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Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE ODDITY OF CIRCUMSTANCE?

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1 Thessalonians 5:18 [widescreen]This past weekend I was watching the AFC / NFC playoffs and, while my favorite team was not playing, I was very interested in the various games for different reasons. Initially I wanted to know which AFC team the New England Patriots would be playing later this week. After the final game was played an odd, but new, statistic was revealed. For the first time, in NFL history, all of the home teams lost in the opening round of the playoffs. It may seem unlikely but for such an occurrence to happen a lot of circumstances had to transpire. Every game had the challenges of fumbles, missed field goals, interceptions, broken plays, big plays, weather conditions, injuries and uncharacteristic performances that allowed for this new statistic to be set. Die-hard fans will seek out conspiracy theories, casual fans will find it odd but the reality is circumstance is more purposed than random and there is nothing “odd”  in the situation. Of course would be immature to say that God controls who wins and looses a football game but it is easier to comprehend, through life, God allows circumstances to occur which will test our character, faith, trust and heart.

Have you ever stopped to consider the same circumstance that provides the opportunity for failure can also be an opening for success? The opportunity to sin can also be the occasion to live holy, and the chance to not forgive can also be the opportunity to extend forgiveness. James writes, “My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. 3 You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won’t need anything.”[1] And the Apostle Paul follows by saying, “Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.”[2]

Often we approach challenging circumstances through a negative paradigm. A bad medical report, lost job, failed exam, broken relationship or missed opportunity are followed by a series of questions such as, “Why me? Why now? Why Not?…Lord?!?” Most agree a good and perfect God is not the author of evil and suffering but the reality of a fallen condition, in humanity and creation, exposes everyone to challenging circumstances that will immediately test our heart, faith and character. Still, we must also be reminded, as we go through any circumstance, the character of God is merciful, grace-filled, compassionate and loving. The circumstance is therefore an opportunity for God to reveal His best for everyone and for all people to experience and witness His fullness.

Personally, I find it “odd” how we respond when we are recipients of fortunate circumstances because we express little doubt God was the chief architect of the blessing. I also find it “odd” we can so easily  switch our love toward Him based on our immediate feelings. Can we have it both ways…thanking God for the good and cursing Him for the bad? The circumstance always reveals the genuine heart condition in us all.

When the Minnesota Vikings field goal kicker failed in his opportunity to win his team’s playoff game player and fan reactions were very telling. Would these same people be thanking God if the kick was successful? Furthermore, would the team that benefited from the missed scoring opportunity be cursing God if the kicker had succeeded?

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) reacts after missing a field goal attempt against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

In the shock or excitement of any circumstance we will react in many different ways but after we have had time to consider the turn of events are we able to take a step back and discover the deeper purpose in the situation?

snapshot_20160110_150959As I write this post my family is experiencing circumstances that reaffirm the obvious: God is in control! Yes, we are to pray, seek His will, worship Him and ask God for relief in all circumstances; but after you have done all you are able to do and after you are standing in faith you come to a single conclusion: The circumstance is being allowed; and God will use the situation to refine us because He loves us with a larger vision for our lives than the one we see, or understand, in the moment.
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Is our circumstance odd? Is your present season of testing out of place? Certainly not! In fact, all circumstances are in perfect sync for the present part of the journey we are on. Jeannette and my personal circumstances are allowed, by God, to reveal yet another layer of our hearts. You would be correct to ask, What if the circumstance turned out to be different? Would you respond the same way? Truthfully our human emotions would have quickly generated a very different response. But, having had time to process such moments, as well as learn from other life changing occurrences, I feel confident we would understand God’s sovereign purpose in the present, and for the next, no matter how the circumstances will resolve.

Here is the lynchpin: While any circumstance is being lived in the here and now it is also building your faith, patience and character for tomorrow. Rest assured every football team will approach next year with the expectation to learn from their past year’s circumstances in a desire to better prepare for the next season. A loss is always difficult to forget and a win is easy to remember; but both circumstances have the God-allowed opportunity to make us stronger, more mature and usable for the next season.

Blessings – PASTOR JOSHUA

[1] GOD’S WORD Translation. (1995). (Jas 1:2–4). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

[2] GOD’S WORD Translation. (1995). (1 Th 5:16–18). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

 

Christian Apologetics, Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

THE JOY OF SUFFERING?

joy-in-woundsIn 1961 a book titled A Grief Observed hit the shelves written by the author NW Clerk. In reality NW Clerk was none other than CS Lewis and his written work later laid the foundations for the stage play, and movie, Shadowlands. The entire premise of Lewis’ A Grief Observed deals with how a person reconciles unimaginable grief, in the loss of a loved one, with the goodness of God.  For Lewis this was not a work of fiction but fact.  The circumstances, thoughts, opinions and even personal life were intimately tied to the loss of his beloved wife Joy. In A Grief Observed Lewis writes, “We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, ‘Blessed are they that mourn,’ and I accept it. I’ve got nothing that I hadn’t bargained for. Of course it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination.” 

For the Christian, of whom Lewis professed to be, there seems to be a mysterious relationship between suffering and joy. Furthermore in this unique bond we discover to be identified with Jesus, and His Redemption, also brings a certain measure of pain. (Read CS Lewis’ The Problem of Pain) While we may agree, and acknowledge, that suffering is an unfortunate by-product of a fallen world this does not mean that life is meant to be lived without joy. It is at the crossroads of pain and God’s goodness we live beyond the superficial pleasure of money and personal comfort to discover lasting joy, that fills and revives the spirit within, comes only with an intimate relationship in Jesus.

St. Paul while is prison, and experiencing the suffering of a first century jail, wrote the church at Collosae of his joy,in the pain, by saying, “I want you to know how glad I am that it’s me sitting here in this jail and not you. There’s a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world—the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church’s part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God’s way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.” (Colossians 1:24 MSG)

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Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

Christian Living, Inspirational, Motivational

PRAYER: AN UNRIVALED GAME-CHANGER

game-changerIf you have ever followed a sporting competition then chances are you have heard the expression “a game-changing moment.” Maybe it’s a player or a particular play but when the moment happens we call it a game-changer because that is exactly what occurs: The circumstances change dramatically. This past week I had a “game-changing” moment and it came attached to prayer, faith and in the most unusual of circumstances.

Earlier this year I shared with you how I was on a new journey of faith where I was going to bring my “head faith” down to the ordinary and practical of life. Of course this journey hasn’t been easy especially when the circumstances, I am bel ieving for, are not noticeably changing. Nevertheless I remained determined to continue this journey not as an experiment but as a way of living where to live is to worship and to worship is to live. As 2014 started I felt anxious to see how quickly my circumstances would change but in reality little seemed to be moving until…

It was the Friday after the new year and I had received a call that a fellow Christian, that I knew but have a limited relationship with, was facing a serious health issue in his family. My first reaction was one of concern that then turned to the thought of praying for his family. But just as I was about to dismiss any further action I felt, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, to call this man and actually bring my faith into the ordinary and practical of life. Our conversation was brief, no more than ten minutes, which concluded with my praying for his family and that was it. Later the next week I went to my mailbox and saw a letter from an individual addressed to our faith community. As I opened the letter there were just a few short words, a request and an extremely generous financial gift to Maranatha Koinonia. I sat stunned! I couldn’t find the words to express how I felt nor could I conceive of any scenario in which this blessing found its way to our faith community…but it did!

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? In a circumstance of someone’s crisis I was energized, by the Holy Spirit, to prayer! The Lord knew I haven’t been praying for money and truthfully I didn’t even know where to begin my prayers because there were, and remain, so many needs. Yet, as I practiced to live is to worship and to worship is to live I experienced the Holy Spirit Himself praying, in me, prayers which I couldn’t utter. Prayer and answered prayer are the game changing moments (testimonies) of the dynamic and Spirit-filled life, of the Christian, when we are those who are “born again” of God and indwelt by the Spirit of God. It is when we are firing on all Spirit-birthed cylinders, in the ordinary of life, the supernatural happens.

“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” (Romans 8:26)

WHAT NEEDS TO OCCUR IN US ALL: St. Paul addresses the dynamic life of the Christian when He (the Holy Spirit) drives and motivates our prayer.  In speaking to the church in Rome he writes, “He,” the Spirit in you, makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” When this happens God is searching our hearts not to know what our conscious prayers are, but to help us discover what the prayer of the Holy Spirit, deep within us, is. What I experienced, this past week, was a Spirit-birthed and Spirit-prompted moment of prayer which exceeded what I was prepared to do naturally. But when the supernatural broke into the natural circumstances prayer went from words into action and action into healing which was followed by Spirit-birthed love, appreciation and blessing!

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WHAT I LEARNED and HOPE TO PASS ALONG TO YOU: The Spirit of God will not dwell in a body where we want to live life based on our convenience. Though it may have been natural, for some, it was inconvenient to stop my life to pray for another. But when the Holy Spirit burst into my ordinary I had no other choice but to respond to His prompting and presence. I experienced a game-changing moment that led to many game changing opportunities.

Have you recognized that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? If so, then lovingly I want to encourage you to remain careful to keep it undefiled for Him (Jesus). “We have to remember that our conscious life, though it is only a tiny bit of our personality, is to be regarded by us as a shrine of the Holy Ghost. He will look after the unconscious part that we know nothing of; but we must see that we guard the conscious part for which we are responsible.” (Chambers)

In a few weeks there will be a Super Bowl and both teams will be hoping for a game-changing moment. What about you? Are you facing circumstances where you know you need the supernatural to burst into your ordinary? If so,  then take some time to re-read this post, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help re-energize your prayer life and make room for His supernatural presence to not just fill you but use you for the service of the Gospel message and Kingdom hope.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA