How Prayer Changes Us
Matthew 6.9-15
9"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
I once had an anatomy teacher in high school who said, "Prayer doesn't so much change God as it changes us." That's a very interesting concept, but is it true? I believe both are true--prayer both changes our circumstances and it changes our attitudes. Prayer causes actions, but it also changes hearts. As we look at the Lord's model prayer for our lives, we see that this prayer is very generic. That is not a bad thing--remember, this is a model. Nevertheless, this model reveals some interesting things. The majority of the verses in this prayer not only ask God for needs, but they also force the believer to place his on focus on acting upon these desires. For example, the first thing we see is this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." The first statement is not even a request, but a simple yet powerful acknowledgment that when we pray, we come before the throne of God in awe and humbleness. He is everything; we are merely His servants.
Just think of the wealth of wisdom and knowledge we could learn as we pray. Think about our various needs--what do they cause our minds and spirits to focus upon? When we come before God with our needs, are we merely dumping our requests before Him and then leaving, or are we seriously communicating our needs to Him in such a way that those needs affect us? Beloved, it can become so very easy to become callous to the needs we are asked to pray for. Let us not forget to put our own emotions into our prayers. Galatians 6.2 tells us to "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." When we bear one another's burdens through prayer, those prayers change us. We learn to seriously care about those around us. The body of Christ seems all the more intimate. We also learn to "[forgive] our debtors" and to "forgive men when they sin against [us]." Our relationship with others grow as we learn to pray for them in a way that fulfills the law of love through Jesus Christ.
Prayer not only changes our attitudes towards each other, but it changes our attitudes towards God and life in general. When we pray that "[God's] kingdom come" and that "[His] will be done on earth as it is in heaven," we learn that our priority as Christians is our service to God. How do we ensure that these priorities are met each day by our words and deeds? We pray that God "[g]ive us today our daily bread." It is only when we use prayer for the daily strength for Christ to sustain us that our relationship with Him really blossoms. We become intimate with Him. We learn to give up our weaknesses over to Him, and to use Him as the crutch on which we walk. God is our sustenance--our very breath and means of being. Acts 17.28 says that "in Him we live and move and have our being." May we let our prayers of need for God's daily provision, strength, and guidance cause us to rely fully upon Him.
Are your prayers changing you? I hope so. If not, consider each word you say. Do you mean it? There's no point in praying if it is to merely be a ritual. God wants passionate, honest prayers that come straight from our hearts. They may reveal anger, doubt, confusion, worry, and fear. Those attitudes will be changed by the Father, however. Honestly confess your needs and the needs of others before Him, and He will not only help you in your circumstances, but He will change your attitude in the midst of your circumstances. Begin this sort of prayer right now! Amen!
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Redeeming Love
Psalm 116.1-9
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!" 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
Sometimes in our lives, we simply need to be reminded of God's redeeming love. When our lives toss and turn from turmoil, trials, and temptations, we know that we can turn to the Lord for safety, comfort, rest, and peace. The Psalmist knew this. In Psalm 116 we get a beautiful picture of God redeeming the Psalmist. The Psalmist proclaims that "[the Lord] heard [his] voice" and his "cry for mercy." It has always been somewhat strange to me that a God powerful enough to create a universe and judge the world's wickedness would reach out His hand and "[protect] the simplehearted." And yet that is the God we serve. Our God is large enough to solve our problems, yet close enough to care about solving them. In fact, He already has them solved. The Lord knows you and I better than we know ourselves. Jesus says in Luke 12.7 that "the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Wow! God knows each and every detail of our life, every aspect of every nerve ending etched into your brain that helps make you who you are. Every part of your spirit has been breathed into by the very breath of His mouth. A God who loves that much will and does redeem His children.
This says a great deal about God's relationship with us. Most people in Western culture see God as little more than an inspector who issues tests and trials, noting who passes and who doesn't. They believe that if you go to church every Sunday, try not to curse, don't commit adultery, and talk about him at least once a week, then you go to heaven. If you don't do those things, they say, you go to hell. That is such a simplistic, naive, and downright false view. Beloved, God LOVES His children. As Christians, we cannot accept the conclusion of Western society. God IS Love, and that means His relationship with us is far more than as a simple inspector. He has shown through Christ's sacrifice that He loves us deeply enough to "[deliver our souls] from death, [our] eyes from tears, and [our] feet from stumbling." Beloved, this is so comforting. This is a sure-fire way to keep a gentle, positive, and Christ-like spirit throughout your day.
Take comfort in the fact that God has redeemed you through Christ, and that He is redeeming you each day! If you have not been recognizing His redemption, or if you have never experienced it, come and let Christ redeem you. What does the Word say? It says that "the Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion." He "protects the simplehearted." Beloved, allow Christ to redeem you today. Let Him wrap you in His love so that you may be full in the love of Christ. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!" 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
Sometimes in our lives, we simply need to be reminded of God's redeeming love. When our lives toss and turn from turmoil, trials, and temptations, we know that we can turn to the Lord for safety, comfort, rest, and peace. The Psalmist knew this. In Psalm 116 we get a beautiful picture of God redeeming the Psalmist. The Psalmist proclaims that "[the Lord] heard [his] voice" and his "cry for mercy." It has always been somewhat strange to me that a God powerful enough to create a universe and judge the world's wickedness would reach out His hand and "[protect] the simplehearted." And yet that is the God we serve. Our God is large enough to solve our problems, yet close enough to care about solving them. In fact, He already has them solved. The Lord knows you and I better than we know ourselves. Jesus says in Luke 12.7 that "the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Wow! God knows each and every detail of our life, every aspect of every nerve ending etched into your brain that helps make you who you are. Every part of your spirit has been breathed into by the very breath of His mouth. A God who loves that much will and does redeem His children.
This says a great deal about God's relationship with us. Most people in Western culture see God as little more than an inspector who issues tests and trials, noting who passes and who doesn't. They believe that if you go to church every Sunday, try not to curse, don't commit adultery, and talk about him at least once a week, then you go to heaven. If you don't do those things, they say, you go to hell. That is such a simplistic, naive, and downright false view. Beloved, God LOVES His children. As Christians, we cannot accept the conclusion of Western society. God IS Love, and that means His relationship with us is far more than as a simple inspector. He has shown through Christ's sacrifice that He loves us deeply enough to "[deliver our souls] from death, [our] eyes from tears, and [our] feet from stumbling." Beloved, this is so comforting. This is a sure-fire way to keep a gentle, positive, and Christ-like spirit throughout your day.
Take comfort in the fact that God has redeemed you through Christ, and that He is redeeming you each day! If you have not been recognizing His redemption, or if you have never experienced it, come and let Christ redeem you. What does the Word say? It says that "the Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion." He "protects the simplehearted." Beloved, allow Christ to redeem you today. Let Him wrap you in His love so that you may be full in the love of Christ. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Good Enough
Good Enough
Philippians 3.12-14
"12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
There is an interesting phenomenon among computer programmers called refactoring. Refactoring essentially says that one should continuously organize, simplify, and remove dependencies in his code in order to keep his software as functional and extensible as possible. This means we don't just say "it works" and then never touch it again. We keep mending it over and over again until it is in its purest possible form. I think there is a similar thing that Christ is doing to us. You see, just being "good enough" as a Christian implies a serious flaw in our mindset. Salvation is not merely a single event in our lives, but it is an ongoing process.
Paul emphasizes the process of perfection here in Philippians 3. He admits that he has not "already obtained" Christ's form or has "already been made perfect." Nevertheless, Paul's goal is to "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Beloved, how often do we ourselves say this? To be perfectly honest, it is not something emphasized in the 21st Century Western, materialistic world. We would rather speak of what God can give to us than topics which imply input on our part. We must be careful here, for the process of perfection of which I am speaking does not in any way bring us justification by works. In other words, pressing on towards the goal of Christ does not mean we bring ourselves salvation or score love points with God. Rather, it is an evidence that we are being shaped more and more into the image of Christ. Like a well-maintained computer program, we are being structured in a form that looks like our Maker wishes.
But sinful Man is reluctant to accept this task. As I said before, we wish to preach more on grace and blessings than that which would require effort. We only wish to be "good enough." There is certainly a wonderful place for grace and blessings, but if we do not put forth the effort to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus," then how can we expect God to be abundantly working within our lives? It is like the man who stops halfway through his math course, admiring his work but ceasing to finish the course. What more is he learning other than his growing ego? No, to be shaped into the image of Christ we must follow God's Word: we must "[forget] what is behind and [strain] toward what is ahead." That means that if we are constantly straining towards Christ, our eyes, our focus, and our passion are all on Christ. He becomes our center and our only source of life. Once this dependency begins to be firmly rooted, Christ begins to do mighty and marvelous works in our lives. Our whole attitude of life shifts. The strenuous, burdensome, and frustrating days of our lives suddenly brighten up. Our outlook turns heavenward. We pursue Christ with intensity, focus, and purpose. We gain, what someone once said, "gazelle-like intensity."
The question, beloved, is how are we responding to Christ's call? Every breath we take leads us closer to our Maker. How are we to approach Him? The Scripture says we should build our lives around His image. Are you trying to just squeak by in Christ? Is heaven just a place of safety and security for you after you leave your earthly shell? Or is it the place where you look forward to seeing Christ face to face, being made perfectly in His image? That process of perfection is taking place daily. Are you accepting it? If not, I pray you will come to Jesus today and begin to pursue it with Him. Remember, He loves you and wants you to be like Him. If you will submit to Him, He will shape you into His own image: an image of love, patience, peace, and focus. You don't have to just be good enough. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Philippians 3.12-14
"12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
There is an interesting phenomenon among computer programmers called refactoring. Refactoring essentially says that one should continuously organize, simplify, and remove dependencies in his code in order to keep his software as functional and extensible as possible. This means we don't just say "it works" and then never touch it again. We keep mending it over and over again until it is in its purest possible form. I think there is a similar thing that Christ is doing to us. You see, just being "good enough" as a Christian implies a serious flaw in our mindset. Salvation is not merely a single event in our lives, but it is an ongoing process.
Paul emphasizes the process of perfection here in Philippians 3. He admits that he has not "already obtained" Christ's form or has "already been made perfect." Nevertheless, Paul's goal is to "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Beloved, how often do we ourselves say this? To be perfectly honest, it is not something emphasized in the 21st Century Western, materialistic world. We would rather speak of what God can give to us than topics which imply input on our part. We must be careful here, for the process of perfection of which I am speaking does not in any way bring us justification by works. In other words, pressing on towards the goal of Christ does not mean we bring ourselves salvation or score love points with God. Rather, it is an evidence that we are being shaped more and more into the image of Christ. Like a well-maintained computer program, we are being structured in a form that looks like our Maker wishes.
But sinful Man is reluctant to accept this task. As I said before, we wish to preach more on grace and blessings than that which would require effort. We only wish to be "good enough." There is certainly a wonderful place for grace and blessings, but if we do not put forth the effort to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus," then how can we expect God to be abundantly working within our lives? It is like the man who stops halfway through his math course, admiring his work but ceasing to finish the course. What more is he learning other than his growing ego? No, to be shaped into the image of Christ we must follow God's Word: we must "[forget] what is behind and [strain] toward what is ahead." That means that if we are constantly straining towards Christ, our eyes, our focus, and our passion are all on Christ. He becomes our center and our only source of life. Once this dependency begins to be firmly rooted, Christ begins to do mighty and marvelous works in our lives. Our whole attitude of life shifts. The strenuous, burdensome, and frustrating days of our lives suddenly brighten up. Our outlook turns heavenward. We pursue Christ with intensity, focus, and purpose. We gain, what someone once said, "gazelle-like intensity."
The question, beloved, is how are we responding to Christ's call? Every breath we take leads us closer to our Maker. How are we to approach Him? The Scripture says we should build our lives around His image. Are you trying to just squeak by in Christ? Is heaven just a place of safety and security for you after you leave your earthly shell? Or is it the place where you look forward to seeing Christ face to face, being made perfectly in His image? That process of perfection is taking place daily. Are you accepting it? If not, I pray you will come to Jesus today and begin to pursue it with Him. Remember, He loves you and wants you to be like Him. If you will submit to Him, He will shape you into His own image: an image of love, patience, peace, and focus. You don't have to just be good enough. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Where He Leads Will You Go?
Where He Leads Will You Go?
Genesis 12.1-5
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
It wasn't until I got older that I realized what an incredible amount of faith Abraham and Sarah possessed. Charged by God to "leave [their] country, [their] people and [their] father's household [to] go to the land [God would] show [them," Abraham and his family took an enormous leap of faith in obeying God. His obedience reminds me of that old hymn: "Wherever He Leads I'll Go."
We all know that obedience is rarely, if ever, easy. Our earthly nature desires to prevent us from following the Lord. Satan would like nothing better for us to grow into a state of complacency. Unfortunately, I fear that has occurred in the Western world today. Many Christians seem content with the material blessings of God and no longer seriously seek Him spiritually. Such an attitude will turn us into spiritual statues, too obstinate to move upon God's call.
We must learn from Abraham and leave to the place God is showing us. There are millions of possible things that could mean. It could be ministering to a neighbor, friend, or co-worker, presenting the Gospel to someone verbally, helping someone pick up that dropped item, or go to serve in a foreign state or country for the glory of God. The Church is littered with all sorts of examples of giving--people who have accepted God's call and challenge on their lives. These are the people we should look to as encouragement for doing the will of the Lord. Most of all, however, we should look unto Christ. Jesus was willing to go anywhere the Father called Him for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel. The question is, are we?
Beloved, are you making Christ your model for following the will of God? If not, ask God how you can follow His call today. God is calling each one of us, just as he called Abraham, to serve Him in a miraculous way. It may seem small to us, but God has enormous plans for even the smallest of actions. What will we say? What will we do? Let us respond to the call of the Lord, following Him wherever He leads us. Wherever He leads, we will go. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Where He Leads Will You Go?
Genesis 12.1-5
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
It wasn't until I got older that I realized what an incredible amount of faith Abraham and Sarah possessed. Charged by God to "leave [their] country, [their] people and [their] father's household [to] go to the land [God would] show [them," Abraham and his family took an enormous leap of faith in obeying God. His obedience reminds me of that old hymn: "Wherever He Leads I'll Go."
We all know that obedience is rarely, if ever, easy. Our earthly nature desires to prevent us from following the Lord. Satan would like nothing better for us to grow into a state of complacency. Unfortunately, I fear that has occurred in the Western world today. Many Christians seem content with the material blessings of God and no longer seriously seek Him spiritually. Such an attitude will turn us into spiritual statues, too obstinate to move upon God's call.
We must learn from Abraham and leave to the place God is showing us. There are millions of possible things that could mean. It could be ministering to a neighbor, friend, or co-worker, presenting the Gospel to someone verbally, helping someone pick up that dropped item, or go to serve in a foreign state or country for the glory of God. The Church is littered with all sorts of examples of giving--people who have accepted God's call and challenge on their lives. These are the people we should look to as encouragement for doing the will of the Lord. Most of all, however, we should look unto Christ. Jesus was willing to go anywhere the Father called Him for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel. The question is, are we?
Beloved, are you making Christ your model for following the will of God? If not, ask God how you can follow His call today. God is calling each one of us, just as he called Abraham, to serve Him in a miraculous way. It may seem small to us, but God has enormous plans for even the smallest of actions. What will we say? What will we do? Let us respond to the call of the Lord, following Him wherever He leads us. Wherever He leads, we will go. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Genesis 12.1-5
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
It wasn't until I got older that I realized what an incredible amount of faith Abraham and Sarah possessed. Charged by God to "leave [their] country, [their] people and [their] father's household [to] go to the land [God would] show [them," Abraham and his family took an enormous leap of faith in obeying God. His obedience reminds me of that old hymn: "Wherever He Leads I'll Go."
We all know that obedience is rarely, if ever, easy. Our earthly nature desires to prevent us from following the Lord. Satan would like nothing better for us to grow into a state of complacency. Unfortunately, I fear that has occurred in the Western world today. Many Christians seem content with the material blessings of God and no longer seriously seek Him spiritually. Such an attitude will turn us into spiritual statues, too obstinate to move upon God's call.
We must learn from Abraham and leave to the place God is showing us. There are millions of possible things that could mean. It could be ministering to a neighbor, friend, or co-worker, presenting the Gospel to someone verbally, helping someone pick up that dropped item, or go to serve in a foreign state or country for the glory of God. The Church is littered with all sorts of examples of giving--people who have accepted God's call and challenge on their lives. These are the people we should look to as encouragement for doing the will of the Lord. Most of all, however, we should look unto Christ. Jesus was willing to go anywhere the Father called Him for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel. The question is, are we?
Beloved, are you making Christ your model for following the will of God? If not, ask God how you can follow His call today. God is calling each one of us, just as he called Abraham, to serve Him in a miraculous way. It may seem small to us, but God has enormous plans for even the smallest of actions. What will we say? What will we do? Let us respond to the call of the Lord, following Him wherever He leads us. Wherever He leads, we will go. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Where He Leads Will You Go?
Genesis 12.1-5
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
It wasn't until I got older that I realized what an incredible amount of faith Abraham and Sarah possessed. Charged by God to "leave [their] country, [their] people and [their] father's household [to] go to the land [God would] show [them," Abraham and his family took an enormous leap of faith in obeying God. His obedience reminds me of that old hymn: "Wherever He Leads I'll Go."
We all know that obedience is rarely, if ever, easy. Our earthly nature desires to prevent us from following the Lord. Satan would like nothing better for us to grow into a state of complacency. Unfortunately, I fear that has occurred in the Western world today. Many Christians seem content with the material blessings of God and no longer seriously seek Him spiritually. Such an attitude will turn us into spiritual statues, too obstinate to move upon God's call.
We must learn from Abraham and leave to the place God is showing us. There are millions of possible things that could mean. It could be ministering to a neighbor, friend, or co-worker, presenting the Gospel to someone verbally, helping someone pick up that dropped item, or go to serve in a foreign state or country for the glory of God. The Church is littered with all sorts of examples of giving--people who have accepted God's call and challenge on their lives. These are the people we should look to as encouragement for doing the will of the Lord. Most of all, however, we should look unto Christ. Jesus was willing to go anywhere the Father called Him for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel. The question is, are we?
Beloved, are you making Christ your model for following the will of God? If not, ask God how you can follow His call today. God is calling each one of us, just as he called Abraham, to serve Him in a miraculous way. It may seem small to us, but God has enormous plans for even the smallest of actions. What will we say? What will we do? Let us respond to the call of the Lord, following Him wherever He leads us. Wherever He leads, we will go. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
A Giving Heart
A Giving Heart
Genesis 23.7-11
7 Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites. 8 He said to them, "If you are willing to let me bury my dead, then listen to me and intercede with Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf 9 so he will sell me the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to him and is at the end of his field. Ask him to sell it to me for the full price as a burial site among you.10 Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people and he replied to Abraham in the hearing of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. 11 "No, my lord," he said. "Listen to me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead."
Here in Genesis 23 we see a beautiful picture of giving. Surprisingly, however, we see it not from the Jew, but the pagan. Abraham, apparently honored greatly among the Hittites, is offered by them to bury his wife Sarah in their land. There are really two pieces to this giving: the willingness to provide the land and the willingness to give it without cost. We see this in not only the Hittite population but in Ephron the Hittite when he says: "I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead." That is an incredible example of giving. Not only are the Hittites giving to a foreigner, but they are giving with a tone of respect and willingness. Abraham pleads with Ephron to pay, but Ephron continuously refuses. What a powerful way to give!
We can learn something from Ephron and the Hittites: we must have a giving heart. Jesus calls us to have hearts that give out of the love with which Christ first gave us. We must take the attitude of the Hittites and give to even the foreigners, without expecting anything in return. That is the radical love and attitude of giving to which Christ has called us. And, beloved, the world is in such desperate need of it. 700 million people are living in slums in this world today. Millions are living in sewer pipes, rummaging through garbage, dying through famines and droughts which our civilized world has never seen the likes of. Those people need us to give out of love and compassion and mercy. Likewise, there are those among us who need us to have giving hearts. Millions upon millions of people are struggling with all sorts of issues that, while they may not be physically destructive like poverty, are spiritually and mentally and emotionally wrecking their lives.
How do we respond to these people? We give unconditionally. We expect nothing in return, and yet expect their return to be plentiful. A kind word, a donation of time or money, and most importantly the message of the Gospel can turn someone's life around. People are looking to Christians to see if Christ will give. Will we have a giving heart? Yes, we will. That is the will of Christ Jesus. Let us have hearts that give like the Hittites to Abraham--giving with nothing in return and with love as our intent. Let us be careful to give out of love and not guilt or shame. To do this, we must constantly remember that the reason we give is because of Christ. Don't be afraid to tell people that is why you are giving--it is an incredible witness. Tell them and show them that the love you give flows from Christ. Let that love overflow in the lives of those around you and the lives of those distant from you. Have a heart that gives, and you will be surprised at how your own heart is changed. We can grow such cold, stone hearts that seek opportunities of controversy and aggrevation of others. When we turn that into an attitude of giving, however, our hearts will melt with the love of Christ. Give today, and see how God saves and warms the people in our world. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Genesis 23.7-11
7 Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites. 8 He said to them, "If you are willing to let me bury my dead, then listen to me and intercede with Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf 9 so he will sell me the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to him and is at the end of his field. Ask him to sell it to me for the full price as a burial site among you.10 Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people and he replied to Abraham in the hearing of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. 11 "No, my lord," he said. "Listen to me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead."
Here in Genesis 23 we see a beautiful picture of giving. Surprisingly, however, we see it not from the Jew, but the pagan. Abraham, apparently honored greatly among the Hittites, is offered by them to bury his wife Sarah in their land. There are really two pieces to this giving: the willingness to provide the land and the willingness to give it without cost. We see this in not only the Hittite population but in Ephron the Hittite when he says: "I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead." That is an incredible example of giving. Not only are the Hittites giving to a foreigner, but they are giving with a tone of respect and willingness. Abraham pleads with Ephron to pay, but Ephron continuously refuses. What a powerful way to give!
We can learn something from Ephron and the Hittites: we must have a giving heart. Jesus calls us to have hearts that give out of the love with which Christ first gave us. We must take the attitude of the Hittites and give to even the foreigners, without expecting anything in return. That is the radical love and attitude of giving to which Christ has called us. And, beloved, the world is in such desperate need of it. 700 million people are living in slums in this world today. Millions are living in sewer pipes, rummaging through garbage, dying through famines and droughts which our civilized world has never seen the likes of. Those people need us to give out of love and compassion and mercy. Likewise, there are those among us who need us to have giving hearts. Millions upon millions of people are struggling with all sorts of issues that, while they may not be physically destructive like poverty, are spiritually and mentally and emotionally wrecking their lives.
How do we respond to these people? We give unconditionally. We expect nothing in return, and yet expect their return to be plentiful. A kind word, a donation of time or money, and most importantly the message of the Gospel can turn someone's life around. People are looking to Christians to see if Christ will give. Will we have a giving heart? Yes, we will. That is the will of Christ Jesus. Let us have hearts that give like the Hittites to Abraham--giving with nothing in return and with love as our intent. Let us be careful to give out of love and not guilt or shame. To do this, we must constantly remember that the reason we give is because of Christ. Don't be afraid to tell people that is why you are giving--it is an incredible witness. Tell them and show them that the love you give flows from Christ. Let that love overflow in the lives of those around you and the lives of those distant from you. Have a heart that gives, and you will be surprised at how your own heart is changed. We can grow such cold, stone hearts that seek opportunities of controversy and aggrevation of others. When we turn that into an attitude of giving, however, our hearts will melt with the love of Christ. Give today, and see how God saves and warms the people in our world. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Are You Living as You Were Called?
Romans 13.12-14
"12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
One of the most serious problems with younger Christians these days is the Sunday Syndrome. The Sunday Syndrome is this: a young Christian turns his life over to Jesus, spends a few weeks or so emotionally high on the Gospel, then slowly descends backwards into his sinful ways. The only time you will ever see him return to the Lord is on two occasions: Sundays and when he is in trouble. Far too often have I seen this occur. Unfortunately, it is not only prevalent among younger Christians(especially teenagers), but in adults as well. This is one of the most serious issues we face as Christians: many of us are not living as we are called. Romans says that we are not to behave in "orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." And yet we see so many people professing themselves as Christians guilty of these things.
The bottom line is that living like Christ is a LIFESTYLE, not a single event. Notice the core of Paul's message here in Romans 13: we are to "clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." We are to "clothe" ourselves with Christ. Being a Christian is a lifestyle to which God calls us. The whole point of salvation is to reunite man with his Maker. It is not simply a "get out of death free" card. We live forever because we are with Christ--our entire existence feeds on Him. When Christ comes into our hearts, this becomes apparent. The Holy Spirit begins to say to us, "Don't do that," and "Go do that." The Holy Spirit is the discerning force that lets "us behave decently, as in the daytime." This replaces our old behavior which promotes sexual immorality, drunkenness, jealousy, and the desire to simply stir up trouble.
Notice that Paul says we are to behave "as in the daytime." What is the opposite of daytime? Night. Many professing Christians are not living as they are called--they are prowling around in the night looking for sinful pleasures. These desires may begin innocently enough, but soon become twisted by sin. Loneliness can lead to a relationship, which can lead to intimacy, which leads to sex before marriage or outside of a marriage. Depression can lead to a desire for happiness, which is sought through alcohol and drugs, which begins a vicious cycle of abuse of the mind, body, and spirit of both oneself and their loved ones. All such sins occur in the night--the devil attacks when we are spiritually off our guard. These sins are not drop off a ledge but a slow decline.
How are we to guard against this? How are we to live as we are called? We are to "put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." God's Word tells us that we must "behave decently, as in the daytime." We are to "clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." When a desire comes to sin, cast it out! Jesus says something very profound in Matthew 5.29: "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." If the Holy Spirit is tugging on your heart, take a step back and look at what is before you. If it is tempting you, throw it away. Get your mind off of it and onto Christ. Run from the darkness and move into the daylight. There's a song that states that "Into marvelous light [we] are running." 1 Peter 2.9 says this: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." God is calling us to live in His light, beloved. Let us live in it every day.
If you are struggling in some area of your life, if you are not living as you are called, let the blood of Christ wash it way. Come to God and say, "Lord, I know I have sinned. I ask your forgiveness to wash over me and cleanse me. Bring me back into your light." 1 John 1.9 says that "[i]f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Jesus will forgive you--He already has forgiven you. Live like you are forgiven, beloved. Don't go back to the sin He forgave. I encourage you to read the Scripture constantly, not just in short 2 minute devotions with one verse of Scripture. Get the meat of the Gospel. 1 Peter 2 is a great place to learn how we can live righteously before God. Walk in the Lord's light today, not in darkness. Live as you were called through Christ Jesus. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
"12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
One of the most serious problems with younger Christians these days is the Sunday Syndrome. The Sunday Syndrome is this: a young Christian turns his life over to Jesus, spends a few weeks or so emotionally high on the Gospel, then slowly descends backwards into his sinful ways. The only time you will ever see him return to the Lord is on two occasions: Sundays and when he is in trouble. Far too often have I seen this occur. Unfortunately, it is not only prevalent among younger Christians(especially teenagers), but in adults as well. This is one of the most serious issues we face as Christians: many of us are not living as we are called. Romans says that we are not to behave in "orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." And yet we see so many people professing themselves as Christians guilty of these things.
The bottom line is that living like Christ is a LIFESTYLE, not a single event. Notice the core of Paul's message here in Romans 13: we are to "clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." We are to "clothe" ourselves with Christ. Being a Christian is a lifestyle to which God calls us. The whole point of salvation is to reunite man with his Maker. It is not simply a "get out of death free" card. We live forever because we are with Christ--our entire existence feeds on Him. When Christ comes into our hearts, this becomes apparent. The Holy Spirit begins to say to us, "Don't do that," and "Go do that." The Holy Spirit is the discerning force that lets "us behave decently, as in the daytime." This replaces our old behavior which promotes sexual immorality, drunkenness, jealousy, and the desire to simply stir up trouble.
Notice that Paul says we are to behave "as in the daytime." What is the opposite of daytime? Night. Many professing Christians are not living as they are called--they are prowling around in the night looking for sinful pleasures. These desires may begin innocently enough, but soon become twisted by sin. Loneliness can lead to a relationship, which can lead to intimacy, which leads to sex before marriage or outside of a marriage. Depression can lead to a desire for happiness, which is sought through alcohol and drugs, which begins a vicious cycle of abuse of the mind, body, and spirit of both oneself and their loved ones. All such sins occur in the night--the devil attacks when we are spiritually off our guard. These sins are not drop off a ledge but a slow decline.
How are we to guard against this? How are we to live as we are called? We are to "put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." God's Word tells us that we must "behave decently, as in the daytime." We are to "clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ, and not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." When a desire comes to sin, cast it out! Jesus says something very profound in Matthew 5.29: "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." If the Holy Spirit is tugging on your heart, take a step back and look at what is before you. If it is tempting you, throw it away. Get your mind off of it and onto Christ. Run from the darkness and move into the daylight. There's a song that states that "Into marvelous light [we] are running." 1 Peter 2.9 says this: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." God is calling us to live in His light, beloved. Let us live in it every day.
If you are struggling in some area of your life, if you are not living as you are called, let the blood of Christ wash it way. Come to God and say, "Lord, I know I have sinned. I ask your forgiveness to wash over me and cleanse me. Bring me back into your light." 1 John 1.9 says that "[i]f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Jesus will forgive you--He already has forgiven you. Live like you are forgiven, beloved. Don't go back to the sin He forgave. I encourage you to read the Scripture constantly, not just in short 2 minute devotions with one verse of Scripture. Get the meat of the Gospel. 1 Peter 2 is a great place to learn how we can live righteously before God. Walk in the Lord's light today, not in darkness. Live as you were called through Christ Jesus. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
A Little Off—How We Can Slowly Slip into Our Old Ways
A Little Off—How We Can Slowly Slip into Our Old Ways
Deuteronomy 6.4-9
"4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates"
Someone once made a great analogy about man's commitment to the Lord's laws: serving the Lord is like building a foundation--if you get just one piece off and keep using the measurement, your structure will not be sound at the end. That's a great analogy, and unfortunately it's one to which we fall victim far too often. Beloved, it is so easy to become complacent in following the Lord's commands. We have the freedom of Christ, but we often stretch this freedom to go back into slavery--sin. God tells us in His word, however, that we are not to do this. Here in Deuteronomy 6 we see God telling His children to "[l]ove the LORD with all [their hearts] and with all [their souls] and with all [their] strength." God takes these commands so seriously that He tells His people that "[t]hese commandments...are to be upon [their] hearts."
If God takes His commands so seriously, it is imperitive that we follow them just as He says. How do we do that? He tells us that we do that by "[impressing] them on [our] children, [talking] about them when [we] sit at home and when [we] walk along the road, when [we] lie down and when [we] get up." So the commmands of the Lord should be continually upon our hearts and minds. We should talk about them to our children, at home, work, when we lie down to go to sleep and when we arise from our sleep. Beloved, when we meditate upon God's commands, we dedicate ourselves to His eternal measurement. There is no chance for us to get off on our measurements because our measurements are His measurements. So, let us reflect upon Christ every moment we can. Let us remember His ways and make them our ways. When we do so, we not only obey the Lord, but we benefit as well. We feel so much better when we serve the Lord!
We are also told to "[t]ie [the commandments] as symbols on [our] hands and bind them on [our] foreheads." We are to "[w]rite them on the doorframes of [our] houses and on [our] gates." The reason God uses such strong terminology is because He wants to stress just how serious it is for us to remain in His ways. Beloved, sin is so dangerous and so easy to fall into that God tells us to bind His laws in us. Write them in permanent marker! Emphasize them day after day after day. Teach them, reflect upon them, consider them in every action you undertake. Is what your doing what the Lord wants you to do? Even if it seems a little off, remember that a little off often means a lot off later on.
Beloved, if you have strayed from the Lord's decrees today, return to them. Remember that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8.1-2). If you have fallen away from the Lord, He will not smite you :) He simply wishes you to come back to His will so that you may once again be molded into His image. But He can't mold you unless you're willing. Will you obey the Lord today, regardless of what He says? We must, beloved. We must put the commands of the Lord upon our hearts and minds each day. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Deuteronomy 6.4-9
"4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates"
Someone once made a great analogy about man's commitment to the Lord's laws: serving the Lord is like building a foundation--if you get just one piece off and keep using the measurement, your structure will not be sound at the end. That's a great analogy, and unfortunately it's one to which we fall victim far too often. Beloved, it is so easy to become complacent in following the Lord's commands. We have the freedom of Christ, but we often stretch this freedom to go back into slavery--sin. God tells us in His word, however, that we are not to do this. Here in Deuteronomy 6 we see God telling His children to "[l]ove the LORD with all [their hearts] and with all [their souls] and with all [their] strength." God takes these commands so seriously that He tells His people that "[t]hese commandments...are to be upon [their] hearts."
If God takes His commands so seriously, it is imperitive that we follow them just as He says. How do we do that? He tells us that we do that by "[impressing] them on [our] children, [talking] about them when [we] sit at home and when [we] walk along the road, when [we] lie down and when [we] get up." So the commmands of the Lord should be continually upon our hearts and minds. We should talk about them to our children, at home, work, when we lie down to go to sleep and when we arise from our sleep. Beloved, when we meditate upon God's commands, we dedicate ourselves to His eternal measurement. There is no chance for us to get off on our measurements because our measurements are His measurements. So, let us reflect upon Christ every moment we can. Let us remember His ways and make them our ways. When we do so, we not only obey the Lord, but we benefit as well. We feel so much better when we serve the Lord!
We are also told to "[t]ie [the commandments] as symbols on [our] hands and bind them on [our] foreheads." We are to "[w]rite them on the doorframes of [our] houses and on [our] gates." The reason God uses such strong terminology is because He wants to stress just how serious it is for us to remain in His ways. Beloved, sin is so dangerous and so easy to fall into that God tells us to bind His laws in us. Write them in permanent marker! Emphasize them day after day after day. Teach them, reflect upon them, consider them in every action you undertake. Is what your doing what the Lord wants you to do? Even if it seems a little off, remember that a little off often means a lot off later on.
Beloved, if you have strayed from the Lord's decrees today, return to them. Remember that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8.1-2). If you have fallen away from the Lord, He will not smite you :) He simply wishes you to come back to His will so that you may once again be molded into His image. But He can't mold you unless you're willing. Will you obey the Lord today, regardless of what He says? We must, beloved. We must put the commands of the Lord upon our hearts and minds each day. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
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