Tag: A Word for Wednesday

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Life on God’s Terms

My second book was released two days ago. It explores different ways God changes us over time to be more like Jesus. I really hope people buy the book, read it, and share it with others, and I hope all who read it grow more in trust and rest more in peace. Yet something has been nagging at me lately, and that is this: It is very easy—a temptation even—to spend so much time learning about God’s Kingdom that we spend very little time working to grow God’s Kingdom. Reading and studying is important: we must discern what is true and renew our minds accordingly. Yet as a pastor once shared with me, there is more to Christianity than just being right.

Throughout the Bible, God defines His relationship with us through His promises and His commands, often speaking both at the same time. To Abraham, for instance, He commanded, “Go . . . to the land I will show you,”1 and promised, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you . . .”2 At His ascension, Jesus commanded His friends, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . .”3 adding then this promise: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”4 Again, God defines our relationship with Him on His terms. Then what is our role? We respond. We say “yes” to God’s promises by believing them, and we say “yes” to God’s commands by obeying them. These are hardly separate from each other, in fact, the apostle Paul blends them in referring to “the obedience that comes from faith,”5 which is to say, when we really believe God, when we trust in His amazing character and receive His intimate love, our spirit leaps in response. Our enlightened faith in God pours out in effective obedience to God.

Does this mean we run around doing things “for” God in order to gain His favor? No, we ask Him to lead us in the works He has “prepared in advance for us to do.”6 Do we stop learning and focus on doing? No, that would be a false-choice alternative—there are other options between the two extremes. Instead, Peter charges us “to make every effort” to grow in godly character for a purpose—to “keep . . . from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”7 We draw near to God through His Word, so that as He calls us, we will go. And as we go according to His promises and commands, we will be effective and productive. He promises.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:18)

Father, quiet our hearts before you, that we would trust in you and go in your Spirit. Bear fruit through us, Your people, today. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Genesis 12:1
2 Genesis 12:2-3
3 Matthew 28:19 ESV
4 Matthew 28:20 ESV
5 Romans 1:5; 16:27
6 Ephesians 2:10
7 2 Peter 1:5-8

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Announcing My New Book!

My new book, Working in Us What Is Pleasing to Him, is released today! See below how you can purchase copies for yourself, family and friends.

Here is my heart in writing this book. Virtually every time I sat down to write, I thought about how we as believers try so hard to change ourselves in our own strength, grit and determination, as though we can become more Christlike through mere behavior modification. We come up empty-handed every time, because it is God who transforms us from the inside out. Our role is to cooperate with Him and to follow the Spirit’s lead in our daily life. This book comes alongside believers in a relatable way to show how God “works in us what is pleasing to Him.” Read the back cover for more!

Like my first book, Christ in Me, this new release is well suited for personal reflection, and its structure makes it an ideal resource for small group discussion.

If this theme resonates with you personally, if you know family and friends who are trying to change in themselves what only God can change, or if your small group is looking for a helpful growth resource, please help spread the word that God is Working in Us What is Pleasing to Him. You may obtain a paperback copy through Amazon, directly from my publisher Xulon Press, or through my website. The $14.99 price is the same through each. The Kindle version is available through Amazon for $7.99; the Apple iBook version is available through Apple’s app store for the same price.

Blessings!
Paul

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The Winner Is

As I write, the 2020 presidential election has been “over” for several days—sort of. Counting starts and stops; ballots appear and disappear; allegations summon judicial review. How ironic, then, that Americans who have been increasingly divided from a political perspective now find ourselves in the same position—suspicious, restless, hopeful, doubtful, and seemingly powerless. Moreover, the agita we share for this brief moment is not over some minor issue, but the critical matters of who will lead us forward and in what direction.

Then imagine being one of Jesus’ disciples during the empty three-day expanse between crucifixion and resurrection. He who you thought to be your Messiah is gone from your midst, and you have no idea where to go, what to do, or even how to survive in your leaderless world. Those of you who remain are gathered together “with the doors locked for fear”1 of the persecution that surely awaits. Even when several women come with news of your leaders’ empty tomb and an angelic encounter there, the report seems “like nonsense”2 in your state of despair. But then what was it the angels said to the women? “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you . . .”3 It is enough to stir hope in at least one of you—Peter ran to the tomb and found it indeed to be empty, but “went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”4 Being without Jesus is not what you wanted, and resurrection is still a mystery. But these three days of not knowing are something you’ve endured together, a shared experience that ultimately strengthens bonds and builds faith.

As our election results solidify, some of us will go forward in joyful celebration, and others of us in utter devastation. Yet we must remain united in this: We look to the risen Messiah in a Kingdom not of this world. If our political candidate lost, it still remains true: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”5 And if our favorite candidate won, we must all the more look to Him who is our rightful King, for even those who espouse our views are deeply flawed people. Instead, may this be our hope: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”6 God is sovereign. Christ is Lord. He lives in us. We have won.

Father, You reign over all, and our hope is in You. Send Your Spirit, that we would fix our eyes on You and follow as You lead us today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

1 John 20:19
2 Luke 24:11
3 Luke 24:6
4 Luke 24:12
5 Proverbs 21:1 ESV
6 Psalm 121:1-2 ESV