Resolution #5:

The Apostle Paul told Timothy to not depend on  worldly fables to bring about the kind of Godly life that he needed to live.  The false teachers about which Paul warned had all kinds of plans for quick spirituality.  With modern communication those kind of ideas have proliferated beyond imagination.  This book, or that conference, or some spiritual sounding gimmick is offered as the cure for spiritual malaise.  To the extent that any of these resources are based in the truth of God's world they may be part of the answer.  None of them are the answer that, too often, their hype proclaims them to be.
Instead the Apostle told Timothy to "discipline himself for the purpose of godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7)  In the context he speaks of laboring and striving.  The word "discipline" speaks of intense activity.  Several translations use the verb "train," as an athlete in training, to render the word.  Bottom line there is no spiritual equivalent of a sit-on-the-couch-and-develop-awesome-abs pill.  You have to work at it.
Athletic training, the sports-fan apostle points out, yields little profit--benefits in this life, the kind of training Paul is recommending, however, "holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."  (4:8)
The disciplines we need to work on in our lives are not complicated or esoteric.  I have suggested several over the past few days.

• We need to spend regular time in God's word.
• We need to pray.
• We ought to be an active part of church that is based in the Word of God.
• We ought to actually be doing something for the glory of God.

Discipline yourself for the purpose of Godliness.  That is a resolution that covers a lot. 

Resolution #4:

Over the past several days I have been encouraging us to live more RESOLUTEly in the New Year.

There are things, however, we should not resolve.

• Don't resolve to change the world.
• Don't resolve to do what only others can do.
• Don't resolve to do the impossible.

Many of the specifics behind the intentions expressed in those resolutions are very good.

• Our world certainly needs to be a better place.
• The changes that others need to make are legion, and not of few of these modifications would be for their own good, as well as that of others--me included.
• Curing cancer, solving world hunger, getting all youngsters to treat their parents with respect, or getting all politicians to work for the greater good are certainly changes that would make the world a better place.  They are also well beyond the resources that any of us have at our disposal.

These kind of resolutions are akin to the sentiments of the guy who loved mankind;  it was the people around him he couldn't stand.  As we survey our world let's identify that which is within our capabilities--and I'm not saying we shouldn't stretch ourselves--then resolve to do that.  

Instead of:

• Resolving to change the world, make concrete plans to actually do something to make the little environment where you live a better place.  "I resolve to say 'Please," and 'Thank You,' even when I'm not in a particularly grateful mood."
• Resolving to make others (you fill in the blank with whatever good you choose), resolve to be kind, respectful, loving, grateful, etc. to them.
• Resolving to do the grandiose, and impossible, commit to doing that which is possible, might contribute to the big need, and which will be a good thing even if no one else does their part.

Many resolution are an exercise in hubris.  I shouldn't resolve to do what I can't do, or what others must do if it is to be done.  Above all I must realize James admonition,  "Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."" (James 4:15)  

Resolved:

In 2012 I will do what I can do, pray about both that and that which is beyond me, and trust God.

  

 It's STTA. 

You will find some ideas for having more meaningful devotions in the New Year here.

Resolution #3:

Paul's little letter to his protege',  Titus, is full of admonitions to do something that will make a difference in our world.  The operative word is "do."

In particular chapter 3 has a great deal to say about this:

• "Be ready for every good deed."  (1)
• To be "careful to engage in good deeds."  (8)
• To "learn to engage in good deeds."  (11)

As Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them."
What do our good deeds, or lack thereof, show about us? 

Resolved:  

In 2012 I will be watching for opportunities, preparing to engage in, and actually involved in doing GOOD DEEDS.

 

  

 It's STTA. 

You will find some ideas and resources for time in the Bible here.

Resolution #2

Now that most of you are back to work finishing up 2011, it is a good time to think ahead to the New Year.

What should I be doing in this New Year to make a difference for His glory?

Resolved:  

In 2012 I will be involved in both private and corporate (with God's people) prayer.

 

(You can practice this evening at the CBC prayer meeting, 7:00.)

  

 It's STTA. 

Resolution #1

Now that the flurry & JOY of Christmas is past, and the awareness that the Son of God has come into this world is fresh on my mind, what should I be doing in this New Year to make a difference for His glory?

Resolved:
 

In 2012 I will be involved in God's Word in a more meaningful way.

  

 It's STTA. 

You will find some ideas and resources for time in the Bible here.

Christmas, It's Providential:

Providence is God working in the background to accomplish what He wants done in the fore.
Consider the process by which Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem.  Luke, excellent historian that he is, records:

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus,

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem.

that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David," (Luke 2:1-4, NASB95)  

We can be sure that neither Caesar, nor any of his underlings had any interest in the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, but his decree accomplished just that.  More than half a millennium before Jesus birth Micah made the prediction made famous in the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem.   

. . . as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah . . . From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2, NASB95)  

Caesar wanted what all political rulers want--more tax.  Quirinius and the other functionaries wanted their cut and to toady up to Caesar so they could maintain their comfortable position.  In spite of the announcements by the Angels (Luke 1 and Matthew 1) I doubt that Joseph or Mary put it all together--"Oh, yeah, our son is going to be the Messiah.  Micah says he is supposed to born in Bethlehem.  That's what all this is about."  More likely their response was like yours or mine when we are forced to jump through some unreasonable bureaucratic hoop.  At this point I'll avoid putting unflattering words in the mouths of Mary and Joseph.
Bottom line:  Nobody on earth knew what was happening, but God was providentially accomplishing His will in totally unseen ways.
He still is. 

It's STTA. 

Click here to find out about life's greatest decision.

What if?

What if George Washington wasn't the first president of the United States?

Most of us believe that he was.  I've even been to Mount Vernon and seen his famous false teeth.  

But what if it is all a big conspiracy?  I mean it would be hard to come up with a more ideal Father of our Country.  Than the gentleman Northern Virginia.  What if it really is a hoax?  Somebody painted the portraits and wrote the diaries, even adding impressive folklore like the cherry tree and the dollar across the Delaware.

If I found out that George Washington wasn't the first president, I would be surprised, I'd instantly become ten pounds more skeptical, and I might even be a bit disappointed, but my Honda would still have a dead battery, my wife's car would still have an oil leak, I'd still have to pay my quarterly dues to the IRS, my grandkids would remain the most talented, best looking and smartest children in the world, and my knees would still be stiff.  In short little if anything would change.

  

On the other hand I totally identify with the Apostle Paul.  In1 Corinthians 15:14-19, he says, "If Christ has not been raised, then . . . we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." 

That is the great difference between believing that George Washington was the first President, or merely believing that Jesus was the Son of God come to earth Who lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and came forth from the grave, and believing in Christ as my Savior.  In the latter case I am depending on this truth.  I am resting in it.

This Sunday is the final message in our John 3:16 series.  Have you put your trust in Christ's finished work in such a way that if it proves to be false you have no other hope?

It's STTA. 

Click here to find out more about belief.

It's Not Fair!

"It's not fair!"  You don't actually find the words in the text, but they would certainly make an excellent sidebar to the story the Lord told.  A landowner needed people to work on his farm.  He went to the place where the day laborers gathered and hired a group, telling them he would pay them the standard rate.  At various times during the day he returned to the manpower facility and hired more workers.  There was no contract, he simply told them, "whatever is right I will give you."  The workers had to trust him to do right.  The last batch of workers he hired showed up at the farm just one hour before quitting time.  
At the end of the day the employer lined up his workers.  He first paid those who had only worked an hour.  They must have been overjoyed when they received a full-day's pay.  The average day-laborer of the time lived a hand to mouth existence.  What they could earn in a day was sufficient to support life for a day.  These men, because no one had hired them in the morning, faced the prospect of a hungry night, but here it was: a whole day's pay!  Those who had worked all day, observing that the workers who had barely broken a sweat were paid a day's wage, naturally figured that they would be paid more.  No wonder when they were paid the same they "grumbled at the land owner."   
You read it for yourself.  It is a story of grace.  What the workers took home was not determined by how hard or long they worked, but by the graciousness of the landowner.  "Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?"
Inherent in the concept of grace is unfairness-or at least the perception thereof.  If you are getting more than you earned that is wonderful.  If you perceive that you are not getting a fair shake . . .
People look at a passage of scripture like John 3:16
, the passage we are looking at this Sunday morning at CBC, with its "whosoever believeth," and say "That's not fair.  You mean to tell me that this person with all the bad things-really bad things-they have done can be forgiven just by their believing?"   Yes, that is what I mean.  It appears to me that is what Jesus meant when he told the thief on the cross "Today you will be with me in Paradise."  (Luke 23:43) Or what Paul said to the Philippian jailer in reply to his question about salvation, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, and your household."  (Acts 16:31)
It's not fair, but it is wonderful.
Stay tuned.

It's STTA.

Click here to find out more about belief.

Mud!

My older son is fond of reminding me that I married over my head. He is right. One of the qualities my lovely wife possesses is her "togetherness." When she goes out of the house--and most of the time when she is in it--she looks together. Today was an exception.


Her shoes were coated with mud and her pants splattered with the same. Her hair, usually well coifed, was suffering from the effects of humidity. It has nothing to do with her giving it all up, rather the explanation is that she was involved in something messy, but important.

Friday evening, 12/9, 6:00, we present the first night of our Live Nativity. Kathy is in charge of a significant portion of the set up. We just came through a three day soaking, so mud abounds. There was an important task to be done, and in order to do it she had to get muddy. We are remembering, celebrating, and encouraging our community to consider the meaning of the coming of Christ to earth. The Apostle Paul says about that unique birth that "Christ Jesus, who . . . existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped [selfishly clung to], but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8) The book of Hebrews says that He became, other than sin, completely like us (Hebrews 2:14, & 4:14-16).

He got down in the mud with us, that He might lift us out.

It's STTA.

Displaying the Ten Commandments, #6:

"For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."" (Galatians 5:14, see also Romans 13:8, &10)  

In particular this summary of the law applies to the second half of the Decalogue, the portion that gives direction treating one's fellowman in the right way.
It is certainly unloving to kill, commit adultery against, steal from, lie to, or look with covetousness on the possessions of one's neighbor.
Over the past few years there have been notable cases where courts have forced various entities to remove copies of the Ten Commandments from public display.  The case is made by some that the Law of God is not welcome in the public square.  Perhaps in bronze or marble, or on parchment the Law is not welcome, but when others are threatened with harm they welcome the restraint that God's God's Law written on our hearts brings.
Let's display the law in the place, and in the form that it can do the most good.  Paul speaks of that which is written on the hearts of the Corinthian believers as being his letters of commendation.  (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)
May we live lives of Godly control in a world that is increasingly out of control.  Let's let our "light shine before men in such a way that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father who is in heaven."   (Matthew 5:16).   

It's STTA.

Displaying the Ten Commandments, #4:

One of the requirements on Old Testament Israel was the keeping of the Sabbath.  God, Himself, set the example on creation week by resting on the seventh day.  The requirement was formalized in the fourth of the Ten Commandments, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."  (Exodus 20:8)

I have met Christians who meet for worship on the seventh rather than the first day of the week, also observing at least some of the Sabbath restrictions.  Others have transferred the idea of the Sabbath to Sunday.  My wife grew up with a version of this.  Others of us, following the pattern of the early church have concluded that the Sabbath is part of the ceremonial aspect of the law fulfilled in Christ.  The Book of Hebrews has a lot to say about Christ fulfilling the law.  It is significant that in Acts 15:20 when the leaders of the early church announced expectations for Gentile believers, nothing was said about the Sabbath.   

All of the Ten Commandments emphasize important principles.  Just as the tithe made known that really all that one has comes from God, the Sabbath clearly indicates that all time is His.  Makes sense; as C. S. Lewis pointed out, we are incapable of making any.  The Sabbath also teaches us the importance of worship.  The New Testament says that serving the Lord is our reasonable service.  The word in Romans 12:1 is the word from which we get "liturgy."   Our worship ought not to be limited to one day a week; everything we do, whenever we do it ought to bring glory to God.  (1 Corinthians 10:31)

It is another opportunity for us to display the Ten Commandments.  Those who read our lives ought to see clearly that God is worthy to be worshiped.

  

Stay tuned.

It's STTA.

Displaying the Ten Commandments, #5:

"Honor your father and mother."  "Children obey your parents. . . ."  So says the fifth of the Ten Commandments and its New Testament parallel (Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1)  In the Decalogue this command is the bridge between the portion of the law, 1-4, that primarily speaks to our relationship with God, and 6-9, which speaks about how we ought to get along with other people.

This command fits in this critical juncture 

because parents are God's representatives in the family.  Parents are responsible to lead, teach, and provide.  Children are to be obedient and submit to the leadership of their parents.  

Yes, I know there are incompetent--even abusive--parents, but let's leave that aside for a moment.  Every child that is mistreated is a tragedy, but a far greater, sadder story is that so many parents have abdicated their responsibility to lead, and our culture is telling so many kids they don't have to listen.  

As God's people we have an incredible opportunity to display the ten commandments in a very attractive way.  When our world sees children who accept the leadership of their parents, honor and obey them; and when those who watch see parents who love their kids and show that love by exercising appropriate leadership, they will take notice.  

  

Stay tuned.

It's STTA.

Displaying the Ten Commandments, #3:

Many Christians are quite passionate about maintaining our "right" to display portions of scripture and religious symbols in public places.  

The central symbol of Christianity has been a public symbol for two millennia.  Our Lord was crucified in plain view, and the early martyrs gladly owned the cross as they went to their deaths, some of them, like Peter and Andrew, even dying on crosses like their Lord.  The word of God, as well, ought not to be a private matter.  The book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament tells the story of how the early church spread the Good News from Jerusalem to the far reaches of the known world.  I don't see that the concern of those disciples was to get the Romans to let them hang copies of scripture in the Coloseums where they gave their lives.  Rather they made the Word known by lives that clearly demonstrated the power of God's word to change the world one life at a time.

There are good reasons why it makes sense to have a copy of the Ten Commandments displayed in a High School.  The sweeping secularization of our public spaces ought to be appropriately resisted, but far more important than a plaque on a wall, is the Word of God shining out from a life.  Perhaps the courts in our land will prevent the display of Ten Commandments in our schools and other government buildings. No power on earth can prevent us from living out the truth of those ten guidelines for Godly, sensible living.

The third of the Ten Commandments says that we are not to "take the name of the LORD [our] God in vain."  When I consider this with other passages of scripture that speak about my speech, like Ephesians 4:29 and 5:4, I see that what I say ought to display the fact that God is in control in my life.

When I open my mouth, what comes out? 
 

Stay tuned.

It's STTA.

Displaying the Ten Commandments, #2:

Not far from where I sit, a  case is being decided related to displaying the Ten Commandments in public space.  It is not the first such lawsuit, and likely won't be the last.
I am not so much in favor of the display of the Decalogue as I am opposed to the mentality that has forced the removal of similar displays.  We are on an ice-coated incline.  What I am heartily, and completely in favor of, is the display of the morality and ethic that is presented in the law received from the hand of God on Sinai in the lives of God's people today.
Take the second of those ten terse statements:

 "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth." (Exodus 20:4)
It is a standard that the People of God in the Old-Testament habitually violated.  In fact before Moses had even returned from the mountain they had made a golden calf to represent God.
One of the clear points God makes about Himself is that He is beyond all such constructs, be they wood, gold or stone, whether they are produced in the Sinai desert, Hollywood, Detroit, or Wall Street.  (Deuteronomy 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:16)  

When Moses came down from having met with God, there was no doubt what was going on, Aaron's lame excuses not withstanding.  I fear that even a quick, casual observation of the average Twenty-first Century Christian would demonstrate a modern version of idolatry every bit as obnoxious as the reveling of the people before the calf that, according to Aaron, just came out of the fire.  

I need to ask myself, "Does my life show that I worship and obey the God, Who is other than all that is around me, or do I look way too much like everyone else--devoted to a god of human manufacture?"

Stay tuned.

It's STTA.

Displaying the Ten Commandments:

I just saw that the Giles County 10 Commandment case is back in the headlines.  It will likely surprise no one to hear that the case is being driven as a result of a suit brought by well less than a handful, maybe one student and a parent ( here).

The Giles County display includes a number of historic documents

I am thoroughly convinced that our schools and other public institutions would be far better places if the there was a greater awareness of and adherence to the Decalogue.  Yet as I think of the horrendous persecution inflicted on Christians in some lands dominated by Islam, I certainly want my nation to respect the faith of nonChristians.  The rights of minorities--even minorities of two--need to be respected.  

I'm not saying the display at Narrows High School--a school, by the way, my pastoral associate attended--constitutes discrimination, or coercion.  I'm not sure that any of our founding documents guarantees the right to never see anything that makes one uncomfortable.  Since the two complainants in this case have remained anonymous, I don't know, but if they are like others who have similarly complained in other cases, their problem is "I am an atheist.  Seeing this display makes me feel that I am not a welcome part of this public--as in, "paid for by my tax money."--institution."  Do atheists demand the right to practice atheism, or the right to not practice theism?  (Here is one atheist's viewpoint on the dispute in Giles.)  Either way they have that right, and I endorse it.  I'm open to being convinced, but I don't see that this display violates either right.

I won't be filing an amicus curiae in this case.  Instead I'm advocating for a far more effective and, as far as I know, totally legal, display.  I'm advocating that we live out the principles of the Ten Commandments in our everyday life.  Start with #1.  Live in such a way that it clearly shows that there is one God and that He is my Lord.

Stay tuned.

 

It's STTA.

Ultimately the law shows out profound need.  When you see that look here to see the soul-u-tion.

Tension can be good:

I spent a considerable bit of time recently shopping for a movie to use on a date night with my lovely wife.  Weeding out all the choices that are too this or too that, doesn't leave a large selection.  I'm certainly open to your suggestions, but I digress; that's not the purpose of this piece.

One of the things I noticed as I looked at the plot summaries, especially of the older flicks, is that many of them are built around the tension that exists when one finds a romantic interest in someone other than the person in whom they ought to have such an interest.  In plainer terms:  "I'm married to, engaged to, going steady with, Bob (or Suzie), but I'm falling in love with Jane (or Bill)."  Sometimes this conflict is developed through comedy, and in other presentations it leads to tragedy in the fullest sense.  I'm wondering, though, when the pull that the viewer needs to feel in order for the plot to work will no longer be present.  Is the device becoming like the elastic in an over-used garment?  You can pull on it, but it doesn't pull back.

The stress that such plot lines depend on is dependent on certain qualities in the viewer: 

• Marriage is a special, even sacred, relationship.
• Sexual activity should have some relationship to love.
• People ought to keep their promises, and
• In general tell the truth.
• To use another human being for one's own advancement is wrong.

In other words the elastic is the watcher's commitment to a basic system of morality.  I see that basic morality being drained from our culture at large.

I don't figure that a plot-line built on the debate of whether whale oil or beef tallow was the best fuel for lighting homes would gain much traction in our electrified world.  

I'm wondering whether we are rapidly headed to a place where stories that depend on what one ought to do, will be meaningless, because most people will have concluded that other than to do what pleases me at the moment there is really nothing that I ought to do.

It's STTA, but add in Matthew 5:13-16 & think about it some more. 

You can find out here about how Jesus changes hearts. 

Trust? Oh!

Several trust issues have come way recently.  It is no wonder; life as we know it depends on trust.  One example:  When I drive I trust my life to numerous people I have never even met.  Way too often someone violates that trust through substance abuse, texting-while-driving, or just utter irresponsibility, yet early this morning I trusted a score of people to stay on their side of the road, stop at stop signs, and generally pay attention to the task of driving.  Especially, considering that at that hour, in a mill-town, many of those on the road have been up all night, the trust that I place in them involves considerable risk.

So, maybe I should just play it safe and walk everywhere?  But, that raises a new set of trust issues.  I can't even lock myself in my room without the necessity of trusting someone.  The question is "who to trust?" and, "how much?"

When I opened my email this morning I saw that one of our world's observers of human foibles had weighed in on the issue.  (At this point you might want to take a look at Scott Adam's Dilbert cartoon for 11/15.)  Asok is asking Wally a question.  If you are not a Dilbert fan, you need to understand that Wally is an incredibly clever individual, who uses his intellect to avoid all meaningful work.  "Wally,is there any difference between trust and stupidity?"  (emphasis mine)  

Wally, ever present coffee-cup in hand, replies, "Hold that thought.  I'll be right back."

The middle panel is blank except for Asok standing, waiting, trusting.

The third panel show's Asok, still alone, but with one word of enlightenment, "Oh."

It is a hard lesson that many folk in the non-comic world have learned through bitter experience, and one that many more need to master--hopefully, minus the bitters.  

Asok, Howard, reader, there are those who just aren't a good risk.  They will leave you all alone in the second and third panel, looking foolish before all the world.  An old farm related proverb makes the point this way.  The first time the mule kicks me it is the mules fault, the second time, I'm to blame.  I regularly see people with multiple hoof prints, sincerely asking: should I trust him or her again?

To which I ask, "Is there any credible reason to think that the mule has reformed since the last time you were kicked?"  

 Trust involves taking a chance.  Wisdom involves making sure it is a risk worth taking.

It's STTA.

Compassion:

Being compassionate isn't free.

It is said about Jesus Christ that He "felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd."  (Matthew 9:36)  Isaiah predicted of Christ that He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.  (Isaiah 53:4)  I've always been intrigued by the words from the Lord after the woman succeeded in touching His robe:  ""Who is the one who touched Me?"  The disciples pointed out that people were pressing in on Him from every side, but Jesus replied, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me."   Power had gone out of me.  Obviously, something was going on, here, that is beyond you or me, but just what went out.  Was there a wearying effect that Jesus contact with needy people had on Him.  It is a real possibility.

Last night a friend was telling me about his friend and his spiritual need.  He apologized because he was getting teary.  I should have apologized because I wasn't.  In the last hour I heard from someone who needs help with finances, and another who is concerned because a loved one is being treated badly.  In each of these cases, compassion will cost something.

I know I can't meet every need, but do I too easily use that as an excuse for not trying to meet any need?  

Compassion is expensive.  Is it a cost I'm willing to pay?

It's STTA.

Self-control:

Hello, I'm Howard Merrell.  I'm lacking in self-control.  Maybe we should start a Twelve-Step Program.   My admission is true on any level; just ask my wife or those who work with me, but that isn't my point.  A loss of temper, overeating, failure to do what we know we should do but never get around to survey would show I'm not the worst of the  lot, but I'm sure an honest evaluation would show others who are in better control of self than yours truly. I'm somewhere in the vast horde of those struggle with temptation, who are to one degree or another controlled by habits that ought to be broken, and who find themselves making the admission, "I did it again." I've often thought that "self-control" for the Christian is an incorrect term.  Just think about the part of self that each of us finds hardest to control.    ". . . no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." (James 3:8) David, realizing this truth, looks to the Lord to do for him what he cannot do for himself.  "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3)   Galatians 5:23 tells us that one of the aspects of the fruit that the Spirit of God produces in the life of those who "Walk in the Spirit" and are "led by the Spirit," is self-control.  (Galatians 5:16-18) So, is it self-control or Holy Spirit control?  If you put the passages I referenced above together with Ephesians 5:18 , which says we are to be controlled by the Spirit,  perhaps we ought to call it a "Spirit enabled ability to control self." Whatever we call it.  I need it.   Lord, I confess my sin, to get out of the way, yield to You, and commit myself to be in Your word and let Your word change me.  My desire is to be controlled by Your Spirit so I can control myself.   It's STTA.

Mercy!

A year or so ago I stopped at a traffic check that state and local police had set up just down the road.  As I pulled up next to the officer who was holding out his hand for me to stop, I recognized him as a young man who had grown up in the church I pastor.  

"This is my worst nightmare," I said, adding his name.

Without missing a beat, from beneath his broad-brimmed hat and from behind his sunglasses, he said, "It's about to get worse, if you don't have your license and registration."  

Of course he delivered the line in that flat, octave-lower-than-normal, state trooper voice they all seem to have.  I was glad I had the necessary paper work.  

Thankfully, my young friend has never pulled me over when I was actually guilt of something.  His colleagues have.  Officers have been kind enough to remind me that my inspection sticker had expired, or that I was exceeding the speed limit.  Whenever I have been apprehended in this manner there is a very long period of time between when the officer first announces my observed offense, and when they go back to the police cruiser to check things out.  During that couple of minutes which seems like a few hours, one thought dominates my mind.  

Mercy.

To be honest, I know I don't deserve mercy.  Isn't that an oxymoron?  I want police to to be tough on crime; I realize that is essential to a well-ordered society; but I sure hope--with an element of confessed selfishness-- that this officer will choose to make someone else an example.

I want mercy.

I think about my checking account.  I need mercy.

My mind runs to the ribbing I will take when others read the public record of my offence, and I desperately hope for mercy.

As I have already said, I know I don't deserve mercy, but I remember the great feeling of relief I have felt when an officer said those most welcome of words, "I'm giving you a warning." 

I know how blessed it is to receive mercy.  Jesus said blessed are those who show mercy.   That beatitude goes on to say, that those who show mercy will receive mercy.  (Matthew 5:7)  It's not karma at work.  Really the first part of each of those beatitudes describes the way God's people are.  When I have the power, from a purely human viewpoint, showing mercy isn't much fun.  It is one of the reasons power corrupts.  But if God has done His saving work in my heart, the Holy Spirit will give me a spirit of mercy (Look at the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, while mercy isn't listed there, these are traits that tend in that direction.)  Even on those occasions when duty demands that I do the right thing, and give the ticket, mark the student with a failing grade, or punish my child, I will, like Joseph, do right tempered with mercy (Micah 6:8,Zechariah 7:9).  

Lord, give me a willingness to show mercy that equals my desire to receive it.

Amen.

  

It's STTA.

I'd like to be courageous, but I'm kinda scared:

C. S. Lewis said, "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."

I think it was that great thinker John Wayne who said, "Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway."

Courage is that quality that motivates and enables us to do right when it is hard.  I suppose one may possess courage during good times, but it will not be seen until the time of trial. To paraphrase Thomas Paine, when we come to one of those times that try our souls, unless we are possessed of courage, we like the "summer soldier, the sunshine patriot" will shrink from doing right.

  

Those of us who have earned some gray hair and bear the scars of battles past know the difference between courage and fool-heartiness.  Sometimes people happen to charge into the right battles, without real courage.  Their eagerness to engage has more to do with ignorance than bravery.  True courage requires a solid foundation.  Proverbs 28:1 offers such a platform:  "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion." 

You may be able to correct me, but I don't know of anyone who is truly courageous concerning what they know is a wrong cause.  Out of desperation we may do something that on the surface appears to be courageous, to cover our guilt, but that's not courage.  Knowing I am right, knowing the value of the right, and being convinced that righteousness is worth standing for--even dying for--it is on such stones that courage is built.

Lord, give me a conviction of that which is right so that I will have the courage to do what is right.  I need to see clearly so that I can act courageously.  Help me not to buckle at the point of crisis, but rather to buckle on the armor You have provided, and having done all to stand,help me to stand. May I not forget that if I lead out of fear then I can only lead in retreat.   Lord, make us, Your church, those who, knowing that our cause is right and our victory is secure, live lives of courage.  

Amen. 

  

It's STTA.

Depending on the Kindness of others:

Plenty of us share a dependency with Blanche Dubois, We depend "on the kindness of strangers," and friends, and family, and anyone else.  

From the person who stops so we can pull out onto a busy street, to the youngster who helps pick up the contents of a dropped grocery bag, to the friend who uses their time to comfort and encourage us in a time of need, we all appreciate kindness.

The person who exhibits Biblical kindness doesn't just think nice thoughts, she actually does something.  One definition I found was "benevolence in action."  The kind person looks at another then asks the question what do I have and what can I do to help, encourage, protect this person.  We enjoy the presence of the kind-hearted, love to hear kind words, and soak up kind deeds.  Most of us would not have survived, certainly not thrived, if we hadn't had kind mothers.  Most of us look back with fondness on at least one teacher who treated us kindly at some difficult time in our life.  Contrary to numerous jokes, I was wonderfully blessed to have a kind Mother-in-law.  Sometimes we find ourselves like a dry sponge.  When kindness is poured out we soak it up.

Colossians speaks of God's people wearing kindness like a garment.  Galatians tells us it is one aspect of the fruitthat the Holy Spirit bears in our lives.  That makes sense because it is a characteristic of God.  (Ephesians 2:7)

I readily admit that I depend on the kindness of others. 
My prayer is that I will be one on whom others can depend for acts of kindness.

  

It's STTA.