Category: Heart & Life

Since March 1, we have been on a journey of Hope and Renewal. The Series is called, “Come Alive” and with the Series came the 30-day journey. It is designed to prepare us for what begins this Sunday (Palm Sunday), continues through next week (Holy Week), and culminates with our Easter Sunday Celebration.

In relation to this, I felt impressed to share a few tidbits on where we are. I love having a resource like the book to follow together, for those that either bought one or had one provided. It gives us some shared opportunity to glean, pray, and read together.

As we arrive at chapter 20, we see the reference from Matthew 6, v.21. It is a direct statement from Jesus that pierces us. It truly goes straight to the heart and leaves no room for ambiguity or misunderstanding. It is simple, yet, it will drive us to really ponder the essence of our being. Here it is: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” Clearly in making that statement, Jesus was directly conveying that treasures are a reflection of our heart.

People often go off on a tangent when they hear that or read it. Some will even go so far as to say: What does it mean? Should I just give everything away and live in total poverty? – often implying that it surely is not reasonable, or that Jesus would not require that of us. Relax. That is not what Jesus is saying. Rather, it does mean that we (no one excluded) need to examine our actions and desires and be certain that Christ is the center of our lives (see p.65).

It is no one’s duty, or job, or position to tell someone else how to exercise generosity. That is solely the responsibility of the Holy Spirit. God’s puts His people in places where He can utilize others to guide, lead, and teach us good/godly principles, biblical concepts, and prayerful suggestions – but the inner work and the heart cleansing is His thing!

Simply ask yourself: Based on your actions, behaviors, and choices – related to finances and money – where would you say your treasure is? What would those closest to you respond with? That might be a tad painful to answer for some, or, you could look back and see how far God has brought you. Either way, God will be faithful in His work and He will bring you further – if you will allow Him to. That is a fact for all of us! 

Why this subject? Why at this juncture? What’s the reason? It is fascinating to note that Jesus talked about money, about riches, about treasures more than any other subject. He knew the issues it caused – He knew it was a major reason why people remained distant from God, why others wouldn’t surrender, and why even some would not come to faith. So instead of just tiptoeing around it, or leaving it alone – Jesus goes to the heart, as He so often does.

God loves us. He has provided His best, in Christ, for everything we need for life and salvation.  His piercing may hurt…it will challenge…it even goes deeper than we sometimes wish it would. But He always has our best interests at heart. Wherever our treasure is – there our hearts will be too.

Hope lives.

Porter

I could be the only one, but for some reason, I seriously doubt I am. It just seems like I am overwhelmed at the incredibly intense, never relenting, marketing-machines in our world today. All to get your attention, first; then, move in to “tell” you why you must buy this product; get on this plan; do this in the new year; or sign-up for this program.

Along with that, there is more “self-help” stuff available than anyone would have resources to purchase and enough time to sift through. It has even infiltrated the church in some levels, as unfortunate as it is. Some is referred to as the “Prosperity Gospel,” and there is no shortage of people (and many who claim to be Christians) who have bought into it completely.

It would seem our goals and objectives, in these types of systems, are magnified over the purposes of God. We can get more. We can have financial security. We can take elaborate vacations. We can retire early. We can reduce stress. We can eliminate anxiety. We can have better kids. We can build our own empire. 

But then I hear the resounding words of Jesus – breaking into the very heart of it, asking with clarity: “What does it profit anyone, if they gain the whole world but lose their soul? Or, what would a person exchange for their soul?”

It’s as if He took it to task Himself, settled it, and gave us the answer at the front end. Here it is: Nothing! There is no profit in achieving or acquiring or gaining anything, if it will result in losing your soul in the process. To be sure: It is heart-wrenching that we would even consider it, or that we would miss it in the pursuit of profiting. But the reality is, we do, when we drift, fall away, and resist the Lord and His guide. It’s almost like we sell Him out for what is before us.

How much is enough?
How many goals must we attain?
Then what?

My experience and history tells me that this is about heart and pursuit more than anything. It’s about what we idolize and what we go after in priority, often, with great urgency. Are we pursuing physical things? Material things? Selfish things that really don’t matter in eternity? Or, do we yield to God and allow Him to guide us in what we should seek? Are we abandoned to Him with everything, or are we holding on to our own preferences and delights?

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans what our response ought to be, right at the beginning of chapter 12. It is a reinforcement of Jesus’ teaching that nothing is worth losing our soul. Paul puts it this way: “I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and well pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Like me, you’ve probably heard, read, and studied that passage a million times. But the question is: Has it sunk in? And if so, how is it manifesting itself? We surely need more of God in our everyday life – and we need to ensure nothing comes before Him.

I’d like to encourage and invite you to join us here at Bridgeway Church. We are in a series that comes alongside of this, and it’s titled: “The Will of God.” You know, He has a will. And His will includes you. So if you are seeking more, wanting more, desiring more in your spiritual life – I believe this is the place for you and yours. Sunday @ 10 am, and we will have a special gift for coming and being our guest.

Blessings for the day…and ponder it over the weekend: What would it profit you to gain everything…everything you can imagine, yet, lose your soul?

Porter

About this time every year, we pause for a break in the regular routine to “give thanks.” A proclamation was issued years ago, a holiday was forged, and before we embark on the Advent/Christmas Season, we “give thanks” for what we have. For many, they pause long enough to give the impression and  observance that they are participating in doing this, but the question remains: What (or Who) are we giving thanks to?

Needless to say, this time of year all of the focus, articles, blogs, resources, cards, and notes begin to be disbursed. The influx is almost uncanny and can seemingly be overwhelming. The terms: “give thanks” “be grateful” “show gratitude” and “happy thanksgiving” echo on every platform and are captured in so many visual ways. For the Christian, the passages begin to float to the surface as certain words from Scripture are recounted and remembered. Some even memorized and turned into a message or teaching series.

Don’t think I am against all of it. I am just against it when the words and the actual gratitude is superficial or non-existent. You see, when we go through it because it’s part of the season or we are expected to, it doesn’t really mean anything at all. At that point, you’re just along for the ride, just saying all the things you feel you ought to say.

That doesn’t glorify God in any way. In fact, I kind of see that as a direct slap to His face.  [Maybe that’s just me – but perhaps there are some others too.]

God is glorified when our level of gratitude, our thanksgiving to Him, is real, deep, and sincere. It happens when Jesus is the Lord of our life and when nothing will rob, steal, or strip us of praising God and rendering our true thanks unto Him. God is great, and God is good, and His mercy endures forever (see Psalm 136).  Paul writes in 1st Thessalonians: In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (5, v.18).

Those words aren’t up for debate. They aren’t based on where we are in our journey today. And they should not be correlated to our current situation. They are timeless truths that extend far beyond anything earthly, anything seasonal, or any emotions I may feel. It is living and proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life and giving Him thanks for all He has done for me. At the very least, I can live a life of gratitude for that!

This is what Thanksgiving really means to me. Yes, I am grateful for many other things too. But as we begin our journey to Advent and to the precious Christmas Season, slowing down and coming back to adopting and having a grateful heart is what I sense this next week is all about. Seize it. Find time and opportunity to connect with God and with His others. Trust Him. Know that He has given all that is needed for real hope, for real life, and for real joy.

Let me leave you, this day, with the opening of Psalm 34 (from TLB): “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of His glories and grace. I will boast of His kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and praise His Name” (vv.1-3).

Blessings as you give thanks!

Porter

Have you watched world events in the past month? Have you seen what’s going on? Are you at times left virtually perplexed? It’s like every day, there is a new story, a new narrative, a new twist. Then, there are the acts that make us stand still in our tracks, like what occurred last night in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the present moment, there are 59 casualties and over 500 injured in what is now the most violent, horrific act conducted in modern U.S. history. Families are devastated. People’s lives will never be the same again.

This comes on the heels of catastrophic hurricanes that have ravaged Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, parts of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas, Florida, and Louisiana. We see the pictures and hear the reports daily, in real time.

In the NT, Jesus is recorded as stating: “In the world, you will have trouble…”  It’s very much open ended and doesn’t identify a particular “kind” or “type” of trouble. Jesus is just clear it’s going to happen. It will happen to people, to communities, to regions, and to nations. He doesn’t say you “might” or “could” have trouble – He states “you will.” There is not anyone who is spared – not even His own followers. All of this goes back to the Garden of Eden and what happened there. The decision to disobey God brought forth a world that is simply consumed with rebellion, sin, and wickedness. Yes, there is trouble all around.

The Good News…The Great News…is that Jesus didn’t end the statement there. Praise God He went on: “In the world, you will have trouble…but be cheerful, for I have overcome the world.” [John 16, v.33] He has overcome all the evils, all the ugliness, all the wrongs that this world has within it. In short, He is victorious over all of it.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the authentic Christian is that our hope is not found in this world. Our hope is in the next one. It doesn’t mean we have given up or that we don’t follow His command to go “into all the world,” (see Matthew 28) – it just means that our hope goes beyond this place to the next. For the Christ-follower, our hope is not temporary; it is eternal. 

So I ask you: What, or Who, have you placed your hope in? Mine resides within Jesus Christ Himself…the Hope of the world. To those who believe in Him, who have received Him, and who have made Him Lord, He states: “Come to Me, all who are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11, v.28). It is a passage we have great hope in, and in times like these, we find comfort in this promise. The reality is: We can do little to prevent disaster from striking, but we can be certain of the One Who we can turn to. His grace is sufficient, always.

In deep, steadfast prayer,

Porter