TFC Blog https://www.trinityfellowship.org TFC's blog, featuring devotionals and what's happening in the life of our body Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:16:18 -0500 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Dust and Ashes https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/dust-and-ashes https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/dust-and-ashes#comments Thu, 14 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/dust-and-ashes Mourning, mortality, repentance—dust and ashes point to all of these in Scripture.

When Job lost everything, as was custom, he sat in ashes (Job 2:8). Our culture avoids such blatant expressions of grief. We don’t like to wallow. But the intentionality of the symbol is powerful. Job didn’t pretend all was well when it wasn’t, nor should we.

We began the Lenten season with ashes on our heads, an intentional symbol of our own mortality and a right sorrow over sin. A physical sign declaring (at least until we washed it off) that one day we will return to dust.

This isn’t the whole story for the believer, of course. But it’s part of the story, one we shouldn’t overlook. As certainly as we move this season toward the joy of Easter, we move toward our own end on this side of eternity.

This is partly how this season is meant to reorient us to what’s true. The brevity of our lives, the seriousness of our sin, and the sure hope of the Gospel.

But dust and ashes aren’t just at the beginning of Job’s story. They are also at the end. When God finally speaks, silencing the arguing of Job and his “friends,” everything changes.

God doesn’t answer Job’s questions, or ours, but his presence is enough. His voice is enough for Job to shut his mouth and declare, “I am dust and ashes” (Job 42:6 CSB). This time, the dust and ashes point not to grief and despair, but to a heart of repentance before a holy God. I suspect Job maintained this heart posture until his dying day.

Whatever we have given up or taken on this season, it is all a means to the end of seeking the presence of God. God’s presence is our greatest good (Ps 73:28). When we hear his voice, his glory overshadows all our lesser loves.

So let’s keep the dust and ashes in view—a symbol both sobering and hopeful—to keep our hearts tuned toward repentance and worship.

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Mourning, mortality, repentance—dust and ashes point to all of these in Scripture.

When Job lost everything, as was custom, he sat in ashes (Job 2:8). Our culture avoids such blatant expressions of grief. We don’t like to wallow. But the intentionality of the symbol is powerful. Job didn’t pretend all was well when it wasn’t, nor should we.

We began the Lenten season with ashes on our heads, an intentional symbol of our own mortality and a right sorrow over sin. A physical sign declaring (at least until we washed it off) that one day we will return to dust.

This isn’t the whole story for the believer, of course. But it’s part of the story, one we shouldn’t overlook. As certainly as we move this season toward the joy of Easter, we move toward our own end on this side of eternity.

This is partly how this season is meant to reorient us to what’s true. The brevity of our lives, the seriousness of our sin, and the sure hope of the Gospel.

But dust and ashes aren’t just at the beginning of Job’s story. They are also at the end. When God finally speaks, silencing the arguing of Job and his “friends,” everything changes.

God doesn’t answer Job’s questions, or ours, but his presence is enough. His voice is enough for Job to shut his mouth and declare, “I am dust and ashes” (Job 42:6 CSB). This time, the dust and ashes point not to grief and despair, but to a heart of repentance before a holy God. I suspect Job maintained this heart posture until his dying day.

Whatever we have given up or taken on this season, it is all a means to the end of seeking the presence of God. God’s presence is our greatest good (Ps 73:28). When we hear his voice, his glory overshadows all our lesser loves.

So let’s keep the dust and ashes in view—a symbol both sobering and hopeful—to keep our hearts tuned toward repentance and worship.

]]>
Subtle Idolatry https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/subtle-idolatry https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/subtle-idolatry#comments Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:00:00 -0600 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/subtle-idolatry
The first things that comes to our minds when we hear the word “idolatry” are typically little statues, golden calves, and ancient religion. Those are idols of course, but that is far too narrow of a view. A.W. Tozer taught the essence of idolatry is possessing thoughts about God that are unworthy of him. I agree. An aspect of that definition would be allowing anything to prevent us from thinking rightly about Him, or taking His place as the highest and supreme object of our affections. John Calvin said the human heart is a perpetual idol-making factory. At any given moment there are a number of things competing for our attention and affection. It is far too easy to slip into a pattern where our love and commitment to our God comes second or third place behind other things—even good things like family and career. Far too often I need to be reminded of what God said through Isaiah: “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (42.8) We may not be sitting in our backyards carving idols, but we are fashioning them by how we spend our time and order our priorities. 

Last week we looked at the young lawyer who had a hard time understanding who his neighbors were and how to love them. This week we stay in Luke to find another man seeking to know how to inherit eternal life. In Luke 18.18–27 we meet a rich ruler who has allowed his wealth to become an idol. After the ruler claims to have kept the commandments since his youth (unlikely and prideful), Jesus points out an area that needs attention. Starting with verse 22: “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 

To read this as a statement against having possessions—or even great wealth—would be an error. The issue is one of priorities. Let’s put ourselves in the sandals of this rich ruler. If Jesus called you to do the same, would you? The ruler was saddened “for he was extremely rich.” His wealth had become an idol. Instead of recognizing God as the owner of all his possessions, he allowed his possessions to come before the call of the messiah. God is the rightful owner of all that we are and all that we have. If we truly view our possessions, assets, and financial security as something we have been called to steward, then we would be willing to drop it all for the sake of Christ. 

Money is just one example of the idols our heart fashions. We could turn our attention to jobs, family, or more likely, sin. Money isn’t evil. The question is one of relative importance compared to following Him. This week take an honest look at where your highest affections reside. What gets in the way of living a life committed to Jesus Christ and the gospel? What distracts and seduces us away from our affection for our God? Do a time audit. This can be a painful and convicting exercise. How we spend our most valuable currency—time—often reveals the true object of our affections. May we all, with the help of the Spirit, recognize God as the true owner of all we have been called to steward. 

May we seek out the idols we have created and destroy them so we can fully love the Lord our God with our heart, soul, and mind. May the desires of God become the desires of our heart so that day by day our affections turn away from our idols and toward our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 --- 

Additional Study: 
Psalm 49. What does this Psalm have to do with idolatry? What does it say (and not say) about wealth? 

Luke 12.13–34. What can we learn from the rich man in this parable? How does the parable in verses 16–21 relate to the rest of the passage? Where should we find true security and provision?

 

*Artwork: The Worship of the Golden Calf (c. 1640-45), attrib. Salvatore Castiglione

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The first things that comes to our minds when we hear the word “idolatry” are typically little statues, golden calves, and ancient religion. Those are idols of course, but that is far too narrow of a view. A.W. Tozer taught the essence of idolatry is possessing thoughts about God that are unworthy of him. I agree. An aspect of that definition would be allowing anything to prevent us from thinking rightly about Him, or taking His place as the highest and supreme object of our affections. John Calvin said the human heart is a perpetual idol-making factory. At any given moment there are a number of things competing for our attention and affection. It is far too easy to slip into a pattern where our love and commitment to our God comes second or third place behind other things—even good things like family and career. Far too often I need to be reminded of what God said through Isaiah: “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (42.8) We may not be sitting in our backyards carving idols, but we are fashioning them by how we spend our time and order our priorities. 

Last week we looked at the young lawyer who had a hard time understanding who his neighbors were and how to love them. This week we stay in Luke to find another man seeking to know how to inherit eternal life. In Luke 18.18–27 we meet a rich ruler who has allowed his wealth to become an idol. After the ruler claims to have kept the commandments since his youth (unlikely and prideful), Jesus points out an area that needs attention. Starting with verse 22: “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 

To read this as a statement against having possessions—or even great wealth—would be an error. The issue is one of priorities. Let’s put ourselves in the sandals of this rich ruler. If Jesus called you to do the same, would you? The ruler was saddened “for he was extremely rich.” His wealth had become an idol. Instead of recognizing God as the owner of all his possessions, he allowed his possessions to come before the call of the messiah. God is the rightful owner of all that we are and all that we have. If we truly view our possessions, assets, and financial security as something we have been called to steward, then we would be willing to drop it all for the sake of Christ. 

Money is just one example of the idols our heart fashions. We could turn our attention to jobs, family, or more likely, sin. Money isn’t evil. The question is one of relative importance compared to following Him. This week take an honest look at where your highest affections reside. What gets in the way of living a life committed to Jesus Christ and the gospel? What distracts and seduces us away from our affection for our God? Do a time audit. This can be a painful and convicting exercise. How we spend our most valuable currency—time—often reveals the true object of our affections. May we all, with the help of the Spirit, recognize God as the true owner of all we have been called to steward. 

May we seek out the idols we have created and destroy them so we can fully love the Lord our God with our heart, soul, and mind. May the desires of God become the desires of our heart so that day by day our affections turn away from our idols and toward our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 --- 

Additional Study: 
Psalm 49. What does this Psalm have to do with idolatry? What does it say (and not say) about wealth? 

Luke 12.13–34. What can we learn from the rich man in this parable? How does the parable in verses 16–21 relate to the rest of the passage? Where should we find true security and provision?

 

*Artwork: The Worship of the Golden Calf (c. 1640-45), attrib. Salvatore Castiglione

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Prejudice https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/prejudice https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/prejudice#comments Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0600 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/prejudice The call to love our neighbor can often be a struggle. Let's face it; some people are easier to love than others. As a result, we often strive to ensure our neighbors look and think a lot like us. It may not be a conscious effort. After all, it's only "natural" to avoid relationships with those who are more challenging to be around. 

The parable of the Good Samaritan is so familiar that even my autocorrect knows it! (It automatically capitalized the text.) I want us to back up a bit and look at what spurred Jesus to tell this parable. In Luke 10.25–29 a lawyer approaches Jesus to ask what must be done in order to inherit eternal life. Read the exchange: 

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

That's the question, isn't it? Who is my neighbor? It seems as though the lawyer knew he was failing to keep this critical second half of the law, and sought to justify himself. But Jesus was not there to assure the lawyer his inconsistency was okay. Prejudice, partiality, or any diminishment of others stands in stark contrast to what it means to love one's neighbor.  

Jesus drives home this point by making a Samaritan the hero of this parable. Why a Samaritan? The hatred and animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans was legendary. To have a priest (who performs the temple sacrifices) and a Levite (who serves in the temple) both fail to come to the aid of this fallen traveler was a travesty. Then to have a Samaritan do that which was right shone a glaring spotlight on the failure of these "righteous" Jews. 

The answer to the lawyer's question "who is my neighbor" is a simple one. Everyone. We are to love those who cross our path regardless of their political ideation, religious affiliation, sexual identification, or racial differentiation. All humankind has been created in the image of God. Every man, woman, and child are our neighbors. 

Each one of us needs to take an honest assessment of our hearts toward others. Do we make assumptions about another based on the color of their skin, the way they dress, or the way they speak? Do we speak ill of those around us when they aren't there to defend themselves? Do we turn a blind eye to the needs of others because sacrificial love is just too hard? 

May God give each of us the strength to love our neighbor as ourselves and not love ourselves at the expense of our neighbor. 
 
Additional Reading: 
Psalm 95. This Psalm of praise turns its attention to how we relate with others. In verse 8 those city names have meaning. Meribah means quarrelsome, and Massah refers to test or trial. How does this psalm address ideas of prejudice and loving one's neighbor? 

Luke 17.11–19. What can we learn from the account of Jesus healing the 10 lepers? Considering the Jewish view of the Samaritan, what might be the point of this story? 

John 4.5–42 Why were the disciples astonished to see Jesus speaking with this woman? What can we learn about prejudice and partiality from this account?

 

*Artwork: The Good Samaritan, 1890 by Vincent van Gogh

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The call to love our neighbor can often be a struggle. Let's face it; some people are easier to love than others. As a result, we often strive to ensure our neighbors look and think a lot like us. It may not be a conscious effort. After all, it's only "natural" to avoid relationships with those who are more challenging to be around. 

The parable of the Good Samaritan is so familiar that even my autocorrect knows it! (It automatically capitalized the text.) I want us to back up a bit and look at what spurred Jesus to tell this parable. In Luke 10.25–29 a lawyer approaches Jesus to ask what must be done in order to inherit eternal life. Read the exchange: 

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

That's the question, isn't it? Who is my neighbor? It seems as though the lawyer knew he was failing to keep this critical second half of the law, and sought to justify himself. But Jesus was not there to assure the lawyer his inconsistency was okay. Prejudice, partiality, or any diminishment of others stands in stark contrast to what it means to love one's neighbor.  

Jesus drives home this point by making a Samaritan the hero of this parable. Why a Samaritan? The hatred and animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans was legendary. To have a priest (who performs the temple sacrifices) and a Levite (who serves in the temple) both fail to come to the aid of this fallen traveler was a travesty. Then to have a Samaritan do that which was right shone a glaring spotlight on the failure of these "righteous" Jews. 

The answer to the lawyer's question "who is my neighbor" is a simple one. Everyone. We are to love those who cross our path regardless of their political ideation, religious affiliation, sexual identification, or racial differentiation. All humankind has been created in the image of God. Every man, woman, and child are our neighbors. 

Each one of us needs to take an honest assessment of our hearts toward others. Do we make assumptions about another based on the color of their skin, the way they dress, or the way they speak? Do we speak ill of those around us when they aren't there to defend themselves? Do we turn a blind eye to the needs of others because sacrificial love is just too hard? 

May God give each of us the strength to love our neighbor as ourselves and not love ourselves at the expense of our neighbor. 
 
Additional Reading: 
Psalm 95. This Psalm of praise turns its attention to how we relate with others. In verse 8 those city names have meaning. Meribah means quarrelsome, and Massah refers to test or trial. How does this psalm address ideas of prejudice and loving one's neighbor? 

Luke 17.11–19. What can we learn from the account of Jesus healing the 10 lepers? Considering the Jewish view of the Samaritan, what might be the point of this story? 

John 4.5–42 Why were the disciples astonished to see Jesus speaking with this woman? What can we learn about prejudice and partiality from this account?

 

*Artwork: The Good Samaritan, 1890 by Vincent van Gogh

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What's Your Golden Calf? https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/whats-your-golden-calf- https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/whats-your-golden-calf-#comments Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:00:00 -0600 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/whats-your-golden-calf- "We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with him, may then pour ourselves out for others." ~ Elizabeth Elliot

As we reflect on the earthly ministry of Jesus and the road he took to the cross, it is essential we remember why he had to come. Sin—our sin—is not something to be taken lightly. God certainly does not. Consider the below passage from Deuteronomy:

“Furthermore, the LORD said to me, ‘I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stubborn people. Let me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. And I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.’ So I turned and came down from the mountain, and the mountain was burning with fire. And the two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands.

And I looked, and behold, you had sinned against the LORD your God. You had made yourselves a golden calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you. So I took hold of the two tablets and threw them out of my two hands and broke them before your eyes. Then I lay prostrate before the LORD as before, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the LORD bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me that time also. And the LORD was so angry with Aaron that he was ready to destroy him. And I prayed for Aaron also at the same time. 

Then I took the sinful thing, the calf that you had made, and burned it with fire and crushed it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust. And I threw the dust of it into the brook that ran down from the mountain.”
(Deuteronomy 9:13–21 ESV)

All of us, without exception, have made for ourselves golden calves. Some of those calves have already been torn down and burned. Others are still standing. At times, we may find ourselves on our hands and knees attempting to refashion an old calf from the ashes. 

As we journey together as a church over these next several weeks toward the cross, let us pray together. Let us pray that God will reveal to us those golden calves in our lives to which we have become blind. Let us pray that God will give us the strength to not erect new ones. Let us praise God for the calves that have been torn down so that we might turn our affections toward Jesus and not gods of our own making. 

Now, I encourage you to prayerfully spend some time over these next few days reading and reflecting on John 14.15–31. Consider when Jesus spoke these words. He knows his betrayal is close at hand and his death on the cross is imminent. How does that impact the way you hear what Jesus is saying to his disciples? To you?

Faithful God, whose Son did not escape suffering and death
   but accepted and finally overcame them, 
      bring your disciples by the way of his cross to the joy of Easter. 
Strengthen your church to resist evil of every kind and turn from sin. 
With your mighty hand and outstretched arm, 
   uphold those enduring trials and any who know their very life is at stake. 
Be with your children who are heavy laden,
   and all who labor beneath the misuse of power by another.
Amid temptations to be successful,
   shape your children first to be faithful to your kingdom, 
      until the day when in your resurrected glory there is one life, 
         one sharing, one holy communion among all saints
            with you to whom all glory belongs forever, 
               Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Eucharistic Prayers. Samuel Wells & Abigail Kocher, Eerdmans, 2016.)

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"We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with him, may then pour ourselves out for others." ~ Elizabeth Elliot

As we reflect on the earthly ministry of Jesus and the road he took to the cross, it is essential we remember why he had to come. Sin—our sin—is not something to be taken lightly. God certainly does not. Consider the below passage from Deuteronomy:

“Furthermore, the LORD said to me, ‘I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stubborn people. Let me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. And I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.’ So I turned and came down from the mountain, and the mountain was burning with fire. And the two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands.

And I looked, and behold, you had sinned against the LORD your God. You had made yourselves a golden calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you. So I took hold of the two tablets and threw them out of my two hands and broke them before your eyes. Then I lay prostrate before the LORD as before, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the LORD bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me that time also. And the LORD was so angry with Aaron that he was ready to destroy him. And I prayed for Aaron also at the same time. 

Then I took the sinful thing, the calf that you had made, and burned it with fire and crushed it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust. And I threw the dust of it into the brook that ran down from the mountain.”
(Deuteronomy 9:13–21 ESV)

All of us, without exception, have made for ourselves golden calves. Some of those calves have already been torn down and burned. Others are still standing. At times, we may find ourselves on our hands and knees attempting to refashion an old calf from the ashes. 

As we journey together as a church over these next several weeks toward the cross, let us pray together. Let us pray that God will reveal to us those golden calves in our lives to which we have become blind. Let us pray that God will give us the strength to not erect new ones. Let us praise God for the calves that have been torn down so that we might turn our affections toward Jesus and not gods of our own making. 

Now, I encourage you to prayerfully spend some time over these next few days reading and reflecting on John 14.15–31. Consider when Jesus spoke these words. He knows his betrayal is close at hand and his death on the cross is imminent. How does that impact the way you hear what Jesus is saying to his disciples? To you?

Faithful God, whose Son did not escape suffering and death
   but accepted and finally overcame them, 
      bring your disciples by the way of his cross to the joy of Easter. 
Strengthen your church to resist evil of every kind and turn from sin. 
With your mighty hand and outstretched arm, 
   uphold those enduring trials and any who know their very life is at stake. 
Be with your children who are heavy laden,
   and all who labor beneath the misuse of power by another.
Amid temptations to be successful,
   shape your children first to be faithful to your kingdom, 
      until the day when in your resurrected glory there is one life, 
         one sharing, one holy communion among all saints
            with you to whom all glory belongs forever, 
               Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Eucharistic Prayers. Samuel Wells & Abigail Kocher, Eerdmans, 2016.)

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Lenten Honesty https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/lenten-honesty https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/lenten-honesty#comments Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0600 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/lenten-honesty What are you giving up for Lent? Wouldn't it be nice if we could answer, "sin"?

But we are like Paul, who confessed, "For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it" (Rom 7:18 CSB). 

So maybe that's our starting point as we step into Lent. No matter how well meaning, unrealistic ambition gets us nowhere. We have to start with honesty.

We may have washed off last night’s ashes, but the symbol remains. Our bodies will soon return to dust and the presence of sin remains in our broken world and in our hearts. “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Rom 7:24)

Paul is honest about our condition. But thankfully he doesn’t stop there. He pivots to give thanks to God through Christ (Rom 7:25), declaring, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).

How? While we are powerless to change our condition, God is not powerless. What we couldn’t do, he did. “He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering” (Rom 8:3).

Lent is a season of contrasts. Sin and repentance. Renewal and life. We must be honest about our sinful condition, but this honesty does not wallow in death. Like Paul, we must look beyond to the new reality that is ours in Christ.

“Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you” (Rom 8:10-11).

Let’s be honest. This is shockingly good news for those of us returning to dust. In Christ we have died. In Christ we have been made alive.

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What are you giving up for Lent? Wouldn't it be nice if we could answer, "sin"?

But we are like Paul, who confessed, "For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it" (Rom 7:18 CSB). 

So maybe that's our starting point as we step into Lent. No matter how well meaning, unrealistic ambition gets us nowhere. We have to start with honesty.

We may have washed off last night’s ashes, but the symbol remains. Our bodies will soon return to dust and the presence of sin remains in our broken world and in our hearts. “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Rom 7:24)

Paul is honest about our condition. But thankfully he doesn’t stop there. He pivots to give thanks to God through Christ (Rom 7:25), declaring, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).

How? While we are powerless to change our condition, God is not powerless. What we couldn’t do, he did. “He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering” (Rom 8:3).

Lent is a season of contrasts. Sin and repentance. Renewal and life. We must be honest about our sinful condition, but this honesty does not wallow in death. Like Paul, we must look beyond to the new reality that is ours in Christ.

“Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you” (Rom 8:10-11).

Let’s be honest. This is shockingly good news for those of us returning to dust. In Christ we have died. In Christ we have been made alive.

]]>
Loved in the Light https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/loved-in-the-light https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/loved-in-the-light#comments Thu, 21 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0600 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/loved-in-the-light “Where are you?” God’s first response to Adam and Eve’s sin was not disappointment nor vengeance but a question, an invitation to connection. Ashamed and covered, Adam and Eve came to God with a never-before-felt tension. They were caught.

The nagging need for redemption looms over us. Confronted with our imperfections, we hide. We stay in the dark. We strive, achieve, purchase, innovate, scroll. We joke and entertain. We wrap ourselves in religious ritual, appealing to respect for God’s holiness. We love it, and we hate it. We, too, are caught.

Sentimentality about Advent and love abound during this time of year, but love requires a willingness to be known. Exposed. Not even good deeds can come along; they are filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). God asks for just us. Fig leaves in all their forms laid down. Bare. Hands empty. Here we are known.

As we step into the light, we strain and wince at the exposure, but a bruised reed he does not break (Isa. 42:3). Our weaknesses, not our strengths, allow the light to come in. In Jesus, empty hands are made enough. Our self-condemnation turns to wonder and awe at the depth of his love for us. Fear turns to joyful praise. Here we are not just known; we are loved.

As God whispers, ‘Where are you?’  this Advent, do not hear accusation, but an invitation to lift your empty hands to him. God beckons us to his love in the light. Will we keep hiding from him in the dark?

 

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“Where are you?” God’s first response to Adam and Eve’s sin was not disappointment nor vengeance but a question, an invitation to connection. Ashamed and covered, Adam and Eve came to God with a never-before-felt tension. They were caught.

The nagging need for redemption looms over us. Confronted with our imperfections, we hide. We stay in the dark. We strive, achieve, purchase, innovate, scroll. We joke and entertain. We wrap ourselves in religious ritual, appealing to respect for God’s holiness. We love it, and we hate it. We, too, are caught.

Sentimentality about Advent and love abound during this time of year, but love requires a willingness to be known. Exposed. Not even good deeds can come along; they are filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). God asks for just us. Fig leaves in all their forms laid down. Bare. Hands empty. Here we are known.

As we step into the light, we strain and wince at the exposure, but a bruised reed he does not break (Isa. 42:3). Our weaknesses, not our strengths, allow the light to come in. In Jesus, empty hands are made enough. Our self-condemnation turns to wonder and awe at the depth of his love for us. Fear turns to joyful praise. Here we are not just known; we are loved.

As God whispers, ‘Where are you?’  this Advent, do not hear accusation, but an invitation to lift your empty hands to him. God beckons us to his love in the light. Will we keep hiding from him in the dark?

 

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Leap for Joy https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/leap-for-joy https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/leap-for-joy#comments Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0600 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/leap-for-joy "Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist speaking to Mary upon her arrival for a visit, 'As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy'" (Luke 1:44). 

What untold joys await those with ears to hear.

I love being a fly on the wall and hearing this private conversation between these two expectant mothers. One way past childbearing age, one not far removed from puberty. But both pregnancies ordained eons ago in God’s plan for their life. Think how connected we now are to these women and that Plan.

Elizabeth also says, But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord [not to mention the Lord Himself!] should come to me?” (v43) Good question! Why am I so favored? Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us the mechanics of How: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and even this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---not by works, so that no one can boast." But verse 10 reveals the Why: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Let me get this straight... I’ve been handcrafted by the Creator of the universe to do the good works He set in motion long ago for me to do. Hmm, like John the Baptist, Elizabeth, and Mary?... that means… I’m part of the Plan too! And so are you!

Hear Mark 10:49-50 and insert yourself as the blind man. "So they called to the blind man, 'Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.' Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus."

The leap of faith is a leap for joy.

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"Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist speaking to Mary upon her arrival for a visit, 'As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy'" (Luke 1:44). 

What untold joys await those with ears to hear.

I love being a fly on the wall and hearing this private conversation between these two expectant mothers. One way past childbearing age, one not far removed from puberty. But both pregnancies ordained eons ago in God’s plan for their life. Think how connected we now are to these women and that Plan.

Elizabeth also says, But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord [not to mention the Lord Himself!] should come to me?” (v43) Good question! Why am I so favored? Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us the mechanics of How: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and even this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---not by works, so that no one can boast." But verse 10 reveals the Why: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Let me get this straight... I’ve been handcrafted by the Creator of the universe to do the good works He set in motion long ago for me to do. Hmm, like John the Baptist, Elizabeth, and Mary?... that means… I’m part of the Plan too! And so are you!

Hear Mark 10:49-50 and insert yourself as the blind man. "So they called to the blind man, 'Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.' Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus."

The leap of faith is a leap for joy.

]]>
KAOS https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/kaos https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/kaos#comments Wed, 06 Dec 2023 17:00:00 -0600 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/kaos When I was a kid, I thought KAOS was simply the name of an international organization of evil with the goal of world domination, make believe from the old TV show Get Smart. I didn’t know as a young child it was a play on the word chaos. Not all children are able to be as blissfully unaware of chaos as I was but all of us in our teen years, if not for sure by adulthood, know the stress and chaos of everyday life. The seasons, long and short, of the complete lack of peace.

In the old TV show, the nemesis of KAOS was CONTROL (the good guys). One can easily see our individual attempts to control things does not work out well. It does not bring peace. In fact, it’s more likely to bring more stress and anxiety. Rather, the One who is actually in control, the One who is sovereign, does slice through the chaos and bring peace.

In Isaiah 40:1-5, His concern for our comfort and peace is apparent in his very words and instructions of how to deliver his message. “Comfort my people…speak tenderly.”  It might seem like a “duh” but no one is comforted by being yelled at. Reflecting on the past we are reminded “sin has been paid.” Past experiences help ground us in the present as we look ahead to the future where we are promised “ the rough ground shall become level and the rugged places a plain.” 

So as we sit between the first and second advent, the past of sin being paid for and the future of the rough made straight, let us hold on to the peace that we have knowing God is sovereign and values us having comfort and peace this Advent season.

 

]]>
When I was a kid, I thought KAOS was simply the name of an international organization of evil with the goal of world domination, make believe from the old TV show Get Smart. I didn’t know as a young child it was a play on the word chaos. Not all children are able to be as blissfully unaware of chaos as I was but all of us in our teen years, if not for sure by adulthood, know the stress and chaos of everyday life. The seasons, long and short, of the complete lack of peace.

In the old TV show, the nemesis of KAOS was CONTROL (the good guys). One can easily see our individual attempts to control things does not work out well. It does not bring peace. In fact, it’s more likely to bring more stress and anxiety. Rather, the One who is actually in control, the One who is sovereign, does slice through the chaos and bring peace.

In Isaiah 40:1-5, His concern for our comfort and peace is apparent in his very words and instructions of how to deliver his message. “Comfort my people…speak tenderly.”  It might seem like a “duh” but no one is comforted by being yelled at. Reflecting on the past we are reminded “sin has been paid.” Past experiences help ground us in the present as we look ahead to the future where we are promised “ the rough ground shall become level and the rugged places a plain.” 

So as we sit between the first and second advent, the past of sin being paid for and the future of the rough made straight, let us hold on to the peace that we have knowing God is sovereign and values us having comfort and peace this Advent season.

 

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All Is Well https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/all-is-well- https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/all-is-well-#comments Wed, 29 Nov 2023 18:00:00 -0600 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/all-is-well- "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!" (Luke 2:14 CSB)
 
We travelled at night on our way home from Thanksgiving, on highways surrounded by emptiness. Leaving family behind and reflecting on what this past year revealed about our country, world, and my life triggered some concern and sadness. It doesn’t take long to develop a gloomy character or holiday funk. Then, interrupting my downheartedness, streaming throughout the car, came the beautiful Christmas song “All is Well” by Michael W. Smith. 
 
I sat there in the darkness, repeating in my mind, but all is not well. In fact, I could create quite a list of situations I would love to see changed. Couldn’t you?
 
None of us have to search for brokenness in our lives and world. We are all undone. Yet, in this unfinished, ruined state the Christ child entered, fulfilling prophecy after prophecy from the Old Testament. Finally, the world’s undoing encounters hope for all humankind.
 
At times, I shift away from the Christ who offers hope, peace, and fulfillment. The calming words “all is well” swung my thoughts back to the peace I had set aside.
 
The saying, “all is well” dates back to at least the Civil War. In the prison camps of both the North, and South, guards would call out every hour during the night beginning at ten o’clock. “Post number one—ten o’clock and all’s well.” 
 
Imagine the restlessness of prisoners and guards. The constant wonderment of what their horrible circumstances held in store each day. Life would never be the same for any of them.
 
Now envision in that most desperate of situations an audible voice in the darkness shouting, “all is well.” Not just once, but every hour like a coo-coo clock. Perhaps those words brought prisoners and guards a shared sense of peace throughout the long night?
 
How much do we fear moments based in uncertainty? What if we heard, like clockwork, fear not all is well? What if we leaned hard into the words Jesus spoke? “Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
 
That was the message the angel delivered to terrified shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Or in other words, all is well!  
 
We live in a messy world, but our “mess holder” assures us He is sovereign. The presence of God resides in every shadowy night. And our lives are no less cradled than the baby Jesus. All is still well among the stench, shadows, and prickly straw to those that have trusted in Him. 
 
Those that follow the Savior know His story did not begin with His birth or finish in His death on the cross. We rejoice in that reality, experience its peace, and rest in God’s promises that life ends well, very well!
 
We still join with the angels in proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
 
May the Savior’s peace reside in your life this Christmas by believing, All is Well!

 

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"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!" (Luke 2:14 CSB)
 
We travelled at night on our way home from Thanksgiving, on highways surrounded by emptiness. Leaving family behind and reflecting on what this past year revealed about our country, world, and my life triggered some concern and sadness. It doesn’t take long to develop a gloomy character or holiday funk. Then, interrupting my downheartedness, streaming throughout the car, came the beautiful Christmas song “All is Well” by Michael W. Smith. 
 
I sat there in the darkness, repeating in my mind, but all is not well. In fact, I could create quite a list of situations I would love to see changed. Couldn’t you?
 
None of us have to search for brokenness in our lives and world. We are all undone. Yet, in this unfinished, ruined state the Christ child entered, fulfilling prophecy after prophecy from the Old Testament. Finally, the world’s undoing encounters hope for all humankind.
 
At times, I shift away from the Christ who offers hope, peace, and fulfillment. The calming words “all is well” swung my thoughts back to the peace I had set aside.
 
The saying, “all is well” dates back to at least the Civil War. In the prison camps of both the North, and South, guards would call out every hour during the night beginning at ten o’clock. “Post number one—ten o’clock and all’s well.” 
 
Imagine the restlessness of prisoners and guards. The constant wonderment of what their horrible circumstances held in store each day. Life would never be the same for any of them.
 
Now envision in that most desperate of situations an audible voice in the darkness shouting, “all is well.” Not just once, but every hour like a coo-coo clock. Perhaps those words brought prisoners and guards a shared sense of peace throughout the long night?
 
How much do we fear moments based in uncertainty? What if we heard, like clockwork, fear not all is well? What if we leaned hard into the words Jesus spoke? “Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
 
That was the message the angel delivered to terrified shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Or in other words, all is well!  
 
We live in a messy world, but our “mess holder” assures us He is sovereign. The presence of God resides in every shadowy night. And our lives are no less cradled than the baby Jesus. All is still well among the stench, shadows, and prickly straw to those that have trusted in Him. 
 
Those that follow the Savior know His story did not begin with His birth or finish in His death on the cross. We rejoice in that reality, experience its peace, and rest in God’s promises that life ends well, very well!
 
We still join with the angels in proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
 
May the Savior’s peace reside in your life this Christmas by believing, All is Well!

 

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The Course https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/the-course https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/the-course#comments Thu, 14 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0500 https://www.trinityfellowship.org/blog/post/the-course A Meditation on Hebrews 12:1-3

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. (Hebrews 12:1-3 CSB)

Do we forget the many that came before us who responded in faith? Their testimony under trials bear witness to what I too can endure. Their faithful journey encourages my own.

They could not run their race bound up in rags of sin. Neither can I. They become too weighty for this runner. I must cut the ties to sin. Rip off the clothes that no longer fit the life I have in Christ.

For I am facing a very long race. I only finish with eyes fixed on the tape. The tape that reads, “Finished, Well Done.”

God has prearranged the course with clearly marked lanes. My responsibility lies in the running.

I stay in my own lane. For God has laid the path for each that pleases him. I waste precious time comparing my course to others.

Equally wasted is the time I throw away when I procrastinate, worry, and fear. Or spend my energy in fighting back, resisting his will, in place of unrelenting trust.

Therefore, I yield.

For whom other than Christ would I dare surrender to? Who would you?

I commit this life to you, Lord. I commit to trust, no matter the journey. Embedded within my thoughts is the Savior’s resign to the Father’s will. To suffer for the sins of humankind. He endured that he might obtain his rightful place at the throne of God. A throne of joy already secured for him.

I, too, encounter numerous battles as I brave a sinful world. I position my life in him. Otherwise, I will quit. I will quit. My body grow too weak and tired. My heart faded.

For, gratefully, I am not the author of my faith. He alone perfects what I lack. He alone grants me the strength to keep running!

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A Meditation on Hebrews 12:1-3

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. (Hebrews 12:1-3 CSB)

Do we forget the many that came before us who responded in faith? Their testimony under trials bear witness to what I too can endure. Their faithful journey encourages my own.

They could not run their race bound up in rags of sin. Neither can I. They become too weighty for this runner. I must cut the ties to sin. Rip off the clothes that no longer fit the life I have in Christ.

For I am facing a very long race. I only finish with eyes fixed on the tape. The tape that reads, “Finished, Well Done.”

God has prearranged the course with clearly marked lanes. My responsibility lies in the running.

I stay in my own lane. For God has laid the path for each that pleases him. I waste precious time comparing my course to others.

Equally wasted is the time I throw away when I procrastinate, worry, and fear. Or spend my energy in fighting back, resisting his will, in place of unrelenting trust.

Therefore, I yield.

For whom other than Christ would I dare surrender to? Who would you?

I commit this life to you, Lord. I commit to trust, no matter the journey. Embedded within my thoughts is the Savior’s resign to the Father’s will. To suffer for the sins of humankind. He endured that he might obtain his rightful place at the throne of God. A throne of joy already secured for him.

I, too, encounter numerous battles as I brave a sinful world. I position my life in him. Otherwise, I will quit. I will quit. My body grow too weak and tired. My heart faded.

For, gratefully, I am not the author of my faith. He alone perfects what I lack. He alone grants me the strength to keep running!

]]>