Don't be a Beverly Hillbilly

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
Ephesians 4:17 (NIV)

The 1960s good-natured American sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies follows the rags-to-riches journey of the Clampetts. After striking "black gold" on their swamp land, the poor backwoods family is transplanted to the swanky, wealthy city of Beverly Hills where they can now live in relative ease and take advantage of all that their newfound riches have to offer. The family is challenged, however, to let go of their old way of doing things. Constantly looking back, they go so far as to move their meager mountain cabin into the backyard of their lavish mansion home.

The Essential Bible Companion describes the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians as "quintessential Paul," a concise summary of the essence of the apostle's faith and theology. In the first three chapters, Paul speaks about God's divine purpose in Christ and the believers' position in Christ. In the last three chapters, he is quite specific in his "dos" and "don'ts" of how believers ought to live practically as a result of this position. He writes, "...you must no longer live as Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."

Salvation is God's free gift, but it carries with it the responsibility to live and behave from that point on as God wants (Ephesians 1:1, 17). This means deliberately discarding the old, selfish way of life, shedding former habits, and letting the new life change our thinking and remold our pattern of behavior.

All too often, I find that this new life and new way of thinking and behaving eludes me. As I begin each morning on my knees dedicating the day and my life to the Triune God, it seems that with an "amen" barely out of my mouth and not yet standing on my feet, I'm already returning to my selfish, fretful, whining, and unkind ways. Ah, how true--the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Thankfully, Jesus doesn't leave me hopeless. I can't by my own reason or strength live as Jesus calls me to live. Through the Holy Spirit, God called me with a holy calling, not according to my works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Timothy 1:9). At the same time, the Holy Spirit by faith sanctifies me--that is, He renews my heart so that I can overcome sin and do good works (Ephesians 2:10).

By His work on the cross, Jesus completed everything for my salvation and sanctification so that I can enjoy a new life. No wonder Paul said with such confidence that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

Who is sweeter than Christ Jesus?
No good thing in Him I lack!
Hand to plow, at peace I follow
Where He leads me...why look back? -Starke

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

Sir Prize

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:19 (NIV)

Lost parakeet! The colorful roadside sign immediately caught my attention. I couldn't help but chuckle as I drove the scenic, two-lane country road to meet a graphic designer at his home office located in rural central Pennsylvania. A lost dog I get. A lost cat makes sense. But, a lost bird?

My business associate and I exchanged typical business pleasantries as he greeted me at his front door. We walked in the direction of his lower-level office and our conversation quickly turned to a delightful tale of his recent encounter with one of nature's fine feathered friends.

While washing off debris from his backyard patio a few days earlier, my colleague stooped down to loosen the coiled garden hose that lay at his feet. A cornflower-colored tuft of feathers caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Surprisingly, closer examination of the small bundle revealed a statuesque-like blue parakeet fiercely clutching the bottom rung of a wrought iron deck chair.

Big hearted guy that he is, not to mention previous bird owner, my associate lifted the chair ever so carefully and carried it--winged friend and all--into his house straightaway. He pulled out an old bird cage from storage. Then at an unhurried pace, he tenderly coaxed the frightened budgerigar into the wire coop.

Sir Prize. With the exception of an occasional nap, the newly named, quite content budgie sat atop his perch and entertained us with his chirps and chatter during our entire meeting. And what bird wouldn't? Strategically placed on a baby grand piano, his lovely new digs are surrounded by windows. He is afforded fantastic views, not to mention companionship, safety, and a continuous supply of food and water.

In the New Testament book of Romans 8, the Apostle Paul embraced the metaphor of adoption in order to describe the status of Christians in relation to God. He also wrote of the inheritance that belongs to believers because God has adopted us as His children. Present adversity didn't make Paul stumble. They faded in comparison. So real to him was the magnificent unseen age to come.

For now, we also wait. With expectation and earnest longing, we wait for the glory God will reveal to us, and in us, for us, and confer on us. What a prize!

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

PS If you know someone who's lost a blue parakeet, give me a shout. Until then, Sir Prize is at home and thriving in central Pennsylvania.

Sir Prize Photo: Lance Dietrich

Giant fighting stones

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17:40 (NIV)

In 1 Samuel 17, we read of a classic matchup between the Israelites and Philistines. These two ancient people were long-standing enemies who showed up often on the field of combat to do battle. For them the contest was always one thing--which people would serve the other.

History tells us that battles such as this were often decided by having each side choose their bravest and strongest warrior. These two men would then meet between the opposing forces and fight to the death. When the contest ended, the side that lost would become the servants to the victor. This seems to be what was happening in the Valley in Elah.

In this particular case, however, the Philistine warrior was no ordinary soldier. Approximately nine feet nine inches tall, Goliath wore armor that weighed about 175 pounds. He carried a 17-pound spear that included a spearhead that weighed roughly 15 pounds. Every morning and every evening for 40 days, he appeared before the army of Israel and mocked them, cursed their God and challenged them to send someone out to fight him. Each day, Saul and the Israelites trembled in their armor too afraid to fight this giant.

Enter David, a young shepherd boy who had been sent by his father Jesse to carry supplies to David's brothers who were fighting in Saul's army. While speaking with his brothers, David heard Goliath make one of his twice daily taunts. He appealed to Saul to let him fight the giant. Reluctantly, Saul agreed.

Choosing five smooth stones from the stream, David put them in his shepherd's bag. With his sling in his hand, he approached Goliath, ran quickly toward the battle line, met the giant, reached into his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Israelite antagonist on the forehead. David triumphed over the Philistines' national champion!

David didn't go out foolishly to fight Goliath. He had a history with the Lord, and he knew the battle was the Lord's from the get-go. (1 Samuel 17:34-37) David met the Philistine enemy armed with five smooth stones and unswerving faith in the Almighty God. He slung one stone. The giant fell. The Lord won the battle.

My friend, we all face giants in our life--doubt, fear, worry, sin, and guilt. Do you have five smooth stones tucked in your arsenal to battle your giants?

Include the stone of faith. Believe that God is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do. (1 Samuel 14:7; Hebrews 11:5-6)

Gather the stone of hope. In confident expectation, trust that you are who God says you are--His holy, dearly loved child. You can do what He says you can do. (Ephesians 1:17-19, Philippians 1:19-21)

Be sure to add the stone of love. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; John 14:23-24)

The Lord has given you a skill, mind and knowledge. Store the stone of knowledge in your pouch as well; He will lead you to use it. (Psalm 119:18, 33-40)

Finally, be sure to include the stone of praise. Give the Lord thanks in everything. (Philippians 4:5-6)

With our all-powerful God, we too can triumph over our giants.

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

Victory

"And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Tucked in this Old Testament prophecy are four throne names of the promised Messiah. Each reference consists of two elements; titles not like other normal OT names.

Where Counselor points to the Messiah as a king who determines and carries out a program of action, Wonderful Counselor portrays the coming Son of David as One who carries out a royal program that will cause all the world to marvel. In the name Mighty God, Jesus' divine power as a warrior is stressed. As Everlasting Father, He is revealed as an enduring, compassionate provider and protector. As Prince of Peace, the promised Savior's rule brings wholeness and well-being to individuals and to society.

What a magnificent promise! A Savior who is our warrior, provider, and protector; Who makes us whole through His triumph over sin and the devil. This promised victory is for all who believe in Jesus Christ.

But, what does this victory look like in our personal lives; especially where we are surrounded by pain, suffering, and anxiety for the future? Does triumph mean we can be free from the emotional pain that is so often part of us? Does it mean we can be free from the things that cause us fear and anxiety?

Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom stated in one of her writings that victory is taking "that step" in faith to face and move in the midst of the things that frighten us. Victory is not allowing the things that frighten us to immobilize us and keep us where we are. Instead, victory is believing that Christ has already broken the power these things have on us. It's moving ahead in the midst of them.

As we leave our Christmas celebrations behind and move into the New Year, my hope is that we hold on to the promise of Jesus' birth. The Son of God didn't come to establish a nostalgic, family-oriented, commercially successful holiday. The angel told Joseph, "She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

We can face and move within the situations that frighten us because when Jesus overcame the sins of this world, He included the fear and anxiety we have for a particular situation. Victory is knowing that Christ is right there with us in our anxiety and then moving us beyond the things that cause us to fear. Our situation may not change. But, knowing that Christ has already defeated the situation and that He is with us makes the difference.

As you live out each of your todays of 2010, I pray you experience victory in Jesus our Savior. Without Christ, we can do nothing. With Him, He does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Blessings for a victorious new year, dear friend!
Faithfully Following