"Expect great things; attempt great things." Originally spoken in his sermon to the Baptist Association meeting in Northampton, England, May 30, 1792, William Carey, the “father” of the modern missionary movement, used the citation to urge his Baptist colleagues to enter the missionary enterprise. It formed the twofold division of his sermon, framing the challenge he set before them. Today, we see the quote paraphrased often by agencies and individuals as “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”
I believe this admonition is extremely relevant today. Can I get an amen? Isn’t the single-most important focus for believers today to attempt great things for the cause of Christ? There might be a hindrance, however, when we interpret this challenge from a fleshly viewpoint rather than a spiritual viewpoint. Attempting great things for God elicits the common inclination to focus on accomplishments. The pride slips in—“Look what I’ve done.” We may get impatient—“I’m doing all the right things, why isn’t something happening?” Discontentment rears its ugly head—“I thought all of this would make me happy.” Jealousy may become a factor—“Look what they did. I am attempting greater things than they are.” Even material gain enters the picture—“If we attempt this, we will certainly get more results and we can do more stuff.”
When attempting great things for the cause of Christ, let’s be careful to observe our motives and attitudes. These reveal a good deal about our relationship with the Lord and whether we are motivated spiritually rather than fleshly. Here are some wise things to consider about the things we attempt:
1. The ways of success should not be reduced to a formula. Dependence on past successes lead to an independent spirit, rather than a dependent spirit where you are looking to God for purpose and direction.
2. When we mimic the successful strategies of others, we eliminate our need to be problem-solvers, to think reflectively, and to look for solutions from the Lord. When you go on that short-term mission trip, be the person God made you to be. You are more effective when you share from your heart rather than using a formula that someone else has used with success. Have we not forgotten that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God knows the plans He has for us? Also, remember the Lord will help you with the words you need to share.
3. God is more concerned about our character than our accomplishments. Accomplishments are outward, character is inward. If you see someone attempting great things for the cause of Christ, check to see if it comes from inward motivation or from the desire to be in the position of being noticed by others.
4. Experiencing failure does not mean we are not accomplishing something. When we gain a holistic view of our life and when we do not compartmentalize our faith, then every component of life with its attempts and accomplishments and failures comes under the Lordship of Christ. As expressed in Romans 8:29, we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ, conformed to His image. Begin to live your life today not from the temporal, but from the eternal perspective. Expect great things and keep on attempting great things for the cause of Christ!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Responding to Economic Uncertainty—Looking Up When Things are Going Down
These past weeks include some of the most striking news in the economic history of this country and even the world. Who would have expected that the markets would be in turmoil and that banks would be struggling the way they are? Government bailouts and corporate mergers are the talk of the day. Analysis after analysis feeds our psyche through each day. These times have affected everyone to some degree.
As a believer, we know we are stewards of God’s things so why worry? In Him is the assurance we need. Happiness is not based on what we have and do but rather on who we are in Christ. We keep telling ourselves these things during tough times, however the uneasiness creeps in. What are some practical things to do now to help us respond to the economic uncertainty we see?
Resist the urge to compartmentalize. Compartmentalization leads to reliance on self rather than reliance on our Lord. If you take all of the areas of life, i.e. family, finances, jobs, hobbies, church, friends, there is a tendency to keep some of these areas separate from the others. It is like we are not an integrated whole. When we place all these things with Christ at the center, then we move away from compartmentalization and see our lives as integrated wholes in Christ. Finances probably fall into the compartmentalization problem more than others just by its nature. Resist the tendency and lean on the Everlasting Arms.
Focus on the attributes of God. I have been so encouraged by reading through passages of Scripture referring to the attributes of God. Our God is faithful, He is love, He is truth, He is good, He is wise, He is omnipotent, He is omniscient, and He is patient. Because of who He is, we have stability, we have certainty, we have hope, and we have assurance. I would encourage anyone to take time to go through key passages in the Bible and rest in knowing that we serve a God who truly cares for us as we face the issues of the day. As Psalm 121:1-2 expresses, “. . . where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Give yourself first. This may sound simple. I recommend keeping it simple. Reach out to others during this time and give of yourself. Fellowship and sharing are good for the soul. We need more of this during times like these. Also, give yourself first to the Lord before you stress over stewardship issues. Just like the Macedonians that Paul commended in 2 Corinthians 8:5, they gave themselves first to the Lord and this undergirded their generosity in all matters. Uncertainty fades away when we know others are experiencing similar things.
Remind yourself where your devotion is. I always say, “when you love, you give.” This is an underlying stewardship principle. Don’t stop giving in troubled times. Find ways to give. Giving expresses devotion, trust, reliance, honor, dependence, and gratitude to the Lord. This is not the time to argue about topics like tithing. Merely give and show your devotion to He who is greater than all these things.
This list could go on and I would encourage you to personalize your list of ways to combat the uncertainty of today’s economy. Make the list, and then put it into practice!
As a believer, we know we are stewards of God’s things so why worry? In Him is the assurance we need. Happiness is not based on what we have and do but rather on who we are in Christ. We keep telling ourselves these things during tough times, however the uneasiness creeps in. What are some practical things to do now to help us respond to the economic uncertainty we see?
Resist the urge to compartmentalize. Compartmentalization leads to reliance on self rather than reliance on our Lord. If you take all of the areas of life, i.e. family, finances, jobs, hobbies, church, friends, there is a tendency to keep some of these areas separate from the others. It is like we are not an integrated whole. When we place all these things with Christ at the center, then we move away from compartmentalization and see our lives as integrated wholes in Christ. Finances probably fall into the compartmentalization problem more than others just by its nature. Resist the tendency and lean on the Everlasting Arms.
Focus on the attributes of God. I have been so encouraged by reading through passages of Scripture referring to the attributes of God. Our God is faithful, He is love, He is truth, He is good, He is wise, He is omnipotent, He is omniscient, and He is patient. Because of who He is, we have stability, we have certainty, we have hope, and we have assurance. I would encourage anyone to take time to go through key passages in the Bible and rest in knowing that we serve a God who truly cares for us as we face the issues of the day. As Psalm 121:1-2 expresses, “. . . where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Give yourself first. This may sound simple. I recommend keeping it simple. Reach out to others during this time and give of yourself. Fellowship and sharing are good for the soul. We need more of this during times like these. Also, give yourself first to the Lord before you stress over stewardship issues. Just like the Macedonians that Paul commended in 2 Corinthians 8:5, they gave themselves first to the Lord and this undergirded their generosity in all matters. Uncertainty fades away when we know others are experiencing similar things.
Remind yourself where your devotion is. I always say, “when you love, you give.” This is an underlying stewardship principle. Don’t stop giving in troubled times. Find ways to give. Giving expresses devotion, trust, reliance, honor, dependence, and gratitude to the Lord. This is not the time to argue about topics like tithing. Merely give and show your devotion to He who is greater than all these things.
This list could go on and I would encourage you to personalize your list of ways to combat the uncertainty of today’s economy. Make the list, and then put it into practice!
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