Downcast? That's not abnormal!

William Bridge in his work, A Lifting Up for the Downcast, offers us these thoughts:


Nine things there are, which usually are grounds and occasions of the discouragements of God's people.
I.  Sometimes their discouragements are drawn from their greater and grosser sins.
II.  Sometimes they arise from the weakness of grace.
III.  Sometimes they are taken from their failing in and non-acceptance of duty.
IV.  Sometimes they are draw from their lack of evidence for heaven, and non-assurance of the love of God.
V.  Sometimes they come from their temptations.
VI.  Sometimes from their desertions.
VII.  Sometimes from their afflictions.
VIII.  Sometimes from their unserviceableness.
IX.  Sometimes from their condition itself.

For Bridge as well as other Puritans being "downcast" was not a sin but rather a common result of the redeemed living among the unredeemed and striving to be in but not of the world.  Downcast-ness comes in every battle and we must accept that we are in a continuous battle - every moment of every day.

Now we must pray that we appreciate our downcasted-ness and respect it as a very real and clear evidence of our "otherness."  We are a colony of the redeemed living on foreign shores among peoples utterly opposed to us and our Master.  

Downcast-ness should not provoke despair.  Despair is a sense of futility - even a sense of vanity and we must claim the fact that, although we may not see the why or how of it, our lives are - cannot be - futile or vain if they are lived for Him and by Him.

It is, from my perspective, the insidious spirit of covetousness - comparing our selves to others and/or the "norms" of the culture - that is the most common poison that casts us down. 

Paul writes:

2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 11 NASB
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; [8] we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; [9] persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; [11] For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Note:
afflicted - not crushed
perplexed - not despairing
persecuted - not forsaken
struck down - not destroyed
delivered over to death - Jesus made manifest

This is our lot here.  Jesus Himself told us so.  Are we willing to forgo the comfort of this world so He might be seen?  

Do we long for heaven?  Heaven has been described many ways but a true picture is that heaven is the utter and complete absence of sin.  Do we ache for our sin and the lostness of others?  Do we long to be where sin is not and can never be?  Then we will, at times, be downcast - but we are so only for a short time and then we will never be able to be downcast again.

Long for heaven and await His pleasure of calling you there.  As long as you wake up, regardless of how downcast you may be, He has something for you to do for Him.  You may not see it - you may never know you did it - but He uses us all for His name's sake.

0400713 Business thinking.

For some strange reason (maybe sin?) we seem to make a distinction between our "religious" life and our "business" life.  Well, that's a serious error.  In fact, the Puritans considered one who made such a distinction and potentially unsaved and fooling themselves.

Levi the tax collector in Matthew 2 and Zaccheus in Luke 19 make that point very clearly. Not only that but even a cursory reading of Isaiah and the other Prophets make is clear that God judges not only our "religious" attitudes and actions but our commercial ones as well - and His wrath is kindled against them.

It's a matter of humility.  Humility?

Yes.

Biblical humility is fighting the hard and grueling battle to be and stay submitted to the call of God upon our lives.  It's the acceptance that no where except at the foot of His throne, beseeching His provision will we ever have a hope of bringing glory to His name in anything we attempt.  It is truly and viscerally a dieing to "self."   A mortification of the flesh.  A life lived in full awareness of the the cost of even the smallsts of our sins (if any can be called small).

To put is in plain and main talk:


He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? (Mic 6:8)

Justice, kindness (mercy) and humility before God.  do you really know what these call for?  Or are they just really need words that simple "inspire" and then "expire?"

Here are three "key core values" worth digging into  - worth any and all the time and effort it takes you to live for His names sake.  These are three lenses through which the light of the truth - the light of the world - shines through us to His honor and glory.

Oh - don't fool yourselves.  These are NOT just religious values.  If they don't or can't apply to your business then your business is in real trouble - eve if it's Christian business (whatever that is).

Think about this.  There is no such thing as a "christian" company,business, endeavor, organization, cause, even, etc.  There may be Christians involved and indeed it may be done for the glory of Christ but ONLY redeemed human beings can claim the denomination "Christian."  Adding "christian" as an adjective is meaningless - maybe as an adverb it has some meaning but ONLY PEOPLE - REDEEMED PEOPLE are Christian.

Your business, church, organization, etc can never be any more Christian than the newest, even weakest believer who is a part of it.

We do business to "gain" something - provision.  We live for Christ and in Christ because of what we have already gained - which only He provides.  Can you see the difference?

Just some food for thought --- I pray it provokes you to turn to His Word and humbly in prayer cry out:


Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.   (Psa 26:2)

Wait for the answer and follow!

Learning to Love in Lost World 001

It's - personal time -

We hear a lot of non-believers accusing believers of not being very "loving."  I think we would all have to admit that there are some sad examples of not just an unloving attitude but an attitude of outright hatred coming from some folks who claim to be believers.  It's  downright heartbreaking.

But we also have to realize that non-believers do not understand the nature/source of a believers love not do they understand it's limits/priorities.  As leaders, who serve a diverse group of people we have to be very clear as to what we see as a "loving attitude."

First, the love we are to have is not a "passion" although we can be very passionate in our loving.  Our love is both a duty and a gift.  We not only love Him because He first loved us but we are only able to truly love others because of His love.  Apart from His love we can be nothing but lovers of our selves.

Our duty to love is simply based upon His command.  It is what must characterize our service to Him and His - as well as others.  We must desire to glorify Him in every relationship - loving is how we do this.  We choose to live towards others with the understanding, compassion and care with which He provides us.

The danger we face is in allowing the "world" to dictate what godly love is.  God defines love within the context of His holiness.  Anything outside of that is not godly love.  

I keep three things in mind as I work with my clients.
I am to love God.
I am to love my neighbor.
I am to love my enemy.  (That is those who choose to position themselves as enemies toward me - I do not get to be an enemy.)

I use this simple list to keep my priorities clear and my boundaries secure as I live and work among unbelievers.

Loving God can be simply seen as directing "my" life, my efforts to His glory.  I want to reflect Him in all His goodness and holiness.  I want others to see Him as clearly as possible.  Of course, it takes the presence and power of the Spirit for this to happen.

Loving my neighbor can be - well, tricky.  I can not love them as they demand.  I must love them as He commands.  This is a source of friction and difficulty.  Why?  Because love without truth is false.  Truth demands discernment and judgement.  I must have the same "view" of things my God has or else my claim that he is indeed God is a lie.

This puts me at odds with my culture.  Yet I must love those in my culture.  How do I do that????????

We're going to walk through a kind of maze as we move forward.  Loving our neighbor takes clarity in our understanding of the Word, the guidance of the Spirit and of course our being His.   

Leading is difficult but leading a group of individuals with differing world views and beliefs is exponentially difficult.  It is the internal work the "leader" must do under the guidance of the Spirit and within the boundaries of the Word that demands the most.

For those of you who new to this blog you must understand that I am an reformed believer and orthodox in my faith.  I can not know the hearts of men in the specifics but I do know the effects of the Fall and the bondage of the will to sin.  

May God bless us as we consider demonstrating His love to His Fallen world.  

Teach Lord to love as He loved.  Protect us from error and confusion and strengthen us for the fight.  Make us stand firm with You and show forth Your glory as we learn to love.

Amen

Suggestion -

If you want a challenge I would suggest you get a copy of Christopher Love's sermon series, A Christian's Directory - especially sermons 8 and 9.

Keep in mind that Love is writing in the 17th century and is a Puritan.  Consider as well that what we think we know about the Puritan view of the life of faith may not be the truth - I have found both deep insight and wonderful tenderness in their writings.  Also consider getting some insight into the historical and cultural context in which he writes.

Why?  Well, as Solomon said, "There is nothing new under the sun."  and, well, "All is vanity."

Although the entire series is solid food for the soul (not to mention the heart and mind) sermons 8 and 9 are specifically aimed at business.  There are no "new" perspectives here but rather the opportunity so see biblical truths concerning "business" are ageless.

I considered blogging a lot of what Love writes but we're just too used to being spoon-fed baby food instead of meat.  If you want it, it's there.

Please prayerfully consider that for we believers SUCCESS is measured solely by FAITHFULNESS.   This is a tough truth to hang on to - and a tough truth to work from - but it is a truth we can not escape or deny.

Leadersheep -Examine your heart and get His help!

We began with a tough subject, money - covetousness.  But it is not as simple as that.  It it is more a matter of the heart than the wallet or wants.

As one who leads - or desires to lead the critical thing is to examine your heart.

Jesus tells us:


For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." 
(Mar 7:21-23)

Pretty tough stuff.  

Two things any leadersheep should pray and follow through on:

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!   (Psa 139:23-24)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.   (Psa 19:14)

We need God to show us our hearts and whatever wickedness yet resides there.  We need Him to shine His light in all the cracks and crevices so we may find and sweep out the smallest dusty-bunny of sin.  We need to seek His Spirit's help in discerning our weaknesses and needs and the same for the remedy.

We, as believers, have His Spirit and His Spirit produces fruit.  We all know the old passage: 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.   (Gal 5:22-23)

Here is a criteria by which we and the Spirit can effectively examine our hearts.  This fruit ( and "fruit" in this passage is in the singular - it's all one) is not just the demonstration to us that we are in Him.  Rather it is the characteristic that should be evidence of His presence to us and all those we serve and care for - or, actually just come into contact with.

I began my "official:" career as a consultant working with a process that sought to develop "whole hearted leadership."  It was (and is) a great  process!  There is just one problem - that is the nature of that heart one is leading from.

As leaders we don't just need a 360 degree assessment - we need a 720.  We don't just need the feed-back of those around us but we need the feed-back of He who indwells us. We are sinful and flawed and weak - so what kind of assessment can we really give (or get).  It is His loving and true assessment we need so that we may know our hearts.

Of course - we do have such an assessment:

The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.   (Gen 6:5)

That's where we start.  Our hearts we birthed, weened and raise that way.  In Him we are made new - but it's a new we are utterly unfamiliar with - so, having been birthed in Him we must be weened and raised in Him as well.  Unfortunately pride all too often prevents us from accepting our need for the pure milk of the word - we're big people - we need meat.  And yet we have no spiritual teach with which to chew and so not only do we gag on the meat we gain little nutrition from it.

For any of you who seriously desire to examine your hearts I suggest you get a copy of:

Keeping the Heart by John Flavel.  Flavel was a 17th century Puritan and his works are magnificent.  Keep in mind the times and circumstances in which he wrote - they were unsettled and tough.  But if you will work through this book with your Bible alongside I know you will be challenged and blessed.

What are we working for? Beginning

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   (Mat 6:33)

We all know this verse and we have heard countless sermons about it.  For Leadersheep this is the place to start, the first step.

It's not a hard thing to grasp, we, as His people, need to seek after Him and His will first and foremost.  

The word "kingdom" in the passage can be legitimately translated as "kingshipb" without doing violence to the text.  And doing so can be a very great help to us in keeping Him in focus.  

What is a hard thing to do is to faithfully submit to that Kingship.  It is especially hard when we are surrounded (in business or leisure) by so many to whom this idea is alien and/or offensive.  "Bending," the rules, even breaking then has become common, the key being to not get caught.

Being in such an environment is a great trial and challenge to our faith and faithfulness.  But if we consider that there is no sin so small that Christ did not have to die for it - perhaps we can be better motivated to submit to His will in all our undertakings.

It begins when He calls us to Himself and makes us His.  The Spirit is given as His seal and His helper and we begin to follow Him.  Old thoughts, views and habits are challenged and perhaps it is at this point we really begin to see the depth and breadth of our need for His grace.

But we, with His provision, must commit to submit to His Kingship - which is more than just an acknowledgement of it - it is a daily living of it.

So, let me ask you, how well do you know Him - not how much do you know about Him but how well you know Him?  In our earthly relationships we have all ha those  moments when we have commented concerning someone we thought we knew well, "I never would have thought they'd......"  

If, in our earthly relationships we assume much and we assume wrongly can we not do the same in our relationship with Him?  Of course we can - and have - and do.

I am not encouraging you to some massive change in your life.  I don't think we normally need an epiphany or revelation.  I do think we need to make a choice, a plan and then follow through.

Simple beginnings are usually best so let me encourage you to consider:
1.  At least two times of prayer a day.  Praise Him, seek His provision and lift up those you know are in need.  If prayer seems difficult them select a Psalm and simply read it as your prayer - that's not cheating and you'll be amazed at how it builds your appreciation and focus in prayer.
2.  Get into the Word and the Word into you - daily.  Maybe you'll just start reading a Gospel or Proverbs.  Maybe you'll take advantage of websites like Truth For Life or Sermon Audio.  But as God builds us He uses the "mud" we bring and the straw of the Word to build the bricks we need.  This isn't magic - you've done a very similar thing as you prepared for your career and as you advanced in it.  
3.  Be as gracious to yourself in your beginning as He is always.  Richard Baxter, a wonderful 17th century preacher wrote concerning our growth in our Christian "duties,"
"Doing it as you can is the way to be able to do it better."

Recommended memory verse:

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.   (Psa 119:49-50)

Recommended Bible reading:
Luke and then on to Acts

Recommended audio:
Truth for Life; Alistair Begg (Also found on Sermon Audio site)

Recommended extra-biblical reading:
A Christian's Directory by Christopher Love

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, insights, - what ever - I hope to serve you well but you'll have to help me do that.

So why this blog?

There are countless blogs available for leaders out here on the web.  So, why one more?

My only justification is that i have spent 14 plus years as a "tent-maker" supporting myself by serving as a consultant to organizations and individuals dealing with various issues.  See:  msandersconsultant.com

Over the years I have worked with strong, weak and other believers as well as non-believers helping them to develop their organizations and their lives.  From racial and religious issues to change and conflict issues I have had the honor of working for and with some very remarkable people.

But, my heart has always been with the believer in or over an organization who desires to be a witness to their faith while respecting the "faith" of others.  In our world today, this is not an easy thing to do.  As the economy continues to stagnate and the challenges to our faith grow I see the struggles of believers and I ache for them.

So, I am starting this small simple blog to provide what insight and counsel I can.  

I will probably not address large and general issues and I hope to get issues and questions from who ever reads this blog.  We are to in but not of this world - and that is quite simply a tough thing to do.  I hope to help inform and encourage you in your faith and in the application of that faith to your vocation - indeed your whole life.

I am hardly a theologian much less a guru but I do have enough education and experience (I thin) to make a contribution to those who desire and struggle to live for Him more broadly and wisely.

I don't want to do this in a vacuum so your input will help this be as dynamic and valuable tool.  You can send your question, queries, input and/or concerns to me via:

msanders.bc@gmail.com

I pray you will help me help others and that God will be glorified by our efforts.