Rely on God to Add and Do Not be Anxious

“²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” — Matthew 6:27 (ESV)

It is not by agonizing that there is addition. I sit in my office during the day and take on that which comes and in some instances concern myself with that which I do not have to continue with my work. In my role I am reliant on others to provide the information I need in order to ensure that those in my charge are getting that which they “need” to do their jobs. This reliance on others causes me anxiety as I tend to receive information in what I consider the last moment. This anxiety tends to do more harm than good in that I am too concerned with what I do not have and cannot do than that which I do have and can. The anxiety I feel certainly does not help the situation and does not gain me anything.

I have written on the passage referenced a number of times and again, God brings me back for more learning and study. All I need, God provides. No matter the work I do, I am not the provider, but the receiver.

“²⁶Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” — Matthew 6:26 (ESV)

I have to proceed in the moment and allow for God to provide and leave it all with Him. I will be provided for when I need it much like the birds. They find provision in the moment they need. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God provided manna each day for their provision. I have to get past my want of everything when I want it and know that God will provide when I need it. No amount of worry on my part will speed the actions of God. He will add to me in His time and not a moment before. I have to remember to be content with what I have been given and know that my provision is taken care of.

Now I want to address the idea that we should then just sit and wait on God. Yes, that is true that we are to wait on God’s timing with everything and His provision. But, we are also charged with doing the work and having faith that He will come through in His time. My time, as I am the one doing the work, seems to be of importance, but it is God’s time that is being upheld in His provision for me. God works in the realm of “just in time”. His timing is perfect and I have to remember that and not be anxious about what is missing and simply do the work assigned by Him and know that what I need to complete that work will be added to when His time is right.

What anxiety do you have as a result of feeling as though you do not have what you need? Are you concerned with your wants or your needs? What if you proceeded knowing that God will add to you in His time and that His provision for you will always be given?

Do Not Add to God’s Law

There is a lot of interpretation in our world. There is the sense that “I know what was meant because I…” I will admit that I have claimed to “know” in certain situations and in doing so have steered someone the wrong way. As a father there is an internal desire to show my boys just how much I know so that they will learn for themselves and in doing so, I may have given them incorrect information early on.

In my reading this morning I am reminded that my role is to inform and that I have to be careful not to add or take away from that which God has given me.

“²You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.” — Deuteronomy 4:2 (ESV)

God has given that which is perfect. He has provided the rules and statutes that I am to follow. I am to take them as they are and apply them to my life and role here in this world. I am to hold to them and them alone and that will get me through. When I am applying the Word of God to my life as He gave it, I will continue to be in right standing with Him.

I just mentioned that what God has given is perfect and I have to remember that. His Word is meant for me to follow completely. I have to be careful not to interpret God’s Word to be or mean more that what it is and means. I have to remember not to add to it or take away any part of it to “fit” the situation I want it to.

As I stated in the first sentence of my writing this morning, there is a lot of interpretation in the world today. There is a lot of adding and taking away from what is/was written in the law of man. I have seen too often where there are statements made by those in the world who add their own thought and feelings to the words written and even take away key words and phrases to ensure that the words fit what they are wanting them to say as opposed to the actual context in which they were said. There is a twisting of the rhetoric to fit the narrative of what is wanted instead of fitting ourselves into the words as they are written.

God’s Word is perfect and what He has for us and wants from us is clearly stated and it is not up to me to make them bend to my will. Man’s words are fully pliable as they are inspired by the situation in which they were said or written and not wholly universal as God’s Word is. Where I may be able to adjust the language and interpret what was said by man to mean what I want them to and it is accepted, God’s Word is not malleable to my will. I am not to add to or take from God’s word to fit me. I am to fit myself into His Word.

I look at the Ten Commandments and see the law as God wrote it. And just looking at the commandment “Thou shalt not steal”. God did not mean or say, “unless you are wanting something you cannot afford”, or “except when someone has more than you”. God said and means to not steal anything. There is no interpretation that makes it any different, whereas in man’s law and words, there are lots of “reasons and exceptions” where the rules change based on the situation.

God’s Word is perfect and nothing I can do will make it any better. I have to accept the Word of God for what it says and not bend or manipulate it to fit me or my situation. I am to fit to God’s Word.

What is your view of God’s Word? Are you looking for it to bend to your will? What if you accepted God’s Word as perfect and bent to it as opposed to adding or taking from it as you see fit?

We are One, New Together

New: “having recently come into existence” – Merriam-Webster Online

You and I are “new” together. I know that seems a bit strange as you come from not here with me. I am from a small town in Texas and you are from, well face, I may not know, but not necessarily from a small town in Texas. Yet, in the name of Christ, we are the same.

This is not something that would have come about without Christ. We come from different places and have different cultures and certainly look different, but we are the same in the name of Christ. We serve the risen savior. We worship Him and have become the same based on Him. Our being one together in Christ is new and something never seen before and will never be seen again.

I look at where I am in the world today and begin thinking of all the division in this world. I think of how we are all at odds with one another based on whatever society says we are to be at odds. What a poor example we are setting for those who are with us and those who will come after us. There is so much separation as the world only thinks of itself and what can be had by the one.

“¹⁴For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” — Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV)

I propose that we come together, not for me, but for you. I believe that we should be coming together as one, new together. We should be putting our differences aside to be new together. As I noted the definition of “new”, we should be the example of just coming into existence where something was not before. I propose unity and working to spread the same gospel.

There is plenty of time to be different in the way we go about things. The way we look. The way we speak. But there is not enough time to be at odds as to our purpose. I have to be like you and you like me in the approach to spreading the gospel to reach all corners of the world.

So, you and I may not be from the same small town in Texas. We may come from different cultures. We may be different in language. We may look different and act different and frankly, be different. But we are new together. One in our goal to ensure that the gospel reaches everyone.

What is your approach to you and I together? Are you looking at us as being different? What if we approached this all as though we are one, new together in Christ with one goal?

This or That Means Nothing, Be a New Creation

This morning I continue my study into the word “new” and as usual, God gives me that which makes an impact.

“¹⁵For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” — Galatians 6:15 (ESV)

The physical does not change the heart. Whether I am circumcised or not. Whether I go to the “right” church or not. Whether I am seen in the circles of Christians or in the midst of sinners. I have to be a new creation and that is all that is recognized as belonging to Christ.

Yesterday it was published that the former wrestler Hulk Hogan was baptized. I did read more about the event and where there is a lot more to it than that which was headlined (and I encourage your reading), I want to draw attention to his post on social media that went with the picture, “Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life.” This speaks as to what it means to be a new creation. As a new creation, I give up me and dedicate all to Christ. All that was is removed and we move forward as new. This is a high price to pay and yet so worth it, and not for all.

“²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ ²²When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” — Matthew 19:21-22 (ESV)

I have to be a new creation in Christ and not worry with what else there is in this world. I have to give it all away and follow Christ and all that He. I am not here to impress anyone, show out for anyone, or be anyone. I am in this world and have accepted to be different and new in the LORD.

What are you doing to demonstrate? Are you showing the physical and making all about what is on the outside? What if you embraced being/becoming a new creation and giving all of you to the LORD?

Suffer and Rejoice in Belonging to Christ

I have written about wearing the badge of Christ proudly. This morning I was brought back to the same passage in 1 Peter and found that it more than wearing the badge of Christ and being proud to do so. I have to know that it is all part of the design.

“¹³But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” — 1 Peter 4:13 (ESV)

For all the suffering that comes with belonging to Christ, there is also rejoicing that comes as well. I have to remember that the suffering is for the rejoicing. I am here to do the work of Christ. I have already been promised my reward and it is great. I get to be a part of the glory of God. And that glory is, well, it comes after much suffering that I signed up for.

Christ suffered in His ministry. He was ridiculed, defamed, and then beaten and crucified. And yet, He continued as it was all as designed by God. He was designed by God. He was tasked by God. He was rewarded by God. I am part of the same. I am designed by God. I am tasked by God. I am rewarded by God. All of me and what I do is designed by God.

In that I am in like kind with Christ, I am also to continue on like He. I am to do the work, knowing that there will be suffering. And then in the same time, I have to remember that my reward has already been determined.

I do the work and reap the reward, not from this world but from God. I belong to Christ and not this world and so whether I am deemed a success or failure in this world, as I have done the work of God, I am seem as a success in the only one that matters, GOD.

Belonging to Christ is a duty and an honor. I cannot pay back all that was given as there is no way to pay back the fact that someone died so that I can live. What I can do is continue to do the work that I am tasked with, by design, and know that all is well thanks to by belonging to Christ.

What are your thoughts on belonging to Christ? Do you feel like you should only have the good that comes? What if you just accepted the honor of belonging to Him and then accepted that you have work to do and that the end result is already determined and your reward is already won?

Being Christ’s is to Carry His Work Forward

I belong to Christ and as such am tasked with carrying His work forward into this world. I am to spread the Gospel and do so in the name of Christ.

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

These are the words of Jesus to His disciples, of which I am one. I am to take the gospel to the world and teach. I am to carry Christ’s work forward in His name and know that He is with me through it all.

This brings me to the passage of study for my morning. I am in Colossians and Paul is writing of his ministry to the church. He is referencing the work that he and we have to bring the gospel forward. But first, Paul opens the passage reminding us that it is not going to be easy.

“²⁴Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,” — Colossians 1:24 (ESV)

I admit that it took me some time this morning to understand this verse and it’s context. I reviewed commentary and did not just except things as I read them. I focused on understanding God’s Word and not just reading it. When just reading, it appears that Paul indicates that he is picking up the mantel that Jesus just dropped when He ascended. This could not be further from the truth. Christ is more than enough and this verse is misleading when reading “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions”.

Yes, Paul is picking up where Christ left off, but look at the Great Commission in verses 19 and 20 of Matthew 28 above. He told us that was our task, take the gospel further and to the places that currently do not exist. It is not that Christ did not suffer afflictions, it was just that He did not suffer the afflictions that were to come. I had not been born yet and therefore my afflictions had not been realized. Christ did not suffer my afflictions and that is what is lacking. I will suffer for Christ as Paul did and Timothy did and all of the others that have brought the gospel before me and will bring the gospel after me.

As a member of the Christian family, I am not just going to experience the good times. Yes I have blessings and will have rewards in heaven, yet I will still have to deal with all of the persecution and sufferings that will come with it as well. It is all part of belonging to Christ. Belonging to Christ indicates that I am to carry His work forward, regardless of the cost to or impact I have on my own life. It is not about me. I am doing the work of Christ for His sake and not my own. I will experience it all in the work that I am doing. I will experience the great joy and will also experience the great heartache and persecution. It is all part of the role.

I would not change a thing. I am “in it to win it” as I have heard said and that means that I will endure all that there is with the role of belonging to Christ. I will carry all forward as instructed and tasked.

What part of Christ do you belong? Are you finding yourself wondering why you are persecuted and suffering? What about belonging to Christ in all to carry His message forward, regardless of the circumstance or impact to you?

Christ’s as Promised

The promise of belonging to Christ is upheld from the beginning. Hear me out here. Abraham was chosen and blessed by God to be the father of nations. Remember that Abraham belonged to God. As a descendant of Abraham, therefor I belong to God. Jesus was a descendant of Abraham and therefor Jesus and I are brothers. As Jesus is Christ and Christ is God, I therefor belong to Christ.

“²⁹And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” — Galatians 3:29 (ESV)

I know that was a bit much to go through and believe me, there is a lot more to it, but that is the basics. I belong to Christ and that all was promised from the time of Abraham. I am Christ’s through the lineage of Abraham. It was promised to Abraham that his offspring would be numbered as many as the stars.

“⁴I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,” — Genesis 26:4 (ESV)

Abraham (who belonged to God) was promised to have a lineage that was virtually infinite. I am in that lineage and therefor through that lineage belong to God as well. It was foretold and promised and God’s promises are kept and unchanged.

I have to look backward to move forward. My wife, as a teacher of history, harps on the idea that we look to the past to avoid the same mistakes in the future. We should also look to the past to understand our own future. Here, in looking back at my belonging in the lineage of Abraham, I know that I belong to Christ as he did and therefor I know my future with Christ will be great and rewarding.

I belong to Christ through promises of God. As God’s promises are unchanged and will always be fulfilled, I am confident in my future.

What promises have you had in your past? Are you trying to make sense of something “someone” told you as a promise and then were unable to keep it? What if you placed your faith in the promises of God, beginning with the promise of belonging to Him?

Share All in Christ

It should go without saying that when one belongs, they belong to all. That goes for our relationship with Christ as a paramount to our belonging to Him. I have to share all in Christ.

“⁵For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” — 2 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV)

As Paul addresses the Corinthians, he points out that he and Timothy (especially) share all in Christ, the sufferings and comfort alike. He wants the people to know that it is not always what is wanted, it is sharing all. He also points out that all that he and Timothy share in Christ is taken on for the people and for others.

“⁶If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.” — 2 Corinthians 1:6 (ESV)

It is in all that Paul and Timothy are committed for others. They are serving for others. They are doing for others. They have taken on all of Christ to share with others and make things easier for them to bare. Yet, they are also aware that the people will share all with them and in Christ so that things are easier for them to bare.

“⁷Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.” — 2 Corinthians 1:6 (ESV)

Paul and Timothy shared all in Christ and we are to do the same. For me that means that I am part of the inner circle of Christ’s and He walks with me everywhere I go and we share in the afflictions and comforts together. I am loved by Christ so much that He does not allow for me to walk alone. He is with me all the way and not just watching, but engaging in all with me.

I share all in Christ. I share in the persecution, the afflictions, the ridicule, but also the love, care, and comfort. Christ is my partner through it all and what I experience He has already experienced and will guide me through it. As Paul states above in verse six, “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort,”. Paul and Timothy were just doing the same as Christ did for them and sharing all in Christ. I have to remember to do the same with those around me, share all in Christ for the better of everyone.

What are you sharing in Christ? Are you looking to share only that which is deemed good for you? What if you shared all in Christ and followed His lead and that of Paul and Timothy and did it for the benefit of others and not just for you?

Different When Christ’s

As I am Christ’s, I am different than society. I act different. I respond different. I proceed different. I am seen as different. I am different.

“⁹For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.” — 1 Corinthians 4:9 (ESV)

In the above, Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church and is discussing the ministry of the apostles. He is pointing out in this verse the reality of being seen as completely contrary to society. Notice the word used, “spectacle” which is defined by Merriam-Webster Online as: “something exhibited to view as unusual, notable, or entertaining, especially: an eye-catching or dramatic public display”. So as a member of the body of Christ, I am something to behold, and gawk at as seen by the world.

“¹⁰We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. ¹¹To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, ¹²and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; ¹³when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” — 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 (ESV)

I am different than the world and that is not accepted, despite the fact that we are currently in a society that wants to celebrate differences. The thing that I see is that the differences are celebrated only when those differences make me like everyone else. My differences are not accepted by the world since they are contrary to the world.

Belonging to Christ is not much different today than 2000 years ago. I am treated as the outcast and the one who is separated from reality. I have not embraced the world and gotten with the times. I am to see and do things like the rest of the world in order to be a part of the world. I am to be “different” and yet the “same” because the world says so.

Doing things in the world different than the world is seen as counter, yet expected. Let me explain. I am to be different in my service to others, as long as it benefits “me”. It is okay to serve others, yet if the world does not agree with who is being served, then my service is wrong. I am to serve one and not the other. As of today world it is not right to serve the pro-life groups, the nation of Israel, the non black or brown groups, the Christian community, as well as others. What would be considered okay would be the service of whatever group the world is on fire for “in this moment”. I am different and vilified for not serving the “right” groups, regardless of how many or how much service is provided.

“¹⁴I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.” — 1 Corinthians 4:14 (ESV)

Belonging to Christ is a being love. I am to, as noted in another writing, wear the badge of Christianity. I am to love all and provide for all and be accepting of all that comes with that badge. I am here to do the work of Christ and if that make me different, then so be it. I am and will persevere and will be provided for by work as that work is for Christ and not the world. As I belong to Christ, I accept being different.

What is it that you do in this world that makes you different? Are you even aware that you are different or are you preoccupied with trying to be the same? What if you wore the badge of Christianity and accepted all that comes with the badge and understood that belonging to Christ makes you different?

Badges as a Christian

Who wears a badge, law enforcement, emergency personnel, generally officials of some kind, whether a true badge or name plate. What about us as Christians?

As I continue my study into my Christian identity, I have come to another passage in 1 Peter that I have been to many times. This passage is titled “Suffering as a Christian” in my ESV Bible. The basics are this, as a Christian, we are going to suffer and that should not be surprise as it should be expected. We should also rejoice in our suffering as we are able to find ourselves in the company of Jesus as He suffered similarly.

I would add one additional thing that I have taken away from the passage and that is the badge of honor I should be wearing as a Christian. I have to remember that the suffering is expected and that I should be proud to suffer. Just as law enforcement, emergency personnel, and officials wear their badges and receive all that come with it (good and bad), I should do the same.

“¹⁶Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” — 1 Peter 4:16 (ESV)

Everyone wants to be a part of something when it is going great, only the true want to be a part of something meaningful. I remember in high school, I was a part of athletics and played all the big sports. In Texas, football is the king sport and my high school had a reputation for being great, except for when I was there. We were not very good and in fact did not have a winning season while I was part of the team. Support in the school was waning and someone (I know who you are) posted on the walls their support, even in the bad times they were and called out those who were losing the focus on the badge worn as a member of our high school. I am proud of my school and all it represents and will support them good times and bad.

As a Christian, good times and bad times will abound. It is part of the gig. Thanks to salvation, I am always a member of the team. We will celebrated when we do what society feels we are supposed to do and will be vilified when we are seen as counter to the societal norms. In each case I have to remember to wear the badge of Christianity with honor and be proud to represent Christ in all that I do.

What badges do you wear and when? Are you wearing the badge of Christianity in good times and bad? What if you found comfort in Christ and proudly put on your badge of Christianity every day and represented Him in all that you do?