Uninterrupted Attention

 “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”   John 1:14




Pastor Larry Miller quoted that scripture for the Christmas Eve service.  It was a beautiful reminder of the love that God gave us by sending His One and only Son. To live to die, that was the plan. Good Friday is the reason for the season.
The part, “…and we saw His glory,…” really struck me as I re-read it Christmas morning. Some translations will say, “we beheld” or “we observed.”   I asked myself, what does that look like to see, behold, or observe His glory?  Jesus was active in the first two, He became and He dwelt. However, our responsibility is in the beholding of His glory. This must be important to know because John takes time to describe the glory that we are observing. So again, I must ask God, what it looks like to live out, “…and we saw His glory…?”
In the original Greek, we saw, means to observe something with continuity and attention. To carefully look at something, to play very close attention to.  The connection to this observation is uninterrupted, unbroken.  As Wuest would put it, “And we gazed with attentive and careful regard and spiritual perception at His glory…”
My time with God that morning showed me how far I still need to come. I need to truly seek Him with an unbroken stare. I need to be more active in my attention to His Word. I need to not take His glory for granted. In short, I must choose to be obedient and give Him my uninterrupted attention.

A Prayer to Remember

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”     Ephesians 5:1,2 

It has been fourteen weeks since the Sunday/Thursday Marriage Classes begun. We have just wrapped up our journey through the study, Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.  The entire focus is asking ourselves this basic yet foundational question, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?”

Is that a great question or what?  Too often we hear a spouse talk about how they are not happy in their marriage.  That they don’t understand how to be happy like it was in the beginning.  They are waiting for their spouse to do something to bring back that spark, that tingle of love. Do you see the focus? Do you see the shortfall in that path of thinking?  It’s all about ME!

Instead, the focus of our marriage should be taken off of the horizontal and fixed to the vertical. We should be using the challenges, joys, struggles and celebrations of marriage to draw closer to Him and to also grow in Christian character.  We should be allowing God’s Hands to wrought our marriages in holiness.  

As we closed our study this past week, the author, Gary Thomas, challenged us with a prayer.  Instead of us waking up each morning asking ourselves, “Am I happier today than I was yesterday?” he suggested that we pray a prayer to truly give us the focus we need to keep our marriages God-Centered. This is what he suggests we should pray, “Lord, how can I love my spouse today like he/she has never been or ever will be loved?”  Did you catch that?  Is that a prayer you can take ownership of?

I truly believe that this is a prayer God would love to answer.  Just take some time to imagine how your marriage may begin to change. We won’t be overtaken by our disappointments when our focus will be on what we can do for our spouse.

“Lord, how can I love my spouse today like he/she has never been or ever will be loved?”

Change Overreaction into Interaction

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,

and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,

Proverbs 1:8

Communication with our children is vital. When guest speaker Jonathan McKee was here, he stressed how very important that was. He stated, “We must change overreaction into interaction.” How often do we as parents overreact and push the “panic” button when we see or hear about a situation that involves our children that does not sit well with our values. I for one have probably had to change the batteries in my “panic” button over these past years.

Just recently God ordained an opportunity for Kerry and I to interact and communicate with our daughters on a situation that they heard about that involved school friends of theirs. Some of those friends made great choices and some made not so wise choices. As the four of us discussed the choices made we also took time to discuss what choices they would have made as well as some of the not so wise choices Kerry and I made in High School. We discussed the consequences of choices, the responsibility given to our young adults now-a-days, as well as what we would expect from both of them.

Bottom line, Kerry and I did not plan to have a moral discussion on the choices that teenagers make and the results that stem from those choices; however, God placed the opportunity in our lives and we made sure to make the time to place a foundation of truth and love.

It truly brought Proverbs 1:8 into full light. At that very moment both father and mother were there to instruct, disciple, direct and teach the children that God has placed into their lives. The command in that verse is to the child, yet we as parents must be always ready for those times of instruction and teaching.

Kerry and I will not have all the answers, but with God’s grace, wisdom and our willingness to interact instead of overreacting, it will be a good conversation.

Preach Jesus, Preach the Gospel

 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children.  Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  Deuteronomy 6:4-9

We just arrived back from Young Lives Ablaze Camp last week with our kiddos and support staff. The week was amazing and one that I personally will never forget. Let me share with you some comments that were shared with me that came from camp.

A leader talking to me about one of his campers raised in the church, who raised their hand to accept Jesus Christ on Monday night- “I never knew that she did not have a relationship with Jesus. I assumed that since she has been here all her life that she already did.”  A leader from another church about a PK who raised their hand on Wednesday night to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior-The Boss of them-“I am shocked. I was just sure that she already had a personal relationship with Jesus because of who her father is He always shares the Gospel during his messages.” And finally a text I received Saturday morning from one of our parents, “Thinking you should have a class for the parents to prepare them for the huge changes that occur at camp. It’s amazing to see the transformation. He is on fire for Christ now.”

During the entire week, I was personally burdened by something spiritual that I could not pin point. Each night’s messages, it became heavier and heavier. As I prayed and sought the Lord each day, His Spirit continually reminded me, “Preach Jesus. Preach the Gospel.” 

After Thursday night’s message, it became clear what that burden was: I, possibly we, take for granted that our own children as well as those we are leading spiritually not only know the Gospel but have made that decision to follow Jesus Christ. We just assume that since they are raised in a Christian home, they have heard the Gospel, it has been explained to them, and that they have already made a decision for Christ. How short sighted is that.

So here are the 2 Truths the Lord made very clear to me this past week.

First, we must never assume that our own children are saved. We should continually share the Gospel with them, by our words and actions and deeds.  We need to take time to fully explain what Jesus Christ did for each and every one of us and what it means to accept that eternal gift of salvation.

Next, once that decision is made and they choose to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, it is now the responsibility of the parents to fulfill Deuteronomy 6:4-9. They need to take the lead to train up their children in righteousness. That also includes being the living example of Jesus Christ to their children.

So in closing, let’s never take for granted the salvation of our children or even our family and friends. Take time to “make disciples and teach them to observe all that He has commanded us.” Matthew 28:19,20  

Are You Peculiar?

Are you peculiar? Do people look at you as odd or different?  Do you find being called “peculiar” offensive?
The definition of peculiar is one who is odd or strange in nature and behavior.  One who is distinctive in character from others.  One who belongs exclusively to one person or group.  Now, does that describe you as a Christian?  Let me explain…
Paul writes to Titus in chapter 2 on the duties and responsibilities of the seasoned followers of Christ to the younger, newer believers.  He closes chapter 2 with a reiteration of the Gospel and who we are in Him.  In verse 14 he says, “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”  emphasis mine
That phrase, “His own possession”, is a Greek word meaning peculiar.  It is a compound of two words that apart mean, to be around.  So let me see if I can better explain just how truly wonderful it is to be peculiar in Him by the way Ken Wuest describes it.
Draw a circle.  In the middle of the circle, draw a dot.  Now label the circle, God and label the dot, follower of Christ.  Let’s notice some things about this circle and dot.
The circle completely monopolizes the dot.  The circle has the dot all to itself.  Nothing can get to the dot unless it comes into contact and is allowed to cross through by the circle. Now do you see how truly powerful it is to be His possession, to be peculiar in Him?  God has us all to Himself. We are His own, private possession.  No temptation or trial can reach us unless it goes through God first, 1 Cor. 10:13. As we walk, stay obedient and repentive, in the center of God’s Will, He will not permit the enemy to confront us with a temptation too great for us, nor can a time of testing or trial reach us unless it comes through the permissive will of god and when that happens, God’s grace will be given to bear that temptation/trial.
So when others look at us, do they see a peculiar person?  One who is distinctive in character from others?  One who belongs to Christ Jesus because of their words, actions, and deeds?  I should hope so.
So here is to being peculiar!

Focus On What Only You Can Do...

focus - the concentration of attention or energy on an object, maximum clarity or distinctness of an object

Sounds like a great motivational quote, one that would be found on a large poster that shows a view of a grand mountain range, or maybe of an eagle in flight.  However, that was not the intention of the person that shared this quote with me. 

Let me explain…    When I was faced initially with that quote, I immediately thought of the ministries which God has placed in my service.  A simple thought rushed through my mind, “Yes Lord, I will focus on Children’s Ministry.  I will stay focused on Upward and Awana. Yes Lord, I understand.”  The amazing thing, I did not understand.
            Here, let me ask the question again, ‘What is the one thing that only you can do?”  God can certainly raise up another Children’s Minister.  He can also lead another to guide and direct both Upward and Awana.  So again, I ask myself, “What is the one thing that only I, Joe Vivian, can do?” 

            The answer was so simple, yet I missed it at first, as I feel most of us miss it.  We think of our jobs, our ministries, our hobbies and possibly even our athletic endeavors.  No, that wasn’t it.  The one thing that I must focus on that only I can do is being the obedient servant to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to be the husband to Kerry Vivian and to be the father to both Samantha and Baylee Vivian.  That is the one thing. 

            “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”  Deut 6:5   I must first and foremost seek His will and His love.  When I daily come to Him and bow before His throne, I can feel my “troubles’ and “anxiety” wither away.  I rest knowing that He is continually forming me more into His image.  Sometimes very uncomfortably, yet very necessary.

Next, my marriage covenant to Kerry was not only made in front of family and friends, it was first and foremost made to God.  I made a covenant to leave, cleave, become one with Kerry and not be ashamed. “Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband^” Eph 5:33 I am the only one that can be the husband to Kerry.  I am the only one that can love her with an unashamed and unconditional love.

Finally, we must never forget that our children are a gift from God and are only ours as loaners.  They are His and we are given the blessing to raise them up in His ways.  ^“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deut 6:6,7  We will be held accountable by God for what we teach and how we train them up in His Name.  I am the only one that can be the father to my two ladies and my days are becoming few with both of them.  I need not take them for granted nor make allowances for time that may be available.

So, the quote is much more than just some mountains and eagles. When our focus is concentrated on that which only we can do, then everything else will fall into place; our ministries, our jobs/careers, our hobbies.

We all need to focus, concentrate our attention and energy, on what only we can do.  To love the Lord with every fiber in our being and to focus on the blessings He has given only to us; our spouse, our children, our parents/grandparents, our siblings… our family.   

A Growing Bond Servant to the King~

Joe

Genuineness of Faith

“You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith-more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6,7

I really appreciated Larry’s illustration a couple weeks ago on genuine faith as we were studying Legalism in Galatians. It brought me to a passage that I had studied but had not seen in this light. When a Secret Service Agent is being trained by the Treasury Dept for Counterfeiting; they will only handle the genuine article as they go through training.  They will study and become completely familiar with real currency.  They are not allowed to handle a fake or a counterfeit bill during their entire training.  How it feels, how it looks, even how it sounds and smells, are what they are trained to know of the genuine article. Why this intense training and focus on only real currency? Well, when the fake or counterfeit bill crosses their path, they will easily spot the fraud because they have always focused on the genuine article.

That’s what Peter was talking about when he spoke of the genuineness of your faith in his first letter.  We need to be seeking Jesus, having such an intimate relationship with Him and Him only. We need to stay immersed in His Word and read it daily.  We need to be in communication with Him through prayer, study, and fellowship with other believers. Why? So that when “so-called” Biblical quotes are passed our way or when we listen to teachings or even read Christian literature, we can spot the counterfeit and turn away from it. 

We live in a world today that teaches us to conform to the standards of the world. We are told to be tolerant. We are told that we live in a bubble, that we are peculiar for following God’s ordinances and truths.  Ya know what, we are to be peculiar.  Jesus even prays to His Father as we remain in the world but not of the world. (John 17:6-16)  Our foundation in Christ should be so solid and deep that we need to be shocked by what the world offers and then stand our ground in His Truth. 

Study the genuine article…Jesus Christ…and you will be hard pressed to ever receive a counterfeit.

A Growing Bond-Servant of Jesus Christ,

Joe