“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
Daily life can, at times, be overwhelming. The students with whom I work often struggle with the demands of their class loads, combined with the typical ordeals of college life such as relationships and decisions about the future. They are often overwhelmed with everything coming at them. But, as I often tell them, the stresses of life will never let up, even after they graduate. They may be different, but they will always be present.
Adults, too, have many stresses. Pressures from jobs, marriage, raising children, and on-going financial challenges cause lots of stress as we move through life. The reality is life at almost any point contains elements of stress. We often imagine, particularly when we are young, that there will come a point in our lives when we will be stress-free, but that is an illusion. Life in a fallen world will always contain some stress.
The question then is how do we deal with it in a healthy manner? We all know stress handled poorly can take years off of our lives. Stress leads to elevated blood pressure, sleepless nights, and irritability, all of which can harm us physically. Again, the Scriptures provide helpful guidance.
Paul says to rejoice always, pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. Now 1st Century life was full of stress, particularly for followers of Jesus. Not only did they face the normal challenges of mere survival common in that day, but they also faced the daily threat of persecution for their faith. If anyone had reason to be overwhelmed by life, it was 1st Century believers. So if this command applies to them, it most definitely applies to us today.
Underlying Paul’s command is a deeply held belief that the Lord is in complete control. No matter the circumstances of our lives, God is not throwing up His hands in desperation, having no idea how to deal with your particular situation. He’s got it under control. Thus, Paul says we should rejoice and give thanks because the Lord can be trusted even in the most desperate of circumstances. And we should pray because that is the way our trust in the Lord is fed and maintained. As we talk with Him, like when a child is soothed of his fear when in his father’s lap hearing his gentle words, our anxieties will melt away.
Today, know life will always be filled with stress. Yet know that regardless of what is happening, the Lord is in control. When you are feeling overwhelmed, run to Him and share your fears. Then you will be able to rejoice and be thankful regardless of what you face because you will know the Lord has got everything in your life under control.
© Jim Musser 2014
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:9-21 NIV)
Christian singer Natalie Grant created a firestorm on social media after she wrote this on her Facebook page on Sunday evening: “We left the Grammy's early. I've many thoughts about the show tonight, most of which are probably better left inside my head. But I'll say this: I've never been more honored to sing about Jesus and for Jesus. And I've never been more sure of the path I've chosen.”
Grant was lambasted by those who considered her early departure from the show, which featured a performance by Katy Perry described by many as resembling an act of witchcraft, a very sexually suggestive performance by Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and a gay wedding ceremony, an act of condemnation and hate. She responded to the criticism this way:
“I NEVER said I left during any particular performance,” Grant wrote. “I only said I left early. I never pointed out any one particular performance, I only said I had many thoughts about the entire show, which were best left inside my head and that is where they will stay. So those who say I condemned one performance but then condoned others clearly did not read the post. I will never stand on a street corner and wave a sign, I won't use my platform to engage in political arguments that will only divide and not unite. I do have my own personal convictions that I live by, and I will continue to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. (Philippians 2:12)”
What I think her critics hoped for, and expected, was a ranting response pointing out the evils of homosexuality, the dangers of witchcraft, and the basic disintegration of family values on display at the Grammy’s. Instead, what they got were some hot coals on their heads.
The 1st Century culture in which Paul lived was as harsh and coarse as anything we experience today. You name it, it was present—orgies, homosexuality, witchcraft, drunkenness, idolatry, and excessive violence. If we were somehow transported back to that day, we just might think 21st Century America is not as bad as we have thought.
It is in this context that we gain an understanding of the power of Paul’s words. In the midst of such debauchery, Paul commands believers to hate what is evil, but to bless those who treat them badly; not to be vengeful, but to be loving toward the enemies of God.
Enemies expect to be treated as such. When they wrong someone, they are on their guard against retaliation. To receive love and kindness instead can be either disarming or exasperating, depending on the condition of their hearts. Either way, like when one comes into contact with hot coals, there will be a reaction.
Natalie Grant’s response to her critics had the feel of hot coals. She didn’t respond with righteous indignation or condemnation, but rather with gentleness and grace. It stands out in a culture where people are so easily offended by almost anything and not hesitant to let the world know, often in the most harsh and coarse terms. And, sadly, followers of Jesus have often done the same. We have been quick to go on the defensive, thinking we are standing up for God. But God is more than capable of taking care of Himself. Instead, He calls us to love those who hate Him and us for a very practical reason: It is the best way to get their attention and create a pathway for the love of God to enter their hearts.
Today, recognize love is always the best response to those who hate and condemn us for following Jesus. Hot coals, like grace, kindness, and gentleness, will always get their attention in ways anger and revenge will not.
© Jim Musser 2014
“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.” (Psalm 139:17-18 NIV)
As I was sitting on the beach last month, I grabbed a handful of sand and thought about this verse. It almost took by breath away. It was impossible to count the grains of sand so I emptied my hand and tried to count the grains left stuck to my palm. Again, it was impossible. Literally hundreds of grains were still clinging to my skin.
The Psalmist is poetically saying it is impossible to grasp the immensity of God. Imagine a beach full of sand and realize the sum of His thoughts are greater than the grains making up that beach. Perhaps another way to illustrate this is to use the super computer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. It can perform more than a quadrillion mathematical equations per second. God can easily do more. Imagine what it takes to hold a universe and all its components together operating in synch—a universe measured in size by the amount of time light can traverse distance in a year; a universe in which the earth is a tiny dot. Doesn’t it take your breath away?
God is really, really big. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that fact. As my wife and I walked along the beach with the countless grains of sand under our feet, we watched in awe of the ocean waves, one after another after another, knowing that underneath those waves were countless varieties of life. And a visit to any public aquarium will give an up close view of many of those species—countless varieties of all shapes, colors, and sizes. And this is only the ocean. Think of what’s in the rivers and the lakes. Think of what is on the land—in the mountains, on the plains, and in the desert.
I could go on and on. Yet, I would never come close to adequately describing the breadth of God’s creation. It is just too big. He’s just too big.
Today, take a minute or more to contemplate how big God really is. It is a humbling, yet exciting exercise when you realize that humongous God knows you and loves you.
© Jim Musser 2014
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV)
From working many years with college students who have grown up in the church, one gets a sense of what churches are teaching, or at least the messages being received by, the young people passing through. One message is obvious: You must receive Jesus into your life to be saved. The vast majority of students with whom I have worked have understood this message when they walked onto campus for the first time. Most have embraced it as their own. No doubt the church has this message down and proclaims it well.
But Paul also instructs us to continue to live in Him, to root ourselves deeply in a relationship with Him, to build ourselves into ever-growing spiritual maturity through that relationship, to continue to be strengthened by our faith, and to be so aware of the blessings of knowing Jesus to be continually overflowing with thankfulness. And from what I have observed, this message either is not being proclaimed or is falling upon deaf ears.
The message seems to be that receiving Jesus is where one’s spiritual life begins and ends. Nothing more is needed. Sadly, this flies in the face of the teachings of Scripture and particularly what Paul says here. It is like parents being satisfied with their babies merely standing instead growing up with the ability to walk and run.
Paul’s message is, instead, that receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord is merely the beginning. What is to follow is a lifelong commitment to grow in faith and maturity. This involves getting to know Jesus through His Word, through having conversations with Him (aka: prayer), through spending time in meaningful conversations with fellow believers, and through living in obedience to the Lord’s commands. The consistent practice of these strengthens faith and builds maturity over a lifetime, which is the point of beginning a new life. Babies are born to grow up into adults. In the same way, men and women who are born again (John 3:3) are meant to mature from spiritual babies into spiritual adults (Hebrews 5:11-6:3). Receiving Jesus is the first necessary step, but it is only the first one.
If you have believed that receiving Jesus as your Savior and Lord is all that is needed, know you have only part of the message. In fact, that is just the first step on a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and maturity. And there is no better time than now to begin taking the next steps. For they are just as important as the first one.
© Jim Musser 2014
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:43-47 NIV)
I spent almost all of last week in bed or on the couch trying to recover from the flu. Thankfully, I had streaming movies and TV to keep me occupied. (I’ve always found it very difficult to read when I’m sick.) One movie I watched was “The Kingdom,” a movie about FBI agents trying to solve a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia. If one word could capture the gist of this movie, it is hate. The main FBI character said he would kill all the terrorists responsible. The organizer of the attack whispered to his grandson as he lay dying: “Do not fear them; we will kill them all.” Sadly, this pretty much captures what is happening in many parts of the world—a cycle of hate and death.
I also watched another movie, an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary entitled, “The 16th Man. It tells the true story of Nelson Mandela’s use of the 1995 Rugby World Cup to bring hate-torn South Africa together after his election as the first black president. The whites interviewed said they originally feared Mandela’s release from prison because it was the white government which had made him suffer for over 25 years. They were sure he would be angry and feared he would seek revenge. Yet, that is not what happened. Even before his election, Mandela had already set his sights on using rugby—a white man’s game—and the Springboks, the national team and a despised symbol of white rule to the blacks, as a means to bridge the divide between the two races. One of the most powerful scenes is when Mandela dons a Springbok hat in front of a throng of supporters and many boo. In response, he explains how important rugby is to the whites, but also emphasizes the Springboks are the national team representing all South Africans. He exhorts them for the sake of unity and peace to support the team in the World Cup.
What allowed Mandela to be such a transformative figure in the history of South Africa and of the world was his ability to forgive his enemies. And make no mistake, they were indeed enemies. One former white leader said he was dismayed by Mandela’s release from prison and thought, rather, he should have been hung for his crimes instead. Yet, when he saw Mandela’s forgiveness play out in meaningful dialogue with those who imprisoned him, the man’s hatred dissipated.
And the 1995 World Cup did indeed unite South Africans just as Mandela had envisioned. Blacks and Whites joined together, putting aside their hate for one another, to cheer on the Springboks, who went on to win the tournament. Sadly, after Mandela left office, the voices of hate began to return and have grown louder over time.
The truth is, what Mandela was able to do is so hard. To forgive hateful acts and injustice is not natural. And it seems to equate in people’s minds the same as letting them go unpunished. So they seek revenge.
This is what makes Jesus’ command so radical, yet so practical. Imagine what the world would be like if it were put into practice. Imagine if Palestinians were able to forgive Israelis and they the Palestinians. Or if the warring factions in Syria would exchange hate for forgiveness. Or even our political leaders in Washington instead of seeking to crush their opponents would be willing to put past disputes behind and work together for the common good of the country. Hate and revenge bring on continual misery, but forgiveness brings freedom—freedom from a cycle of hate, injustice, and revenge.
Today, recognize the power of forgiveness of those you despise, hate, or merely dislike at some level. It will be hard, but it will set you free from misery and make possible peace with your enemies, whoever they may be.
© Jim Musser 2014
“With whom, then, will you compare God?
To what image will you liken him? As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. A person too poor to present such an offering
selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
to set up an idol that will not topple.
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
‘To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:18-26 NIV)
As I shared yesterday, human beings are the only created creatures that are created in the image of God. We hold a special place in God’s universe. Yet, we are still creatures, not the Creator. And that has been a very difficult fact for humans down to through history to accept. Our bent is to be the ones in charge. For most of history, we have acknowledged that we are at the mercy of Powers far beyond us. Yet, as creations of God, we have had much difficulty in submitting to Him.
In Eden, Adam and Eve decided there was a better way to live than the one God had given them. The Israelites for many centuries cast aside God for images made by their own hands. The Prophets repeatedly warned them and pointed out the foolishness of worshipping a god made by our own hands in our own image.
Today, particularly in the West, most people don’t worship physical images of gods. However, there are plenty who worship God as they have created Him in their own minds, or refuse to worship Him because He doesn’t fit their criteria of an acceptable God. They either choose the “acceptable” descriptions of God in the Scriptures while ignoring those that are disdainful to them, or they reject God altogether because they can’t accept such a God as the Old and New Testaments describe. Either way, they are making their own images of who God is and should be. Isaiah asks the question, “With whom, then, will you compare God?” For many, the answer is ourselves.
We often want God to do things the way we would do them. So to comfort ourselves with our own righteousness, we demand He be that way or we won’t acknowledge Him, or we create an image of Him and insist that is truly who He is.
There are many today who believe in a God that considers sin unimportant; He’s only focused on love. There are those who proclaim from the TV studio and the pulpit that God’s main goal is for you to be rich in material wealth. Still others believe God favors Democrats over Republicans or vice-versa. All are man-made images and grotesque portrayals of the God of the Universe.
Today, heed the words of the prophet: There is no way we can compare God to ourselves. As the Lord says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) God has revealed Himself in the Scriptures—all of them—and that is where you must look in order to know who He is. The goal is not for Him to look more like you, but for you to look more like Him in how you think and how you live.
© Jim Musser 2014
“When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.” (I Corinthians 15:37-39 NIV)
In 2011, Americans spent more than 60 billion dollars on their pets. In recent years, pet insurance, pet spas, and businesses allowing pets on their premises have become increasingly common. It makes sense as more people refer to their pets as their children and include them in family pictures and even in their wills.
Just this week, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) tweeted the following on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "If we are 2 honor Dr. King today, we must continue 2 seek justice for EVERYONE who is disadvantaged" The organization has long sought to equate animals with humans. A number of years ago after a truck carrying live fish crashed along a California highway, it petitioned the government to erect a memorial in memory of the fish killed that day.
In explaining to the Corinthian Christians the resurrection of the dead, Paul says there is a distinction between humans and animals, and that it is a God-given distinction. Today, that distinction is increasingly blurred. Many have elevated the status of animals to that of humans, and sometimes even higher.
The danger in this is we lose sight of the order of creation as the Lord made it. In all that He created, God gave humans supremacy (Genesis 1:24-28), and He created humans in His own image. To demonstrate loving respect for animals is a good thing, but to elevate them to the status of human beings is a distortion of God’s will.
Today, recognize that God gave us animals as a source of pleasure. He did not intend them to be put on the same level as human beings. We are the only ones created in His image. Thus, the needs of humans always take precedence over the needs of animals, whether it be the baby in a womb, a refugee from a war zone, or a neighbor next door.
© Jim Musser 2014
