Games are won by active participants. No matter how much you yell at your TV you can’t help the Tigers win the World Series from your living room—believe me I tried. Shout and holler all you want and you won’t affect the outcome of the Lions next season—though they need all the help they can get. In Colossians 1:24 & 25 Paul says he rejoiced in his sufferings for the church because he’d been given a stewardship by God toward the church to make the Gospel fully known. He’d become an active participant in spreading the Gospel. All followers of Christ have been given that same stewardship. Now is the time for you to find a way to serve the Lord with joy. If you aren’t actively serving the Lord I’d suggest you ask God to open your eyes to opportunities to serve for His glory and then get in the game. When you serve, you benefit and others benefit—everyone wins. And when you serve for God’s glory you are a part of making the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news, fully known.

With you in the ministry of the Gospel,
–Kevin

Also available: My messages on Colossians 1:24-25 go into more detail on this passage and are available for download.

Saved to Serve - Colossians 1:24-25, part 1

Saved to Serve - Colossians 1:24-25, part 2

Let’s look together for the joy of being reconciled in Colossians 1:21-23.

Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Do you see why you should be filled with joy because of your reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ? Those who have confessed their sin and trusted in Jesus Christ are reconciled to God and have great reason for joy.

• Once alienated because of your sin and hostility toward God—but no longer
• Now presented holy and blameless and above reproach before God
• And persevering in the faith, stable and steadfast with no shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard

And the results of our joy should be a natural proclamation of the reconciliation we enjoy. Those who have been reconciled will joyfully share the good news of Jesus Christ.

With you in proclaiming the joy of reconciliation.
–Kevin

Resource: My recent sermon “Reconciled” on Colossians 1:21-23 can be found in mp3 format here.

Recently we studied Colossians 1:9. Since then I’ve been challenged with the urgency for earnest prayer for 1) the knowledge of God’s will, 2) spiritual wisdom and 3) spiritual understanding.

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

The fact that Paul prayed for these things for the Colossian believers is a reminder that spiritual growth comes in answer to prayer. It’s easy to think that we need to read more about the spiritual life, or hear more preaching about the spiritual life, and I’m not discrediting the importance of those things. But earnest prayer for these things tends to be the last thing we think we need to do. I suggest it is the first thing we should do. Pray for the increase of the knowledge of God and His will and spiritual understanding in your life–and then read God’s Word, then absorb God’s Word through the hearing of the Word. But don’t stop there. Pray also that these will flourish in the lives of those around you.

Why is this so important? The answer is in verse 10.

10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

To my family and brothers and sisters in Christ at Higgins Lake Baptist Church and elsewhere–I’m praying for you.

During yesterday morning’s worship service we looked at Paul’s prayer for the church in Colossians 1. One important truth that sticks with me this morning is that spiritual knowledge should lead to righteous living. Paul prayed that the believers at Colosse would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col.1:9). And he prayed that, because he knew that when that happens, the result should be that the believer walks in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10).

We study God’s Word not merely to gain wisdom—we do so to be filled with God’s wisdom that will lead to obedience—good works—and in turn that leads to an increased desire for more of the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Spiritual knowledge should lead to service and service for God’s glory should spur us on to more knowledge—and the cycle should continue—one promotes the other. We can’t be all knowledge with no good works, and we can’t be all good works with no knowledge. And remember, that we do good works, we serve, because Christ saved us. We don’t serve for salvation—we serve because of salvation.

In the evening worship service last night we wrapped up a brief series on contentment. This morning I’m reminded of the familiar passage from Psalm 37:4. “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Simply put, contentment is about delighting yourself in the Lord as opposed to delighting yourself in your desires. If you are earnestly seeking the Lord and your soul thirsts for God (Psalm 63:1) and clings to God (Psalm 63:8) your desires will be God shaped and God pleasing. And the outcome for the one who delights in the Lord is contentment and the desires of their heart.

Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? –Hebrews 12:9

Who would miss a grizzly Marine Corps drill instructor screaming in their face for the smallest slip-up? After a grueling three months of Marine boot camp served up by these technicians of pain I was certain I’d never miss my drill instructors.

Thirty days after graduation from boot camp I was experiencing my first Christmas away from home. My family was in Michigan—I was back in California for Infantry Training School.

Camp Pendleton, California, Christmas day, I was assigned guard duty–foot patrol, guarding empty Quonset huts, armed with a walkie-talkie and a nightstick. It was then that a wave of deep loneliness pushed over me—all I could think of was my family, how loved I was by them, how much I missed them and how much they were probably enjoying Christmas–without me.

But now I have eight children of my own and I understand that my parents were probably in more pain than I was. Having raised me to fear and serve God and having sheltered me from the world for 18 years I was now far from home and completely on my own in Southern California—far from their loving guidance and protection.

What I didn’t realize then was that the structure and rigorous discipline of boot camp and those surly drill instructors yelling in my face had given me a sense of security that I didn’t realize was there until I was all alone with no one to tell me what to do. And then while on patrol that lonely Christmas day afternoon my radio crackled to life with the melodious sound of the duty sergeant yelling at me to check in—my assignment was complete.

So now I try to teach my children that my instruction and discipline in their lives is good for them and that they should be thankful for this period of time in their lives. And those who study these things tell me that children actually prefer structure and discipline—somebody should tell my kids.

I also pastor a little country church of loving, obedient, God fearing people. And I’m constantly trying to teach them that there’s security and comfort, protection and guidance in loving and obeying God’s commands.

So I’d suggest to you, and I remind myself, that we not resent and resist the loving discipline of those who care for our lives. And when you feel like you’re all alone, remember, your heavenly Father loves you.

Kevin—my oldest son—and I were traveling today—I had an appointment for a root canal. It was a bright and beautiful sunny Friday afternoon with temperatures in the 40’s—not bad for northern Michigan in early February. Our car was filthy from the road grime of recent wintry weather. Every time we got in the car we noted the filth. We hadn’t seen a car wash yet and didn’t have time to go look for one. On our return home we both looked over at a filthy pickup passing us on the highway. Kevin exclaimed, “Oh man!” at the road grime and condition of the passing vehicle. As he did I noted that the driver was probably looking at our dark green station wagon covered with road salt and filth saying the same thing. The irony of that thought brought us both to laughter.

It’s pretty easy to see and be disgusted by the grit and grime in other peoples lives. It’s also easy to forget about and overlook our own messiness. But the unexamined life is a bit of a waste. It’s too easy to be disgusted by the messy people around us while neglecting our own need. If we don’t make regular checkups of our own spiritual condition we’re bound to not be as squared away as we ought to be.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139: 23, 24 (ESV)

I’m surveying the ground that is 2005 and I see a vast field of opportunity ahead for spiritual progress. Making spiritual progress in the year ahead for most of us will take a measure of spiritual discipline. One practice I believe can be a spiritual discipline I’d like to make a part of my life is journaling. Journaling about your thoughts, experiences, relationships, spiritual victories and shortcomings can help you keep the spiritual focus of your life where it needs to be. In the year ahead what spiritual disciplines will you practice to help make your life more like Christ? Maybe journaling will be one of those productive spiritual disciplines that will make you more like the Master this year.

More on journaling…
If journaling is something you’re thinking about you might find this article by Gordon MacDonald helpful: Mapping Your Private World.

With the availability and ease with which a blog can be setup and maintained maybe you’ll want to consider starting a blog and journaling there. Tim Bedner writes about how like journaling, blogging can be a spiritual discipline in: Why consider blogging a spiritual discipline?

It’s a real privilege to live in the North Country. We enjoy beautiful scenery everywhere we look. There’s opportunity for outdoor activities like biking, hiking, swimming and more. We also have several beautiful state parks nearby and of course there’s Higgins Lake, which is a great place to swim and boat. We’ve been trying to enjoy the parks and the lake as much as possible during our second summer here in Northern Michigan.

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Mountain biking has been something I’ve enjoyed for years but we’ve never lived close enough to trails to be able to do much riding. We’re very fortunate now to live in the North Country and to have cross-country ski trails just a five-minute ride from the house. Don’t tell the skiers but those trails are great for mountain biking, at least during the two months there’s no snow here. Hey it’s August 11 and at 3 PM this afternoon it was 55 degrees Fahrenheit, so yes, it could snow any day now.

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We’ve had some wonderful northern Michigan weather up here in the north country for the last week or so. It’s been cool with low humidity, it’s been rainy and soggy it been hot and soggy and back to cool with low humidity again. Never boring here.

I’ve decided to include a link to a short article of Noel Piper’s this week just because I think it’s so good. I believe your marriage and even your church could benefit if more of us had an attitude and a desire to honor the Lord in our relationships as Noel demonstrates in this piece. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Here’s a link directly to the article at DesiringGod.org. Please go read it for yourself.

A couple of weekends ago Kevin and Taylor, my two oldest boys, and I were preparing to take our canoe for a trial run on nearby Marl Lake. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors. Cool but not cold, breezy and clear blue skies. We had not been out with this canoe before and we were trying to figure out how to get it lashed to the car safely. I bent down to tie the end of the canoe to a point under the rear bumper. When I got on my hands and knees and looked underneath I saw the right rear tire had a big patch of the steal belts showing on the inside edge. I was surprised and a bit disappointed.

Now I was going to have to get new tires and my better judgment told me we’d have to put off our outing for safety sake. Being a Saturday morning I didn’t think I’d get the tires I’d need that day. There was probably no place that had time on a Saturday to help me. But I was wrong. By noon I was back home, two new tires replaced the old and we were once again lashing the canoe on top of the car for our brief outing on the clear water of Marl Lake.

What was at first disappointment turned to gratitude for the Lord’s wisdom in putting me on my knees to look under the car to see the bad tire. The realization that He spared us a potentially serious problem crossed my mind. I doubt I would have seen that worn spot from any other angle. And I had just been driving the car on the interstate the day before and could have had a serious accident had the tire given out at highway speeds.

As we studied in Philippians 1:12-14 this past Sunday, I’m learning that there’s opportunity for joy in the midst of difficulty. Paul certainly modeled it. And my little problem may not be as serious as yours, but I’m reminded how we each need to see the opportunity to glorify God in all things. We may struggle for a time, we may experience pain, our hearts may be broken and we may mourn. But like Paul, when our singular passion in life is the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we’ll see our problems as opportunities to find joy in what God is doing through us instead of complaining about what’s happening to us.

I was feeling my way through the family room in the dark. It was pitch black as I walked through the room moving my arms in front of me in a crisscross pattern. I was trying to find the supporting pole in the middle of the room with my hands to avoid bumping into it. I had just turned out the lights and was headed to bed. After a few steps I stopped realizing I should have reached the pole by now. I waved my arms left and right and still didn’t find it. Then I felt into the darkness straight ahead. I found the pole. It was about an inch from my nose. Another step and I’d have found that pole the hard way.

It strikes me that the way I often try to live life is much like my trip through the darkness. I’m confident I can find my way without bumping into anything when I’m closer to peril than I think. But Psalm 32:8 reminds me of God’s care for me when I heed His instruction. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (ESV). I often pray this passage with gratitude for the Lord’s guidance and instruction in my life. There’s no better way to face life than with God’s eye on me and His Word guiding me.

I like to sleep in. Some people really enjoy a walk on the beach, some a stroll through the neighborhood. My favorite form of relaxation is sleeping in. I enjoy sleeping in so much that an alarm clock by itself doesn’t motivate me to get out and stay out of bed in the morning. I have been known to hit the snooze button several times and not even remember it.

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I had just come home with my family from a great weekend of fellowship with other believers. It had been a great time of spiritual refreshment. That’s when I got an email that contained some unwelcome news. My spirit of joy was almost completely gone. I was quickly discouraged about the news I had just received. It was Saturday night and I went to bed knowing I had to preach the next day. Even though I was completely exhausted from the long, full weekend I laid awake with a heavy heart. I prayed, asking for God’s wisdom. I also prayed for hope and peace as I was feeling quite discouraged.

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I was working on my to-do list and I heard Zachary tell one of the other children, “Daddy threw my blanket away.” He was right. A few days earlier I had one of the older boys take the blanket to the trash. That sounds pretty cruel but you wouldn’t think so if you had seen the tattered mess it had become. It had seen better days.

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A couple of weeks ago we had some really tough winds up here in the North Country. The next day we traveled to a nearby town and on our way by an oil change shop we saw lying on the ground, just a few feet from the building, a huge sign. One of those monstrous signs that was designed to be seen from half a mile away from the nearby interstate.

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One warm evening last summer our neighbor called to ask if everything was all right. Carolyn had just left the house to go to town for a few minutes and had taken a couple of the children with her. Evidently our neighbors were a bit concerned that Carolyn might have been taking one of the children to the hospital. When I answered the phone our neighbor said, “Hey Kevin, is everything OK?” I hesitantly said yes. “We can come over and watch the kids for you if you need to go be with Carolyn.” I said, “No?everything is fine.” Our neighbor replied, “Well we just got to talking and figured something had to be wrong the way Carolyn took off out of here.” At that I broke into laughter.

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