IS FAITH A GIFT OF GOD? -- Devotional for November 29, from "Good Seeds"

“For by grace you are saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

What is faith? Is it just a word for religious discussion or is it of more universal interest? The dictionary goes beyond religion in its definitions. First we learn that faith is a derivative of a Latin word meaning trust. So faith means the placing of trust in something or someone. Another definition renders faith “a firm belief in something apart from empirical proof” (some might add: “apart from any visible means of support!”), which leads to the standard definition: “Faith is belief in the traditional doctrines of religion.” Our theology, however, is not rooted in Webster, but the Word of God! We find a pretty succinct definition of faith at the beginning of the faith chapter: “Now faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). This applies to everyday life just as readily as to the spiritual life: The last time you sat down did you first inspect the chair? Probably not. You just took it “by faith” that it would support your weight and frame. But you’d probably be more careful about the parachute you were about to use, for a fall from a plane might hurt worse than a fall from a chair! We say, “I have no faith in this thing, or that person,” and well we should, for placing faith in unworthy or undependable things or people is the epitome of foolishness. Some think when Ephesians 2:8 says we are saved by grace “through faith, and THAT not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,” it means faith is a special gift of God. But the antecedent (the thing referred to) of the word THAT is salvation, not faith. Salvation is what is being offered as the free gift, while faith is no more or less than the means by which we receive it. Faith is not just for some and not for others. Everyone has faith as an operational tool. It is simply the way God made us to function: we act on what we believe to be true. It is no more spiritual – and no more a special gift from God – than our lungs or our fingers. We all have the capacity to express faith – what we do NOT have is the capacity to save ourselves. That's the work of grace. Grace is God's job – faith is man's job. We cannot do God's job for Him – we cannot save ourselves. And God does not do our job for us – nowhere in the Bible do we read that God expresses faith on our behalf. Rather, it pleads, “Be reconciled to God” (II Corinthians 5:20). And then it tells us how: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). The question comes down to where we place our faith. Our faith choices lead to beliefs; our beliefs lead to decisions and actions, which in turn lead to our final destiny! And so, my friend, who will you trust with your eternal soul?!

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HOW DO WE COME TO SALVATION? -- Devotional for November 28, from "Good Seeds"

Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. But how shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” But Lord, who has believed our report? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. (Romans 10:13-17)

For hundreds of years Christians have debated with one another – and sometimes departed from one another – over the question of how a lost person comes to salvation. One side of the argument takes Bible verses that speak of God’s sovereign will, concluding that no one can be saved unless chosen by God. And if so chosen, it impossible for them not to be saved, for God will have His will! Since millions of people have died never having come to faith in Christ, the logical conclusion is that God must not have chosen that vast majority of men and women for His kingdom. The other side of the argument takes Scriptures like today’s passage, which says nothing about God choosing men, but everything about men choosing God! The first argument interprets Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you are saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” to mean that faith is a gift of God. Anyone who has it will believe and be saved. Those who have not received it cannot believe and so are condemned. The means to salvation is the faith God gives to certain ones of His choice. But is this really what Paul meant? If so, he contradicted himself in Romans, where he wrote: “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” He didn’t say, “whomever God calls,” but “whoever calls God.” Who gets to be saved? That’s the basic question. And here, in black and white, is the basic answer: “Whoever calls out to God.” Paul goes on to tell the Romans the source of faith (notice he says nothing about a gift): “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God,” he says. It’s hard for some to admit it, but it boils down to man’s efforts – all within God’s sovereign plan, of course! How are people going to hear the message? God doesn’t miraculously zap them into heaven. Someone has to tell them. Once they’ve heard, it’s up to them to believe on Christ and then call out to be saved. But it starts with the evangelist. Now any Christian can and should be a witness for Christ, but there are some who specialize in preaching the gospel of salvation. God calls and gifts them. Men equip and send them. What is the result? Saved souls! But what is the process? Beautiful soles! I want the beautiful feet of the missionary! How about you?

CHRISTMAS COMMERCIAL -- Devotional for November 27, from "Good Seeds"

The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for I bring you Good News of great joy for all people.” And they came in haste to the place they had been told, and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen this, the shepherds went back to their place, and made known the statement which had been told them about this Child, continually glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as had been told to them. And all who heard them were amazed and in awe. (Luke 2:10,16-18,20)

Having a good product but not advertising it is like winking at a girl in the dark: you know what you’re doing, but nobody else does! Even though in this modern materialistic world advertisement has gone to seed, there is a commodity that has slipped under the radar screen of contemporary society which could do with a healthy dose of renewed creative exposure. That precious product is the Good News about Jesus Christ. As we approach the Christmas season we witness the unfortunate dichotomy between the desire to celebrate and the denial of the “Reason for the season.” Sadly, believers in Jesus Christ are caught up in the “lovely traditions” and the “crass commercialism” of Christmas right along with the rest of the world. But we are not mere consumers – we have an advertising job to do, for we have a Savior to proclaim! We need not shrink from this task; we need merely to follow the pattern set for us by the shepherds. The Christmas commercial started with the facts, as proclaimed to men by messengers from heaven: the Savior of the world has landed; the Son of God is now Emmanuel – God with us. But like any good commercial, though a clear explanation of the facts is necessary, it is not enough. The shepherds weren’t satisfied just to hear – they, like old Doubting Thomas, had to see for themselves “if these things be true.” The best advertising comes not from paid professionals, but from satisfied customers. When the shepherds saw the Bethlehem scene, exactly as described by the angel, they were convinced and ready to communicate. Passive hearers then became active eye-witnesses...and enthusiastic proclaimers! Just like those shepherds of old, when we come to know Christ for who He really is, we will never be the same. And when we make our way from the manger to the marketplace –- back to family and neighborhood and job –- we will “go into all our world and preach the gospel” – tell the story (Mark 16:15) – sometimes shouting it from the rooftops, but usually just whispering it to dear hearts, one at a time. And we will be heard, for we’ve been there! It was not the miracle proclamation of angels that convinced the crowds, but the song in the hearts – and the glow on the faces – of those who had just seen Jesus!

EASY FOR YOU TO SAY! -- Devotional for November 26, from "Good Seeds"

Pray for one another. (James 5:16)

This common cliché has an implied but unspoken finishing statement: “That’s easy for you to say – but not so easy to do.” This is especially true for Christians in the area of prayer. We are so quick to say, “I’ll pray for you,” but how quick are we to actually pray? If we don’t stop and pray right then and there, when will we do it? How will we remember our friend’s need, and our promise to bring it before the Lord? Until we find a way to keep our vigil with God on our friend's behalf, we’d better hold off from making such glib commitments, for “by our words we shall be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). A line from the poem, "The Cremation of Sam MaGee," serves as a sober reminder to every conscientious Christian regarding his promise to pray for someone: “A promise made is a debt unpaid.” Some may not think of it as an actual promise, but rather just a statement of intent. But it’s a question of character here, for ought not our word be our bond? Isn’t saying I will do something really saying, “I promise I will do it”? Otherwise I should say, “I’ll do it – if I don’t forget.” And here’s another problem: because of our sinful nature we fool ourselves into thinking that once we have stated our intent to do something, we’ve as good as done it! And regarding our prayer, who’s to know whether or not we actually prayed as promised? After all, isn’t prayer by definition a very private and personal thing? Yes, so much so that maybe we ought not to talk about it at all, but just do it! Jesus rebuked the religious hypocrites of His day for making a public spectacle of their praying, “in order to be seen by men” (Matthew 6:5). If we are totally honest with ourselves we will admit a certain satisfaction felt inside every time we tell someone we will pray for him. If we don’t tell him, but just do it, we deprive ourselves of that “innocent” little perk, leaving behind just the work! Someone said, “Real prayer is hard work,” and I believe it. But not to promise to pray has its down side, too. Prayer needs planning, and planning begins with desires and goals. To say we will pray is the first step in our prayer plan. In Proverbs 29:18 we read, “Without a vision the people perish.” Sincere intention coupled with a practical plan prevents us from becoming useless, prayer-less saints! Here’s a good plan: 1) Keep track of prayer requests by immediately writing them down in a small notebook that you keep with you at all times; 2) Keep your prayer vigil with the Lord – same time, same station, every day. Then pull out your list, get on your knees, and pray; 3) Keep your prayer promise to your friend. This “Prayer-Keep Plan” will help you walk the walk of prayer, and not just talk the talk, making it easy for you to pray, not just to say that you will!

A CONFESSION OF THANKSGIVING -- Devotional for November 25, from "Good Seeds"

In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

“Lord, today I would like to make a confession of thanksgiving….” So began the prayer I heard at a public meeting recently. I was intrigued by the phrase, “confession of thanksgiving.” Usually our statements of gratitude come with positive and joyful affirmation, not with an implied admission of guilt. Regarding thanksgiving, what’s there to confess? Well, I was soon to find out, for this is what followed: “I’m ashamed to confess, Lord, how easy it is to thank You for my family and friends.” And in our “I’m thankful for…” time around the table after the Thanksgiving feast others may add their gratitude for the precious freedoms we enjoy and the blessing of dwelling in safety and comfort. “O Lord, thank You for giving us all of our needs – and most of our wants!” Confession #1: Thanking God FOR the good things, as reflected in the old hymn, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.” Just because it is easy to do this doesn’t mean it is not important. Certainly it is right to acknowledge all the good that comes our way, and bow to the One responsible for it. But having done so, are we done? Is our thanksgiving confession complete? Not by a long shot! Look at the verse again…. Does it say, “For good things give thanks”? No, but rather, “In all things give thanks” – which brings us to Confession #2: Thanking God IN the hard things. I must confess that it is not so easy to thank God when I’m going through tough stuff. The fragrant flowers along life’s pathway bring joy to our hearts, but what are we to do about the weeds and thorns, the rocks and roadblocks? These are the pain, distress, and disappointment that we deal with daily. We are not told to thank God FOR them, but by His grace we can thank Him IN them – for He goes with us THROUGH them, and brings us out the other side better people BECAUSE of them. Surely this is what Andrae Crouch meant when he wrote: “I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys; and I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through; for if I never had a problem I’d never know that He could solve them, I’d never know what faith in God could do. Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.” And so our confession of thanksgiving continues: “Oh God, on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, I will thank You for the treats, for sure, for they encourage my heart – but for the trials, too, for they strengthen my faith, even as they build my character. And if the rare moments of splendor give me a glimpse of heaven, and draw me closer there, still it is the daily struggle with unpleasant circumstances that show me heaven’s God, and draws me into His care.

BREAKING THE SILENCE, WITH GOOD NEWS! -- Devotional for November 24, from "Good Seeds"

Good news from a far country is like a drink of cold water to a thirsty man. (Proverbs 25:25)

There are many ways where the image of God is seen in man. One is the desire and ability to communicate. When God created man He gave him the wonderful gift of speech. Oh, He provided adequate language for the lower creatures, too, but nothing like the miracle of words with which He blessed mankind. Your baby’s first steps are a milestone, to be sure, but they don’t hold a candle to your joy at hearing “Dadda” or Mama” from those tiny, rosy lips for the very first time! Man craves to communicate, whether by Indian smoke signals drifting lazily across a valley, or a detailed message sent across town or across the sea, traveling invisibly at the speed of light, bouncing between earth and communication satellites, via the personal computer. Kids today hardly know how to write and send a letter through the postal service, but they’ll teach the older generation a thing or two about text messaging from their cell phone. And loved ones, or strangers soon to be friends, though halfway round the world, can now talk to one another (even see one another, if equipped with a webcam) via email or skype! We think this passion to communicate is unique to our day, but going back in history we see it’s nothing new. Think of the apostle Paul languishing in a Roman prison, isolated from loved ones, how it thrilled his soul when a letter finally came! And he was never beholden to his faraway friends, for they would always receive a letter from him in return. Now God was in those letters, for He caused them to become the Text Messages of Good News from the "far country" of heaven. A twenty-three year old Belgian man was in a car accident that left him totally paralyzed. Doctors told his parents it was futile to keep him alive, for he was no more than a vegetable. How fortunate that they refused to give up hope, for after twenty-three years in a supposed coma a newly developed brain scan technique discovered he was conscious, and had been internally alert the entire time! Such a “far country” he had been in. But now he communicates his thoughts through a touch screen device, and he plans to write a book about his ordeal. The apostle Paul could suggest a good title for that book: “Remember my imprisonment” (Colossians 4:18). But a worse silence than these is going on today between men and the God who is calling them. He calls them from the manger, from the cross – and from the skies! Remember what the angel proclaimed on that first Christmas Eve: “Today I bring you good news of great joy for all people (Luke 2:10). What isolated and imprisoned friend could you touch, refresh, and liberate today with this Good News from a Far Country?

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Part Five (conclusion) -- Devotional for November 23, from "Good Seeds"

What happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity, a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, and able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Some people have great power over other people – others just wish they did! Some people have great power with God – others like to think they do, but reality proves otherwise! And some people claim to have great power over their own bodily parts and passions – but if they really do, we’d like to know who they are and how they do it, for they have a lot to teach the rest of us! But, James, pastor of First Jerusalem Christian Church, would beg to differ with them, for concerning control over just one area, the tongue, he wrote: “He who does not stumble in what he says is a perfect man, able to bridle the rest of the body as well” (James 3:2). But then again, who among us is always loving, or joyful, or peaceful, or patient? And so, as we examine SELF-CONTROL, the last of the nine Galatians 5 spiritual fruits, we view it as a work in progress, knowing we’ll not get it right all the time – not until glory! And in heaven self-discipline won’t even be an issue: because the propensity and temptation to sin will be gone, there will be no struggle to control our passions and desires. Self-control for us then will come as naturally as the kindness, goodness, faithfulness and meekness that we will finally have perfected. Instead of having to practice self-control and the other spiritual fruits, we will be occupied in the practice of godliness (using that word the way it is used of a highly experienced and proficient doctor practicing his trade). Paul makes this contrast in his advice to young Timothy when he says, “Discipline of the body has its place, but the discipline of the soul is far more valuable, since it holds promise for this present life and the life to come” (I Timothy 4:8). Just as there will be no more pain or disease or death in heaven, so there will be no more gluttony or obesity or addiction. But where we are now is no “heaven on earth.” We each have our own demons whispering in our ears to eat this, smoke that, speak thus, take a sip, take a peek! These things won’t hurt you, but actually do you good, making you wise, able to commune with those around you. Indeed, “you will be like God, knowing good and evil! (Genesis 3:5) What a lie! The only time we’re like God is when we are able to marshal and direct our energies in the wisdom and ways of God!