(excerpt from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
How can we know what we believe about God? The Bible teaches that our behaviors reveal our hearts. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus taught His disciples how to discern the difference between the real prophet of God and those who are deceivers.
Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. —Matt. 7:15–20 (NLT)
Jesus teaches that behaviors reveal the soul as easily as a tree is known by its fruit.
To obtain a clearer picture of how you view God, ask yourself this question: Based on my behavior, what do I believe about God? For example, “Based on my overindulgence with food, alcohol, drugs, etc., what do I believe about God?” Answer: “I believe I cannot be complete in Christ.” “So what do I believe about myself?” “I believe I can be complete through my own efforts.” Try another one: “Based on my behavior of only praying when there is a crisis, what do I believe about God?” Answer: “I believe He is only helpful in a crisis.” “What do I believe about myself?” “I believe I can handle life on my own, except for a crisis.”
Behavior is a direct descendent of belief that reveals the condition of the soul. Mark adds to Matthew’s narrative by emphasizing the reason the behavior can reveal the heart—the heart establishes the behavior.
And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” —Mark 7:20–23 (NLT)
You may be traumatized to realize that you have been deceived even as Eve and Adam were. Satan continues his cunning ploys because they have been successful through the ages. And so we still fall for the lie that we can live independently of God while disregarding the fact that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1 NLT). God created all that is. He has the best ideas on how all things work together. Why should we believe we could come up with a better idea than God about how anything should operate?
Based on your behavior, what do you believe about God?
Based on your behavior, what do you believe about yourself?
Based on your behavior, what do you believe about others?
Based on your behavior, what do you believe about your reason for living?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
All About Me
(excerpt from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
ANOTHER SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT required a variety of tasks to convey “All about Me.” Poems, narratives, songs, raps, art projects, picture displays, family trees, and a myriad of other activities were employed to describe characteristics such as “What makes me happy”; “Where I live”; and “What I want to be when I grow up.” What a challenge to communicate everything that makes me happy! Even in our earliest years, happiness is featured as the ultimate goal in life.
We want to be happy. God wants us to be happy. We want our spouses to be happy. We want our kids to be happy. We just want everyone to be happy. We especially want everyone to be happy with us. This is the American dream—we all deserve to be happy. But the American dream spawns the American nightmare. The pursuit of this dream leads to addiction, deviance, mental illness, and death because it is ultimately based in self-centeredness.
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. —Rom. 8:5–7 (NLT)
Solomon asserts that we are to pursue truth, not happiness. Why? People are incapable of discerning what is in their best interest. Proverbs cites the following reasons:
(1) We are given to self-justification.
“All a man’s ways seem right to him” (21:2 NIV).
(2) We are not capable of being satisfied.
“Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
so human desire is never satisfied” (27:20 NLT).
(3) We are given to a delusion of happiness.
“They are pure in their own eyes,
but they are filthy and unwashed” (30:12 NLT).
(4) We allow pride to prevail.
“Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall” (16:18 NLT).
So what is the solution?
“Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment” (23:23 NLT).
“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (3:7 NLT).
The ultimate reality is that God did not design happiness as our life goal. God designed us to be in an intimate relationship with Him. Therefore, all of our life endeavors should be fostering our connection to Him as we conform to His image.
What are you pursuing to make you happy?
ANOTHER SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT required a variety of tasks to convey “All about Me.” Poems, narratives, songs, raps, art projects, picture displays, family trees, and a myriad of other activities were employed to describe characteristics such as “What makes me happy”; “Where I live”; and “What I want to be when I grow up.” What a challenge to communicate everything that makes me happy! Even in our earliest years, happiness is featured as the ultimate goal in life.
We want to be happy. God wants us to be happy. We want our spouses to be happy. We want our kids to be happy. We just want everyone to be happy. We especially want everyone to be happy with us. This is the American dream—we all deserve to be happy. But the American dream spawns the American nightmare. The pursuit of this dream leads to addiction, deviance, mental illness, and death because it is ultimately based in self-centeredness.
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. —Rom. 8:5–7 (NLT)
Solomon asserts that we are to pursue truth, not happiness. Why? People are incapable of discerning what is in their best interest. Proverbs cites the following reasons:
(1) We are given to self-justification.
“All a man’s ways seem right to him” (21:2 NIV).
(2) We are not capable of being satisfied.
“Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
so human desire is never satisfied” (27:20 NLT).
(3) We are given to a delusion of happiness.
“They are pure in their own eyes,
but they are filthy and unwashed” (30:12 NLT).
(4) We allow pride to prevail.
“Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall” (16:18 NLT).
So what is the solution?
“Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment” (23:23 NLT).
“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (3:7 NLT).
The ultimate reality is that God did not design happiness as our life goal. God designed us to be in an intimate relationship with Him. Therefore, all of our life endeavors should be fostering our connection to Him as we conform to His image.
What are you pursuing to make you happy?
Monday, January 17, 2011
My Way Isn't Working
(excerpt from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
MAMA PAID A friendly visit to her hairstylist, and little Johnny Kirk discovered an inspiring plastic astronaut buried in the sand outside under an oak tree. Knowing the evil desires of my heart, Mama admonished me to not take the astronaut from its space. But from my point of view the astronaut had a mission to complete: he must explore the deep recesses of my pocket. When confronted by my mother, I continued in my innovative solutions and lied to cover my expedition. I saw the astronaut as a satisfaction of my aspiration to escape the gravitational pull of boredom and be a part of the space race. Creativity ignited as I contrived further explanations to cover my transgression, but ultimately the truth was exposed and I had to face the consequences of my ill-fated mission. Once again I was grounded.
Our efforts to control our lives produce undesirable results. But still we attempt to counterfeit God’s design for our lives through our own efforts. With tenacity we persist in demanding that our way must work. And so we continue to counterfeit the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Deceived, we believe the fruit of the Spirit is merely the best side of humanity. If we try hard enough we can manufacture this fruit consistently in our lives. But living a life that is desperately dependent on Christ necessitates yielding to His Spirit’s movement as we cease endeavoring to produce our own fruit. We are incapable of producing His fruit on our own vines; we can only produce His fruit as we are grafted into His vine.
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). This fruit completes His portrait in our lives so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ. But in our desire for independence, we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design.
Despite our best efforts, our plans cannot measure up to God’s design. Our feeble attempts to live independently from God result in disastrous consequences. Perversion propels us to further crisis, although God continues to assert His truth that we must be desperately dependent on Him in every area of our lives. Through Christ’s redemptive process we have a new set of options that can overcome guilt, shame, and fear with an overflow of His love, joy, and peace if we are willing to be desperately dependent.
What do you need to let go of so the Holy Spirit’s fruit can be evidenced in your life?
MAMA PAID A friendly visit to her hairstylist, and little Johnny Kirk discovered an inspiring plastic astronaut buried in the sand outside under an oak tree. Knowing the evil desires of my heart, Mama admonished me to not take the astronaut from its space. But from my point of view the astronaut had a mission to complete: he must explore the deep recesses of my pocket. When confronted by my mother, I continued in my innovative solutions and lied to cover my expedition. I saw the astronaut as a satisfaction of my aspiration to escape the gravitational pull of boredom and be a part of the space race. Creativity ignited as I contrived further explanations to cover my transgression, but ultimately the truth was exposed and I had to face the consequences of my ill-fated mission. Once again I was grounded.
Our efforts to control our lives produce undesirable results. But still we attempt to counterfeit God’s design for our lives through our own efforts. With tenacity we persist in demanding that our way must work. And so we continue to counterfeit the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Deceived, we believe the fruit of the Spirit is merely the best side of humanity. If we try hard enough we can manufacture this fruit consistently in our lives. But living a life that is desperately dependent on Christ necessitates yielding to His Spirit’s movement as we cease endeavoring to produce our own fruit. We are incapable of producing His fruit on our own vines; we can only produce His fruit as we are grafted into His vine.
In Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) God assures us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” if we “follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Gal. 5:25 NLT). This fruit completes His portrait in our lives so the watching world can see a glimpse of Christ. But in our desire for independence, we attempt to counterfeit God’s fruit with our own design.
Despite our best efforts, our plans cannot measure up to God’s design. Our feeble attempts to live independently from God result in disastrous consequences. Perversion propels us to further crisis, although God continues to assert His truth that we must be desperately dependent on Him in every area of our lives. Through Christ’s redemptive process we have a new set of options that can overcome guilt, shame, and fear with an overflow of His love, joy, and peace if we are willing to be desperately dependent.
What do you need to let go of so the Holy Spirit’s fruit can be evidenced in your life?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Cover Designer's story
For those of you who have been impressed with the awesome job that Bill Taylor did with our Desperate Dependency book cover design, I wanted to share a little more of his story -- actually it's his daughter's story. Watch Olivia's video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5FZzkmbZuw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5FZzkmbZuw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Monday, January 10, 2011
Am I the Problem?
(excerpt from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
THE BIBLE TEACHES we can be complete, be fulfilled, possess well-being, and enjoy quality of life only through the person of Jesus Christ as we experience Him as relevant to all areas of our lives. There can be no true happiness or healthiness apart from a desperately dependent connection with Jesus. But with all our wisdom we do not find the solutions for life’s struggles in Him. We believe we can be independent. Stop a minute and consider what that word means to you. What are some words that come to your mind when you think of a person being independent? Do any of these words match your choices: strong, powerful, complete, confident, self-reliant, or alone? Webster’s dictionary definition for independent includes “not dependent; not subject to control by others; not affiliated with a larger controlling unit; not requiring or relying on something else; not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct; showing a desire for freedom.”
On the other hand, consider the word dependent. What are some words that come to your mind when you think of a person being dependent? Do you come up with mostly negative connotations, such as needy, weak, attached, addicted, or lacking? Webster’s dictionary definition for dependent includes “determined or conditioned by another; relying
on another for support.” Especially in our American culture it seems that dependence is discouraged in favor of independence. But we still pride ourselves on the concept that when we are in need we can depend on our fellow Americans to come to our assistance. We live in contradiction, striving for independence we can never actually attain.
God is the only one who is truly independent, because independence is an attribute of deity. He does not rely on anyone or anything to complete Himself. He is not subject to control by others. Reality sets forth the fact that all that is depends on God. Nothing can exist apart from God. Everything owes its existence to God.
For through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him. —Col. 1:16 (NLT)
“But the God of Israel is no idol!
He is the Creator of everything that exists,
including his people, his own special possession.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!” —Jer. 51:19(NLT)
Humanity was designed to be in a dependent relationship. We were never intended to be independent. God’s order is for His creation to depend on Him and His sufficiency in all areas of our lives. But we want to be independent.
What keeps you from connecting to God?
THE BIBLE TEACHES we can be complete, be fulfilled, possess well-being, and enjoy quality of life only through the person of Jesus Christ as we experience Him as relevant to all areas of our lives. There can be no true happiness or healthiness apart from a desperately dependent connection with Jesus. But with all our wisdom we do not find the solutions for life’s struggles in Him. We believe we can be independent. Stop a minute and consider what that word means to you. What are some words that come to your mind when you think of a person being independent? Do any of these words match your choices: strong, powerful, complete, confident, self-reliant, or alone? Webster’s dictionary definition for independent includes “not dependent; not subject to control by others; not affiliated with a larger controlling unit; not requiring or relying on something else; not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct; showing a desire for freedom.”
On the other hand, consider the word dependent. What are some words that come to your mind when you think of a person being dependent? Do you come up with mostly negative connotations, such as needy, weak, attached, addicted, or lacking? Webster’s dictionary definition for dependent includes “determined or conditioned by another; relying
on another for support.” Especially in our American culture it seems that dependence is discouraged in favor of independence. But we still pride ourselves on the concept that when we are in need we can depend on our fellow Americans to come to our assistance. We live in contradiction, striving for independence we can never actually attain.
God is the only one who is truly independent, because independence is an attribute of deity. He does not rely on anyone or anything to complete Himself. He is not subject to control by others. Reality sets forth the fact that all that is depends on God. Nothing can exist apart from God. Everything owes its existence to God.
For through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him. —Col. 1:16 (NLT)
“But the God of Israel is no idol!
He is the Creator of everything that exists,
including his people, his own special possession.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!” —Jer. 51:19(NLT)
Humanity was designed to be in a dependent relationship. We were never intended to be independent. God’s order is for His creation to depend on Him and His sufficiency in all areas of our lives. But we want to be independent.
What keeps you from connecting to God?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Encouragement
Received this very nice review from WinePress' proof reader:
"Seldom have I come across such a well-written, intelligent manuscript on such an important subject. You have produced an awesome case for living one’s life to please and obey God. I could go on and on, but am sending my best wishes for your new publication."
"Seldom have I come across such a well-written, intelligent manuscript on such an important subject. You have produced an awesome case for living one’s life to please and obey God. I could go on and on, but am sending my best wishes for your new publication."
Monday, January 3, 2011
What's Missing?
(excerpt from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
IN OUR EARLY years of school we were handed a delightful picture to evaluate. “Look at the picture and figure out what is missing,” we were told. Carefully we pondered each detail and compared it in our minds with a similar image we had seen before. Some of the pictures were ridiculously obvious in their omissions, but others were painfully elusive. It was terribly frustrating when our classmates would bounce in their seats and exclaim, “I know! I know! I know!” while we continued our search. We would view the picture from side to side, top to bottom, over and over again. What a relief when we could finally notice the missing piece.
Then the teacher’s next instructions followed: “Now draw in the missing part.” When it came to drawing, I (Melanie) was definitely not labeled as talented! I would struggle and agonize in my attempts to fill in the missing piece. Needless to say, it was always obvious where I had filled in the missing lines. Surprisingly, I could always tell where the talented children had drawn their lines too. Since none of us were the original artist of the drawing, we could not perfectly complete the picture.
Unfortunately, as adults there are some lessons we still have not learned from that elementary school exercise. Our lives are given to us as a wonderful design. We were created carefully and meticulously for a marvelous purpose. Each day we evaluate and ponder the intricate details of the many aspects that come together to structure our lives. Repeatedly we come to the conclusion that something is missing. We struggle in our search as others around us exclaim, “I know! I know! I know!” and lead us on one fruitless chase after another. In an attempt to not appear stupid, we create our own design to fill in the emptiness. But no matter how creative we are, our ultimate creation never matches the design our Creator planned unless we allow Him to complete the picture.
God is the Master Designer. In His mind’s eye He can see the completed masterpiece of our lives. The vastness of the task does not overwhelm Him. He delights in His creation. Knowing from the beginning to the ending His desired results, He patiently fashions the portrait. It is His self-portrait.
Unfortunately, the design we are sketching is our self-portrait. We are looking for happiness, fulfillment, meaning, control, freedom, belonging, relationships, money, contentment, satisfaction, and the list could go on and on. Foolishly we attempt to complete what the Master designed. Disappointment results when a novice attempts to complete a masterpiece independent of the Master.
God’s design requires us to be dependent on Him. Because we believe Satan’s lie that we are capable on our own, we seek to fill the void to our own satisfaction. All the while God replies, “I know!” He patiently waits for us to come to the Master Designer for our picture to be perfectly complete. “So you also are complete through your union with Christ” (Col. 2:10 NLT).
What is missing in your life?
IN OUR EARLY years of school we were handed a delightful picture to evaluate. “Look at the picture and figure out what is missing,” we were told. Carefully we pondered each detail and compared it in our minds with a similar image we had seen before. Some of the pictures were ridiculously obvious in their omissions, but others were painfully elusive. It was terribly frustrating when our classmates would bounce in their seats and exclaim, “I know! I know! I know!” while we continued our search. We would view the picture from side to side, top to bottom, over and over again. What a relief when we could finally notice the missing piece.
Then the teacher’s next instructions followed: “Now draw in the missing part.” When it came to drawing, I (Melanie) was definitely not labeled as talented! I would struggle and agonize in my attempts to fill in the missing piece. Needless to say, it was always obvious where I had filled in the missing lines. Surprisingly, I could always tell where the talented children had drawn their lines too. Since none of us were the original artist of the drawing, we could not perfectly complete the picture.
Unfortunately, as adults there are some lessons we still have not learned from that elementary school exercise. Our lives are given to us as a wonderful design. We were created carefully and meticulously for a marvelous purpose. Each day we evaluate and ponder the intricate details of the many aspects that come together to structure our lives. Repeatedly we come to the conclusion that something is missing. We struggle in our search as others around us exclaim, “I know! I know! I know!” and lead us on one fruitless chase after another. In an attempt to not appear stupid, we create our own design to fill in the emptiness. But no matter how creative we are, our ultimate creation never matches the design our Creator planned unless we allow Him to complete the picture.
God is the Master Designer. In His mind’s eye He can see the completed masterpiece of our lives. The vastness of the task does not overwhelm Him. He delights in His creation. Knowing from the beginning to the ending His desired results, He patiently fashions the portrait. It is His self-portrait.
Unfortunately, the design we are sketching is our self-portrait. We are looking for happiness, fulfillment, meaning, control, freedom, belonging, relationships, money, contentment, satisfaction, and the list could go on and on. Foolishly we attempt to complete what the Master designed. Disappointment results when a novice attempts to complete a masterpiece independent of the Master.
God’s design requires us to be dependent on Him. Because we believe Satan’s lie that we are capable on our own, we seek to fill the void to our own satisfaction. All the while God replies, “I know!” He patiently waits for us to come to the Master Designer for our picture to be perfectly complete. “So you also are complete through your union with Christ” (Col. 2:10 NLT).
What is missing in your life?
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