Mike Fisk & Built with Grace

Grace isn’t for the Strong

April 8, 2013 in Uncategorized | Tags: C H Spurgeon, emptiness, God's power in us, grace, Isaiah 66:1-2, Seeking God's glory, Spiritual power, trust | 5 comments

The Lord said: Heaven is my throne; the earth is my footstool. What kind of house could you build for me? In what place will I rest? I have made everything; that’s how it all came to be. I, the Lord, have spoken. The people I treasure most are the humble— they depend only on me and tremble when I speak. Isaiah 66:1-2 (CEV)

The great preacher C. H. Spurgeon writes, “Till we are emptied of self we cannot be filled with God; stripping must be wrought upon us before we can be clothed with the righteousness which is from heaven.”

One of the things that have made the USA great has been our attitude of self-sufficiency. We covet the American Dream. We pride ourselves on the great accomplishments we’ve made as a nation. While there have been some significant atrocities in our history, for the most part this nation has been made great by ‘pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps’ and moving forward to become world leaders in many ways.

Ironically, the very thing that has made our nation great is an enemy of the body of Jesus Christ. When God spoke through his prophet Isaiah, he was speaking to a people who were intent on ‘doing things’ in order to reach God. Activity has never impressed God. He says to us, in a sense (My paraphrase): “Ok. Let me get this straight. I made the universe. The earth is nothing more than a place for me to rest my feet, a most unimportant piece of furniture. Now you are going to build me a house? In your miniscule power you’re going to provide a place where I can rest? Listen to me and listen carefully. I don’t care about your activities. I’m not interested in seeing what you can do for me. Here’s what I want. Emptiness. That’s right. Emptiness. Your respect for my words and adherence to my ways is far more important than all your fancy endeavors.”

Jesus says the same thing in a different way during the Sermon on the Mount when he says to his hearers, “Blessed is the one who is poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 5:3) Poor in spirit means spiritually bankrupt. Discipleship demands that we be completely emptied of our own self-sufficiency and filled instead with his Spirit.

The question we must ask ourselves is this. Are we doing the things we do for our own glory or for God’s glory? Are we labeling our activities (church involvement; prayer; Bible Study; etc) as worship when we are really just entertaining ourselves?

We cannot be filled with God’s power and greatness until we are emptied of self. How many marbles need to be added to a jar before it is no longer empty? One. To be completely emptied for God’s use isn’t reserved for ministers or leaders. It’s the admonition for any of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ. Nor is it something that his possible in our own power. It can only come through daily seeking the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives. His power comes only when we acknowledge our weakness.

PRAYER: Holy Father. I confess to you that even though I love you and call you Lord, many of the things I do are done to try to impress you and/or others. I ask that you empty me of self-sufficiency so that I can be completely filled for your glory. Amen.

The Poison of Self-sufficiency

April 5, 2013 in Uncategorized | Tags: allegiance to Christ, complete surrender, eternal hope, holiness, Lazarus and the rich man, Revelation 3:17, spiritual bankruptcy | 1 comment

You claim to be rich and successful and to have everything you need. But you don’t know how bad off you are. You are pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Revelation 3:17 (CEV)

One day Jesus told a story of a man named Lazarus. We know little about him except that he spent his life as a beggar earnestly hoping for a chance at the table scraps from a certain rich man’s table. What isn’t important in the story is how Lazarus became a beggar. We only know that he was apparently in some situation that made him completely dependent on other people for his existence.

Another thing we know about Lazarus is that even though his time on earth was destitute, he was apparently a man of faith. We know this because after Lazarus died he went to heaven. Ironically, it appears in Luke 16 that the rich man died around the same time. His earthly reward was great, but his eternal reward was painful to say the least.

One day the rich man looks across a great chasm and sees Lazarus sitting comfortably in the presence of God. While the rich man languished in pain and agony, Lazarus enjoyed something he’s never had in real life – comfort and fulfillment.

Jesus often told parables to those following him. These fictional stories taught great spiritual truths that required people to think about what he was really trying to teach them about life on earth and life in eternity. In this parable we are shown that physical wealth and comfort on earth don’t measure up to the comfort we will get when we get to heaven. Jesus says, store up your treasures in heaven. Don’t waste time on acquiring wealth on earth. It won’t last.

The Apostle John had a similar message in his letter to the church in Laodicea. This church was well known for their staunch religiosity. This group of believers could be described in one word: content. They minded their own business; didn’t make waves in society; lived their lives safely. Jesus refers to their complacency as so repulsive that they would be vomited out of his mouth.

The church in Laodicea suffered from the same disease that Lazarus had – self reliance. They may have started out believing in God and doing all the right things, but soon they were far more content to worship God’s blessings that to worship God; too content in their comfort to seek holiness.

When Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the poor in Spirit’, he’s really calling each of us to come to a place of spiritual bankruptcy in which we are so helpless we rely completely on him as our only hope and comfort.

Don’t allow the cares of this world to keep you from enjoying the peace only God can give. Don’t allow the comforts and blessings of this world keep you from realizing your only real hope is to rely on God for everything. Self-sufficiency is the enemy of total allegiance to Christ.

PRAYER: Father God. It is so easy to get trapped into thinking I can make it in life alone. You’ve blessed me beyond measure with gifts, talents and abilities. Protect me from relying on these more than you. Empower me to be completely dependent on you. In Jesus name, amen.

Popular Opinion or Holiness?

April 4, 2013 in Uncategorized | Tags: Gods rules or man's rules, holiness, intolerance, judgmental attitudes, peer pressure, Proverbs 16:25, social approval | 1 comment

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Proverbs 16:25 NLT

I was talking with an old farmer one day. He was telling me about some of the issues his son was having with his dairy herd. Being a real green hand on the farming issued, I asked him what were more difficult to raise? Sheep or Cows?

He shook his head and looked at his feet. “Sheep, he said, definitely sheep.”

“Why is that?”

He looked up at me like I’d said something really stupid, then replied, “Well, sheep are just so stupid!”

He was right, of course. Sheep are known to follow one another into dangerous or even fatal situations. When you are a sheep, strength in numbers and peer pressure aren’t nessecarily good things.

It’s interesting that Jesus likens us to sheep in the Bible. Does he refer to us as sheep because he thinks we are ‘just plain stupid’, like my farmer friend said? Was he trying to send us the message that we are really worthless creatures?

Most likely not, for whenever Jesus references us as sheep he speaks of our value; the speaks of the shepherds love for and concern for his sheep. Jesus speaks of himself as the good shepherd. A good shepherd gives his life for his sheep, he knows them by name, he rescues them when they get lost.

The evil shepherd, on the other hand, has no concern for his sheep. When sheep (people) follow the evil shepherd they are doomed. If they have no shepherd at all, they will follow a path that seems right to them: a path that leads to destruction.

Proverbs also reminds us of the futility of following our own instincts. Those who follow the path that seems best to them, follow a path that inevitably leads to destruction. There is no guide to show us the way through the wilderness. We are on our own.

As Christians our path through life should be determined by the words of Christ, not government policy, church edicts or popular opinion. “Fairness” is not a gaurentee. Cultures change and evolve, but the principles in God’s word remain unchanged throughout time.

Jesus tells us that the broad road, the easy way, the way of popular opinion is the path that leads to destruction. The hard road, the narrow path that few others will travel, is the path of righteousness and holiness.

The closer we walk with Jesus and according to Godly principles, the more we will understand the difference between right and wrong. The deeper our relationship with Christ, the more we risk standing against the popular notions of our day.

Refuse to live the life of a sheep. Grow closer in your walk with Christ and prepare of battle. Better to live in disharmony with the worlds standards than to live in separation from God.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus. I’m buffeted on every side by this wind of philosophy and that call for social justice. In the midst of the battle help me walk the narrow path of your love and grace. Amen.

Something Solid to Build On

March 28, 2013 in Uncategorized | Tags: evil triumphs, grace, Isaiah 28:16, Jesus Christ, staying faithful, The power of the church, trust, Where is God? | 2 comments

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. Isaiah 28:16 NLT

The word picture that Isaiah paints is amazing. A foundation stone. Firm. Tested. Safe. Something you can count on to withstand the effects of time. The cornerstone was considered precious because it formed the basis for the rest of the building. The meaning of the word implies that even were the rest of the building collapse and the other three corners sink away, this one precious cornerstone would remain intact.

It’s a firm cornerstone. It’s securely placed. It won’t be affected by the winds of change or climate.

It’s a tested cornerstone. It has withstood the tests of time. It has weathered attacks from all angles. It has survived the ravages of war; the destructive effects of nature; the subtle deterioration of neglect.

It is safe. The dictionary definition of safe is simply to be free from harm or risk. What can you find in life that doesn’t involve risk? What would you give for a pill that, when taken, would protect your child from all harm?

The Apostle Paul tells us that “Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.” (Ephesians 2:20 NLT)

Jesus tells us there will be storms; there will be trials; there will be rejection in this world. Then he says, don’t worry. I’ve already overcome the world. In another spot he proclaims victory for all generations of those who follow him when he tells us that the gates of hell will not prevail, rather the church will be triumphant.

We live in perilous times. It may seem to you like the church is losing ground; like evil is running rampant; that God’s word is being overwhelmed. His word will not return void. His True church will not fail because it is built on a cornerstone that is firm, tested and safe.

That stone is Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. All things that are made are made by him and for him. His glory will prevail. So, don’t be discouraged by the struggles that face you. Don’t lose heart when society seems to be destroying all we hold to. We have a safe place in which to rest in Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus. I look around me at the state of our world. I’m troubled by the things I see, the things I hear and the things I see people do. I’m confused as to why many who claim your name seem to be going against your precepts. Help me to remember I am safe in you. Empower me to reach out in grace to those who need to know the True Way. Amen.

The Message we Send

March 26, 2013 in Uncategorized | Tags: 2 Timothy 1:8, Jesus Christ, Passionate faith, sharing Faith, testimony, trust, value in others, witnessing | 2 comments

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:8

My wife has a job in which she spends time in close contact with her clients. Often when they come to her they are in physical pain and nervous. She is a master at putting even the most difficult client at ease. So much so that people will ask for her rather than some of her colleagues. What’s her secret?

“Get them talking about themselves.”

When people can talk about something they are passionate about or knowledgeable about, they relax. Their focus turns from whatever pain they are going through to something they enjoy. One recent example was a client that she had been warned about. Others had worked with him and he was rude and obnoxious, or wouldn’t talk at all. My wife had him chatting and laughing before the end of their first session. The trick? She asked him about a tattoo on his arm.

The Apostle Paul is writing to his young protégé, Timothy. Timothy was going through some tough times in ministry and Paul was concerned that Timothy may lose heart. Those of us that work in ministry or in any other ‘service’ areas know how that can happen. We know we are right, we see the destructive path others are taking. Perhaps we’ve taken that road and found it to be painful and we urge others to avoid the trail, all to no avail.

What’s the secret to remaining true to our calling? Keep passionate about Jesus. People don’t need to hear about theology or doctrines. This generation in particular isn’t impressed with denominational dogma or the importance of following some tradition that has long ago lost its meaning or significance.

When Jesus walked on earth he spent most of his time focusing on the needs of others, not his own agenda. In fact, focusing on other people’s needs WAS his agenda. The defining characteristic of Jesus’ dealing with other people was leaving them with an increased sense of value. Value in themselves. Value in their own ability. Value in making important life changes.

Never grow weary in talking about Jesus. Never allow other people’s disposition and lack of faith keep you from expressing what Jesus has done for you. People can argue doctrine; they can’t argue what has happened to you personally.

During these perilous times when people are desperately searching for meaning and fulfillment, let your answer to them be your passion for Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus. During this time of Lent there are many people who are seeking answers to questions about their own lives. They are seeking relief from pain, doubt and worry. I may not be able to answer all their questions of relieve their concern, but help me to share my passion for all you have done for me. Amen.

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Mike Fisk & Built with Grace

Grace isn’t for the Strong

The Poison of Self-sufficiency

Something Solid to Build On