Are You Growing Like A Well-Watered Tree?
Good Morning Friends,
One might think that the events of the crucifixion of Christ would have stirred more righteous anger amongst Jesus’ friends but for the most part it was repressed. With all the political outrage expressed today one might think it has always been common, but I do not think it has been. Sure Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers and the triumphant entry into Jerusalem was a courageous act… But what we are experiencing today in the assertiveness of political views that leads to revolutionary thinking. The ideas of Voltaire and Rousseau may have been some of the first to assert rage in this way. It was called enlightenment. They did after all influence the French revolution. But from a Biblical and spiritual perspective something is missing with the liberal/rational experiential approach. Rousseau’s idea that man is born free and everywhere is in chains denies is part of our cultural heritage. Voltaire’s idea that we should, “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers” is intriguing. After all Jesus did ask lots of questions. But Voltaire also saw the reality of people claiming good to only gain an upper hand with no intention of improving the lot of others. He was suspect of the Church and for good reasons. Perhaps that is why he said… “I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: ‘O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.” …If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him. Something about all this all has an edge to influence and manipulate. All this is assertive and it prompts me to believe we need a whole new set of words to express our feeling about the world that has changed so fast that we do not have accurate words to describe the emotions going on in the world on a metacommunication level. I am looking for a little wisdom from clarity in seeing another’s perspective. Maybe we need to be better prepared in linking our reflections, active engagement, belonging and assertiveness. Are You Growing Like A Well-Watered Tree?
Scripture: Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:16-26 (NRSV)
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:3-6 (NRSV)
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NRSV)
The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Psalm 92:12-15 (NRSV)
Message: Do you know any people who say things and rejoice in creating anger, strife, jealousy, dissension and enmities. I have real problems with these types of people, they enjoy things that destroy. They lie. They set me on edge when I experience them or worse yet reflect them in my own character in response. These experiences sap and drain the very Spirit out of life. Here even righteous anger has its price if not perfectly pure. Know that we all will face the test of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Friends we need to confront evil but be aware that the process can be painful. We are to put our emotions under God’s control so we might respond with love. The bar is pretty high. Christ set the example we are to strive for in dealing with difficult people. Think of His interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well, the Pharisees or Zacchaeus the tax collector or the woman caught in adultery…Christ’s response to these people are the examples we are to emulate in interaction with others who are dishonest and immoral. The disciples found it difficult. If we are honest this can be a challenge for us as well. The motivation has to be restoration not judgment. When people are caught in sin and we have no recourse but to confront the situation, Christ teaches us to be gentle. So admit your position, accept Christ’s partnership, and receive His power as God exchanges your weakness for His strength. Don’t confuse activity with accomplishment. Be renewed in the Spirit each day receiving His peace, boldness and insight. Be assured that God is going to finish the work He has begun in you. He is not done with you yet, so get ready for a life that has hope. Put away your fears, put away your doubts, trade in your weakness for an excitement of His transforming love and truth that affirms you and prompts you to affirm the truth you see in others. Believe in His love and light. Share it and it will give you the joy of an evergreen life.
Pray we have power under control in our lives but it does not kill us in the process. Pray we realize how gentle God has been with us and how many times He could have condemned us. Pray He gently leads us so we too can be gentle with others. Pray we too begin to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Pray that in this harsh and painful world that Jesus would make a difference in our lives as He brings our tempers and our temperaments and our personalities under His control. Pray that when we are confronted with trials and tests that we would have faith in God’s faithfulness in our lives. Pray we allow the Spirit to work within us. Pray we have faith when going through a painful experience. Pray we keep pressing on in the face of difficulties. Pray our love hangs on to faith born of the Spirit. Pray we grow even in adversity. Pray we do not break. Pray we grow sweeter with age. Pray we grow more abundant as we age. Pray we are connected to the water of life.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 