In Abundance and in Need

Carved into wooden plaques, sewn into Bible covers, printed on posters, and taped to mirrors, this familiar verse is often committed to memory:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

—Philippians 4:13 (NASB95)

All too often this passage has been quoted in sermons and books to encourage a positive attitude. It has been used to tell us that we can reach new heights and accomplish great things for the Lord: Success through Jesus.

There is nothing wrong with keeping a positive attitude or being a part of a great effort for the Lord, but I’m quite sure that was not the point.

The Apostle Paul had expressed gratitude to the Christians in Philippi for their generosity. He told them that he was not speaking out of a sense of need, because he had learned the secret of contentment in all circumstance in life.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

—Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

Contentment is rare in our society. I’m not sure folks have learned how to live in difficult times or in prosperity.

You see, this verse is not about soaring with the eagles with success through Christ. Rather, it is about survival. It calls our attention to the One who provides us strength when our circumstances change for bad or for good. The central thought is that our external circumstances do not provide meaning in life. Our circumstances do not have to rule over us. Yet, many people, even Christians, live in the past as if those really were better days, or they live in the future, never content with their current situation.

Remember the words of Solomon:

There is a time for every event under heaven:

A time to give birth and a time to die;

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

A time to keep and a time to throw away;

A time for war and a time for peace.

(Excerpts from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Circumstances in life change and we should not be surprised. Our hope is in Christ, and our eyes should be trained toward eternity.

Some Christians have learned this valuable lesson of contentment. They know that difficult circumstances do not define them. They remain loyal to Jesus when circumstances take a turn for the worse. They give their anxiety to God. However, there is more to contentment. The Apostle Paul was content, not only in difficult circumstances, but also in times of plenty.

By way of example, ancient Israel often turned to idolatry during times of peace and prosperity. (Read Deuteronomy 8 or the book of Judges.) We should also recognize just how vulnerable we are in times of prosperity. It is then that we can easily fall to the deceptive and alluring ways of this world. For that reason, it is equally important to learn how trust in Jesus and honor God’s instruction in times of peace and prosperity, when things seem to be going our way.

May we find the strength of contentment in Jesus, both in times of need and in times of peace and prosperity.

Mark Stinnett

April 28, 2024

The Feet Follow the Heart

Mom said it rather tersely, “Straighten your face!” I heard other parents tell their kids, “You need to change your face!”

These strong words were spoken when one of us kids had worn a sad face too long or we were simply pouting (a silent fit of anger). Have you ever wondered how effective this form of correction was? Did this type of correction bring about the desired response? Were the parents who demanded a ‘straight face’ only interested in seeing a face that was not sad or angry? Or was there a more noble desire? Did our parents really desire a change of heart?

Now, as an adult reflecting on my ‘straighten your face’ experiences, I have considered other disciplinary actions. I have asked myself:

• What is more important, a pleasant face, or a heart with the right attitude?
• Is it better to have acceptable behavior, or a heart that desires to do right?
• Should I teach my children to merely refrain from vulgar speech or train their hearts to think pure thoughts that generate wholesome speech?

We all understand that it is the attitude and disposition of the heart that affects one’s face, affects one’s behavior, and affects one’s speech. We all know and teach that Jesus desired a response from the heart, not mere external obedience.

People can fake the externals. People can put on a show by displaying a happy face, maintaining culturally acceptable behaviors, and acceptable speech. Yet, even with the outer display of goodness, the heart can be rotten.
Jesus rebuked the hypocritical Pharisees of his day saying:

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

— Matthew 15:8 (NIV)

Parents, this is surely not the result we desire when we correct or discipline our children. We want their hearts to change.

• God wants people with changed hearts.
• Jesus wants people with changed hearts.
• Parents want children with changed hearts.

Did you know that that is what repentance is really all about!?

At the heart of the New Testament word repentance is the idea of a changed mind or changed heart. God knew, and we intuitively know, that changed behavior without a changed heart is hypocritical. In contrast, a change in one’s thinking/attitude will naturally result in changed behaviors. Changed behaviors that are the result of discipline are known as the fruit of repentance. Repentance is always about the heart, about changing one’s perception to truth.

Whether we are correcting our children, or conversing with an unbeliever, or reflecting on our own lives, we must recognize that God desires the heart. We can demand behavioral changes; but even an animal trainer does that.

When the direction of the heart is changed, you can rest assured, the feet will follow.

Mark Stinnett

April 21, 2024

Pulling Back the Curtain

Most folks enjoy watching a skilled magician or illusionist. We wonder in amazement, “How did he do that!?” Of course, we are also aware of the magicians’ code, that the secret must never be revealed. And yet, we have a natural craving to know, to see for ourselves how things work.

Many people approach life in the same way. Every mystery must be unveiled. Many seem to have adopted the motto from the State of Missouri, “Show Me.” Or, like Dorothy, in the Wizard of Oz, they simply must pull back the curtain to see what there is to see.

There is nothing wrong in wanting to see and understand, in wanting to unravel the mysteries of life. However, when it comes to our Christian faith, we must recognize that God did not reveal everything. In fact, he expects us to live by faith.

Now, this is not a made-up faith, that is, a faith based only on what you want to be true. It is not blind faith, that is, an imagined faith that has no basis in reality. Rather, it is faith based on God’s revelation and his promises.

We must be careful not to identify too closely to Thomas who openly declared, “Unless I see I will not believe.” You might feel as if you can relate to Thomas at some level. However, he refused to believe his fellow apostles who were eyewitnesses of the empty tomb and who had seen the resurrected Christ.

A brazen Show Me attitude can result in scoffing at God’s promises.

The person who demands that the curtain of mystery be drawn back may, like Thomas, question the resurrection of Christ.

A person who demands to satisfy a how-did-he-do-that curiosity may deny the presence and assistance of the Holy Spirit.

When difficulties come, we may be tempted to ask, “Why?” when we do not understand. We instinctively believe that good things should happen to good people, and that bad things should happen to bad people. While that is not unreasonable, we also understand that life is filled with inequities. Life simply is not fair!

Even so, we often want to know...

• Why did God allow that to happen to me?
• Is God testing me?
• Is Satan tempting me?
• Is my difficulty simply an unfortunate event in the natural course of life?

Now think for a moment...
What if God did answer our question, “Why?” What if we discovered the source of our difficulties in life? Do the answers really change the way we should respond?

Jesus allowed Thomas to pull back the curtain by seeing and touching his scars. Yet He also rebuked the disciples who did not believe those who were eyewitnesses. (Mark 16:14)

We can be glad for the testimony of Thomas (the first Missourian?), but let’s not be like him. It is not seeing that makes one believe, but believing that gives one true insight!

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. 

 —Hebrews 11:6

The Bible is God’s testimony about Himself. He has given us a witness for Himself so that we can believe the promises of unseen things yet to be fulfilled. In many ways and on many occasions, God has already pulled back the curtain to reveal Himself to us. We can believe!

Mark Stinnett

April 14, 2024

No Accidental Christians

When it comes to Christianity, what is your intention?

Sometimes intentions are more like wishing. We might think how good it would be to live in a nice house like the one for sale over on Maine St. Yet, there is no real intention of buying that house. We might think how nice it would be to possess the good character of a good friend; but there is no real intention to gain such character. “How good it would be to be spiritually mature like him/her.” But, what is your intention…?

Many people talk about and think about religion, salvation, and spirituality. Some just talk. They like the idea of possessing the good things seen in a spiritual life, but their interest is more of a wish not genuine intent?

Intent is a part of the human will and indicates purpose. Christianity is not a stroke of luck like winning a door prize. A person comes to genuine faith in Christ with clear thought and a determined will. Benefits are understood, but also the costs.

Jesus told two treasure parables in Matthew 13. In one parable the treasure was stumbled upon quite by accident. In the other parable a merchant was searching for the treasure and found it. In both cases, the individual sold everything in order to possess the treasure. That’s intent.

Every Christian should be able to identify with one of the two individuals in the parables.

Just before his death, Jesus asked his Father if there was another way, that is, another way to complete his mission without dying on the cross. He completed His prayer saying, “Not as I will, but as You will.” His submissive will demonstrated his deep sense of purpose. He was determined to complete his mission of seeking and saving those who were spiritually lost. With intent He deliberately walked a path straight to the cross.

Jesus did not come to earth and then chicken out. His purpose was so strong and his intent so resolute that he was already walking toward the cross before he took on human form. Even before creation He had made His decision.

Some Christians behave as if salvation is a packaged object to possess, or a collectable. They just hold it. Yet, Christianity might be better compared to a marriage. The wedding ceremony is wonderful, but only the beginning of the marriage. A strong marriage takes effort and patience preceded by a determined will and commitment on the part of both husband and wife. Similarly, the point at which a person becomes a Christian is a wonderful occasion. However, the Apostle Paul wrote: “Work through your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Each Christian must have a genuine intention of seeing things through to the end.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…. 

—Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus demonstrated by his life how to live each day for God’s purpose. He demonstrated how to bring life to its conclusion as God desired. May each of us intend to be like him. And let’s be clear…

There are no accidental Christians.

Mark Stinnett

April 7, 2024

"See You Next Week...'Lord Willing'..."

Why would someone say, “Lord willing” before or after telling their vacation plans, or meeting up with friends, or in reference to the next worship service? Are these things God’s will? Are they opposed to God’s will? Do we need to ask God’s permission before doing anything?

So, why would a person say, “Lord willing,” and when does it make sense?

Did you know that this practice is rooted in scripture?

Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.”

— James 4:15

Does this passage teach that we must always attach the phrase, “If the Lord wills” to our future plans? Or does it mean that we need to acknowledge that we can really do nothing unless God ‘wills’ it? What does it teach?

First, remember how Jesus rebuked the hypocritical Pharisees for empty, external forms of religion? From that we learn that God desires a response from the heart. So, there is no benefit in saying words, “If the Lord wills” unless we do so with understanding and sincerity of heart.

Next, let’s consider the broader context of the verse quoted above.

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 

 — James 4:13-16

Is James teaching that telling one’s plans is boasting?

The key to understanding this passage is found in the preceding verse. In verse 12 James states that no one really knows what tomorrow will bring. More specifically, no one really knows whether they will live tomorrow. To make future plans without acknowledging this uncertainty is arrogant. A failure to acknowledge the uncertainty of life is a failure to acknowledge our Creator who gives us breath. James correctly calls such arrogance evil.

Telling one’s plans is not boastful. After all, God allows us to make choices in all areas of life. It is not boastful to choose to move to another city, engage in business, choose a career, choose a college, choose a mate, etc. However, we must realize that life itself is essential for carrying out one’s plans; and God is in control of life. He is the one who gives breath.

These verses are not about our future plans as much as they are about our acknowledgement of the One who gives life. So, the phrase “Lord willing” is really incomplete by itself. Stated fully and more accurately: “If the Lord wills, we shall live.” Then, if we have been given life by our Creator, it is our plan to do this or do that.

I don’t think God was making an arbitrary rule that we need to regurgitate a specific phrase. Yet, sincerely acknowledging God as Creator and Giver of life will keep us from the evil of boasting about things that are out of our control. At the same time, we will be reminding ourselves of our daily dependence on God.

Our lives are in His hands.

Mark Stinnett

March 31, 2024