God Communicates: We Respond

Self-expression is inherent in the very nature of the relational Community, Father, Son and Spirit. God spoke creation into existence and walked with Adam in the Garden (Genesis 1:28; 3:8). John calls Jesus the Word (John 1:1+14). And God not only “spoke” (past tense), but “God is still speaking” today, at times outside Scripture, although never contradictory to Scripture. In Psalm 19, David reveals that God is communicating to us through creation (1-6), Scripture (7-11), & through our inner inclinations (12-14). Jesus could only do what He heard and saw the Father doing (John 14:10; 5:19), and the Father sends us as He sent Jesus (20:21). Our Father longs to communicate with His beloved children, just like He communicated with His Son while on earth. By nature, God is continuously articulate. Expect Him to speak to you in a variety of ways. For me, He normally speaks through a fleeting thought.

And words have living potential, life bringing and life releasing (James 1:18; John 6:63). “God spoke in a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years” (A.W. Tozer, “The Pursuit of God”). God initiates and we respond. So God’s speaking voice points to our responsibility…to hear and respond. Look at James 1:19-27 from this perspective. Quick obedience is a key to healthy growth.

God communicates through people (1:19-21): Why does James call us to be quick to listen? God often disguises Himself as people to speak to us! Practice “L-shaped listening,” listening intently to the words and heart of the speaker, and also to the Holy Spirit to see what He might have for that person and/or for us to reveal the righteous life that God desires. When another blocks my agenda or goal, my self-centered anger flares up, which blinds me to God’s plan. What grows in darkness feeds on decay. Bring it into the light and the light will kill the decay. Humbly welcoming God’s words through another releases insight to act on it.

God communicates through Scripture (1:22-27): The primary and clearest way God communicates with His beloved children is through the Bible. How is your daily habit of soaking in God’s Love-letter? If we had a significant other who wrote us a letter, we would rip it open as soon as we received it, and devour it…over and again, listening for every nuance.

We respond (1:21+22-27): Act on what God says with wholehearted allegiance to Jesus. It’s the only reasonable response to a Father who so dearly loves us and has our best on His heart. James is practical, and gives us three concrete expressions of obedience:

     1) taming our tongue,
     2) caring for the needy, and

     3) keeping our lives pure (1:26-27).

This is Reflection #19 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

God’s Part, My Part

“The way in is the way on.”

What felt needs did God use to woo you to Himself? As you reflect on God’s footprints, this self-awareness fuels healthy growth. God strategically initiates, bringing us to that point of yielding our lives to Him. Of course, early ways are like seeds sown into our lives, which later grow into fruitful trees. I call this incremental learning “layer learning,” learning one layer after another. As I mined truth from my salvation event, three very crucial seeds stood out (at the time, I did not see, reminding ourselves of the need for reflection). These “ways in” are also essential for our “way on” this spiritual journey.

First, God’s part is to initiate and mine is to respond.

Second, I knew I could not run my own life…ever. On our Christian journey, we do not fail because we are “too weak.” We falsely believe we can do some things alone (John 15:4b+5b; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). So lean into God in every single event in life. Christ is our life (Col 3:4).

Third, fairly early through my “passive” mentors (Christian literature I read, beginning with Scripture), I realized that God simply calls us to be all-in with Jesus, to affirm His will before we know it. I signed the blank title deed to my life on the bottom line. And said “You fill it in.” Oh, not that I saw this so clear or that I always responded well. God saw my heart (Jn 17:6), even though I often struggled to yield.

With hindsight, I realize how vital it is for healthy growth that we sort out on a high level what is God’s part and what is ours. He initiates and I respond. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). In Psalm 23, God makes me lie down, then leads me to resources so I choose to engage. God always takes the first step toward us, and we respond to His amazing first-love. God does His part very well, and also outfits us to partner with Him in ours.

 

However, our enemy strives to deceive us to attempt to do God’s part, which we cannot ever do. Or to wait for God to do our part, which God will not do. Discern so we don’t fall into this spider web of deceit. And don’t be a man-pleaser, but live to an audience of One (or better, Three-in-One, Father, Son and Spirit).

When I came to Christ, He first loved me and I responded with “I’m Yours.” I knew I could not run my own life. Have you come to that deep conviction that you desperately need Jesus? Has Jesus captivated your heart? Full allegiance to Jesus! And it costs us to be all-in (Philippians 3:7-8), though I prefer “investment” more than “cost.” Through an accounting lens, both cost and investment are outflows of resources. However, an investment is an asset on the balance sheet with an expected future return greater than the outlay. We cannot out give God!

This is Reflection #18 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Mind the “Gap”

God birthed a passion within me to become more like Christ.

I wanted it immediately! I had not learned that God calls me to be an oak tree, not a weed that springs up overnight. So this longing to become like Christ clashed with my realistic appraisal of where I was on my journey. As an example, at first I saw Christlikeness as five feet high, and my life as six inches. Then as I grew towards twelve inches, I focused on Jesus and realized that now I saw Him as 100 feet high. I grew, yet the “gap” widened between Jesus and me since I was learning more about Him.

 

My melancholy streak and perfectionistic bent spiraled me down into discouragement since the “gap” continued to increase the more I grew. So at first for me, the “gap” was a big-time discouragement (especially when others noticed it). Several years later (yes, I can be a slow learner!), I learned that God uses this “gap” as motivation. I learned to “bounce well.” So no doubt lingers that the God who launched this great work in me will keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish, closing the “gap.”

 

Aligning our lives with our design is the most powerful motivation in life. And pruning is crucial for growth (John 15:2) to become more like Jesus. Our design and a crucial part of our destiny. I wonder what would happen in my life and in yours if we really knew ourselves the way God knows us. In Christ, the True Vine, God’s divine power and love has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 2:3-4).

 

And also a battle still rages in our lives in this process of growing more like Christ (yes, life is full of Both/And/And tensions). Since Jesus suffered in His body, we are encouraged to arm ourselves with the same mind-set Jesus had (1 Peter 4:1-2). Not as a martyr or a masochist, but to free us so our lives might be lived for God’s will, the longing of our heart.

 

All Scripture is God's invitation into fuller life in Him.

 

God’s prohibitions warn us of what violates our creation-design. James graphically describes this downward spiral as we allow our evil desires to control us (James 1:14-15). And God gives His commands to show us how to draw near. As you read the NT, notice the very graphic moral sections and remember that God always has your best at heart.

 

This way to view life (worldview or mental map) contrasts sharply with what the world says. Society wants to squeeze us into its cancerous mold. By contrast, God intends to renew and transform our minds over time. Saturate ourselves with His view on life (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23), and respond, especially when God’s Word cuts across the grain of our flesh. However, this takes consistent, intentional effort on our part to ingest God’s Love-letter in a way that encourages a quick response, which in turn releases fresh life. What is your plan to soak in Scriptures?

This is Reflection #17 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Removing Spiritual Allergies

My wife had devoured nuts all her life. While we were missionaries in Germany, she picked up a severe allergic reaction to her favorite food. One nut and her glands would swell up so she looked like she had been in a street fight.

One of the best allergist in Germany gave her no hope, except shots to control her allergic reaction. Back in the States, we were in a holistic Doctor’s office. He shocked me when he stated that he could reverse the allergy. The Doctor first needed to test a baseline of common, foundational life-essentials and clear any allergies in these areas. First Fran needed a healthy baseline. Once Fran had a solid baseline, her body operated in a state of higher health to naturally support vibrant life. I write to provide a healthy spiritual DNA as a baseline.

Our physical makeup imitates God’s spiritual design. Our spiritual lives operate in a state of higher spiritual health when we lay a solid foundation of life-essentials. God fashioned us as highly interconnected beings, fearfully and wonderfully made. If one or two key “foundation stones” are missing or poorly laid, our life reflects diminished health. We may cope by saying, “I’m just broken,” excusing ourselves from pushing in to all that God has for us. But God provides a better way!

We understand allergies a bit, right? For example, we discover that our physical body is Vitamin C deprived, causing serious long-term health problems. However, we are pounding Vitamin C rich fruits and veggies and top supplements.

 

What has gone wrong?

 

Our body is allergic to Vitamin C, rejecting what is actually essential for health. Some chain of events or associations in the past have falsely re-programmed our brain and destructive cellular memories to miscalculate that Vitamin C is a threat to the wellbeing of our body. Vitamin C is ingested and our brain erroneously deploys its soldiers. “Destroy the enemy, Vitamin C. Disrupt the body so badly that Vitamin C will not be ingested.” After exposing and clearing the deceptive physical allergy, a new level of physical health is available because our body can now assimilate Vitamin C.

It’s the same in the spiritual realm. Flood your life with what releases and supports health. Then if you have a spiritual “allergic reaction,” clear the spiritual allergy so assimilation of the good, spiritual nutrients flow again naturally. “Perception is reality” is certainly a lie. We often respond though based on our false perceptions, not on Reality.

 

These “Foundation Stones” lay down a spiritual Reality to transform our minds (Romans 12:2). Growth comes by adjusting our reality to God-Reality. Align our mind-set with God and restore spiritual health to everyday life. And, yes, Fran eats bunches of nuts today with no negative impact.

This is Reflection #16 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

New Destiny in Christ

A newborn grows beyond her/his initial self-centeredness.

At first life revolved around our firstborn. When she was hungry or thirsty, tired or sick, she demanded attention. She was the center of her universe. Now she has grown and matured into a very giving, caring wife and mother, who is no longer centered on herself. She thinks of God and others first.

 

The Bible emphasizes “God-centered-ness” and “other-person centered-ness” from the get-go. God is otherly focused and calls us to the same. This prepares for humility (accurately seeing ourselves). Humility provides the most fertile soil for growth. The Thessalonian believers were less than three-weeks old in Christ. They had already passed on what God had imparted to them, passing it along naturally to the surrounding regions (1 Thess. 1:7-8). Don’t wait for a “convenient time” to discover the joy of intentionally passing along this life “in Christ.” Faith is spelled R-I-S-K so risk-take (which means we will mistake-make). God has an enormous heart of generosity and compassion. Who do you know who needs God’s compassionate touch through you?

Jesus also takes His disciples aside to give them a seminal teaching on leadership (which at the core is influence). I call it “Jesus’ 20/20 Vision on Leadership” (Matthew 20:20-28). Two of His disciples falsely believed “position = leadership.” Jesus refuted that premise, correcting them in three ways. True leadership/influence includes sacrifice (22), flows from sovereignty (the Father chooses, 23), and manifests itself in service for the highest and best in others (25-28). Yes, societal thinking is indignant when we lift up serving (24) as Jesus models (28).

In Luke 6:27-37, Jesus talks to His disciples about responding to those who attack us by giving mercy and forgiveness without judging or condemning. Then He gives them the open secret to abundance. Freely give away the life of Christ in us without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:38). When we give to others the small amount of love and forgiveness, mercy and grace, we feel at the moment, our “thimble-full” returns to us as a “running-over-thimble,” or a “teaspoon.”

 

Give the “teaspoon” of love away and it becomes a cup, and ultimately an overflowing river of abundance within as we freely give away the life of Christ (John 7:37-39). The open secret is: “we give to get to give some more…,” spilling our life out towards others. We are never more fully human than when we give to those in need without expectations. God is a Giver at heart (John 3:16). And giving and serving is its own reward.

“Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours”
(C.S. Lewis in “Mere Christianity”).

This is Reflection #15 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

New Growth In Christ

Newborns grow. Life must develop…& this means epic struggles at times.

 

I still graphically remember dark times early on my journey when growth seemed so slow and life made no sense. As I reflect back, I grew as I leaned into God in hard times and easy, small things and large. I could give you my list. I’m sure, though, that you will soon be gathering your own. God is good, always pursuing our best because He loves us.

Time & Process: As you are all-in, also be patient. This Both/And response brings tension. And out growth rate will not be constant…this is normal. It takes 100 years to grow an oak tree; only 6 months for squash. God is into growing oak trees. We often grow through a “crisis of faith” followed by a process to solidify life. An oak tree grows during the warm summer months. During the cold winters, oak trees process the new growth to make it strong. God is into process, so don’t rush the seasons.

 

We are on an adventurous journey with our Friends so enjoy the scenery on the way. God is satisfied with one step after another to develop character, just so the steps are taken toward Him. And please don’t compare your growth rate to others. This tends to bring discouragement, or pride and judgment, depending on your conclusion about yourself and the other. God loves you as a unique, one-of-a-kind child. And He has a special plan (Jeremiah 29:11). Don’t run before Him or lag behind. Keep in step with the Spirit, your Friend and Helper, Partner and Teacher.

Ready Obedience: The “Yes, sir!” of ready obedience is a simple key to growth. Lean in hard to the Father, Son and Spirit in every event of life, the good, the bad and the ugly. Knowledge has little value to us unless it’s put into action so be a doer of the Word (James 1:22). And this often cuts across the grain of society and our own self-life when so many people insist, “I want my rights.” God loves us and knows what is best for us. His “no” never deprives us of something ultimately good for us. His “no” provides us with protection from harm, like a fence guards a dangerous cliff. God’s “do this” is because He designed us for abundance and knows what is best for us.

Active Participation: We are an army, not an audience. He calls us to press into the things of God as agile risk-takers. “Everyone gets to play” as we all actively participate, so risk-take. “Descend” to serve others as God lifts you up to finish this good work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). This is what God is working towards in your life. Did you notice I said “working towards”? God knows your heart, that deep down you really want to obey, even when you fail to (John 17:6). God looks patiently at the desires of our heart with mercy and forgiveness.

This is Reflection #14 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

New Story about Jesus Christ

As we are all-in in our new life with Jesus, joy begins to flood us.

And joy must be shared to be complete. Jesus has gripped you. He changed you...and is changing you, even with the awareness that we are all still very much still in-process. We feel within a need to tell others what we have experienced of Jesus, like family, friends, and co-workers. God designed His people to be a tangible expression of His own life to those in our circles of influence. As we pass on what we learn, we also relive our experience and deepen our own lives. Paul writes to a friend.

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ (Philemon 6, emphasis).

Our own grasp of spiritual truth grows as we give it away. Sharing Jesus with others fuels our relationship with Jesus, intensifying and expanding it. Newfound joy is designed to be shared! Have you ever had an exciting secret you couldn’t tell? Well, you have a “secret” that many around you don’t yet know. “Jesus is alive and has changed my life.” But this secret, Jesus, is one secret you may share as often as you desire so that your joy...and the joy of others...may be complete. Develop eyes for those around you. Simply share something Jesus has done for you.

The Bible calls this being a “witness” or “testifying.” What does a good witness in a court trial do? A district attorney’s job is to prove her case. A witness simply tells others truthfully what he or she has seen, heard, or personally experienced. No more! No less! Be a witness of the Good News, rather than attempting to be a district attorney, which puts undue weight on us. Begin today to find “excuses” to meet our neighbors or talk to our co-workers so that our joy may be made complete.

And as with reading the Bible and prayer, we have a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who makes His home within us so we are not alone on this journey. The Spirit makes us witnesses, opens doors of opportunity, provides evidence of His presence, gives us the right words to say, brings conviction to those who don’t yet know Jesus, and releases new life through faith in Christ (Acts 1:8; John 15:26-27; Colossians 4:3-4; Matthew 10:19-20; John 16:8-11; Titus 3:4-6). We need only respond.

Who in your immediate sphere of influence needs to know what you know and have experienced about Jesus? Write their names down. Develop a three-minute testimony using “Telling My Story” and “Oikos” (see my website, www.JimFredericks.com). Pray that the Lord of the Harvest opens doors for opportunities to multiply your joy as you share the Good News.

This is Reflection #13 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com