Becoming a Master Student – Page 2 – The Turning Points of Life

Mary and Martha – A Lesson in Distraction

Luke 10:38-42

New King James Version

Mary and Martha Worship and Serve

³⁸Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.”

⁴¹And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴²But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

This is a frequent experience in the life of Jesus with many messages offered. One message however escaped me until I read a lesson by Elder Micelle Christy entitled “Sitting at the Feet of Jesus.” She focused on the lesson portrayed by Martha and her “distraction”.

Martha’s distraction led to five negative characteristic positions:

Disbelief – Martha asks, “Do you not care…?”
Defensiveness – Martha defends her place: “My sister has left me to serve alone.”
Dismissiveness – Martha depersonalizes Mary as “my sister,” as though Mary is not even there.
Demands – Martha flat out says to Jesus, “Tell her to help me.”
Desperation – Martha attempts to control the situation—and Jesus—with her comment about being alone.

Having read this passage in the scripture for decades, I never saw this perspective that reveals the real dangers of being distracted. Since we live in a time of incessant distractions, swirling around us from the moment we awaken in the morning to the moment we lay our heads on the pillow for a night’s rest, this perspective is profoundly significant. Just imagine how we can slip into these negative positions. They individually and collectively can counter our positive intentions and purpose.

This awareness can help one to be more deliberate and intent on resisting the inclination to fall into exhibiting these “D’s” and tumbling into such negativity.

TURNING POINTS

Awareness of the slippery slope that distractions can become averse to our good intentions can keep us on track. It truly is a time to do good without being shackled by distractions and their consequences.

The Power of Children

Matthew 18:2-4 New King James Version

²Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, ³and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I have always wondered about this passage in the scriptures. Just what did Jesus mean when he taught this. I have learned that much of what Jesus taught had underlying truths that are beyond the obvious. It takes the “asking”, “seeking” and “knocking” that He taught was necessary to get at the full depth of His teaching. So, I have deliberated and prayed in seeking to better understand what the not so obvious meaning of this teaching in Matthew 18.

When people reach a stage in life when they lose their fear of “what others will think” they share their spiritual experiences. These are most often from early childhood when “adult reality” has not yet restricted and limited their vision. As I was reading Dr. Eben Alexander’s book “The Map of Heaven” I realized the proof of this reality from my own personal experience. Alexander’s book references the fact that people who have shared their early spiritual experiences go back many decades – six or seven decades – into early childhood. These memories were “as fresh as if they’d occurred just a few days before”. Young children feel very comfortable with spiritual experiences because they haven’t felt the expectations forced upon them by “adult thinking”. Young children are comfortable with spiritual experiences because it does not threaten their acceptance. Once adult reality sets in, this is no longer the case.

An event in my life that took place when I had just turned four years old. My Aunt Frieda suddenly died. My parents, probably realizing that she was so special to because of all the adventures she took me on, make a bold and courageous decision. Against all social rules of the time and place, they took me to the wake. When I was about 65 while driving alone with the radio off, I journeyed back in time and one of my life’s turning points surfaced in vivid color. I was once again walking hand in hand with my father into the funeral home. I was overwhelmed by the massive wall of flowers that seemed to go to the ceiling. The fragrances consumed the air in the room. My father lifted me up and as I peered into the open casket, I saw my Aunt Frieda lying serenely in a deep peace that embraced my being. From that moment, death for me was a passage into an authentic and profound place of indescribable peace. As a child, I didn’t have the ability to share the profound effect this experience had on my mind. But finally, as an adult, I have the experience and vocabulary to at least express the long-encapsulated feelings harbored deep in my memory for six decades. (NOTE: The full story of my relationship with Aunt Frieda is posted JUNE 2015 in my blog (www.lifeturningpoints.org ) [https://www.lifeturningpoints.org/?s=Aunt+Frieda]

Once attending a seminar, the facilitator expressed his love for talking and working with children. He saw them as “free” thinking and with an unfettered imagination. “I could talk about purple and orange washing machines without one of them saying, ‘NO! they are white!’” he said.

Stop and think of a profound spiritual experience from your childhood that you never told anyone about because you feared their reaction. Now as an adult, how would you describe it?

I suggest that what Jesus alluded to with His pronouncement in Matthew 18 was that we need to escape the limiting restraints of the natural and enter the glory of the spiritual. Children can do that because they are still free to soar into the spiritual without fear. Their humble nature keeps an open heart and mind for the spiritual.

Paul was also alluded to this in Romans 12. It is necessary to escape the “comfort” or “arrogance” of accepted adult thinking and be renewed back to childhood freedom to be dependent. The adult perspective is “I know it all!” and I don’t need God or anything or anyone else, I can do it myself. The child is the epitome of “I need you!” Jesus per chance was alluding to recognizing our dependance on Him to enter His kingdom.

Romans 12:2-3 NKJV

²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The prophet Isaiah points out in no uncertain terms that our “unrenewed” mind produces thoughts and ways lower and inconsistent the Lord’s. There is the truth of our dependence on Him for gaining kingdom’s entrance.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV

⁸“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
⁹“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

But there is a way to regain that childhood vision of the spiritual along with the natural world. Jesus gave an answer recorded in Matthew 7.

Matthew 7:7 NKJV Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

⁷“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

With a new understanding that we as adults can still possess a truly spiritual connection with the Divine, we need to pursue it with deliberate ASKING, SEEKING and KNOCKING. Silent meditation without the noise of the world around us and sincere prayers will open us up to the Holy Spirit when He visits us with revelations.

Our soul is our spiritual being that was known to the Lord before we were born as attested by Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV

⁵“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

To gain the fullness of our spirituality it is necessary to escape the confines of the material world. God will do this for us if we ask. Paul gave us encouragement to do this in Romans 12.

Romans 12:2-3 NKJV

²And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ³For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

The journey to rediscover our spirituality lost when childhood graduated into adult limited thinking and speaking requires faith. And not just any faith. It requires an authentic and profound trust in the Lord. (See my book Solomon’s Recipe for details on this reality.) Faith provides evidence of our spirituality so powerful that it convinces the most vehement skeptic. The writer of Hebrews puts this truth most succinctly.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV By Faith We Understand

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Remaining without cognizance of our spirituality dooms us to see only the material world. We see so little really when we leave out the spiritual. Paul made a great observation in his letter to the Corinthians. As you read the three translations of his words, embrace the nuances of each. See how you might take advantage of the subtleties as the words affect your feelings and thoughts.

1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

¹²For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Our vision is limited because we are bound to the material world. It takes faith and a connection with the Holy Spirit to escape the material world and get a God revealed glimpse into the spiritual world’s reality.

1 Corinthians 13:12 New Living Translation

¹²Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

1 Corinthians 13:12 The Message

¹²We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

Wisdom is to see that our vision is handicapped by our insistence that we are independent and individually capable of navigating life. The following scripture seeks to put us in our rightful place.

John 8:23-24 NKJV

²³And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. ²⁴Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

John 8:23-24 The Message

^23-24Jesus said, “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You’re at a dead end. If you won’t believe I am who I say I am, you’re at the dead end of sins. You’re missing God in your lives.”

Take some time re-reading John 8:23-24 and maybe explore other translations to enhance your study. You may be surprised by what the Holy Spirit reveals to your renewed open mind and heart.

TURNING POINTS

It was for me a fascinating turning point when driving and thinking in a spiritual retrospect. To consider my childhood experiences from a different perspective opened new insight.

Gratitude – The Parent of Virtues

The amazing power of gratitude has found a deep-seated presence in my thoughts and soul, compelling me to write yet another article to join the other posts on the subject. The thoughts that have been cropping up in my mind have stemmed from the statement attributed to Cicero.

As I have stated before, gratitude is a deep sense of appreciation when one receives something undeserved. Gratitude has the power to transform our thinking. Using each gift we receive is the height of Gratitude. And again, I reiterate Hazelden’s quote:

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,

a stranger into a friend.

These two quotes have been my constant companion in my thoughts for weeks now. So, I write, what can we learn from this observation regarding Gratitude?

Gratitude is an attitude, and that implies that it is a decision, not a gift. If we look at the fruit of the Spirit and consider them as a starting point, we will see them as a gift of the Spirit. Something given to a faithful and open, accepting soul. Gratitude has the effect of opening a soul to accept the fruit as gifts of the Spirit.

Let’s consider the character of virtues. What is virtuous? Virtue is the quality of moral excellence.

Honesty, Courage, Compassion, Generosity, Fidelity, Integrity, Fairness, Self-control, and Prudence.

The cardinal virtues are Justice, Prudence, Temperance and Fortitude.

The theological virtues are Faith, Hope and Charity.

I urge you to explore how you have experienced gratitude as it opened for you a grip on the fruit of the Spirit. I invite you to share them with me and my readers.

Turning Points

Realizing more vividly the power of gratitude, causes me to protect my sense of gratitude from the daily onslaughts of the world’s noise that tries to inflict negativity on my senses. This is truly a turning point.

Gratitude – A Power for Transformation

Gratitude is a deep sense of appreciation when one receives something undeserved. Gratitude has the power to transform our thinking. Using each gift we receive is the height of Gratitude.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It can turn a meal into a feast,

a house into a home,

a stranger into a friend.

– Hazelden

Gratitude is an ATTITUDE. Appreciation is the root of Thanksgiving. Appreciation is the exercise of wise judgment, delicate perception, keen insight and sensitive awareness in realizing the worth of someone or something. EXERCISE means that we must consciously work at it. WISE JUDGEMENT means we use our knowledge and experience for discernment of truth. DELICATE PERCEPTION means we look at the fine points, consider that which meets only the inquisitive and searching eye, magnifying what appears at first glance to be small. KEEN INSIGHT means we take a sharpened cut to see into something, to get at what is not obvious, to what is inside and beyond the casual view. SENSITIVE AWARENESS means we are willing to be vulnerably open to get to that which may be hidden even by our own fears. REALIZING is making something very real to us. WORTH is value. When we practice with zeal appreciation, gratitude becomes our attitude and thanksgiving flows generously and sincerely from our hearts.

The power in gratitude, thanksgiving, is that it emanates out of profound recognition of having received something completely undeserved. It can be so easy to fall ito the idea that we haven’t received enough in life. That in some way we have been short-changed. We have this destructive inclination to measure ourselves by our neighbors. The consequence is that we see them has having more and that more is undeserved. This kind of thinking destroys our vision of the real gifts we possess. As the famed parable of Jesus, “for the kingdom of heaven is like . . .” wherein three servants each receive talents according to their ability and hence not equally, we tend see ourselves as one with the least talents. [Matthew 25:14-30] The consequences of this can be devastating.

The message is that it is critical that we discover our talents, the gifts that God has given each of us according to our ability. It is eye opening when we set out to discover these gifts we have received and the profound gratitude that fills our heart, mind and soul.

There is fascinating book that brings an interesting possibility to the parable of the servants that received talents. “The Servant with One Talent” by Michael V. Ivanov explores a continuation possibility for this servant who failed.

There is another character of Gratitude. It is succinctly presented by Cicero.

This statement “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others” immediately recalled the fruit of the Spirit. What greater virtues exist other than the fruit of the Spirit? Gratitude surely is the most powerful when it is the first thing in heart and mind when we begin a new day or when life’s challenges become overwhelming to steal our ability to sleep. Gratitude is potentially the solution to all negativity in our life including grieving. One might say that gratitude is the arch enemy of chronic pessimism.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

I urge you to explore how you have experienced gratitude as it opened for you a grip on the other fruit of the Spirit. I invite you to share them with me and my readers.

Turning Points

TRANSFORMATIVE SCRIPTURE Part 3

The study of scripture has always been filled with new revelations that can transform our perspectives and understanding and even our character. I am presenting several of these scriptural texts that have been transformative for me. I have highlighted the words or phrases that caught my attention and inspired deliberation and growth.

While reading the book “Code Talker” by Chester Nez I was reminded of the following text.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NKJ Version

The Value of a Friend

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? … Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New Living Translation

⁹Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. ¹¹Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? ¹²A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 The Message

^9-10It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!

¹¹Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.

¹²By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.

I was first introduced to this profound passage at a wedding. It has stuck with me ever since. It is appropriate for a wedding of course, that is obvious. But reading the book describing the Navajo code talkers experience in World War II in the battle of Guadalcanal suddenly brought an interesting new perspective.

The Navajo code talkers were a critical asset for the allies during the war against the Japanese. A group of thirty-one young Navajo marines had been tasked with developing an unbreakable code based on their unique and unwritten language. On the battle field, these Navajo marines were paired up to translate critical battle related data between the troops and officers. The two Navajos formed a team so that each would check the other to ensure the accuracy of the coded transmissions. The quality and accuracy was a life and death situation. So highly dedicated were these marines that their code was never broken and contributed immensely to the success of the war.

While reading of the battlefield situation, it was noted that because they were teamed up in pairs, navigating the trauma of war became possible. The author confessed that had they been working solo, the horror surrounding them would have been impossible to take. As he described the landscape of war, the death and debilitating physical conditions they were mired in, it was easy to sympathize and empathize with his assessment.

Everyone has days of struggle and challenge. Often these can reach a level of intensity that can be daunting. But when we have faithful friends, those we can trust and rely on, meeting such challenges successfully and effectively is more easily achieved.

This made me realize another blessed aspect of “the value of a friend” and the wisdom of mastering the art of friendship. Faithful friends as described in Ecclesiasticus comes glowing into focus.

Ecclesiasticus 14-17

14 Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter (a strong defense); whoever finds one has found a treasure. 15 Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. 16 Faithful friends are life-saving medicine, and those who fear the Lord will find them. 17 Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright, for as they are, so are their neighbors also.

[emphasis added]

Considering these thoughts, it is wise for us to labor with faith and diligence to build a family of faith friends.

Turning Point

I find that scripture contains words that reveal the eternal truths. And like a diamond, each time we read them they reveal a facet not seen in previous encounters. It’s like a flower unfolding revealing beauty previously hidden within its bud. Each revelation inspires the next exploration. And at times we can even see how that word has had its effect upon our hearts, souls and minds fulfilling its intended divine purpose. And how sweet when the poetic words of the past amplify the essence of the Word.

Transformative Scripture Part 2

I recently saw this on Facebook.

That’s what I find in my study of the Bible, new things to prompt more study. It’s quite thrilling to discover new things that pop out of scripture I read countless times before.

As a young minister in the 1970’s, I was blessed with two missions that thrilled me and were some of the most rewarding times I experienced. I was a Youth Leader and a Confirmation teacher. I would strive to teach these young people the value of the little turning points that would occur during their lifetime. I counselled them to take advantage of the blank pages at the back of their Confirmation Bible and record special moments in their life. And I particularly encouraged them to mark the scriptures at their Confirmation, Engagement, Wedding, and the birth of their children.

When I was about to retire, I went back to my Bible where I inserted my notes with special dates, occasions and the scripture that accompanied them.

At my Confirmation March 16, 1958, the scripture was Psalm 91:1-7.

Psalm 91:1-7 New King James Version

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
²I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

³Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.

When I read this again celebrating my 50th anniversary of my Confirmation Day, I just trembled. It was exactly 50 years to the date, March 16, 2008, and the words struck me deeply. I don’t recall how many times I read those words during those 50 years, but I suddenly realized how those words had shaped my life. Each phrase had it’s own unique revelation as they were experienced in fifty years of experiences. It occurred to me that even though I didn’t read them often, the essence of these words entered my soul and fulfilled the intention of the One who put them there.

With the experience with my Confirmation text fresh in my mind, I searched my Bible pages for my Wedding text, Psalm 1:1-3.

Psalms 1–41 New King James Version

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
²But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

When I read this, I saw how this was also one whose essence permeated our marriage and the spiritual serving we did in our marriage together. Our love for the Lord and our joy in serving brought countless blessings to us and our family.

It is evident to me that it is not necessary to memorize the scripture, but rather to allow its essence to permeate our soul. Then the Holy Spirit can do His work with it as we faithfully pursue our life.

At my retirement April 27, 2008 the text was Psalm 103: 2-4

Psalm 103:2-4 New King James Version

²Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
³Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
⁴Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

This passage from scripture captured the very profound feelings within my soul at this turning point in my life. And as with so many other transformational verses, a poet penned the words to a song that perfectly aligned with the essence of the scripture. It was no different at my retirement with the following opening hymn “O That I Had A Thousand Voices”.

O, That I had a Thousand Voices

O, that I had a thousand voices,

a mouth to speak with thousand tongues!

Then, while my heart in Him rejoices,

would I pro-claim in grateful songs

To all, wherever I might be,

what things the Lord has done for me.

Dear Father, end-less praise I render

for soul and bod-y strangely joined.

I praise Thee, Guard-an kind and tender,

For all the noble joys I find

So richly giv’n on every side

and freely for my use supplied.

What equal praises can I offer,

dear Jesus, for Thy mercy shown?

What pangs, dear Saviour, didst Thou suffer

and thus for all my sins atone!

Thy death a-lone my soul could free

from Satan, to be blest by Thee!

Let all my praise, up to Thee reaching,

be Thine too, Spirit of all grace,

Whose holy pow’r and faithful teaching

give me among Thy saints a place.

What-e’er of good in me may shine

comes only from Thy light divine.

Accept, O Lord, I know implore Thee,

the meager praise I give below;

In heav’n I better will adore Thee

when I an angel’s strength shall know.

There would I join their sacred praise

and heav’nly hallelujahs raise!

My profound gratitude for God’s allowing me to serve His people found voice in the words of this hymn. So sweet the way our God joins the words of scripture and hymns together to work His plan for us.

Turning Point

JOY

I have often discussed the joy that is fruit of the Holy Spirit. Though for some authentic joy may be elusive, I have found such joy comes easily to the grateful heart. Gratitude blossoms into true authentic and unshakeable JOY. My dear friend Joyce Williams Theilacker is a prolific writer with deep spiritual roots, and I find her posts on social media profoundly inspiring and thought provoking. Her two posts about joy I find worthy to share with my readers.

“Authentic Joy” . . . Joyce Williams Theilacker

Many grapple with the misconception that they must put on a facade of constant happiness to live out the Christian life, but the joy experienced by believers is not something we manufacture or pretend. It is a genuine, God-given gift that flows from the depths of our hearts. The Christian journey is undoubtedly marked by joy, as evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit. This joy does not eliminate the full spectrum of human emotions. In fact, the Bible itself reflects the entire range of human experiences, from sorrow and grief to rejoicing and celebration.

Genuine joy can coexist with various emotions. It doesn’t mean that we must suppress or hide our doubts, questions, or times of weariness. Rather, it means that even in moments of confusion, grief, or weariness, we can still possess the underlying joy that comes from our faith in Christ.

Consider the Psalms, where David, a man after God’s own heart, poured out his soul honestly before the Lord. He expressed times of discouragement, weariness, and lament, yet his trust in God remained steadfast. Joy is not the absence of other emotions but the presence of a deep, unwavering trust in the Lord.

Authentic joy is not a performance; it’s a reality apprehended by faith. It’s a choice we make to trust God despite our circumstances. It’s a decision to embrace His joy even when we don’t fully comprehend the complexities of life. It’s not about pretending to be happy but about seizing the joy available to us through faith in Christ.

In the church, it’s crucial to recognize that while emotions are a healthy and necessary part of our worship and expression of faith, they should never be forced. Each believer’s personality and temperament may lead them to express joy differently. Some may be exuberant and loud in their praise, while others may be more subdued and reflective. Neither expression is more valid than the other; both can be genuine reflections of the joy found in Christ.

Authentic joy is not a one-size-fits-all experience; it’s a deep, personal connection with God that finds its expression uniquely in each believer. It does not conform to external expectations but flows naturally from a heart captivated by the goodness and grace of our Lord.

As we embrace this truth, let us remember that joy is not something we need to put on for others or even for ourselves. It’s a gift from God that we simply receive and live out in our own distinctive way, reflecting the diverse beauty of the body of Christ.”

“Unshakable Joy” . . . Joyce Williams Theilacker

There is a joy that is unique to believers. This joy is not a mere fleeting happiness accessible to all, but a divine gift reserved for those transformed by faith in Christ. It’s a deep, abiding joy that we did not know before our hearts were awakened to Jesus.

Know that this divine joy prompts a crucial caution: the presence of joy does not inherently sanctify our inclinations or desires. The fact that something brings us happiness does not automatically align it with God’s will or make it beneficial for our spiritual well-being. In a world where happiness is often pursued at all costs, this distinction is essential. Many, driven by a skewed perception of joy, justify actions that stray far from biblical truths and make choices that lead them down paths of destruction.

The reasoning that “God desires my happiness; therefore I should pursue what makes me happy” is a dangerous oversimplification. It can excuse sin and lead us away from true fulfillment in Christ. The joy that Paul refers to is not akin to the ephemeral pleasures of this world but is a deep, enduring joy that arises from our union with Christ—a joy that can only be known through the transformative power of salvation.

Moses’ choice, as recounted in Hebrews, starkly illustrates this truth. He forsakes the temporary comforts and pleasures of Pharaoh’s palace for the afflictions associated with God’s people, valuing eternal joy over fleeting happiness. This decision underscores the profound difference between worldly pleasures and the joy of salvation. Only salvation offers lasting fulfillment and peace.

Believers are thus challenged to discern the nature of their joy: is it rooted in transient worldly pleasures or in the steadfast promise of God’s eternal joy? We must examine our hearts, finding our deepest happiness not in the fleeting delights of sin but in the enduring grace of walking in obedience to God.

As we navigate through life’s trials and temptations, this divine joy serves as our anchor, reminding us of the unshakable hope we have in Christ. It fortifies our resolve to live in accordance with God’s will, even when faced with choices that promise temporary happiness at the cost of spiritual integrity.

In embracing this joy of salvation, we find a treasure that far surpasses the world’s temporary pleasures. It fills our hearts even in the midst of trials, sustains our zeal for God’s service, and deepens our love for Christ and His people. This joy defines our identity as followers of Jesus, setting us apart in a world that seeks happiness in the perishable.”

Turning Point

Mastering the fruit of the Spirit is essential for the spiritual health and vitality of the soul. When we can feel the joy of the Spirit “it is well with my soul”. Discussions such as these help to keep awareness of the treasure that this fruit of joy brings to our life and keeps us in a state of profound gratitude.

Functional Trust

I have written a lot about trust and where one places one’s trust. As I explore the essence of trust and its importance, new perspectives emerge. In my book Solomon’s Recipe, I delve into the placement of trust in the Lord in what is really an untrustworthy world. But I am learning that simply understanding and accepting the value of placing an authentic trust in the Lord is not enough. It is critical for us to have a “functional trust” in the Lord.

I will in this article explore functional trust, what it is, why it’s important and how to attain it and maintain it for our own good.

But first I think it worthwhile to note some foundational facts that will open the way for my exploration. I pose the question: what comes first, trust or faith? Scriptura tells us that faith is a gift from God.

Romans 12:3 New King James Version

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

³For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

1 Corinthians 12:8-9 New King James Version

⁸for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

Ephesians 2:8 New King James Version

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

It appears to me that since faith is a gift of God, then faith is untouchable by the evil one. Faith has the power of God. It is a gift for the recipient to use, protect, deepen within, and rejoice in. Sadly, it can be given up and lost. But how and why would one do that? This is where trust enters the discussion. Trust is something we develop and build as we edify the gift of faith. As faith gives us experiences to see the reality of God’s love for us, trust in Him evolves and deepens over time. So, if faith is protected from the evil one, just how does he, Satan, get to us to give up the gift of faith? How does he threaten our faith and cause us to lose it? The answer is trust. The evil one attacks our trust in the Lord. Now with this as our context let’s explore trust.

What is “functional trust”? When we think of function, we consider how effectively something works to achieve its intended purpose. A car for instance has the purpose of conveying its owner or user from one place to another. When all its parts and components are working in harmony, the vehicle is “functional” in moving the driver from one place to another efficiently, safely and in reasonable comfort. The car has thousands of critical components that must work together to accomplish its functionality.

Looking at trust, there are components to trust that require it to be “functional”. So, let’s start with the question: What is the function of trust? And what is the function of trust in the Lord?

Trust is meant to provide confidence and a living hope that the Lord will provide perfectly and precisely exactly what we need when I place those needs into His hands. When I place my trust in the Lord, I should be perfectly content and at peace, void of worry and stressful fretting over what shall happen next.

I am reminded of this scripture passage:

Matthew 6:31-33 New King James Version

³¹“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

This passage calls for functional trust. Trust that works inspires one to follow this word from Jesus placing our priorities on spiritual things.

Psalm 119:37+ 40 New King James Version

³⁷Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in ^[^b^]Your way.
⁴⁰Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.

One step in making our trust in the Lord functioning is to cease dwelling on worthless things. I think that the determination of what things are worthless is a personal matter. What is worthless to you may be worthy of value to me in doing the Lord’s bidding. The work of making our trust functional is a very personal matter. As we continue to explore, we need to keep this in mind lest we allow the evil one to insert judgement and thus threaten our trust. We need to soberly evaluate where we focus in life to ensure we avoid getting hooked on worthless things.

But let’s be realistic. Having a robust level of trust is often compromised by our experience with trust in our everyday life. Trust with our fellow man is rife with failure because we live in an untrustworthy world. We don’t have to look at the obvious untrustworthy areas such as politics. We just need to see how trustworthiness has evaporated from our society. The news is overwhelming with rampant theft in our stores and shops. Computers are hacked and money and assets are stolen. Homes are burgled and cars hijacked. It’s a brutal world out there.

When we consider that having our trust functioning on “all cylinders” is a great protection to our faith, we will be compelled to nurture our trust. Being aware of our surroundings can make us alert to the evil one’s attempts to compromise our trust.

I am reminded of one of the great lessons my dad taught me. I published it on my blog (https://www.lifeturningpoints.org/?s=judas) The Judas goat led the lambs in the fields to the best pastures. Then led them to slaughter at the slaughterhouse. That lesson taught me that it was easy to get sucked in to what everyone was doing around me. I learned to become diligent in my decision making, recognizing that not everyone can be trusted.

How can I move from stressful fretting and worry when my trust is less than functional to a truly actively functional trust?

Soberly and honestly reliving one’s experience with placing trust in God is the beginning of developing a functioning trust. It is interesting to see the interactions of faith and trust as they support each other. Let’s look at Jesus and how He expressed His functioning trust.

Jesus exhibits functional trust:

Luke 22:31-32 New King James Version

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹^[^a^]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Here Jesus knowing the test that Simon Peter was on the brink of failing, Jesus prays for the one and only thing that will get Peter through the test unscathed, FAITH! From this I see that our most critical possession is the FAITH that our loving God has so graciously implanted into our soul. We must protect it and nurture it relentlessly and at all cost.

However, let me draw your attention to the carefully worded message of Jesus to Peter (and us!) where He says “when” referring to His expected success of Peter. He didn’t use “if” which would imply Peter might fail. Such is the absolute confidence Jesus has in the success of His prayers for Peter and you and me! That’s functional trust as its finest.

As we continue our journey deepening the roots of our trust and faith, let’s do so with our “eyes wide open” to the threats of the evil one. Let’s be aware of the gifts of the Spirit and the firm belief that “prayer works”. Let’s stoke our desire and willingness to do the will of God and rejoice in how His love for us abundantly blesses our life.

Turning Point

As I explore the scripture and see these truths revealed experience by experience, I stand in awe of our almighty triune God. His love for me, Jesus’ grace and daily prayers for me, and the inspiring presence and guidance afforded by the Holy Spirit are a constant source of confidence deepening trust and faith. Desire for His gifts burn within and it is well with my soul.

Functional Faith

This notion of “functional faith” came to me as I lay in bed awaiting sleep to unfold. The thought caused me to imagine the consequences of functional faith to the believer. As an engineer, functional means that whatever it is that’s functional, it does what it’s supposed to do. It simply works. And functional faith is faith that successfully brings us through our failures and the adversity that we inevitably face. Faith has that purpose, to keep us in oneness with God to ensure our future with Him. The following scripture shed light on faith and what it means for us.

I begin with two passages in scripture where I believe Jesus is telling us why faith is so important,

Luke 18:7-9 New King James Version

⁷And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? ⁸I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

In these words from Jesus, He highlights the one thing He will be looking for in us, FAITH. This is not surprising when we recall the moment His key disciple Peter was about to be tested by Satan.

Luke 22:31-32 New King James Version

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹^[a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

In these two passages Jesus makes clear the critical nature of our faith not only for our journey in this life, but for the life after Jesus’ return. There is another passage that offers some insight into our task with our stewardship of our faith.

Luke 12:48 Living Bible

…. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

The “much” here is the faith that God has shed abroad in our hearts.

Romans 12:3 New King James Version

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

³For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Romans 12:3 New Living Translation

³Because of the privilege and authority^[a] God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Ephesians 2:8 New King James Version

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

This faith that God has so generously given to us, in all its greatness, has imputed to us great responsibility. It is clear from the words of Jesus in these passages that faith is key to our future. He found it necessary in Peter’s case to pray that his faith would not fail him. We can extrapolate that the same love that Jesus had for Peter, He also has for us. Then He prays for you and me that our faith will not fail us. Best we take that to heart.

I find it interesting how the Message Bible offers some insight on how we can manage our stewardship of this precious gift of faith from God.

Romans 12:3 The Message

³I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

This last statement is like a compass for us as we navigate life and our journey. Let the gratitude for “what God is and by what he does for us” be the spirit that rules our vision and our character. Apostle Paul offers profound perspective on how we can be effective in prospering our God-given faith in Philippians.

Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version

⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Paul gives interesting insight into pitfalls and weapons we have for diligent protection over the gift of faith in Ephesians. The Message translation offers wording that is quite clear.

Ephesians 6:13-18 The Message

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

If we take these words to heart, we can experience how our faith will be strong, resilient, and profound.

Turning Point

The evolving guidance of the words of God as presented in scripture instill profound gratitude and inspiration to continue to grow in this faith that God has gifted to us. I hope my sharing these insights they will be a turning point for you my readers as they are for me.

Transformative Scripture

Part 1

Ezekiel 22:30 New English Translation

³⁰“I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.

When I read this, I have the sense that God feels saddened that when He needed someone to step up to fulfill a desperate need, He found no one. This inspires me to say, “Lord, take me!” From my experiences, when I stood up to fulfill a need, even when I felt inadequate for the task, God provided whatever I lacked thereby allowing the task to be successfully fulfilled. The feeling that God is often let down by fearful and reluctant humans, inspires one to have the courage to step up and step in to fulfill a void.

Psalm 139:23-24 Living Bible

²³Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. ²⁴Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

This scripture is the finale to one of the most inspiring Psalms. It speaks of the reality of the inescapable presence of God in our life. Whether we believe it or not, God has a deep interest in our life and His presence ought to create a profound gratitude the eludes description. The final words in verses 23 and 24 are the psalmist’s desire to take full advantage of God’s presence. He invites God to search his very being and seeks to know if he is brining any hint of sadness to the heart of God. This has inspired me to add this thought to my prayers for I would hate to God to become sad because of me and my sinful thoughts.

Luke 12:48 Living Bible

…. Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.

When we are amazed as we realize how great we have been blessed by the God of Love and Grace and mercy and forgiveness, we understand our mission – to love one another as we have been so profoundly loved.

Matthew 5:41 New King James Version

⁴¹And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

The lesson of the second mile is significantly transformative as it opens doors for untold opportunities to growth. Making strangers into faithful friends.

Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

This scripture provides a comprehensive glimpse into the gifts the Holy Spirit can instill into one’s character. It takes the deliberate intention to develop each into a conduct and perspective on life.

Luke 18:7-9 New King James Version

In these word from Jesus, He highlights the one thing He will be looking for in us, FAITH. This is not surprising when we recall the moment His key disciple Peter was about to be tested by Satan.

Luke 22:31-32 New King James Version

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹^[a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Let me draw your attention to the carefully worded message of Jesus to Peter (and us!) where He says “when” referring to His expected success of Peter. He didn’t use “if” which would imply Peter might fail. Such is the absolute confidence Jesus has in the success of His prayers for Peter and you and me!

Turning Point