How Big Are Your Thoughts?

James 2:20-24

The following is a passage from A Faith That Is Real, by Dan Owens (page 91-93)

In Mark 9:17-27, a father who loved his son very much was in agony. For some reason his son could not speak. His child was plagued by epileptic seizures, which caused him to convulse on the floor and foam at the mouth. He had taken his son to Jesus' disciples, and they could not help him. It seemed that there was no hope for the boy.

But then this distraught father brought his son to see Jesus. Jesus asked how long the boy had been that way; the father told him the evil spirit causing the seizures had been with the boy since childhood. He said that the spirit often threw the boy into the fire or into water. "Take pity on us and help us," the father pleaded (2:22).

Jesus told the man that everything is possible for him who believes. Immediately, the father answered, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (2:24).

Have you ever called out, "God, help me in my unbelief"? When the father asked Jesus, "Can you help us?" he used the word help that means "instantaneous help." He wanted his son cured right away. But the second time he used the word help, it was the word that means "a continuous help." He was saying, "Lord, I believe, but I need you to help me keep growing, because my faith is so small."

Not only do we need faith at the point of salvation, we also need it in our daily living. Every morning that we wake up we need faith, so that we can abide with Jesus in every situation we encounter.

Faith Is Made Complete By Works
Someone once said, "We can't choose our relatives, but we can choose our thoughts, and those influence us much more."

James is pointing out in this passage that faith must be accompanied by action. Talk is cheap. Anybody can say, "Yes, I'm a Christian," without having any evidence to back it up. No growth, no change, no renewal.

James uses this illustration. Suppose a person comes to us, naked and hungry, and we give the typical Jewish response, "Go in peace!" What have we really done for that needy individual?

When we see someone with a need, what do we say to him or her? "I'll be praying for you," is a typical response. James says that's not enough. If we are truly followers of Jesus, when we see a brother or sister in need, we have to do something about that need.

James brings up Abraham. If you know the story, you will remember that God came to Abraham and asked him to present his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham proceeded to do as God asked, and in the end God saved his son (see Genesis 22:1-18). James says about Abraham, "His faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did" (2:22).

James concludes that "a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone" (2:24). Wait a minute! Is he directly contradicting what Paul teaches? Actually James is using the word justified in a different way. Besides meaning to be proven right or just, the word can also mean "that aspect of judgment," as in Matthew 12:37 where Jesus says, "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (NASB).

Abraham's faith was judged by his actions. When God asked him to do what seemed unthinkable, he did it. Abraham proved his faith by his works. How could Abraham be willing to give up his only son? One reason is that he had great thoughts about God.

Faith Begins and Ends with Thoughts about God
As we read through the books of Psalms, we see God's greatness, his power, his love, his presence, his majesty, and his compassion; it causes our thoughts about God to continue to grow. How do we have faith? By having big thoughts about God. By understanding what he is capable of doing.

Our thoughts are really what drives our faith. Someone has said, "You are not what you think you are. What you think, you are." That is so true when it comes to how we view God.

Gandhi had a favorite saying regarding the Christians of Great Britain. He said. "If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today."(1) The way we live reveals what we believe about God. It shows whether we have big thoughts or small thoughts about God.

Thoughts run through our heads all day long. We create ideas, images, and scenarios about how our lives will go. In our minds, we have also created an image of God. Our faith begins and ends with our thoughts about him.

A person can live without air for a few minutes, without water for a few days, and without food for a few weeks. Sadly, though, we can live year after year without having a new thought about God and about his greatness and majesty.

How could Abraham raise up that knife to kill his son? He had great thoughts about God. I wonder - how great are our thoughts about God?

For Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
"Every morning that we wake up we need faith, so that we can abide with Jesus in every situation we encounter." What situations in your life this week require Jesus' continuing help in your unbelief?

"If we are truly followers of Jesus, when we see a brother or sister in need, we have to do something about that need." What people in your life need you to care for their needs? What will you do today to care for those needs?

God Bless You,

Dan

(1) Mahatma Gandhi. Quoted in http://www.thinkexist.com/English/Author/x/Author_3569_6.htm.

Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org

Be Thankful

Many churches this week will host special Thanksgiving Services, and rightly so. As Christians, we should be quick to express our thanksgiving to God for the gifts and blessings that we all enjoy. We do not discount the hardships of life that often come our way, yet we can also see his loving care at work around us.

As we attend services this week we will no doubt be led in a time of singing. The songs may be traditional hymns such as "Count Your Many Blessings", or they may be more liturgical like the "Doxology" or they may be more contemporary such as, "Blessed Be Your Name." God loves them all because God loves our praise from a thankful heart.

Let me introduce an old hymn to you that was written in the 4th century by Ephrem the Syrian. He lived in Nisibis on the boarder of Turkey (kind of fitting for this week) during a time of great political tension and evil. Ephrem grew up in a church that had experienced the horrors of Diocletian's persecution first hand. His early ministry as deacon was under Jacob, the first bishop of Nisibis who also attended the famed Council of Nicea in 325. Jacobs's signature is found on the documents from that council!

After enjoying several years of peaceful ministry, world politics forced Ephrem and thousands of Christians into exile. Now on foreign soil, Ephrem continued to do the work of ministry in teaching, writing, and especially the writing of hymns. We have copies of his hymns even today, and it is interesting to note that he used hymns and music to defend the church against heresies. He also took on the role of choir director and used his hymns to bring praise to the Lord.

Ephrem did not just preach his sermons or homilies, as they are often called, he would use poetry and recited it to the congregation. Remember that Christians did not have Bibles, cassette recorders, DVD's or iPods to listen to sermons. Yet, if one could remember poetic lines, then one could remember the point of the sermon or even memorize scripture phrases. That was creative thinking.

Ephrem died in June 9, 373 from the plague that he had received while taking care of the sick.

Let me share with you during this week of Thanksgiving one of Ephrem's poems or hymns as a reminder of what we truly have to be thankful for.

What shall I give you, Lord, in return for all your kindness?

Glory to You for Your love.
Glory to You for Your mercy.
Glory to You for Your patience.
Glory to You for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to You for coming to save our souls.
Glory to You for Your incarnation in the virgin's womb.
Glory to You for Your bonds.
Glory to You for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to You for accepting mockery.
Glory to You for Your crucifixion.
Glory to You for Your burial.
Glory to You for Your resurrection.
Glory to You who were preached to men and women.
Glory to You in whom they believed.
Glory to You who were taken up into heaven.
Glory to You who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to You whose will it is that the sinner should be saved through Your great mercy and compassion.

In the good and difficulties of life, we can thank God for his great mercy and compassion for us! Have a wonderful day of celebrating God’s goodness to you!

God Bless You,

Dan

P.S. Don't forget gluttony is a sin-just kidding-well actually it is, but that is between you and Lord.

Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

Today as I went online to check my email I was greeted by photos of televangelists who are being investigated for taking advantage of their tax-exempt status that churches and para-church ministries hold. It is not my intent to judge their actions because I have no knowledge of their ministries finances nor their spending habits. However, in light of our passage today I find it quite amazing that anyone who even claims to be a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is charged with excess and extravagant living.

"Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. The devour widow's houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." Mark 12:38-40

Jesus was speaking not only to the disciples but also to the crowd that had gathered around to hear him speak. Jesus was saying to us all that our value system should be different from the worlds, especially those who lead the people of God. Life in the Kingdom of God is not about appearance, performance and status. Wearing the latest trends in clothing does not make one a person of character. Having the highest GPA or winning an award at work does not mean one has high ethical standards. Belonging to the country club or driving an expensive car does not mean that one is a valuable member of their community.

Jesus states over and over again that his values are different from the worlds and so ours should be. The standard is even higher for those of us who are vocational ministers. In fact, as I read this passage, it makes me a bit nervous. Jesus is reminding me that I need to be on guard against the "ministerial profession" and all of its trappings.

Jesus tells us there are six attitudes and actions that we should flee from when engaged in any kind of ministry.

Pride: Jesus said that the scribes liked to walk around in flowing robes in public places. Notice, Jesus is not against wearing ministerial robes while conducting services, but he is against wearing them to be noticed in public. I well remember preaching in Latvia in a Lutheran Cathedral. They would not let me preach unless I wore a robe and I did not have one. The minister there was gracious enough to let me use one of his and I was able to share a message with them. To be honest I kind of liked the robe because I could wear comfortable clothes underneath it.
Public Recognition: Jesus said they loved to be greeted in the market place with more than a casual greeting of friendliness. They wanted to be greeted by respectful names or titles such as “rabbi” or other formal titles.

Honoring Self: Jesus said that the last would be first and the first would be last. Here the scribes wanted the best seats or those seats that faced the congregation. I have said so often that putting a person on a platform with lights, sound and a microphone can do funny things to their personality. When I first got into ministry churches often had chairs for the ministerial staff that would face the congregation. They were seats of honor and probably not the best example of humility. For years the Catholics would not allow their priests to face the congregation during Mass as a sign of humility.

Preferential Treatment: I have never liked sitting at head tables at banquets and yet there are some who thrive on it. Jesus accused them of wanting the best seats even when they were a guest at someone else’s party. It was all about recognition for them.

Manipulating Greed: Jesus exposes their manipulation of widows for the sake of their own greed and love of money. If one follows the office of priest and pastor through the Bible they will see that the “love of money” is strictly prohibited. In most countries of the world, pastors are on the low side of the economic scale. I don’t think we can say that about pastors in America.

Hypocrisy: Jesus tell us that they like to pray long prayers in public, causing people to think that they are men of great spiritual qualities. Yet after reading the previous five indictments we would expect them to go into their closets and repent. Even today there are those who put on their "God voice" when they get into the pulpit because they want to impress others. Jesus in only impressed when he sees the sincerity of heart.

Now we know that not all scribes were evil, just as not all pastors or priests are evil. There are however enough wolves in sheep's clothing that we should be on guard. There are the lovers of money, the predators, the pedophiles and wicked souls that masquerade as ministers. If you find one in your church I would encourage you to prosecute to the full extent of the law, which unfortunately is not always done. I know of ex-ministers that molested children that are on the streets today and they should be in prison. Be on guard or on the lookout for frauds Jesus tells us. We should also be on watch regarding our own souls.

Jesus warns us against "sinful cravings to be somebody, that is to be prominent, to be honored above everybody else." (Hendriksen) He condemns using religion, especially his name, for personal gain. The result will be "severe punishment." I do not know how it will end up for those being investigated by our government, but if they are guilty of the sins of the scribes, the government is not who they should be most concerned about.

This week as we look at ministry opportunities, let us examine our heats to see if we are living a lie, or being sincere.

Blessings to you,

Dan

Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org

The Pavement of Love

This week we are sharing an excerpt from Sharing Christ When You Feel You Can't by Daniel Owens (pages 118-120). Regular devotions, straight from the heart of Dan Owens, will resume next week.

Mother Teresa came to the United States several years ago to observe work with the poor in several cities. Afterwards at a news conference, reporters asked her, "What do you think of America?"

"There is a famine in the land," she said. "People are starving." A puzzled reporter spoke for most of his colleagues a when he said, "What do you mean people are starving?"

Mother Teresa responded, "People are not starving for food in America; they are starving for love."

I once asked a new Christian just a few months old in the Lord, "What is the biggest difference you've experienced in your life?" Without hesitation she said, "I've finally learned how to love. I never truly loved my husband before. I never knew how. I guess I only really loved myself. Now I love all sorts of people!"

Unselfish love is one of the best indications that a person has truly come to Christ. Believe me, there are plenty of people in the world who desperately need the love we can give when Jesus Christ is working in us.

Psychology Today reported that given one wish in live, most of us would wish to be loved. Few people I have known exemplify our desperate need for love and acceptance more than Bill.

Bill, fifteen years old, lived on the East Coast with his divorced father. His mother lived across the country in Washington state. One day Bill's father dropped a bombshell: "Bill, I don't want you to live with me any longer. I don't love you anymore. Here's a bus ticket -- go live with your mother."

Late one Friday afternoon, Bill arrived at the bus station in Bellingham, Washington. Digging his mother's phone number out of his pocket, he called her and begged her to come get him.

"Bill," she answered, "I don't know why your dad sent you out here, but I don't have time for you either. I don't know what you are going to do, but I can't take you." She wouldn't even come to the bus station to see him.

Someone at the station took notice of a boy crouched in a corner, crying, and learned about his predicament. Unfortunately, all social service offices were closed that late in the day, and there was no place for him to spend the weekend.

Someone suggested they call a youth camp near Bellingham to see if the people there would keep Bill until other arrangements could be made. The camp director agreed to take care of Bill that weekend -- the weekend I had been invited to speak at a youth rally. Bill was in the audience as I preached on the love of God that Friday night.

Without knowing anything about Bill, I said to the young people, "Your mother may have rejected you. Your father may have rejected you. Your friends may have rejected you. He loves you."

When I invited teens to come forward and receive Christ, Bill ran down the aisle, dropped to his knees in front of the platform and sobbed as if his heart would break. He finally had found Someone who loved and accepted him.

By the way, a Christian family adopted Bill, and he spent the rest of his teen years in a loving home. He has grown much in the Lord since then.

It isn't surprising that love is the first pavement we must lay to develop successful relationships, is it? Jesus was quoting the Old Testament Scriptures when He said that "Love your neighbor as yourself" was one of the two greatest commandments (Luke 10:27).

Loving people is not always easy, especially those who do not yet know Christ as their Savior. But that is where we need to remind ourselves of Christ's love for us and allow His love to move in us and through us to reach others.

With the Love of Christ,

Dan

Copyright 2007 Eternity Minded Ministries - All rights reserved
www.eternityminded.org