Intentionality

Wouldn’t it be nice to go through each day with no deadlines, no expectations from anyone, and no appointments to make us hurry to beat the clock?  Not according to many health professional studying those in retirement.  We are hardwired to be useful every day. To contribute to the tribe or village.  We need to be useful and have purpose. If you believe Pastor Rick Warren from Saddleback Church - our very lives are “Purpose Driven”.

"Without a vision, the people perish."

Proverbs 29:18

As Christians what is the vision set before us and what is our purpose.   

For both areas, I think it can be categorized as inward and outward.

The inward vision God has for us is found in our relationship with Him. Relationships take time and work.  They aren’t perfect and they can be frustrating. Yes, you can be frustrated with God. That’s doesn’t stop your love for Him and it certainly doesn’t stop His.  These three verses describe a good relationship motto:

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.”   Matthew 12:18


“I am my beloved’s and He is mine.”  Song of Solomon 6:3a


“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons^] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39


The outward vision is our mission God needs us to accomplish. This might be something like recorded in Isaiah 49:8-9:

 “This is what the Lord says:

“In the time of my favor I will answer you,
    and in the day of salvation I will help you;
I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people,
to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances,
You will say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’

The inward purpose supports the vision in practical steps to fulfill the vision.  Inward purposes might include prayer time with God, a Bible Study, memorizing scripture, or going to church every week.  These are things that will bring you closer to God and they will be different for each one of us because we each have a personal relationship with God. Here is a good reminder of how important God’s word is to our life:

"I have hidden your word in my heart 

that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount all the laws

that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes 

as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."

Psalms 119:11-16  

The outward purpose supports the vision in practical steps to fulfill the vision. Outward purposes might include giving a testimony, helping a family buy groceries, serving Sunday’s in the toddler class at Church, or maybe leading a small group in your home. Your purpose also comes with some tools.  First, the Holy Spirit. Second, the authority of God. Third, unique gifts meant to enable you to accomplish the assignment, then you get the armor of God, and a big book full of stories from others that experienced God’s visions and worked through them.  This book even includes tips of what to and what not to do. Lastly, God has said He would always be available for questions.

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

The question we have to ask ourselves in these four areas is, are we intentional about growing the inward and fulfilling the outward?  If someone has wronged you or hurt you I’ll bet you’ve heard the phrase, “I’m sorry, it wasn’t on purpose.” Sometimes my response is a bit snarky, “Yes, but you didn’t purpose to stop it either.” Thinking in reverse can open up a new perspective and in this case can reveal thoughtlessness.  Sure the person didn’t mean for you to be hurt but they didn’t think about how it would affect you. If they had, they probably would have realized you’d be hurt and perhaps they would have taken precautions or elected not to moving forward.  To live intentionally means practicing thoughtfulness when moving and thoughtfulness when not moving.

Practicing thoughtfulness, unfortunately, isn’t a scheduled session.  It is an all-day event. We never know who is watching or listening and be hurt by our thought-less-ness. At all times we should be purposing to reflect the correct image of God to others. Here are 8 scriptures reminding us of the importance of being a good example:

1.    You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.   - Matthew 5:13

2.    In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  - Matthew 5:16

3.    Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  - Ephesians 5:1

4.    Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

5.    Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

6.    Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  - 1 Timothy 4:12

7.    8. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness   - Titus 2:7

8.    9. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. - Philippians 3:17

 

We do not have to worry about failing to live up to this standard.  Even the disciples struggled and failed at times.  Paul wrote a wonderful passage in Romans 7 where he laments his own struggle…

 “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

 Here’s a video about a man that asked God to help him be a man living a more intentional life: https://youtu.be/fWcs1GmJRQs

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:13

OUR PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for saving me from myself. Thank you for taking on all of my mistakes.  I want to be a good example as one of your followers.   Forgive me for the times I have not been that example. I want to begin living intentionally for you.  Please help me to see and hear your vision for my life and lay out your purposes you have for me.  Thank you for the awesome tools you provide and your guidance. I love you! 

Puzzles Without Frames

I like working Jigsaw puzzles. Analyzing the edges of each piece and that feeling when the pieces fit together – so wonderful. Then to see a whole picture come together piece by piece; utter glee. All puzzle people know to get a good start you need the corners and borders in place first. Even in life, I do well living on the edge where most don’t but all of us, at some point, need and depend on borders, markers, or signposts leading us in the right direction. We need them to provide a sense of security. We want frames for our lives.

Life doesn’t always give us a frame to navigate in or build our puzzles inside.  In fact, Jesus told us we would have trouble and sometimes need peace that passes the framework of our understanding. 

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

The Bible also tells us to seek God for wisdom, to let Him make our paths straight, to let Him guide us…. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

But humans hunger for the tangible, the visual, and the security of the physical borders.  Trusting in God is something Jesus tried to teach the disciples as well. Remember Peter in the boat?  Jesus asked him to step out of the visual, physical, and into the unimaginable and walk on water.  He asked him to go somewhere without borders.  Go, in faith. Go, with God.

Here is that story of Peter’s faith adventure:  Walking on Water Matthew 14 (NIV)

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Do not fear."

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

How many of us want change but when change comes we freak out and want our familiar borders back?   That is our, oh so familiar, little faith talking. But, as we’ve been told by the Almighty himself, just a little faith is all that’s needed.  Just like Peter walking on water, it was his little faith that provided the spiritual frame work he needed to step out of the boat.

Here’s a video of someone that also had to trust God’s leading as he also walked on water: https://youtu.be/O5AVORrDRvY

Looking at Jesus’ words, “oh you of little faith” we could interpret this as a scolding but what if we hear it as a comfort and encouragement?  After all, if we have the faith the size of a mustard seed, it’s enough Jesus tells us in Luke 17:6. By reminding us of our little faith could He be reminding us it’s all we need? How does that change our fear level or our willingness to keep going. For me it is inspiring.    

In the account of walking on water we also hear Jesus tell his friends not to fear.  Right!?  There’s a storm on the water and this crazy preacher you’ve been hanging out with comes walking on the water to greet you and you’re supposed to not be afraid.  Of course we would be afraid.  Your spouse cheats on you and leaves, of course we would be afraid.  We lose our job, of course we would be afraid. A loved one becomes very ill, of course we would be afraid.  Our child runs away, of course we would be afraid.

In the middle of these types of life events it’s ok to scream and cry and tell God we are scared.  It’s ok to feel the “boggle” of the meaning behind the storm, like Peter did, and let go.  Jesus is right there to pick us up and hold us, and put us back on the right path.  To see ourselves walking on water and to know the struggle of the waves in the storm gives us perspective of life with God and death without him we wouldn’t have without experiencing both.   It readies us for the next time.  And that’s when we hold on longer than we did before, because of our growing faith. To be afraid is ok, to allow fear to rule your life is what Jesus warned the disciples not to give into.

In the end, Peter fell into the water and cried out to Christ Jesus for help. Even though in this passage Jesus speaks two phrases about faith and doubt, seemingly spoken at the same time and linked as opposites, what if they are two distinct thoughts? Let me re-phrase Jesus’ words and see if we can get another view of walking on water:

“Ok, fine, be afraid because this looks weird but it’s me Peter and you know me,

so do not let fear take over.  Peter, your small amount of faith brought you

 out of the boat and you began walking to me, why did you let doubt in to your mind?

The power you couldn’t see or even feel beneath your feet was me;

your friend and your God, holding it all together and

holding you on the water. Here. take my hand.”

“We can care deeply about those we know but that empathy rarely extends beyond our line of sight.”  This is a line from the movie, “Interstellar”. We could say the same thing our trust levels as if to say, “We can trust firmly in what we know but that trust rarely extends beyond our line of sight.” Christ sees beyond His line of sight, beyond any frame, into what the Father sees. (John 5:19). This is our goal, to be Christ-like and stop relying on the frames of this world and our limited knowledge. This means we need to get a different method of solving life’s puzzles.

The idea for this blog came from a story I heard in 2015 when a mother recounted watching her young son begin to put puzzles together without a frame.  It was the moment she realized he had a remarkable mind. I love that picture and imagined God watching us with our puzzles and smiling as He too watches our minds being transformed into a Christ-like state.

I believe it is uncharacteristic of God to expect us to walk on water, all the way back to the shore, our first time out of the boat. He understands our frailty better than we do. So, when we are sinking and battered by the waves, why do we beat ourselves up as if we’ve failed?  Isn’t that what Satan wants us to believe? He is the one who starts the fear in us but casting doubt of our acceptability to God and we believe the lie that we have failed. Jesus asked Peter, “Why do you doubt?”  This is the root question that forces us puzzle people to want the frame of life before the center is filled in. g And Weaving

God Clothing PeopleFlowers

We humans are afraid of the unknown. It is what allows doubt through the door. Remarkably, we believe the lie that it is the unknown at work.  This is the thing we are afraid of not knowing – our future, our next move, our feelings, our fate, our path … However, it is not unknown because we are not dealing with the unknown.  We are dealing with God and He is not unknown but known.  We know Him. He is our savior, our Lord, our God, our comforter, our guide, our advocate, and our friend. His hand is always there.  He is our border and the frame in which our puzzles can be pieced together. 

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:13

Click here to watch this video about how fear is common amongst humans and we need help: https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A2KIo9b9o91XuAkAElP7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBncGdyMzQ0BHNlYwNzZWFyY2gEdnRpZAM-;_ylc=X1MDOTY3ODEzMDcEX3IDMgRiY2sDMWttbG0zaGJvOG85ZSUyNmIlM0Q0JTI2ZCUzRFRHNHhub0JwWUVMTXV4SG1ncDNMd1hIWnhaN0M5TGRLOU55a3VRLS0lMjZzJTNEODclMjZpJTNEMmFTVWVNejNzMm1WLnNXUHJRMWQEZnIDb3BlbnNlYXJjaARncHJpZAN5aDRENDFmR1FTaVpiaHdXSEVVdXBBBG10ZXN0aWQDbnVsbARuX3JzbHQDNjAEbl9zdWdnAzAEb3JpZ2luA3ZpZGVvLnNlYXJjaC55YWhvby5jb20EcG9zAzAEcHFzdHIDBHBxc3RybAMEcXN0cmwDMTQEcXVlcnkDcGVvcGxlIGluIGZlYXIEdF9zdG1wAzE0NzQxNDMyNTMEdnRlc3RpZANudWxs?gprid=yh4D41fGQSiZbhwWHEUupA&pvid=sKUrGTYzLjIaWrYcV4RhLg2uMTA4LgAAAAC3h.2g&p=people+in+fear&ei=UTF-8&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av%2Cm%3Asa&fr=opensearch#id=66&vid=1aaf87b0355df90b2441cf0db391a2ab&action=view

Other Unimportant PeopleChrist's True FamilyCaringUnion With Christ, Significance OfChrist Telling The TruthRelationshipsLove Towards Christ, Shown ByBrotherhoodSocial JusticeForgiveness, Application OfControlling AngerCaring For OthersFaultsAbuse From a SpouseUnforgivenessGrace, In Human RelationshipsBrotherly LoveReconciliation, Between BelieversCharitable AttitudeKindnessCaringCompassionResponseAffection, ExpressingForgive OthersForgiving Ones EnemiesImitating JesusBe Humble!Be Patient!Being Devoted to GodMercyThe Need For MercyActs of KindnessCharacter Of SaintsKindnessThe Gentleness Of God's PeopleSelf DisciplineAttitudes, to other peopleElectWardrobe, SpiritualHumilityAffection, ExpressingClothed With Good ThingsSpiritualityHumility In The Christians LifeNames And Titles For The ChristianPatienceChristiansSympathyHoliness, As Set Apart For GodCompassionCaringPeople Of God, In Ntdiscipleship, nature ofTendernessHoliness, Believers' Growth InGentlenessBowelsCaring For OthersBelovedOUR PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for being my friend. Thank you for asking me to join you on the water and experience full faith but I have to say I am afraid.  I have faith in you but not have faith in my ability to withstand the waves.  Please take my hand.  You have promised that I will not drown. So, today I declare I will not give into to fear or doubt. Forgive me for the times I did. Forgive me for believing the lies that the unknown is a reality.  You know what is next and I know you. That is all I need. Help me to hold on to the truth that - that is all I need.  My faith is small but it is alive. My faith is in You. Hold my hand and save me.

ibe·lieve

To believe is defined as the state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case, with or without empirical evidence to prove that something is the case with certainty. When it comes to our spiritual life, believing is at the core of any religion or faith-based system.

Every religion also has a "moral code" which is a set of beliefs about how humans should act. Each religion usually has their own type of "acts of devotions" when people worship or pray. In December of 2009 I read an article based on a survey of Americans that reported many Americans like the mix and match build your own approach to their faith. It also reported that large numbers of Christians attend Services of traditions other than their own and blend Christianity with Eastern and new age beliefs. So, is this a problem?

http://friendshipchristianchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Relgions-a-comparison.gif

This photo shows President Obama and secretary Clinton at a Buddhist temple making an offering to Buddha but they both claim to have the belief system of Christianity. Years ago I attended a yoga class in which the Eastern religion affiliated with this form of exercise was prominent.

We’re we worshipping other gods in these acts? The only one that knows the answer to that question is God. He judges the hearts of men, beyond their actions. I can say for myself, during the yoga class, I was purposefully attentive to the instructor’s words and cautious when she spoke of the Eastern religion instructions and the meanings of each movement. I purposed to focus my mind and my heart on my God. I hope God was pleased with my Worship to him alone even though I was engaged in an activity from another religion. Perhaps Obama and Clinton we're doing the same; we don't know.

Other religions can offer wonderful enhancements to our Christianity and our walk of faith. Most other religions have more formalities, celebrations and liturgical acts that can bring about a deeper sense of reverence and worship. Some of these acts might include lighting a candle, holding prayer beads, strictly honoring the Sabbath, knelling, designated prayer times, recitation of verses or declarations of faith and offerings. Personally, I do not see anything wrong with taking information and practices from other religions and applying it to my faith if it brings me closer to my God. The problem for Christians occurs when we put our faith in these acts and assign power to another deity. 

There are a couple of group of believers called Jews for Jesus and Messianic Jews. They observe many of the Jewish holidays and keep Jewish traditions alive in their homes, while also professing their faith in Jesus. Because Judaism is also a culture and a lineage, these Jews for Jesus enjoy the practices found in the Jewish faith. This does not diminish their faith in Christ; it enhances it.

In today’s Western society we really do have the “playlist” mentality and the tendency to personalize our spiritual lives just like we personalize our iPhones. Scott Thumma, a psychologist from the Hartford Institute of Religion Research, stated in the article from 2009 that pop culture and the internet are probably more powerful teachers about religion then Sunday school teachers ever were. He also states that many Christians believe in astrology, reincarnation, mysticism, the spiritual power of nature and the power of crystals. He also states that Western Christians have shown a tendency to take what they need from each religion and leaving the rest behind.

"Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success."
-Swami Sivananda

Although in Christianity we do have some basic rules to follow, it is more about having a relationship with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 reads, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”   Could the sight of President Obama cause fellow Christian to engage in practices found in Buddhism and lead them astray? Perhaps. With this freedom in Christianity also comes some responsibility. We are also told in 1^st Corinthians 8 to practice our faith in such a way as to not cause a brother to stumble:

"In this matter, then, of eating meat which has been offered to idols, knowledge tells us that no idol has any real existence, and that there is no God but one. For though there are other gods both in heaven and earth, to us there is only one God, the Father, from whom everything comes, and for who we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom everything exists, and by whom we ourselves are alive. But this knowledge of ours is not shared by all men. For some, who until now have been used to idols, eat the meat as meat really sacrificed to a god, and their delicate conscience is thereby injured. Now our acceptance of God is not a matter of meat. If we eat it, that does not make us better men, nor are we the worse if we do not eat it. You must be careful that your freedom to eat meat does not in any way hinder anyone whose faith is not like yours. Surely you would not want your faith to bring spiritual disaster to a brother for whom Christ died? And when you sin like this and damage the consciences of your brethren you really sin against Christ.

This makes me determined that, if there is any possibility of meat injuring my brother,

I will have none of it as long as I live, for fear I might do him harm.” 

(The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips.

Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.)

I am the LORD, that is My name;

Do not give My glory to another,  

Nor My praise to graven images”

Isaiah 42:8

Christians should show care when exploring practices of other religions as we are to “do all the glory of God”.  There is a fine line for offering worship to any image of a deity or creature that we should offer only to the Lord our God. But the spiritual importance of this caution extends much further to include all kinds of superstition such as astrology, crystals, dream catchers, crossing fingers, or carrying a rabbits foot for good luck etc. Lastly, we should be mindful that other gods and other powers do exist.  Do not let Satan fool you into thinking there is no power and these practices from other religions are harmless.  They do have power.  Our freedom comes from only using the power of God through the Holy Spirit and our purity of worship lies in not having any other god before Him.

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,

out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol,

or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath

or in the water under the earth.” Exodus 20:2-3

"Let there be no strange god among you;

Nor shall you worship any foreign god”  Psalm 81:9

As Christians, we know that there are varied ways of practicing our Christ based faith.  These are not different religions, but are called denominations such as Methodist, Four Square, Presbyterian, Catholics, Lutheran, and most Non-Denominational Churches. Denominations may also have different ways of practicing faith but at their core, God is the same.   Finding a home church or denomination is simply finding other people who enjoy practicing their faith in the same manner. God wants our hearts to love Him, our minds to be set on things of His kingdom and our souls be dedicated to Him and Him alone. If we do that, our iBelieve practices can be a range of options.

Our Prayer

God, I love you and long to have a deep relationship with you.  I know if I put my trust in you I will find ways to express my devotion, even if the practices come from outside sources. Look at my heart as I strive to please you with my life. Protect me from slipping into worshipping anything else but you and remind me not to judge others as they find their own ways of worship. Today I dedicate my faith to you and say, iBelieve.

Click here to see a music video “God, you are my God” https://youtu.be/UJj1TGdpSmY   With lyrics: https://youtu.be/EP7w5rdees8

Bonus Challenge: The Illuminated Soul

Read these verses below taken from other religions and find the matching verse in the Christian’s Bible

- “A little bit of light dispels alot of darkness” Rabbi Schneur Zalman (Juddism)
- “A spiritually illumined soul lives in the world, yet is never contaminated by it.” Swami Bhaskarananda (Hinduism)
- “Indeed, My lord is the hearer of supplication” The Quran 14:30 (Islam)
- “If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.”  Śāntideva  (Buddism)
- “To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.” (Confucianism)  

 You can see my answers at my website : www.simplycindyrowe.com