BRAGGADOCIO

I Was Just Thinking About – BRAGGADOCIO.

Have you ever been in a situation where a choice was made based more upon one’s braggadocios words or body language? The one who projected a superior manner or attitude or claimed to be a person of accomplishments was more acceptable. The one who is given to be “braggadocios” whether by his words or persona is one who is or projects being complicit with “vain, empty boasting; a braggart.” The synonyms are blowhard; boaster; windbag. He is one who appreciates the recognition extended him whether earned, deserved or not. Countless illustrations could be given that demonstrate such mannerisms and/or attitude. However, it's wise not to enlarge on this.

There is a glaring absence of genuine humility on the part of such persons. Even though they may know and have the ability to articulate its meaning, there is little or no evidence that it is the fruit of one’s life. Absent are the instructions and admonitions of: (Micah 6:8), “What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to WALK HUMBLY with your God? (Philippians 2:3), “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 – MSG), “Don’t let the wise brag of their wisdom. Don’t let heroes brag of their exploits. Don’t let the rich brag of their riches. If you brag, brag of this and this only: That you understand and know me. I’m God, and I act in loyal love. I do what’s right and set things right and fair, and delight in those who do the same things. These are my trademarks.”

All of us would do well to remember daily the words of James 4:10 (NKJV), “HUMBLE YOURSELVES in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” In Matthew 23, Jesus is pronouncing a series of woes upon the Pharisees. He also states the acceptable behavior that He wants to find in His true followers (Verses 11-12), “The greatest among you shall be your servant.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus is essentially stating that God honors us when we are humble, in part because we are open to His guidance. It’s only then that He can show us what is right and teach us in His way. The Psalmist stated this principle clearly, Psalm 25:9, “He (The LORD) leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” 

I can’t help but wonder how Jesus Christ would assess the Biblical Christian and those who represent Him as Pastors and Teachers? Would He find humility or pride? Would He find kindness or harshness? Would He find genuine love or external tolerance (but not true acceptance) of those being deemed as lesser?

Jesus said (John 14:6), I AM the Way – and – he expects His followers to be in accord with Him and walking in that way with Him. Jesus said, I AM the Truth – and – he expects His followers to both proclaim and live that truth. Jesus said, I AM the Life – and – He expects us to be His image representation of His life in the world today. Would Jesus be pleased in how you are following Him or would you become a recipient of His pronounced woes? Would Jesus be pleased that He sees you taking up His cross daily and following Him or would he see your life as one of pretense rather than fact?

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.

DISAGREEMENT

I Was Just Thinking About – DISAGREEMENT.

There is a fanciful expression that states: “One can disagree without becoming disagreeable.” If only that was true in the ebb and flow of human discourse. Disagreement can too often cause people to become polarized – choosing up sides or reacting in ways that bring about division rather than resolve. To disagree has powerful implications: “difference of opinion; dissent; quarrel; dissension; argument.” There are too many instances when in church matters this has festered until it became divisive.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated the principle of human sensitivity in terms of matters that can and should be resolved. In Matthew 5:23-26 (MSG), Jesus states unequivocally: “This is how I want you to conduct yourself…If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him…”

The Apostle Paul reminds the believers, Second Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV), “Be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” The NLT, “Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” The AMP, “Rejoice! Be what you should be, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace, enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

This is the time of year when ecclesiastical courts meet to review the past year of accomplishment (or lack of the same) and to modify viewpoints on a range of topics (some more controversial than others). Many times, the discussions become antagonistic and there is the generation of more heat than light. One would think that a group where ordination vows are emphatic – “The Scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith and practice”  - that the group would coalesce around that and other foundation principles. However, that will not be the case. Those gathered will react, respond and vote on their opinions or biases rather than on the facts stated and the foundations embraced.

If Psalm 11:3-5 was the template by which the actions of an assembly were being viewed by God, what would His assessment and determination be? If we believed God said what He meant and meant what He said, would our discussions and actions be measured more by His standards and mandates rather than by our opinions and cultural trends? David wrote: “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple. The Lord's throne  is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous…” 

Even though this sounds idealistic, it also represents the infallible rule for faith and practice. Let’s pray that commissioners and delegates remember who they are serving and how He wants them to conduct themselves.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

I Was Just Thinking About – TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS.

There is an interesting event and interaction in the life of Jesus when he was 12 years of age. It is recorded in Luke 2:41-52 when Jesus had stayed behind in the temple after His family left the Feast of the Passover and headed for home. They had travelled several miles on their journey home. When they stopped for the night,  Joseph and Mary look for Jesus and cannot find him. As responsible parents, they backtrack to Jerusalem and find Jesus in the Temple “…sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

Luke 2:48-49 shares the interaction between his parents and Jesus. Verse 48: “His mother said to Him…your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” Jesus responds, verse 49, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” The NKJV renders the rhetorical question of Jesus: “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” The MSG renders His words: “Didn’t you know I had to be here, dealing with the things of My Father?”

In a Hymn written in 1902, I Am A Stranger Here, there is a stanza that states:

This is the King’s command: 

that all men, everywhere,
Repent and turn away 

from sin’s seductive snare;
That all who will obey, 

with Him shall reign for aye,
And that’s my business for my king.

The force of the words is that every Biblical Christian is to be taking care of business for our King. In the Devotional, Day By Day – Charles R. Swindoll writes about our focus on Today and  one’s commitment to taking care of business. He wrote:

Those servants who refuse to get bogged down in and anchored to the past are those who pursue the objectives of the future. People who do this are seldom petty. They are too involved in getting a job done to be occupied with yesterday's hurts and concerns. Very near the end of his full and productive life, Paul wrote: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (Second Timothy 4:7). What a grand epitaph! He seized every day by the throat. He relentlessly pursued life. 

How do you relate to these words? What is your level of participation of Taking Care of Business for YOUR Father? Will YOUR Father be pleased with how you view His business for His world today?

Joseph Stowell asks in the devotional, Get More Strength for the Journey: 

If God required your prized possessions, would you place them on the altar for Him? Think about it. What’s more important to you, the gifts that God has given you, or the Giver of the gifts?...Is your love and loyalty to God based on what He does for you, or is it based on your love for Him whether He ever does anything for you or not? 

He couches his questions in the context of Philippians 3:8, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Until one arrives at this place and point, he will never be able to adequately take care of business for The Father.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.