of what they say they believe.

We can all close ourselves off, from ever being hurt again...building walls that make relationships difficult, and closing our hearts off from even loving, but at the end of the day we'll end up lonely, and loveless.  I encourage you to TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART....so that you don't have to lean on your limited understanding, and allow Him to guide you into and through relationships.  He did say, LOVE HIM (with all your heart, mind, and strength), and LOVE PEOPLE!  If you really want to do what Jesus did......then it begins with TRUSTING THE FATHER & LOVING!  LGLP

LOVE DOES.......ALWAYS PROTECTS

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
⁸ Love never fails.  1Cor. 13:4-8

Of all the pieces of weaponry in the WHOLE ARMOR of GOD, the only defensive one is the shield of FAITH.  Pictured here is a scene from 300 where there stance is with very little of the body left unprotected while the rest of the body is shielded away from the attack of the enemy.   They are even standing closely together as to cover not just themselves but the men around them.  

This is a portrait of the type of love that protects.    Is this how your love looks at work?  Do you protect the integrity of the company even though the company may have flaws?  Or are you too busy bad mouthing the CEO down to the Janitor?  Do you protect the integrity of your home, or does everybody know your spouse is a _________________________ and struggles with____________________?    What about your kids or your neighborhood?  Do you protect the integrity of either of those?

You know a few years back we were left scratching our heads regarding the Oklahoma bombing incident with how could one of our own (Timothy McVeigh, an American) orchestrate to do such a heinous act?  The minute we begin to champion our own causes, and buy into the lies of spiritual wickedness we lay down our shields and expose our very hearts which when not fully surrendered to CHRIST they are fully offered over to SATAN and his purposes.   Think about all of the moments of treason and division within our countries history.....gives total creedence to the saying, "united we stand, but divided we fall...."

If the WORD of GOD is true (and I KNOW IT TO BE FULLY TRUTHFUL) then where is it we, you and I have went wrong in our LOVE?  If TRUE LOVE always protects...how is it we are so divided as a NATION, as even the BODY OF CHRIST, and even INDIVIDUALS?

The cowardly way to answer this question is the blame whoever is in office or whoever is leading your church, or ministry.   The honest way is to look in the mirror and begin with repentance!  Admit, you have laid down your shield of faith.   The enemy's arrows have pierced your heart regarding these issues.   You're wounded....and as you are taking your lasts breaths you are spewing venom mixed with your own blood regarding_________________________ and how things need to change.   (Christ stayed focused on God's mission for Him, he didn't get caught up in pop-culture, and bashing the administrations of His day.)

While repenting ask the LORD to search your heart (Psalms 139:24)  and heal it so that you can be of the same heart and mind of Christ.  Christ showed us how to LOVE people.....we all tend to struggle in this area...so pick back up your shield and instead of being a flashlight (pointing out the sin in every hidden dark corner) be the LIGHT that emits, radiates the LOVE of CHRIST through your brokenness that draws people to His Protecting love.   LGLP 

LOVE DOES.........ALWAYS: REMEMBERING

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. 1Cor. 13:4-8


We have such short memories.   We forget where we placed our keys, parked the car, where are our taxes from the previous year, where our or driver's license is, and depending on how many kids  you got even their names.     We also forget dates...you know times....like dr./dentist appointments.   We forget enrollment dates, birth dates, and for some even anniversary dates.   Of all the dates that slip our minds I think forgetting the anniversary one, has to be one of the worst.    Because that date is really supposed to mean something, a certain energy of intentionality is expected to be placed on this date.   

One year ago, this day I closed  a chapter in my life of working FT at SSM Homecare/Hospice to follow God's calling on my life to pastor.   There were mixed emotions.   Tears shed because of people that I deeply love (still do) I won't get to see everyday, and share life as had become routine for the bulk of my waking hours.   Tears shed because I knew that GOD called me, and that this wouldn't be easy, but it would be as rewarding as all of my years volunteering to be a part in building HIS KINGDOM.    Tears because although I had learned to lean on/rely on Him, I'd have to in wholly new and deeper capacity...and I needed to remember I can't try harder.....but rather submit more to His authority and power so that they both would be alive in me.

Today's verse says what LOVE is, and in context of my resting in the remembrance of what has all transpired this year I'd love to look at it through this lens:

LOVE IS PATIENT:  God thank you for teaching me your timing is always perfect.   Help me to communicate that to the flock so that they will develop in the patience you have for them.

LOVE IS KIND:  God thank you for showing me through every series that kindness is essential in daily living and that we are to approach people and circumstances with Jesus LIKE KINDNESS.  Help me to be kind-hearted in all I do, even when having to admonish others.

LOVE doesn't ENVY.....GOD I know who I am, I know intimately many of the people of Connections, and I don't desire another body of people.   I'm thankful for what it is you've have given me, and I pray each person is as thankful, if not more!

LOVE doesn't BOAST....GOD thank you that I am braggadocios.....I know I come close with my pride in my barbecue, but help me to remain humble in what you are doing in me, with me, and through me whether that is publicly, privately, or corporately.

LOVE doesn't dishonor others.....GOD I repent in this area, as I am certain (due to my imperfections) I had to in 365 have dishonored someone.   I give you permission to search my heart GOD and surgically remove any cells of dishonoring others that may exist.   I desire GOD to make every person that I come in contact with to feel special.


LOVE isn't SELF-SEEKING, EASILY ANGERED, or KEEPS NO RECORD OF WRONGS:  GOD thank you that what I do, I do it for you.  I don't look for the applause or approval of others, rather I seek GODLY counsel and mentoring so that I do what you've called me to do in excellence.   Thank you for helping me to not lose my cool, or hold people in bondage to their past failures.  Please help me to continue loving you and others in this vein.

LOVE doesn't DELIGHT IN EVIL, but REJOICES IN TRUTH :  Thank you God, that we haven't celebrated EVIL, but delighted in the truth of your SPIRIT being alive & present in the CONNECTIONS body!!!

LOVE ALWAYS PROTECTS......As a shepherd is supposed to GOD help me to grow in this area.   That I take time to tenderly care for the people of CALVARY, especially those under my immediate eye.   Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and extremities to serve them with your power. 

I ask these things in JESUS NAME!  AMEN
 

 

As I endeavor to do greater things in year 2, with the people of Calvary/Connections, I pray tha each of us honor one another, love God more, grow deeper in the Word & Worship that people will look upon us, and desire community with Christ and us! 

Happy Monday/HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LGLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow I will pick up at LOVE ALWAYS PROTECTS.