A Violin Story

            What does it mean to surrender ourselves unconditionally to God? What does it mean to truly be used in his service? We all say that we want to be used in such a way but few of us can really describe the process. Perhaps an illustration can be drawn from the world of music:

Two violinists get up to perform. The first is a master technician who performs with such dexterity that the audience is astounded. The second has less technical skill but plays with such feeling that the audience can identify with her emotion and the music itself. Which would you say is the better performer? Obviously the one with whom the audience was able to identify.

The same can be said of one’s usefulness in God’s kingdom. Perfection is not the key; simple surrender to God is. One may not feel like he gives the best performance but it hardly matters. Those who are watching will appreciate the simple sincerity and love for God that exudes from a disciple who is truly in love with his Lord. They will appreciate the honesty that allows them to feel a fellow human’s struggle. They will understand the grace that God gives when someone surrenders to his design.

Lord, help me to be a vessel surrendered to your purpose and plans for my life. I don’t have to be perfect. I would rather play the music with all my heart. It may lead someone to you!

Blessings,

Sullivan Jones

Adapted from Invitation to A Journey by M. Robert Mulholland Jr.

God Still Speaks

In the Old Testament God often spoke in dramatic ways to his prophets. God spoke to Moses face to face. He also called to him out of a burning bush. He spoke to many of the Old and New Testament characters through angels, dreams, and awe-inspiring visions. Most of us probably do not have quite such dramatic stories to tell about seeing and hearing from God. This does not mean we can not hear from God.

God still speaks to us, just maybe in different ways. He speaks to us through preaching, teaching, and Christian books. Sometimes we receive a direct answer from God through prayer. Other times we might just have a firm assurance that we know what the right thing to do is. However God chooses to speak, He can make his will perfectly known in our lives as long we are seeking him.

Sometimes hearing from God requires turning off the many voices around us. We might have to turn off the radio, television and telephone, and disconnect from social media. Perhaps we need to spend a day (or several days) in a quiet place with God, seeking his face. It is often in these times that our way becomes clear because we are able to focus all of our attention on God. These times are invaluable to the Christian who is seeking for God's word.

It is our responsibility to cultivate our relationship with God so that we will recognize His voice when he speaks. Expect God to speak to you and He will!

Blessings,

Spanish Pastor Jones

Part of my thoughts were taken from Manna From Moses: 101 Morsels for Successful Christian Leadership by J. Stuart Lassetter.

Is Stealing Wrong?

The following scenario was posted in one of my philosophy classes. I have posted the question and my answer.

Scenario: Heinz’s wife was dying from a particular type of cancer. Doctors said a new drug might save her. The drug had been discovered by a local chemist and Heinz tried desperately to buy some, but the chemist was charging ten times the money it cost to make the drug. This was much more than the Heinz could afford. He could only raise half the money, even after help from family and friends. He explained this to the chemist and asked if he could have the drug cheaper or pay the rest of the money later. The chemist refused, saying that he had discovered the drug and was going to make money from it. The husband was desperate to save his wife, so later that night he broke into the chemist’s and stole the drug.
Question: Was Heinz justified in stealing the drug?

Answer:
The entire scenario above is flawed. When hypothetical questions like this are staged, the purpose is to get Christians to admit that God's commandments are sometimes wrong. In this case, Heinz is justified in stealing even though he is breaking one of God's most fundamental laws. The Christian does not have to fall into such a trap. Heinz is not at the mercy of a pharmacist who will not provide medicine. Our God is able to supply all of our needs. God would not give us a commandment that we could not keep. He is a just judge. According to God's word, one day we will be judged for the deeds done in our lifetime (II Corinthians 5:10). God will not be guilty on that day of setting us up to fail. We are serving the God who parted the Red Sea. Surely he can provide a way for Heinz to honor his word. The Christian must be careful not to be sucked into such "what if" arguments. They are designed to make us question our faith. God's word has the answer for such questions. The answer in this case is that God will provide.

Blessings, 

Sullivan