On hearing God's voice

Today we looked at a passage (Matthew 17:1-8) that revealed how Jesus receives the baton from Moses and Elijah (the Law and Prophets) as God's central redeeming and guiding force. As Jesus is transformed his eternal and divine identity is revealed in front of his three closest students, God's voice from heaven is audible and profound. It is not often that God's speaks so that all around can hear his voice during Jesus' life on earth. So, wouldn't it be nice if we would get to hear God's voice audibly, publicly, at crucial times in our life? God does speak and He is able to be heard. He declares on that day in front of Peter, John and James, that His desire is that we "listen to Him". Yet, there does seem to be much confusion around hearing God's voice and following His direction.

So, here's some observations (from Dallas Willard's book, Hearing God) that can clear up misperceptions around hearing the voice of God.

1) Message-a-Minute. In this misperception, God is telling us at each moment what we are to do each step of the way. Many speak as if God is always talking to them, almost without break. Scripture does not support this picture. While many of his leaders and apostles did have a deep sense of mission and purpose, and at times hear directly from an encounter with God, we do not find them receiving constant communications from God.

2) Its' All in the Bible. This misunderstanding says that all we need to know is in the Bible. While much guidance is there, the Bible was not intended to give you the answer to everyday questions, like what hour to get up in the morning or whom to marry. With that said, we do have the necessary principles to live a life like Jesus. Contrary to what some may believe, I do not receive direct revelation from God on every topic and message to teach. I simply listen for God's direction as I read, interact with others in our church and local community, commit to time in prayer, and then share what I have come to believe is what's most helpful and life forming. God's will is clear on many issues in scripture and those general principles are to be applied by personal divine guidance in the unique circumstances we find ourselves in today.

3) Whatever Comes. This view incorrectly asserts that every circumstance as guidance from God. Unfortunately, even if it seems like we are trusting fully in God's sovereign leadership, we miss out on His personal interaction with us. Many things that happen in this life are not the will of God. He can do no evil or injustice. His heart breaks at much of what happens to those without power and resources in our world. It is, though, God's will that his people do not sit idly by and watch others suffer cruelty or abuse. We have a crucial part to play in His Kingdom work being experienced.

Dallas ends these observations with a helpful illustration. I will share it from my own experience. I get to be the dad of three amazing, energetic and bright boys. These guys remind me that God is gracious, generous and patient with me. Parenting if you get to participate, is indeed intended for our spiritual formation. That's for another blog. But, I try as best as I can, through God's guidance and my personality to share direction and wisdom with my boys. They are young still and I give them tons of advice and direction (perhaps too much). They are good guys and listen and respond well most of the time. But, I know that the true test of their understanding and reception of my leadership will be later in life when I am not there personally to say what to do next. Maturity, then, will not be linked to my present and direct speaking but how they now apply the teaching and guidance I have tried to share along the way. The true measure will be when I do not speak, am silent and not within ear shot.

I know this is a long one. Thanks for hanging in there and finishing. If I have been unclear on any of these points, I would like the opportunity to clarify. Or better yet, pick up a copy of Willard's book and read it in the proper context. Please receive, reflect and come to your convictions regarding these observations. As always, if you have any comments, questions or additional insights, send them along.

Grace and Peace,
Troy

Walk with...

Overlooked. Avoided. Ignored. Shut-out. How would you feel if most of your life you were treated that way. Often in an America that emphasis success and financial strength we avoid anything or anyone that reminds us that resources are not distributed equally. The way of Jesus is not a look-out for number one and take care of self to the exclusion of others. Rather it is a life that understands what we have is to be managed or stewarded for not just our sake but also for the sake of others. It is a way of life that is "rich toward God". In Luke 12:13-21, we find strong words toward a financially successful business man who holds and hoards his wealth for himself. God calls this foolish. Here are my questions:

• What does it look like to be "rich toward God"?
• How would you know if someone was "rich toward God"?
• If our giving is supposed to be "done in secret" (Matt. 6:1-4) then how do we encourage others or be a model for living different in a "fools" world.
• Is there a balance between taking care of our families and being generous toward the less-resourced?
• Jesus commends a servant who "invests" his talent (form of currency), so is investing for the future OK?
• How much is too much to hoard versus investing for the future or in His Kingdom work?
• At what point am I holding onto resources too long that need to be leveraged for others, especially the poor?
• If I give away resources that can be multiplied (by being invested or grown), am I missing a strategic opportunity in the Kingdom?
• What if we became a community that began to walk with those who are less-resourced?
• What if we stopped avoiding but actually engaged in helping those on the margins of our society financially?

Who are those who are most on God's heart? Check out Deut. 24:19-22 and James 1:27.

Share your thoughts, your questions and your next steps.

Grace and Peace,
Troy

Ruined by disturbing grace

This past Sunday we looked at two passages: Phil 3:7-11 and John 8:2-12. We will look more at the Philippians passage in coming weeks. The John passage shares the story of the religious leaders of Jesus' day trying to trap him in a theological maze and ruin his reputation as a good teacher. They are also hoping to dislodge him as the central prophet role he is holding at that time. A woman is caught in the very act of adultery and paraded in front of Jesus to determine her fate.

Should she be stoned (thrown rocks at until she is dead) as the Law of Moses declares?
Or should she be released (some zealous God-honoring prophet Jesus would be if he is easy on sin)?

The thinking I have from my study comes mostly as questions. here are a few for you to ponder, struggle with and find other interpretations on:

• Where is the man who was also caught in adultery?
• Who caught her and what were they doing spying (voyeur) on them?
• When was the last time someone was publicly stoned in this town?
• What does Jesus write in the sand/ground?
• Is it the same thing each time or does he change his scribbling?
• Why does the crowd not react the first time around to the scribbling?
• What would Jesus write that is in line with his character and teaching and manner of dealing with sin that we've already seen in scripture?
• Why do the oldest leave first?
• What would I have done if I were in the crowd? Why?
• What does Jesus treatment of this woman say about God's heart and what grace truly means?
• How am I disturbed by this extension of grace to someone who obviously chose to sin?
• What does Jesus' words, "leave your life of sin", say about grace?
• Why does he not say, "stop your adultery"?

I'll leave those questions for you to ponder and meditate on.

Grace and peace,
Troy

Lenten Series

Bloggin' again. This revived blog will follow our Lenten teaching series: Ruined. I will share thoughts, Biblical passages and miscellaneous insights from prayer, research and writing. Here's the series introduction (the same can be found at our church's web site):

I’ve always loved pizza. I call it the perfect food. All 5 food groups are represented in a pepperoni pizza! Growing up any pizza would do; Pizza Hut, Shakey’s or Domino’s. But something changed in High School. I started working at an Italian restaurant called Brooklyn Pizza Works. It was voted the best pizza in Orange County for three years while I was there. The secret was in the crust. Big Vinnie (owner) ruined me. He ruined me by exposing me to a pizza of such high quality, every other pizza paled in comparison. I could no longer go back and eat the other guys’ pizzas with any enjoyment. I had been ruined on something better. The writers of scripture describe the same thing with Jesus Christ. Having been introduced to another way of living life with God, having experienced life with Jesus and walking with Him through the Holy Spirit, every other pursuit in life seemed like garbage. They were ruined on any other version of religion. Compared with knowing Jesus and experiencing life with Him, everything else simply would not do. Why would we go back to living and feasting on a cheap substitute? Yet, we still do. This Lenten series will help us re-examine and reflect on what we have been luxuriously given in Jesus. Let’s be ruined together.

Peace be with you,

Troy