Heads-up! Who needs a holy facelift?

 

(Raising hand sheepishly.)

 Things are looking up – except when they’re not. Or perhaps more accurately, things are looking up when I am looking up.

 

How does everything improve when we look up, as in keeping our eyes on God, instead of on ourselves and our own concerns?

 First, here’s an important clarification. Our God is omnipresent. That means He is everywhere – not just up. When we talk about looking up towards God, we’re speaking physically, not geographically. We’re pointing to His higher honor, wisdom, nobility, strength, power, and dominion – not to any tangible destination that we could mark or measure.

 

OK, back to the original question: How does looking up improve our outlook?

 How does everything improve when we look up, as in keeping our eyes on God instead of ourselves and our own concerns?

 

Let’s start with a big basic biblical truth. God is the one who lifts our heads.

 We might say that God does all the heavy lifting, when it comes to building our faith and raising our spirits. (To be clear: the Lord does all the heavy lifting in every situation His children face. And whatever lifting we do, we only do because He equips and enables us to do so. That’s not a trite, coy, or cute statement. It’s the bedrock of our belief.)

 

Another important Scriptural truth is this: God lifts our heads when we bow them to worship Him. (This becomes clearer when we consider the Scriptures cited below.)

 King David wrote the third Psalm after his own rebellious son drove him away from his royal city. In hiding, David might have been described as keeping his head down. But his outlook was upward, as he covered his head to pray to the Lord.

 “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him. But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain” (Psalm 3:1-1, NIV, emphasis added).

 The Hebrew word וּמֵרִ֥ים (pronounced ū·mê·rîm) pertains to lifting, raising, elevating, exalting, extolling, offering up, or setting on high. The same word (or related derivatives) appears nearly 200 times in the Old Testament, including these spots:

 “The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:2, NKJV, emphasis added).

 “All the gold of the offering which they offered up to the Lord, from the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, was 16,750 shekels” (Numbers 31:52, NASB, emphasis added).

 “The Lord makes some poor and others rich; He brings some down and lifts others up” (1 Samuel 2:7, NLT, emphasis added).

 “O, my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens” (Ezra 9:6, ESV, emphasis added).

 “Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.” (Nehemiah 9:5b, KJV, emphasis added).

 “And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me; In His tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord” (Psalm 27:6, AMP, emphasis added).

 “Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3, NLT, emphasis added).

 “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy, I will sing and make music to the Lord. (Psalm 27:6, NIV, emphasis added).

 

Look up!

 I’m feeling better already. Are you encouraged by these holy verses too?

 Let’s wrap this up with a favorite Scripture that always give me a lift. I hope it will lift your spirit (and your head) as well.

“The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:25-26, NKJV, emphasis added).

 Image/s: Public domain photo

 

Related items:

• 15 Handy Ways to Memorize Scriptures and Important Quotes
• A to Z Answers: Joy when the Journey Seems Junky
• Arms up or up in arms?
• Everyday Exceptions and Eternity’s Expectations
• Stick-necked or Soft-hearted?

 

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The gift-swapping game doesn't work with God

  Did you ever play the present-swapping game at a Christmas party? Everyone gets a gift. People pick numbers (like from a hat). Then, in turn, each person has a chance to keep her own gift or trade with another.

 

It doesn’t really work that way with God’s gifts, does it?

 Here’s a personal example. Don’t laugh. OK, you can laugh a little, if you want to.

 As a young believer (and a much younger person), I was given one of those spiritual gift questionnaires. My results lopsidedly pointed to one of the gifts that tends to include a lot of homework. I retook the test a few times. I even looked up other versions of spiritual gift assessments, hoping to find the initial results were wrong and that I might have been granted what I then (wrongly) perceived would be a simpler gift.

 “Can’t I just have a spiritual gift that lets me simply show up and have God work through me on the spot?” I asked.  (I’m pretty sure God has a sense of humor.)

 

I guess it doesn’t actually work that way.

 No matter which spiritual gifts we are given, God expects us to study and train and prepare and walk daily with Him. The Lord may equip us on-the-spot for a ministry moment (such as a “word in due season”) or even a miraculous touch, but He still calls on us to do our homework.

• Is your gift discernment, evangelism, exhortation? Better open that Bible.
• Is it prophecy or healing? Gotta dig into the Scriptures.
• Mercy or service? All together now: Need to know the Word of God.

 God’s spiritual gift list goes on (See Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.), and each one brings personal responsibility for both training and availability.

 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.  This is why it^] says: ‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.’” (Ephesians 4:7-8, NIV)

 Isn’t it intriguing to see how God fits His gifts to each individual? Sometimes they dovetail with people’s lifelong (and still God-given) talents. But a believer’s spiritual gift may seem like a stretch to him or her, until God performs His wonderful equipping. 

 “This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:3b-4, NIV)

 Go ahead and trade those White Elephant or Yankee Swap gifts at holiday parties. That’s the point of those wacky items.

 But God’s amazing spiritual gifts are personalized, specialized, and individualized. They are tailor-made and targeted. They’re keepers.

 

Related items:

• All good gifts come from God – 30 days of thankful Scriptures
• Here's a gift, lady. Now, don't use it.
• Is the Christmas spirit fleeting? Or, What’s in your wallop?
• Simply Santa and the Savior
• Why do we give gifts for Christmas?

 
 

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Image/s: Public domain photo/s

Does giving up only work with Lenten sacrifices?

 I’m giving up, but not in the sense one might think. Lent starts this week, and I’ve decided to drop a few things from my life. This initiative may last through Lent (Ash Wednesday through Easter weekend), or it may become a longer term change. But for now, it’s a 40-day thing.

 

I’m not mentioning this for any accolades. What I need is accountability.

  Of course, giving up is almost never a good plan. But in this case, giving up something actually takes more determination and wherewithal than not doing so.

 Here’s the ticket:

 Never give up, Christian. Unless, of course, you’re giving up something for Lent.

 (That admonition would actually apply to any personal fast or sacrifice made in the same spirit.)

 The Bible contains plenty of exhortations for believers never to give up. Here are a few examples.

 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. (Luke 18:1, NLT)

 “I have told you this, so that you will not give up your faith.   (John 16:1, GNT) 

One night Paul had a vision in which the Lord said to him, “Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking and do not give up.  (Acts 18:9, GNT)

 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7, NLT)

 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. (2 Corinthians 4:1, NLT)

 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. (2 Corinthians 4:16, NLT)

 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, NIV)

 Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. (Ephesians 6:18, GNT)

 Additional verses abound, urging believers to remain steadfast and strong and to never give up.

 

That’s great advice. And it’s not the kind of giving up we’re talking about, when we say we’re giving up something for Lent.

 Having said all that, what’s the Lenten sacrifice?

 Christian tradition (for many) includes some sort of self-deprivation during from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. It’s a form of fasting, inspired by Jesus’ 40 days and nights in the wilderness (See Matthew 4:1-11.). Some give up chocolate. Others forgo meat. Still others abstain from alcohol. Plenty of brave souls commit to go without any sweets.

 Additionally, people might opt out of social networking, television, or other entertainments as a form of fasting during Lent.

 Here’s a caveat: It’s not really a sacrifice to give up something we won’t even miss. For example, I’m not a smoker, so giving up cigarettes wouldn’t mean anything. I already don’t eat chocolate, so that won’t work either. And I don’t play video games, so promising to go without them would be pointless.

 

A genuine sacrifice means skipping something I’ll actually miss.

 The goal is to redirect my focus onto the Lord and His sacrifice on my behalf (and yours), which culminated at the cross and became victory over sin and death at His resurrection.

 So here it is.

 This year, I’m doing without candy. Honestly, this isn’t a huge deal. Only a few candies actually tempt me. But we’ve just come through the Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year’s to Valentine’s Day sweet-tooth indulgence series. It’s time. I’d like to build a candy-free habit into my life, and the Lenten season offers a prime opportunity to do that. During this time, I hope to direct my attention upwards, especially during those late-night moments when I might crave something sweet.

 I want to crave the sweet presence of the Savior instead. (I’m not trying to be playful about this. It’s just that I need the extra reminder, all the time.)

 

Are you giving up anything for Lent?

 If you are, I pray that God bless you in your sacrifice by making His Presence clear to you, helping you to keep your focus on Him, and meeting you in a special way this Lenten season.

 

Easter is coming. Hallelujah.

 

Related items:

·        I gave up chocolate, but not for Lent.

·        On Good Friday: Are my eyes and heart dry?

·        Thanks = sacrifice to the Lord – 30 days of thankful Scriptures

  

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Image/s: Product photos, public domain

Fellowship: Let’s not rubber-stamp our politics

 

If we are people of faith, then our beliefs will shape our viewpoints. That’s a given. But does that necessarily mean that our mutual faith will lead to matching opinions on all topics?

I didn’t think so.

It’d be a bold assumption for me to decide that everyone who shares my faith always shares my politics – across the board. Turning the tables, it’d be bold for you to do the same.

And yet it happens. All the time.

 

Hold it right there.

This is a risky post. The last thing I want to do is to hurt someone’s feelings, especially someone with whom I have shared the warm circle of friendship. Please let me begin by clearly stating that I am not singling anyone out here. And at times, I may be preaching to the mirror. (I’m pretty good at that. I’ve had plenty of practice in that department.)

Throughout the past few years (or maybe more than that), American politics seem to have grown more heated and controversial than ever before. Differences of opinion spring swiftly into spite and hatred. Mutual respect has all but vanished across society.

This quagmire is not even restricted to our choices of electoral candidates. We may differ on individual issues, whether we know it or not. That’s sort of how democracy works.

There are plenty of issues that attract genuine believers to both (or all) sides. Even in small circles of faith, folks may hold varying viewpoints. But what can be simply astonishing is that others may assume everyone around the table agrees on all counts of politics and policies, just because we all aim to be biblical Christians.

We may not all be far right, left wing, or smack dab in the middle – even though we love Jesus.

 

How does that play out, during faith-based gatherings and throughout the rest of the week?

Check your inbox. If it’s anything like mine, you’ll find handfuls (or even dozens) of messages from well-meaning Christian sisters/brothers, often including links to political and ideological posts. Maybe you nod your head in agreement. Perhaps you shake your head instead.

Look at your social networking pages. Are fellow believers tagging you in posts promoting their opinions? When you’re tagged, those posts appear on your own page. That means your friends and followers will also assume you support those viewpoints.

Think back a bit. Have you ever bitten your tongue during a faith group meeting, because the discussion traipsed off into politics, and you didn’t want to throw a wrench into the works? You knew you disagreed on some point, but you held your peace to keep the peace? Then you know the feeling.

 

It’s not like we can’t stay friends, if we disagree. 

True fellowship can flourish in healthy diversity, if we get a chance to share it. Isn’t it a hallmark of mutual respect to hear one another out before assuming we buy into all of the same ideas in our society at-large?

 

This assumption has proved particularly painful for me during the past year for multiple reasons. (Warning: I'm gonna get a little personal here. But I'm not pointing fingers at anyone else.)

1. In the spring of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic gained traction in the US, I spent several months sewing 1,000+ cloth face-masks, mostly using fabrics from my own supply. Most went to health care workers, emergency personnel, senior care facilities, and other local concerns. I also gave masks to friends and family members. Soon, I began seeing social networking posts bashing mask-wearing. Then a few folks to whom I had given home-sewn masks put up anti-mask posts and tagged me. How can that not feel like a slap in the face?
   

2. Our extended family represents the full spectrum of political persuasions, and we value one another more than our viewpoints. Draw the family circle wider (from blood into water), so to speak, and the plot thickens. Some cannot share space because they do not share the same opinions. What happens when a friend posts online and tags me? At least one side of the schism will take offense, because of what that post implies, even if I don’t carry that bias.

3. Several friends regularly send individual or group texts, private messages, and emails to support their political viewpoints. Because we are all family in the faith, they take it for granted these will be welcomed enthusiastically. Although I almost never respond, the snowball effect of receiving so many attacks on my own perspectives wounds my spirit.

4. Once, I asked a fellow believer privately to “Please cease from tagging me online in political posts.” Not long afterwards, that friend tagged me again and critiqued me publicly online for that request.

I have to wonder, when might I have stepped on someone’s political principles by concluding he or she identified with the same policies or candidates as I did? Did I disregard anyone’s viewpoints, even inadvertently? Perhaps.

Do we make our fellowship of faith meetings (such as Bible studies, book groups, Sunday school classes, or other gatherings) safe places for everyone to explore and evaluate our own viewpoints? Or do we presuppose everyone will be on the same page – on every topic?

Definitely, there are basics on which we commit to agree. 

That’s why we turn to Scripture on matters of doctrine. That’s where creeds and statements of faith come in. But present-day politics will not always fit into one rigid mold.

 

Here’s the bottom line for me. It’s threefold, and I think it’s basically biblical.

1. Let’s leave the partisan assumptions at the door, when we get together as brethren. “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” (Titus 3:9-10, NIV)

2. Let’s look forward together to sharing God’s Kingdom, where there will be no ideological debates. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20, NLT)
   

3. Let’s aim for fellowship over favoring our own politics. “Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19, NRSV)

Oh, and let’s not tag each other until we have heard each other.

Jesus said the world would know we are Christians by our love for one another (see John 13:35), not which lever we pull (or which boxes we check) inside the voting booth. (See? There I go, preaching to the mirror again.)

Image/s: Collage designed by this user with online generator with public domain images

 

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