PC3 Devotions

1 John 3:1

1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him

Jeremiah 31:3

3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Whether we realize or not, everyone has a view of God, regardless of where one is in his or her faith journey. It’s a picture that defines what we believe about God’s heart, what He values and how He interacts with humanity. With that said, what does your picture of God look like? How does this snapshot influence the way you approach Him and how you believe He approaches you? These questions are critical because they shape us at our core. Regarded theologian A.W. Tozer goes as far as saying that “what comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Sadly, our initial pictures of God reveal how much we misunderstand the heart of God. Often, the first things that comes to mind for many of us when we think about God are rules, guidelines, and restrictions. This view drives us into a work-based agreement rather than a caring relationship. The Bible instantly becomes a dry instruction manual that needs to be followed in order to have a relationship with Him. We often translate this into the assumption that we’ve got to act better in order for God to accept and love us. If we just stay in the guidelines, then we will be in His good graces.

The strangest thing about this assumption, this idea that God loves and accepts us based on our behavior, is that it didn’t come from God at all. In fact, God’s message is just the opposite. God’s message is that you will never find acceptance with Him through your behavior. When sin entered into the world, there was nothing that “we” could do to atone for this condition.

God sent the clearest message possible about His heart when He sent His son, Jesus Christ. It is a message of unconditional love. When you understand the heart behind the one making the rules, you will begin to see those boundaries and guidelines in a different way. You will begin to see the “why” behind God giving them to us in the first place. God’s rules or guidelines are not conditions of a relationship with Him; they are confirmation of a relationship. God’s rules or guidelines are not conditions of His love; they are confirmation of His love.

The problem is we tend to compartmentalize so that He becomes something we can manage. We give Him access to some areas of our lives but restrict His access to others. By forcing Him into a little box, we feel more comfortable ignoring His voice as He speaks to those past hurts, sins, failures, and regrets.  God knows that while this is our tendency, this is not what a relationship with Him looks like. Yet, He still offers us something that no one else can offer: unconditional love.

There are no gimmicks, hooks, baits, or switches with God.  He literally gives to us unconditionally, no strings attached. We have the option to accept it or reject it.  And what is hard for our brains to wrap around is that if we reject God, it still does not change how He feels about us. He is in a continual pursuit for our hearts. His LOVE never ends.

When we replace God and His Love with the grasping of control, our life deteriorates. When we cut off love within our family, friends, and marriage, our relationships and our lives are capable of spinning out of control. This is not how God has designed us live. God knows that while this is our tendency, this is not what relationship with Him looks like. God wants to be the center of every decision, the One you go to for everything, the One you depend on, the one you respond to.

God, thank you for loving me in the midst of my brokenness. Thank you for seeing all the junk that is in my heart and still loving me. May I reflect your love to others through my actions and my words. Amen.

Ephesians 4:1-3 

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

We all know deep down inside what type of person we want to become and what values we hope will define us. These desires must be shared in community. We need accountability. We also need someone who has the guts to ask us, “How are you doing with things? Do some things need to change? What are you struggling with in regards to sin or temptation?”

Why do we need people who will hold us accountable and are willing to speak the truth in love? Coasting spiritually without accountability leaves one vulnerable for their heart to be fooled. Instead of allowing God to examine our motives, we rely on our own heart to judge our behavior. This places us on a slippery slope as the prophet Jeremiah says the “heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Our heart’s inclination will be towards sin and “the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does” (1 John 2:16). It will always tell us what we want to hear. How often do we tell ourselves, “I’ll just do it this one time” or “”my ____________ doesn’t really affect anyone else?” We are experts at rationalizing our own sin. Sin thrives on privacy and darkness. However, we don’t really hide things, we simply isolate ourselves from others. We need community to reveal the lies we tell ourselves (Proverbs 15:22, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

But, the need for community goes deeper than tackling the deceitfulness of sin. In Ephesians 4, Paul urges his listeners to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called “ (v.1).  This does not mean that we should try to deserve our place in God’s favor. It means that we should recognize how much our place in God’s favor deserves from us. The focus is not on our worth, but rather the worth of our calling. Because we bear the integrity of God’s image and the influence of His love, we must urge one another to walk in a manner worthy of their calling.

The challenge is to engage in such a way where others have access to stir and spur you on to reflect Christ’s heart. But, it’s not just about having people in your life who encourage you. The call is to be this kind of person for others. This begins with being mindful of the mission God has for us and considering ways you can stir others as well. Community requires mutual accountability. We engage with others for the sake of our call.

God, may I see how desperately I need to be known by others. Instead of hiding my true self, may I be willing to be vulnerable. But, help me to not stop there. May I encourage and spur others along with grace and transparency. Amen.

A few days ago, you read John 14 and saw Jesus preparing His disciples for the road that lied ahead. Jesus shared the difficult news that He was going away to be with the Father. This undoubtedly created a great deal of worry and confusion, especially when Jesus said that his absence was part of the plan.

Jesus desired for them to keeping living the life that He taught them to live even when he was not around. But, the disciples need not worry. Jesus was going to send them a helper and advocate:

John 14:15-17

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

John 14:25-27

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The Holy Spirit’s help is not just a supplement to our effort, but a continuation of the life Jesus came to bring.  He resides in us.  Jesus leaving this world is redeemed by the fact that the Holy Spirit will always be with us.  This means that everywhere, every moment, we have the Helper, the Spirit of Truth with us; the availability of life in the Spirit exists for us.

As we continue our journey through John’s gospel, we read the 16^th chapter today and once again see Jesus preparing His disciples:

John 16:7-11

7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

In this passage, Jesus explains to His disciples a critical role and purpose for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  First, it is important to note that when Jesus leaves the Earth, we reap the advantage.

Jesus’ instructions are not going to be given through His words and His actions anymore, but now we will sense His presence deep within us.  This is the fulfillment of the New Covenant when we are told the law will be written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).

His Presence convicts. However, conviction is not about judgment, but exposure.  He is going to expose our unbelief and tendencies and desires.  We are going to see ourselves in light of the image we were made to reflect and the difference is going to be staggering.

It is to our advantage that Jesus goes away because now we will realize the full depth of our fall.  The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is going to expose the depths to which we have fallen.  He will reveal the deep stain that sin has left on us.  I know what you are thinking: that doesn’t sound too comforting.

The Holy Spirit will convict the world (or me) of sin – the sin of failing to believe Him. He is going to expose my unbelief.  How can exposing one’s sin bring comfort? The Holy Spirit will expose my sin, but He will also form me into the Image for which I was made to reflect. Without being aware of my sin I don’t realize my need.

His exposure of my sin is merciful, gracious and comforting because He is forming me into His image. How would we know how desperately we need to believe Him without the help of the Holy Spirit?

This is why we open wide the door of our hearts and ask Him to search us and reveal the depths of our doubt and fears. Why? So, we will be awakened to deeper faith and fuller belief.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit.

 Lord, change my perspective on the word conviction. Open up my eyes to see the Holy Spirit’s conviction as gracious and loving. Give me the courage to open myself up to you. Lord, show me the depths of my sin and the areas where I do not believe.  Not because I want to feel guilty, but because I want to be made right. Amen.

Yesterday we learned that God is omniscient, which means he knows everything and that His understanding is infinite. His perfect knowledge means that he knows you intimately, more than you can ever understand or fathom. Today we continue our task of taking the fear out of big theological words in order to get a glimpse into God’s heart. We turn our attention how God is all-powerful and present and the security this provides us when we trust these aspects of His Character.

OMNIPOTENT

Colossians 1:16-17

16 FOR IN HIM ALL THINGS WERE CREATED: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN CREATED THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIM. 17 HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS IS BEFORE ALL THNGS, AND IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER.

Mark 10:27

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD.”

Jeremiah 32:27

27 “I am the LORD, THE GOD OF ALL MANKIND. Is anything too hard for me?

Psalm 33:8-9

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 
9 FOR HE SPOKE, AND IT CAME TO BE; HE COMMANDED, AND IT STOOD FIRM.

Imagine the amount of power required to speak a universe into existence. How much force was needed to stack up the mountains, carve out the sea and scatter the stars? The only force able to accomplish such a feat is the creator himself. God is all-powerful. He can do anything! He parted the Red Sea, He fed people with manna, He healed and He raised people from the dead.

If God can do all of this, it seems foolish we would ever doubt that He could transform our character. God is great and powerful, but we must invite Him to be powerful in our lives. His strength is always there, but it is up to us to be receptive towards allowing His power to reside in our heart. At times, we can feel utter hopeless in our attempts to produce change and conquer sin. Yet, we can have hope knowing Christ was powerful enough to defeat sin on the cross. On top of needing God’s power to have victory over our struggles, we also need it to fulfill the charge we’ve been given to make disciples and being light to a dark world.

 OMNIPRESENT

Jeremiah 23:24

24 Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “DO NOT I FILL THE HEAVEN AND EARTH?” declares the Lord.

Psalm 139:7-12

 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 
8 If I go up to the heavens, YOU ARE THERE; if I make my bed in the depths, YOU ARE THERE. 
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 
10 EVEN THERE your hand will guide me, 
your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 
12 EVEN THE DARKNESS WILL NOT BE DARK TO YOU; the night will shine like the day, FOR DARKNESS IS AS LIGHT TO YOU. 
   

John 4:24

24 God is SPIRIT, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

Psalm 34:18

18 The Lord is CLOSE to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

God is everywhere at once. From the depths of the sea to deep in space, God is there. Because we are Christians, He is always with each of us. Nothing is hidden from God. Though we can’t see Him with our eyes, we can experience His presence.

This brings us great comfort, knowing that we will never be alone. Wherever you are, God is present. God wired us as relational beings because in His essence He is relational. What makes Christianity different than other religions is God doesn’t just exist. He desires to be in an intimate relationship with His creation.

God, thank you being with me always. Even in the midst of those moments when I feel alone and helpless, you are there. God with you all things are possible. Amen.

Proverbs 14:27
 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Proverbs 19:23

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

The flu bug finally made its’ temporary residence at our home. With my wife out of commission and our two little ones under the weather as well, I took a day off from work to take care of the family. The girls had fallen asleep on the couch and I got sucked into watching day time talk shows. As I flipped through the channels, I came across an episode of Maury Povich that, according to the introduction, promised people would face their biggest fears and be cured by the end of the hour long show.

The way they hyped it up I thought I was going to see people freaking out over huge snakes, hairy spiders or crowded elevators. To my surprise, it turned out the guests possessed a fear of fluffy bunnies, bald people and, believe it or not, cotton balls.  It wasn’t a healthy dislike for these things but rather a dose of fear that elicited squirming in chairs, panic attacks, sobbing and eventually hysterically running off stage when the object came into their line of sight.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as a grown man was reduced to tears over the presence of a floppy eared bunny. It was just plain silly and odd. Even more perplexing than what I caught on the morning talk shows is how many Christians deep down inside have an undiagnosed and unhealthy fear: theophobia or the “fear of God.” For many of us the phrase “the fear of the Lord” is a pretty confusing, if not intimidating idea. For the next three weeks, we’ll be exploring how our “theophobia” has steered us in the wrong direction and given us a false view of who God is. We tend to fear God because we see Him as fickle, changing His mind about us based on our actions. However, our God is righteous and unchanging, worthy of our attention and respect.

The term “fear of God” has been used to keep people cowering before God as though He is simply waiting for them to cross the line so He can demonstrate His power and wrath.  God is not fickle in the things He asks us to do.  He is not cruel in the way He treats His children.  He always has a grand purpose for every relationship, for every encounter, for every difficulty, for every moment.

If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom (Psalm 111:9, 10) then it is critical we begin to reclaim this term “fear”. The scriptures use the term “fear of the Lord” over and over again.  Most versions keep this phrase in tact and it can be viewed as reverent trust in the creator (Isaiah 33:6 and 1 Samuel 12:24).  It is connected to wonder, marvel and awe in His presence and power (Jeremiah 5:21-23, Exodus 14).  Yet, the intended meaning often gets lost in translation.

Our definition of this fear feeds all the worst parts about who we think God is and what we think about Him. We have this fear mentality that defines everything in terms of how it may harm me.  But a reverent fear understands there is something far more difficult to repair than something physical.  It is not about our safety or the guarantee that we will not be hurt.  The fear of God is about who we see, who we trust and who defines the way in which we live. Jesus talks about this point in Luke 12:

Luke 12:4-7 

 4″ I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

In order to begin to see the fear of the Lord as a gift, one must view it through the contexts of both God’s authority and goodness. One without the other gives you a skewed view of Him. Only seeing his authority would cause you to be waiting for lightening bolts to strike anytime you screwed up or got caught in sin. In essence, this fear is driven by our belief that God is fickle and according to scripture this is not true. The God we serve is one who is consistent in His love for us (Hebrews 13:8). He is a God of justice (having to deal with our sin) and mercy (sending His son Jesus to die in our place). One filled with righteousness and loving-kindness. We must see God and feel His love. This type of fear draws you near and inspires wonder. Fear is a healthy respect for His authority and His willingness to use it.  This revering and awe produce in us obedience.

The fear of the Lord produces in us a posture that enables wisdom and knowledge to take root in our lives. We must position ourselves to see God for God. This starts by understanding we are not here on our own terms and that everyday is a gift from God.

One of our hopes with the Greater Than series is that God would introduce Himself to you through His Word. Our prayer is that your eyes will be opened to His character and that this encounter will transform your heart.

We began this week’s devotionals with Psalm 63:3 where the author declares God’s loving-kindness is “better than life.” Let’s repeat that statement. His loving-kindness is better than life. In a world where everything is vying for our attention and affection, this proclamation is unbelievable.

More often that not, we give our heart to lesser things in hopes of experiencing that life which has alluded us. Hearing that God’s loving-kindness is better than life should cause us to stop and reflect. What is it about His love that brings satisfaction, security and contentment? Today, we want scripture to answer that question for us. Here is a list (far from exhaustive) of what His loving-kindness provides for us:

EVERLASTING LOVE

Jeremiah 31:3

3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

IMMOVEABLE LOVE

Isaiah 54:10

10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

IMMEASURABLE LOVE

Psalm 103:11

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

LIFE GIVING LOVE

Psalm 119:88

88 In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

CONSUMING LOVE

Psalm 32:10

10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

INTIMATE LOVE

Psalm 86:13

13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

ENDURING LOVE

1 Chronicles 16:34

 34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

This is what we should expect when we take refuge in God’s love.  His loving-kindness provides us with a secure foundation and gives us the courage to follow and trust. Take a moment to look over this list. Make a note of what you want to cling to today as you follow Him.

God, I am in awe of your loving-kindness towards me. It overwhelms me and, if I’m honest, there are moments when I doubt it to be true. Yet, your love remains constant. Help me to trust the truth of your love. Amen.

Jeremiah 29:7,10-11

7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

10“For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfareand not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

You cannot seek the welfare of the city from a distance. It requires personal investment where you are allowing walls to be broken and individuals to be known and loved. Rather than pushing inward, Christ-centered community reaches out. The imagery of true community is an extended hand. The object of our mission is people.

The fuel to love others and seek the welfare of the city comes from knowing we have been trusted with the integrity of His image and influence of His love. This takes place when we see our personal life change as a part of the bigger picture. Having felt the amazing love of Christ firsthand, we desire for others to experience the one thing that has transformed our lives.

As God molds our individual heart, He invites us to bring His message of hope to the places where we have been planted. The love we have experienced demands the response of making room in our lives to come alongside others who are hurting, lost and without hope.  Reflecting a personal God requires entering people’s worlds. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul speaks of this relational aspect of change when he says, “we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our very own selves.”

Each part of the body participating in this effort is critical in reflecting His image. If one part is not fully engaged it lessens the overall influence and impact of the body. He has drawn you to Himself and placed you in this body to participate in reaching those you know and helping them walk with God.

This makes reaching and helping people in the places where you have been planted all the more important. For you, this might mean raising children in a way that honors God, being a light in the secular workplace, or caring for a friend who is wrestling with some difficult issues. God has placed you where you are for a purpose. It is our job to pray for eyes to see where we have influence and impact in the lives of others.

Like Christ, we must be willing to move into relationships with those that are in the places where you are planted. Yet, a surprise twist comes at the end of our efforts to impact others and affect change in their lives. God uses our obedience in moving into other people’s lives to produce change in our own and breathe life into our small group communities. This is where He stretches you and molds you into His image.

Through our attempts to love others, God stretches us, teaches us and reveals more of His character. The depth we crave in our walk with Him develop as our heart slowly becomes His own. This takes place all by following a simple command: seek the welfare of the city.

God, help me to see the needs of those around me. Give me the eyes to notice where I can be used. May I put my faith in action. Amen.

In any marriage, there are going to be moments where an individual is hurt by the actions or words of their spouse. As flawed human beings it is bound to happen. It’s inevitable. As some of you are trying to heal your marriage, you are reminded of the offense you can’t get over.

You wrestle with how to respond to the pain. You know that it starts with forgiveness, but you equate forgiveness with forgetting. This statement is both unrealistic and unbiblical. There is no magic in forgiveness where the moment it is accepted that the memories of hurt are instantly erased from the hard drive of your memory and your deep wounds suddenly disappear. Regardless of what people might say, to forgive is not to forget. But, what is one suppose to do with this familiar passage in Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 31:34

⁴ No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’
because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Some will point to this passage to justify this line of thinking that since God forgets my sins when He forgives me that I must do the same to the sins others have committed against me. In essence, they are saying God suffers from amnesia. What they do not understand is that the word “remember” in Jeremiah 31 is not dealing with a memory issue, but rather a promise.  God made a covenant not to treat us as our sin deserves. Jesus took the cost of our sins on his shoulders when he was nailed to a cross in order to fulfill that covenant.

Debunking this idea that forgiveness is forgetting helps one to better see forgiveness as an event and process. When we show grace to our spouse it is an ‘event’ as words are expressed in “I forgive you.”  There was a time and place when the original act of forgiveness occurred. Yet, every time their hurtful words or actions get brought back to our attention we must continue to forgive and not give in to any desires for revenge or anger. This touches upon the ‘process’ of forgiveness.

Failure to see forgiveness through the lens of being both an event and process will cause considerable frustration, disappointment and guilt for an individual. A chain reaction will be set off where they try even harder, using sure will power, to erase whatever sin they’ve forgiven from their memory completely.

When you flip the off switch on a hot oven it does not instantly turn back to room temperature. Stand anywhere near it you can feel the heat radiating. However, over time the warmth of the oven lessens. The same is true with forgiveness. It does not eradicate the hurt, lack of trust or anger you hold towards the person you have forgiven. Our feelings always follow our obedience. One has to trust they have forgiven even if there is some warmth coming from old wounds. This awareness forces you to have consistent motive checks where you ask God to reveal your attitude towards our spouse. Taking steps of obedience through forgiveness allow our feelings to catch up to our response.

By forgiving your spouse, you are absorbing the cost of their offense against you. This transaction comes with some requirements on your part. By counting the sin no more, you are also committing to uphold two promises for the well being of the relationship.

The first is a promise to the individual you have forgiven:

I Will Not Hold On To My Anger To Hurt You

How easy would it be for us to keep the guilt of their sin in our arsenal for a fight in the future? We very well could use it time and time again as our trump card in an argument: ‘remember the time when you…’ This does not mean it cannot be talked about again. Instead the promise you are making is not to bring the sin up anytime you are angry or bitter as a way of getting back at an individual ‘well at least I didn’t…’

The second is a promise to yourself:

I Will Let God Define My Future Rather Than Dwell On The Past 

This promise is as much for your benefit as it is for your spouse. You no longer replay the sin on videotape that shows the transpired events on a continual loop inside your head. Rather than dwelling on the past, you look to the future and the change God has in store for both you and your spouse.

When we fail to forgive we live in the past. We hold tightly to the hurts we have experienced first hand and let them define who we are going to be in the future. Instead of punishing the person who caused us pain, we are the ones who live our lives captive and without hope of change. Embracing forgiveness as an attitude is only possible through experiencing the forgiveness we have been granted through Jesus Christ. This changes our perspective. Rather than our eyes focused on the past, our gaze is now set to the cross of Christ. As we run towards His amazing grace, forgiveness begins to captivate our heart.

God, thank you for the forgiveness you have shown me. Help me to extend that same forgiveness. May I not live in and be defined by the past, but instead be hopefully for the future and redemption of my marriage. Amen.

You cannot seek the welfare of the city from a distance. It requires personal investment where you are allowing walls to be broken and individuals to be known and loved. Rather than pushing inward, Christ-centered community reaches out. The imagery of true community is an extended hand.

Jeremiah 29:7,10-11

7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

10“For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfareand not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The fuel to love others and seek the welfare of the city comes from knowing we have been trusted with the integrity of His image and influence of His love. This takes place when we see our personal life change as a part of the bigger picture. Having felt the amazing love of Christ firsthand, we desire for others to experience the one thing that has transformed our lives.

As God molds our individual heart, He invites us to bring His message of hope to the places where we have been planted. The love we have experienced demands the response of making room in our lives to come alongside others who are hurting, lost and without hope.  Reflecting a personal God requires entering people’s worlds. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul speaks of this relational aspect of change when he says, “we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our very own selves.”

Each part of the body participating in this effort is critical in reflecting His image. If one part is not fully engaged it lessens the overall influence and impact of the body. He has drawn you to Himself and placed you in this body to participate in reaching those you know and helping them walk with God.

This makes reaching and helping people in the places where you have been planted all the more important. For you, this might mean raising children in a way that honors God, being a light in the secular workplace, or caring for a friend who is wrestling with some difficult issues. God has placed you where you are for a purpose. It is our job to pray for eyes to see where we have influence and impact in the lives of others.

Like Christ, we must be willing to move into relationships with those that are in the places where you are planted. Yet, a surprise twist comes at the end of our efforts to impact others and affect change in their lives. God uses our obedience in moving into other people’s lives to produce change in our own. This is where He stretches you and molds you into His image.

Through our attempts to love others, God stretches us, teaches us and reveals more of His character. The depth we crave in our walk with Him develop as our heart slowly becomes His own. This takes place all by following a simple command: seek the welfare of the city.

God, give me eyes to see those around me as individuals in need of your grace. May I seek the welfare of this city and influence the places where I’ve been planted. Amen.

What does it mean to seek the welfare of the city?

As I write these words, a hot pile of laundry fresh out of the dryer sits next to me. Alright, that last statement is not completely accurate or truthful. Laundry is indeed on the couch, but it is not hot. It isn’t even lukewarm. But it’s still laundry. Granted, I am very loose with my definition of “fresh out of the dryer” because I use hours rather than minutes to serve as my measurement.

This afternoon my wife went out with our girls so I could get some writing done. The sole responsibility she left me with was to fold the laundry. However, hours later the clothes sit in the same spot. At least, I can tell her I knocked out a huge chunk of this writing assignment. Now don’t get me wrong; I’ve had every intention of getting my task accomplished. I even pictured the joy that would appear on my wife’s face when she’d come home with the clothes not only folded, but also put back in the drawer (since this is her definition of actually doing laundry). When I’d get stuck on a sentence I’d even go to pick up a shirt. My intentions were good, but so far my execution has stunk.

The problem with intentions, even the good variety, is that without action they are meaningless. This truth isn’t confined to household chores or tasks on my ‘honey do’ list. It serves as a universal truth. Consider the words of James:

James 1:22-24 (NIV)

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

If you are reading this, chances are good you desire a deeper intimacy with God. Over the past four weeks, you’ve listen to us explain the heart behind the spiritual disciplines. You were encouraged to ‘practice’ the disciplines and see if God is faithful to His promise that if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

Yet, without taking tangible steps towards that end goal, those dreams will never become a reality. You don’t just wake up one morning and instantly have Christ’s heart formed in your character. Instead, this happens as a result of positioning yourself on a consistent basis for God to mold you. The spiritual disciplines are intentional encounters with your Creator.

You can desire to reflect Christ’s heart more profoundly in your actions, but unless you are willing to take that first step, your walk will remain in a standstill. Action is needed. You can be moved by the Art of Practice series and yearn for a deeper walk with God, but if you don’t practice the spiritual disciplines, your faith will remain stagnant. Action is needed. You can hope for guidance in your life, but if you don’t tune your ear towards God in prayer, you’ll continue to feel lost. Action is needed.

Good intention is not the same thing as actually doing good. As you engage in the spiritual disciplines, you shouldn’t expect perfection. Perfection was never the goal. Practice just creates movement. True faith always leads to action. Movement and momentum define a relationship with Christ. We must live our beliefs and do something with the intentions we feel. Practice puts us in the best possible position to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

As we engage in the disciplines, we need to begin to practice with an expectant and active heart. A willingness to be vulnerable allows us to wait expectantly for God to speak to us about the parts of our lives where we are struggling to give up control. The Bible is God’s word and when you read through its pages you cannot help but notice that when He speaks change occurs (Psalm 50:1, John 1:1-5 and Hebrews 1:2-3).