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- Written by: Don Goulding
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. (Romans 8:8-9)
Every Tuesday was bulletin day for our pastor. He tapped out articles on a master stencil in his typewriter and then hand-cranked his worn mimeograph printer. I was aghast at his archaic method and volunteered to set up a computer for him.
It was an act of bravery for someone who grew up with horses and gaslights to take word processing lessons. My pastor took notes on each step, from switching on the computer to printing a document. His rote learning never allowed him to intuit the software logic. Years later, he still called me whenever he navigated into a corner and couldn’t figure out how to get back to his home screen.
In the same way, disciplining my corrupt mind with rote laws doesn’t keep me out of the corners of sin. The change won’t penetrate deep enough for me to understand God’s ways. I need his heart. Not just the rules. That’s why he made me the new temple of his Spirit. The forgiveness offered through Christ is huge, but it’s only the doorway that makes it possible for the Spirit of the Most High to move in as my guide.
True faith bubbles up from within. Jesus compared it to yeast, wind, and an artesian fountain, but it’s also like nuclear fission. Fission causes an unstoppable chain reaction of splitting atoms. We can no more stop a Spirit-filled believer from sacrificial obedience than we can contain an atom bomb after fission has begun. There will be a joyful, God-pleasing explosion of loving kindness.
Prayer: Please, Holy Spirit, burst out from within me.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you. (Philippians 2:17)
With a garland of marigolds around my neck, I was made the hero. A congregation of thirty tribal converts honored me as a pastor who had flown from America to India to lay the cornerstone of their new church. When we wear heavenly glasses, a different hero appears.
Samuel was a meek evangelist with a warm smile. Many villages were within a day’s walk of his home, but one burned in his heart—Garepali.
The people of Garepali were illiterate outcasts whose children no school would accept. The name of Jesus had never been spoken in this dry place, but the Holy Spirit burdened Samuel to be the first.
“The one true God, Jesus, let himself be sacrificed on a cross to take the punishment we deserved for our sins. He wants to forgive and grant you eternal life,” Samuel said.
The village elders decided they would continue worshiping the river and tree gods. Samuel and his God weren’t welcome.
For nine years, the Holy Spirit whispered that Samuel should return and confront the darkness of Garepali without a single convert. Then one man took an interest and accepted Christ as his Savior and only Lord. For another year, Samuel taught his one convert, who finally led another to salvation, and then more. They built a church and thatched it with palm leaves.
When the believers could no longer fit inside their worship hut, they allowed a foreign pastor to dedicate the cornerstone for a cement block church. That’s when I showed up, clueless about the significance of the work in Garepali (and about most everything that matters in life.)
Humans may admire the sacrifices of globetrotting missionaries, but heaven sees the real heroes. Before God’s throne in paradise, there is a roar of applause for gentle, faithful Samuel.
Prayer: Saving Jesus, help me quietly pour out my life for you.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock - even the fattest of them. And the Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering, but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased. (Genesis 4:3-5)
I fell in love with my second-grade teacher, Ms. Goodrop. She was pretty and kind. During show-and-tell, she lit up as other children displayed a picture they’d painted or a praying mantis they’d captured.
I so wanted to please Ms. Gooddrop that when she asked if I had anything, I said yes, I wanted to share a poem from the book a classmate read. There was confusion and embarrassment when the girl handed me the book, and I couldn't find a suitable poem. Ms. Goodrop tactfully suggested I come better prepared next week. The awful feeling of disappointing my pet teacher sticks with me, many years later.
All too often, the sacrifices of my heart that I bring to God are as hastily prepared as my show-and-tell poem. The Holy Spirit illuminates an area of my character that needs renewal, and I readily agree. What actually transpires is that I think briefly about the matter, then move on with nothing truly changed.
When a weakness is exposed, I must go to a quiet place and pray until the stronghold is completely surrendered. Often, multiple sessions are necessary. It’s a lifelong process, but I must not hide behind the excuse that I have my whole life to work on it.
At this time, I can only walk halfway to purity. Later, I will walk half of the remaining distance, then, when the Lord gives strength, I’ll walk half again. Eventually, the halves become minuscule, but I’ll never fully arrive in this life. I’ll always have another half to cover, and I can’t ever give up.
Changing who I am is hard work, but acceptable sacrifices always are. It’s the only way to shamelessly hold up my heart for show-and-tell when we all stand before God’s throne.
Prayer: Patient Jesus, help me make honest offerings of my heart.