I'm Not Good for Nothing

This month, six pastors from our area are swapping pulpits on Sunday nights. Each participating church gets to hear a different preacher on successive Sunday nights in July. Last Sunday night after services, we gathered at a local eatery to exchange experiences. One of the guys related the introduction he received at the church he visited. Paraphrased, the intro went something like “some pastors in our association are swapping pulpits; so we get to hear some other good preachers without having to pay them. Tonight our good for nothing preacher is . . .” I guess this is one case where it is OK for a pastor to be good for nothing.

As we examine the second triad of the fruit of the Spirit, we find three qualities that serve our fellow man: patience, kindness, and goodness. These qualities spring from the spirit and manifest themselves in visible ways to the people with whom we come in contact on a daily basis . . . IF we are under the Spirit’s influence. An absence of these qualities indicates a life under control of the flesh and resisting the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . patience, kindness, goodness . . . Galatians 5:22b

Patience is state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation. It is the ability to endure long periods of testy circumstances and prolonged exposure to trying individuals without giving out, giving up, or giving in.

Kindness is an event or activity which is useful or benevolent. It is making a positive contribution to one’s society, family, or community, or even to another individual.

Goodness is a demonstration of positive moral qualities of the most general nature. It is the innate quality of character that leads one behave rightly in all circumstances of life.

Patience enables us to endure hardship, kindness empowers us to be a blessing to others, and goodness exhibits integrity and progress in becoming more like Jesus.

Again, I remind you that these qualities do not appear on their own, nor do we conjure them up through some inner strength or personal will power. I can no more make myself patient, kind, and good than I can make myself tall, handsome, and hairy. I can only experience these qualities as I continually yield myself to the Holy Spirit.

Allow me to suggest some disciplines that expose us to the One whose fruit we long to bear:

MEDITATE – The Bible is high octane food for the Holy Spirit in our lives. Meditating on it assures that we do not hurriedly “scarf down” Scripture, but rather allowing opportunity to digest it and assimilate it into our lives.

MEMORIZE – locking God’s Word into our hearts and minds arms us with powerful Scripture at a moment’s notice. Like a B-12 shot for the Holy Spirit, recalled Scripture fortifies the Spirit’s influence in our lives at a time and point of need.

MAINTAIN – Rather than having a prayer TIME, why not try a prayer LIFE. We benefit from setting aside a specific time a place to meet with God, but our connection to Him need not end there. Rather than saying, “Amen” and arising from your place of prayer, leave your prayer open and your conversation with God ongoing. When a challenging situation presents itself, you can ask the Holy Spirit to allow you to respond properly and bear His fruit in you.

The fruit is not ours to produce but ours to bear. We can’t be patient, kind, and good for nothing, but we can through the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

Is an avocado a fruit or a vegetable?

The answer depends on how you categorize it. Botanically, the avocado is a fruit, but in the culinary world usually treats it as a veggie. Makes no difference to me, I love them anyway. With my love for Latino cuisine I find many opportunities to enjoy them. When you peel away the rough exterior, the sweet and smooth inside presents quite a treat.

The first triad of the fruit of the Spirit – peace, joy, and love – is much like the avocado in that these three inner qualities are not noticeable until something strips away our façade and exposes them.

I have heard it said, “still waters run deep,” meaning that a calm spirit is the result of one’s depth of soul. Peace, joy, and love abide in the inner most resources of our soul, where we find the presence of God, the Holy Spirit. As a reminder, the fruit we look at in Galatians 5 is not fruit produce by our own ingenuity and goodness, but rather by the Holy Spirit at work in and through us.

When the Holy Spirit is the Influencer of our lives, this trio bubbles up out of nowhere, often even to our own surprise. All three operate independent of circumstances and in fact appear IN SPITE of our circumstances.

Love is the unconditional acceptance of and commitment to the benefit of others even when not reciprocated. Joy is a deep satisfaction with God and what He is doing in our lives, trusting that He knows best what to do with us. Peace is a settled calm that recognizes God in control of even the most uncertain and unnerving of circumstances.

The absence of any one of these three is a telling indication that we are not under the control of the Holy Spirit, and conversely when He is bearing His fruit in us, they are unmistakably obvious. So how can we enjoy this fruit? Consider the following:

We love who and what God loves when we grow in our love for Him.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. – 1 John 4:7-12

We find joy when we abandon our own efforts for happiness and instead find our satisfaction in Christ alone. The Greek word for joy is chara, the Greek word for grace is charis. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Joy is a by-product of the grace we have received through Christ. Apart from Him we cannot know joy.

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:11

We are at peace when we focus our minds and place our trust in the ONE who is the only dependable source for security.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. – Isaiah 26:3

So, to sum up: the first triad of fruit comes to maturity in our lives when we continually expose ourselves to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Through an ongoing and continuous fellowship with Him, we become men and women know for our love, joy, and peace.

Am I A Fruit Loop?

One of the reasons I really love summer is the abundance of fresh fruit. Among my favorites are watermelon, blueberries, bananas, and pineapple. But since I am a Georgia Boy, you KNOW my favorite has to be peaches. I have fond childhood memories of my dad’s homemade peach ice cream. Hmm . . . probably the reason I am diabetic now! He would churn a whole gallon in the evening, and we all would have a bowl or two. When everyone went bed, there was still about a half-gallon left. Everyone, except ME. Then everyone would wake up the next morning to find all the ice cream mysteriously gone. Yep, I love me some peaches!

Fruit is very distinguishable. No one mistakes a cantaloupe for turnip greens. Right, Keith? No one looking for mashed potatoes accidentally bites into a kiwi. Fruit is fruit, no question about it.
I believe it no accident that fruit is one of the metaphors the Bible uses to describe spiritual result. True repentance produces visible evidence – fruit. (Matthew 3:8) Fruit exposes false prophets (Matthew 5:15-16), the condition of one’s heart (Matthew 12:33-34), and spiritual usefulness (Matthew 21:18-20) just to name a few examples.

The most familiar reference, however, is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in a believer’s life. Fruit = Holy Spirit at work.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there
is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Today, allow me to make some general remarks about the verses, and in the next few blogs we will look at these qualities in a bit more detail.

First, I think it is important to note that the list as introduced as fruit (singular) and not fruits (plural). The fruit of the spirit is not a smorgasbord from which one may choose two or three of his or her favorites to display. When the Holy Spirit is at work in a believer’s life, He displays all nine qualities. One cannot say, “I will show joy and love today, but forget the patience and self-control. Those are my strong points.” The list is collective; they come as a set.

Also, we need to note that this list is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, not the fruit of me. I cannot consistently exhibit these nine qualities through my own resources and ingenuity. Only the Holy Spirit’s influence in my life make these a reality. I try harder, do better, or grow into it. I only realize these qualities when I allow the Holy Spirit to dictate my actions, attitudes, and affections.

Then finally, these qualities are an indicator of the condition of my heart – a snap shot of my soul. When I am absent these qualities it is an indication I have taken control of my life again and I am not allowing the Holy Spirit to direct me. When these qualities mark my life, I (as well as others) see clearly God working through me.

I don’t know about you, but more than anything I want to demonstrate these nine words. I want to become synonymous with the fruit of the Spirit. In upcoming posts, we will consider the fruit in three sets of three: inward, outward, and upward. For now, consider the following questions as fodder for introspection and prayer.

1. Which of these qualities are my strong points? Weak points?
2. How sensitive am I to the Holy Spirit?
3. Do I allow my feelings to drive me, or am I more driven by reason?
4. How can I be more submissive to the influence of the Holy Spirit?

Superstitious Living

Baseball players are notoriously superstitious. Players on a good run will not shave, change socks, routine, pre-game meals . . . you name it. Players on a bad run will try and change any and everything about their game in hopes that “luck” will come their way.

Apparently, emperors are superstitious too. His mother Helena exposed Constantine to Christianity, but it was not until much later in life that he proclaimed himself a Christian. He led a faction during a civil war within the Eastern branch of the Roman Empire. Just before the The Battle of Milvan Bridge on October 28, 312, Constantine looked up at the sun and saw a cross of light above it along with a Greek phrase that renders in English, “By this, conquer.” Thinking that to be a sign, he ordered his soldiers to decorate their shields with a cross, and they commenced to win the battle. Constantine then declared himself a Christian. He went on to be the undisputed emperor of the united Roman Empire. History does not reveal whether Constantine became a Christian due to a sincere faith or a more utilitarian belief that if he promoted God, God would favor him.

Lest we think too harshly of superstitious athletes and emperors and too highly of ourselves, we might be wise to consider if the faintest hint of superstition drives our Christian service. Think of it this way: why do you do the good things you do? Because you hope the principle of karma is true and that good things will come your way? Because you think as long as you are doing good things that God will do good things to you, but if you stop doing good things so will He? Where in that is GRACE?

John Piper, writing about heaven, posed this question (my paraphrase): if you could have all that heaven offers – reunion with loved ones, perfect healing, paradise, no more sin, but NO JESUS . . . would you still want to go? Seriously, if heaven were still all it is advertised to be, save the presence of Jesus, would you still long for it? The answer to that question diagnoses the condition of our hearts.

When Jesus is the longing of our heart, nowhere without Him could be heaven.

When Jesus is the longing of our heart, no activity without Him could be satisfactory.

When Jesus is the longing of our heart, no day without Him could be sunny.

When Jesus is the longing our heart, no job without Him could be rewarding.

When Jesus is the longing of our heart, no life without Him could be fulfilling.

Written by a King who had it all . . . but was on the lam from his own son:

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water – Psalm 63:1

May HE be our heart’s desire.

My Daughter's Father Is An Alien

The thought occurred to me . . . I am an immigrant, an alien, so to speak. I am an American Citizen, and a proud one at that, but in actuality I hold dual citizenship. I am foremost a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

“…but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20

So how does this dual citizenship work? How can I live in one kingdom responsibly while holding another Kingdom in my heart?

First, as Paul reminds us in the verse above, I live my life eagerly anticipating the return of my Savior. I live each day prepared to meet Him. I do not get too attached to things that will be left behind when I go and I invest my time doing things that are significant beyond my earthly existence. The Bible calls this “storing up treasures in heaven.” I give greatest attention to relationships and spiritual matters and least attention to selfish pursuits that hold no lasting value.

Also, I contribute positively to my country. Jesus said,

Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” - Luke 20:25

A good citizen of Christ’s Kingdom will also be a good citizen of his or her earthly kingdom. Vote, obey the laws, give back to the community, and seek the welfare of your neighborhood and town. These things are responsible behavior and are a good witness to the spirit of excellence that should mark every believer in Jesus. Participating in the public forum and engaging your culture provides a Godly influence where not might not otherwise exist.

Then, finally, I recognize my role on this side of eternity – I am an ambassador. An ambassador is sent to bring a message from and represent a ruler from another place. We are Christ’s ambassadors here on earth.

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. – 2 Corinthians 5:20

Jesus places us here on earth to bring the good news to people that through Him people can be in a right standing with God. We represent Him and bring His message. We may be the first (and only) contact some people will ever have with Jesus. What kind of Jesus are we showing them? Is it an accurate depiction? Do we devote our lives to His cause or to ourselves?

As we celebrate our country’s freedom this weekend, let’s be proud to be American. She is still the greatest country on earth – regardless of what the campaigners say. Thank God for the blessing of living here. And remember, the best way you can serve your country is by serving your Lord. A life the models Christ is a blessing to our country.

God bless America!!!

Are You Worth A Million?

An interesting drama is unfolding in Laurens County, Georgia, the place Andrea and I fondly called home most of the 90’s. I will give you a brief description followed by some thoughts.

Back in August 2007, a sheriff’s deputy pulled to the right side of road and began to make a left U-turn. As he pulled back onto the road toward a 900 degree angle, a motorcyclist traveling in the same direction t-boned the sheriff’s cruiser at such a rate of speed that the impact flipped the car over on its side. The deputy was seriously injured and is still in the process of physical recovery. The motorcyclist was fatally injured.

The motorcyclist’s widow provides the interesting twist to the story. She is suing
the county, the sheriff’s department, the sheriff, and the deputy for what she calls (notice I am quoting here) “the full value of the life of her husband.” What price tag could you put on a man’s life? Well, apparently he was worth a cool $1,000,000 to her – that is the amount she is seeking.

I have neither the desire nor responsibility to determine the merits of this case. I have no idea who should or should not have been doing what, where, and how. What intrigues me is placing a monetary value on the life of a human being.

While not addressing the monetary value of one’s earthly existence, Jesus did rhetorically ask about the value of the human soul.

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:25-26

One doesn’t need a PhD in economics to realize the the value of something is determined by what is exchanged for it. If you don’t believe me, try selling a house! It doesn’t matter what the appraiser says the house is worth, it is only worth what the seller can get for it. Aprraisals don’t pay power bills and buy groceries.

Who’s to say how much one’s time here on earth is worth, but we can easily determine the value of the human soul. Jesus exchanged His life for our soul. That makes our soul the most valuable commodity known to man.

You are so valuable to God that He gave His Son’s life in exchange for you. Never believe the devil’s lie that you don’t matter or that you are insignificant. You are worth far more than a mil to God. Our lives have been redeemed, let’s rise above the common and ordinary and live as the priceless treasures that we are.

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. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. – 1Peter 2:9-10

What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

When I was a teenager and young adult, I wanted to be a coach, a baseball coach specifically. When I was a teenager, God called me to ministry, but my heart called me to coach. For the longest time, I thought that God had won and my heart had lost, but I have come to see that a pastor is a coach – a life coach. I was flattered that one of the kids at Bible School last week called me Coach Pastor Jim (yes, Terry, that was one of yours). I LOVE IT!!!!!

Think about what a coach does for his team – instruction, conditioning, motivation, strategy, over all leadership and direction. A pastor does all the same. We teach God’s Word and precepts to our flock, we train and prepare them for everyday living, we motivate them to live for Christ and serve Him, we plan, direct, and guide individuals to achieve God’s goals for their lives and churches to accomplish their mission as Christ’s body.

As with any team, however, the coach can only coach the coachable. We all see from time to time the professional athlete who thinks he/she has arrived and doesn’t need coaching. Of course, said athlete usually doesn’t last long. But the question we have to ask ourselves is . . . how coachable are we, spiritually speaking?

God has placed people in our lives to help us, teach us, train us, and mobilize us for spiritual victory. Yet sometimes we resist, rebel, or just out and out riot when our “coaches” try to help us. Have you ever stopped to wonder why God gave you a pastor? I know some of you think it was to make your life miserable, spoil all your fun, or try to make you feel guilty. Consider what God’s Word says about the role of pastors and our attitudes toward them.

And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ . . . – Ephesians 4:11-12

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. – Hebrews 13:17

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

God places people into our lives to teach us and lead us in His ways. If we are coachable, God will used them to prepare us to serve Him and to experience His power in us in ways we had never imagined. I can say, the greatest encouragement a pastor receives is when his people learn from him and follow him in serving God. A pastor wants the church to succeed individually and corporately. Listen to your leaders, learn from them, and live out what they show and teach you.