Merry Christmas!

I will be taking a break from the blog over the Christmas season! 

Have a safe and blessed Christmas! I'll see you all again in the New Year!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Sunday Sprint: What God Wants From YOU

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

I don't know about you, but throughout my childhood I used to dream of God calling me to do something great--like all of the Biblical figures I grew up learning about and admiring. If only God would make me a prophet... or a miracle worker... or possess unwavering faith. If only...

But the Bible makes it clear... God holds LOVE in highest esteem. Jesus declared the greatest commandments were to "love your neighbor as yourself" and to "love the Lord your God." While we are awed by healed sickness, parted waters, and raised dead... God delights in unfailing love. 

Every time I find myself wishing I could do something great in the name of the Lord, I try to remind myself that God thinks living a life of love is great. Living a life of Love is a prerequisite to anything else. 

Call to ACTION

  “As for you, son of man, your people are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.’  My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.  Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice."

Ezekiel 33:31-32

Sometimes church becomes a ritual. While there is nothing inherently wrong with ritual, sometimes it can lull people into a false sense of security. This seems to be especially true this time of year. People who never go to church any other time in the year will often attend at Christmastime. People get caught up in the the traditions of the season and forget what Christmas is really all about.

We get so focused on a baby in a manger, angels singing in the sky, and wise men bearing precious gifts that we forget what it all points to--a Savior who was tortured and died to pay a price we couldn't. To offer Himself as a sinless sacrifice for our sins. To rise again three days later to give us hope of eternal life. To reconcile us with God.

We have been called to live our lives to reflect these truths. We aren't supposed to just celebrate God ritualistically a few times a year. Church isn't supposed to give us warm fuzzy feelings of nostalgia. We are expected to do so much more than offer the cursory responses and "churchy" gestures. We are called to live authentic Godly lives. 

We have been warned that our lives will be difficult. All too often, however, we hide behind our traditions and rituals. We put on a smiley face and "play nice" with other church members only to get back to "real life" after leaving the service. We live our lives as fakes. We take part in church as a force of habit... to comfort ourselves... to reassure ourselves that we're doing the bare minimum. 

I really don't want to face God on Judgement Day and lay claim to the "bare minimum." I want to make my Father proud. It is so difficult to live my life consistently, day-by-day, in pursuit of a Godly life (I so often fail miserably!); but I know that it truly is the least I can do. Jesus paid an inconceivable price for me. He paid a debt far beyond what I could have ever hoped to pay back. I want to make sure I do my best to thank Him for that. I was to do His will. I want to live how he has asked me to live. 

Time to walk the talk. Really. 

Sunday Sprint: This is What You Signed Up For

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Sometimes we are tempted to question God during tough times. It can be difficult to understand why a God of love would let his people suffer so much. However, none of us were promised an easy life. God never said that Christians were immune to pain and sorrow. Jesus himself promised that we would have trouble in this world. The reason why we continue to have hope and joy in the face of adversity is because we know that Jesus has "overcome the world." We will soon exchange our temporary hardships for eternal joy in the presence of our God. 

"The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, 
but why some do not.”

- C.S. Lewis

Psalm 37: Don't Let Others Get You Down

Psalm 37 was my inspiration today.

I get discouraged easily. Sometimes it seems like people have absolutely no regard for each other anymore. It seems like the more cutthroat you are, the more successful you will be in this world. My students recently finished studying the novel The Lord of the Flies. In a post-reading discussion, I asked my students, "do you think that everyone is capable of the same evil these little boys left on an island were?" 

One of my students bluntly answered, "Of course. Nobody cares about anyone else. I always look out for myself first. People will always do what they want. Nobody really wants to care about others."

I found this student's comment extremely depressing, but I think it's true. I don't think that any of us are inherently selfless. I think that selflessness is only inspired by God. It is natural for us to want to look out for ourselves first--to lash out at those who hurt us, to become envious when others succeed, to complain when life doesn't deal us a "fair" hand. 

Christians aren't immune to these feelings of anger and envy. It is especially frustrating when we try to live our lives for the Lord---to try and be "good people"---only to be trampled by mean-spirited people. But Psalm 37 reassures us that the triumphs of evil people are short lived and temporary. God actually "laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming" (Psalm 37: 13 NIV). It is difficult to keep this in perspective, but we must remember that this life is temporary. Any successes or failures that occur in this life are short-lived. God has promised vindication for the faithful. 

I am always reminded of Paul when I think about people who sneer and scoff at the Christian faith. Paul (formerly Saul) hated Christians. He hated everything about them. He was responsible for countless Christian deaths as he hunted down, tortured, and killed many followers of Christ. However, God chose to reach out to this evil man and use him to spread the gospel throughout the known world. This murderer of Christians became one of Jesus' most devout followers and ended up authoring the majority of the New Testament. God can change the hearts of evil people; and even if they choose to ignore God, they still have to face God on Judgement Day just like everyone else. Just because you ignore God doesn't mean He'll ignore you. One way or another, every single person will acknowledge and answer to God sooner or later.

Don't let the success of liars and cheaters make you angry. Don't let setbacks and hardships get you down. It is all temporary. God sees all our temporary moments, and he wants them to add up to an eternity with Him. Each person needs to make the most of the fleeting time they have and not waste time worrying about what others think, say, or do.

"Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has."

-Billy Graham

Announcement Concerning Comments

After today I will no longer publish anonymous comments.

I am more than willing to have an open conversation with people if they wish to ask sincere questions. However, anonymity allows people to make quick jabs without actually wanting to open up the dialogue. A trolling personality yesterday, while being inconsiderate, did bring up a good point. I don't want to appear as though I am "cherry picking" agreeable comments and moderating out unfavorable ones. I am more than willing to have a open conversation with someone who has legitimate, honest questions. I will not, however, attempt to argue with someone who has no interest in hearing my answers and simply wants to stir up trouble.

To combat this problem and in an attempt to remain transparent, I will no longer publish anonymous posts of any kind. You must be registered in order to leave a comment on a post. Other than that, if you have a sincere question for me that you truly do want a response to, please send me an email at thedailystumbler@gmail.com .

Thank you to those of you who have been kind and respectful--whether you agreed with me or not. 

Are You God-Centered or Self-Centered?

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" 

-Psalm 20:7

"Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain."

-Psalm 119: 36

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice."

-James 3:16

In continuing my journey through the workbook Experiencing God (Blackaby), I came across a very revealing list. Do any of these apply to you?

-Do you look out for #1?

-Are you proud of yourself and your accomplishments?

-Are you self-confident?

-Do you rely on your abilities?

-Do you affirm yourself? 

-Do you analyze circumstances based on your or others' experiences?

-Do you try to obtain a comfortable life for yourself?

My initial reaction in reading this list was... well, yeah! Some of those don't sound so bad. It's good to be self-confident... to "believe in yourself". Of course, I'm proud of my accomplishments! Isn't everyone? I've worked hard for my achievements! Why shouldn't I be proud?

Well, reality came tumbling down on top of me like a sack of bricks when I read the heading to the above list: "A Self-Centered Life." The verse that came to mind as I read this was  1 Corinthians 3:18-19 "Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight." The "self-centered life" sounds so normal and acceptable because it is--by the world's standards. We are taught from a very young age to be proud of ourselves and to believe in ourselves---to look out for "numero uno." The fact of the matter is, that is utter "foolishness" to the God of the Universe who sees us for what we truly are--weak, feeble, foolish creatures who act like stubborn, selfish little children. We pride ourselves in our worldly accomplishments, when really, what value do any of our accomplishments have when measured against God's Holy and Eternal Standard?

If we want to know and follow God's will, we are required to deny ourselves and put Him at the center of our lives, so that we can answer "yes" to these questions instead:

-Do you place all your confidence in God?

-Do you depend on God to provide?

-Are you completely focused on God and what He is doing?

-Are you humble before God?

-Do you deny yourself?

-Do you seek God's will and righteousness FIRST?

-Do you seek God's perspective in EVERY circumstance?

-Do you live a holy and Godly life?

-Do you do everything for God's glory rather than your own?

At first glance, most Christians will nod their heads and give a cursory "Christianly" response, "But of course!" However, we when we look closely at that list and honestly reflect on what it's asking, it becomes very clear that most of us aren't living up to God's standards. Do we really live our lives day-by-day, minute-by-minute in the pursuit of bringing God glory? Or do we instead live our lives in pursuit of our own success, accomplishments, and comfort? 

I have to admit, when my eyes are opened to the truth as to what doing God's will truly involves, I get more than a little scared. God asked Noah to build a big boat in a desert and trust that it would come in handy. He asked his disciples to stop what they were doing and simply follow without any further explanation. He asked Moses to lead millions of Israelites out of Egypt. He asked Abram to simply pack up everything he owned and go to a land that God would reveal later...

...Our God is not a God of detailed explanation. He expects his followers to do just that--follow. He requires faithfulness. He gives just enough information to guide us in the right direction, but he expects us to do the subsequent footwork. God could ask me to do anything, and I can pretty much guarantee that He's not going to give a lot of details when He does ask. I just hope and pray that I have the faith to take the steps required of me... the courage to look "foolish" to those around me in order to make the Wise choice by God's standard.

God,

I truly do want to have you at the center of my life. I want you to be the motivation for my every thought, word, and action. But as you said, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Help me to have the faith and courage to take the steps you set out for me. I am both excited and afraid of what you might ask, but I know that ultimately anything You ask is Good. 

Thank you,

Me

"Don't Just Do Something. Stand There!"

1 Kings 18:15-39

(Day Three in "Experiencing God", Blackaby)

The idea that I took away from the above passage is: God lit the fire. The passage is about Elijah facing off against the "prophets" of Baal to prove once and for all whose God was the True God. Well, 850 of Baal's prophets didn't stand a chance against ONE of Yahweh's. Elijah followed God's lead and impossible things happened--Elijah's water-logged altar was set ablaze by heavenly fire.

As I said yesterday, I am working through a workbook titled Experiencing God (by Blackaby and King), and this passage came up on "Day Three." So far I have been blown away by this book. It has allowed me to really stop and think about Who God is and how He really works. I'm beginning to realize that I've been approaching my relationship with God completely wrong. I've been asking Him what His will is for my life, when I should just be asking "Lord, what is your will?". MY life is irrelevant. God's will should be my focus. 

I find that I am too quick to act on my own. I ask God what His will is for my life and then I get antsy to do something when I don't hear an answer. The problem isn't that God doesn't want to answer--it's that I've been asking the wrong question. God wants me to know His will. He wants to act through me. The problem is, I'm so wrapped up in doing something else that I don't let Him do His will through me. 

The profound insight that I took away from my lesson today is "What are you doing in your life that cannot be accomplished unless God intervenes?". My answer? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. I am such a control freak that I've taken the reins in my life and I've attempted to bend God's will to my actions, rather than the other way around. Sure, I might not be demanding to do anything sinful, per se, but I'm certainly not fulfilling God's will by taking control. 

I want to do great things for God, but the fact of the matter is I can't do anything for God. However, if I yield, God may choose to do great things through me. Elijah didn't prove that God was the true God. God did that. Elijah didn't build an altar, pile it high with wood, douse it with water and light it himself. God lit the fire. God used Elijah as a messenger, but ultimately it was God who acted. 

I am finally beginning to realize that God wants me to stop worrying about doing stuff for Him and start letting him do stuff through me. In order to do that I need to stand still, yield to Him, and listen. I need to stop trying to force things along by doing what I think I "should" and start following God's lead. I've realized that I've been selfish and caught up in trying to be a "good Christian", when it's really not about me. It's about God's will being done... with or without me. 

God,

Help me to understand your will so that I can meet you in doing it. I'm going to try to hold still long enough to let you use me as an instrument of your will. Shape me to your purpose. I'm ready to stop trying to shape your will to fit me.

In Your Name,

Amen

Sunday Sprint: Take the Next Step

I am currently working through a workbook titled Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, by Blackaby and King. I only started this journey yesterday, but so far I am thinking that this book could have a profound effect on my walk with God. I will likely be sharing my thoughts and ideas over the next 3 months or so based on my studies. 

Yesterday, "Day One" in the book, my eyes were opened to the fact that I've been desperate to know the Will of God for my life, but I've been waiting for God to reveal His whole plan to me. I've been waiting for a road map. However, this is NOT how God works. In Genesis 12, God calls Abram (later called Abraham) to leave his home, take everything he owns, and go "to the land [God] will show [him]." God only gives Abram the first step. He never tells Abram the whole plan. 


I finally realized that if God gave me a road map there would be no need for faith and I would be tempted to declare that everything I did after given that "map" was done by ME alone. Where did my reliance on God go?


God highlights the next step ahead. I need to be living my life every single day in search of and in the action of taking that next step. I need to ask myself, "What does God want me to do today?" rather than "What's God's will for my life tomorrow?".  I need to be faithful and take the baby-steps asked of me rather than demanding to know the entire route before budging. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" 

-John 15:5 

**I would encourage you regular readers to get your own copy of 

"Experiencing God" and journey with me over the next couple months. 

Let's keep each other accountable and on track.

Today I Stumbled Upon...

...1 Corinthians 15

Today I thought I'd try a new approach to my Bible reading. Prior today, I usually approached my blog writing with a theme, question, or idea in mind and I'd search for Bible verses to help me answer/back up what I wanted to write about. Today I decided that I'd reverse the process. As I sat down with my Bible in one hand and my laptop in the other, I prayed that God would guide my reading and that His Spirit would speak to my heart as my eyes fell upon whatever reading presented itself. Now, this can work fine for quiet times, but I do not suggest you try this technique to answer questions like a Magic 8 ball... the Bible should be studied closely and purposely when seeking answers to specific questions, however if you're just wanting to explore God's word and let it "wash over you", sometimes random passages are refreshing.

Anyway, now that I have that prologue and disclaimer out of the way, why don't I share with you my thoughts on what I read today?

I let my Bible fall open to a random passage, which in this case happened to be 1 Corinthians 15. I read verses 1-33 and, let me tell you, there are some profound statements in this passage. The passage is basically Paul (formerly Saul) talking about the resurrection of Christ and what that means for the Christian faith. Without believing in the resurrection of Christ there is no faith. Our faith is pointless.

The verses that stood out to me most were the final few verses in the passage:

"...if there is no resurrection, "let's feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!". Don't be fooled by those who say such things, for "bad company corrupts good character." Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don't know God at all."

1 Corinthians 32-34 (NLT)

Paul was writing this to people who proclaimed to be believers in Christ. But these "believers" often questioned the validity of Christ's resurrection. For people who do not believe in an afterlife, there is no hope. Their hope lies completely in obtaining as much happiness as they possibly can in this life before they die and "fade away into nothingness"--or so they think. Christians should have a different kind of hope--a hope of life after death. We should be living our lives day by day to emulate Christ because of that hope. 

All too often we live like non-Christians---like people without hope. We get fooled into taking part in sinful pastimes because we get caught up in the "party hard while you can" mentality. We gossip, we fight, we booze and schmooze, we waste our money on material possessions, we become self-centered. We attempt to fill the void in our souls with empty pursuits... and I think anyone with half a brain can say that you can't fill emptiness with emptiness. 

Christians should be different! It should be obvious from the way we live that we have a Hope. We should live a life that reflects the love and joy of our faith. It is so very sad when people have to ask or are surprised to find out we're Christians. Paul makes it clear when he says that it is to their shame that he questions whether or not the "believers" he's writing to are actually believers at all. 

I don't want there to ever be a doubt in anyone's mind as to Who I put my faith in. I want to live my life so that there is no question that I believe in Christ and that my life has hope, by His grace. 

God,

Give me the strength and teachable heart necessary to live my life out loud for you. May I radiate your love. God I would be absolutely devastated and ashamed if someone was surprised to find out that I was a Christian. I want my life to be a reflection of your Son. 

Thank you,
Me