Month: June 2023

Fruits of the Spirit

What Does a Jesus Freak Look Like?

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

What does a Jesus freak look like? I imagine we all have a different image in our minds. Does it look like someone who has Jesus plastered all over their t-shirt, wears, crosses around their neck? Maybe it’s someone who wears all that and sports several tattoos. Or is it someone who is always quoting scripture with the above mentioned garb. Maybe they have strict moral behavior. How do you define a Jesus freak? Maybe Lonnie Frisbee and Jesus Revolution come to mind, great movie if you haven’t seen it, see it! (side note: Jonathon Roumie, great acting, he’s a chameleon).

Recently I was listening to a radio broadcast and a familiar question was asked. “If you were charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” I thought about that for a moment. Really think about it. Could I be convicted as a Christian or Jesus freak? What evidence is there? Well, I don’t wear a cross around my neck, I do wear some Chosen t-shirts and watch The Chosen. I don’t have any tattoos, I don’t always quote scripture. I don’t have strict morals, and I emphasize strict. I don’t drink alcoholic beverages, not by choice, but because they trigger migraines.
Then I though some more. Satan quote scripture. Satan and his demons disguise themselves to look like angels and nice people to tempt us. Satan makes evil things look good. Go back to the Garden. Satan was cunning, he didn’t look scary and he quoted scripture. Does that make him a Jesus freak?

If clothing, tattoos, speech, quoting scripture, cross wearing, always attending church, strict morals define Jesus freak, then I fall short. And probably wouldn’t be convicted. And the Bible says that the world looks at the outer appearance but God looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 – “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Revelation 2:23 – “And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.”

So I asked myself, what evidence do I have? What does my heart reveal about Jesus? Well, in a court of law, I guess my actions and deeds would be judged, but even then that could be subjective. But whoever is judging me better know scripture and most of all God’s heart. I am not perfect I fall short daily and without the blood of Jesus… well, I am nothing and can do nothing apart from Him, even breathe, for He gives me physical and spiritual life.

I guess best would to be judged according to the fruits of the spirit, – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23. Then I thought some more. Do I display any of this? I may some of the time and still God has a lot of work to do in me. Philippians 1:6 -“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.“

A Jesus freak can look like anything I guess. And even if someone is wearing scripture on their clothing, sporting tattoos, wearing crosses around their neck and always at church, God is looking at their hearts. They can still have fruits of the Spirit. So I guess the question should be, do we have enough of the fruits of the Spirit to convict us? I think Lonnie could have been convicted. He certainly had a heart for Jesus.

If any of this made sense, please comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts?

Uncategorized

“Wonder and Be Astounded“

The Kedge Anchor


A few years ago I read a book titled, Amazed and Confused by Heather Zemple. The book is based on the book of Habakkuk about his determination to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and how his expectations didn’t line up with God’s actions. Habakkuk wasn’t afraid to ask God questions about the evil and injustices he saw. How could a good God allow bad things to happen to good people? I think we all have asked that question at some point.
Habakkuk pleaded with God for revival in the hearts of those who were faithless and return back to God. “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a
work in your days that you would not believe if told.” (1:5 ESV). God’s vision was one of warfare and exile. Not what one would expect from a “good God.”


The part about our expectations and God’s actions hit me. How often have you been in a situation where you are always thinking of a way out or a solution. “Maybe if I did this, “ or “Maybe if I try this,” or “What if I said this?” often mulling over and over in your head how things could possibly work out even after hours and days of praying. Exhausting, right?


I have learned there is two parts to walking through a trial and expecting an outcome. One, is waiting. Ugh I know. Habakkuk wasn’t afraid to pour out his heart to God asking questions why and how long to the injustices he saw, Habakkuk 1:1-4. (I encourage you to read Habakkuk, read some commentaries along with it, it’s only four chapters). Chapter 2:2, God instructs Habakkuk to write down His answer to warn others. God is telling Habakkuk in verse 3 to wait, wait for what He is going to do. I think it’s helpful to write down our prayers and requests in a journal and document when and how God shows up, so that we can look back and be reminded of God’s faithfulness. The hardest part about verse three, is wait. Ugh how hard is that?! Especially when it comes to injustice, we want results NOW!


Recently my husband and I were praying for a situation where he works. Everyone was pretty much unhappy and grumbling. I began to pray a dangerous prayer and ask God to work so that his workplace would be a blessing to everyone there and the community. Not long after that four people quit!! Not what we were expecting, maybe some changed hearts and attitudes, raises perhaps is what we were looking for. But God replaced those people with others who had better attitudes and wanted to work.


So we may find ourselves in a situation where we just don’t know how we are going to make it through. We have more month than money or a relationship is broken and it seems like a resolution is not going happen, we need and are looking for a miracle. We play over and over in our head various outcomes. We try to predict how God will work. Anyone else do this, it is just me? Do you find yourself predicting an outcome in detail? I do and it hasn’t worked for me, ever. All it does is frustrate me and causes me to doubt, a trap by our enemy.
Then God lovingly reminds me, Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” – Psalm 115:3. God is sovereign, He sees the big picture. What appears to be unfair
to us now, God is delivering us grace. That can be a hard pill to swallow. Through all the injustices we see now, all the heartbreak, God sees, He knows what He is doing. We need to have faith and trust Him.


The other thing I have learned, that when I am in the middle of doing life, living, doing
the things God has placed before, housework, making art, caring for someone else in need, noticing needs in others, anchoring in Jesus, actually letting go and letting God do His work, that things work out better than I can imagine. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV). When I am not mulling over and over possible outcomes and not worrying, God will reveal His answer. Not. An. Easy. Task. I am still learning how to do this and I am seeing how God works without my trying to take over. My outcomes never line up with God’s. My expectations and God’s actions are never the same. It’s never what I expected, it’s always better, but sometimes I am confused by the outcome. That’s ok because, Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,…”


So I am learning that the only expectation I need to have is to expect God to work things out, for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). It may not be the outcome I am looking for but God is sovereign and He sees the big picture. All we need to do, or learn to do, is trust, be obedient, remain faithful and faith-fueled. Stay close to God, it makes the wait easier.


Here’s something to think about, what is the difference between grace and fairness? What we think isn’t fair could be God being gracious and what we think isn’t grace could be God being fair. Romans 11:34, “Who can know the mind of God…”


Scripture verse to memorize – “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” – Habakkuk 1:5