Mission Faithwalk

  He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (II Peter 1:3)   Last Wednesday’s word was “stealth,” and I used it to describe the manner in which little bits of bad attitude, all dressed in fun fur and looking harmless, were creeping in, popping up, and otherwise be stealthy in their approach. [1] One of the more effective bits of mood muppetry involves a rather typical before breakfast prayer for wisdom, strength, courage and all other things that I’m sure I’ll need by the time I eat breakfast. I tend to prefer not to say, “And God said,” but if He didn’t, then some part of my mind that He has managed to educate did. The question of just how much

  “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,    but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”   “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.  5  “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)     He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:10-13)     I seem to refer to these interacti

            Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-20)             Paul sums up what he’s written neatly, and the table below rearranges them into things we shouldn’t do and things we should.   Negatives Positives Live not as unwise Be very careful how you live Don’t be foolish Live as wise Don’t get drunk on wine Make the most of every opportunity   Understand what the Lord’s will is  

  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light   (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)   and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.    It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.   But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.  (Ephesians 5:8-13)    We discussed this passage yesterday, but today as I published it, something leaped out that I want to explore. Remember seeing this interesting picture?   Lit Match Shadow - Bing   I’m like the person who captioned it. I never thought about it, but it makes perfect sense. Light doesn’t create a shadow because shadows are only created when light is blocked. It’s the result of an eclipse. But here’s another photo     sunnyday - Bing images   Again, we have shadows where something is blockin

  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light   (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)   and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.    It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.   But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. (Ephesians 5:8-13)   Do you notice the little word missing twice in the first sentence… “in”? While there are Scripture passages that refer to our being in the light or walking in the light, this one doesn’t. We were darkness. Now, we are light in the Lord. We’re supposed to live like it, but while this passage treats it as a fait accompli, it’s one of those things we must continually work on. Often, that’s not an enjoyable task. Our own darkness is comfortable.           It is as we live as children of light that we find

                But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Ephesians 5:3-7)   For the past two days, we’ve examined examples of not grieving the Holy Spirit. Today’s passage gives us examples of grieving Him. Having negative examples along with the positive is useful because we often convince ourselves we’re doing a much better job than we are. Sexual immorality grieves the Holy Spirit? Why? It’s just a little fun between mutually consenting adults. The ot

                 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)   Chapters and verses make referencing Scripture easier but understanding it harder. As a writer, chapters are supposed to be logical units of story or exposition. Yes, they may continue what came before, but there’s some logic to it. The break between Ephesians 4 and Ephesians 5 is one of those illogical divisions. More modern Bible publishers have added subject headings that (to me) often make more sense. Ephesians 4:17 through 5:20 seem to comprise one section. If that’s the case, the passage above probably simply continues the idea of living in a way that does not grieve the Holy Spirit. This passage brings to mind pictures and videos of little boys with shaving cream on their faces, shaving “just like Daddy,” and little girls putting on makeup and their mother’s

            And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.    Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.    Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you . (Ephesians 4:30-32)   Can you imagine a better way to start over than by somehow – even miraculously – stopping grieving someone you care for? My immediate response to an accusation that I’ve hurt someone is that I didn’t mean to. Part of the problem is that Scripture speaks a great deal about God, the Father, and Jesus, the Son, but what’s said about the Spirit is more abstract. And when I hear that still, small voice, is it God speaking to me? Or the devil? Or the world? Or just my own imagination? It's not like we get a note lowered on a fishing line or an announcement from on high that everyone hears. It can be hard to think of the Spirit as a Person and not just some va

              Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (James 3:3-6)   How should we start over? Paul’s next suggestion is to control our mouths. He tells us the purpose of controlling them. James tells us the reason we need to. This isn’t about foul language alone. Getting o

  Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. (Ephesians 4:28)   Yesterday we considered the idea of not stealing. Today, let’s look at Paul’s alternative. Instead of stealing, we’re supposed to work. He goes on to say we’re supposed to do something useful with our own hands. And the purpose of our working isn’t only so that we don’t have to steal from others but so that we can give to others in need. There is more than one way to look at this. The first is to work at something that provides you with enough money that you can give money to others. I haven’t felt as though I could do this in the past twenty years. In fact, almost everything I have done to which I attached value has either cost me money or provided little to no income. The other way to look at it is to consider what you can give, or what you can learn to do to serve others that isn’t attached

            Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. (Ephesians 4:28)   To steal is: to take or appropriate without right or leave and with intent to keep or make use of wrongfully to take away by force or unjust means to take surreptitiously or without permission to appropriate to oneself or beyond one's proper share  to   make oneself the focus of to move, convey, or introduce secretly  to accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner to seize, gain, or win by trickery, skill, or daring ( Steal Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster .)   Paul’s next idea about starting over is to stop stealing, and we might be tempted to say that because we’ve never robbed a bank or shoplifted, we haven’t stolen.  In this case, we have no need to start over. But would that be honest? When we’re introduced to someone, do we try make a good (

  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,   and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:25)   Now here’s a topic about which we tend to be dishonest. “I’m not angry!” we say as we slam a door, turn our backs, or grit our teeth. And at least part of the time, we believe it. The rest of the time, we think we’re justified. And we may be justified. Scripture doesn’t tell us not to get angry. It tells us not to sin in our anger. It tells us not to stew in our anger. One of the problems we face as we start over is that we tend to make such decisions as, “I will not get angry.” And when we find ourselves angry ten minutes or two days later, we have failed and have to “start over” over again. It’s not even surprising that we grow angry with ourselves over our inability to avoid anger. According to Dallas Willard, we generally respond in one of two ways when we’re angry. We either assault (fight) or withdraw (flight.) Our general approac

                 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.   (Ephesians 4:25-28)   Yesterday, the idea was that we should put on true righteousness and holiness, which is “the new self.” As we start over, what would this look like? In today’s passage, one of the things it would look like is honesty. But let’s take this a little deeper than “I cannot tell a lie, I chopped down the cherry tree.” Over the past several months, I’ve been watching some videos involving Prof. Dallas Willard, Dr. Larry Crabb, and John Ortberg. One of the things John admitted was that he sees himself as a “boring little man trying to put on a show.” One of the interesting things about the interaction is that everyone is (rightfully) impressed with Dallas Willard, whose material is the topic of conversation. Larry Crabb makes reference to his being a pastor and his being a psychologist. But little if anything is ever said of John

              That, however, is not the way of life you learned   when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20-24)   It's the time of year when “starting over” becomes part of the thought process. Part of this is simply because of the place in the cycle in which we find ourselves. It’s almost autumn. We’re at least getting ready to close things down the summertime things. We’re starting autumn things over. This happens at this time every year. We can be prepared for it and even welcome it. There’s another kind of starting over that involves turning away from the cycles and patterns we’ve followed. This might be characterized as “I’ve made a mess

  There is a time for everything,     and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die,     a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,     a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh,     a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,     a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up,     a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend,     a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate,     a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)   I know this isn’t the version you’re probably used to but if you can read this passage without singing “turn, turn, turn” at the end of the line, you’re stronger or less musically educated than I am. One of my friends recently asked how we (writers) manage the monster of comp

                 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,   so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life . (Titus 3:3-7)   I wonder if Paul smiled when he wrote this passage. “At one time we too were foolish…” Paul, who had been a Pharisee, a model Jew. And when it came time to host another episode of “What Not To Wear: Spiritual Edition,” he could still trot out pictures of his bad polyester suits and collection of Christmas sweaters as examples poor spiritual fashion choices. And what a wardrobe we had, and sometime

  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)   Rejoice? Rejoicing is great when you have something to rejoice about. When something cool, interesting, nice, or otherwise positive happens, I’m happy to say “Yay God!” Admittedly, I don’t tend to shout it. That would draw attention to me. given the impromptu task of expressing delight to an audience. I spent a minute and a half smiling. Needless to say, I didn’t win the votes of my audience. Delight, or rejoicing, it would seem, tends to require words, volume, and large gestures. Those are certainly possibilities, but they aren’t the only ways to rejoice. But that’s not the idea in today’s verse. We’re to rejoice in the Lord. What does that mean? It might be an easy thing if God spent our days giving us little miracle after little miracle, like a doting grandpa entertaining a toddler grandchild: making faces and noises, bouncing us around so that we don’t have a chance to pay attention to anything bey

                 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,   to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive . (Titus 2:4-10)   Over the past two days, we’ve considered what Paul advised Titus to teach older men and women and found that the teaching is the same. While older men and older women may ha

                      You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.   Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:1-5)   How would you summarize what Paul wrote to Titus about what older men are to do? Wouldn’t the word “be reverent in the way they live” do so? Given the fact that Paul said, “Likewise,” he seems to be establishing the same rules for women as he does for men. The commands about not being slanderers or addicted to much wine fits within “temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love a

                 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.   Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:1-5)   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. (I Co

                 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)   So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)   In Dallas Willard’s Renovation of the Heart , he discusses the steps (for lack of a better word) from self-will to God’s will for us. The first step is surrender. We become willing to let God be God, though we may not like it, and we may not be consistent in acting on it. The second step is what he called abandonment. It’s the first step completed. We learn to function within His will. The third step is contentment. We learn through experience that living within God’s will is not the nightmare we envisaged. We no longer wonder whether or not