Half Past Jack

Irrigating the World

If you have ever put your hand to the soil of a vegetable garden or just wanted to maintain your lawn, you know the importance of water.  Over the last five years, I've only had one year where I did not have to mow my lawn, because rain fell consistently each week.  Not having water when and where you want it is an inconvenience that dates back to ancient times.  The solution was irrigation.  For a history of irrigation see Wikipedia.
Ministry can be like an irrigation channel to a dry and desolate world.  It may be wisdom, encouragement, mercy or salvation, but it is water from on high that we transport. 

Proverbs 21:1
THE KING'S heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.

Competent Christian

"Obscurity and competence- that is the life that is best worth living." Mark Twain

"There are lots of things we don't want to be, but it is what we desire to be that drives us." me

What are you competent at?  Most people answer in terms of talent or abilities-- they can play guitar; do math in their head; repair a vacuum cleaner; replace the brakes on a car.
But, what about as a Christian? Are we competent Christians useful to the Lord's service? Or, are we consumed with folly having to be constantly chastised for our foolishness?  Are we improving to become more effective?  This is what I'm pressed with pursuing over the next few months. Not just to learn more, but to be more fruitful.

Psalm 85:12
12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good;
         And our land will yield its increase.

God and Wisdom

"Before there was light, God and Wisdom bumped into each other."  my son, 2005

If we can not see the answer before us, we can ask God for wisdom.  My son was making a joke, but he brought out a good point.

Proverbs 8:22-23
²²  “ The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,   
      Before His works of old. 
       ²³  I have been established from everlasting,   
      From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 

   

Arrived???

I was talking to a friend the other day and he asked me how I was doing and I said "really well."  It's the truth, life is going really well. I can check the boxes:
God                yes
Christ            yes
Holy Spirit     yes
Marriage        yes
Kids                yes
Career            yes
Ministry        yes
Friends          yes
Thankful        yes

This was not a haughty reply, just an honest assessment. The following morning I turned to Psalm 17 and read the following:

Psalm 17:13-15

¹³ Arise, O LORD,
         Confront him, cast him down; 
         Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
¹⁴ With Your hand from men, O LORD,
         From men of the world who have their portion in this life, 
         And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. 
         They are satisfied with children, 
         And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.          
¹⁵ As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
         I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Verse 15 was far above me, my desire, my intellect, and my capacity.  I am satisfied with earthly gain.  Even God has ushered in these blessings, yet they themselves are not God.  I prayed v.15 aloud and deposited it in my heart for I think Dad corrected me very gently.  "Hey son, let ME be your satisfaction, seek MY face." I'm listening Dad, I'm listening.

Eternal Life

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

What is it like knowing your sins are forgiven?  What is it like knowing you can fall and get back up? What is it like knowing you're exempted from death?

We often are caught in the cares of this world, which Jesus called thorns that choke the word of God out of your heart, and forget about the precious gift of eternal life found in Jesus Christ.  I'm rejoicing this morning, not because all my problems are fixed, nor because of tantamount success, but because salvation can be found here and now in Christ.

John Knew a Lot

I John 2:
³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Other things John knew.

 

Wisdom and Faith

Science is to nature
as wisdom is to life.

Art is to nature
as faith is to life.

Two Testimonies

I John 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

I have two testimonies.  One of how Christ saved me and set my feet upon a rock (Psalm 40:2).
One of what I've done and am doing with His salvation (James 2:14).

If God asks of our(the body of Christ) righteousness, we can say because of Christ. We can add a scripture reference: Romans 10:8-9.  I'm sure our faith in Christ and repentance of sin will delight Him.

But what will our answer be when He asks what we did with our salvation or what have we done with our faith?  Will we be ashamed or excited as we recount our actions and exploits as a child of God? 
Did we give water to the thirsty, visit the prisoners, take care of the orphans, preach the gospel, live with integrity, comfort the widows, encourage our brothers and sisters, tithe, give generously love our neighbors, and forgive our enemies?  Did we bear fruit and double what was given to us(parable of the talents)? We're free to do all these things in His name.

Let's continue in Christ that we may be confident and assured before Him.

The Religous Right

The term grates on my heart because the voice of Christianity is reduced to a political affiliation.  The voice that shouts from the mountain top is not vote Republican or Democrat.  It is a simple truth:

Jesus saves(I Thessalonians 5:9).
Repent, He will forgive your sins(Luke 24:47).
Eternal life is in Him and Him alone(John 3:16).
Christ came to give life and give it more abundantly (John 10:10).

It's not an invitation to debate, but an offering of life.

Change

God spent Chapter 3 of Exodus telling Moses the plan for his life.  How did Moses respond?  Not with faith. He didn't think anyone would believe him, he didn't think people would listen, he lacked credibility.  C'mon God what are you thinking, why are you choosing me to do this?
Why???
Look at Exodus 2:23.  This had very little to do with who Moses was or was destined to be. God's people cried out for help and God chose Moses to answer their prayer.  Moses did become a great man of God, but it was not for Moses, but for God's purpose surrounding His people. It was God's answer to the prayer of His people.
I pray the next time I feel a tug on my heart or see an opportunity to minister I'll stop thinking it's about me--it's just someone's answer to a prayer.
There is no lack of prayers, but there is a lack of those who respond--Matthew 9:37-38

For His purpose and His Glory.