The Evidence of God's Love: From: Holy Spirit, To: You (Do Not Open Until...) - Pt. III

If you haven't experienced it yourself, you have probably seen someone go through it. The difference between many of the rooms we walk into are a result of the perpetual battle going on between flesh and Spirit, and that is why many of us experience either loneliness or a sense of true belonging. Do not get confused with the external, environmental sense of belonging or loneliness. You can never read the setting in a book to determine the outcome of the story. In the case of community, a sense of belonging, or loneliness, is found within, and when people find true, genuine community, they know it.
Why do they know it? Because deep down inside we are given with the innate desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We feel connected when others around us genuinely enjoy our company. While this part of the Gospel, unity with fellow believers, is crucial in the development of the newborn Christian. there is another gift that far surpasses the connection we feel with the church body, and this connection is much, much bigger than ourselves.
2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." We gain true freedom from bondage when we dip into the blessing of the Holy Spirit, whether or not our fellow believers are encouraging our walk with Christ. Now that we are given the blessing of community, our mindset should be on connection with the Spirit, as well as a constant download of the wisdom the Holy Spirit provides.
When Paul preached and spread the Gospel, he warned those who heard him that "Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, [he] relied on the power of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:4). Why? So we would "trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God" (2:5). Paul understood that his freedom did not come from the people around him, as encouraging as they might have been. His hope was found in God the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is what took him deeper than he could go, and it gave him freedom from bondage.
Other than giving us freedom, why else would we want to be driven by the Spirit?

1. In order to comprehend the mysteries and secrets of God, we must tap into the Spirit:
"...so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:12)

2. When people lived under the Old Covenant, the glory was to remain sacred and untouched and unseen. Moses actually had to intercede on behalf of the people of Israel. Under today's Covenant, we can see and hear within our hearts the wonderful blessing of transformation into his likeness (Romans 12:1-2).
"..the veil is taken away...all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord...makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

3. The Holy Spirit gives us confidence and boldness to live out our true calling - this genuine confidence cannot come from believers, but can merely be encouraged by them (Philippians 2:1-4). Paul calls us to be one in spirit together, encouraging one another to live out love, being "one in spirit and of one mind." However, we receive that confidence and boldness through the promise of the Holy Spirit.
"...as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. So we are confident.."(2 Corinthians 5:5-6).
"Since this new way (the New Covenant talked about in part I) gives us such confidence, we can be very bold" (2 Corinthians 3:12).

4. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us peace and hope that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
"...by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13)

5. We receive conviction to live out a healthy lifestyle with our body, including what we see, hear, touch, and think about.
"...don't you know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

6. You are chosen by God to be imitators of him, and in doing so we receive conviction when living in the Holy Spirit.
"...because our Gospel came to you not only in Word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction" (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

7. We have access to his thoughts! Isn't this amazing? We can access his thoughts about us, the world, and how we can be stewards of it.
"No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:11)
*Remember, we have been given the Holy Spirit, which is "God's own Spirit." = "...but we understand [the Lord's thoughts] because we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:15-16).

These seven reasons we should invest in the Spirit on a daily basis is only touching the surface. Paul goes much deeper than this, and he encourages us as a body of believers to dive into the secrets of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, we have the mind of Christ, We understand and comprehend the vast knowledge of God when we are devoted to the part of us that is so much greater than our ordinary self (1 Corinthians 2:16). In fact, the Holy Spirit is the very part of us that makes us extraordinary.

As a challenge, begin looking to the Holy Spirit within you for guidance. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). One way to "delight yourself in the Lord" is to seek the Holy Spirit. As you do that, you will begin to understand what your hear truly desires.

Go deeper with the Holy Spirit, because with it you will discover things much bigger than yourself.

A New Approach to God

This is for the fist-shakers; for those who are promised one thing, but given another; who firmly believe that light is at the end of the tunnel, but it consistently does not show up. This is for those who feel every opportunity is a dead-end, where life is sucked dry and hope is but a passing shadow. This is for all people who have the wrong perception of God and hope to change that. This is for all who desire to see past their circumstances and into the goodness of God and his plan for those who believe wholeheartedly.

The script says "God is good. God is powerful." Some would say there are aspects of God that make him worthy of that title. Paul did the best he could to express to other Christians how intense God's love is for us. Ephesians 3:17-18: "And I pray that you, being established in love, may have power...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Pastors preach sermons and family members encourage and remind each other of God's infinite love. Naturally, it is easy to believe it when others speak about it or write about it.

But those experiences don't always line up with what people say or write. Exit what people say and enter those dirty, abhorrent situations when God doesn't make sense. God becomes an ostensible thought. You compare him the world around you: What about the kids starving in Africa? What about people who have chronic disease without deserving it? Has God vanished in those times? It seems that God no longer exists when it comes down to crunch time. It seems the miracles Jesus performed back then are only from yester-year. Everything goes our way one day and the very next God steps out for a bathroom break. "Where is God when I need him most?" We murmur. Where is this almighty God, worthy of praise and deserving of all glory? Sometimes, we go as far as mocking God's existence because it isn't the type of existence we like. It doesn't line up with the God we want and we hope to get in every circumstance. While God's love and other such traits are wonderful to have in our lives, his mysteries are also part of the relationship, and it is the mysteries of God that can sometimes leave a bad taste in our mouth.

The negative view of God becomes most apparent when it involves the messy parts of our own lives. Our anger becomes bitterness, and our bitterness separates us from the Truth of who God is. At a point where we justifiably want answers and shake our fists doing so, we often forget who we are shouting at. Our words are a mixture of finger pointing, grumbling, complaining, and a sprinkle of self-pity.

We might also cry out as Job did: "Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows? Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows. Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? (Job 31:16-21)"

In other words, "Why me? What did I do to deserve your wrath? I have done things for you, God! I shouldn't be punished!" Though we might not say the same thing as Job did, we become so demanding when God doesn't fulfill our needs. We want him to fix everything and make all problems dissolve before our eyes.

Ok, you might not throw your grenades at God when things don't go our way, but there are other ways we speak to God that might not be all that beneficial...and that you might relate to. Most of the time, other than when we throw tantrums, we resort to a quiet prayer that cries out for help. We come before God, bowing down in reverence, ready to remind God of our list of things we need from him. He becomes our supplier, giving us any survival kit we will need. Sometimes it's good to ask God for help, but not like this. Sometimes it becomes a list.

Job was one to quickly "remind" God of his suffering: "These outcasts oppose me to my face. They send me sprawling and lay traps in my path. They block my road and do everything they can to destroy me. They know I have no one to help me. They come at me from all directions. They jump on me when I am down. (Job 30:12-15)"

Well, God, do something! Get in there and help Job! Help me when I need it too! We cry out in our prayers and our tantrums. We want God to give us grace, peace, mercy, wisdom, etc, as if we ran out a long time ago. "God, everything you have been giving me is not enough. Give me more please!"

God's response? Epic. God basically reminds Job who he is. Not the typical, "Hey, I made the mountains" response. Not the "I made animals, trees, and the sun" mini-lecture. Not at all. This was an all out confrontation, "brace yourself like a man," "Are you talkin' to me?" face-to-face chat. Job kicked down the door, and God gave the stern, "Sit down!" after Job ran his mouth; an unnecessary monologue in the midst of an all-knowing Master of the Universe. Sit down, and let me tell you more than just the mountains. Let me tell you more than just the animals, trees, and the sun.

Here's God in response to Job. You might want to read this 30 times:
"Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know! (Job 38:16-18)

God goes on. More rhetorical questions that God knows Job cannot answer. More questions than Job can do with. Furthermore, God's sense of humor comes through:
"Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created and you are so very experienced! (Job 38:19-21)

After approximately 71 verses (Job 38-39:30) of God responding to Job's reminders of his anguish, suffering, and good deeds, He asks Job these two questions:
"Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers? (Job 40:1-2)"

Job's reply? "I am nothing - how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say. (Job 40:3-5)

But God was not finished.

God goes on to describe the creatures of the earth, large and explainable. In fact, He effortlessly describes many of the creatures today's websites have difficulty putting a finger on. In regards to the Behemoth, Wikipedia says "Suggested identities range from a mythological creature to an elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros or crocodile." In Job 40:15-19, God describes it from head to tail: "Take a look at Behemoth, which I made, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God's handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it." God could have just said, "I made an animal called a Behemoth." But he doesn't. He describes what he made, "just as I made you."

Wikipedia begins the page about the Behemoth with these words:
"Behemoth is a beast mentioned in Job 40:15-24." These are God's words to Job. They are words about a beast that clearly its Creator knows the most about. "Only the Creator can threaten it." Only God himself can disturb the lifestyle of such an animal. God's message to Job: I made the Behemoth and you. Both I know by name, and I can describe each in tremendous detail. This is who you complain to, Job.

God continues to speak of the Leviathan, another large creature, which goes for another 35 verses (Job 41:1-34).

If these verses provide any sort of evidence about God, its that He 1) is an expert on his creation and 2) he knows exactly what is going on. He knows all of the nuances, personality traits, quirks, characteristics, defense mechanisms, techniques, habitats, capabilities, limitations, formations, transformations, life cycles, moods, symptoms, ideas, behaviors, etc. He knows what has happened, is happening, and what will happen. Edwin Louis Cole, author of Maximized Manhood, writes, "God created this whole thing, including you and me, and by His active presence. He sustains it all. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing. (45)" 

Since God created all of the Earth, God is also in control, and many times, whether we come to him with a list or with murmurs, both methods can be detrimental to the relationship and the work the Lord is doing in and through you.

God doesn't just speak to Job this way. Isaiah 40:25-26 shows that God is not ignorant and unaware of your troubles:
"'To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?' asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?"

David, over a period of time, modeled a similar approach in many of his Psalms, and this is the perspective of God we should all adopt:

"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? (Psalm 8:3-4)"

David is asking, "In all of your great power and sovereignty, what kind of Master thinks so highly of something so small in comparison to all He has made?" He is placing value on the perspective God has of him, and it changes how he approaches his Savior. This is the same song David sings that starts with, "O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!"

So, what can we do differently?
#1. God offers hope, and he freely gives us wonderful things in Him (2 Corinthians 2:12). These are already promised to us in full, so why do we need to beg God for what he is already giving everyday? Why do we throw complaints and murmurs God's way? God knows exactly what he is doing. Though David went through plenty of trouble, he was good at giving God credit where it was due, and he did so in Psalm 34:4 - "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened." If this is true about David - if he was radiant with joy when he seeks and prays to listening God, then perhaps we can view God this way too.  It is not about your list. It is not about you telling God what to give you. Perhaps we can rid ourselves of the notion that God doesn't care about us or that he negligently looks the other way while we suffer. It is time to dispel the lie that God only desires that we suffer to learn our lessons. It's time to stop thinking we need to convince God to do what's best for us and start noticing that God is and has been. David received plenty of reward from just meeting with the Lord and praising him through joy and sorrow. His reward was a deeper intimacy and understanding with his Creator. You can reach that same level of intimacy by praising him no matter what circumstances say otherwise.

#2. We can train our mind and heart to dwell on greater things that are eternal, not just the temporal. Paul encourages fellow believers to press on, never give up, and look ahead to greater things: "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen... (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)" If we are striving towards what is already promised to us, we will not be intimidated by things that come and go like the wind because they cannot measure up to the greater things in store. This is a gift we can cling to, even though we do not have it right away. When our perspective changes, turning our hearts towards what is eternally true, we prepare our hearts and minds for heavenly desires and thoughts.

These strategies, lived daily and intentionally, will provide a more successful life free from the imaginary bondage we place on ourselves. Let us break free from them by changing our false perspectives of God and turning them into truths that are evident throughout Scripture.

A Perfect Perspective

God is worthy of our worship. We love Him because of what he has done for us and how he has given us a new outlook and direction in life. All of this is true, and it is a valid reason to love him in return.

But what about when our new direction is painful? What if the circumstances and situations in our life don't seem to change, despite our new outlook? We have an appreciation for God and it changes the way we see things, yet sometimes it does not change our surroundings. It does not change the fact that we are jobless. It does not change the fact that we need to pay bills (they don't go away). It does not change the way we are mistreated, hated, or misunderstood; sometimes, all three of these things.

Better yet, it doesn't provide an immediate global need. Starving children are not fed when we accept Christ. Homeless folks are not suddenly given a brighter future. Miracles do happen, but the world continues to be far from perfect despite our life-changing decisions.

Perfect God, imperfect society, unanswered questions; it's what you get when two dimensions of morality meet.

Unfortunately, life does not become perfect the moment we commit our lives to Christ. We still "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). There is still starvation, murder, adultery, and many other sins that contaminate the very image we were created in (Genesis 1:26). We are a fallen world, and committing our life to Christ is not a magic potion that changes everything immediately.

As you read this entry, African villages are still starved out. While we receive our food in five minutes, locals in third-world countries are searching for supplies for days on end. I would be upset too. I would wonder why God is not stopping this with one powerful command.

As we react to the world's problems, our emotions get the best of us. We are angry, bitter, and infuriated. Why shouldn't we be? People are starving! As a response, we blame the first Being capable of putting an end to the problems of this world. Like a president, football coach, or village leader, fingers also point to God when something goes wrong. He is questioned, interrogated, and insulted because no immediate help has come. On the basis of unmet needs, many begin to doubt God's existence or abilities - we limit God.

Atheists abound because God appears unable to rescue a society filled with disaster, hatred, poverty, and ruin. We murmur, "If God is so loving, why does he let these things happen?" or "Why would I want to believe in God when he lets genocides happen?" 

Valid point.

In fact, these questions are so good, even scholars cannot answer them. The fact is, there is no perfect answer, which is why this is the best answer:

Ask God.

Plain and simple. Ask God. He will give you clarity. He loves being asked those questions because it shows you care. It shows you desire to know what God is already in control of. Below are some Scriptures that encourage going to God:

1. Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

2. Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious in anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ." (Guard from what? The wrong answers.)

3. Matthew 7:7 - "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Jesus said that!)

4. James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

God is all-knowing. It is not just who He is that is perfect, but it is how He thinks too. As humans, we have a limited view, so our perspective will be limited as well. But, just because our perspective is limited, it does not mean we should limit Him. He is flawless, which means any wisdom he gives you is also flawless.

But, what can we do? How can we live out asking God and seeking wisdom? Here are a few things you can do (or not do):

1. Do not question God. He is perfect for a reason. Instead...
2. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances..." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
3. If you ask, ask with an open mind. You are not better than God, so don't think a question will stump Him.
4. Admit that you lack wisdom (James 1:5), and go to the two sources that have the answers (The Bible and God).
5. Romans 12:3 - "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement,  in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."
6. Do as the Lord commands, and leave the rest to Him. Psalm 112:1 - "Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands" and James 1:6 - "...But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." Do not ask to argue, but to believe and understand.

We will never fully understand God, but just because we do not understand His methods, does not mean He stops being God. He will not step down, retire, or withdraw his candidacy because people do not approve. Unfortunately, we do not have all of the answers.

Fortunately, we have access to the One who does through Jesus Christ. We can ask, seek, and understand through His lens, not ours. We love to act like we are in control, but once we admit that God is bigger than our greatest solutions, unanswered questions, and unsolvable problems, then we see God for who He really is.

After all, with a perfect God comes a perfect perspective.

Which House is Yours?

If you do not want to read the blog, get the summary in this video:

The Three Little Pigs has always been known as a classic bedtime story that sparks the interest of children around the world. In fact, its popularity has become so immense that there is more than one version to watch or read. While one version is more graphic (the wolf actually murdering the pigs), the other version has the pigs running away and finding refuge in the highly intelligent pig. Ultimately, despite the various versions available, the moral remains unchanged.

"With good work comes good fortune," one might suggests. "Heed the wisdom of the wise," another exclaims. Again, the message stays consistent throughout the decades.

So, it all begins with mother pig recognizing that her three piglets' childhood have inevitably come to a end. They have all grown up and have a chance to put to practice what they learned. The first two pigs quickly grab what they feel will make a shelter to live in, while the third pig takes his time. However, the major difference between the first two pigs and the third is the mindset they have. Pig 1 and 2 want to build a house as quick as they can; the sooner they finish, the more time they have to relax and enjoy life on their own. Pig 3 builds his house out of bricks, cement, and blueprints he has set up. His house is built out of sturdy material that will not collapse; he has a plan. The result of picking these resources means more labor and less relaxation time. Yet, Pig 3 recognizes his preparation will pay off.

As a result, Pig 1 and 2 find themselves buried beneath the wreckage of their own clumsiness, while Pig 3 eventually fools his enemy and triumphs over him. Pig 3, while he spent a majority of the story working, knew his hard work would pay off and keep him safe.

The philosophy the third pig carried with him worked: Prepare in advance what you need to do so you are ready when the enemy comes. The big bad wolf was prepared for a meal, but was the pig prepared to protect himself?

Jesus uses an illustration to communicate how crucial it is to be grounded in Christ:

"I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well-built" (Luke 6:47-48).

Then Jesus adds what it would look like to not obey:

"But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins" (6:49).

We have an enemy who is constantly after us. He "prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Like the wolf, our enemy wants to destroy us, deceive us, and lie to us. He comes wanting to blow our house, our foundation, and our security in Christ, down. Not giving up, he wants 'The bacon.' Are we ready for him when he comes to us? Do we have confidence in the framework of our life? Do we trust that our foundation in Christ is going to keep us from harm?

The way we build our house is up to us. We can spend our life without purpose and without being grounded in anything. James 1:6 commands us with a similar warning: "Be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind."

If we walk in our own desires like Pig 1 and 2, we will get swept away and lost among our own ineptitude.

In Luke 6:47-49, Jesus offers two paths. In each, there is a reward/consequence that follows. Fortunately, we don't have to be like Pig 1 and 2; we have Scripture. We also have the Holy Spirit that dwells in us when we receive his guidance and recognize our inability to run things independently. James 1:21-22 provides more direction: "So get rid of all filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says."

The Word of God, including the Holy Spirit, is your foundation. Rest in it, and the big, bad wolf will be huffing and puffing, huffing and puffing, and nothing will come down.

As you live out your journey, are you being swept away, ensnared by the desires the wolf has for you? Or, are you grounded in the Word and carefully listening to the guiding of the Holy Spirit? You always have the option, but either way, that wolf is coming to blow at your house.