GlobaLIFT

Hope / Expectations Walk with me for a few moments as we probe the tension between hope and expectations.  Perhaps many of the inner conflicts we face in life arise from unmet expectations.  But, we cannot live in a vacuum of hope. After all, hope gives us an anticipation of future things, of better things, of a new tomorrow, and a better day.  Herein is the rub; anticipation sets up our expectations.  And it is at this point risk enters.  What if our expectations are not realistic?   I look to the pages of scripture to shed some light.   First, I think of John the Baptist.  He lived an extreme lifestyle based upon his inner conviction of how he understood God’s purpose for him.  Yet, the path he committed himself led to a dungeon.  John, like so many have done in their own moments of inner darkness, began to question whether his life had been spent in vain. He began to question if he had misunderstood his God; ‘Are you the Me...

Can you imagine if we could somehow fast forward to the end of life, and look back? As you review life, what would be the single greatest moment? Before you read further, ponder this for a moment or two. The great moments of life may not have much to do with accomplishments, promotions, and goals met. But it may have more to do with relationships, kind words, generous actions, and acts of grace. I doubt the single greatest moment of life would be lived in the 'comfort zone'. Very possibly it could be at the point of greatest trial, when you feel weak and vulnerable. And at that moment you reach deep inside to find a strength previously unknown. I believe this is what is referred to as a walk of faith. Now rewind to the present; with that view of destiny in mind, how different would the decisions of today be? Walking with a sense of destiny may cause us to rise and make the most of every circumstance and relationship.

I have recently picked up a copy of Conversation, which is 'The Message' translation of the Bile with Eugene Peterson's comments and notes. Great stuff! In John 8, Jesus said that 'you will experience for yourself the truth, and the truth will set you free' . Powerful words to be sure. Its not just knowing the truth, it is experiencing truth that makes the difference. And once truth begins to work within us, it creates an appetite for more truth. It becomes freeing in our lives to let truth invade into more and more of our lives. We truly become free people. When I let the insanity of the world, get exposed to truth, and then apply it, I face the challenge to let truth work in me, or to continue to live under false assumptions. My choice ; but as I choose truth, I find I become free! Just prior to these awesome words of Jesus, he opens a window into his humanity. Verse 18, speaks of Jesus judgement or decision process on a matter ' I wouldn't make ...

Its been awhile since there have been any new entries; a new ministry assignment has dominated my attention in the past few months, and just now finding level ground again. Here is a great challenge from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, " Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." What would your world be like if you practiced this for one week; always joyful ; prayed continually; and gave thanks in all circumstances? Before you dismiss this entirely, perhaps it would be helpful to be reminded, that each of these practices are a choice we make. And each of these are commands from the Scripture, not recommendations. God never commands behaviour we cannot do, so this is within the reach of all of us. So try this for a week; seven days, and see the if practice of these verses create a changed environment for you.

Churches tell us to stand firm on our theology when life’s experiences are contrary. I want to go on record to say I believe the worth of our faith is proved true in the crucible of testing. After all, it really is not faith when all is figured out and settled. Recently I was asked what the difference was between trust and faith. Faith is acting on what we trust. I may have trust without faith, but I could not exercise faith without trust. Warren Wiersbe said, “Faith is not believing in spite of evidence; it is obeying in spite of consequences.” So without doubt, we must stand firm in what we believe, and when adversity tries us, grab onto the anchor of faith. But I have been challenged a great deal lately from the Gospel of Mark. In fact a sermon series is brewing called the ‘Power Series’. On two occasions Jesus disciples were in a boat during a storm. From my limited sailing experiences, I can appreciate the anxiety of the disciples in such moments. In both instances, Jesus calmed t...

Over the past few days, I have been contemplating losses we experience in life. A close friend contacted me with the sad news of the death of a family member. Just a few days prior to my friend’s loss, we had an uncle pass away. Loss is a part of life. I began to consider Jesus’ words “ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:19-20 We can view the losses of life as only that. Or we can see opportunities to store treasure in heaven. Lost relationships, opportunities, possessions, all can become treasures we store in heaven, if we commit them to the Lord. Proverbs tells us ‘Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun .’ 34:4-6 The Apostle Paul cited the example of the ‘ grace that God has given the Macedonian churc...

Throughout scripture this phrase is repeated. It speaks of a season more than an event. But it has impact upon events. It is an appointed date on a calendar, but it only happens at the fulfillment of an appropriate season. Genesis 1:2 talks about the Spirit of God hovering , or brooding over the waters. The image is that of a mother bird nesting and incubating eggs. When the time of development has been completed, the young bird breaks through the shell. James 1:3-4 says ‘ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ” Here is the process of development, and when completed, at the appointed time, ‘break-out’ occurs. Premature birth creates complications. Aborted vision is tragic. Paul tells Timothy (and us) that Hymenaeus and Alexander made shipwreck of their faith because they rejected the working of God (1Tim1:18-20 ). It appears they broke ranks with what God ...