The Heart of the Matter

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

– Romans 12:2

Did you know that cardiovascular disease claims more lives each year in the United States than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined? According to a 2022 report from the American Heart Association, heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death. And every 40 seconds, an American suffers a heart attack.

It’s obvious that we face a cardiac crisis. But there’s another serious heart problem that doesn’t involve obesity, cholesterol management or low-fat diets. Instead, far too many Christ-followers lack a heart that’s willing to give generously through their time, talents, and finances according to the resources God has richly given them. And when they do open their schedules and pocketbooks, it’s often done grudgingly.

That’s not the example God gives us through the Bible. If there’s a two-word lesson that we can learn from his principles about time, money, and possessions, it’s that we should be generous. After all, God is the ultimate giver. Think about the many gifts that he’s given us. Everyone's varies somewhat, but they tend to include health, employment, home, family, friends, and church. And of course, there's God's ultimate gift: the forgiveness of our sins and an eternal relationship with him through our faith in Jesus.

God also wants his followers to be cheerful givers — particularly those who refuse to hoard their blessings. But to do that, we must trust him rather than our riches. After all, bank accounts and retirement funds can be wiped out overnight through unexpected circumstances and economic turmoil. Just look at some of the current headlines about inflation.

What's the benefit of being generous with our resources? As the apostle Paul explains through the book of 1 Timothy, giving back richly toward God and his purposes renders much more than just a warm feeling of satisfaction. Think of it as a guaranteed high-yield investment with dividends that you'll enjoy forever in the world to come. In fact, God challenges us on our preconceived notions. Through his design, giving richly results in getting more:

"By doing that, they will be saving a treasure for themselves as a strong foundation for the future," Paul explains. "Then they will be able to have the life that is true life."

It's every Christ-follower's mission to help usher in God’s kingdom. And how do we do that? It’s by doing his will on Earth by feeding the hungry, healing the sick, housing the homeless, and striving for justice. So, by making generous giving a spiritual habit and being rich toward God, we'll become more like Jesus to help change our community, the world — and ourselves — for the better. That’s the heart of the matter.

Choosing Hope

“I myself am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus told her. “The man who believes in me will live even though he dies, and anyone who is alive and believes in me will never die at all. Can you believe that?”

– John 11:25

One of the great things about the English language is that a single word can mean so many different things. For example, we might say that we love going to church, we love our children, and we’d love for our favorite football team to win the Super Bowl.

The same holds true for the word hope. We say that we hope COVID-19 will disappear once and for all. We hope we’ll make it to the office on time. And we also put our hope for eternal salvation in Jesus. But why should we hope for that? Isn’t Jesus just one of many religious figures out there?

During his brief time on earth, Jesus cured the sick, raised the dead, forgave sins, and became a living sacrifice to pay the price for all the wrongs of the world — just as God had planned it at the foundation of the world. His resurrection from the grave — just as Jesus had predicted it — proved his power over death. He fulfilled prophecies written centuries before his birth. And 2,000 years later, Jesus' words continue to change lives and deliver hope.

Jesus is literally hope personified. And he’s also the only way to God. In John 14:6, Jesus proclaims that no one can come to the Father (God) except through him. And when his disciple, Philip, asked to see the Creator, Jesus reassured him that God was much closer than he suspected. In fact, very close:

"Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?" asked Jesus. "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'"

This is great news because Jesus' death and resurrection make eternal life available for EVERYONE who puts their faith in him! Christ won’t close the door on those who seek and ask. And unlike man-made religions, the true way to God isn't about keeping certain rules, saying special prayers, or eating (or not eating) particular foods. Instead, it’s about having a personal relationship with Jesus, accepting what he's already accomplished, and letting him live within. Religions are about doing. But our hope in Jesus is about what’s already done.

To borrow the title of an old-time Gospel song, this news is nothing less than Blessed Assurance. We know without a doubt that Jesus has taken care of our past, present, and future through his sacrifice on the cross. And in a world dominated by tragedy, sorrow and uncertainty, he's the only reason that we can choose hope.  

Teachable Moments

Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.  

– Psalm 119:65-67 

Before there was Albert Einstein, there was Lord Kelvin. 

Born William Thomson, this renowned Scots-Irish physicist and engineer was the dominant figure in science during the second half of the 19th century. He published more than 600 scientific papers and filed 70 patents. He was the president of the Royal Society from 1890 to 1895. And he introduced the world to the term thermodynamics.

Kelvin was obviously brilliant. But as it turned out, his knowledge was limited to the information available at the time. For example, he claimed that "heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible." The Wright Brothers proved him wrong just eight years later. And in 1900 Kelvin declared, "There is nothing new to be discovered in physics now. All that remains is more and more precise measurement." He also asserted that "X-rays are a hoax."  

Just as Lord Kelvin derided the notion of airplanes and X-rays, many otherwise intelligent people regard Christ-followers as uninformed because they accept the Bible on simple faith. After all, they say, knowledge and education are the answers for a better world. If everyone would have a more-open mindset, peace and prosperity would prevail!

The problem with this viewpoint is that worldly knowledge is constantly changing and correcting itself. On the other hand, the wisdom and knowledge that God delivers through the Bible is rock-steady. But that hasn't stopped people over the centuries from trying to discredit Jesus and the Bible. There are even organizations, books, and movies that are dedicated to the pursuit. (Remember the Da Vinci Code?) But their efforts fail time after time. For example, Biblical truth struck again in 2004 when archeologists discovered the Pool of Siloam, a site of one of Jesus' recorded miracles of healing. Up until then, cynics claimed that it was an imaginary place!

The lesson here is that for all its prowess, human knowledge is inherently limited. On the other hand, God's Word is proven all-powerful, reliable, and true. And we can and should trust it. After all, the Bible is God's owner's manual for living a productive life and making a positive difference in our world. It's also a dependable roadmap for finding our eternal home through faith in God's own son, Jesus Christ. It’s no coincidence that the Bible is called The Good Book. 

Don't misunderstand: Education and human knowledge can be quite valuable. And learning new skills and earning college degrees are definite career-builders. But as Christ-followers, we must remember our Source of real knowledge and the words of true life. We're to trust Jesus with a simple, child-like faith,

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me," invites our Teacher, "for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." 

 

The Path Less Taken

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

– 1 Corinthians 10:13

The Christ-follower’s faith-journey is often compared to travel along an uneven, winding road or a perilous climb up a craggy mountainside. After all, we never know what’s around the bend or over the next hill. Our vision is limited. And it’s all too easy to lose our footing on the steep inclines and fall back a little.

An excellent illustration of this eternal lesson is a beautiful spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains called Crabtree Falls. Located about a half-hour’s drive past Charlottesville, Virginia, it demands a strenuous hike once you finally park your car. But it’s very much worth it; the view is spectacular.

Like our faith-journey, the narrow, rocky trail leading to the waterfall leaves little margin for error. There’s even a sign at the water’s edge that warns hikers to stick close to the path. And in 2015, a college student died after slipping on the moss-covered rocks and falling 80 feet. Rather than keeping his eyes on the safe, marked trail, this unfortunate adventurer (plus nearly 30 people before him) decided to take a detour. His way may have promised fun and adventure. Sadly, it delivered only tragedy.

“There is a way that appears to be right,” we’re warned through the Old Testament book of Proverbs. “But in the end it leads to death.” 

God — like that sign posted at the waterfall’s edge — urges us to stay on the path that leads to the intended destination. But as obvious as that sounds, life’s problems, temptations, and tragedies seem to wait for us around the next bend. And we always trip after compromising our principles with the world’s values. It’s then that we fall ... and later wonder why God permitted our problems in the first place.

Rather than potholes, loose rocks, and hairpin turns, the hazards along our faith-journey involve unemployment, broken relationships, missed credit card payments, and chronic disease. Our task is therefore to focus on our Guide and remember that we worship a God who’s much greater than our circumstances. He’s led us safely through the rough times before, and so he can today. And through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus, God has already defeated our greatest life-hazard: sin.

Is your faith-journey getting a little too rough? If it’s not now, it will be later. But let’s be encouraged by that famous rhetorical question from Paul, Jesus’ Apostle to the Gentiles: “If God is for us,” he wrote, “who can be against us?”

The takeaway here is that we just need to follow Jesus’ lead and avoid the distractions of life. With his help, we'll reach the summit of our faith-journey. What’s more, our trip — and not to mention the view — will be unforgettable!