Fruit-Producing Christianity

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

3Listen! A farmer went out to plant seeds. 4And as he was spreading the seed, some fell beside the path, and the birds came and ate it. 5Other seed fell in rocky ground, where it didn’t have much dirt, and it sprouted leaves quickly, because the dirt wasn’t deep. 6But when the sun rose, it was scorched, and because it didn’t have good enough roots, it was scorched. 7Other seed fell amongst the thorns, and the thorns grew and choked it, and it didn’t bear any fruit. 8And other seed fell in good ground, and it bore fruit, growing up and increasing, and it bore some 30 fold, some 60 fold and some 100 fold. 9And he said, let anyone who has ears hear!       Mark 4:3-9 (TFBV)

Before looking at the interpretation of this parable that Jesus gave, I’d like us to spend some time thinking about it as the disciples had to—on their own.  I think that Jesus used parables intentionally, and one intention he had was to make us think.  The parable can carry more freight even than he told the disciples.

Allow me to assume, for the moment, that the seed can include the prompting of the Holy Spirit in your heart. What in your heart prevents you from hearing the Holy Spirit and acting?

First, we have the seed that fell by the path.  What is the problem with the path?  It is stepped on and stomped on constantly.  There’s no room there for anything other than the path.  We can be “path” sorts of listeners to the Holy Spirit—unless the seed is strong enough to break through the trodden ground, it’s going to die.  We’ll continue to think we’re OK, because we’re on a trodden path, but we’ll miss what the Holy Spirit has for us.

Second, there’s rocky ground.  God’s grace, whether to save us or to empower us, is freely offered, but if we don’t allow it the space to grow, it will choke.  Ironically, this can be the situation for two opposed groups of people—those who think they will get everything they need directly from the Bible without the aid of the Holy Spirit, and those who think the Holy Spirit will direct them, so they have no need for study.  Either approach is a “shallow dirt” approach that won’t hold up when things heat up.

Third, there’s the thistle-filled heart.  This heart doesn’t like 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, “Test everything, keep what is good, stay away from every form of evil.”  Often the thistle-filled heart seems lively, if a bit disorganized.  The person may seem very receptive.  But by receiving everything, this person cuts himself off from receiving the best thing.  This is comparable to the person whose mind is so open that their brains fall out.  In this case your spirit can be so open that the Holy Spirit falls out—or can’t get in.

Finally, there’s the “good ground” heart.  This heart listens all the time.  There’s no beaten path that limits what the Holy Spirit can do.  The rocks are removed and the soil cultivated, because this heart is looking for fruit-bearing plants that have deep roots and will last.  The thistles, whether things that are evil, or even things that are not precisely what God wants, are excluded.  There’s maximum room for fruit-bearing!

The result is a spiritual life that bears fruit.

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On the Road with Jesus

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

It happened soon afterward, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.” He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region. Luke 7:11-17 (WEB)

What a wonderful, joyous story this is!  I see my Savior’s heart, moved with compassion for a woman whose son has died and she is alone in the world.  In her culture and time, she could literally starve to death without a male family member to protect and ‘cover’ her.  Jesus saw her tears; saw her need and responded.

“Young man, I tell you, get up!”  Jesus did not give a request.  God gave a command!  He gave a preview of what and how He will command when He comes from the grave on Easter morning!  And His command is obeyed! The man sat us.  But he did not just sit up – he spoke!  The man was not just breathing.  He was alive! Jesus is not just the conqueror of death!  He is the give of life! Jesus gave back to the mother that which she lost!  He always does.  Jesus did not choose to give me back my son when he died.  I confess to all of you that I never stopped asking Him to do that – even as I sat beside his bed and knew he had stopped breathing.  “Lord, please, I know you can do this.  Please return my son to me.”   There was silence.   It was a few days later as we celebrated James’ life that I received the message that I have heard several times in the last five years, “He’s worshiping with me now.  You still have work to do for me there.  We have eternity to be together.  Keep working.”

“They were all filled with fear and praised God.”  It is easier to praise God when He chooses to do the extra-ordinary.  The ‘WOW’ factor brings forth a ‘WOW’ response!  But – see – God does something ‘WOW’ every time He does something!  My son died but because of God I did not die – not physically and not my spirit.   Only because of the compassion of Jesus do I continue on and walk out each day.  Only because of the healing compassion of Jesus am I able to get out of bed and feel His joy and express His encouragement and know He still – and always has – loves ME!  Praise God!

“This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.”  Spreading the news is what I have been commissioned to do!  “Go … and make disciples …and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you … I am with you always…”  God is with me.  God was with the widow and her son.  God is with you today whatever road you are walking. The road may be smooth with beautiful flowers. It may be bumpy with major boulders and pot holes. If I make Jesus my pilot (not the co-pilot!), then I am secure and assured on whatever road I am on. May I keep my spiritual eyes open to opportunities to encourage other travelers along the way.

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Jesus Defines ‘Great’

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.’ I didn’t know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel.” John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, he said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”      John 1:29-34 (WEB)

“I didn’t know him…”  BUT that didn’t matter because John was sent to do a job.  The job did not include becoming famous or rich.  Mark tells us in his gospel how monk-like John’s life was by the Jordan River.  It was the mission and the revelation that John had been given by God’s Spirit that he was passionate and focused.  John’s eyes were on a Kingdom that was NOT of Rome.

“I didn’t recognize him…” EXCEPT that John had heard God’s voice and God’s prophetic truth.  Does it seem strange to you like it does to me that if God was going to give John ‘a Word’ – why wasn’t it: “Hey, John!  Your cousin Jesus is the Messiah!”  Instead, God said it would be an unnamed person that would be baptized by John and that he, John, would see a dove rest upon Him and THEN he would know that this One was the Messiah!!!  Convoluted, isn’t it?  Does God’s words sometimes seem that way?  Does it seem like I must be told something by God and then WAIT on the message to become clear?  Yes, it does.  God is all about timing and testing.

[John said,] “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:31-36 (WEB)

John continued his ministry and set the example for us all.  Any ministry that GOD has given to us is all about GOD, not us.  In all things, every word, every book, every teaching, — in ALL THINGS that God may give me as opportunities – it is about HIM, not me.  I am to keep pointing everyone that comes across my path toward.  They are HIS disciples, not mine.

The disciples of John told him about all these things. John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”

In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

“For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”            Luke 7:18-23, 28 (WEB)

John is in prison.  Maybe he had another revelation from God and he knew he was not going to leave prison alive.  Maybe.  It seems it was a time when John needed encouragement.  After years of preaching and living a solitary life, John reached out to the One he KNEW and asked, “Are you REALLY THE ONE?”  Jesus did not answer with a simple “Yes” or “No”.  He gave John some proof by what John’s disciples had witnessed for themselves … miracles.

Have I testified to a miracle lately?  Jesus said that John was ‘great’.  Jesus also said there was more greatness to come!  Hmmm.

Posted in John, Luke | 2 Comments

Life and Death

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

54But when they heard these things they became infuriated and ground their teeth against him. 55But being full of the Holy Spirit, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. 56And he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at God’s right hand!” 57But they cried out with a loud voice and blocked their ears and swarmed at him together. 58And they threw him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses put their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen as he called out and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he fell to his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, Don’t hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.           Acts 7:54-60 (HN)

Stephen gives us an outline of the right way to die. Now many of you may be thinking that you don’t particularly want to know how to die, and you don’t plan to get there very soon. But all of us will get there sooner or later, and it’s a good idea to know how to do it. But even more importantly, the way you’re going to die will have something to do with the way you live.

One of the things Jesus came to rescue us from was the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-18). Why don’t we have to fear death? For precisely the same reason that we don’t have to fear life. God is with us all the way!

So what does Steven show us about dying:

1.    He died being God’s witness. The thing that made these folks angry was the testimony that Stephen was giving.
2.    He died filled with the Holy Spirit. He was able to know what God wanted him to know and see what God wanted him to see, because the Holy Spirit filled him.
3.    He died with his eyes heavenward, on Jesus. Think about it! He’s surrounded by people who want to kill him and he doesn’t look at them, or seek ways to get away. He’s looking at Jesus!
4.    He died forgiving those who hurt him. Like Jesus, it wasn’t people who asked forgiveness, it was people who were in the process of hurting him that he forgave.
5.    He died on his knees in prayer.
6.    He died trusting his life to God.

Now go back through the list, and replace each “he died” with “he lived.” Do you see what’s going on?

The way we live is the way we will die. If God is with us, we have nothing to fear in either case.

For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 4:7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 4:8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.      2 Timothy 4:6-8 (WEB)

Posted in 2 Timothy, Acts | 1 Comment

REAL Gold Medal Promises

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. Where I go, you know, and you know the way.”                        John 14:1-4 (WEB, my emphasis)

And so ended, last night, another Winter Olympics. Many came with their hopes and their dreams and felt they were carrying the hopes and dreams of their families and their countries. I believe that that not all of those hope and dreams were attached to medals. They proved personal goals and set an example to the child ‘back home’ that they, too, can do it! Only the Olympians and their families know the sacrifices that have been made over the years. Friends who have walked away because the Olympic-hopeful spent more time in the gym, the slope, or the rink than they did with them. The trip to the Olympics came with a price.

This week has also been about endings for some friends. One ‘long ago’ friend ended her fight with cancer and is now in her promised mansion with Jesus. Another friend has ended a relationship. Both are about endings but they are also about beginnings. This scripture is a wonderful word vehicle to help us make that journey from ‘ending thinking’ to ‘beginning thinking’. It is a journey for those who are weak and put their whole trust in Jesus. When I find myself on a way of suffering, I know that Jesus has already walked the Via Dolorosa. And He is there, in that moment, to bring me through the pain and the questions to the new beginning that He has planned.

The place that Jesus has planned for me is not just my final place. Jesus has a place for me today. He has prepared it and led me to this time and place. Maybe it is in this truth that Paul found his contentment. (Philippians 4:11) When I realize and know that I have followed Jesus and have ended in this place then I know that it is in His plan and even if I do not understand the why of the location, I am here with Jesus and so I can know it will be OK. We will talk and I will heal and grow in wisdom and understanding!

I hope you take the time to listen to this song and watch the video with it on youtube.com Mary Did You Know? It brought the testimony message to my heart. I don’t always know what may come. I do not always understand the ‘why’ of what does come. But I have learned to trust Jesus and I do have a crowd of witnesses and so I believe His promises and know their worth is more than gold – or silver – or bronze.

Posted in John | 1 Comment

Who Are You Going to Call?

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

1In you, YHWH, I have taken refuge.
Never let me be put to shame!
2Bring me to safety me because you are righteous,
Listen attentively to me! Hurry up and deliver me!
Be a great rock to protect me, A fortress to bring me salvation!
3For you are my rock and my fortress, For your reputation’s sake, guide and help me.
4Get me out of the snare they have set for me, For you are the one who helps me.
5I trust my spirit in your hand.
Redeem me, YHWH, for you are a trustworthy God.         Psalm 31:1-5 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

When something goes wrong in your life, what is your first call?

I have to admit that as I’ve read this passage over the last few days this question has bothered me. Let me confess something. No matter how many times I teach it, no matter how many times I determine to live it, very frequently God is not my first call in trouble.

*    When my care breaks down, I check the bank balances and call a mechanic.
*    When money is short, I look at business receivables and possible sources of money
*    When something is missing, I search for it frantically
*    When there’s a health issue, I check with the numerous medical folks in my family, or I call a doctor

In none of those situations is my first call to God. Now none of the things I mentioned are bad things to do. I suspect that even if I call on God I’m going to have to work with bank accounts, mechanics, doctors, and so forth. That’s not going to change that much. God will help, but he’s likely to point out to me that he called the mechanic or the doctor to be at that place—in other words, he already has helped!

What would change is me. You see, if I call on God first and put the result in his hands, I can handle the rest much more simply. I could quit worrying. I heard a little rhyme when I was in the Air Force. I don’t know the origin of it. It goes something like this: “When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!”

We often miss the simple things. While we wait for God to intervene in a spectacular way, and complain that he didn’t intervene in the way he wanted us to, we can miss the fact that he provided a very straightforward means of helping us. Worry is a time and energy waster. It doesn’t accomplish anything, and it prevents us from accomplishing things we would normally be able to do easily.

Jesus didn’t just give good spiritual advice when he told us not to worry (Matthew 6:25). We see this as some kind of esoteric command that we have to strive to fulfill. We worry about not worrying! But actually it’s an excellent piece of practical advice.

Whatever the problem is, worrying won’t fix it. A good first step to avoiding the path of worry is to call on God first. You may still have to look for your checkbook, pay your mechanic, or heed your doctor’s advice, but your blood pressure will probably be lower, your mind clearer, and your spirit dwelling in the right place.

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Chosen

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

9But you are a chosen race, and kingdom of priests, a holy nation, God’s possession, so that you may proclaim the redemptive deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.      1 Peter 2:9 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

We all like the idea of being chosen. When we’re younger and we’re in school it felt good to be chosen early for the team. The fact that you were wanted made you feel warm inside. I was not chosen for the team all that often, but I was often chosen for study groups, or to help out. It doesn’t matter what you’re chosen for; it feels good!

Oddly enough, as Christians, we like the idea of being chosen, but we’re not always so concerned about what we’re chosen for. Being chosen generally has a reason. Even when one is chosen for an award, it’s usually so that one can be used as an example of some sort of good activity so that others will be encouraged to do the same thing.

But as Christians we often feel that we are chosen to just be somebody special. Now I’m not scoffing at the fact that God loves each person. You are, in fact, special. God loves you. But God loves you too much to let you sit around and feel special. God has a greater plan for you than that!

And here it is. God wanted a nation of priests.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 19:6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’    Exodus 19:5-6 (WEB)

He wanted to be in contact with all his people so that they would, in turn, introduce him to the world. Here Peter is saying that God has at last chosen some people to do precisely that.

We get into all kinds of tangles over whether God “unchose” the Jewish people at this point. But that type of thinking reflects the idea that being chosen has to do with sitting around and being special. When 11 people are chosen for a baseball team, they will all end up playing. It’s not a matter of one superseding the other. Rather, it’s a matter of everyone having something to do. Some will even do the same thing, but at a different time and place.

So as Christians we can be chosen as a holy nation without eliminating someone else. In fact, this very passage was first addressed to Jewish believers, though I think it clearly applies to more.

But the most important thing is to notice the task to which we are called—proclamation. That’s where we get uncomfortable. We want to feel special, but we don’t want to have to talk about it. We don’t want to proclaim.

Now don’t imagine that “proclaiming” means that you have to be a preacher. Simply offering to pray for someone is carrying out this mission. Encouraging someone, telling them that Jesus loves them, and being Jesus for them by helping them—all these things proclaim the message.

Feel special today—feel that special mission—and proclaim Jesus, crucified, but living in your heart.

Posted in 1 Peter, Exodus | Comments Off on Chosen

Today’s Opposition

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

20What honor is there in it if you are treated badly for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you endure suffering when doing good, God graciously blesses you.           1 Peter 2:20 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

When Peter penned these words, he was talking to Christians who might face persecution at any time. Most of the time they were left alone. At certain periods, the Romans instructed their officials not to pursue Christians, but to take action against them if they were reported. At one point, since martyrdom was considered great, some Christians would turn themselves in so as to become martyrs.

I doubt Peter was addressing that particular situation, but it illustrates a potential problem. Many Christians like to think of themselves as persecuted. For whatever reasons it makes them feel better. They wouldn’t want to undergo actual persecution, of course, but they like to be thought of as upholding their faith against great opposition.

Now I don’t want to belittle the opposition that Christians do face, including ridicule from unbelieving coworkers. More commonly you might face ridicule from others who are Christians, at least in name, usually because they regard some of your spiritual or moral choices as fanatical. At the same time, I think we need to be careful how we use the word “persecution” when all over the world there are people who are truly persecuted, in the sense of being killed, tortured, or at a minimum have their lives threatened. This type of persecution is very rare in the United States. Perhaps we could try “harassed” or “annoyed” for what we go through here.

The people Peter addressed, however, were more likely to give up on being law abiding citizens. After all, they were outlaws already, so what was the difference? Why not go all the way with the “citizens of another kingdom” thing? Peter is telling them to be sure they don’t deserve the trouble. Suffering for Jesus when you’re doing right is good. Suffering because of your own wrong actions is quite another matter.

Now I want to transfer this principle to modern day Christianity. Many Christians determine not to witness because they are afraid of opposition. Others who do witness tell repeated stories of being laughed at, ridiculed, or otherwise mistreated. I would start by reminding them that there are many places in the world where you would be likely to get executed for witnessing, so what’s a little verbal opposition. The number of people who will drive you off with a shotgun in America is vanishingly small.

But a more important point is this: Don’t bring harassment on yourself because of your behavior. The fact is that too many Christians see witnessing as the process of proselytizing, which we could define as “making other people into Christians.” But that isn’t it. God makes people into Christians, or not, according to his knowledge and purpose. (I’m purposely skirting the “free will” discussion here!) Convicting and changing hearts is the work of the Holy Spirit. Your job is simple: Witness.

Now there are matters of timing, but most of us, if we would just treat witnessing as a natural part of our lives, would have no trouble with that. What do I mean about treating witnessing as a natural part of our lives? If you buy a new car you tell your friends about it. You don’t break into their church service, for example, to do so. You do it when it comes up naturally in conversation.

If you live as a Christian, you will have little difficulty finding opportunities. In fact, if you are involved in your church community it is likely to show, and you’re likely to get questions. Answering someone else’s questions is always good timing.

Make sure that if you’re being treated badly for your faith, you’re not bringing it on yourself. As Peter says elsewhere: “. . . Always be ready to give an answer to those who ask for the hope that is in you. 16But do so with gentleness and respect, having a clear conscience, so that those who speak ill of you for your good behavior in Christ might be put to shame when they abuse you”          1Peter 3:15b-16 (HN)

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You Never Let Go!

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart. I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand. You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you. But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.       Psalm 73:21-28 (WEB)

Yesterday we sang my favorite song during worship, “You Never Let Go” by Matt Redman. Because of copyright laws, I cannot reproduce these song lyrics in an internet posting and mass email, but if you are not familiar with this song I hope you will go to this link and be blessed by those inspired words.

Like the psalmist, Matt Redman expresses the relationship that can be between me and my Lord! There is the intense pain and despair that characterizes those seasons in my life where the storms have become hurricanes. Bruised and battered, I raise my fist in frustration even to the One who stands firm in the waves.

Like the child who falls into a pit, I am not looking to another ‘pit dweller’ to lift me out of the slime. It is the One in heaven, my Creator and my Savior, only He gives hope and strength and courage in the face of what seems to be overwhelming forxfire from all sides.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not bow my head in thanksgiving to my Lord. He is there every step of the way. Jesus never, never lets go of my hand.

Last week, God spoke to me through the writing of one of our authors, Allan Bevere. In his upcoming book, Character of our Discontent, he shares a sermon on the story of Samson. (I don’t think I have ever heard a sermon using Samson!) The point I got was that God has a plan and purpose for my life and He gives (abundantly) the gifts I need to fulfill this purpose. Do I use these gifts or treat them frivolously? On Thursday as I drove to work I felt the Lord’s conviction that I had been given an opportunity to spread God’s love and encouragement to a group of people that do not see or receive unconditional love. I have not been carrying that gift well in the last year. I made the decision to take up that gift again. Less than 30 minutes later, I was lying on the ground outside my work building – after tripping on some uneven ground that had tripped three other employees this year. God never left my side. My injuries were minimal and my time through the E.R. was swift and pleasant!

It could be said that an attempt was made to divert me from the path to which I had chosen to return. But I know my Lord was with me and I will not step from His path; step from His side. Lord, You never let go of me!

Posted in Psalms | 2 Comments

How Can I Thank Him?

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

12What shall I give back to YHWH
for all the gracious things he has done for me?
13I will lift up the cup of salvation,
and call upon the name YHWH.
14I will fulfill my vows,
in the presence of all the people.            Psalm 116:12-14 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

One of the things I do for my daily devotionals is read the lectionary texts for the two upcoming Sundays each morning. This means that I generally repeat reading each text 14 times. Now I’m not telling you to do the same thing. Devotions are very personal between you and God, and you have to do what works. But I mention it because of the blessing of repetition. We’re often afraid of repetition because it might be boring, or it might become a ritual. But often it simply helps something become more a part of us.

I’ve read this selection a number of times. As I was walking the dog and thinking about this passage, it suddenly hit me. My wife fell on her way to work yesterday. She could have been seriously injured. Before I knew there was a problem, God was already there.

How will I pay God back for his grace? Good theologians will shudder and discuss the definition of grace, and point out how miserably unequipped we are to pay God back for anything. But millions of Christians have asked something like this question. We answer it in many ways. Some conclude they can’t, so why bother trying. Others get confused into thinking they can. Some believe that God demands certain specific things. Many, many people have been trying to earn God’s grace even before they think they have received it. (I would suggest that it is impossible to live without receiving God’s grace in some sense—it’s just there!)

The psalmist asks this very common question, and doesn’t spend much time answering it. I think the sparse expression here reflects some serious thinking. How can I pay God back? Well, all I can do is the things I ought to have done anyhow. I lift up the cup of salvation, meaning that I proclaim that God has provided salvation and I fulfill my vows. And right between those, I call on God, and most probably I invite him to do more.

In the white space between those few, well-selected words, the psalmist proclaims grace. God has acted graciously, and you can’t pay him back. All you can do is go right on thanking him and asking for more.

Why not pause for a moment and thank God for all the gracious acts he has done on your behalf? Then recognize there’s nothing you can do to pay for it, lift up the cup of salvation, proclaim his name, and go on living for him.

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