Last week, we looked at Jeremiah chapter 29 and asked what the Scriptures might tell us about how God’s people should live as “exiles.” We considered the disturbing erosion of Judeo-Christian values in our nation, the race toward complete decadence in our culture, and the very real prospect of Christians becoming marginalized and even – in 21^st century ways – “persecuted” for our beliefs in the not-too-distant future. And while we lament these social, political and cultural shifts in our nation and stand against these trends, we must face the realization that we are becoming exiles in our own land. If this is true, and if we are only facing the beginning of this rising tide of anti-Christian influence in our nation, then we must accept our impending “exiled residence” here as Christians.

So, what are we going to do about it?

As Christians, we view Scripture as the inspired Word of God, which is living and active, true in all that it teaches, and applicable in every part of our lives. In light of this, last week we considered God’s message, through the prophet Jeremiah, to the Israelites during the Babylonian exile. Like the Israelites, we were also shocked to learn the contents of this message and the instructions it entailed. In response to the exile, displacement, injustice and suffering they were experiencing, the counter-intuitive message summarized was: “Build houses. Plant gardens. Have babies. Live well and seek the welfare of the city.” (Jer. 29: 5-7, paraphrased)

After noting the bizarre nature of this message, we began to examine the main thrust of God’s command and arrived at two themes to which this message can be boiled down: 1. Trust the process. 2. Trust the Author. First, let’s look at what exactly we mean by trust the process.

Trust the Process. This phrase has recently become popular in professional sports as owners, administrators and players alike have encouraged fans who are unhappy with the current state of their favorite teams’ performances to trust the process. This means you believe there is a greater plan in the works, and you trust that it is right, good and will eventually produce favorable outcomes, even if the immediate circumstances seem to call for a different response.

So, what is this “process” that we as Christians should trust? God reveals that “process” to the Israelites through Jeremiah. And although He lists off several commands (none of which seem to make a lot sense at first glance), ultimately, they boil down to at least two principles we can identify: multiply and cultivate. Think about it… God tells them to get married and have kids. He says to build houses, in which these new families will live. He instructs them to plant and cultivate gardens that yield fruits and vegetables for nourishment and sustenance. And finally, He says to seek the welfare of the city so that the city and its inhabitants may prosper. In other words, multiply and cultivate.

Does this sound familiar? Does the idea of going forth and cultivating and multiplying sound like something you’ve heard before? That’s because you have heard it before. As bizarre as a set of instructions as it seems at first, God is not telling His people anything new. In fact, He’s giving them the same command He gave the very first humans to ever walk the earth: Adam and Eve.

In Genesis 1 and 2, God lays out what we have been calling the “process” for humans. He gives us our identity and our purpose and lays out the principles by which we should live our lives as humans. In Genesis chapter 1, after creating man in His image, God tells Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”  This is known as the “creation mandate,” and it serves as the central purpose clause in the creation narrative. But just a few verses later, in Genesis chapter 2, we learn that this creation mandate included more than just a command to have children. In these verses we learn that the first humans, Adam and Eve, were created and then placed in a very special kind of context: a garden. And with this special placement came an accompanying responsibility: to cultivate and maintain the garden.

In these verses, found in the first passages of the entire bible, we find the all-important mandate for mankind. We find our first “great commission.” We find our purpose in this life and the instructions for how to live… We are to be people of life. In everything that we do, we should be bringing life to the world around us. Whether it’s raising families, cultivating gardens, establishing order, or bringing light from darkness and providing purpose to our surroundings and circumstances, these are our standing orders. This is the process we are called to trust, embody and live-out in whatever situation we may found ourselves.

Before God began to create the universe, there was only darkness, emptiness, chaos and lifelessness. After God worked, there was light, fullness, order and life. The Israelites found themselves in a dark and broken situation. And they cried out to God to deliver them from their suffering and their exile. And while God assured them that one day He would in fact bring them out of exile, until then, He instructed them to do just as He had commanded Adam and Eve: multiply and cultivate. Just as we were made in God’s image, we are called to reflect His image by imitating His work in creation. In order to trust the process and embody that process in our everyday lives, we have to imitate God’s actions and character, which brings us to the other side of the coin…

Trust the Author. If, in order to live our lives by this process, we have to imitate God, and in order to imitate God, we have to know what He is like, then understanding God’s character and God’s behavior becomes paramount for the Christian. And it’s here that we find that not only can we trust the process, but we can also trust the Author. Since our purpose is simply (notice I didn’t say “easily”) to imitate the creative and life-bringing nature of God’s character and actions, then the “process” is truly only as good as the Author behind it. But the beauty of Genesis 1-3 (and indeed, the whole witness of Scripture), is that it reveals the incredible character of God, and the inarguable trustworthiness of God.

We learn that God is a God of life and of goodness. We learn that He brings light from darkness and order out of chaos. We learn that He is the source of all meaning, beauty, purpose and value in the world. He sustains and “upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3). And not only does He do all these great things, but, in Genesis 3, we learn of His defining feature: His love. He reveals the depth of this love for His creation through the grace and mercy He shows Adam and Eve, and His promise to one day restore and repair what they had broken in their sin. Finally, we find out in the New Testament the magnitude of this promise as God’s master plan of redemption and restoration culminates in the single greatest act of love conceivable: this very God became man. He took on the frail and fallen form of man, lived the life we couldn’t live, died the death we deserved, and rose again by the power of God – all so that we could be redeemed and live forever with Him.

Though times are difficult, and every day it seems our country and our culture strays further from God and His plan for us, we don’t have to despair. Nor should we vengefully wage war against the those who would see us marginalized and impotent. Instead, let us cling to our purpose and the mandate given to us from the beginning. May we, even as exiles, trust the process because we can trust the Author. And as we do, let our every action and word be about multiplying and cultivating life in a broken, hostile and dark context. Then, we only have to do as Jesus says in the sermon on the mount… “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Does the recent state of our culture and the trajectory of our country almost have you feeling like an exile? While we should be careful not to take for granted the freedoms we’re afforded, the privilege it is to be an American, or have a victim mentality, it is inarguable that Christians are becoming more and more marginalized in our country. This unfortunate reality is accompanied by a correlated decline or even disappearance of traditional values and Judeo-Christian ways of organizing American culture and society. The result is a nation wherein orthodox Christianity is utterly alien to the dominant trends and accepted truths of our culture.

What does this mean for us as Bible-believing Christians? It means that we are increasingly becoming marginalized. It means that we are increasingly a minority. It means that, in a real sense, we are becoming exiles.

And while this is certainly a reality that we should mourn, the advice we have for what you should do about it, or, more accurately, the advice that the Scriptures have for what you should do about it, might not be what you’d expect.

The Israelites were a people who experienced multiple exiles during the Old Testament. As it turns out, the Israelites were fairly similar to us, in that they had a less-than-spotless track record of obeying God. These constant rejections of God and His plan for their lives got them into trouble repeatedly (to understate it quite a bit). During the time of the prophet Jeremiah, Israel found itself in exile and under Babylonian rule. And although their circumstances largely followed from their disobedience and the judgment of God, they found themselves victims of a hostile enemy and the oppressive and unjust rule the Babylonians had imposed upon them. Naturally, the Israelites mourned their situation and cried out to God in their unfortunate state, begging God to turn His attention and His judgment upon the wicked Babylonians who had mistreated the people of God.

It is precisely this context of exile and lament in which the prophet Jeremiah addresses the Israelites on behalf of God. We find the content of this message in the book of Jeremiah, in the Old Testament. As we contemplate our current station as Christians in an increasingly hostile country and culture, and the similarity (though admittedly far less severe), to that of the Israelites under Babylonian rule, let’s hear what God has to say to His people through the words of the prophet Jeremiah. Maybe we can gain some biblical insight into how we ought to respond to our newfound exile. You may find our “marching orders” during this time to be different than what you may have thought or have been told to do by many in our culture.

Let’s look at Jeremiah 29 together:

[1] These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. …[4] “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: [5] Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. [6] Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. [7] But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. [8] For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, [9] for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD. …[10] “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. [11] For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. [13] You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” (ESV)

Alright, I know that was a lot. But let’s try and find the theme of Jeremiah’s instruction from God to the Israelites who are in exile.

Jeremiah addresses the people of God who are suffering from exile and crying out for deliverance and judgment upon Babylon. Many of the Israelites had been hearing from supposed prophets who were telling them that God was going to rescue them and destroy the Babylonians, immanently. God’s actual plans for His people’s plight was not so immediate and favorable as the Israelites had hoped. God had not told them, “Prepare to enjoy the spoils of war as I smite the Babylonians and deliver you from exile.” Instead, He says something to His people rather unexpected. He tells them to plant a garden.

What? Plant a garden? Build a house? Have babies? How in the world can that be the advice for the people of God, experiencing injustice and oppression and captivity by the wicked enemies of God? Surely Jeremiah meant to say, “Suit up, ready the horses and prepare for battle!” Surely our response to exile shouldn’t be to plant a garden.

And isn’t that what we, today, are inclined to think in our current situation? Aren’t we encouraged and roused to do the same thing by many well-intentioned (and maybe some not-so-well-intentioned) leaders and influencers in our circles? Is God actually telling us today, in our modern context in America, to build houses, plant gardens, and have children in response to the impending cultural exile we are facing as His people? In a very real sense, I believe this is precisely what He is commanding us to do.

But how, exactly, is this helpful? Isn’t that basically just giving up, being lazy, or, even worse, surrendering to these wicked powers and trends? What about our children and the America that we leave for them? Why shouldn’t we fight, tooth and nail, in our society, culture and politics to defeat these anti-Christian causes and the people who are behind them?

These are legitimate questions that deserve an answer. And that’s exactly what we’re going to pursue as we look to next week’s blog, where we’ll find what seems to be the two-pronged solution Jeremiah prescribes: Trust the process; trust the Author. But don’t worry, we’ll explore this idea further and see if we can find out why God might tell us to do something so utterly bizarre and counter intuitive. Don’t forget to come back next week for part 2!

When I was growing up, traveling, at least in my mind, was something only rich families were able to afford. Sure, we were on the road constantly and putting a ton of miles on the car. But they weren’t exactly “road trips” like you see in the movies. When I was seven, we moved about five hours away from the rest of our extended family so that my parents could go into full-time ministry at a year-round Christian camp. Five-hour car rides were very common for me, as were packed suitcases (my brothers and I would often just share one big one), sleeping against the car window or on your sibling in the backseat, and quick pit-stops along the highway.

But none of these countless trips I took while I was kid would be considered “traveling.” Because, to me, “traveling” was something only wealthy families could afford. Our family was blessed greatly in many ways. We were able to do a lot of fun things, and we certainly never worried about where we would get our next meal. But, like a lot of families, we simply didn’t have the money to take a family of five to Europe or to the Caribbean or even to Niagara Falls. At the time, many of these trips would have cost several thousands of dollars and were not the kinds of activities to which most families had access.

That’s why I have to pinch myself when I’m reminded that I’ve been to places like Indonesia, Germany, Italy and Mexico. And I’ve been able to visit cities in the U.S. like Chicago, Houston, Miami, D.C. and others, all in the last several years! And while I certainly owe the opportunity and ability to travel to these places to the goodness and graciousness of God and the prosperous nation in which He allows me to be a citizen, traveling has now become an opportunity that many individuals and families can experience.

For a variety of reasons, air travel has become more affordable, and even downright cheap in many instances. Sure, it takes a little bit of “hunting” to find some of the cheapest fares (sometimes as low as $20 one way!), but there are now services and flight trackers that can help you find these great deals. Moreover, there are countless ways to save a ton of money on hotels and activities at your destination. So not only can you get there affordably, but you can stay at top hotels for steep discounts. Then, you can head out to the zoo, the waterpark, or a nice restaurant and spend far less than you thought you would. What all of this means is that there may be opportunities for you and/or your family to see more of the U.S. or even the world when you might not have even thought it was an option.

And while there are many services out there that can help you find or book these trips, there is only one that uses your purchases to make an impact by leveraging the marketplace for the values of Faith Driven Consumers (FDCs): the FDC Marketplace. In previous blogs, we have spotlighted the FDC Marketplace and informed FDCs of what it is and how we can utilize its offerings while mobilizing those purchases collectively to leverage the marketplace. (If you haven’t read these blog posts yet, make sure to click on the links at the bottom of this blog to learn more about the FDC Marketplace.)

The FDC Marketplace itself is straightforward and easy to use. But it’s also extremely affordable… You can sign up here and pay $5 a month or at a super steep discount for $25 a year! And trust me, you’ll likely save ten times that on one trip with FDC Marketplace discounts and deals. After you become a Marketplace Member of Faith Driven Consumer, just go to the FDC Marketplace website and click the “Travel” tab above the scrolling graphics. Then all you have left to do is explore the thousands of great destinations and adventures and choose which one is right for you or your family! Also, if you are a new Marketplace Member or are new to the FDC Marketplace, check out the video link below and watch this short tutorial, showing you how to use the FDC Marketplace and get started saving today!

We want to encourage you to see more of this beautiful world that God has made for us to enjoy, and we are here to help you do that. The FDC Marketplace can help you save money on the day-to-day, and then afford you access to special deals, allowing you to book a trip that doesn’t break the bank like you thought it might. That’s why this blog post isn’t just an advertisement for one of our resources. This week’s post is all about informing and encouraging you to reconsider your opportunities to travel and see if we can play a small part in helping you finally go on that vacation or trip you’ve been considering for years. Oh, and by the way, when you do, you’ll be contributing, along with the entire FDC Community, to a nationwide effort to make a faith driven impact in the culture and marketplace we inhabit.

FDC MARKETPLACE TUTORIAL:

More Information on the FDC Marketplace:

The FDC Marketplace: Save Money While Making a Difference

Engaging Brands Who Aren’t Faith Compatible

Last week, we considered the advent of the new fall season and millions of Americans going back to school. With everyone settling into new schedules and making plans for the fall semester, we were encouraged to not neglect vital spiritual disciplines in the Christian life. We promised you six different spiritual disciplines, but we only looked at the first three: being in God’s Word, praying regularly, and evangelizing. This week, we’re going to look at the other three as we consider the importance of these practices and see how we can better incorporate them into our daily or weekly routines going forward. So, without further ado, let’s pick up where we left off…

4. Prioritize serving in your local church and in your community. One of the most practical spiritual disciplines we can engage in, is service and servanthood. Jesus said that anyone who wants to be first in the Kingdom of God must be last and become the servant of all. A Christ-like life is a life of service and sacrifice. What are some ways that you can weave regular volunteering or service into your weekly routine as you plan out the upcoming fall season? In which areas could you serve the church and your community in a way that demonstrates the sacrificial love of Jesus and a desire to love others as He loved us? Take an inventory of the gifts with which God has blessed you and then put them to use in whatever context fits best.

Are you good with kids? Volunteer to serve in the youth at your church, or even host a college ministry or bible study at your home. Are you good with computers and technology? Offer to run sound for worship at your church, or be ready and willing to help out the seniors at your church, or your aging next-door neighbors, who have weekly computer or smart phone issues and no one to help them (pray for plenty of patience along the way!). And if you’re good with your hands or are a carpenter or mason, talk to your pastor(s) and find out where you can help in your community and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Whatever or wherever it is, make a point to put your talents and skills on the altar to be used in service of the Kingdom.

5. Make giving a regular part of your financial practices. This is one we talk about often here at Faith Driven Consumer. But one of the most practical ways in which we can embody faith driven practices as believers is through the use of our money. And while spending wisely, saving money through platforms like FDC Marketplace, and using the FEI to ensure you’re supporting faith compatible brands, it’s also important for us as Faith Driven Consumers (FDCs) to be giving regularly to further Christ’s Kingdom. Whether it’s to your local church, a ministry or directly to help the poor, the orphans, or the widows, giving of your resources and your money for causes prescribed in Scripture–and that align with our values–is one of most important spiritual disciplines we can perform.

There are many reasons why giving regularly is such an important spiritual discipline in which we should be involved. But an important one that comes to mind is that giving regularly and sacrificially is a defense against idolatry in our hearts. In a world where most people are obsessed with the money, the pursuit of money, and the things money can buy, it’s important for us to remind ourselves that money is not our god. Giving regularly and sacrificially can help train and teach our minds to remember that all money is God’s anyway and that it can easily become an idol if we are not careful.

6. Worship God throughout each and every day. This one is obvious and may seem like an umbrella term for all of the other practices we’ve been considering. But while that’s true in a way, worship is the most important of them all. And it’s so important for us to consider and work diligently to practice because it’s the thing which should undergird all the other disciplines we’ve discussed. That’s because worship is not a specific practice or a task to be performed. Worship happens from the heart. When we respond to the goodness of God with a spirit of praise and honor to Him, we are worshipping God. When we, by Jesus’ work on the cross and through the power of the Spirit, reflect the character of God back to Him and to the world, we are worshipping God.

That’s why worship is so important – it is a spiritual, heart response of love, adoration, praise and thankfulness that should be the foundation of all that we do as believers. So, whether we are reading God’s Word, going to our Heavenly Father in prayer, or giving of our talents, our time or our money, we should remember to practice this important spiritual discipline of the heart and the mind: worship. And when we do, not only will God be glorified, which certainly is reason enough, but the world will also see and bear witness to power of the gospel. Then, by God’s grace, they might “see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

As we mentioned last week, this is not an exhaustive list and there are many other practices like fasting, meditating or even journaling which can be very helpful in your walk with Christ. But we have considered six different practices that are prescribed for us in Scripture, and that if we incorporate them into our regular routines, it will help our minds be renewed in the Spirit each and every day. As Faith Driven Consumers, let us not neglect to do so as we go into the next season of our lives and tackle all that this world throws at us.