Hearing the Music

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Financial Fast

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As the New Year rolled in, Lisa and I along with several of our children and some friends embarked on a 21 day financial fast*. The goal of the fast was to evaluate spending habits and more importantly our heart attitudes toward finances in light of God's word by refraining from spending beyond necessities for 3 weeks. This meant no eating out, Amazon purchases, new clothes, etc ... for 21 days.  

I would say that it has  been a good experience for all. We have encouraged each other in our group text chain. We have had great conversations around topics of generosity, tithing, needs v. wants, budgeting, use of credit, etc... One memorable conversation centered on the cost of not following God's law, and by cost I mean $$$$. Our idols (sports, fashion, music, etc...) cost us regularly. Part of the 4th commandment is an invitation to rest our wallets. When we fail to rest it often comes with a cost. Our sexual sin is so financially draining, especially when you factor in divorce and its cost. The list goes on. It is an interesting exercise to run down the 10 commandments and think about their financial implications.

I am not advocating a financial fast for everyone, but it is good to acknowledge just how pernicious finances can be when it comes to living in the Gospel. Our Savior promises us that not a hair will fall from our head. He promises that he cares for us as he cares for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air (Mt. 6). He reminds us that He is our inheritance, that He alone is our source of joy (Eph. 1). In Him we are richer than an oil tycoon or a hedge fund manager.  There is nothing on earth that can compare with what is already ours in Christ (Ps. 73). In the end, whether it is through a financial fast or some other discipline, this question will need to be answered, "Are our hearts overwhelmed by the love which Christ has demonstrated through the Cross?" "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” (Jer. 31:3)  That is more than enough for me.

 

Photo by UX Indonesia on Unsplash

Posted by Andrew VanderMaas

Grateful for Deacons

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I thought a word or two about deacons would be in order as we get ready to ordain and install four men to the office this coming Sunday. According to our book of Church Order, "the office of deacon is set forth in the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in the Church. The office is one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus; it expresses also the communion of saints, especially in their helping one another in time of need."

Specifically, the BCO goes on to say, "It is the duty of the deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. It is their duty also to develop the grace of liberality in the members of the church, to devise effective methods of collecting the gifts of the people, and to distribute these gifts among the objects to which they are contributed. They shall have the care of the property of the congregation, both real and personal, and shall keep in proper repair the church edifice and other buildings belonging to the congregation." (BCO 9.1,2)

If we were to sum up these biblically based statements we might say first, that deacons engage with generosity on behalf of the Lord and his church those who find themselves in need. And secondly, the deacons enable the church to be even more expressive in their own gratitude by taking care of the facilities (where much ministry happens) and by seeking to mature generosity among the saints. Or to put it another way, deacons both do the ministry and seek to draw out ministry from all of God's people. So even as these four are set apart Sunday morning, we recognize that their job is to develop in all of us the "grace of liberality".

On last word about deacons. Jesus said, "I am among you as one who serves". Lk 22:27. That word serves translates the Greek word diakonos from which, of course, we get our word deacon. This diaconal work, to which we are all called, is the work of Jesus. In Mark 10:45, Jesus puts it this way, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” I am grateful for our deacons who remind us that service is the way of our Savior, for it is ultimately Jesus' service to us that both motivates and enables ours!

 

Photo by Sierra Koder on Unsplash

Posted by Andrew VanderMaas

Your Promise Gives Me Life

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Well the holidays are over, and most of us are (or very soon will be) back to our realities of work, school, caregiving, retirement, etc... Often, people associate things like sadness and depression with the holidays as the losses of loved ones are acutely felt, and while that is certainly true, the January Blues are just as real. In reality, affliction, sadness and the like have no timetable and are no respecter of persons. So where do we turn to fight the January Blues or February's Funk?

The Psalmist in Psalm 119:50 offers this reflection, "This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life." In the midst of trouble, where do we turn? God's word is where help is to be found, specifically, in the promises of covenant making and covenant keeping God. Here are a few promises with attendant prayers I have collected over the years. May they encourage you and perhaps be a model for your own praying!
 
“You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”.   1 Corinthians 6:11 

     Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—glorious Trinity, this one verse reminds me how the entire Godhead has secured my irrevocable, magnificent salvation. How astonishing, comforting, and humbling. Father, you washed and justified me, by the finished work of Jesus. And by the Holy Spirit, you set me apart for yourself, and my sanctification (my Christlikeness) is so certain, it can be spoken of in the past tense. I am undone with joy, filled with gratitude, and set free to love and serve others.

"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”   Jeremiah 31:3 

     Most gracious Father, enlarge the chambers of my heart, that I might take in more of the wonder of this good news. You have drawn me to yourself with an unfailing, irresistible, powerful love—not because of anything in me, but because of everything in Jesus. Right now and forever, you love me with an unwavering, everlasting love. I cannot intensify, nor diminish, your love for me. Unaided, I don’t—I cannot believe this is true. By your Holy Spirit, I rest and rejoice in this astonishing reality. It makes me want to love and serve you with everything I have and am.

“We will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words”   1 Thess. 4:18 

     Lord Jesus, you may not be coming back as soon as I wish. Or you may return quicker than I can imagine. Either way, this is the good news. Once with you, I will be with you forever. That’s what I want more than anything else—even if I don’t realize it. It’s not people’s love, the world’s possessions, or a pain-free life I want the most. It’s you I crave and long for. The good news is, because of the Gospel, I’m already yours. My life is already hidden in you, and you indwell me by the Holy Spirit. But please hasten the Day of your return. Until then, be more real and precious to me than anything else, Jesus. In your loving name I pray, Amen.

I'd love to hear some of your favorite promises.

 

Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas on Unsplash

Posted by Andrew VanderMaas

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