Examine yourself - Contentment 003

Examine yourself -  Contentment 003

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (Philippians 4:11 ESV)

LEARNED

So, as a Pharisee, Paul had a very huge head start on us when it came to knowing God.  But you must keep in mind that a lot of what he believed as a Jewish religious leader before his conversion was - well - wrong.

And when he (Paul) had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 

(Acts 9:26 ESV)

Paul, a Pharisee of Pharisees, hence very well versed not only in the Word of God but the traditions, added by men PLUS the Holy Spirit equals one mighty servant of the Gospel.

We, on the other hand, come to Christ without a whole lot for the Holy Spirit to work with.  And - commonly - we start our walks by reading either books about the Word and the Faith or just the "good parts" of the scriptures.  The first can severely pervert our growth and the second retards it.  There have been many, many godly men and women but God only made one Paul.

But - that is no reason for us to shirk our responsibility to study the Word so that we might know Him and serve Him well.  Paul himself makes it plain:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV)

OK - maybe few of us have the advantage of a godly home like Timothy, but that is still no excuse to not make the Word our primary (if not only) source of reading.

Over the years I've come to think of the Word as straw.  Huh????  Yeah - I came to Christ with a brain and some education - that's mud.  Now God wants to build me into a structure for His glory - that would be bricks.  Well, we all know that making bricks without straw is very difficult and frustrating (See Exodus).  So I add the Word (straw) to my current knowledge and understanding (mud) and the Holy Spirit makes good solid bricks. 

OK - all analogies break down if carried too far - so don't take mine further.  But I do not come to Christ stupid - He has provided for me to gain the knowledge and understanding I come with.  But He also knows that that knowledge and understanding is in no way sufficient - not even a little - to be of use to Him.  Actually, it would very probably be, on its own, very counter productive.

When Jesus says :

"It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"   (Matthew 4:4 ESV)

He wasn't just being cute - He actually knew that to be absolutely true.  That's not some snide shot at the Devil - that is a mighty shield to deflect the arrows of the Devil.  Note by the way, that even though the Devil "quotes" Words of God, he does so illegitimately.  It is the whole Word - the “every Word” that brings life - not just the good parts.

"But I don't have time."  "But I don't know Greek and Hebrew."  "But I'm not a pastor."  "Na nana na nana na -------."  What part of "live" in Matt. 4:4 did you miss?  Where Rome offered "bread and circuses" God offers "bread and Word."  The first was a means of political manipulation and control.  The second is the means of life.

When men began to work to translate the scriptures into their own languages, their vision was that everyone would be able to read the Word of God.  Well, by their blood they accomplished their task.  For a while men died to get the translated Word spread throughout the world.  And here we are today - the Bible is the best-selling-least-read book in history.  Ouch.

Examine yourself - Contentment 002

Examine yourself - Contentment 002

"But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 

(Psalms 81:11 ESV)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."   (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)

I use these two passages as our starting point because the Hebrew passage has an imperative and a promise - something to submit to and something to cling to.

We must fight "love of money."  To be more precise, we must fight covetousness.

In James we read:

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. (James 4:2 ESV)

This word "covet" is really neat.  The root of the idea is "heat," which we would say, "to have the hots for."  I know that's kind of crude but it so clearly expresses the idea that I felt compelled to use it.

God says:

"'And you shall not covet your neighbor's wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.'   (Deuteronomy 5:21 ESV)

Both "covet," and "desire," as used here mean to "lust for."  Now please remember that "lust" isn't ONLY about sex.  To "lust" simply means to "set one's heart on."  That can be OK or very NOT OK.  I can "lust," set my heart on my wife but I am not to "lust," (set my heart) on your wife.  

Also - please keep in mind that my heart should be "set" on God and His glory/honor over and above anything else.

But covetousness, for believers has a broader and deeper sense.  God should be the primary and fundamental focus of the "set" of my heart.  Any and every other "lust" must be subservient to that "lust."   

This is clear:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

I find it interesting that Jesus does not say to seek God first and THEN seek the other stuff.  

Note:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.   (Matthew 6:31-32 ESV)

OK - remember Psa. 81:11?  Two issues:  Not listening and not submitting.

Did you realize that "submission" does not just relate to commands?  Oh no - submission applies to all that God has spoken - especially His promises.  

OK - I think I see a problem.  We hear all this "stuff" about claiming God's promises - right?  Well, think about "submitting" to them - that is simply accepting them as the truth that you need to live your life.

God says He will provide food, drink and clothes.  Period.  It may be oatmeal, water and a poncho - but He promises it.  Is that OK with you?

I know a couple who have nice stuff.  They are in the same place a whole lot of us are.  They live from pay-check to pay-check.  Now they know that a good part of their circumstances are due to their covetousness and foolishness - their sin.  They have repented and are working on being better stewards.  But they are in tough times and they get anxious - the anxiety fuels every frustration and Satan makes food use of it.

They have expressed a willingness to part with all the "stuff," but they realize that part of that is a seeking to get God to "rescue" them.  They're trying to cut a deal with God.  Satan really uses this to accuse then and depress them.  It is a terribly viscous cycle. 

Now here's the problem.  They are relating to God as is He was a cruel parent who demands that His love and provision be earned.  They are also fighting the public embarrassment that will attend their financial collapse.  All this certainly comes from their flesh - but they has help in developing this mind-set through the sinfulness of others.

So they struggle.  They put on a brave face.  They state that God is good and will provide what's best.  But there is a seed in their hearts that weakness their trust and confidence hence their contentment wavers.

Sound familiar?  Though this is not "normal" (normal being the state God created us in) it is "common" (for fallen creatures - even redeemed fallen creatures).

They "hear" God but they struggle to "listen."  The Words resound in their ears but by the time the Words get to their heart they are bent and twisted.  They submit with a quiet conditional "but."  

These are mature and knowledgeable believers in whom this particular fleshiness is still strong and active.  They have the great lie engraved in their minds, "I will love you if......"  Or "You are good and will get good if you meet my criteria."

This is not what God says not what He promises.  BUT ...........

How about you?  Do you struggle with the same of similar fleshiness?  Are you. Like this couple, still caught in the pagan-ness of our culture that says you have to appease God before He will help you?

Is there a solution to this?  Sure - listen to and submit to God.  They know they will never break this fleshiness in their own strength - trust me, I know they've tried.  So they just quit trying.  But they haven't stopped resisting, even opposing.

They have determined to engage the duties and practices of the faith regardless of the assaults of the flesh.  They pray regularly, they study the Word, they attend worship and they even give what they can.  They "just do it."

Why?  Because God says that this is how we grow in our walk with Him.  They have determined that in dependence upon the Holy Spirit they will, "seek first the Kingdom."  That is their first priority so they "practice" their faith.

Yes, they are suspicious of their motives - duhhhhh.  That old "do this so God will do that," is there but it is growing weaker.  Slowly - but weaker.  

Are they still anxious about poverty - you bet they are.  They've never been "poor" so it's a new place in which they will have to learn to trust God - much like if they moved to a foreign country.

But - they have begun by doing what they know they can do and what pleases God and strengthens their spirits.  They obey (not perfectly but intentionally).

See, they have learned that if they say - we won't be anxious, we won't covet, we won;t be shamed - they will default to their old thinking and behaviors.  So they draw near to God instead of focusing on drawing away from their flesh.  They are not walking backwards - but fixing their hearts on Christ they walk towards Him.

More next time . . . . .

Examine yourself - Contentment 001

I'm beginning a series on Contentment.  Why"  Well because "things" are tough for a lot of us right now and if you're like Patti and I, it's is really easy to get bogged down in them.  I'm not writing form some ivory tower but from the trenches where "hand to mouth," is a very  uncomfortable reality.  We are struggling on living "God to mouth," and it's tough - contentment is a real challenge.

Examine yourself - Contentment  001

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.   (1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" 

(Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV)

One of the signs of our maturing in the faith is contentment.  I don't know about you - but for me that's a tough one.  From my studies I see contentment as the resulting sense or composure of trusting in God's goodness and the goodness of His providence.

If you read the verse above closely it is obvious that what battles against contentment is - well - stuff.  By stuff I mean everything in this world from food to all that neat goodies.  Regardless of the stuff we look at (food or cultural signs of prosperity) contentment is tough.

Contentment is not just sucking it up and carrying on.  There is a definitive element of satisfaction in true contentment.  It's a "This is fine," perspective on our present conditions and provision.  Like I said, it's tough.

Of course the clearest demonstration of the lack of contentment is seen in Israel's exodus from Egypt.  Once they were out they immediately began to grumble and mummer against God.  Basically they felt that all He had done was not sufficient for them to trust Him and they didn't see what He was doing as "good enough."

They "murmured," or "grumbled," against God and His provision.

They were DIS-contented.  Discontent has within it elements of bitterness and anger so we may assume that contentment is, at least in part, an absence of bitterness and anger.

But here's my conundrum.  I find that event though I don't express bitterness and anger at God's provision I am still anxious and fretful about it.  I also have to admit that when His provision is not what I wanted or expected I fall into a rather grudging "suck it up and take it," mode.

What I want to do is to live with praise and thanksgiving in my heart for what He has given me right now.  That is number one.  Then, number two is to joyfully and expectantly look forward to whatever He has for me in tomorrow.  

I find the worst word that can com to my mind is, "but."  

BUT;

It's not what I wanted

It's not what I expected

It's not what I needed

It's no what "I" ---------

BUT:

Will He provide for this need I know it coming and what do I do if He doesn't?

Will He give enough?

Will He determine that I am to go through a trial concerning this?

Then there are all the possible negative scenarios that may result.  Then there are all the possible ways I can fix it.  The there are all the reasons that He should just ell me that I made my bed and I'll have to lie in it - alone.  Then there are all the reasons I know I don't deserve for Him to do anything.

Yeah, it kind of snowballs in your head and weighs heavily on your heart.  

Working backwards, the passage from Hebrews is a help.  The writer begins with the admonition to, "Keep your life free from love of money,"  Nice translation but a little short.  Actually the word means "unavoritious," or "un-coveting."  of course the idea is to not love money but it is bigger - much bigger than that.

Money is a means - a means of power and a means of provision.  This is why Jesus tells us we can either love Mammon (money) or God but not both.  We can get want we want and need via money (a mere means)- or we can get what we truly need (wants are another matter) from God.

Here's the conflict.  Money I can "get" or God I must trust.

So this is where we begin - hope you'll follow along!

Examine yourself to see ---- 112712

   All that I am, all that I have - indeed that I am at all - is His.
Everything is placed in my hands for His purposes.
He kindly allows me to use some for my sustenance even my pleasure but it is not mine, it is His.

So when my mind wanders into the probability that what He has given me that what can be taken will be taken and I find myself growing inflamed with keeping it and/or defending it and I am cast down.

It is not my car or my house or my rights or my guns (ouch) - they are all His even to the smallest cell of the body He has given me.  I am obligated to use it wisely and well but I don't know that I am obligated to defend it - even if I could.

It was His to give and is still His after the giving.  It is never mine.  If through some secondary cause, for His purposes, it comes to a place where it is taken, even taken by force of arms or law or both am I to trust Him to leave me with what He would have me steward or am I to meet force (any type of force) with force?

I wonder if I am not to simply trust Him and allow Him to preserve and protect even my life.  Indeed the very history of our faith demontrates that there is a time and place where we must stand passive as we are persecuted and oppressed, even robbed by force of arms or force of law.

When they came for Him in the garden one only met force with force.  Not only was he foolish but he was wrong and the Lord undid the harm he inflicted.  It does, I hope, make one wonder.

We are raised to believe that we have three inalienable rights.  Life, liberty and happiness (which was originally property).  But I would ask where I am to find my right to any of these in His sovereignty and providence?  A right?  Then it is not grace or mercy but something the creator God is oblidged to provide and preserve?  And what text pray tell gives proof to that?

Paul counted all things as dung compared to the excellency of Christ.  But we, do we really count "all things" so?

Ah you will hack away at self-protection or self-preservation?  And what convinces you that you can, much less are obligated to preserve your self?  Are we not all utterly in His keeping?  Is not our very life His to give, to moderate, even to take?  Is He not sovereign, holy and good in all that happens in His creation?

He has blessed me with much - and I have much through my own foolishness and flesh.  He has allowed it but that does not mitigate my follishness and fleshness.  I have much that is there by sin.  Much.  I can not in good conscience hold that I have a right to keep any of it.  To use it for Him is my duty but that duty does not negate His right to take it away.

Job woefully lamented the loss of all He allowed to be taken.  Yet we read no claim made against God.  Naked Job came and naked he would leave.  Even if God took (or allowed to be taken) his very life Job committed himself trustingly to Him.  Do we - really?

Many do - when there is no choice.  But they simply accept what is happening instead of turning to Him promptly and praise Him for His goodness.  Salvation and a cadillac too was once considered cute - but as we have come to elevate that to the level of doctrine is it devastating.

What do we mean by "mine?"  I fear we mean something very wrong hearted.  I fear we mean "sovereignly mine" not merely mine to serve Him with and through.  I know I struggle against that heart dis-ease.

"He who dies with the most toys wins," is a sad statement for a believer to ever come close to making.  But even if we never say it, I fear we shout it by our lives.  James provides us with an important insight:

James 4:3-4
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.    ESV

He's talking to us.  He's talking "passions."  Not sex, not drugs although those certinly apply.  Rather he is talking about us wanting what we want when we want it how we want it FOR OURSELVES.  And not what He wants, when He want, how He wants for His glory.

He is talking about me, my, mine, ours.  Our passions NOT His passions.  Can you see dear ones the dangerous difference?  See the confusion - the confounding?

We ask for money to get what we want.  We ask for time to use as we want.  We ask for health so we can continue to do what we want.  Is this asking rightly or amiss?

Pau in Romans 7 writes out his turmoil - the flesh against the Spirit.  Which one do we listen to the most.  I see few of us (note I said us - that includes me) bewailing and mourning the opportunities we give the our flesh.

Not I but Christ.
Not mine but His.
What's the differentce?
Zip!

A silly season reflection.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:5  ESV

It seems that this time or year brings with it a certain poingnant pain.  I can find no better expression of this than the words of David.

I call this the "silly season."  We seem to get so caugh up in both the "religious" and cultural demands of the season which, quite simply, are dyametrically opposed to one another.  Hence we expereience an odd kind of turmoil.

Caught between Christ and Consumerism;  family demands and faith demands we feel like a frayed rope in a tug-of-war.

I struggled with this for some time.  The ghosts of christmases past and the wounds of family gatherings have always cast me down.  I found a way for me to relieve a good part of the struggle by simply denying the whole thing.  I just quit recognizing the "holiday."

First, it couldn't be any more artificial than it in fact is.  I have serious doubts about Jesus being born in December and that's primarity because I was fortunate to know a real shepherd.  His struggle was with why any decent shepherd would have his flock out, at night, in the dead of winter.  "Bad business," he said.

Secondly we know the "day" was assigned by Constantine whose "faith" is worthy of questioning.  He never acctually accepted Christ until he was on his deathbed.  He also imposed the imperial Roman structure upon the church and made the church a tool of the empire.

Thirdy, there is NO biblical foundation for celebating he "day" of the incarnation no matter how "noteworthy" is in fact is.  We don't really get to make up days - especailly "holy-days," that are no biblical.

Fouthly, - what's up with Santa Clause?  OK - maybe there was a believer named Nicolus who did give shoes to poor kids.  So?  How does that apply to our faith anymore than any other work of benevolence?  And what's with the "tree" thing?  Smacks more of paganism to me (Jer. 10:3-4).

Fifthly, the "day" (actually the season) has been sinfully hijacked.  I call it, "the gifting olympics."  It's become a contest of avarice and greed.  Kids focus more on what they want than any supposed or imposed meaning of the season.  Parents worry and fret more about giving their kids what will make them "happy" than about communicating the gospel.  The key question of the season is, "Want does xxx want for Christmas?"

Now - if you "celebrate" the nativity, the incarnation at this time of year I won't throw stones.  If you "celebrate" is with strange totems and effigies and other things, I might start piling rocks.  If you "celebrate" the incarnation with a fluury of flesh promted purchases I might pick up a rock.  But - I'll not throw one.  I've never had a moment of perfection and know that while I'm here I won't.

But, if by some strange weird working I do have a moment like that I may "toss' a rock.

Folks there is nothing "christian" about Christmas - except the plays our kids put on, the sermons we hear and some of the songs we sing.  That's it - but why do we only celebrate this eternal event once and in a manner that hardly gives it the value and meaning it deserves?

No, I don't think I'm a scrouge.  I rejoice at the meaning of the incarnation - the nativity.  But I can't in good conscience join in (what is to me) the silliness of the season.

Why is my soul cast down?  Because at this time of year and in rememberance of the greatest birth ever we let down the walls and allow the world to come flooding in.

I've tried various and sundry ways to "do" the season but I have just found it - well, too burdensome on my conscience.  There is of course no escaping it - but that doesn't mean I have to play.

Your call - call it well!

Peter's pen 1 Peter 5:12-14

1 Peter 5: 12-14

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.   ESV

In closing, two points:

1.  This is the true grace of God.
2.  Stand firm in it.

As I have throughout this series, I highly recommend the works of John Flavel, John Owen, William Gurnal, Thomas Watson and other great Puritan preachers.

I'll also take a chance on a book just published that I haven't read (I am waiting for the digital edition).  It is titled A Puritan Theology; Doctrine for Life.  Right now it is available at a really big discount (print version) at:

http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/8650?utm_source=A_Puritan_Theology&utm_medium=email&utm_content=cover_image&utm_campaign=A_Puritan_Theology

NOTE:  I finished reading  A Puritan Theology and I highly recommend it.  I also recommend The Marrow of Theology William Ames as a primer in Refomed eoloy, docine and pracice.

God bless and keep you all -- Next series???  Don't know yet.   Any suggestions?

It's just scary down here ---

I was praying this morning and as I prayed (I tend to do it as a journal) I found myself writing that, "its just scary down here."  And you know, it is.

Now  perfect love casts out fear - we don't have the spirit of fear - yes, I know all that - but it's still scary down here.

Fear is natural or sinful.  To not fear is to give up some part of being human.  to allow fear to keep us from serving Him is to give up some part of being His - that's sinful fear.

But fear is an emotion (?) - a judgement we make about conditions and circumstances that are very real.  Fear tells us something is dangerous - potentially harmful - probably damaging - etc.  So this natural fear can't be a no-no but it can not be the boss either.

Having said that - it is scary down here.  Politics is always scary - the power of government is always liable to abuse.  I worry about that.  I worry about my brothers and sisters who own businesses or have ministries and the possiblility that they may have to close, capitulate their consciences to the law or take a stand against the law and suffer the conseqences.  I fear for our religious freedom - especially the religious freedom of Christians.

See, it's coming to a point where we are being put in a position where we are required to do things that violate our consciences.  We are being required to do (or not do) things that pertain directly to our faith (beliefs) and though in most cases it's subtle - it's here.

At some point - and I worry that the time is closer that we think - we will have to start saying "No."  We've tried to say no in the political arena but that's "their" home field - so we've said "Ok" to the point that we will soon have to say "No!" and when we do we will suffer for it.

Where we have enjoyed the freedom to express our religious beliefs we are no longer as "free" as we were.  When folks are getting cited and sued for having home Bible studies - we are in trouble.  When the government can force us to pay for things that violate our faith - we are in trouble.

Well - it's scary down here.  But that's OK - it can't help but be.  However - we need to begin NOW to pray for a holy boldness to stand upon our faith and refuse to give way.  That will look different for different people - and that's sad -!  It shows that we have indeed not grown as He desired and we have especially not grown to be one.

So many of us will find ourselves standing alone.  Criticized and even vilified by those who claim our faith but don't know Him.  The tares and the goats and the wolves will have a very good time.  Our stubbornness in our faith will cost us much - for some of us it will cost everything but what he guards for us.

I am not a pessimist - I am a believer - and the One I believe makes it very clear that we will suffer for Him - for being His.  I wonder if I'm ready?  I don;t feel ready - but then, that's what the Holy Spirit is for - right?

Pray for yourselves and your brothers and sisters that they might see and understand the depth of hate the world and the devil has for us.  Pray that they may grow ever more sensitive in their consciences so that they do not suddenly realize they have "allowed: and "tolerated" and "compromised" to the point of a near surrender.

We must remember - "to live is Christ, to die is gain."  Paul "got it," when did we let it go?

Peter's pen 1st Peter 5:10-11

1 Peter 5: 10-11
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.  ESV

Suffering?  Yep!  We are knocked off course, doubtful, weak and wobbly.  We will be as He restores, confirms, strengthens and establishes us.  Welcome to following Jesus!

Being His and not yet being with Him is suffering.  Get it?  All the threats, dangers, turmoil, trials, tribulations and persecutions are here, not there.  The greater our longing to be there - the more we sense that separation and suffer here.

Now, that's a left-handed blessing.  It is our suffering here, not yet with Him, that confirms we are His.  Who else would care?  For whom else would it even be an issue?  Yes, non-believers "suffer" here, but having no hope of heaven they suffer normally.  We, on the other hand, should sense an keener edge on our suffering.  We yearn for that time, that promised and assured time when:

Rev. 21:3-5
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  5 And he who was seated on the throne said,

 “Behold, I am making all things new.”  ESV

Examine yourself 112212

Examine yourselves ----

Are you "on board" with examining yourself?  It is quite clearly commanded in the Word and hence not some optional undertaking.

What would keep us from engaging in this command?

Do we fear we will find our faith to be false?  Then run to Christ in open and honest confession and need.

Do we fear we will find our faith ill-informed and or un-biblical?  Then run the the Word for clear and godly instruction.

Do we fear we will find our faith weak?  Then run to the duties and obligations of the faith which will strengthen it mightily.

Do we fear we will be overcome by our littleness in our faith?  Then run to the Spirit who is God's power in us for serving Him.

Do you not see that what ever the condition or quality of your faith it is none-the-less faith?  

Do you not know that be it but a mustard seed in comparison to others, it is enough to begin?

Do you not know that He knows well the condition of our faith and that His great desire is to strengthen, inform and use it?

Do you not know that nothing - not even a small and wavering faith which needs instruction, perhaps correction is enough to separate you from His love?

Have you not realized that Christ is not a cookie maker?  He does not spread the dough and simply stamp out identical cookies?  No!  As He knit you uniquely in your mother's womb so He would shape you and mold you as that unique creation the only same-ness being that we all be conformed to His likeness.

Has no one told you that you, weak faith, twisted faith, struggling faith - have a unique place and role in His will?  Has no-one told you that regardless and even perhaps because of your limitations, struggles, condition or circumstance you are no less His child even His servant in working out His will?

Have you not seen, in the very Word of God, that He takes all kinds and all conditions and makes then magnificent when they serve His purposes?  Do you not get the lesson that is there for you?

What have you to lose by self-examination except pride and sin and the distraction of baseless and fruitless worry?

Indeed, we have nothing to lose in self-examination except that which has hindered our confidence and comfort until now.  And could that be a bad thing?

Oh but you say, "I am a weak child of God!"  "I am a lazy child of God!"  I am an ignorant child of God!"  I am a blind, lame, depressed, bi-polar even schizophrenic child of God!" "I am an unworthy child of God!"

Let me ask you, "What part of child of God isn't good enough?"

There is the "faithful" child of God and the "unfaithful" child of God.  The only difference is dependent focus.  The faithful child of God dependently focuses on God and what pleases Him.  The "unfaithful" child of God focuses on themselves and others.  But - both are children of God.  Once His child - the choice is yours.  He paid the price for you to be made His child - don't let the small cost of living as His child cripple or hinder you.

Do not let your doubts about your salvation worry you overmuch.  If you do they will paralize you and keep you from making use of His great provision for your confidence and comfort.  Feelings are not facts - they are our responce/reaction to things.  What "so called" fact has wounded your confidence and stolen your comfort?  It is either God calling you to your next adventure in Him or it is Satan up to his old distractions and traps.

The "proof" of our faith is indeed in the pudding.  It is in the practice of the dutied and obligations of the faith that our faith and hence our confidence and comfort grows.  As we grow - it all grows.  But to grow we must be fed (by the Word) exercised (by the duties and obligations) and guided (by the Spirit).  which of these is missing in your life?  Reclaim is and use it!!

Examine yourself 112112

Examine yourselves - 

Would you know - in spite of all the doubts and accusations of the world, the flesh and the Devil that you indeed His?  Would you have a confidence in your redemption that humbly stands against all challenges?  Then my fellow believers you must be about examining your hearts, minds and affections.

Ask yourself, "For what do I pray that is utterly dependent upon the will and providence of God?"

Our prayers are great tools whereby we may diagnose the state of our souls.  If they are self focused, even upon the most rudimentary needs, then we have need of closer examination.  It they seek that which we honestly need and yet these are sought for the removal of some worldly sense of shame, then we stand in need of closer examinations.  If they begin with us or they begin with a self-serving flattery for the sake of our requests then we stand in need of closer examination.

In the model prayer (Matt. 6) Jesus provides us with the priorities, progress and process that true prayer - the believer's prayer, must hold to so we can be confident in our prayers.

If you can pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," without your mind flying to your needs and wants then you may rejoice in that confidence.  But if, in asking that His will be done, your mind and heart erupt with a desire to mold or force His will to yours - then indeed you have just cause for concern.

Take, for the sake of self-examination, that one phrase, "Thy will be done," and pray only that for a week.  As you pray it consider His will - His goals and purposes for the world, for unbelievers, for believers and then for you.  

Can you set aside your personal concerns - your aggravations, worries, fears, needs and desires to explore the depth and breadth of His will and its being done?  Or does your mind and heart seek to get right to you and your desires?  

Perhaps you may pray with paper and pencil and upon asking, "Thy will be done," you can enumerate those things which you know are His will.  But I warn you, everyone of them must be tested by the plain and main teaching of the Word of God.  It they are not so examined most of them must be held suspect.

Your confidence, your assurance can not withstand the winds and wiles of Satan if you are not clear on God's priorities which should be yours as well.  To have priorities that compete with God's is to be at odds with God.  To be at odds with God is pride.  When the One True God does not serve our pride it is an easy slide into idolatry.

With so very many of us struggling just to provide the basics the temptation is to fall to our knees begging Him to provide those basics.  But prayer is worship over petition and supplication.  Prayer is thanksgiving before requesting and seeking.

James hits the mark - but the actual bulls-eye is is much smaller than we think.

He writes:

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 

(Jas 4:3)

"Passions?"  We tend to immediately think this means that those referred to are praying for sinful things.  But this is not the case.  The word includes any physical gratification or pleasure.  

I'll be bold and ready for correction but what I read here is that in this sort of prayer, we are more concerned for the physical provision that God can provide than for the spiritual provision which is His priority.  Why?  Two passages:

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 

(Jas 4:4)

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.   (Mat 6:31-34)

It is the Kingdom (Kingship) of God and His righteousness that we are to be seeking.  That is the priority.  Jesus says, "and all these things will be added to you."  Added - get that?  It is the physical providence that is the "extra" - the dessert.  The Kingdom and his righteousness is the meat.

I encourage you to use the above exercise to examine your heart and mind, to expose your true priorities.

Let me ask this in closing.  If indeed you are, first and foremost, seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness and in His good will, in His eternal plan you are to go without even the means of sustaining your life - is that "good" for you?  Is your redemption by His grace utterly sufficient or must you have dessert?

It is a hard thing to say, as did Job:

Though he slay me, I will hope in him; .   (Job 13:15a)

BUT

"life is more than food, and the body more than clothing." (Luk 12:23)