I am reading through Jeremiah... man, that dude had it tough! He was chosen to tell a stubborn and obstinate people that they had better start paying attention or they were going to be destroyed, and they were stubborn and obstinate, so they didn't listen. Ever. So they were destroyed. Jeremiah also wrote Lamentations - basically, "The Weepings". He was known as the weeping prophet. I don't think I will ever complain about my circumstances ever again.
Before I get on to the topic, I do want to a little side trip to address the concept of reading the scriptures continuously. It is closing in on the end of 2010, and I am reading Jeremiah for the second time. I started in Genesis in January, reading the Amplified version and read through the entire Bible. Then, I bought the English Standard Version (large print ;-) and started back in Genesis... And I intend to continue to read it through, then again, and again. I honestly have lost count on how many versions I have read, and how many times I have read through the Bible from cover to cover. I have also spent periods of time studying a particular book, and have memorized many scriptures. At one time, I had the book of James and Ephesians memorized. I am not saying this to shame you, but hopefully to help you see that it just isn't that hard to commit to reading God's Word. All you need to do is do it... And I guarantee that diving into God's Word with reward you beyond your expectations. Studying what God has already said is absolutely essential to knowing Him and growing closer to Him. If you are not spending some concerted effort reading His Word, I really do not see how you could be growing. I could be wrong, but I don't really think so.
Okay - back to the point: For His Glory. In Jeremiah 13, God said, "'For as a belt is bound around the waist, so I bound all the people of Israel and all the people of Judah to me,’ declares the LORD, ‘to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.’" I have read this many times, but for some reason today, it struck me: God chose us for the express purpose of bringing renown (notoriety) praise and honor to Himself. I know He loves me; I know He has the hairs of my head numbered; I know I am forgiven because of the work Jesus did on the cross... and I know I cannot earn anything from God. He did it all. So I guess that it never occurred to me that He did have a reason that He saved me beyond His inexplicable love; to bring glory and honor and praise to Himself. Wow. That sheds a lot of light on what my life should look like.
As Christians, we always wonder, "what does God want me to do?" We even have bracelets, "WWJD"... We talk about straining to understand God's will in a particular situation, and we often wonder what the heck is going on and what could God possibly be thinking, especially when so much stuff looks messed up and just wrong. The way to deal with these strivings is strikingly clear to me now: "What can I do in this situation that would bring glory, and/or honor, and/or praise to my Father?" If we can answer that, we have our answer even to the toughest of questions.
For instance: Let's say I have a job that is very difficult, and my direct supervisor is a horrible person who treats me inappropriately. I know that my reaction would be to quit... I know this from experience. But, since I know without any doubt that every single thing in my life is to bring honor and glory and praise to God, I need to evaluate the situation a bit more. As I pray, I would ask for clarity and direction: "What would bring You, God, the most honor, glory and praise in this situation?" If the answer is to quit, so be it... But, what if standing up to the boss in a respectful manner is more appropriate, because maybe God wants this man to witness how a follower of Jesus handles conflict? Maybe he had negative interactions with Christians in the past, and my willingness to look him in the eye with love and be honest about what God is doing in my life might surprise him enough to consider that maybe God is real. Maybe he has some bad things going on in his life and he is just lashing out because he doesn't know how to handle it. Maybe the door will open for real ministry if I look him in the eye and love him through the hurt... What if just being submissive is more appropriate? Maybe the silence will catch him off guard and he will observe my godliness in the face of oppression. The point is, maybe God is doing something to bring glory to Himself, and my rash reaction to the situation would cause me to miss on an opportunity for God to be glorified. Yes, that is a heck of a lot of "maybe"s but if we use the lens of "bringing God glory and honor and praise", perhaps our answers might be easier to find.
I am still trying to process all of this, because even though I have read through the Scriptures many times, this is the first time I have really considered this idea. It seems basic, in some sense, and yet to me, today, it is profound. Which brings me back to another reason we are to continue seeking God in His Word: He is so deep, so complex, so amazing... we can spend our entire earthly life reaching for Him, straining for Him, and we will never get to the end of Him. This, too, brings Him glory, and honor, and praise.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Highest and Best Use
In the Real Estate Profession, there is a term, "highest and best use." The term specifically refers to value of a property; that it's worth is directly related to it's usage. For instance, a residential home in a neighborhood of residential home would best be valued according to the recent sales of similar homes in the same neighborhood. If that same home was located on a busy street, and surrounded by commercial property, the value as a home might be considerably lower than it's value as a commercial storefront.
I was thinking about the condition of my heart, and this term popped up in my mind... "highest and best use." Am I operating my heart in it's highest and best use? If yes, what does that look like? And, if not, why?
I think we could agree that the highest and best use of our heart is to love God. In fact, Jesus stated this truth quite clearly: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). In effect, Jesus was saying, the highest and best use of your heart is to love God first... above everything else. The Scripture is filled with similar references, and even Jesus was quoting the Old Testament when He made this statement. "Seeking the kingdom of God first" is a similar New Testament command, simply setting us straight on what is to be our priority. If we love God first, every thought and every action would be tempered by our love for Him. What we do with our time and our treasures would be directly affected by this love that is first in all things. Those who love God first ACT like they love God... it fleshes out in acts of kindness, humility, goodness, and the other fruits of the Spirit.
Jesus continued, "The second (commandment) is like it: Love others as yourself." This sets the next two priorities: love others, then love yourself. And I'll finish it off by saying everything else comes after those three priorities. Let's expand those two a little...
Love others. I think if we are honest with ourselves, we know what that looks like: Treat others better than ourselves. Lend without expecting in return. Be generous with our time and talent and treasures. Give a lot. Listen closely. Pray unceasingly for others. Be encouraging. Always hope for the best, and celebrate the successes of others. Easier said than done, I know, but we know what it looks like. That doesn't mean we should allow others to abuse us and just be a "doormat"... even Jesus said, "Do not cast your pearls before swine." (Matthew 7:6) The implication is that we need to be discerning about where and what and how we give. I personally give to my family first, then other believers, then others as they cross my path, and not without prayer. I would rather err in giving than withholding though... but I confess I do struggle at times determining where the end of loving is...
I was talking to a young man the other day. He is a youth minister who is a godly young man making a difference in his church and community. Having had a pretty rough week, he was wondering if maybe he cared too much. I quoted a song from Switchfoot: "If it doesn't break your heart it isn't love... If it doesn't break your heart, it's not enough." Sometimes (many times) loving others is painful, and most of the time it is simply inconvenient. Bottom line is this: we love God first, then we love others... that is our highest and best use... it is what we were created for. If that is true, why would we want to do anything else?
Oh, the Love Yourself thing... I think it is worth discussing. Many people have no trouble with this, other than putting it before the other two commandments...If we are honest with ourselves, I think we would admit that we do far too many things because we simply WANT to. We buy stuff for ourselves we don't need, we spend time doing things for ourselves instead of others far too often.. and I could go on. Don't get me wrong, we should take care of ourselves, that is what loving ourselves means. But, taking care of ourselves means we feed our souls by going to church, reading the Bible, and things like that. We should exercise and eat properly. We shouldn't indulge in things that are harmful to us (drugs, excessive alcohol, or anything excessively, for that matter.) We should consider what the Highest and Best use of our free time is and be careful not to simply fall onto the couch and watch brainless television all of the time. Sometimes we do need that... but maybe a nice walk in the evening would be better? If we are really loving God, then loving others, then ourselves... what would our lives look like?
Lastly, love everything else that is good.Philippians 4:8 says, "...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
That sums it up. The Highest and Best use of us is to Love God, Love Others, Love ourselves, and always think about excellent things.
As in a real estate transaction, there is an appraisal done on any property that is under contract. An assessment is done to be sure that it is valued at its true value. Your true value is this: That God so loves you that He sent His One and Only Son to die for you. He is the Grand Appraiser. When you go to your final "closing", at the end of your life, will you have lived up to His assessment of how incredibly valuable you really are? You cannot do anything about yesterday, but you have today. What will you do?
(Note: Danny Thompson is a Realtor in San Antonio, Texas. Saved in 1991, served as Family Minister at Evers Road Christian Church from 1998-2001. Currently serving at River City Community Church as one of the Worship Leaders, and a Life Group Coach.)
I was thinking about the condition of my heart, and this term popped up in my mind... "highest and best use." Am I operating my heart in it's highest and best use? If yes, what does that look like? And, if not, why?
I think we could agree that the highest and best use of our heart is to love God. In fact, Jesus stated this truth quite clearly: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). In effect, Jesus was saying, the highest and best use of your heart is to love God first... above everything else. The Scripture is filled with similar references, and even Jesus was quoting the Old Testament when He made this statement. "Seeking the kingdom of God first" is a similar New Testament command, simply setting us straight on what is to be our priority. If we love God first, every thought and every action would be tempered by our love for Him. What we do with our time and our treasures would be directly affected by this love that is first in all things. Those who love God first ACT like they love God... it fleshes out in acts of kindness, humility, goodness, and the other fruits of the Spirit.
Jesus continued, "The second (commandment) is like it: Love others as yourself." This sets the next two priorities: love others, then love yourself. And I'll finish it off by saying everything else comes after those three priorities. Let's expand those two a little...
Love others. I think if we are honest with ourselves, we know what that looks like: Treat others better than ourselves. Lend without expecting in return. Be generous with our time and talent and treasures. Give a lot. Listen closely. Pray unceasingly for others. Be encouraging. Always hope for the best, and celebrate the successes of others. Easier said than done, I know, but we know what it looks like. That doesn't mean we should allow others to abuse us and just be a "doormat"... even Jesus said, "Do not cast your pearls before swine." (Matthew 7:6) The implication is that we need to be discerning about where and what and how we give. I personally give to my family first, then other believers, then others as they cross my path, and not without prayer. I would rather err in giving than withholding though... but I confess I do struggle at times determining where the end of loving is...
I was talking to a young man the other day. He is a youth minister who is a godly young man making a difference in his church and community. Having had a pretty rough week, he was wondering if maybe he cared too much. I quoted a song from Switchfoot: "If it doesn't break your heart it isn't love... If it doesn't break your heart, it's not enough." Sometimes (many times) loving others is painful, and most of the time it is simply inconvenient. Bottom line is this: we love God first, then we love others... that is our highest and best use... it is what we were created for. If that is true, why would we want to do anything else?
Oh, the Love Yourself thing... I think it is worth discussing. Many people have no trouble with this, other than putting it before the other two commandments...If we are honest with ourselves, I think we would admit that we do far too many things because we simply WANT to. We buy stuff for ourselves we don't need, we spend time doing things for ourselves instead of others far too often.. and I could go on. Don't get me wrong, we should take care of ourselves, that is what loving ourselves means. But, taking care of ourselves means we feed our souls by going to church, reading the Bible, and things like that. We should exercise and eat properly. We shouldn't indulge in things that are harmful to us (drugs, excessive alcohol, or anything excessively, for that matter.) We should consider what the Highest and Best use of our free time is and be careful not to simply fall onto the couch and watch brainless television all of the time. Sometimes we do need that... but maybe a nice walk in the evening would be better? If we are really loving God, then loving others, then ourselves... what would our lives look like?
Lastly, love everything else that is good.Philippians 4:8 says, "...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
That sums it up. The Highest and Best use of us is to Love God, Love Others, Love ourselves, and always think about excellent things.
As in a real estate transaction, there is an appraisal done on any property that is under contract. An assessment is done to be sure that it is valued at its true value. Your true value is this: That God so loves you that He sent His One and Only Son to die for you. He is the Grand Appraiser. When you go to your final "closing", at the end of your life, will you have lived up to His assessment of how incredibly valuable you really are? You cannot do anything about yesterday, but you have today. What will you do?
(Note: Danny Thompson is a Realtor in San Antonio, Texas. Saved in 1991, served as Family Minister at Evers Road Christian Church from 1998-2001. Currently serving at River City Community Church as one of the Worship Leaders, and a Life Group Coach.)
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