I Wish I COULD HAVE A FRESH START

Speaking of fresh starts and new born babies, we've finally started recording our weekend teaching conversations on audio. We've been talking about this for a while, but finally someone got tired of waiting and figured out how to pull it off. (Thanks Chad!)

What does this mean for you? If you missed the Sunday adult teaching you don't have to read text summaries here anymore. You can experience the teaching conversation like everyone else did. Hear what everyone else heard. In fact- if you close your eyes- it's almost like we're right there with you.

OK, maybe that's a little creepy. Anyway, you can find a recording of this past Sunday's teaching HERE.

Please be patient. We're still working out glitches. In the weeks ahead we'll make some tweaks to improve things.

With all of these new happenings, I'll stop posting extensive written summaries of the teaching conversations here. For now you'll still be able to find links to the scriptures we explored, some questions for personal reflection or discussion with a few friends, and the occasional picture or link to something we referenced.

So enjoy and thank Chad Miller if/when you see him!

SCRIPTURES FROM SUNDAY:
Luke 1:67-79
Lamentations 3:21-23
Luke 3:2-6
Luke 4:16-21

REFLECT/DISCUSS:
Q: Knowing what you know today, what's one thing you'd go back and do differently in your life?

Q: What's one area of your life you'd like to have a fresh start in this new year?

Q: How would you like your life with God to be different this year?

Q: Of all the word pictures of fresh starts in the scriptures we discussed, which one resonates most with you today and why?

Q: God offers each of us a fresh start today. Do we really want it? Enough to engage/surrender to Him more than we have in the past?

I Wish WE COULD ALL GET ALONG

Ever noticed how hard it is to be original at Christmas? For the most part we do the same stuff every year- sing the same songs, watch the same shows, eat the same food, put up the same decorations, throw the same parties, etc. And we like it that way. Originality is not encouraged this time of year. We like Christmas to feel, sound and taste familiar.

Take our catch phrases for example: "Happy Holidays". This generic phrase could fit any of a dozen days, but none of us probably uses it outside of December. How about "Joy To The World"? Surely the world could use joy all year- but you won't find us vocalizing it the other 11 months. Then there's the subject of this post, "Peace On Earth". When was the last time you heard that other than Christmas- or the occasional beauty pageant? The idea that we could find peace, both personally and on a grand scale, is associated with this season. Why? Maybe because the event that first launched the Christmas phenomenon is God's plan to grant the deep desire inside most human hearts for peace. Check out this excerpt from the Christmas story in the Bible.

GOD WANTS US TO HAVE PEACE
God has a knack for irony. When He wants to send a message of peace He nearly scares the poor shepherds working the night shift half to death. Apparently the Lord hasn't heard of setting the mood. Or maybe God just likes to do things a bit differently than we would. Look at what Jesus said about the peace He came to offer. It is different. On occasion we can produce a bit of peace on our own- by overeating, shopping, going to movies, etc. Often our peace lasts about as long as our indulgence. The peace that Jesus came to offer is different. It has a depth and breadth to it that ours doesn't. So much so that it sticks with us in the moments when we should be anything but peaceful. ("Peace that passes understanding" I think they call it.) God also uses different methods to set things right. We try to bring about peace with agression- beating and bullying others toward our will. Jesus chooses to sacrifice Himself instead.

GOD WANTS EVERYONE TO HAVE PEACE
Humans are mostly selfish. We think about ourselves and the people we care about. But the peace God offers through the Christmas story isn't just for us. Or our loved ones. Or the people we like. Or who are like us. God offers His peace to EVERYONE. The good news about the peace making Savior is for all people. Jesus came to earth and sacrificed Himself to bring us all back to our Maker. He erased the lines and broke down the walls that separate us not only from God, but from each other as well. The diverse characters in the Christmas story give us a glimpse into God's desire to welcome everyone. God involves the old and the young, the white collar and blue collar, the reputable and the disreputable, the insiders and outsiders, the rich and the poor, the nationals and the foreigners. Why are we so slow to catch on to God's heart for inclusion?

GOD WANTS US TO PURSUE PEACE WITH EACH OTHER
If Jesus came to fulfill God's promise of peace on earth, why is there still so much conflict? It's been 2000 years since The Arrival yet wars, divorce, lawsuits, gossip, etc. are as prevalent as ever. Where is the peace God promised? Why can't we all just get along? If you resonate with that question, check out the lyrics to U2's "Peace On Earth". (Bono says it better than I can.)

While the question and emotions in this song are valid, I think the sentiment is missing something. Peace requires serious effort. Harmony won't be accomplished with a warm wishes and pixie dust. Jesus blesses the PEACE-MAKERS- not the peace accepters or peace receivers. Being at peace with others takes hard work. But should that surprise us? If Jesus brought peace through humility & sacrifice- and we're following in His steps- won't the same be required of us? This may also explain why God's desire for harmony hasn't been fully realized yet.

REFLECT/TALK:
Q: How do you find peace in your daily life? What, if anything, do you find peaceful about the Christmas season?

Q: Are you at peace wtih God right now? If not, what is standing in your way?

Q: Why do you think there isn't more peace in the world? In your opinion is it harder to fight or make peace?

Q: What do you think about Jesus' assertion that making peace with others is more important in the moment than offering a gift to Him in worship? (See Matthew 5:23-24).

Q: How do you feel about God loving all people groups? Is there anyone you think is beyond His peace? What could/are you doing to embrace God's desire to erase dividing lines and bring people together?

Q: Is there anyone you need to try and make peace with? How/when could you start?

I Wish I COULD DO SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

I was laying in bed late last night when Oprah popped on the screen and said:

"Whatever you're gonna do- do something that matters."

Now Oprah doesn't usually show up on my tv at 1am, so I took this as a sign from God that we might have been on to something with this past Sunday's teaching conversation. I mean if Ms. Winfrey agrees, we must be on the right track, right?

Ok, maybe she wasn't speaking on God's behalf- but Oprah was expressing one of the deep desires of the human heart: We want to do something significant. To make a difference. To do something that matters. Our problem however, as many of us see it, is that we aren't significant people. We're ordinary folks, living in ordinary places, doing ordinary things.

Sometimes we look at the people in the Bible for inspiration. What do we find? Colorful people, living in exciting places, doing amazing things. "Oh well", we shrug, "Significance must not be in the cards for us." 

And then we happen upon the Christmas story. A story so significant that it warrants a month long party and whose participants get memorialized on more front lawns and on mantles than you can count. And what do we learn? Significance can look pretty ordinary.

SIGNIFICANCE HAPPENS IN MIDDLE OF THE ORDINARY
I love the outdoors. When I'm out in nature I feel connected to God in a way that doesn't happen in my man-made world. So far my favorite spot to enjoy creation is the corner of Wyoming that's home to Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Ntl Park. There's something about that majestic spot that resonates with a deep place in my soul.

But I'd be kidding myself if I thought that was the ONLY place I could enjoy the outdoors. The Appalachain Trail is just a few hours west of my home. The Outer Banks a few hours east. The metro area I reside in has several beautiful lakes. And there's a nicely wooded walking trail at the end of my street. I don't have to go somewhere special to enjoy creation.  I can stay put in my ordinary life.  Isn't it the same with God?

Think about where each of the players in the Christmas story was when God found them: Zechariah and the shepherds were working. Mary was at home. Joseph was in bed. The Magi were studying. Talk about ordinary. God doesn't need us to go somewhere special to do something great. He can- and most likely will- use us right where we are.

SIGNIFICANCE LOOKS ORDINARY
Malcolm Gladwell's latest book, Outliers, challenges our understandings of what makes a person successful. One fascinating chapter chronicles the rule of 10,000. Hours that is. Gladwell pulls together several studies that suggest that people who become world class at something (music, business, athletics, chess, etc) all spend about 10,000 hours on their craft. That's 20 hours a week for 10 years. And all this time I've believed that the people who do something significant are just that much better than everyone else. If Gladwell is right, they just work and practice much longer and harder than anyone else. And practice often looks pretty ordinary.

What does God ask the people in the Christmas story to do? Ordinary stuff: Have a baby. Take a trip. Sneak away from work to see something interesting. The people do the ordinary stuff. God does the amazing stuff. Significance happens when ordinary people do ordinary things with an extraordinary God.

What does God ask us to do? Take care of each other. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Visit the lonely. Listen.  Hug.  Share what we have. Tell His story. Speak up when we see someone being taken advantage of. All ordinary stuff, right? What makes the difference is that God works through our ordinary efforts.

SIGNIFICANCE MOSTLY FEELS ORDINARY
If it were left up to us, everything would feel great. Every church gathering would give us goose bumps. We'd hear God speak directly to us every time we opened up the scripture. We'd feel a deep sense of kinship whenever we hung out with other followers of Jesus. Every act of service or help would feel rewarding. But it doesn't work that way, does it? Most of the time life feels....well, ordinary.

Don't you think it worked the same way with the people who played significant parts in the Christmas story? Didn't the parenting of newborns mostly feel tiring and routine? Wasn't much of the Magi's trip uneventful and maybe even a bit boring? Sure. Mountaintop moments are so named because there is a high point- as well as a way up and a way down, and probably a lot of plateau as well.

Just because we don't feel like we are making a difference doesn't mean that God isn't using us to do something important. A year ago a few folks in our church community got to know a guy named Rob. We liked him.  Rob asked for some help and friendship and we did our best to give both. After a couple of months, Rob pulled away. We felt like we hadn't made much of a difference for him. Last weekend I got an email from Rob telling me that he had decided to follow Jesus. I was floored. Didn't see that coming at all. While I'm sure that God used a bunch of folks to love Rob towards Jesus, I think that we played a small part as well. It didn't feel like it at the time, but God was using our meager efforts to help change a life. Amazing.

TRY IT:
The next time you see a nativity scene or read the Christmas story thank God for His propensity to use ordinary people like us. Right where we are. With what we have to offer. Regardless of the accompanying emotions. 

Want to do something that matters this week? Pray each day and ask God to help you do this:

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 

(Romans 12:1, The Message)

REFLECT:
Q: Do you agree that most people want to spend their life doing something that matters?  Why/Not?  Do you feel this way?  

Q: What reasons (or excuses) come to mind as to why you couldn't do something significant for God and others?  Does this look at the Christmas story challenge any of those?

Q: Why are we tempted to imagine that the important stuff would happen somewhere else- and not in our daily lives?

Q: Based on what you know about Jesus' life and teachings- what kinds of actions are significant in His eyes?

Q: Do you think people are seeking to do something that makes a difference- or to feel like they are making a difference?  Are they the same thing?

I Wish I COULD BELIEVE

What's your favorite Christmas movie or show?

As a kid I would have said it was "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". In college it wouild have been "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". Today it's "Elf".

Whatever your answer, I'll bet there's a good chance the plot includes a quest for belief- in Santa, the goodness of people, the ability to change, that people can be accepted or reconcile with each other, etc.

Why is that? Why do our Christmas stories and celebrations reveal a longing to believe? Maybe because the desire for faith echoes inside every heart. And because Christmas- God becoming one of us- is a huge part of God's plan to grant our wish for faith.

Every player in the Bible's Christmas story is asked to believe something amazing. Let's meet one person who often gets overlooked in the telling of the story.

STARTING EARLY
Most of us complain that Christmas starts too early. We see decorations go up in October and let out a deep sigh. Recently I watched a special on people who go over the top to decorate their yards and houses for Christmas. Their displays inspire tens of thousands of people to stop by every year. Their average starting date for decorating? August.

We usually start telling the biblical Christmas story with the angel's visit to Mary. But God is doing some amazing things 6 months prior to that with an old priest and his wife. Zechariah and Elizabeth are people with a real, deep faith (don't miss what God thought of them)- and an empty house. Certainly they'd prayed that God would give them children over the years. But no answer came. Until one day when Zechariah is in a special place doing a special work and gets a pretty special message.

How does this man of deep faith respond? See for yourself. Is that the response you expect? Would we have believed the angel? When it comes to believing God, some of us would say, "I'm not wishing for faith. I've believed for a long time." You mean, like Zechariah? His struggle to accept God's message reminds us that faith isn't static. We don't believe once and lock faith in. Instead we choose every day to trust God with our lives. Others of us think about faith and reply, "I wish I could believe, but I can't. Maybe if I knew more, could get my questions answered, or could experience God in a real way I could believe." You mean, like Zechariah? To those of us who struggle with faith his story reminds us that answers and miracles don't guarantee belief. We still have to choose.

GOING WITH IT
So what happens when we want to believe, but just don't? We've got to go with it. Look at what happens for Zechariah. God gives him some time (and silence) to process things. (Note: If God can't get our attention through a blessing, He may use a challenge.) The only way for Zechariah to know if God is really going to give him a child is to give it a shot and see if God shows up as promised. Maybe the same is true for us. Maybe we need to set our questions, reasons and doubts aside and see if God doesn't meet us in it. And God won't rush us. We may assume that faith should be instant, but God seems ok with a gestational period. Elizabeth's growing belly is a good picture for what is happening in Zechariah's heart- and what might happen for us if we are willing to go with it.

FAITH (RE)BORN
9 months later the baby arrives. And Zechariah has a chance to speak. His name for his newborn son speaks volumes about what he has come to believe. And when his vocal chords release, his gives voice to his faith and gratitude. Don't miss what happens next- God uses his story to speak to others and work in their lives. For those of us who feel like our doubts disqualify us from being used by God- think again. Sometimes our struggles are what make us usable.

REFLECT/TALK:
Q: Do you agree that most people have a desire to believe in God or someone/something bigger than themselves? Why/Not?

Q: How would you describe your faith in God today?

Q: Do you tend to think of faith as a static thing, or something that is constantly being decided? How does this play out/impact your life with God?

Q: What do you think of the angel's response to Zechariah? Have you ever seen God use a tough situation to get your attention? Are you more responsive to God's positive messages or the convicting/challenging ones?

Q: What role do you think time played in Zechariah's change of heart? Do we over or underestimate our need to let faith gestate and develop?

Q: Take another look at the impact Zechariah's profession of faith has. What struggles of faith have you come through? How has/could God use your story to impact others?

Gratitude Adjustment- A Grateful Expression

How was your Thanksgiving weekend?

Hope you enjoyed some time off of work and were able to celebrate as over the top or as low key as you wanted.

I'm curious about something: At some point in the holiday, did you stop and express your gratitude? Were you able to transfer your grateful perspective to a grateful expression?

Why do I ask? Maybe feeling thankful isn't enough. Maybe thankfulness has to be expressed to be fully appreciated. Why would I say that? Take a peek at this verse from Proverbs:

"Open criticism is better than unexpressed love."

Most of us wouldn't choose to be openly criticized. But how often do we forget to let our love and gratitude flow out to the ears of those who need to hear it?

Yesterday our faith community spent our entire gathering trying to express our gratitude to God in a bunch of different ways- through music, responsive readings, sharing stories, verbalizing thanks, writing and drawing, through communion- and even a baby dedication. (Thanks for hanging with us Micah!)

Here are a few of the scriptures we sat with:

Philippians 4:6

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Psalm 136

We also posed these questions for reflection and a time of open sharing:

Q: What are your learning about gratitude right now?

Q: What are you thankful for right now?

Whether you were able to be with us yesterday or not, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Hit the comments button and let the gratitude flow.

Gratitude Adjustment- Tweaking Our Perspective

What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving? The food? Football? Time off ? Family? All of the above? Me too. Notice anything missing from that list? Like the actual giving of thanks? Isn’t it funny that we can create a holiday around gratitude- and go to great lengths to pull it off- and still not feel or express a lot of thankfulness? For the next couple of weeks we’re trying to open our hearts up for a little “gratitude adjustment”. With a couple of tweaks from God we’ll be able to settle into a grateful place and embody the spirit of the season.

Realizing Just How Blessed We Are
The way we see things often determines the way we live our lives. Adjusting our perspective gives us a chance to live differently. They key to maintaining a grateful perspective? Realizing just how blessed we are. Of course, it’s easy to lose sight of that. Whether we’re striving for more and more- or simply trying to hold on to what we’ve got in a challenging time- it’s tempting to take our blessings for granted. The solution? Zoom out a bit. Look past “our world” to “the world”. And in global terms- every one of us is very, very blessed. For example, did you know that only 8% of the people on the planet own a car- any kind of car at all? Or that the US spends more on trash bags every year than nearly half of all countries spend on everything? Or that the same amount Americans spend on ice cream annually (about $20 billion) could be used to provide all of the world’s poorest people with clean water and basic nutrition and medical care? We’ve got a lot to be thankful for, huh?

This isn’t just true in a global scale but in our city too. Want to realize how healthy you are? Walk through a hospital today- or call a friend who is sick. Want to appreciate your home? Take a walk downtown and talk with some folks who don’t have one? Want to be grateful for your job? Listen to your friends who are stuck in the middle of a job search. If we look around a little, all of the sudden our lives look pretty good by comparison.

Realizing Why We've Been Blessed
When we see all that we have to be thankful for we might begin to feel a bit guilty. Why should we have so much when others have so little? Great question. God’s answer? We've got it so that we can share it. Check out this passage in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. The right responses to God’sblessings aren’t guilt, idolatry, or arrogance- but rather gratitude, enjoyment and generosity.

THINK/TALK ABOUT IT:
Q: What’s your favorite part of the Thanksgiving holiday? Why?

Q: How good are you at maintaining a grateful perspective? What helps you stay in or get back to that place?

Q: Where could you go or who could you spend time with this week to remind you just how blessed you are?

Q: Look back at 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Notice the ratio between God’s commands to enjoy His blessings and to share them. Why do you think it is so lopsided?

Q: What opportunities will/could you have this week to share something good in your life with someone else?

LEANING HARD On God's Faithfulness:

PART TWO

One of the greatest lessons we can learn from Moses and his journey with Israel is fairly straightforward: The only way to live the life God has called us to is by leaning hard on His faithfulness. Moses understood that if he were to successfully lead Israel onward, God would need to take the lead and go with him. 

Like Moses, God has entrusted each of us with the responsibility of stewardship. And although it might be encouraging to know that God believes in us enough to trust us with His belongings, it can feel a little overwhelming, too. Like we're trying to stack a bunch of stones on top of each other, hoping they don't fall. Fortunately for us, we have been invited to rely on God to do the heavy lifting for us. 

Isn't it encouraging to know God isn't expecting us to manage our lives on our own?   

Sometimes WE NEED TO ASK BIG: Exodus 33:17-23 

What do you normally ask God for? Good weather? Traveling mercies? Rest? Financial security? Strength just to get through the day? Ever wonder if you ask big enough of the God who promises so much? 

Moses realized that Israel's survival depended on one single factor - God. Without God's constant investment, there was no assurance. No provision. No direction. No future. Verses 12-16 offer us some pretty incredible imagery - God assuring Moses that He will remain committed to him despite Israel's disobedience. 

God had granted Moses everything he had asked - rest, assurance, favor. But Moses' response to God's promise only intensified - Now show me your glory. Moses had seen repeated glimpses of God's glory throughout the journey - the parting sea, the plaques, Egypt paralyzed by inexplicable force. And although he was grateful for the assurance of God's commitment and faithfulness, his ultimate desire was to see God's splendor. God's provisions only magnified the beauty of the Giver, and he realized there was no limit to God's beauty. How much different would our lives be if we were less wrapped up in the things God gives and more concerned with God Himself? 

Why didn't God reveal His glory to Moses? Because he wouldn't have been able to withstand the entirety of God's glory: no one may see me and live. But the story doesn't end there. God is so delighted by his request that He makes alternative arrangements, and Moses' life was changed forever - all because he excepted God's invitation to ask big. In the same way, asking big of the God who promises much has life-changing rewards for us, too. 

Sometimes WE NEED TO SEEK HARD: Exodus 34:1-8

While there is no way of knowing how long it took Moses to chisel out two stone tablets, it's safe to assume it was a difficult and draining project. Just imagine how exhausting it would have been for him to stay up all night, chisel out two stone tablets, get ready early in the morning, and climb a mountain full of thorns with a stone tablet each hand - all the while still sleep deprived from his recent return from his last forty-day Mount Sinai adventure with God. Yikes. Sometimes I find it difficult enough just seeking God in the comfort of my home.   

Mount Everest is the tallest point on earth - a little over 29,000 feet. It takes a little over two months to climb because of the need for acclimatizing and adjusting, and it demands a strict diet and top physical shape. Yet during Everest's prime climbing season, five people die each week on average. From a distance, it makes you wonder why people would even try, doesn't it? Israel probably thought the same thing about Moses. 

But Moses understood that stewarding well the life God had called him to often required sacrifice. Hard work. Discomfort. And he was willing to make the climb because he realized that the success he hoped to achieve was a product of relationship. Jesus said it this way, For the Pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them. Seek first the Kingdom of his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:32-33). Jesus is making a life-changing distinction: Everything we need to live according to God's will naturally flows from a relationship with God. Like the Pagans, sometimes we try to achieve "these things" without seeking the only One who can provide them. We need to get into the mindset that successful stewardship is found in God alone.    

Conclusion? 

WE NEED TO LIVE THE MESSAGE: Exodus 34:27-29

Did you know we've been entrusted with a message that has the power to change the world? And did you know the most effective way we communicate this message isn't with our mouths? That's right - it's by the way we live our lives. And just as Moses' face radiated God's glory, when we spend intimate time with God - when our lives demonstrate His values and standards, people sense God's presence in us. Successful stewardship always directs people back to Christ, because it is a product of Christ. We need to remember that we are called to live the message, and when we do, our lives become a living testimony of hope to a broken world.  

REFLECT / TALK: 

Q: What do you typically ask God for? Do you think you ask big of the God who promises so much? 

Q: Can you remember a time in your life when God answered a "mountain-size" request? How was your life changed? How did it change your view of prayer?

Q: Do you feel you sometimes get more wrapped up in the things God provides rather than God Himself? Why do you think this is? 

Read Jesus' words in Matthew 6:32-33 and explain how these verses speak to you. Do you sometimes find yourself trying to achieve "these things" without seeking the only One who can provide them? What are some practical steps you can begin taking today to "seek first the kingdom of his righteousness"?   

Q: Do you feel your approach to stewardship represents God well? Do you feel your life is a living testimony of hope to a broken world? 

Q: Do you know someone who tends to radiate God's glory by the way they live? Do you ever find yourself hopeful and encouraged by the way they live? Do you find yourself challenged? 

Q: Becoming like Christ is a life-long process, and God is faithful to encourage us with areas of our lives that need some work. What areas in your life has God clearly outlined as needing some work?   

LEANING HARD On God's Faithfulness:

PART ONE

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the things God has entrusted you to do? Like you're trying to stack a bunch of stones on top of each other, hoping they don't fall? 

If you answered yes, you're not alone. 

Although it might be encouraging to know God has trusted us with His belongings - finances, time, seasons of life, bodies, relationships, hope, emotions, community and power - it can feel a little overwhelming, too. Like us, God had trusted Moses with a great deal of responsibility. He was called to lead God's people - the Israelites. This story reminds us of a powerful truth: Leaning Hard On God's Faithfulness is our only way to live the life He's called us to. God is simply more invested in our lives than we could ever be, and our greatest response to stewardship is relying on God to do the heavy lifting for us.

 

Moses had been away with God on Mount Sinai for forty days. God was giving Moses His teachings and commandments for the Israelites. But Israel had become impatient, so they asked Aaron to make a god to go before them to the place God has promised them - the Promise Land. Without any hesitation Aaron made a golden calf, which become their god and led them to disobedience.

WE NEED GOD'S WORD: Exodus 32:15-18

God had a purpose and plan for Israel. They were to be a people set apart from all other nations - a living representation of God's love. It was God's commandments and instruction that would set Israel apart, giving them a blueprint for life. 

We live in a world where truth has become relative. Today's younger generation has especially been challenged with a godless culture - a culture that has produced an unbiblical view of what it means to live for God in our modern age. Did you know that 65% of teenagers want a relationship with God? But 63% of teenagers who consider themselves Christians don't believe that Jesus is the son of the one true God, 58% believe all faiths teach equally valid truths, and 51% don't believe Jesus rose from the dead. Although teenagers are interested in Christ, they have purchased a distorted view of God and what it means to be a Christian. 

 

This can equally be true for us. Without the accountability of God's Word, like Israel, we have no direction in life. We become distracted and lose focus of God's standards. God's Word is our only source of complete stability in a world that is ever changing: All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower of the field. The grass dries up and the flower drops off, but the word of the Lord stands forever (1 Peter 1:24). If we're going to live unlike the other peoples of the earth by the way we manage God's belongings, we need to live by different standards of life. 

WE NEED GOD'S VOICE: Exodus 33:7-11

It's incredible to think that the God who performs the inexplicable, who spoke life into existence, who faithfully provided for Israel in ways beyond our comprehension, also makes Himself available to us personally, speaking to us directly in time of need. But what is equally staggering is that while it is natural to lean on our own understanding in time of need, Moses relied on prayer to find God's will for Israel. What would our lives look like if we relied on prayer instead of trying to manage it ourselves? How would our marriages be different? How would our children be impacted? How much healthier would our finances be? How would our approach to stewarding God's belongings change if we made a point to pursue His will for us daily? For Moses, it was prayer that made all the difference in his journey with Israel. 

Last Saturday I settled into a small prop plan in Philadelphia. While waiting for departure, I was thinking about how life on the ground can seem so busy and complicated. But as we became air born, life below - what once seemed overwhelming - had become motionless and straightforward. And it dawned on me that prayer allows us to break free from our small perspective to an elevated view - God's view. Prayer allowed Moses to hear God's voice, which led him to God's will for Israel. Not only does prayer allow us to tap into God's power, it also redirects our focus to Him - His standards and purpose for us, which is critical to following His will. 

WE NEED GOD'S FAVOR: Exodus 33:12-16

Moses realized and underlying truth: God's favor is the only way to live the life He's called us to. Moses understood that if he was to successfully lead Israel onward, God needed to take the lead and go with him.  

God's favor is what enables us to achieve godly stewardship: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). 

Several months ago I stumbled across a song written by a worship pastor who had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The song became an instant encouragement around the world as it offered hope to thousands of people who had been battling illness and disease, and it had become a personal favorite of mine, too. A couple of months after the album was released, authorities announced that this pastor had never been diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was a scam for profit. 

Seems like an ugly story with a terrible ending, doesn't it? But is it? When we look deeper, it should remind us of an incredible reality - that even in the midst of our unfaithfulness, God is still beautiful. God is always faithful. Although the song had been written and produced out of brokenness, God brought hope and healing from it. In the same way, we need a God whose favor exceeds our broken and flawed lives. 

REFLECT / TALK:

Q: Can you remember a time when you didn't rely on God's Word for direction? What happened?

Q: What comes more natural to you, reading God's Word or praying? Why do you think that is?

Q: Do you make a point to seek God's will through prayer? If so, explain a time when God clearly directed your steps through prayer. If not, what holds you back?

Q: How do you think Moses' journey with Israel would have been different if he didn't make a point to seek God's will through prayer?

Q: How do you think your life would be different if you relied on God's Word and prayer instead of trying to manage it on your own? How would your approach to stewarding God's belongings change if you make a point to pursue His will for you daily?

Q: Can you remember a time when God's favor clearly exceeded your efforts? When there was no other explanation but that God had intervened? How was your life impacted? 

Q: Read James 1:5 and see how this simple advice can help with your approach to stewardship. How does this verse speak to you? 

Trusted WITH POWER

POWERFUL.

Does that word describe you? My guess is most of us would say no. We don't see ourselves wielding great influence- either physically, economically, socially, politically or in the workplace. Although we may not be powerful according to traditional definitions of the word, each of us has been trusted by God with power. Once Jesus told a story about a master who trusted 3 of his servants with significant sums of money before he went out of town. Take a minute and read it HERE. While it is possible to read this story and take away a lesson about God trusting us with money, I think this parable also describes an exchange of power. Specifically the master trusts each servant with several different kinds of power- much as God does with us.

THE POWER OF OPPORTUNITY
When the master puts his money in his servant's care, he is giving them a chance- to do well, to prove themselves, to impress, to advance. We're not told how many employees this man had, or if every one of them got this opportunity. But these three did. Funny thing about opportunity- when it surrounds you, you can't really appreciate it. My wife was talking to a friend last week who was wishy-washy about whether or not they'd accept free tickets to the Superbowl this year. Why were they debating an opportunity many would jump on? This friend can go pretty much any year they want. This opportunity is almost a given for them. That's the danger most of us face. We are surrounded by opportunities that many around the globe would drool over. Education is a given in our country. Did you know that only 1% of the world has a college education? Information is a mouse click away on the internet. Would it surprise you to hear that about 1% of the world owns a computer? Even in an uncertain economy, we can find work. Would you believe that an income of $50K per year would rank you in the top 1% of the wealthiest people on the planet? (By the way, the median income for US households in 2007? $50,233.)

THE POWER OF RESPONSIBILITY
"I want to be the boss." We've all said it- either under our breath or out loud. We've wished for positions of leadership and authority. The servants in Jesus' story were trusted with this kind of power. They were put in charge. They could lead in any direction they saw fit. I don't know if any of them felt capable, but their master thought they were. And God must think the same of us since most of us have been given responsibility. We are being trusted to lead someone or something- at home, at work, at school, in our circle of friends, in our church communities, etc. How are we handling this power? Are we taking our best shot at it like two of the servants in the story- or are we abdicating our responsibility like the third?

THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIP
When the master returns, he evaluates how well each servant handled the opportunity and responsibility he trusted them with. The reward? Relationship. They gained the master's trust and grew closer to him- which seems to have been the master's goal all along. Ever stop to think that the Creator of the universe wants a relationship with you? So much that He'd give His own life to make it happen? Do we realize that God wants to pour His power into our lives- to save us, change us, encourage us, and empower us to live for Him? Need a reminder? Check out just a few of the things the New Testament says about God's power:

I'm not ashamed of the Good News. It is God's POWER to save everyone who believes, Jews first and Greeks as well. (Romans 1:16)

God's kingdom is not just talk, it is POWER. (1Corinthians 4:20)

Glory belongs to God, whose POWER is at work in us. By this POWER he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

Finally, receive your POWER from the Lord and from His mighty strength. (Ephesians 6:10)

With this in mind, we always pray that our God will make you worthy of his call. We also pray that through his POWER he will help you accomplish every good desire and help you do everything your faith produces. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of POWER, love, and good judgment. (2 Timothy 1:7)

God's divine POWER has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This POWER was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and integrity. (2 Peter 1:3)

REFLECT/TALK:
Q: _________ is power. Put as many words as you can in this blank. Which describe traditional forms of power? Which describe more subtle forms of power?

Q: Which of the three kinds of power described above speaks most about what God is trusting you with right now? Why?

Q: What opportunities has God given you in the last week? Month? Year? Which have you been seizing? Which have you been taking for granted?

Q: Who/what has God made you responsible for right now? At home? At work? In your relationships? In our church community? In other volunteer roles? In each of these situations are you acting more like the two servants who embraced the responsibility and took a shot at investing the master's money- or like the one who was overwhelmed by it and buried the money?

Q: Go back to the verses above about God's power and us. Which speaks most strongly to you and why?

Q: Do you think much about the access you've got to/via a relationship with the God of the entire Universe? How have you seen God's power work in your life? How do you want to see God's power work in your life?

Trusted WITH MONEY

Money is on most everyone's minds these days. The price of gas, the tanking stock market, the $700 Billion dollar bailout, the economy as the #1 issue in the upcoming election- all serve to keep us focused on money. And we should be. Not only do we need money to survive, but money is one of the many things that God is trusting us with. And money can effect our relationship with God based on how we handle it. Always has. Take a minute and read THIS STORY about a couple of brothers who had this experience. Let's explore a few principles that we can learn from these guys.

IT'S NOT "OUR MONEY", IT'S GOD'S MONEY
Recently a friend of mine was talking with one of their financial professionals. They called to ask if my friend was doing ok in the changing economy. My friend said they were doing about as well as everyone else and ended by saying, "It isn't our money anyway." "What do you mean?" the financial adviser shot back. My friend explained that they believed that all of their money ultimately belonged to God. The financial pro was stunned. The issue of ownership provides the key to how we'll manage our money. If it is ours- we'll spend it on us and maybe throw God a bit if we have any left. If it is God's- we'll probably manage it differently. Both Cain and Abel had growing businesses. Both brought offerings to God. But only one found favor in God's eyes. Why? Abel brought the best of what God helped him earn. Cain just brought something. My guess is that Cain had grown some choice produce as well. But he kept it for himself. It was his after all, right? What's troubling about this is that Cain should have been clear about the earth belonging to God. His parents were the first humans ever created. God spoke out loud to Cain. And yet, he wanted to lay claim to what was "his". If Cain got cloudy about the issue of ownership, we're probably going to have to do some work to keep a clear perspective.

IT'S NOT "JUST MONEY", MONEY IS A DEEPLY SPIRITUAL ISSUE
Researchers are always making connections we don't expect. Red wine is good for your heart. Dark chocolate lowers your cholesterol. Who knew? Often we want to believe that money is a necessary evil, but not really important to our spiritual lives. Jesus seemed to think otherwise. He saw a direct connection between our money and our hearts. What Abel did with his money had a direct impact on His relationship with God. Same with Cain. After Cain's offering is rejected, God warns him that money is a handy channel for temptation. Similar warnings are offered to those who would follow Jesus. Sounds like we need to pay close attention to the role money has in our lives, huh?

GIVING IS AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT AN OBLIGATION
So how does God expect us to keep our bearings when it comes to money? What can we do to keep the ownership issue straight? To keep God first? To avoid the temptations that are "lying outside our doors" (God's imagery, not mine)? That's where the spiritual habit of giving comes in. When we give God our money, our hearts have a chance to follow (remember what Jesus said about the wallet-heart connection). In Malachi 3, God talks to a group of people who have abandoned Him and invites them to return. How will they return? God says they should start by putting their money where they want their hearts to be. Financial giving may also be a key component to our growth. Jesus suggests that the way we manage the money God trusts us with can be a proving ground for other blessings and responsibilities He may want to send our way. We can't buy God's love. And God doesn't need our money. But He does want our hearts. And our wallets should follow.

NEXT STEPS
So how can we honor God with the money He's giving us? Maybe by taking the next step when it comes to our giving. Most of us can't radically change our financial situations overnight, but we can do something. Here's an overview of the ways people have given to God in the scriptures. Which would represent a good next step for you?

Pre OT Law-
People like Abel gave God the first and best part of their income. This helped reinforce God as the owner of all things and the source of their blessings. If you aren't used to giving money to God, start here. No matter the amount, give God some of the first and best part of what He allows you to earn. Don't wait to see if you have anything left. Put God in the budget.

OT Law-
God tells the Jewish people to bring tithes (10%) and offerings (beyond 10%). This allowed them be disciplined and consistent in their giving and gave them very clear guidelines. If you give to God occasionally, a good next step might be setting a pattern (weekly, monthly, etc) and a percentage of giving. This might serve as a consistent layer of protection against the temptation we face to love and serve our money.

Jesus/NT-
Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law and set us free from standards that were tough to measure up to. Jesus sets us free- to love, serve, live- AND give. Jesus takes giving to another standard by encouraging us to give generously and cheerfully. If you already practice giving money to God consistently, do a heart scan. Do you see it as an opportunity to bless God, others and yourself? Are you happy to write the checks? If not, ask God to work on this with you.

THINK/TALK ABOUT IT:

Q: What kinds of experiences have you had when it comes to churches and money? What have you learned about money at church?

Q: Where do you land on the ownership issue today? Do you believe your money is really God's? If so, does it show? What, if anything, do you to maintain this focus?

Q: Have you seen the heart/money connection play out in your/others lives? Do you agree that money can be a powerful channel for temptation? How do you feel about the imagery that "sin is lying outside your door waiting to master you"? What, if anything, are you doing to protect yourself?

Q: Do you tend to see giving as an opportunity or an obligation? How has the habit of giving changed/blessed you? What would a good next step of growth for you when it comes to honoring God with your money?

Trusted WITH HOPE

THINK/DISCUSS:

Q: Have you ever had to trust someone else to represent you or speak on your behalf? What was the situation? What was that experience like?

Q: When was the last time you drew a conclusion about a group of people or an organization based on someone who was associate with them (either formally or informally)?

Q: Who/what do you represent on a daily basis? (Ex. Your family, profession, employer, etc.)

Q: Why do you think God uses humans (ex. OT- prophets, priests, Israel; NT- Jesus, apostles, us) to speak for Him when He's gone to all the trouble to give us the Bible?

Q: How do you feel about the idea that Jesus trusts you with His message of hope and to act "in His name"?

Q: Some churches an followers of Jesus have done a poor job of representing Him and have left many in our culture with negative ideas about Jesus and His people. Do you see this more as an obstacle or an opportunity?

Q: Which do you think is more important when it comes to representing Jesus to your world- words (talking about Jesus) or actions (living and loving like Jesus)? Are both important? Is there a right order for these?

TRY THIS:
Start each day this week with a prayer like this-

"Jesus, help me to remember that I have the privilege and responsibility of representing You today. May my actions and words reflect Your heart for this world and give each person I come into contact with an accurate picture of who You are and the life You offer to each of us."

Trusted WITH COMMUNITY

Ever wish for a little alone time? Me too. Want to be lonely? Me neither. Maybe that's why God trusts us with the ability to develop community and build relationships.

COMMUNITY IS A GIFT WE NEED
Want to understand how deeply we need other people? Go back to the beginning of the human story. God creates a perfect world, puts the first human in the middle of it and relates face to face with him. And something is still missing. The fix? Another human. Turns out even God can't fully fill our relational needs.

COMMUNITY IS A GIFT OTHERS NEED FROM US
It isn't just that we need others. They need us too. When God wants to describe the importance of spiritual community he talks about a church as a body. The point? Every part needs the other. If we isolate ourselves, others are missing out on what we bring to the table.

COMMUNITY TAKES TIME TO DEVELOP
If relationships are so vital, they should be easy right? Credit the first humans for screwing that up. After they disobey God, relationships go south. People start hiding from God and each other. And we haven't stopped yet. We hide because we've been hurt. So do we give up on people altogether? No, but we might want to take our time and proceed with caution. Jesus gives us a good model here. He had different concentric circles of relationship (PUBLIC, SOCIAL, PERSONAL, INTIMATE) and revealed more and more of Himself as the numbers thinned. We'd be smart to do the same.

THINK/TALK:
Q: How much alone time do you have in your life right now? Too little? Too much? Just enough? What would you do if you had a day all to yourself

Q: Have you ever been/felt isolated or lonely? For how long? What caused it? How did it affect you?

Q: What does it say to you about our need for relationships that even with Adam's "perfect" life in Genesis 2 (safety, food, living in paradise, talking face to face with God) he still needed another person?

Q: Why do you think Jesus chose to live in such intentional community- spending the better part of 3 years with a group of people?

Q: Look back at Hebrews 10:23-25. Note the balance between faith (which many see as personal and internal) and community. Why are both important? Which comes easier for you?

Q: Do you ever think that others might be missing out if you isolate yourself from them? What positive qualities and abilities do you bring into other's lives?

Q: The first human relationships got screwed up when sin entered our world. Adam and Eve hid from each other and from God. Do you ever hide from relationships and intimacy? How do you cover yourself so that others won't see you or hurt you?

Q: What do the words "spiritual community" mean to you? Do you think "community" = telling everyone everything you are thinking? How have you seen relationships grow and develop?

Q: Which is harder for you- building relationships or maintaining them? Why? What would a good next step be for you in terms of continuing to develop community?