With My Own Eyes

Colossians 4:6

[6] Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (ESV)

Highlight – 2 Corinthians 1:8–9

[8] For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. [9] Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (ESV)

Explain – Paul was human.  The burdens of life and ministry felt overwhelming at times.  But, God works all things for good–even the burdens that cause us to despair of life itself.  Those burdens cause us to cry out to God and rely on Him.  Through suffering we experience a unique and personal fellowship with Jesus.  

Apply – I’ve seen this happen in my own life.  I have such a love/hate feeling toward those seasons when I was so broken and it made me desperate for God.  They have been some of the most painful, yet fulfilling seasons.  There is in those times a special closeness with God.  I would also say there was a special closeness with my wife as we faced those seasons together.  

Explain – “Father, I thank you even for the hard times that seem to break us.  In the breaking we turn to you and experience you in fresh ways.  We desperately need this.  I surrender myself to your perfect will and pray that I will be diligent in relying on you in everything.”

Highlight – 1 Corinthians 11:1

[1] Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (ESV)

Explain – This is disciple-making in action, down to its very essence.  It goes beyond the transfer of information to life transformation.  This happens through relationship, as it did with Jesus and the 12.  Paul led a life worthy of imitation because he himself was a disciple/follower of Christ.  He then could confidently invite others to follow him.  He would not lead them astray.  

Apply – This is such a heavy responsibility.  But the heaviness in no way means that we are exempt.  It means that through the power of the Holy Spirit we do what we have been commanded to do in the Great Commission.  We have a Great Commission, a Great Savior, a Great Power–everything we need.  All that is required is a Great Submission on our part.  We must first truly be disciples before we can be disciple-makers.  

What are 3 ways I need to grow as a disciple?

1. Prayer – I am making some strides here, but still have a ways to go.  I want prayer to be as natural as breathing.  It is currently pretty mechanical.    

2. Faith – Unfortunately, I feel that the older I get the more cynical I get.  Cynicism is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit and is incompatible with faith.  I want to view every circumstance, every trial through a lens of faith–seeing it with the potential of God at work.  

3. Evangelism – Still looking for a niche in the community where I naturally fit and can be a blessing.  

I love/hate the question, “If the level of _________________________ in my church didn’t rise about my level of practice, what would be the consequence?” It is a good question for all spiritual leaders.  

Respond – “Father, I want to be one who can say like Paul, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”  But, I know that I have some needed growing to do.  I pray specifically for your help in the areas of prayer, faith, and evangelism.  May today be a day of growth in these areas.”

Reading – 1 Corinthians 10

Highlight – 1 Corinthians 10:31

[31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (ESV)

Explain – Every aspect of life is meant to be lived as worship.  This is all encompassing and even involves that which we might view as trivial (ex. eating and drinking–even cleaning toilets).  To live such a life requires a high level of intentionality.  It also requires a much slower pace. 

Apply – I am afraid that I tend to compartmentalize my life unintentionally into that sacred/secular dichotomy.  I know better.  But in the press of tasks I live this way functionally.  I meet with God in the morning and too often leave Him behind as I go about the rest of my day.  I do a lot of “eating and drinking” mindlessly and without giving God glory.  Worship is the reason that I exist.  Tasks without worship are ultimately meaningless.  

Respond – “Father, I confess my failure to worship you in all that I do.  I ask that you would slow me down and make me a conscious worshipper today, moment by moment.  May every detail of this day be lived for your glory.”   

Reading: 1 Corinthians 9

Highlight – 1 Corinthians 9:19

[19] For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. (ESV)

Explain – Paul’s ministry “strategy” was to serve others. Jesus modeled this throughout His life.  The very act of Incarnation was the ultimate demonstration of servanthood.  Before leaving the earth, Jesus illustrated this kind of life by washing the feet of the disciples.  He instructed them that they were then to follow His example.  And then he surrendered to His enemies, allowing them to nail Him to a cross for their sins.  The Apostle Paul followed in the footsteps of Jesus by himself living a life of servanthood.  Both Jesus and Paul set aside their “rights” for the good of others and the success of the Gospel.

Apply – I am likewise called to follow Jesus by living a life of humble servanthood.  This is a great challenge to my flesh that wants to be served.  This is also a great challenge in a land that prides itself on standing up for its rights.  If I am truly a follower of Jesus I too will be willing to lay down my rights and serve others.  This is where the rubber meets the road, where Christianity is either theoretical or practical.

Respond – How is God calling me to practically do this?

This season of Covid 19 has provided an opportunity for Christians to lay down their rights to serve others–whether that be through wearing masks or adjusting how it is that we gather.  It is a strategic time to ask the question of how would Jesus respond in this situation?

For me personally, I must be more intentional about viewing daily life through an “others” lens rather than a “self” lens.  I must be constantly asking the question:  “How can I help?  How can I serve?  How can I bless?”  I confess that it doesn’t come easily or naturally.  I must make the conscious effort.  I pray that it becomes much more my default way of seeing and living.  

Where can I begin?  At home.  Serving my wife.  Doing dishes.  This may seem small in comparison to crucifixion (and it is), but small steps set a trajectory for life.   

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I have been reading the book Replicate: How to Create a Culture of Disciple-Making Right Where You Are. I have benefited so much from the content of this book. Many of the disconnected discipleship elements had been sloshing around in my brain are now being connected. One of the practices taught in the book is the practice of keeping a HEAR journal. I have always appreciated the importance of journaling as a spiritual discipline, but struggled to do it consistently. The HEAR strategy makes it doable for anyone. Here’s the approach in a nutshell:

1. Read a short passage of Scripture (ex. 1 chapter). This isn’t a race to read the Bible in a year. It is a slow soaking/simmering. Less is more.
2. H – Highlight a verse or verses that you sense God is using to speak to you.
3. E – Explain the original meaning of those verses. You may need to do a bit of study to identify author, audience, context.
4. A – Apply the verses to your life today.
5. R – Respond. What will you do about it?

Next thing you know, you’re journaling. This method is very similar to the SOAP approach (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer). I (cautiously) think I’m going to do some of this here on the blog. We’ll see how that goes. Nothing like sharing too much personal information on the world wide web. Anyway, if the example and the content are helpful to some, that would be a win.

A few weeks ago we were blessed to travel around Northern Michigan and enjoy its summer beauty. M22 is such an amazing drive.