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God's Plan Matures Us Slowly

Here is a devotional I read this morning, by Rick Warren. Great reminder for all of us....

So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. (Ephesians 4:22-24 TEV)

Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus was deliberate in developing his disciples, just as God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land "little by little," so they wouldn't be overwhelmed. (Deuteronomy 7:22) He prefers to work in incremental steps in our lives.

Why does it take so long to change and grow up? There are several reasons -

We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson forty or fifty times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, "Not again! I've already learned that!"—but God knows better. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need repeated exposure.
 
We have a lot to unlearn. Many people go to a counselor with a personal or relational problem that took years to develop and say, "I need you to fix me. I've got an hour." They naïvely expect a quick solution to a long-standing, deep-rooted difficulty. Since most of our problems—and all of our bad habits—didn't develop overnight, it's unrealistic to expect them go away immediately. There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls it "taking off the old self" and "putting on the new self." (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-25; Col. 3:7-10, 14) While you were given a brand new nature at the moment of conversion, you still have old habits, patterns, and practices that need to be removed and replaced.

Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind: You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.

 Good habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can't claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind—you show kindness without even thinking about it. You can't claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. A husband who is faithful to his wife most of the time is not faithful at all! Your habits define your character.

There is only one way to develop the habits of Christlike character: You must practice them—and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, "Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress." (1 Timothy 4:15 GW)

Religion is Restricted for Two-Thirds of the World Population

I came across this report this morning that has me really thinking and praying:

Religion is Restricted for Two-Thirds of World Population, Study Shows

In a new report measuring infringements on religious beliefs and practices around the world, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that two-in-three people in the world today live in countries with high levels of restrictions on religion. The report gauges the level of restrictions due both to government actions and to acts of violence and intimidation by private individuals, organizations and social groups. The study found that 64 nations, about one-third of the countries in the world, have high or very high restrictions on religion, but because some of the most restrictive countries are very populous, they represent nearly 70% of the world’s 6.8 billion people. Among all world geographic regions, the Middle East and North Africa have the highest government and social restrictions on religion, while the Americas are the least restrictive region on both measures. In the U.S., government restrictions are relatively few, but the level of religious hostilities in society exceeds those reported in a number of other large democracies, including Brazil and Japan. Most countries provide for religious freedom in their constitutions or basic laws, yet only a quarter fully respect this legal right in practice. In 178 countries (90%), religious groups must register with the governments for various purposes, and in 75 countries, national or local governments limit efforts by religious groups or individuals to persuade others to join their faith. The study was based on information gathered from 16 governmental and nongovernmental organizations representing more than 99.5% of the world’s population. (Religion News Services, 12/16/09)

What are your thoughts?

Tell Your Story

Can you believe that 2009 is coming to a rapid end? It seems like the years are flying by faster and faster. As I look back over 2009 I have much to be grateful for, and with heart of thanks I can not wait to see what 2010 has to offer. 

What about you? What has God done in your life in 2009? I would love to hear how God made himself real to you this past year. You can either leave a comment here on the blog, or you can email me at church@harvestchapel.net. 

Looking forward to hearing your story!

Good Quote

"Virtue is that by which man seeks continuously for his Maker and when he finds him, adheres to him with all his might." -- Bernard of Clairvaux, from On Loving God.

invisible Christians

Some interesting numbers....

More Americans are acquainted with a gay or lesbian person than an evangelical, according to a recent Ellison Research study. Only 24% of all Americans who say they are not evangelical know an evangelical person very well, and 40% have never known any evangelicals at all, even casually.

Meanwhile, 53% percent say they know a homosexual person very well, and 20% know such a person casually. Homosexuals make up less than 10% of the U.S. population; 17% call themselves evangelical. Also, the study showed 62% of evangelicals, along with 75% of Protestant churchgoers and 77% of all Catholics, know a gay or lesbian person at least casually. 21% know a Mormon very well.

Among Americans who do not call themselves born-again, 38% know a born-again Christian very well, and 18% have never known one. Half of all Americans know a member of the Christian clergy very well, 20% know one casually, and 12% have never known a clergyperson.

Among people who regularly attend worship services, 30% do not currently know any clergy members very well, and 14% say they do not even know one casually, including their own minister or priest. Only 39% of people under 35 know a Christian clergyperson very well vs. 48% of people 35 to 54 years old and 61% of those 55 or older. Just 23% of Catholic churchgoers report knowing any clergy.
Christian Post 6/26/08

Psa. 24.1   The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;  2 for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.  3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?  4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.  5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.  6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  9 Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  10 Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty — he is the King of glory. Selah

Have a great day in the Lord!

Prayer

I love to read and listen to John Piper. Here is a nugget that I have been chewing on for the last few days:

“Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den. God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world. Prayer gives us the significance of front-line forces, and gives God the glory of a limitless Provider. The one who gives the power gets the glory. Thus prayer safeguards the supremacy of God in missions while linking us with endless grace for every need.” (John Piper, “Let the Nations Be Glad”)

Why the Church?

Why did God create and choose this institution called the church? I love that question. I love the Church. When I begin to think about this it always takes me back to Ephesians 3.

Ephesians 3:10-11 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,  11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
God chose the church to be an instrument and vessel to be used to transform our communities! To display the awesomeness of God and his redemptive power.

Being that the Church is the vessel God is using, we should be passionate about it. Thankful to be a part of it, and finding our place in which we can function at a high level for the advancement of his kingdom.

What will God do with and for us when we get excited about what He is doing instead of trying to get him to bless what we want him to do?

Let's make HIM known!