"The Truth shall set you free…"

I was reading yesterday and this passage caught my attention.  Here's what I've been taught about it, take it or leave it.

First, here's the passage:

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' They answered him, 'We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?'

Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yetyou seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.'"

John 8:31-38 (ESV)

The phrase "the truth shall set you free" has been used out of its original context a lot in movie quotes or even just colloquially.  We usually hear it as "honesty will set you free."  But after reading it in context is that what it really means?  What is this "truth" that Jesus talks about, it it "honesty?"

The word in the Greek is ἀλήθεια (alitheia).  Ἀλήθεια means "the content of that which is true and this in accordance with what actually happened-'truth.'"  "[It is] used to refer to the revelation of God that Jesus brings or, perhaps, to Jesus himself for what he actually is as the revelation of God." (Louw & Nida, 673)

Ἀλήθεια is much more than just honesty, it's the truth, the real revelation from God.  Jesus is the ultimate revelation from God, more than any scripture, more than any prophecy, more than any other prophet, Jesus is God in the flesh.  We could (and maybe sometimes should) read this as "Jesus will set you free."

Motivations v. Truth

In reading Philippians 1 this morning I thought about a passage that I've seen and read before and even used in illustrations (as recent as last night).  

"Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others for good will.  The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice."  Philippians 1:15-18 (ESV)

I remember reading that for the first time and being kind of offended and shocked. The righteous indignation that Christ should only be preached when it's out of right motives!   But then I began to consider the passages surrounding it. 

Paul is writing this as he's in prison and of course the rest of the disciples are concerned for him. But some are seeking to take advantage of him being in prison by preaching and trying to take his spot as a noteworthy preacher... (Cf. "Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry...") But Paul is saying that doesn't matter because Christ is being preached. 

So I've taken this as it doesn't matter who or how Christ is preached, as long as he's preached it's good! My thinking about this usually brings me to Joel Osteen. He's a preacher who carries a lot of attention and reaches hundreds of thousands of people yet with a weak message... But it doesn't matter! Christ is being preached! Right?

This makes me think of false teachers/preachers.  It doesn't matter right? Because Christ is being proclaimed and preached! It doesn't matter if they're doing it for the right motives, He's being preached. Right? 

Mmm, maybe not. Look at what Peter has to say in 2 Peter 2:1-3:

"But false prophets also rose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing upon themsves swift destruction.  And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."

It's not okay to preach/teach a false message about Christ. So how do these two passages work to form a doctrine we should have on preachers/preaching?

Paul puts into question their motivation. Peter puts into question their validity.  Motivation is neither here nor there, is what Paul is saying, so long as it is Truth that they are preaching. But, when that message is not true, whether or not they have good motives, they need to be corrected and dealt with. 

Haiti

All the bags are packed, accounted for, and under-weight! Now all that's left is to sleep/nap until its time to get ready to leave for the air port. We have 20 checked bags with roughly half of that being donations.  With each bag weighing an average of about 40lbs that's almost 400lbs of donations!  

With 16 people going and each having to pay $1100 that's $17,600 consisting mostly of donations! 

It is a huge honor and blessing to be able to go and spread God's word, love, and hope. It's also a privilege to be responsible for 10 students in a 3rd world country. This trip is going to be great!  Time to nap. 

A post about posting

Twitter stats:
1 week. The time it now takes for users to send a billion Tweets.

140 million. The average number of Tweets people sent per day, in the last month. [back in 2011]

6,939. Current TPS [Tweets Per Second] record, set 4 seconds after midnight in Japan on New Year’s Day.

Facebook/Instagram stats:
Each day on Facebook 300 million photos are uploaded

Instagram gains one new user every second

One billion photos have been taken with the app [Instagram]

There are roughly 58 photos uploaded each second [Instagram]


We live in a country where most people, especially our age group, have a smart phone that puts these things literally at the tips of our fingers. (I'm actually writing this post right now from my phone...) Because something is so easy and accessible that means we don't always think about it when we use it.

Think about the toilet or shower, when's the last time you said "man, I'm glad I have a good shower with hot water, that's indoors, etc." When a thing becomes so accessible that we forget why we have it it can become dangerous.

Lets look back at the three big social media things above. You can literally open the app and share text, a link, a photo or anything from open to post in less than 10 seconds. How often do you think about what you're sharing before you post it? Do you know who can see it? What is the message that's intended?

What happens when you see a gorgeous sunset? You take a picture and post it! Then you move on and keep doing what you were doing. When's the last time you stayed and watched a sunset? (This doesn't apply if you're driving lol, then again, you shouldn't be tweeting and driving.) From yellow to orange to pink to red to a deep purple. God created these things. Acknowledge him. When a tweet becomes so accessible you forget why you're tweeting, it's dangerous.

The next time you cook an awesome lunch and Instagram it thank God for him giving you the ability to cook, the food to prepare, and maybe even the person you're sharing it with... Heck even the technology you're using to share it!

Stop and appreciate the things you are sharing. Most of all, appreciate the One who has given you those things. Take it as a challenge to pray really quick before you post things for one week. You'll see how many superfluous things you post and you'll probably realize some blessings that you didn't see before.

Statistic sources:
http://blog.twitter.com/2011/03/numbers.html?m=1
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/infographic-instagram-stats/

Be a cup.

Cup
What is the purpose of a cup?
There are almost unlimited materials that a cup can be made from, any shape, or size--but they all have the same purpose.
If it sits unused in a cabinet it is a waste of material. If it is only filled and not poured it grows moldy and nasty. If it is filled and poured out it has fulfilled it's use. Yet it will need to be washed from time to time, but the purpose of a cup is to be filled up and poured out. The more liquid it moves the better. We are to be cups to carry and pour Christ's love.

Why remain comfortable in your cabinet? Why rejoice in being filled up but sit there refusing to pour. What was the purpose in filling you then? Isn't a cup of water desired most by those who are thirsty? And you would deny them that? It's worse for you to be filled and not poured than to not be filled at all, at least you are still clean then... Useless... But clean. Why agonize over being poured out? Is this not what your purpose is? Glorify God in being poured out as well, for you are fulfilling your purpose as a vessel of God's love.

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." Proverbs 11:25

I'm not done with you yet...

     Today was a long day. This week was a long week. Tomorrow will be a long day. Needless to say I'm physically and emotionally drained. The Retreat was amazing! But so much was poured into it that all the sponsors and myself a drained...
     At about 10:30 was when we started our last part of cleaning up and I said to Tyler that we should get out around 11:15ish. Well, we finish the last bit of cleaning and I go and drop some stuff off in the sanctuary. I run back up to the office to get my keys and move my car to put the equipment I borrowed in there. As I was waking out I was thinking in my head "I'm done with the day... It's been a long one. It was good but I've had enough." As I get into my car another car pulls into the parking lot. At this point it's only me and Tyler left.
     I drive over to the other door and she's out of her car in the parking lot and I thought she waved at me so I waved back.  But when I got out of my car she was walking towards us and needed help.  She asked if I spoke Spanish.  I replied "No hablo." lol.  Long story short she needed directions.  Somehow a lot of the Spanish I had been taught came back to me and I helped her find out how to her destination.
     It wasn't until Tyler and I were walking back towards my car that it hit me.  I said "I'm done with the day..."  God had another plan.  He still had work for me to do.  He needed me to minister to this woman.  The humbling part of this whole experience is that I taught a class that very morning about submission.  Who are we going to submit ourselves to as slaves?  We are slaves to the one whom we choose to obey.  Paul says we have two choices--sin or obedience (Rom 6:15-18).
     Part of being a slave is that we sometimes don't have a choice when we are told or asked to do something.  I had the option of ignoring this woman or not giving her the kindness due or helping her.  I chose to obey Christ.  I don't say this to toot my own horn.  I say this to remind myself that Jesus teaches lessons better than I ever will and he taught to me the exact same message I taught a dozen high schoolers this morning...

I have not proofread this or anything so I apologize for any grammatical mistakes.  I'm also very tired and there is the high possibility of this not even being coherent.  If so, I might fix it later. lol I just needed to get this written down while it was fresh.

Coffee Shop Devo on 2-16-12

I always forget how busy spring semester is.  I know that at the time I originally wrote this devo for Coffee Shop I had a paper to write about a book that I was only half way through--due at 8am.  I also had a Discipleship Group to prepare for, homework for a Doc Smith class and I’m sure something to prepare for New Creation tour in two weeks (super excited).  

Last week I nearly shut down because of the amount of things I had on my plate.  It is truly only by God that I got through that week.  But it was about that time that I began searching for what my topic would be for last night’s Coffee Shop devo.  After a few days of prayer and looking for inspiration it all hit me.  I had just laid down to go to sleep, put my phone on the night stand, rolled over and woosh!  A lot of thoughts just came rushing to my head and I figured I’d better write them down.  I ended up writing about two pages of notes in roughly thirty minutes and then finally fell asleep with my mind reeling.  

What is a more obvious topic to talk about when you’re stressed and have so many to-do lists they’re coming out of your ears and your room is beginning to look like a disaster?  How to find peace.  How to find stillness, quiet, rest, etc.

I have found out from Ministry as Life’s work and Models of Leadership that I am not an emotional person.  Sometimes I don’t know how to deal with my spikes in emotion, much less dealing with others lol.  So whenever I’m faced with these spikes in emotion I turn to who I think was the most emotional writer in the Bible--David.  David has an uncanny ability to express his emotions honestly and clearly. 

Thankfully, I had to memorize one of David’s Psalms for D-group last year and it frequently comes to mind when I am stressed and desire peace.  

Psalm 131 says:

“My heart is not proud O LORD,

My eyes are not haughty,

I do not concern myself with great matters; 

or things too wonderful for me.

I have stilled and quieted my soul.

Like a weaned child with it’s mother;

Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD

Both now and forevermore.”

The part that I end up repeating over and over in my head and say it almost with the exhalation of a deep breath is: “I have stilled and quieted my soul.”  This is what we want!  If you’re anything like me peace, stillness, quiet, rest is what you want in times of stress.  Yes, you may want coffee to keep you going in the busy times lol but the 30 seconds you have to sit down in a chair (even if it’s an uncomfortable one lol) are bliss.   This stillness and quiet David talks about has penetrated all the way down to his soul his very core/essence.  

What comes before that verse?  (go ahead and scroll back up and find it.)

“My eyes are not haughty, my heart is not proud O LORD, I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.”  I believe David is expressing humility in these verses.  I would also venture to say that this peace and stillness is a result of that humility.  

How do we learn humility?  

Humility stems from our perspective, namely our perspective with God.  I know that whenever I look at the stars I almost want to stop walking and just stare and marvel.  God created all of this with a breath.  Billions of stars, so far away that it is silly to measure with conventional distance.  In stead we have to measure in terms of the speed of light.  Tell me that gigantic balls of burning hydrogen light years away is not humbling.  

Two other things that makes me stop and stare are sunsets and sunrises.

God creates these things to remind us that he is not only 1) incredibly creative, 2) powerful enough to move and paint the sky just to remind us that he is a beautiful powerful God.  

Psalm 19 says:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
   where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.

We need to realize that our position with God is tiny.  We are like ants to God and have no value.  The only reason we have value is because He says so.  When you realize this it’s a humbling experience.  

Consider Philippians 4:6-7:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Part of the peace we want comes from prayer.  Prayer changes our perspective with God.  I think it is appropriate, since we are talking about humility and prayer, to discuss prayer postures.  I want you to try praying on your knees.  We, in western culture, don’t really ever bow or submit ourselves physically to other people so this will be entirely new.  Yes, your knees will hurt after about the first ten seconds lol.  Push through that and try to pray as long as you can in this position of submission.  

I would encourage you to at some point this week find time--no, make time to spend in devotion to God.  To tell Him, and yourself, that He is still your first priority.  Pick your busiest day next week and carve out time for the Father.  Skip lunch if you have to. “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” (Col 3:2)

Last week I had a day like this where I just needed to set aside time for Him and I skipped lunch.  I thought I would be hungry, grouchy, and stressed about losing time that could have been spent working on something.  But I was actually more relaxed and at ease.  

[Review]  We want relief from stress (i.e. peace, quiet, stillness, etc.).  Where do we find this?  David seems to suggest it’s from humility.  Humility comes from having the right perspective with God.  We can really understand the correct perspective on God through prayer and considering our relationship to Him.  

So how do we practice humility?

Practicing humility has to deal with your thoughts about others.  When you begin to think of others as higher/greater than yourself is when you truly begin to practice humility.  

I can hardly write this devotion without thinking of my best friend, Tyler.  I have never found such a loving and fulfilling relationship.  Not even in my imagination could I have seen this level of peace, love, comfort, accountability, and wholeness.  Why is this friendship so special?  To put it simply, selflessness and humility.  If Tyler and I were to ever argue over who would have a single portion of food we would each be arguing for the other person to take it.  

I am also reminded of my friend Emily and her catchy little way of saying things that stick in my head.  She says “Who are you?”  It is just a surface level question most of the time but really consider this question after reading the last section of this devotion...  Who are you?  In two generations no one but your grandchildren will remember who you were.  So what are you living for?  Why live for things that are going to be temporary?  Live instead for those things that are eternal and realize there are things that are bigger than you.

Your level of humility will reflect who is most important in your life.  If you love yourself more that God then you will struggle with humility.  If you are truly devoted to Christ you will begin to see things differently.

[Review] We desire peace in chaos.  David suggests peace comes from humility.  Humility is learned through your relationship with God and is practiced in your relationship with other people.  

So what does the last part of the Psalm say?

“O Israel, put your hope in the Lord

both now and forever more.”

I remember sometime last spring I was stressed or upset about something and my roommate, David, said something very casually and matter-of-factly that changed my thinking.  “Look on the bright side, on the third day... He rose.”  Nothing else matters in comparison to this hope.  Nothing else is nearly as important.  Yes, homework is important and I’m not giving you an excuse to not do it.  But when it is compared to the resurrection of Christ it is miniscule.  

John 16:33 says: “I have said these things to you, that in my you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  

It is interesting that hope in Christ will tie back to humility because you will begin to realize your own helplessness and begin to realize the security found in His salvation.  Friends, if you really want peace, you must begin to selflessly follow the Prince of Peace.