MOTIVATED BY FRUSTRATION

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”  (Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV)

Sometimes people in Scripture get motivated to trust God in remarkable ways when they grow frustrated with the brokenness of a fallen world.

Nehemiah could not tolerate the idea of Jerusalem being in ruins. He was moved to risk a king’s displeasure and lethal opposition to rally God’s people.

David could not tolerate a pagan Philistine giant taunting the God of Israel. He was moved to risk his life in the name of his God.

Elijah could not tolerate the barbaric practice of pagan idolatry. He was moved to take on all the prophets of Baal single-handedly.

Even in the world today, it is often at the point where we are frustrated by the gap between the fallen reality and our sense of God’s desires that we are moved to action in a cause greater than ourselves…

Maybe God is calling you to trust Him at some point of frustration in your life. Trust Him. No one ever regretted trusting Christ more -- ever. 

-- John Ortberg in “If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat” 

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REMEMBERING JESUS

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.”  (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV)

A man in his early forties died after a long bout with cancer, leaving behind a wife and two children. There was a particular casserole that was his favorite meal. Once a week his wife would continue to prepare this meal. As she and the children ate, she would tell her children stories of their father; and they would recall their own memories of their dad. His chair sat empty at the table, and they remembered him in a way that made them feel close to him and that continued to shape their lives.

I wonder if this is not what Jesus had in mind when He said, "As often as you do this, remember Me." We should remember Him not only in a morsel of bread and sip of wine during worship, but every time we sit down to break bread. Here I am reminded of the old tradition, now nearly forgotten, of setting an extra place at the supper table as a way of inviting the Lord to "be present at our table." How might you remember Him at each supper you eat? 

-- Adam Hamilton in “24 Hours That Changed the World - 40 Days of Reflection” 

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COVENANT-KEEPING WORSHIPERS

Read Exodus 20:1-17, the Ten Commandments.

We see how the Ten Commandments break into two groupings, with the first four dealing with our relationship with God and the final six dealing with our relationship with our neighbor.

Most fascinating is the way Jesus further boiled down the Ten Commandments (indeed the whole Law) into a singular command: “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27)

There’s something we should be clear about here at the outset. The commandments are not about becoming a law-abiding citizen, as is commonly thought. They are about becoming a covenant-keeping worshiper.

In that light, it’s interesting how the most important words in the Ten Commandments, indeed in the whole of the Law, are most often excluded from the commandments when we see them inscribed in public places and even in Christian literature. They are these: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2)

The Ten Commandments do not begin with commandments. The Law does not begin with laws. It begins with relationship. “I am Yahweh,” God says. “I am the God who heard your cries and who brought you out of Egypt, out of the cruel slavery under which you suffered.” I am God. I delivered you. This is the most primitive taproot of our entire faith. This cannot be overstated. If our faith does not come down to something as simple as “I am yours. You are mine,” we are missing the core essence of the Christian faith and likely lost in some form of a counterfeit religion. 

-- Excerpted from “Wake-Up Call” with J. D. Walt 

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WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation -- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.”  (Romans 8:12 NIV)

Obligation. It’s not your favorite word, is it? But that’s because we interpret it, or rather misinterpret it, in a negative light. Don’t think of it as something we have to do; think of it as something we get to do. Our greatest obligation doubles as our greatest opportunity -- surrendering our lives to the lordship of Christ. Can you think of any greater privilege than being used for God’s eternal purposes?

The word means to be legally or morally bound, and the best picture might be marriage. When you say “I do” at the altar, you are obligating yourself for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part. I’ve officiated lots of weddings, and I’ve never seen anyone enter into that obligation with anything other than joyful anticipation.

When we enter into a covenant relationship with God, we tend to focus on the fact that we are legally and morally bound to God, but God is also legally and morally bound to us. The gospel demands that we give all of ourselves to God, but when we do, God gives all of Himself to us. I’ll take that trade seven days a week, and twice on Sundays! It’s a covenant of blessing, and every blessing belongs to you in Christ. Every promise is yes in Christ. 

-- Mark Batterson in “If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities”

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A HOME BUILT BY GRACE

Jesus said, “For my Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.”   (John 14:2)

There’s something sacred about a home. Not just the walls and roof, but the welcome, the belonging, the sense that you are safe and seen. Scripture often uses the image of a house to describe our life with God, and it beautifully mirrors the journey of grace -- prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying. Grace is not a single moment. It’s a whole homecoming.

Prevenient Grace is like the porch light that comes on first. Before we ever take a step toward God, He turns on the porch light. This is prevenient grace -- the grace that goes before. It’s the warm glow that cuts through the darkness, the quiet invitation that whispers, “You’re welcome here.” Even when we’re wandering, doubting, or unaware, God is already drawing us toward Himself.

Justifying Grace is in stepping through the open door, the moment you cross the threshold. You step inside, and the Father embraces you with forgiveness, acceptance, and joy. This is the grace of salvation -- the moment the relationship is restored. The door isn’t opened because you earned it. It’s opened because Jesus unlocked it with His own life. This is the moment grace says, “You belong here.”

Sanctifying Grace is learning to live in the home. Once inside, grace doesn’t stop. Sanctifying grace is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit helping you learn the rhythms of this new home -- its peace, its values, its way of life. It’s God rearranging the furniture of your heart, sweeping out old habits, opening windows to let fresh air in, and shaping you room by room into the likeness of Christ. 

Grace is not just the way we enter God’s family -- it’s the way we live in His love every day. From the first flicker of the porch light to the warmth of the welcome inside to the lifelong renovation of our hearts, God’s grace surrounds us at every step. May we never forget that we are people invited, embraced, and continually transformed by the One who calls us home.

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™ 

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