by Aarron Pina | Sep 19, 2013 | Uncategorized
The Short Version:
We can either live long in obedience and die in greatness, God’s way, or live in rebellion and die before our time.
When Will You Die?
Your guess is about as good as mine. But, in general, Paul gives us a guiding principle about our expiration date. One day in Antioch, Paul gives a brilliant telling of the gospel to a mixed crowd at a synagogue. While making a point about Christ’s divinity and perfection (how mortal men die and decay, but the immortal Christ did not), he mentions King David and makes a comment that tells a story on a different topic:
“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. (Acts 13:36)”
Paul had already set up this statement by reiterating God’s declaration that David would “do everything I want him to do (Acts 13:22)”. So, even though he’s making the point about Christ’s divine nature and perfect sacrifice, Paul makes it clear that God had a temporal purpose for David and David’s expiration date came only after that purpose was fulfilled.
Want to die well? Follow David’s example. No, don’t commit adultery and a murderous cover up for it – do everything God wants you to do and when you sin, repent.
Want to die early? Walk in disobedience to God, do your best to serve both God and money, and fail to repent when confronted on your sin. Without viewing it through this lens, it looks like God gave David great mercy in not striking him dead when he sinned with Bathsheba and had her husband killed in battle as a cover up. It also appears God had a “zero tolerance” policy with Ananias and Sapphira. But, as we read deeper into that conspiracy, we see two very different conditions of the heart in two entirely different people:
The Case for David:
David – full of godly sorrow, confesses his sin to God, leaving all excuses out of the picture:
“Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge. (Psalm 51:4)”
The Case Against Ananias
Yet, here we have Ananias, who sold a piece of real estate and then kept a portion of it for himself and his wife. Now, it’s not wrong to sell something and give some of the proceeds toward Kingdom work. That’s not the case that Peter makes when he confronts Ananias. Ananias and his wife had just seen Barnabas sell a piece of land and put the whole price before the apostles’ feet. Instead of following the example, Ananias and Sapphira were attempting to gain similar status and glory for the kingdom while also keeping some of the money for themselves.
Jesus once called Peter out as a rock star and a couple lines later called him Satanic. Jesus even predicted Peter’s denial of Christ only to later restore him. God gave Peter mercy because He knew his heart: repentant, just like David’s. Peter knew God’s mercy, personally… publicly. Perfect guy to confront a sinner like Ananias, right?
Knowing God’s mercy on himself, Peter could easily have sent Ananias home to repent and bring back the balance. True? True. But, Peter’s accusation of Ananias didn’t come from his own knowledge. No one knew of the Ananias deception but Ananias and his wife. Peter’s accusation was based on discernment of the Holy Spirit, Who also knew sending Ananias home would have proven fruitless. It wasn’t Peter who killed Ananias – it was Ananias’ stubborn, greedy, rebellious heart and his wife’s complicity in the crime to gain recognition in the church while serving their own needs in the process.
Cause of Death?
For Ananias, the cause of death was knowing the truth about his duplicitous condition. The text reads: “
And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last…” In the Greek, “heard” is used in an active form, carrying the meaning that Ananias didn’t just fall dead when the words went through his ears, rather when they were processed by his mind (understood) and subsequently went through his heart, which was hard and bent on its own mission.
Turning the heart against the call of God will not go unnoticed. It will also not go unpunished. If we desire to live the longest life God has for us, we must stay true to His course for our life and return to it when we go astray. God may not have in His perfect plan for us a life as long as David’s, but He will cut us short of even that if we harden our hearts against His kingdom and set our hearts on serving ourselves behind a veil of religious activity.
The Chuck Norris Factor
One of my favorite Chuck Norris jokes is – “If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can’t see Chuck Norris, you may be seconds from death.” How can I be encouraged by that?
Well, if you’re repentant, you can be encouraged to know that if there is breath in your body you are being given another moment to repent for anything you’ve done wrong and another chance to fulfill all God has planned for you. If you fear you may not be repentant, you may actually be suffering from Godly sorrow and are being given another moment to repent for anything you’ve done wrong and another chance to fulfill all God has planned for you.
If you read this and think “that’s a load of crap“… Beware. You may be in the kind of denial that leads to Ananias’ door. But, know that every one of us is tempted. Every one of us sins. Every one of us put Jesus on the cross. Every one of us seeks some form of greatness – our own greatness or greatness for God’s name and kingdom. We can’t have it both ways. Choose today whom you will serve!
in Christ,
AP
by Aarron Pina | Sep 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
Sanctification vs. hyperpersonalization of the Gospel.
Jesus died for you. Get over it.
Does that seem offensive or strange?
Can I have a moment of your time to explain what I mean?
I pray that I never get over the fact that God, who is holy and good, sent Christ to suffer and die on the cross for my sin while I was His enemy. So, I’m not saying any of us needs to get over that fact at all. However, I suffer from a disease from which God is progressively curing all of the saved: ego. Because I’m here inside this earth suit of a body, I experience everything as, you guessed it… me. How about you?
In a Genesis 3 world, it’s natural, normal… familiar and easy to shift into “it’s all about me” mode… frequently. So, when I say “get over it”, I’m referring to the least important word in the sentence: you. You see, the disease “me-itis” (the swelling of a hyperactive self-importance gland), causes many of us to got over involved in what God is doing for us. This isn’t just limited to the disgusting prosperity gospel that promises far less than the true Gospel, but it also easily metastasizes when exposed to an over abundance of life application. When the gospel is constantly reduced to the how-to-apply-it, “what’s the take-away” can morph quickly into “what I can get out of this?” and progress to ”
Take-away…
Didn’t I just say “what’s the take-away” is dangerous? Only where the overinflated “me” gland touches it… Back to the point: if God is sanctifying us all – as individuals and corporately, then Paul’s mission statement in Philippians 3:10-11 (specifically in the Amplified version, below), tempered by a humble heart and well checked ego, becomes a manifesto for any blood-bought born-again believer in Christ:
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
by Aarron Pina | Sep 9, 2013 | Uncategorized
Right Now
Summer is often one of the most challenging seasons for churches, ministries, and other non-profit organizations. August has been historically one of our “driest” months. This August was no different. Despite that, we’ve had 9 new contacts this month seeking one on one discipleship. High demand, low supply. Yet, we know God is still in control and has not brought us to the desert to die of thirst.
Facing Today, Looking Toward Year End
For the first year since our official inception in 2007, we’ve seen at least 4 months of the year fully funded. Normally, we’ll run closer to half that. Praise God, right? However, our immediate need (remaining need from August plus September need) is $5,125. Coming up, we have an amazing fundraising event/opportunity that almost literally fell into our lap. We’ll have more detail on that in the next two weeks, but if you can walk, run, roll or donate, you’ll want to keep the morning of Saturday, October 26th open on your calendar.
Today, I want you to know about two needs – the immediate and the overall. It has never been more crucial that I extend a giving opportunity. By year end, we’re only facing about a $28,000 need. Normally, year end need around September is much higher. But, with this low level of need and the upcoming event in October, coming up even is a very clear possibility. Please, begin to pray for and consider Seasons of Life Ministries as you think about your year end giving.
The second need is this: that immediate September need mentioned above. A good chunk of that will be required for salaries and related fees – meaning, our personal rent/power/water is at stake. We know after many attempts to do otherwise, that God has called us to focus our full time attention on discipleship and all things Seasons of Life. So, we call on you to consider this, our livelihood, in your immediate giving.
by Aarron Pina | Jun 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
UPDATED: Sunday, June 2
“After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. (Acts 18:1-4)“
High Tech Tent Making
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An old school plasma TV I hung
this week while “tent making”. |
A few weeks ago, I had a chance to shift out of “full time” ministry mode and into a more part time schedule. I’ve needed some time to get back to meeting with people to raise awareness and support for Seasons of Life and a part time job opportunity presented itself at the home theater company I used to work for that gives me a little flexibility to do so. It wasn’t what I planned to do with my summer, but God calls and we respond, right?
This week, I’ve worked in $750,000 homes, handled tens of thousands of dollars worth of home theater and A/V equipment, while at the same time worked alongside men who are inches from the poverty level. Strange, isn’t it? But, the gospel is needed there just as much as it is with the men I normally meet with.
I’m excited about some of the upcoming work, but it’s a major transition for us and has brought its share of stress and growing pains. Financially, we’ve been praying for God to “fill a hole in the bottom of the boat” and often He’s done just that. But, as the boat has changed course slightly, we’ve gained a clearer picture of just how big that hole is and a stark look at how much water we’ve taken on in the process.
The Waiting Game & The Gap
Right now, I’m waiting for some of the audio-video/outdoor lighting jobs to be completed before I can be paid for my work at my “day job”. I’m also waiting on several back paychecks from Seasons of Life that may or may not get funded this year. By the end of the month, the boat could be steady going, God willing. But, for now, there’s a gap between now and then – a time sensitive, financial gap.
So, as we spend the summer repairing the hole in the hull, will you help us bail water/bridge the gap?
I invite you to click over to our website and contribute in any amount you can, as soon as you can. I’m also inviting you to be one of the peculiar people who support discipleship ministry and the usual work we do here at SOLM even when there is no financial crisis, realigning lives with the way, the truth, and the life of Jesus Christ.
Pray for us in both ventures – that we will disciple by the Spirit and out of sound doctrine and that the work I do with AVPros will be done with great quality, spreading the gospel as the Lord leads. Click here to go to our support page and always remember to keep Seasons of Life and the men and women we lock arms with in your prayers.
in Christ,
AP
by Aarron Pina | Jun 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
by Aarron Pina | May 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
Complications
With three toddlers and a prodigal teen, life can get… complicated. Add to that the responsibilities of maintaining a “hands off” approach to my wife as she learns what being a home school mom is all about, caring for the massive yard in the house we’re renting as if it were our own, working full time in vocational ministry, and occasionally picking up side work for a local low-voltage & home theater corporation, and you can imagine I must have a rather long, revolving door of a to-do list.
Ten years ago, waiting tables at a high volume restaurant, I make key decisions every thirty seconds, change directions decisively and deliberately on a dime, and probably walk 5 miles a shift in 50′ increments. My income depended on punctual service. Anticipating the needs of each table was a crucial skill – dining guests often keep a mental “balance sheet” of the tasks you do correctly without being asked. Get them done proactively, they chalk up “waiter points” in their mind. “He brought me more salad dressing just when I needed it and I didn’t have to ask! Ten points”! “How did he know I needed more sweet tea?! Five points!”
Fail to do an item or have to be asked to do it either doesn’t gain you points or penalizes you points. By the end of the meal, most guests leave you a tip based on the number of points they’ve calculated in this oft unspoken game. When your income is 100% tips, your ability to predict needs and address issues before they come up becomes heightened. Further, the consequences of having a guest ask you for something you should have already noticed becomes a sensitive, personal matter. You develop a sense of pride in your ability… leaving you vulnerable to financial and personal wounding when you drop the ball.
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| Me and my bride – who is FULL of EXCELLENT IDEAS!
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Micromanaged?
Occasionally, in my complicated life, my wife would ask me to do something that I had either recently stuffed into my mental queue or was just moments from getting done: just made a mental note to add batteries to the shopping list when I’d hear “Babe, we need more batteries…”
At times, this kind of thing wouldn’t bother me. But, on days when I’m deep in the flesh and aware of my greatest wounds, I’d be highly offended. I mean, how could she possibly think that someone as competent and proactive as I didn’t have a handle on our household battery needs?! How could the person closest to me DOUBT ME, the KING of PROACTIVISHNESS?! When I misinterpret this kind of feedback through the flesh instead of by the Spirit, I feel micromanaged. Ever feel preempted, cut off, micromanaged?
On days when I’m at my worst, my first response would often be: “don’t you think I’m already on that?!”
Considering Others Better…
Reading through James I came across a tough passage:
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17, NIV)”
In one of our better “working on us” conversations, I discovered that my defensiveness in these situations was hurting my bride and didn’t line up at all with this passage from James. I was clearly not passing on godly wisdom, rather lashing out to protect the pride I’d built up over being King. But, who wants to serve that king? I confessed my sin to Cristine and she explained that all she wanted in those situations was a little affirmation and confirmation that the task in question was as important to me as it was to her. The biblical, restaurant maxim “the guest is always right” (See Phil 2:3-4) applies here, clearly.
Immediately, I came up with a killer line. “Babe… That’s an excellent idea!” The next time she mentioned that we were low on an item that I typically restock and suggested I get it the next day when I was at the big orange store, I gave her the killer line: “Babe… That. Is an excellent idea!” She didn’t need to be berated, she didn’t need to know that I’m already planning to pick those oven vent light bulbs up. She didn’t need any of my pride. And, if I’m to walk in the Spirit, I don’t need to tell her anything that’s impure, quarrelsome, inconsiderate of her needs, etc… That’s prideful defensiveness and the hallmark of worldly wisdom. And, it’s a shame when you and I have access to God by the Word and the Spirit – the God who gives us wisdom generously and without the kind of reproach I was extending to my wife.
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Everyone’s mouth dis-
penses some kind of
wisdom. But, is it
godly wisdom or
worldly wisdom? |
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So, now, we have a code – whenever she brings up something that I’m already secretly proactively planning or already have on the calendar or other list, I willingly give up my need for credit and say “Babe… That is an EXCELLENT idea!” What would your workplace relationships look like, your dating/marriage relationships, strained family relationships look like if you swallowed all pride, walked by the Spirit, and became a PEZ dispenser of godly wisdom – “pure… peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere”?
May God bless you with the grace and power to honestly and sincerely overcome any pride or wounding you’ve had in this same area and to sincerely and mercifully pour out His wisdom and His character to be a blessing to all around you.
in Christ,
AP
