Scripture Nugget 12.1.2016

“Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

This morning, in this season, on my journey with God this verse is reduced to; “Seek God’s approval; please God, be a servant of Christ.” How? Have faith in God, love God first and foremost, love others as God loves me and love myself as God does; and be the person God calls me to be. While the congregations I serve are not in danger of falling away to worship idols or to follow a different gospel (as some of the Galatian church were doing) there is always a danger of lack of faith in the promises of God. To take things on in our own strength, to press for approval of issues not because God is leading us to approve them, but to “win” by having one’s own personal agenda approved. Often in life, the loudest voices or the present majority lead us away from holiness. Away from pleasing God, the order gets rearranged – love of others loving self becomes way more important than loving God, following God, having faith in God and living with God. The only way for us to fully live with God is through holiness and righteousness which come from God. “Seek God’s approval; please God, be a servant of Christ.” Yes, yes Lord! Who among you will journey with me seeking God’s approval, living life to please God by being a servant of Christ? Walk with me, hold me accountable, allow me to hold you accountable. Lord forgive me for attempting to please people while allowing them to wander outside of Your boundaries. I return myself to You.

Scripture Nugget 11.30.2016

“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, ‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ … Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:6-9, 15

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, indeed! God sows bountifully into His creation, yet the creation reaps sparingly – why is that? God’s grace is feeling given, and available for the receiving yet, many accept His grace sparingly if at all. God’s grace is far-reaching, His grace is for all rich and poor and His transformative grace is the same today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow. An indescribable gift, indeed! Having received the gift do we freely share with others or do we attempt to hoard it, as if it will run out? God’s love of cheerful givers has nothing to do with quid pro quo – you give cheerfully he’ll bless you richly; no this isn’t prosperity gospel stuff. No God loves all however in cheerful givers God recognizes an appropriate response to His indescribable gift and He appreciates that response. Cheerful givers are givers with God’s spirit, they provide blessings in abundance, abundance that comes from God. Who else is there to hope in?

Scripture Nugget 11.29.2016

“We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints – and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and by the will of God, to us, so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you. Now as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you – so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:17

Read this slowly, “for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity.” The churches in Macedonia not only learned from Christ example, but lived it. “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” Ask yourself, Do I in extreme blessing give with abundant joy, overflowing in a wealth of generosity? Yet these gave abundantly with joy while suffering severely. During Advent we have the opportunity to anticipate the coming of our Savior, not just remembering His birth but looking forward to His promised return. In who or what do you hope? In who or what do you find peace? In who or what do you find joy? In who or what do you find love? Share the Savior with others, overflow in the wealth of His generosity!

Scripture Nugget 11.28.2016

“Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, … since only in Christ is it set aside. … but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. … For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts and to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 3:12, 14d, 16-18, 4:5-6

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, a day we express hope in the promises of God. In what, in who do you hope? Since we may hope in God we may hope with boldness, because of what we read in these verses today. The entirety of the grace of God as Wesleyans understand grace is on display in these verses. Prevenient Grace, the grace of God that goes before us, wooing us into relationship with God is seen in the setting aside of the veil allowing all access to God. As one comes to belief in and accepts Christ as Savior one is freed by the Spirit of God – Justifying Grace. When we move into this freedom we are transformed into the likeness of Christ and continue to be transformed into His image from one degree to another – Sanctifying Grace. With our hope firmly fixed in God, we find peace, joy and love; we are lit up by God’s grace and the light of God shines out into the darkness, overcoming darkness in others. This Advent season let us all allow the glory of God to shine on us, and into our hearts so that we reflect the glory of God to others.

Scripture Nugget 11.27.2016

“So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. Thus it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living being’; the last man, Adam, became a life-giving sprit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.” 1 Corinthians 15:42-49

Good news! “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.” Though we are born sin-prone we are also born with the image God created in Adam. Though Adam sinned which caused our sinful condition, we are able to be transformed into the image we were originally created to resemble through the life, death and resurrection of the man of heaven – Jesus Christ, the Messiah. On this first Sunday of Advent, the day of hope, we may be hopeful for the way is paved for us to return to the glory of God. Arise O sleeper, bear the image of Christ.

Scripture Nugget 11.26.2016

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Leadership of the church by the church. To move forward, to live into the more excellent way as individuals and as the Body of Christ we are to do so in unity, utilizing our diverse gifts in conjunction with each other. No one gift more important than another, no one person more important than another. Each recognizing the need to receive other’s strengths while sharing their own. Christianity is a team sport. The decision to accept Christ as Savior, to allow God to transform us into the likeness of Christ is an individual decision. However, it is to be lived out in fellowship with the Body of Christ. Each contributing as has ability, each receiving assistance from others as has need. Honestly recognizing one’s need to be part of the team is a first step. In every congregation there exists individuals with an abundance of spiritual gifts; synthesizing those gifts into unity of effort is a second step. Together, we are able to journey the more excellent way.

Scripture Nuget 11.25.2016

“Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our pashcal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. … Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside, ‘Drive out the wicked person from among you.’” 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, 12b-13

While this passage is commentary on a specific case of sexual immorality and the local church’s reaction to that case (1 Cor 5:1-5), it is also a thoughtful piece on how believers are to hold sinful believers accountable so as to maintain purity and holiness in the Body of Christ. In practice this is a tough balancing act. Our doors are open to all, believers and non-believers for we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God. The thing is, once “inside” and one professes faith, professes belief in Christ, confesses to being an unbelieving sinner then repents and becomes a believer, a holy act occurs. Justifed and sanctified we are cleansed. The symbolism of leavened vs un-leavened bread is helpful. No yeast is to be introduced into a kitchen where un-leavened bread is being prepared. But wait, we open our doors to all?! Yes we do for God loved the all world so much that he sent his Son that all may believe and come to faith. It is once we come to faith, once we have been transformed into Christ likeness, we continue being transformed by God into the fullness of the likeness of Christ. Returning to sinful ways of a non-believer, the ways of the world is contrary to living a life of ongoing sanctification. We are to be held accountable and to hold others accountable, in truth and love. If/when a professed believer refuses accountability, refuses to repent we owe it to the Body of Christ to send them away. Now ask yourself, “Is there any sin, any attitude, any wrong thinking in me that would cause me to be sent out from the Body of Christ?” If so, confess to God, turn from it and turn totally to God. I cannot hold others accountable if I am out of order myself. Remove the malice and evil and replace them with sincerity and truth.

Scripture Nugget 11.24.2016

“Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’ So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future – all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Charles Wesley words in the hymn, And Can It Be?, the fight song of the Wesleyan Movement sum up this passage very well: “No condemnation now I dread, / Jesus, and all in him, is mine, / Alive in him, my living head, / And clothed in righteousness divine, / Bold I approach the’eternal throne, / And claim the crown, through Christ my own.” On this Thanksgiving Day, let us all be thankful for God’s grace that chases and pursues in-spite of our sins. Be thankful for Christ, who lived, died and lives for each of us, regardless of what we’ve done, what we believe, or who we have followed. Be thankful for the opportunity to die to self and live for Christ. Step into that opportunity, fully! Boldly approach the eternal throne and claim the crown that only God offers and can only be gained through Christ! May God bless each and every one this Thanksgiving Day!

Scripture Nugget 11.22.2016

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

The challenge of being a living sacrifice is staying on the altar. Being still; praying “thy kingdom come, thy will be done then letting God’s will be done, in God’s time. That desire to get up and move and take care of a situation myself may be an indicator that I came forward prematurely, that I hadn’t first confessed and been forgiven of my sins, that I hadn’t allowed God to transform me into a holy and acceptable sacrifice. Dyeing to self then living for Christ, is a moment to moment decision, the challenge for a living sacrifice is to not crawl off the altar to go live for self. Allowing God to transform mind and heart, is what keeps us on the altar, allows us to die to self to live for Christ. God allows living sacrifices to live – to live abundantly, good, acceptable and perfect, with Him to go and assist others to become living sacrifices. O God, forgive me for the times I crawled away under my own authority, long before You released me. Welcome me back, forgive me, transform me, make me more like Christ, Christ-like for service to You.

Scripture Nugget 11.22.2016

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

The challenge of being a living sacrifice is staying on the altar. Being still; praying “thy kingdom come, thy will be done then letting God’s will be done, in God’s time. That desire to get up and move and take care of a situation myself may be an indicator that I came forward prematurely, that I hadn’t first confessed and been forgiven of my sins, that I hadn’t allowed God to transform me into a holy and acceptable sacrifice. Dyeing to self then living for Christ, is a moment to moment decision, the challenge for a living sacrifice is to not crawl off the altar to go live for self. Allowing God to transform mind and heart, is what keeps us on the altar, allows us to die to self to live for Christ. God allows living sacrifices to live – to live abundantly, good, acceptable and perfect, with Him to go and assist others to become living sacrifices. O God, forgive me for the times I crawled away under my own authority, long before You released me. Welcome me back, forgive me, transform me, make me more like Christ, Christ-like for service to You.