Mistakes are unavoidable. But what can often become more damaging than a mistake is our response to and actions after making a mistake. What do you do when you really blow it?
My experience has usually been one of four responses:
a. Justify myself. (It's not my fault...This is just the way I was raised...You can't help it, etc.)
b. Blame someone or something else.
c. Beat myself up over it and run from God.
d. Take responsibility, repent, and make restitution.
Anytime we make a mistake there will always be two voices whispering in our souls. The first is the voice of condemnation and it comes from Satan himself. He is the accuser (Revelations 12:10) and loves to throw our mistakes in our face. Condemnation is typically accusatory in nature, vague, and attempts to shame us away from the Lord.
Conviction is very different. Conviction is the language of the Holy Spirit and is incredibly needed. Without the voice of the Holy Spirit we don't even know when we've drifted from the Lord or realize how destructive our actions have been. Conviction is life-giving, specific, and draws us toward God (Romans 8:1-17). It will always be healing and redemptive, never aloof.
Which voice have you been listening to lately?
Don't live another minute in condemnation. Respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Access the finished work of the cross Jesus accomplished on your behalf and move on!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Do Not Fret
Three times in the first eight verses of Psalms 37 David writes, "Do not fret."
Why? What is it about fret that is so destructive?
Verse 8 gives us the answer:
"...it leads only to evil." (Ps 37:8)
Have you ever experienced a time when fretting over a situation resulted only in evil? Maybe a better question to ask is if there has ever been a situation that changed for the better as a result of fret! Probably not. Fretting can't change anything about our situation. It only puts us in a very negative, anti-faith frame of mind that, if camped out in too long, "leads only to evil."
So how do we not fret?
Psalms 37 gives us four responses to combat fret when facing difficult situations.
1. Trust in the Lord and do good (v. 3)
This is deciding ahead of time our course of action no matter what the situation looks like. There will be many things about our situation that we have no control of, but we do have the ability to trust in the Lord and to do good. That is always a decision we can make regardless of what's happening around us.
2. Take delight in the Lord...(v.4)
Amazing things happen when we shift the focus from what we don't have and what we think we need to what we do have and who the Lord is! Make Jesus your delight. Begin to thank Him for all He has done and who He is in your life. Worship Him and let His goodness reframe your struggles.
3. Commit your way to the Lord...(v.5)
Continually commit yourself to doing life God's way, according to His Word. Give your "way" to Him and let Him be your direction. None of us can predict what will happen tomorrow or next week or next year. We don't know the future, but we do know the One who holds the future. Have you committed your way--your decisions, ambitions, attitudes, direction--to the Lord?
4. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him...(v.7)
Finally, be still. Wait patiently. This is not passively refusing to take action nor ignoring the reality of your problem. It is persistent patience, diligent stillness to hear the voice of God and to take each step as He reveals it.
Whatever your facing, make a decision today to trust in the Lord and do good, delight in Jesus, commit your way to Him, and be still, waiting patiently for Him.
And do not fret.
Why? What is it about fret that is so destructive?
Verse 8 gives us the answer:
"...it leads only to evil." (Ps 37:8)
Have you ever experienced a time when fretting over a situation resulted only in evil? Maybe a better question to ask is if there has ever been a situation that changed for the better as a result of fret! Probably not. Fretting can't change anything about our situation. It only puts us in a very negative, anti-faith frame of mind that, if camped out in too long, "leads only to evil."
So how do we not fret?
Psalms 37 gives us four responses to combat fret when facing difficult situations.
1. Trust in the Lord and do good (v. 3)
This is deciding ahead of time our course of action no matter what the situation looks like. There will be many things about our situation that we have no control of, but we do have the ability to trust in the Lord and to do good. That is always a decision we can make regardless of what's happening around us.
2. Take delight in the Lord...(v.4)
Amazing things happen when we shift the focus from what we don't have and what we think we need to what we do have and who the Lord is! Make Jesus your delight. Begin to thank Him for all He has done and who He is in your life. Worship Him and let His goodness reframe your struggles.
3. Commit your way to the Lord...(v.5)
Continually commit yourself to doing life God's way, according to His Word. Give your "way" to Him and let Him be your direction. None of us can predict what will happen tomorrow or next week or next year. We don't know the future, but we do know the One who holds the future. Have you committed your way--your decisions, ambitions, attitudes, direction--to the Lord?
4. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him...(v.7)
Finally, be still. Wait patiently. This is not passively refusing to take action nor ignoring the reality of your problem. It is persistent patience, diligent stillness to hear the voice of God and to take each step as He reveals it.
Whatever your facing, make a decision today to trust in the Lord and do good, delight in Jesus, commit your way to Him, and be still, waiting patiently for Him.
And do not fret.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Strength For the Spiritual Battle
Exodus 17:8-16
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven."
In Exodus 17 we find a familiar Old Testament story, and I love the picture presented here that illustrates the absolute necessity of godly relationships when fighting to move forward in our God-destiny. Victory was a team effort, and each had a part to play. I think there are a few powerful lessons we can learn.
1. Always remember we are in a spiritual battle.
Anytime we attempt to move forward into the "promised land" of our high calling in God there is an enemy coming against us to attack. Moses, Joshua, and the rest of God's people had very real battles to fight, and we too can be sure that the spiritual battle against our lives, families, minds, and calling is every bit as real. How do we fight this battle? It's fought in our minds--our thoughts and attitudes. This is why the Bible tells us to use God's Word as our weapon (Ephesians 6:10-17) and to be diligent in watching over our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
2. Strength for the battle comes from godly relationships.
Joshua and the army needed Moses' raised arms. Moses needed Aaron and Hur to support his tired, outstretched hands. Likewise, all of us need those in our lives who are stretching their hands in our direction, believing with us for victory, as well as, those who support our tired hands in the midst of the battle.
I also love what happens next.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven."
God had something to say and He wanted Moses to be sure that Joshua heard it. Why not just tell Joshua Himself? God certainly could have and did speak directly with Joshua at other times in his life, but He chose to use a relationship on this occasion. God uses people, and He wants to use you to speak to some Joshuas in your life.
What spiritual battle are you facing right now? Think about. Name it.
Who is holding up your arms in the battle? Do you have some trusted people around you who you can count on to fight for God's best in your life?
Whose arms do you need to support? Who are the Joshuas in your life that you need to speak to? It could be your spouse, your kids, a co-worker, or a friend.
Don't try to fight a spiritual battle alone when you have an army behind you!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
5 Reasons We Need God's Word Everyday
I'm privileged to be part of a small group of guys who meet regularly and are committed to becoming leaders of themselves, their families, in their church and on the job. We're using readings from the One Year Bible as our topic of discussion, and I'll be posting a summary of what we learn together.
As a starter, I thought it might be helpful to look at a few key reasons a daily dose of God's Word is so important. Here goes...
1. It shows us who we really are. (Hebrews 4:12)
Simply put, the Bible is unlike any other book. We don't just read it; it reads us! It's alive. It does more than inspire or motivate me, it convicts me. It reveals my motives and attitudes. Without it, I can't even begin to understand myself or what my next move should be.
2. It’s God-breathed and useful. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
You know what people have a problem with? The Bible's own interpretation of itself! No one debates the pure historicity of the Scriptures. In fact, nothing even comes close to it in terms of internal and external textual criticism. The problem people have is accepting the Bible's own interpretation of itself---that it is the inspired Word of God, that it is useful to teach, rebuke, correct, train and equip us. Admittedly, this is decision of faith, but until you accept the Bible's authority as God's Word the "usefulness" of it will be severely limited in your life.
3. It gives us direction. (Psalms 119:105)
Whenever you're wondering what you should do next, God promises to illuminate it through His Word. He doesn't want us wandering around in the dark or guessing about His will. He clearly paints a picture of His character and purpose, His desire for our life through the Bible.
4. It’s our weapon. (Ephesians 6:10-15)
Whether we realize it or not, we are in a battle. We should never forget the reality of a spiritual battle in our lives over our thoughts, our marriages, our families, our destiny. But how do you fight a spiritual battle? With the Word of God. In fact, the Bible is the only offensive weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6. It is the Sword of the Spirit. It's how we combat the lies of the enemy that would plant doubt and discouragement. Now, if I'm in a battle I can tell you right now that I want a weapon. Yes, a helmet is good, a belt is nice, a shield will be very important...but give me something to fight with! We would never dream of going into a physical battle without a weapon so why would we attempt to fight a spiritual battle without one?
5. It is our life. (Matthew 4:1-4; Deuteronomy 8:1-5)
When tempted, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8 that instructed God's people as they were about to enter the Promised Land. It recalls God's miraculous provision as they journeyed through the wilderness. One of the reasons God provided manna was to teach His people that He can provide for them any way He wants to, even if it means creating a brand new category on the food pyramid! The point? We don't truly live by our own provision, striving, or effort, but by every word from God's mouth. Our participation in eternal life is our daily decision to rely on and trust in Him.
As a starter, I thought it might be helpful to look at a few key reasons a daily dose of God's Word is so important. Here goes...
1. It shows us who we really are. (Hebrews 4:12)
Simply put, the Bible is unlike any other book. We don't just read it; it reads us! It's alive. It does more than inspire or motivate me, it convicts me. It reveals my motives and attitudes. Without it, I can't even begin to understand myself or what my next move should be.
2. It’s God-breathed and useful. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
You know what people have a problem with? The Bible's own interpretation of itself! No one debates the pure historicity of the Scriptures. In fact, nothing even comes close to it in terms of internal and external textual criticism. The problem people have is accepting the Bible's own interpretation of itself---that it is the inspired Word of God, that it is useful to teach, rebuke, correct, train and equip us. Admittedly, this is decision of faith, but until you accept the Bible's authority as God's Word the "usefulness" of it will be severely limited in your life.
3. It gives us direction. (Psalms 119:105)
Whenever you're wondering what you should do next, God promises to illuminate it through His Word. He doesn't want us wandering around in the dark or guessing about His will. He clearly paints a picture of His character and purpose, His desire for our life through the Bible.
4. It’s our weapon. (Ephesians 6:10-15)
Whether we realize it or not, we are in a battle. We should never forget the reality of a spiritual battle in our lives over our thoughts, our marriages, our families, our destiny. But how do you fight a spiritual battle? With the Word of God. In fact, the Bible is the only offensive weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6. It is the Sword of the Spirit. It's how we combat the lies of the enemy that would plant doubt and discouragement. Now, if I'm in a battle I can tell you right now that I want a weapon. Yes, a helmet is good, a belt is nice, a shield will be very important...but give me something to fight with! We would never dream of going into a physical battle without a weapon so why would we attempt to fight a spiritual battle without one?
5. It is our life. (Matthew 4:1-4; Deuteronomy 8:1-5)
When tempted, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8 that instructed God's people as they were about to enter the Promised Land. It recalls God's miraculous provision as they journeyed through the wilderness. One of the reasons God provided manna was to teach His people that He can provide for them any way He wants to, even if it means creating a brand new category on the food pyramid! The point? We don't truly live by our own provision, striving, or effort, but by every word from God's mouth. Our participation in eternal life is our daily decision to rely on and trust in Him.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Temptation Part 1: The Appeal of Temptation
Temptation is part of what it means to be human.
It's everywhere, everyday, always attempting to lure our heart away from God and hijack our destiny. Though we are all tempted, we can be profoundly encouraged by the fact that even Jesus was tempted. Jesus, however, overcame and because He overcame we can too (Hebrews 2:17-18).
Therefore, overcoming temptation is part of what it means to be christian.
Our victory over temptation is possible because of the finished work of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' blood sets us free from the penalty and the power of sin (Romans 6:5-7). This doesn't mean we are no longer tempted; it means we have power to overcome.
Looking at how Jesus handled temptation can help us better understand how it works to deceive us, and what our response should be. I believe tucked inside Jesus' answers to the devil's temptation are key truths that reveal the appeal, essence, and result of temptation.
Let's start with the appeal of temptation.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:1-4
The appeal of temptation is that it promises to meet our needs. It would not be tempting to us if it did not appeal to a perceived need. The danger of temptation is that it is outside of God's provision. In fact, all sin is our attempt to have a need met outside of the provision of our loving Father. The need for food is the most basic human need, and it was no doubt well within Jesus' ability to turn stones into piping hot loaves of bread. It was not, however, within the provision of the Father.
But beyond that, Jesus reveals the true nature of our need--it is not primarily physical, but spiritual. Although our needs includes physical things like food, clothing, and shelter, our deepest and most important needs are unmistakably spiritual. Accordingly, the biggest mistake we so often make is trying to meet a spiritual need with a physical substitute. The result is something like trying to turn rocks into loaves of bread. We must understand that because the nature of our need is, at its core, spiritual and NOT physical, it requires spiritual provision. We can never satisfy a spiritual need with a physical substitute.
This is why Jesus said that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word from God's mouth. The true source of provision for every need you and I have is God's Word. He created all things through the power of His Word, and in His Word is our very life. One of the things I've discovered as I walk with Jesus is that the temptations I struggle with are never surface missteps that I simply need to keep in line. They always point to a deeper issue. Behind every temptation and sin is a broken place in my heart that needs to be healed and made whole by Jesus.
The need is spiritual; the answer is spiritual.
If you're struggling with temptation right now in an area of your life ask yourself,
What need am I trying to fill?
What's the deeper issue happening in my soul?
What does God's Word say about having this need met?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you figure it out. He will.
And remember, you can't live on bread alone.
It's everywhere, everyday, always attempting to lure our heart away from God and hijack our destiny. Though we are all tempted, we can be profoundly encouraged by the fact that even Jesus was tempted. Jesus, however, overcame and because He overcame we can too (Hebrews 2:17-18).
Therefore, overcoming temptation is part of what it means to be christian.
Our victory over temptation is possible because of the finished work of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' blood sets us free from the penalty and the power of sin (Romans 6:5-7). This doesn't mean we are no longer tempted; it means we have power to overcome.
Looking at how Jesus handled temptation can help us better understand how it works to deceive us, and what our response should be. I believe tucked inside Jesus' answers to the devil's temptation are key truths that reveal the appeal, essence, and result of temptation.
Let's start with the appeal of temptation.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:1-4
The appeal of temptation is that it promises to meet our needs. It would not be tempting to us if it did not appeal to a perceived need. The danger of temptation is that it is outside of God's provision. In fact, all sin is our attempt to have a need met outside of the provision of our loving Father. The need for food is the most basic human need, and it was no doubt well within Jesus' ability to turn stones into piping hot loaves of bread. It was not, however, within the provision of the Father.
But beyond that, Jesus reveals the true nature of our need--it is not primarily physical, but spiritual. Although our needs includes physical things like food, clothing, and shelter, our deepest and most important needs are unmistakably spiritual. Accordingly, the biggest mistake we so often make is trying to meet a spiritual need with a physical substitute. The result is something like trying to turn rocks into loaves of bread. We must understand that because the nature of our need is, at its core, spiritual and NOT physical, it requires spiritual provision. We can never satisfy a spiritual need with a physical substitute.
This is why Jesus said that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word from God's mouth. The true source of provision for every need you and I have is God's Word. He created all things through the power of His Word, and in His Word is our very life. One of the things I've discovered as I walk with Jesus is that the temptations I struggle with are never surface missteps that I simply need to keep in line. They always point to a deeper issue. Behind every temptation and sin is a broken place in my heart that needs to be healed and made whole by Jesus.
The need is spiritual; the answer is spiritual.
If you're struggling with temptation right now in an area of your life ask yourself,
What need am I trying to fill?
What's the deeper issue happening in my soul?
What does God's Word say about having this need met?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you figure it out. He will.
And remember, you can't live on bread alone.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Get More From Your Bible
If I had only one spiritual habit that I could impress upon you it would be the habit of getting into God's Word daily. Nothing has done more for me personally than the decision to make the Bible my starting place and the reference point for each day. I don't mind telling people that without God's Word I would be crazy! I have about a zillion thoughts flying through my mind that need to be reoriented and renewed according to the truth of God's Word. God's Word brings clarity, confidence, and a deep communion with the Lord.
But where do you start?
Let me give you a couple of suggestions that have helped me over the years really enjoy my Bible.
1. Get a good plan.
For a long time I had good intentions, but no good plan. The result was a series of sporadic success and false starts. Often the only thing missing in turning intention into action is a good plan. By a "good" plan I mean one that works for you and helps you get where you want to get. For me, it's the One Year Bible. I love it! It's about 15 minutes worth of reading and includes Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs every day. This year I'm doing it for the sixth time. The whole Bible, cover to cover. It just works for me. I love reading God's Word and it's not because I'm more spiritual than anyone else, it's because I found a good plan!
(check out www.youversion.com for free reading plans you can download to your smart phone or tablet or access online)
2. Get a time and a place.
If anyone was ever truly busy with extremely important work it was Jesus, and yet He found a time and a place to be alone with the Father (see Mark 1:35-37). Jesus modeled the importance of finding a time and place. Should we do any less? If the Son of God needed a time and a place I can assure you that we do too. Find somewhere you can meet alone with the Lord, free from distractions. Make it a regular thing, put it on your calendar, and guard it like gold!
Go ahead...do it right now. When is the best time you can give to God? Add it to your schedule and don't let anything or anyone get in the way.
3. Go for quality over quantity.
When I was in high school I wanted so bad to have a great devotion time with God. I'd get up early before school, crack open my Bible, and eventually fight to stay awake. It was horrible! Really. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't focus. I was tired. I felt like I was failing God. Then I discovered a great little devotional called, My Upmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It took me five minutes, and gave me a verse and a thought for the day. It was perfect for where I was at that time, and that five minutes of quality time with God was so much better than the thirty to forty-five minutes I was trying to power through before.
You don't have to start with an hour of prayer and five chapters of Bible reading every day. Start with one verse and a five minute prayer if that's where you are, but make it quality--time where you are still within and connect with your Creator. If you do that consistently, those five minutes will make all the difference and pretty soon they'll turn into ten minutes. Then fifteen. Then a half-hour...You'll love that quality time with the Lord and won't want to miss it.
So...Get a good plan. Get a time and a place. And go for quality over quantity.
Try it this year and watch what happens.
But where do you start?
Let me give you a couple of suggestions that have helped me over the years really enjoy my Bible.
1. Get a good plan.
For a long time I had good intentions, but no good plan. The result was a series of sporadic success and false starts. Often the only thing missing in turning intention into action is a good plan. By a "good" plan I mean one that works for you and helps you get where you want to get. For me, it's the One Year Bible. I love it! It's about 15 minutes worth of reading and includes Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs every day. This year I'm doing it for the sixth time. The whole Bible, cover to cover. It just works for me. I love reading God's Word and it's not because I'm more spiritual than anyone else, it's because I found a good plan!
(check out www.youversion.com for free reading plans you can download to your smart phone or tablet or access online)
2. Get a time and a place.
If anyone was ever truly busy with extremely important work it was Jesus, and yet He found a time and a place to be alone with the Father (see Mark 1:35-37). Jesus modeled the importance of finding a time and place. Should we do any less? If the Son of God needed a time and a place I can assure you that we do too. Find somewhere you can meet alone with the Lord, free from distractions. Make it a regular thing, put it on your calendar, and guard it like gold!
Go ahead...do it right now. When is the best time you can give to God? Add it to your schedule and don't let anything or anyone get in the way.
3. Go for quality over quantity.
When I was in high school I wanted so bad to have a great devotion time with God. I'd get up early before school, crack open my Bible, and eventually fight to stay awake. It was horrible! Really. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't focus. I was tired. I felt like I was failing God. Then I discovered a great little devotional called, My Upmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. It took me five minutes, and gave me a verse and a thought for the day. It was perfect for where I was at that time, and that five minutes of quality time with God was so much better than the thirty to forty-five minutes I was trying to power through before.
You don't have to start with an hour of prayer and five chapters of Bible reading every day. Start with one verse and a five minute prayer if that's where you are, but make it quality--time where you are still within and connect with your Creator. If you do that consistently, those five minutes will make all the difference and pretty soon they'll turn into ten minutes. Then fifteen. Then a half-hour...You'll love that quality time with the Lord and won't want to miss it.
So...Get a good plan. Get a time and a place. And go for quality over quantity.
Try it this year and watch what happens.
Friday, June 25, 2010
What Luke Didn't Know
Never underestimate the value of investing your life in just one person.
If you're anything like me you tend to conceptualize impact in terms of "bigness." We think it's got to be big to really make any difference. But how many times do we find God using the simple, ordinary, insignificant, and down-right embarrassingly small things to accomplish the unthinkable.
The truth of this was never more apparent to me than after discovering an important detail in the introduction to Luke's Gospel. I've probably read these verses dozens and dozens of times, but never saw it quite like this.
Luke begins his Gospel by saying:
Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
Again, in the introduction to the book of Acts (the sequel to Luke's Gospel) Luke begins by saying:
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
Ok, did you happen to notice who Luke is writing these two books to?
Luke is not writing to a group of churches.
He's not writing to a church.
He's not even writing to a small group of believers or church leaders.
Luke is writing to one guy named Theophilus! What we know as the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts started off as letters written to one guy. Can you imagine that?
We know Luke was a physician and a details kind of guy. In his own words he says he put together a "careful" or orderly account. Think about all the time, energy, and effort it took for Luke to write these two books...pouring over the evidence, cross referencing the eyewitnesses, investigating the details, writing it down, proofreading to make sure he got it right...
All for just one guy. Or was it?
Luke thought he was writing to one guy. He was hoping to encourage one friend. Yet, today it's impossible to measure the impact of his writing. Who knows how many over generations and centuries have read these two letters and been moved by them. Think about the significance of Luke and Acts on church history, the record of the early church, our understanding of the Holy Spirit. Think about the richness of parables and events recorded that are unique to Luke's Gospel.
The reality is that our world is different because Luke, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, decided to invest himself in one. What Luke didn't know is that, in obeying God and pouring himself into one, he was changing the world forever.
Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to do something really big? Do you want to change the world? Then find one person you can begin investing your life in. Let the Spirit lead you to pour into one and the rest will be history.
If you're anything like me you tend to conceptualize impact in terms of "bigness." We think it's got to be big to really make any difference. But how many times do we find God using the simple, ordinary, insignificant, and down-right embarrassingly small things to accomplish the unthinkable.
The truth of this was never more apparent to me than after discovering an important detail in the introduction to Luke's Gospel. I've probably read these verses dozens and dozens of times, but never saw it quite like this.
Luke begins his Gospel by saying:
Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
Again, in the introduction to the book of Acts (the sequel to Luke's Gospel) Luke begins by saying:
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
Ok, did you happen to notice who Luke is writing these two books to?
Luke is not writing to a group of churches.
He's not writing to a church.
He's not even writing to a small group of believers or church leaders.
Luke is writing to one guy named Theophilus! What we know as the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts started off as letters written to one guy. Can you imagine that?
We know Luke was a physician and a details kind of guy. In his own words he says he put together a "careful" or orderly account. Think about all the time, energy, and effort it took for Luke to write these two books...pouring over the evidence, cross referencing the eyewitnesses, investigating the details, writing it down, proofreading to make sure he got it right...
All for just one guy. Or was it?
Luke thought he was writing to one guy. He was hoping to encourage one friend. Yet, today it's impossible to measure the impact of his writing. Who knows how many over generations and centuries have read these two letters and been moved by them. Think about the significance of Luke and Acts on church history, the record of the early church, our understanding of the Holy Spirit. Think about the richness of parables and events recorded that are unique to Luke's Gospel.
The reality is that our world is different because Luke, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, decided to invest himself in one. What Luke didn't know is that, in obeying God and pouring himself into one, he was changing the world forever.
Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to do something really big? Do you want to change the world? Then find one person you can begin investing your life in. Let the Spirit lead you to pour into one and the rest will be history.
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