Addressing Unhealthy Fixation with Self

We’re citizens of a society obsessed with self. Self-esteem. Self-realization. Self-actualization. Self-gratification. Self-determination. Self-awareness. Self-interest. Bookstores report their most popular departments are self-help and self-improvement.

 

Social media are littered with “selfies” people have taken of themselves. Modern-day speech is replete with self-oriented phrases like “It’s all about me,” “Look out for No. 1” and the “Me Generation.” Perhaps more than ever before, ‘self’ holds preeminent status in the lives of many.

 

Someone might say, “What’s wrong with that? If you don’t look after yourself, who will?” It depends on your worldview – how you perceive your world. If you’re firmly planted at the center of your world, focus on self becomes a natural byproduct. To borrow the phrase from the old beer commercial, we’ve got to “grab the gusto” because we can’t expect anyone else to do it for us.

 

This statue in St. Patrick's
Basilica in Vatican City depicts
how Jesus Christ denied
self to die for our sins.

If our conviction is that this life is all there is so it’s incumbent upon ourselves of maximize the experience, self-centeredness seems justifiable. But for those of us who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, we can’t keep self in first place.

Jesus addressed this with His disciples and the crowds gathering around Him in a straight-forward, uncompromising way. “Then He said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23). This statement also appears in Matthew 16:24 and Mark 8:34. 

 

The gospel of John records a similar declaration, likely expressed in a different setting. “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me” (John 12:25-26).

 

These are heavy words, particularly for our 21^st century ears. Doesn’t sound much like self-realization or self-gratification, does it? To “deny self” conjures up images of refusing to take a second helping at a restaurant buffet or not partaking of the dessert table. But it’s of far greater gravity than that. Because Jesus says we’re to “take up [our] cross daily” and follow Him. 

 

People in Jesus’ time were painfully familiar with the cross, where criminals and enemies of the Roman government were executed. They had no idea Jesus would be experiencing this Himself a short time later, but the sense was clear – following Him required death to self.

 

The apostle Paul, who willingly endured adversity in more ways than most of us could imagine, referred to this when he wrote to the church in Corinth, “I die every day – I mean that, brothers and sisters – just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:31).

 

We might say Paul didn’t have to go through his many hardships, but in his own words, he had no choice: “For Christ’s love controls [compels] us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died” (2 Corinthians 5;14).

 

In Jesus we have the ultimate example of denying self and taking up one’s cross. God incarnate, He came to die for the sins of humankind; to be the once and for all atonement for our redemption. He could have decided, ‘No, I’m not going to do that. Let them die in their sins,’ as did the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as the victims of the global flood before that. But that was not His purpose or plan. 

 

Offering to become our Savior and Lord, Jesus’ attitude wasn’t ‘do as I say, not as I do.’ Just the opposite. As the apostle Peter wrote, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Following Christ means bringing the exaltation of self to an end.

 

One of my favorite old hymns, Charles Wesley’s “Rock of Ages,” offers a convicting perspective. The third verse starts, “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling.” Very different from a ‘Look at me. Aren’t I something?’ point of view. The hymn goes on, “naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.”

 

This is recognition that no matter how lofty our view of ourselves might be, there’s nothing we can bring to prove our worth to God. As Jesus said, “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). To follow Christ, self must take a backseat. 

 

That doesn’t mean we don’t have a responsibility to care for ourselves – to work, eat, be concerned for our health, get enough sleep, and many other things. The difference is ‘self’ doesn’t belong on a pedestal. As Paul wrote, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price…” (1 Corinthians 6:19). We belong to Him, not to ‘self.’

 

Responding Properly to That Big Little Word, ‘If’

Have you ever been around someone who delighted in trying to impress people with his or her vast vocabulary, using multi-syllable words with abandon, as if they just ate a dictionary?

 

That’s not to demean complex-sounding words. ‘Aeronautical,’ for instance, makes more sense than saying, “Stuff that goes up in the air.” On the other hand, saying things are ‘ubiquitous’ might not connect as easily with the hearer as “everywhere.” It largely depends on the intended audience and the context in which words are used.

 

Since words are the tools of my trade, I’ve often found that small, simple words – when they are the right words – can have incredible impact. 

 

I can’t think of a better example than the little word, ‘If.’ Conditional statements – declarative sentences that express relationships between two ideas – often start with or include the word ‘if.’ They inform us that, “If you do this…then that will happen.” 

 

For instance, “If you speed on the interstate, then you are likely to get a traffic ticket.” Or, “if I won the lottery, I’d be able to get out of debt.” Essentially, a cause-and-effect relationship.

 

In God’s Word we read about the Lord’s unconditional love, forgiveness and acceptance of His children – His mercy and grace. But even the Scriptures tell us that some benefits of the spiritual life are conditional. This is where that little word ‘if’ comes in. 

 

We find this word being used many times in the Bible. Two passages that immediately come to mind convey that spiritual health and growth aren’t automatic. They require initiative on our part. For example, in Proverbs 2:1-11 we read: 

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, if you call out for insights and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God…. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”

 

These verses make clear that if we do certain things, we then can expect certain outcomes. Accepting God’s words, storing His commands in our hearts, pursuing wisdom and understanding, and treasuring them will lead to gaining understanding, wisdom, knowledge and discretion. 

 

Those all are invaluable qualities for godliness and becoming the people the Lord wants us to be. But they’ll come to us only if we ask for them, seek them, and embrace them for the eternal treasures that they are. If…then.

 

Another passage that reinforces this conditional relationship between God’s desires for our lives and our response is Philippians 2:1-2, which exhorts, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

 

This is a strong call to unity of heart and spirit. In our society today, we often hear people speaking about unity but it’s often with the connotation that folks accept or align with a particular position being espoused. These verses in Philippians point to the foundation for unity, especially among followers of Jesus. 

 

Do we find encouragement in our relationship with Him? Can we find comfort in His love? Do we enjoy fellowship with one another through the power of the Holy Spirit? Has He imparted in us tenderness and compassion toward others? If this is the case, then we can become like-minded, experience mutual love, and be united in spirit and God’s purpose for our lives.

 

Do you see the power this little word ‘if’ can wield? I’d be remiss if (there’s that word again) I failed to cite one more passage that underscores what it means to be one of Christ’s followers. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus tells His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

There’s much we could unpack from this single verse, but Jesus speaks directly. To be one of His followers, we need to be willing to deny ourselves, die to our own desires, and follow Him wherever He leads. That may seem like a hard statement – because it is. But as He said, if we desire to be true followers, those are the conditions. We might say, “there’s no ifs, ands or buts about it.” 

Forgiveness Guards Against Grudges Becoming Glooms

The troubled fellow reluctantly went to see a psychologist. He wasn’t the sharpest tack in the drawer. Trying the pinpoint the cause of the man’s anger, the therapist asked, “Do you have a grudge?” To which the man replied, “Yeah. It’s big enough for two cars, but we use half of it for storage.” 

 

Lots of people have grudges (as well as garages). We park our sedans and SUVs in garages, but grudges seem to park themselves in our thoughts and hearts. They’re easy to justify in our minds: “He did this.” “She said that.” “My boss was unfair.” “I deserved a better grade.”

 

Do your grudges hold you prisoner,
like this old jail in Tullahoma, Tenn.?

The problem is, grudges hurt us as much as the persons we hold them against. Often they hurt us more, because the “grudgees” might not know about the hurting, the hard feelings we harbor toward them, or may not even care. It’s the equivalent of being mad at someone and punching ourselves in the face to spite them.

Beyond that, nursing grudges can have toxic affects on our attitudes and outlooks on life. The late devotional writer Selwyn Hughes observed, “we must determine to forgive everyone who hurts us and refuse to nurse a grudge. Grudges become glooms…. A grudge or a resentment is sand in the machinery of living.”

 

I like that analogy. Even non-mechanical folks like me know that to keep parts of machines meshing properly they need to be oiled or greased. Putting sand in them instead will wreck a perfectly good machine in no time.

 

In our defense we want to argue, “But you don’t know what they’ve done! You don’t know how much they’ve hurt me (or my family, or my friends). How can I forgive them? I don’t want to forgive them!”

 

While those complaints are understandable, they’re not helpful. Because holding onto grudges often results in a root of bitterness in our hearts, with its roots growing deeper every day. Grudges have turned many a once-pleasant and happy person into a miserable wretch.

 

The Scriptures have much to say about this issue and the problem of festering bitterness. Hebrews 12:15 admonishes, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

 

Here we find two very important phrases – the “grace of God,” and the “bitter root.” They are oxymorons – contradictions in terms. Because God’s grace allows absolutely no room for bitterness. If anyone had a right for bitterness, to withhold forgiveness, it was God. And yet we read, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

 

No one has sinned against us nearly as much as we have sinned against the Lord. He had no obligation at all to forgive us for our many sins. Nevertheless, we have the assurance of the verse that’s so familiar we’re tempted to disregard it: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

 

Someone might respond, “Yes, I believe that and have received Jesus into my life. But I still can’t let go of the grudge I have toward [fill in the name].” That might sound reasonable, but it also indicates a lack of appreciation for the scope and magnitude of God’s forgiveness, that no one has wronged us even a tiny fraction of the degree we’ve wronged the Lord.

 

Consider Isaiah 53:5-6 which declares, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.”

 

We might be thinking, “Okay, I get it. God has forgiven me for more than anyone could possibly do to me. But I still can’t let loose of this grudge, the bitterness I feel toward that other person. I’m only human.”

 

More than we can ever comprehend, the Lord understands this. But He doesn’t ask us to forgive – to release whatever grudge we’re desperately hanging onto – in our own strength. If we have been saved by God’s redeeming grace, He has given us the capacity to extend the forgiveness that seems so impossible. 

 

We could cite many Bible passages, but here are just two to consider: “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5). The Lord has given us spiritual rebirth, making us new and able to exhibit His divine nature.

 

The other verse, one of my favorites, is Galatians 2:20 which declares, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Whenever faced with a command from the Lord and my response is, “I can’t!”, He answers, “Yes, I know. But I can – and will do it through you, if you’ll let Me.”

 

So, I ask: Are you nursing a long-standing grudge, allowing a root of bitterness to poison your inner being? Are you withholding forgiveness – essentially allowing sand to bind up the machinery of your own life? Maybe today’s the day for you to release it. To use the cliché, “let go and let God.” Maybe the object of your anger doesn’t deserve forgiveness. Don’t do it for them – do it for yourself. Free yourself from the awful prison of bitterness and gloom.

 

Faith: What’s It All About Anyway?

We hear a lot about faith these days, especially statements like “You gotta have faith.” Sounds good, especially in times of uncertainty. And we have many of those times, don’t we? But faith in what?

 

Answers to that question run the gamut. There are those who rely on “the universe,” the idea that unseen forces are at work to make things happen as they should. A corollary to this is faith in fate, that everything is predestined – some prefer the terms serendipity, kismet, or even karma. 

 

We could take our pick of myriad religions, various forms of rituals, practices and faith traditions. Then there are some who simply have faith in faith, a nebulous notion that somehow things manage to work themselves out spontaneously.

 

Some folks don’t think about faith much at all, even though each day of our lives amounts to an ongoing act of faith. We make plans for the coming day, trusting we’ll awaken after the sun rises. We board airplanes trusting in the skill and experience of the crew as well as the soundness of the aircraft. We go to work and carry out our responsibilities, confident we’ll be compensated for our time and effort. We step into our cars and drive down the road, believing other drivers will stay in their own lanes and yield the right of way.

 

Each of the above, whether we admit it or not, is a step of faith. Because sometimes folks go to bed and fail to wake up the next morning. We’ve all shuddered at tragic news of commercial jets crashing. There have been instances of businesses and companies closing their doors unannounced, leaving employees without jobs and paychecks. And traffic accidents occur every day when drivers disregard traffic lights or stop signs. (That happened to me weeks ago, resulting in terminal damage to my 14-year-old sedan.)

 

So, what is faith, anyway? Regardless of which belief system you follow, it can be boiled down to a simple equation:

      Faith = Belief + Trust (or Commitment)

 

We believe certain things to be true and then we act upon those beliefs, whether it’s believing a chair will hold us up and then sitting on it; believing an intended spouse truly loves us and then proceeding to get married, or whatever. Those who believe in astrology, tarot cards, or tea leaves consult those sources and then align their plans for the day accordingly.

 

However, belief and faith aren’t synonymous. Belief is merely mental assent unless we put it into action. It’s like believing a jet can take us from our city to another but refusing to get on board – because we’re too scared to do so. Someone might believe they could win the lottery, but without buying a ticket that belief isn’t worth a small handful of sand.

 

If you’ve been reading my posts for any length of time, you know my conviction is that there’s only one legitimate object of faith – Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Bible. This isn’t just a mental conclusion because there have been countless times I’ve believed what the Scriptures said and what Jesus promised, acted upon that in faith – belief plus trust – and had my faith confirmed.

 

Sometimes people bristle when they hear Jesus Christ’s pronouncement that “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). ‘How narrow-minded!’ some claim, or ‘I believe in a God who’s inclusive, who accepts people as they are, no matter what they believe. All that matters is that you’re sincere.’

 

With all due respect, many people have been very sincere when they tragically drove the wrong way on an interstate or continued on a road unaware that a bridge had washed out. We could cite many similar types of examples. Sincerely believing something doesn’t guarantee that it’s true.

 

I would contend that Jesus’ claim to being the one and only way isn’t narrow or exclusive at all. Because as John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” It says all who have believed (acted in faith). Similarly, Jesus declared, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). He said whoever – everyone who would believe and trust in Him.

 

The fact that Jesus claimed to be the only way to God isn’t bad news. It’s actually great news.  Because the holy, righteous Lord didn’t have to provide even one way. His love is demonstrated in that He indeed provided a way – the one way that satisfied not only His love, but also His divine judgment and justice. As we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him [Jesus Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

 

Getting back to our original question, what do you have faith in? If we truly believe and trust what the Scriptures proclaim, trusting in anything other than Jesus is tantamount to sitting down on a two-legged chair, or trying to take a long trip on a motorcycle that’s missing one wheel. It won’t work.

The apostle Paul understood this. He might have been almost giddy when he wrote, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). That’s the Gospel – the Good News! His faith was in Christ alone – and it’s wise that we do the same. 

Salvaging Victory Out of the Jaws of Adversity

Buckeye players grasp the 2024 national championship trophy.

One of the things I enjoy most about watching sports is they serve as a microcosm for what we experience in everyday life. ABC’s Wide World of Sports called it, “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” Exhilarating ups and devastating downs, sometimes back-to-back. 

A recent example was the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 34-23 triumph over Notre Dame for the college football national championship Monday night. Regardless of whether you’re an OSU fan, a fan of college football, a sports fan in general, or have no interest in sports, that game – and what led up to it – have lessons for us all.

 

Ohio State’s resounding victory came just seven weeks after a humiliating defeat against archrival Michigan. Despite being more than 20-point favorites to win, the Buckeyes had lost, 13-10. For those passionate about the Scarlet and Gray, it was tantamount to having their identity stolen or seeing their new car driven off a cliff.

 

If it was painful for so-called Buckeye Nation, it was even more so for head coach Ryan Day and the players who had devoted the preceding 365 days preparing for that game. Some crazed fans called for Day’s firing. However, the team rallied around one another – and especially their embattled coach. They hit the Pause button for a moment, then hit Fast Forward.

 

The Buckeyes turned this adversity, their own agony of defeat, into unwavering resolve. In The Wright Brothers, a biography about the famous brothers of flight, author David McCullough observed that adversity “often can be exactly what you need to give you a lift higher.” This proved true for Ohio State.

 

One underlying factor was the faith in Jesus Christ many of them embraced. Leading up to the season, several of the players led a revival service attended by several thousand OSU students, not just athletes. Numerous attendees declared first-time professions of faith. Some were even baptized.

 

During the season, players regularly gathered for chapel services and Bible studies. When interviewed, a number of them boldly proclaimed their faith in Christ – not for victories but for enabling them to endure and overcome the rigors of a demanding season. So, when the team suffered its highly improbably loss in arguably the greatest rivalry game in sports, rather than losing heart the Buckeyes circled the wagons and rededicated themselves to preparing for the post-season.

 

Their hard work, commitment, camaraderie – and faith – culminated in playoff victories over Tennessee, Oregon (which had narrowly defeated Ohio State at home early in the season), and Texas, and then the  championship win over the Fighting Irish. Afterward, many of the Buckeyes were quick to “give glory to God” and express their gratitude to Jesus Christ for the opportunities they experienced.

 

Ohio State had salvaged the ultimate victory in college football out of the jaws of adversity. As we learn from the Scriptures, adversity is an integral part of personal and spiritual growth. 

 

In Romans 5:3-5 the apostle Paul, no stranger himself to adversity, stated, “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit….”

 

We find a similar declaration from another apostle, James, who wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

 

Many other passages affirm the importance of adversity for becoming the people God wants us to be. Adversity isn’t something to be avoided, but to be embraced. Because as Romans 8:28 promises, “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

 

Following Ohio State’s championship victory, a sports commentator made another observation. He pointed to the selflessness displayed by Buckeye players and coaches. They all seemed willing to share the spotlight, even sacrifice playing time when necessary for the best interests of the team and their fellow players. The commentator cited a statement by Jesus Christ in Luke 14:11, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

 

About the eagerness of numerous Buckeyes to proclaim their faith in Jesus Christ, it’s heartening to see a growing openness among many, not only in the sports world but also in entertainment, politics, business and other arenas, to serves as witnesses for Christ. As His followers, that’s an important part of our calling.

 

Notably in 1 Samuel 2:30 God says, “…those that honor Me I will honor….” Giving honor and glory to the Lord doesn’t guarantee victory or success, and it shouldn’t be the motivation for doing so. But reading the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, how God raised him up to positions of authority after going through great adversity, I saw this principle underscored.

 

Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph was bought by a high-ranking Egyptian officer. Over time Joseph earned the officer’s trust and was put in charge of his entire household. “The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house because of Joseph” (Genesis 39:5). Later, after being imprisoned for a false accusation, Joseph gained the favor of the prison warden, who gave him authority over all the prisoners. We’re told, “…the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful” (Genesis 39:23).

 

Finally, after God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s troubling dream, the Egyptian king declared, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as intelligent and wise as you. You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands” (Genesis 41:39-40). In one way or another, the Lord promises to honor those who honor Him.

What’s Your Vision for the Near and Distant Future?

How’s your vision? I’m not referring to the kind that’s evaluated by an optometrist or an eye chart. What I’m referring to is the vision you have for the coming days – in your marriage, your family, your career, your finances, even for your spiritual life. 

Someone might respond, “No one knows what the future holds.” We often hear that and it’s true. But it’s also true that, as an adage reminds us, if you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.

 

“Where are we going?” “How are we going to get there?” “How will we know when we’ve arrived?” For many companies, these questions are answered by their mission statement. This statement expresses why the company exists, what it does, whom it serves, and how it functions.

 

But some companies take it one step further, adopting a vision statement. It describes the future that the organization and its employees envision and hope to achieve. I’ve had the privilege of writing books about three companies like this. Their leaders are very much aware of the day-to-day, but also have an eye toward the future in terms of growth and impact on the people they serve.

 

Vision is important not only for businesses, but also for individuals and families. I know of some people who have formulated a personal mission or purpose statement. This helps in answering questions like, “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” and “What am I to do?” But creating a vision does even more. It helps in defining things like who you would like to become, what you would like to see happening in your family’s future, and the kind of legacy you would like to leave.

 

King Solomon, considered by some the wisest man who ever lived, made this observation: “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is one who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18). Another translation is even more sobering: “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” Yet another version says, “…the people run wild.”

 

The “vision” Solomon referred to is prophetic vision, a revelation of God and what He expects of His people. Surveying the landscape of contemporary society, it seems clear that in many respects there’s no vision. As a consequence, people are perishing, both literally and figuratively. Watching the evening news, it’s also evident that some are “running wild.”

 

We might say the entire Word of God is about the Lord’s vision for His creation. In Genesis 1:27, we read, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He creation him; male and female He created them.” Then in the next verse it says, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number….’” Another translation says the command was to “be fruitful and multiply.”

 

The context makes clear that God’s intent wasn’t for mankind just to populate the earth. He wanted more men, women and children “in His own image.” That means people that would accurately represent His character, attributes and values.

 

Getting back to the question of whether you have considered developing a vision for yourself and your family – where do you see yourself and them a year from now, or five years from now?What would you like to see – in both the near and not-so-near future?

 

Having a personal vision doesn’t have to be complicated. But it could help you answer questions such as those listed earlier in this post: Where are we going? How are we going to get there? How will we know when we’ve arrived?

 

Becoming a godly individual, what the apostle Paul described as a “faithful man” in 2 Timothy 2:2, doesn’t happen automatically. It takes intentionality and determination. There’s no simple, five-step formula for making this happen. But it does help to have a plan. 

 

We can set reasonable goals – what would we like to accomplish, and how to go about doing it. And we should have a vision for what we would like to see the Lord do in our lives, so that one day we can experience the fulfillment of Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

 

It’s true that we don’t know what the future holds, but as followers of Christ we know the One who holds the future. As Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch author and World War II concentration camp survivor wrote, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

 

Jesus taught His followers, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). That’s having a vision for the future.

 

The life we experience on earth, in the light of eternity, is what the Scriptures term “just a vapor.” But eternity, as a grade-school youngster observed, is “a really long time.” What’s your vision for the impact your life can have for eternity?

Have You Noticed Who’s Praying for You?

How do you feel when someone says, “I’m praying for you”? I don’t know about you but hearing that encourages me greatly. (Unless it’s being said in a way that suggests, “God needs to straighten you out, buddy!”) I can use all the prayer support that I can get. 

 

In truth, every one of us needs as much prayer as we can get because we’re imperfect people going through life basically not knowing what we don’t know. Being the recipient of the prayers of others seems like kind of a safety net to protect ourselves from our own mistakes and misjudgments.

Maybe on the other side of eternity the Lord will reveal the people He impressed to pray for me over the years, possibly even some I never met. Perhaps somebody reading this is among them. If so, thank you so much. Because in many ways God has answered prayers that I never would have thought to pray. As Ephesians 3:20 states, “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

 

Yes, it’s a blessing and an honor to think that people are taking us to God’s “throne of grace” (Hebrew 4:16), offering petitions to Him on our behalf. I picture some folks retreating to their “war room,” the quiet place they’ve designated for prayer, with our names on their hearts – and their lips. What a humbling thought to have a prayer team interceding on our behalf.

 

But do you know what’s even better? The Bible tells us that the Lord Himself prays for us! Consider the following:

 

Toward the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus was talking to one of His disciples, fully aware that soon this impetuous, outspoken follower would be denying Him not once, or twice, but three times. The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).

 

I imagine Simon – whom Jesus had renamed Peter – heard this with mixed feelings. How would you like to hear that Satan has asked for permission to sift you like wheat? On the other hand, it must have bolstered Peter’s spirits to know Jesus Himself was praying for him, specifically that his faith would not falter. That he wouldn’t end up as spiritual wreckage.

 

This isn’t an isolated promise made to one individual. In similar fashion, the Scriptures assure us the Lord serves as our intercessor. As Hebrews 7:24-25 declare, “because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” What an amazing assurance!

 

What about the other member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit? We can’t find a clearer statement than Romans 8:26, which says, “In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” 

 

Have you ever experienced a time – or times – when your circumstances seemed so overwhelming you struggled with praying? We’re never instructed not to pray – for ourselves or others. But when uncertainties, anxieties, even fears assail us, seeming so great that we’re at a loss trying to figure out what to ask God for, how good it is to know that “the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

 

If you find yourself at a crossroads, faced with a major decision, or confronting a crisis that seems to have no solution, take heart. God hears your prayers. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). But also know that others are praying for you, whether they’re aware of your particular situation or not.

 

Beyond that, also be assured that the Lord Himself has you on His prayer list, poised to intercede for you in ways you can’t imagine.

 

And if you’re enjoying a relatively calm period in your life, with no major concerns, that’s great. But the next challenge could be right around the corner. When times like that arrive, we can know that along with our own prayers, the Lord has assembled a very special prayer team for us.

No Shortcuts to Proper Training, Physically or Spiritually

You don’t have to be an avid sports fan to appreciate the hard work and dedication required to become an elite athlete. Whether we’re watching football, baseball, basketball, soccer, one of the Olympic events or some other sport, we see competitors displaying feats of skill and physical prowess most of us could never imagine attempting, let alone accomplishing.

 

Right now, another football season is winding down, with only the NFL playoffs and college football championship game remaining. But each year it seems the players’ athleticism rises to another level.

 

How does this happen? Innate talent and physical giftedness are part of it, no doubt. As they say about basketball players, you can’t teach height. Being able to leap more than three feet in the air isn’t something they can teach in gym class. And you’ve either got “fast-twitch” muscles or you don’t. 

 

But natural ability can take a person only so far. Many high school jocks never succeed at the collegiate level, and only an infinitesimal percentage of college stars ever advance to the professional level, much less become superstars.

 

Many things factor into the making of stellar athletes, but one they all share is massive amounts of physical training, something we couch-potato fans never see and rarely appreciate. All we see is how they play on game day, not the behind-the-scenes workouts, practices, conditioning, weight training and other elements designed to maximize their performance. There’s no substitute for this – and no shortcuts.

 

Have you ever considered that this is true for spiritual growth and maturity as well? Think of your favorite radio Bible teacher, conference speaker or Christian author. Even if they’ve just recently gained wide public recognition, they didn’t become overnight spiritual successes.

 

Think of Abraham, who received God’s promise that he would become “the father of many nations” (Genesis 17:4-5), even though his son Isaac wasn’t born until he was 100 years old. Or Moses, who after killing an Egyptian in defense of a fellow Hebrew, fled to Midian where he lived for 40 years before the Lord called him to be His instrument in freeing the Israelites from more than four centuries of slavery.

 

The apostle Paul, following his life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ while traveling with the intent to persecute more Christians, spent about 12 years being ‘seasoned’ in Damascus before Barnabas stood up for him and introduced him to Jesus’ disciples in Jerusalem.

 

In each instance, God used extended period of waiting to prepare those men for instrumental roles of leadership. It might not have seemed like it at the time, but they were being trained for what the Lord wanted them to do. This is one reason Paul would later write to his protégé Timothy, “…Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

 

Some of us are diligent in pursuing physical training, whether going to the Y or gym regularly or enduring long periods of running to prepare for events like marathons or triathlons. That, as Paul said, “is of some value,” but are we as consistent and determined in the pursuit of godliness through spiritual training?

 

What does this spiritual training look like? It can take many forms, and it varies from one person to the next. But we can’t draw closer to the Lord unless we spend time with Him in the Scriptures, in prayer, and in the company of fellow followers of Jesus.

 

In another of his letters to mentor young Timothy, Paul wrote, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Understanding the Scriptures and knowing how to apply them doesn’t come by osmosis. We need to read, study, meditate, memorize and strive to put what we learn into practice.

 

Many times in the Bible we see the fathers of the faith devoting much time to prayer. Jesus Himself regularly set aside time for praying and communing with God the Father, admittedly one of the sometimes hard to understand aspects of the Trinity. But if Jesus found prayer essential, how can we think otherwise? This is why we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray continually” or “pray without ceasing.” Prayer should be as foundational for our spiritual well-being as breathing is to our physical welfare.

 

And we can’t succeed in the pursuit of godliness on our own. The Lone Ranger might have been a TV icon of the 1950s, but trying to thrive as a ‘lone ranger’ Christian is a sure path to failure. This is why the writer of Hebrews admonished, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Jesus Christ is going to return. The Bible promises this, and God has never failed in His promises. It may be soon, or maybe not. Either way, we must resolve to devote ourselves to spiritual training, just as an athlete must be dedicated to rigorous physical training so he or she can excel on the field or arena of competition. Only in that way can we be confident to excel as “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). 

Finding Value in ‘Refrigerator Verses’

Almost like it was yesterday, I remember memorizing my first Scripture verse. (Actually, it was more than 40 years ago.) I’d been familiar with several Bible passages for years, but the first one I learned word for word, including its ‘address’ – where it’s found in the Bible – was 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” Another translation says, “Pray continually.”

 

If you want to have early success in the skill of Scripture memorization, that’s a great verse to start with. The one that precedes it is even shorter – “Rejoice always.” There you go, two verses you can commit to memory, consisting of five words in all.

 

Depending on which Bible translation you use, the only that’s shorter is John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” But that’s not a verse people cite a lot. The ones about always rejoicing and praying continually are simple, yet practical and profound, the perfect starting point for novice verse memorizers.

 

A while back I heard a speaker refer to “refrigerator verses,” brief Bible passages sometimes printed on refrigerator magnets. These can also serve as handy reminders of truths that are foundational for our faith. 

 

Consider one we occasionally see displayed on a sign someone’s holding up in the end zone bleachers at a football game – John 3:16. It might be the most well-known verse of all: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

 

That one sentence encapsulates the limitless extent of God’s love; what Jesus Christ did on our behalf; and what we must do in response. It’s not as short – more than 20 words – but I’ve known quite a few kindergarten-age youngsters who can recite it by heart.

 

Many other Scripture passages could be good “refrigerator verse” candidates. Maybe a few come to your mind immediately. But someone might ask, “Why bother?”

 

Think of it this way: Whether we’re aware of it or not, we memorize lots of stuff – phone numbers, birthdates and anniversaries, addresses, the Pledge of Allegiance (at least we used to), song lyrics, times when our favorite shows are on TV.  If we can do all that, why’s it so hard to store some meaningful Bible verses into our memory banks? 

 

In striving to grow in our faith, whether we’re new believers or have been followers of Jesus for decades, wouldn’t it make sense to “hide God’s word in our hearts,” as King David declared in Psalm 119:11?

 

I remember a story about Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators and an enthusiastic advocate of Scripture memory. A frequent traveler, sometimes it wasn’t convenient for him to pull out his Bible, or it wasn’t readily available. Especially in parts of the world hostile to Christianity. However, having “hidden God’s word in his heart,” Trotman could readily recall the passages he’d committed to memory.

 

Many of the verses in my blog posts are ones I have memorized over the years, not only through rote repetition but also by often referring to them when circumstances dictated. For instance, when I find myself fretting over something that’s beyond my control, the admonition of 1 Peter 5:7 might come to mind: “Casting all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you.”

 

If I’m particularly concerned and need more to lower my anxiety level, I also consider Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” Admittedly, that might be a bit long for a refrigerator magnet, but it’s an amazing assurance.

 

I’ll never forget the time a friend of mine, Pete George, who’s now with the Lord, gave the evening message at a conference. During his talk he cited at least 50 Scripture verses, not to show off his keen memory but to undergird the principles he sought to convey. Not once did he glance at his Bible or notes. Those verses had become part of the spiritual fabric of his being. Quoting them was as natural as breathing.

 

Have you ever tried Scripture memory? There are numerous plans available. However, I’ve found the best approach is when you read a particular verse that resonates with you, especially one that seems to address a situation you’re facing, take a few moments to write it down on an index card. (They still have those, right?) Then review it every day, whether you’re in your car (stopped at a light, not while you’re driving); at your desk at work, or even taped to the mirror in your bathroom.

As the apostle Paul exhorted his protégé, Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we memorize Scripture, we can file those verses in our spiritual filing cabinet and God through His Spirit can enable us to access them when needed. Even without a refrigerator. 

Going From ‘Auld Acquaintances’ to New Opportunities

“So, what’s new?” When’s the last time someone asked you that? It’s a valid conversation starter. But it’s embarrassing if nothing comes to mind.

 

There’s an excitement that usually accompanies the idea of ‘new.’ Think about the experience of getting a new car. If you’re a traveler, being able to go someplace you’ve never been before. A new job, especially if you’ve felt stuck in your old one, can reenergize us. New clothes, a new smartphone, a new house – even a new book – can bring smiles to our faces.

 

Just days into the new year, we still have the opportunity to revel in the new: a new beginning, a fresh start. A phrase in Latin, tabula rasa, means ‘blank slate.’ Do you want a tabula rasa? Even if last year was a good one, we can hope this new year will be even better. In some ways the beginning of a new year seems like receiving a surprise gift – we can’t wait to see what’s inside.

 

Did you know that God is all about beginnings, too? We see it throughout the Bible from its very beginning. Its first sentence reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). How’s that for a splashy beginning? The next verse tells us it had been the original blank slate: “Now the earth was formless and empty.…” 

 

We might compare this to a painter’s blank canvas, or a sculptor’s block of granite that hasn’t yet felt the first tap of a chisel. Just multiply this by billions, even zillions of times. 

 

The Creation account proceeds to tell us about God creating light, separating it from the darkness; skies and seas; the earth, vegetation and all living things; the sun and the stars – the universe in its entirety. Think about it: Even the most creative artist or composer starts with something – things that he or she has learned or held, seen or heard – but the Lord created absolutely everything out of absolute nothingness. It stretches our own imagination to the breaking point.

 

But the opening chapter of Genesis isn’t the only place we read about God’s delight in new beginnings. The gospel of John opens with the words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:1-2), clearly referring to Jesus Christ. This means Jesus didn’t suddenly appear 2,000 years ago with His incarnation, the event we just celebrated. 

 

The second member of the Trinity was right there in the very beginning of time, actively participating in the Creation. We know this because John 1:3 declares, “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” Another of the apostle John’s writings offers this perspective: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).

 

So, the excitement and enthusiasm many of us feel about the start of a new year is shared by the Lord, to a much greater, more profound extent. Because the Scriptures tell us His greatest work, His most important ‘fresh start,’ is what He accomplishes in human hearts like yours and mine.

 

Two of my favorite verses affirm this. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we find this amazing promise: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” In God’s divine plan, far more than a new year, His focus is on creating a new you. Galatians 2:20 expands on this, stating, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  In Christ we can have new life.

 

For those who have been convicted of their brokenness, realizing it’s impossible to overcome on our own what the Bible calls our “sinful nature,” the Lord offers victory once and for all, by being “born again,” as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3.

 

But what about those of us who have experienced new life, but for whatever reason have grown stale or find ourselves in spiritual doldrums? Kind of like the church at Ephesus, described in Revelation 2:4 as having “lost your first love.” Do we need to become born again…again?

The Scriptures instruct us that along with new beginnings, God is eager to offer us re-beginnings, spiritual renewal that everyone needs from time to time. We see this in Isaiah 40:31 which asserts that, “…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

 

If this is where we find ourselves, in desperate need of renewal, some initiative on our part is necessary. Romans 12:2 admonishes, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

As we train our thoughts to focus on the Lord and His truth, then we can trust He will answer for us the prayer of King David: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:10-12).

 

Whether we need a totally new beginning or a fresh start for this new year, Jehovah Jireh – the God who provides – is posed to respond.