Ambassadors

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors,

as though God were making His appeal through us.

We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."

(2 Corinthians 5:20)

I feel like God is beginning to stir a new thing in my heart - one of those monumental life altering God-ordained things that is going to be far deeper and more complex than one simple blog post can possibly convey.  That being said, because it is being so deeply impressed upon my heart right now, I cannot help but write some of my most recent thoughts out.  Perhaps someone else will be on a similar page and can relate, or at the very least be encouraged and blessed by some God-breathed Scripture ...

So the question most posed upon my heart lately is the following: In what ways do I look different than the world?  I mean, do we even grasp what it truly means to be labeled as Christ's ambassadors - His representatives?  Are we fully comprehending that we have been charged with the holy calling to be reconciled to God, that others would know Him through our lives?

I am so extremely convicted lately by the apathetic attitude I have had toward the high calling that has been placed upon my life as a believer in Jesus.  You and I have been given specific instruction throughout the Word of God on how to be the hands and feet of Jesus ... We have been given specific instruction on how to be the church, the hope of the world.  Half of us are walking around searching for hope for our own lives - as depressed and as despaired as those who do not know Jesus - when we are the ones who are supposed to be the example of hope to the entire world!  

So what does it mean to be reconciled to God?  To reconcile implies mutual change.  You and I are called to reconcile completely, changing from one condition to another.  This means in a nutshell that as children of the light, we are to look completely opposite from darkness.  How's that going?  

Ephesians 5:1-2 calls us to become imitators of Christ:  "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."  

We are supposed to look different.  What is it with believers lately that we think we have to look like unbelievers in order to win them over for Christ?  Paul himself tells us in Ephesians 5 that we are to look totally different than those who do not know Christ: "Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light; for everything that becomes visible is light" (Ephesians 5:7-13).

Are you and I okay with not looking like everyone else?  I mean, really ... Are we?  This type of lifestyle  - one that is pleasing to God and worthy of being labeled as an ambassador of Christ - takes intention.  It takes intention and it takes effort.  Ephesians 5:15-17 says: "Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of God is."  And how will we become wise?  

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, 

but fools despise wisdom and instruction." 

(Proverbs 1:7)  

So basically any one of us who know what the Word of God says and do not do it - we are fools.  [Ouch.]  You and I have been redeemed by the will and the power of God.  This is a huge deal.  It should completely and utterly alter our lives - so much so, that we absolutely despise darkness just as much as we hunger for righteousness.  

Hmm ... A lot to ponder, wouldn't you say?  

Do you look different than the world?  

Are you partaker ... Or an ambassador?

Never Once

"I will not fail you or forsake you."

(Joshua 1:5)

I am currently reading through the book of Joshua.  What a wonderful example of what happens when people take God at His word.  

In the very first chapter of the book, God gives a charge to Joshua.  The Lord has called Joshua, following Moses' death, to lead the Israelites across the Jordan to claim the land that was promised to them.  In verse 5 of chapter 1, God commands Joshua to walk confidently on the mission He has called him to:

"No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life.  Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you."

And He held true to His promise: He did not fail or forsake him.

There is a song that has been impressed upon my heart.  We have sung it in church several times lately and it just reminds me that my confidence must rest in the Lord.  Here are the lyrics by Matt Redman ...   

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

The truth is - there have been hardships I have faced along the way.  I have experienced heart break, betrayal, insecurity, loneliness, sickness, and so on.  Scars and struggles on the way.  But here's the other truth - My God has been present amidst it all.  He has never failed me and He has never forsaken me.  But with joy our hearts can say never once did we ever walk alone.  

Joshua was assured of the presence of his God.  He was able to walk confidently in the direction God was sending him because he took God at His word.  Whatever you are facing today, perhaps you just need to be reminded that the Lord your God is on your side.  I will ask you the same question I have been prompted to ask myself: Are you taking God at His word? 

Because no matter what we are up against ... 

He will never let us walk it alone.

Never once.  

A Thankful Heart

"Praise the LORD!

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart." 

(Psalm 111:1)

I am starting this November with a thankful heart.  The past few months have been awesome - I will have to recount the many joys throughout the next several posts because it would take me hours to share all of the wonderful experiences.  

Jumping to the present tense, I opened up my Bible this morning to Psalm 111 - fitting as it is the 1st of November.  Can you believe that by the way??  The holidays are upon us already! 

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, 

In the company of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them.  

Splendid and majestic is His work; And His righteousness endures forever.  

He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate. 

He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever.

He has made known to His people the power of his works, 

In giving them the heritage of the nations.  

The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure.  

They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness.  

He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; 

Holy and awesome is His name.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;

His praise endures forever. 

~ Psalm 111, NASB ~

A few things particularly stood out to me in the above passage of Scripture.  First, I am convicted of my lack of outward praise to my God.  I get too busy and too distracted and before I know it, I have done a terrible job of outwardly expressing my praise to God.  

Verse 1 of Psalm 111 says, "Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart ... " Spurgeon comments the following on this Scripture: 

"Do it now, do it always: do it heartily, do it unanimously, do it eternally.  Even if others refuse, take care that you have always a song for your God. put away all doubt, question, grumbling and rebellion, and give yourselves up to the praising of Jehovah, both with your lips and in your lives" (Psalms, Volume II).  

I love his commentary on this Scripture because it encourages me to put a high priority on praise.  To be intentional about praising my God.  To make sure that I always have a song for my God.  

The second thing I noted is found in verse 2: "Great are the works of the LORD; They are studied by all who delight in them."  And to that verse Spurgeon says: 

"Those who love their Maker delight in his handiworks; they perceive that there is more in them than appears upon the surface, and therefore they bend their minds to study and understand them ... The man of God digs unto the mines of Scripture, and unearths each grain of its golden truth.  God's works are worth of our researches, they yield us instruction and pleasure wonderfully blended, and they grow upon reflection, appearing to be far greater after investigation than before.  Men's woks are noble from a distance; God's works are great when sought out" (Psalms, Volume II).  

I am thankful for the Word of God.  Am I delighting in His works the way I should be compelled to do?  Am I digging into the mines of Scripture, unearthing each grain of its golden truth? 

Oh, how I love the LORD.  To think about where ... and who ... I would be without Him, forces a dose of humility upon me.  Thank you Jesus, for redeeming my life.  Thank You for unmerited grace, compassion and forgiveness.  

I am nothing without You.

And for that ... I am left with a thankful heart.