kingdom travelin'

A successful businessperson admitted her fear of not maintaining her volume of sales. A headmaster admitted a similar fear of not maintaining student enrollment. The leader of a charity was afraid of a drop in donations due to new tax law changes. Students fear bad grades. Athletes fear a losing record. Parents fear for their children’s well being. The list goes on and on.

Fear, it seems is all around us. It is also a valuable indicator for the disciple’s life.

Generally, when I fear, my focus is on a problem. I should say my focus IS the problem. Because when my focus is ON the problem, it is misplaced. My focus is more helpfully placed upon God.

Two verses:

…What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Cor. ‭4:7‬b)

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Col. 3:2)

When I realize I am wrestling with fear or anxiety (not exactly the same) about circumstances, it is most helpful to use the fear as a reminder, an alert, or reminder.

First: All I have is from God anyway, so I need neither a big head nor a fear of failure.

Second: When I discipline myself to keep my focus on God regularly, he, as my focus, relieves me of my fear… because in my fallen state, fear is inevitable.

As I focus on him, my faith increases. As my faith increases, my heart and mind are freed to work at my profession with freedom and joy as I do my best and then…

trust him for the result!

A longer list of texts I use for meditating when I find myself afraid in circumstances is HERE.

There’s nothing new in what I’m posting here. But it’s a fresh reminder to us from one of the clearest younger thinkers about the Bible, Matt Smethurst of the Gospel Coalition.

How not to read your Bible in 2020:

1. Don’t overextend.

2. Don’t do it alone.

3. Don’t just do it whenever.

4. Don’t live as if Paul lied.

5. Don’t turn a means of grace into a means of merit.

—

Here’s my brief explanation:

How not to read your Bible in 2020:

1. Don’t overextend.

If you’ve had trouble keeping up with plans that have 4-7 chapters a day, try a plan that has 1-2 so you can be faithful.

2. Don’t do it alone.

Get serious about sharing your observations from reading with your fellow-disciples.

3. Don’t just do it whenever.

Set a time and have a place for your daily reading, it really helps.

4. Don’t live as if Paul lied.

Apply the text (even Leviticus is written to encourage us*) to your heart and mind so you can live it in your life.

5. Don’t turn a means of grace into a means of merit.

You don’t get points with God for your devotions, Jesus earned your salvation for you. We DO get closer to our holy and loving Father as we abide in his word.**

Matt’s entire helpful article with broader and clearer explanation is here for the clicking.

* Recently a guy came up to me and asked “What encouragement can I find in Leviticus?” Fortunately, I had just finished or was near my annual reading of Leviticus and had been reminded of this: Just as God cared about intricate details in the law, he knows and cares about the intricate details of my life. Even the most detailed plans about the tabernacle were important to God. Therefore he cares about you and me!

** I view my Bible reading as a means of encouragement, reminder, and preparation. It encourages me forward to follow Jesus. It reminds me of my sin and his holiness. It prepared my heart and mind to pray. Keller noted in a sermon this past fall “Petitionary prayer only works if you understand the father child relationship.” As I read and meditate on Scripture I’m reminded of my Father’s mercy and love. I’m invited to his loving lap on the throne of grace.

A kind and generous donor has just offered to match up to $1,000 today for the Ministry Development Fund of CEO. If you would like to join this effort you can learn more and donate here:

www.ceokids.org/giving-Tuesday