Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
The "Holy" Family
Yesterday was the deadline for the December newsletter. Here's a preview of what I'll be writing to the congregation:
The “Holy” Family
Matthew 1:18 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
“What a way to start a marriage.” If it were not for the fact that this is beginning of the familiar Christmas story from Matthew, that might be our reply upon hearing of a young girl, engaged to an older man, who has found herself to be pregnant by—according to her—the Holy Spirit. Yet, that’s the truth and we behold this truth as beautiful and honorable and even holy because of the rest of the story as we know it. We know that this is the story of our Lord and Savior Jesus and just the beginning of his trek to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Because of the outcome, the unsavory has been made beautiful. The less-than-ideal has been made “holy” in our memories. (Take a minute to read verses 19 through 25 to hear how Joseph responded to this “unfortunate” news. It’s especially inspiring for husbands and fathers)
On the other hand, it’s interesting how some of the other traditions surrounding Christmas have been transformed away from the scriptures which inspire them. We’ve removed the smell from the stable, the itch from the hay, the spiders from the hay mow, the flies from the manure and replaced them with haloed parents visited by guests who glow in pristinely washed and beautifully adorned clothing. We forget that shepherds were dirty, unsavory fellows who could get no other work and that the “Three Kings” were travelers in a time when traveling was also a dirty, messy affair. Yet, as unkempt the guests, as unsanitary the crib, as irregular the situation, this family was indeed Holy because of God’s presence and choice of sending them his Son.
Each of us is found in some sort of a family. Whether that family is headed by a single parent or two parents, whether it has five kids or no kids, a full nest or an empty nest, or even if we find ourselves alone after many years together with another, we are part of a family somewhere, somehow; either the family we come from, the family we started, or the family of believers we have in the Church.
However, all families are comprised of people who sin. Thus, families are full of sin as well and we can’t help it but to have rough patches from time to time and not every person in that family will always fit the mold or be in line with the rest of the clan. The Christmas season is one in which many families try to gloss over that sinful nature with pretty bows and packages, rich food and drink, fancy clothes and festive decorations. We try to do for our own families what Christians have done to the Holy Family in the Christmas story for years because we only want to experience the joy of the season and ignore the reality we live in.
But the ultimate reality in which we can all find joy is that God didn’t just bless Mary and Joseph on that Holy Night. When he sent his only son to be born of a girl who was engaged to another man, he began the process of redeeming all families and making them holy once again. Adam and Eve were the only humans who know what it was like to live in that holy state of one man and one woman, made for each other, for eternity. When they sinned we lost that knowledge and experience.
The Good News is that through Christ, we may experience what a holy family is again one day when we are raised on the last day to a new heaven and a new earth and live the life we were created for. But, until that time, we have Christ and his bride the church. As part of this holy union, we have a family which, though still containing sin, has been forgiven and lives in the grace of the bridegroom, Jesus Christ—warts and all.
This Christmas, as you find yourself stressing out over making the proper decorations, buying the perfect gift, baking the perfect dessert or roasting the perfect turkey, don’t be afraid if the decorations sag, the gift is returned, the dessert flops and the turkey is as dry as the Sahara. Christmas isn’t about perfection or hiding the rough edges. It’s about the one who came to make we, who are inherently imperfect, perfect in the eyes of the one who made us. Revel and bask in the glow of HIS holiness this Christmas, just like the shepherds, and angels, and kings.
A Blessed Christmas to all,
Pastor Sukstorf
Assoc. Minister of Family Life.
The “Holy” Family
Matthew 1:18 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
“What a way to start a marriage.” If it were not for the fact that this is beginning of the familiar Christmas story from Matthew, that might be our reply upon hearing of a young girl, engaged to an older man, who has found herself to be pregnant by—according to her—the Holy Spirit. Yet, that’s the truth and we behold this truth as beautiful and honorable and even holy because of the rest of the story as we know it. We know that this is the story of our Lord and Savior Jesus and just the beginning of his trek to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Because of the outcome, the unsavory has been made beautiful. The less-than-ideal has been made “holy” in our memories. (Take a minute to read verses 19 through 25 to hear how Joseph responded to this “unfortunate” news. It’s especially inspiring for husbands and fathers)
On the other hand, it’s interesting how some of the other traditions surrounding Christmas have been transformed away from the scriptures which inspire them. We’ve removed the smell from the stable, the itch from the hay, the spiders from the hay mow, the flies from the manure and replaced them with haloed parents visited by guests who glow in pristinely washed and beautifully adorned clothing. We forget that shepherds were dirty, unsavory fellows who could get no other work and that the “Three Kings” were travelers in a time when traveling was also a dirty, messy affair. Yet, as unkempt the guests, as unsanitary the crib, as irregular the situation, this family was indeed Holy because of God’s presence and choice of sending them his Son.
Each of us is found in some sort of a family. Whether that family is headed by a single parent or two parents, whether it has five kids or no kids, a full nest or an empty nest, or even if we find ourselves alone after many years together with another, we are part of a family somewhere, somehow; either the family we come from, the family we started, or the family of believers we have in the Church.
However, all families are comprised of people who sin. Thus, families are full of sin as well and we can’t help it but to have rough patches from time to time and not every person in that family will always fit the mold or be in line with the rest of the clan. The Christmas season is one in which many families try to gloss over that sinful nature with pretty bows and packages, rich food and drink, fancy clothes and festive decorations. We try to do for our own families what Christians have done to the Holy Family in the Christmas story for years because we only want to experience the joy of the season and ignore the reality we live in.
But the ultimate reality in which we can all find joy is that God didn’t just bless Mary and Joseph on that Holy Night. When he sent his only son to be born of a girl who was engaged to another man, he began the process of redeeming all families and making them holy once again. Adam and Eve were the only humans who know what it was like to live in that holy state of one man and one woman, made for each other, for eternity. When they sinned we lost that knowledge and experience.
The Good News is that through Christ, we may experience what a holy family is again one day when we are raised on the last day to a new heaven and a new earth and live the life we were created for. But, until that time, we have Christ and his bride the church. As part of this holy union, we have a family which, though still containing sin, has been forgiven and lives in the grace of the bridegroom, Jesus Christ—warts and all.
This Christmas, as you find yourself stressing out over making the proper decorations, buying the perfect gift, baking the perfect dessert or roasting the perfect turkey, don’t be afraid if the decorations sag, the gift is returned, the dessert flops and the turkey is as dry as the Sahara. Christmas isn’t about perfection or hiding the rough edges. It’s about the one who came to make we, who are inherently imperfect, perfect in the eyes of the one who made us. Revel and bask in the glow of HIS holiness this Christmas, just like the shepherds, and angels, and kings.
A Blessed Christmas to all,
Pastor Sukstorf
Assoc. Minister of Family Life.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Do You Trust Me?
Do You Trust Me? Matthew 19:16-30
Consecrated Stewards 11/15/09 St. Paul , Leavenworth , KS
As you already know, I am not Pastor Mease. As some of you may know, Pastor Mease could not be here this morning and has asked that I fill in for him today. Because I am wearing a robe and stole, you probably assume that I too am an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Those of you who have been here the last couple of years also probably remember me from previous Consecrated Stewards programs of which you took part in 2008 and 2007. Still others might know me from my work with the KC Crossroads Zone of the LWML. My name is Perry Sukstorf and I am an Associate Pastor at Redeemer in Olathe
The man in our Gospel lesson is perhaps like us or perhaps not, but he is important to know and understand if we are to learn the manner in which salvation, good works and our treasures are all weaved together in the tapestry of life.
Like us, the man seems to want to do what is right and also like us, he believes in eternal life and wants the assurance that he will have it. But there are a couple problems with his understanding and his approach. Problem #1 is that he thinks these two points are compatible; that to have eternal life there must be something required of him to do to achieve it. Well, he is correct and he is wrong at the same time. He is correct in that the righteous shall have eternal life. He is wrong in asserting that he is righteous based upon his own actions.
To be righteous one has to do right things all the time and can not have ever done anything wrong. While anyone can do a good thing, or even several or many or hundreds of good things, no one is inherently good nor do they have the capacity to thwart evil throughout their entire lives. In fact, we all began our lives in sin as we were conceived and born into it because of the sinful nature we inherited from Adam.
Problem #2 is that this man is not fully prepared to hear and live with the answer to his own question. He begins on bad footing by the way in which he asks his question. He assumes the way to eternal life is a matter of doing—in fact, he even assumes it is only one thing which needs to be done; “What good deed must I do?” are his very words. He’s asking Jesus to give him the scoop, the insider’s track into heaven. “What will it take? How much does it cost? What do I need and I’ll take care of it?” might be other ways we could rephrase his question.
As we learn at the end of the account, the man had many possessions. The idea of eternal life intrigued him, and he thought, surely, he, of all people, would be able to get there. As a man of means, surely he had the resources and skills needed to gain heaven and if it required him to roll up his sleeves and do a little work, well, that was ok too. After all, he didn’t get to where he was in life without a little blood, sweat and tears along the way.
And then Jesus answers him—“keep the commandments”—PLURAL! Now, maybe the man really thought it would only take one commandment, but I doubt it. If he were a fellow Jew, as we assume he was, he would know that all of the commandments are to be kept. But, then again, maybe he was trying to just narrow things down a bit and get to the “important” commandments which would count toward heaven. Perhaps he thought Jesus would let him off the hook easy. After all, anyone can keep at least one of the commandments, can’t they? But deep down, just like you and I, I suspect, I think he knew that it wasn’t gong to be that simple. Jesus then lists the commandments in the 2nd table of the law—those concerning our neighbor. “Yes! All these I have kept.” He replied, “What do I still lack?” He asked.
Now, why he asked the 2nd question, we do not know. He had just affirmed he kept those commandments, yet he asked what he lacked. Did it mean he wasn’t sure of his salvation yet? Did he want the satisfaction of hearing Jesus affirm that he was already heaven bound? We don’t know, but regardless of the reason, Jesus knew his heart; that though he may have followed the letter of the law, he did not heed its spirit, to love his neighbor and to love his God.
You see, all of the law is about love; love for God and love for others. Every single one of the 10 commandments speak to this love. The law was never meant to be an achievement test or a merit award. Because of our sinful nature, and our own inability to keep the law, it was designed by God to show us our sin, realize our hopeless state and drive us back into his arms of love—the only arms which could do the heavy lifting the law required. The rich man wanted to feel comfort in his own works, ability and generosity but Jesus wanted him to know that salvation is not found in the self. At the very beginning of their conversation he said “there is only one who is good.” And if this man was to see that One—Jesus—he had to take his eyes off of himself. That’s why Jesus told him to sell everything and follow him. What he asked the man to do was not one of the commandments; but if he followed Jesus’ instructions, it would lead him and his heart to where Jesus knew he needed to be. He wanted the man to be selfless and rely only on Jesus.
Jesus wishes the same for you and me today. Jesus wants each of us to stop relying on ourselves and rely on him—in ALL things. When we don’t understand why things happen to us, we can rely on Christ’s protection. When we seem to fall into sin over and over again, we can rely on Christ’s forgiveness and grace. When we feel alone and afraid of what lies ahead in our lives, we can rely on his strength and comfort to keep us calm and moving forward in service to him and to one another. When we truly examine our lives in light of our faith and our Savior, we see what’s really important—our relationship with our God and the forgiveness and grace which is borne out of that loving relationship.
This relationship is the most important relationship we have. Job in the Old Testament knew that. Even when all of his other relationships had been removed from him, his faith in God did not waiver. Surely, he questioned God; he cried out to God and asked, “Why are you doing this to me?” Sound familiar? To which God replied,
[Job 38:4-13] 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements- surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, 9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, 11 and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed'? 12 "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, 13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?”
Basically God was asking Job, “Don’t you trust me? Don’t you think I’ll take care of you? Do you really think I’ve forgotten about you or will just let you suffer and die alone?” After hearing these words Job was greatly humbled and then reaffirmed his earlier confession of the faith for the One who created him and in whom he had his salvation. At that earlier occasion he said,
[Job 19:25-27] “25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”
Once he could look beyond his present concerns and issues, and once he turned over all his problems--even his very life--into God’s care, he quit feeling the pressure of needing to remedy those issues by his own power or strength. Once he totally commended all he had, which at this point was virtually just his weak, frail body, Job found peace. Once he quit worrying about what he had lost or what he might lose in the future, he was restored. He regained his health, he continued to live a long life and for his faithfulness to God, his wealth was even restored two-fold. The man in the Gospel lesson today could not do that. He couldn’t follow Job’s example, which he surely knew if he was indeed a Hebrew. He wanted to follow Jesus, but couldn’t trust him to lead.
Trust is earned. We don’t give anything to any person or cause in which we don’t believe or trust in. We give to the Kiwanis club because they help kids. The Lions Club has a track record of helping those with vision problems. We donate to politicians when we believe they will stand up and vote for those laws which we feel would be helpful to rule our country, and we give to charities for the good they do in our community.
We give as a way of supporting and enabling those activities which we ourselves are incapable of doing on our own or to leverage our efforts in a greater capacity with or through others. And we only give that support where there is trust. Even in our daily spending, we make decisions based upon which brands or companies have gained our trust to provide a good product at a fair price. Whether it’s going to certain restaurants, buying a particular tooth paste, hiring a certain tax accountant, or choosing which gas to buy, we make decisions to trust and to put our money where we trust. Consequently, where our money goes, we go.
As Christians we have a leader who is far more trustworthy than any social service organization or charity. We have a God, who has a performance record that shines far brighter than any product or service we might be loyal to. We even have the benefit of knowing the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection AFTER it happened, unlike the man in our Gospel who spoke to Jesus before those events. Yet, we find ourselves in a place where even we just can’t let go and say, “Jesus take the wheel” , as a popular country song puts it.
As each of us lives our lives of faith, Jesus asks us too, “Do you trust me?” Sometimes it might be a scolding like Job got, but more often than not, it’s a loveing invitation to rest totally in his care. From the moment our head was raised from that baptismal font and we were washed of our original sin and made members of the Body of Christ, Jesus said, “Trust me.” Each time we come before him and ask for his forgiveness and receive his absolution Jesus says, “Trust me.” Every time we go to this altar and receive his body and blood in the bread and wine of Holy Communion he says, “Trust me.”
He’s proven himself time and time again, in both word and deed. He makes the invitation to us over and over again, “Follow me and I will give you rest.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” “Knock and the door will be open to you.” And to follow Jesus, is to trust Jesus and let Jesus lead you in every aspect of your life.
Those of you who are members here will be given the opportunity next week to trust Jesus in a way which expresses your trust in him in the financial realm of your life. You will do this as you consecrate your stewardship before God by making a financial commitment to his Church. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your trust in his care for you in this life, as well as the life to come, as you consider what portion of his blessings which you will return to him as first-fruits offerings of thanksgiving. This is a spiritual matter and as such is to be given the same prayerful care and concern as all the other aspects of your faith. I would encourage each of you to take time this week to enumerate all the blessings he has showered upon you, not just this past year, as we so often do at thanksgiving time, but throughout your entire life, including your eternal life which you have yet to enjoy in heaven. Take stock of all the times you put your trust in the Lord and he did not let you down. Recall all of the times in your life when you did not trust in the Lord and he cared for you anyway and made sure that even in the bad times, good came out of that which Satan meant for harm against you, all because you love God and he loves you.
Our Lord and Savior is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving. But he also deserves our total trust in him, for he has never let us fall in the past. He has always shown himself to be faithful to his promises and trustworthy in his deeds. And we know that regardless of our future here on this earth, there is nothing which can separate us from the love he has for us in Christ Jesus. And because of that, we trust him when he says in John that he is now preparing a place for us in heaven.
Lord Jesus, let us always trust in you for our provision, our life and our salvation. In your Holy Name we pray. Amen.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Sermon on the Mount as Peaceful Revolution--20 years after the Wall came down.
November 6, 2009 ~ The Rev. Christian Fuhrer Extended Interview Religion & Ethics News Weekly
An interesting interview with Rev. Christian Fuhrer, pastor at St. Nikolai Lutheran Church in Leipzig describing the peaceful demonstrations which eminated from his church and eventually led to the fall of the Berlin wall a month later.
Interestingly, it really all began with public and weekly prayers for peace beginning in 1981 & 1982. Only in the church was free speech able to be expressed.
While Rev. Fuhrer's comments posted here do not give a clear witness to the gospel, he shares some insights into occations when such witness did occur. I suspect the PBS based webpage had something to do with the "sterile" nature of his God-speak.
I think his last paragraph is quite poinient, however, in helping us understand the proper relationship between Church and the non-Christian:
"The role of the church did not diminish, at least not here in the Nikolai Church. It continued. Huge protests against the war in Iraq, peace prayers involving many people to save jobs…It continued, but under different social circumstances. However, there are always certain peaks, unique times, such as October 9th. It was a peaceful revolution which was a unique process. You cannot expect that it will go on like that every day. What this revolution aimed to achieve was indeed achieved, and then people stepped back. The important thing to remember is that we did not do that to get people to join our church, but because it was necessary. That is what Jesus did as well. When he provided help, he never asked if that person went to the temple or if that person said all his prayers. He just realized that this human being needed help, so he helped. That is exactly how we did it. We never said “but you must return the favor,” the way it is done in politics and in the world. We created something, and the blessing continued for the people. The most important thing is that the church has to remain open. Whenever people need the church again, in everyday life or in very specific situations, they should find the church open. The church should be there for the people, the way Jesus intended. An inviting, open church without the expectation that people join; an inviting, open church offering unconditional love, just as Jesus did, and [we must] act in this spirit."
An interesting interview with Rev. Christian Fuhrer, pastor at St. Nikolai Lutheran Church in Leipzig describing the peaceful demonstrations which eminated from his church and eventually led to the fall of the Berlin wall a month later.
Interestingly, it really all began with public and weekly prayers for peace beginning in 1981 & 1982. Only in the church was free speech able to be expressed.
While Rev. Fuhrer's comments posted here do not give a clear witness to the gospel, he shares some insights into occations when such witness did occur. I suspect the PBS based webpage had something to do with the "sterile" nature of his God-speak.
I think his last paragraph is quite poinient, however, in helping us understand the proper relationship between Church and the non-Christian:
"The role of the church did not diminish, at least not here in the Nikolai Church. It continued. Huge protests against the war in Iraq, peace prayers involving many people to save jobs…It continued, but under different social circumstances. However, there are always certain peaks, unique times, such as October 9th. It was a peaceful revolution which was a unique process. You cannot expect that it will go on like that every day. What this revolution aimed to achieve was indeed achieved, and then people stepped back. The important thing to remember is that we did not do that to get people to join our church, but because it was necessary. That is what Jesus did as well. When he provided help, he never asked if that person went to the temple or if that person said all his prayers. He just realized that this human being needed help, so he helped. That is exactly how we did it. We never said “but you must return the favor,” the way it is done in politics and in the world. We created something, and the blessing continued for the people. The most important thing is that the church has to remain open. Whenever people need the church again, in everyday life or in very specific situations, they should find the church open. The church should be there for the people, the way Jesus intended. An inviting, open church without the expectation that people join; an inviting, open church offering unconditional love, just as Jesus did, and [we must] act in this spirit."
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Dr. Paul Manz, well-known musician, dies
"E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come"
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Dr. Paul Manz, well-known musician, dies
The church on earth has lost a great man, but the saints heaven are blessed by his presence. His famous "E'en so..." is one of the earliest pieces I can remember learning as I sang with my "adult" choir as a teenager in Fremont, NE. I also remember our Pastor's wife (and organist) was a huge fan of Paul Manz and played his organ pieces regularly.
I also remember a "Pipe Dreams" episode on public radio in which he was featured and interviewed. During that interview he gave witness to the fact that God continued to bless him--even at an advanced age--with the gift of playing the organ. As one reads the obituary (linked above) one can't help, however, but to be reminded of the divide in our church which occured in the 70's and effected so many people. His funeral will be an an ELCA church and a celebration of his music will be at an LCMS college where he served for a few years before the split.
Of course, where Dr. Manz is now, there are no denominations, no quarrels and no voters meetings; only praise and honor and glory to God. Until that time we toil. "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me[Jesus]. Night is coming, when no one can work." John 9:4 "E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come." Rev. 22:20
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Dr. Paul Manz, well-known musician, dies
The church on earth has lost a great man, but the saints heaven are blessed by his presence. His famous "E'en so..." is one of the earliest pieces I can remember learning as I sang with my "adult" choir as a teenager in Fremont, NE. I also remember our Pastor's wife (and organist) was a huge fan of Paul Manz and played his organ pieces regularly.
I also remember a "Pipe Dreams" episode on public radio in which he was featured and interviewed. During that interview he gave witness to the fact that God continued to bless him--even at an advanced age--with the gift of playing the organ. As one reads the obituary (linked above) one can't help, however, but to be reminded of the divide in our church which occured in the 70's and effected so many people. His funeral will be an an ELCA church and a celebration of his music will be at an LCMS college where he served for a few years before the split.
Of course, where Dr. Manz is now, there are no denominations, no quarrels and no voters meetings; only praise and honor and glory to God. Until that time we toil. "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me[Jesus]. Night is coming, when no one can work." John 9:4 "E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come." Rev. 22:20
Monday, November 2, 2009
Man shot in Olathe gunfight with federal task force - KansasCity.com
Man shot in Olathe gunfight with federal task force - KansasCity.com
Only a mile from our house in the burbs...scary.
Only a mile from our house in the burbs...scary.
Losing it all to gain everything.
Another great devotion from Os Hillman. I know I struggle with this. How about you? I'll let you read it for yourselves and then feel free to comment.
God Is Not About YOUR Success
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
11-02-2009
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).
God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.
"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).
How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."
Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way.
God Is Not About YOUR Success
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
11-02-2009
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).
God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.
"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).
How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."
Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way.
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