Archive for July, 2009

It happens almost every day. People compromise their integrity and make life-ruining decisions. They may be people we don’t know. They may be people we love or looked up to.  Michael Vick abusing dogs. A governor deserting his post and disappearing for days – to see his mistress. There are so many examples.

I got a list of questions for personal accountability and I thought I’d share it. They’re questions to ask yourself to see if you’re living up to what you believe. These 15 came from a list of 48 originally.

1. Have I spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
2. Did the Bible live in me today?
3. Am I enjoying prayer?
4. Have I given priority time to my family?
5. How do I spend my spare time?
6. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
7. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
8. Have I been with a woman/man anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
9. Have I been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed my mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not my spouse this week?
10. Have any of my financial dealings lacked integrity?
11. Have I secretly wished for another’s misfortune so that I might excel?
12. Have I damaged another person by my words, either behind their back or face-to-face?
13. Is there anything that has dampened my zeal for Christ?
14. Is Christ real to me?
15. Have I been completely honest with myself?

From Church Relevance, July 20, 2009

I watched a lot of the coverage since he died. It’s all so sad.

An abused child became an abused adult. In trying to lose himself, he destroyed a handsome face and changed his skin color. Even his “child-likeness” seemed like a symptom of his brokenness—as if his growth was stunted.

He had a gift for music and the love of fans. But he was so alone. And like the other “king”—he was surrounded by people who wanted to help themselves more than him. He even had enough money to make doctors forget their oath to do no harm.

All week I kept thinking—if only he knew Jesus.

So many times the gospel is presented as the way to heaven—which it is. But that’s only a piece of it. The good news of Jesus isn’t just future, but now. Jesus can heal all the hurts—past and present.

Faith is supposed to be used. It heals us. It strengthens us. It grows us.

How do we use it?

By operating as though it’s real. Counting on it. Stepping out on it and walking.

Believe that God really does love me. That his word tells me the best way to live.
Believe that the Holy Spirit really lives in me. That I have all the resources I need to live.
Believe that Jesus really intercedes for me. That I am not meant to live this alone.

So, let’s live like we’re not alone. Come to him in confidence.

He knows the hurts we hold and he wants to work with us to heal them. Trust him. And hold on tight. He’ll do wonderful things.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. (Gal. 5:25 MSG)

For God …  made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  (2Cor. 4:6-7)

Paul says we have a treasure – the knowledge of God. Not everyone can say that. God made his light shine in his children’s hearts. That’s the only source  – only God.

And it’s in “jars of clay.” That word in Greek is used for an every day utensil. Not the kind of decorated ones that archeologists find. More like paper cups today. They don’t last long, but when they break you aren’t out much.

And then Paul goes on to say:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (8-9)

He knows us. He knows our weaknesses. He knows his treasure is in very fragile cups. If you think about, it doesn’t make much sense. Why put a treasure in something so flimsy?

To show his all-surpassing power. How else would we continue? If he were not all powerful? If he were not with us? If he were not faithful? The power is not from us – we could never do it on our own.

We have this treasure in paper cups to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are may be crushed – we are not destroyed!